The Japan Navigator

Leaving Japan? Essential Checklist Before You Go Planning to leave Japan soon? Before you board your flight, there are a few important legal and administrative steps to complete. From city hall notifications and unpaid taxes to pension withdrawals and phone contracts, here’s a full breakdown of what to do before departure—and why timing matters if you’re leaving around the end of the year. 1) File a Moving-Out Notification (転出届) Visit your city or ward office and submit a moving-out notification (転出届 / tenshutsu todoke) within 14 days before leaving Japan. This officially cancels your residence record and stops local residence tax from accruing after you leave. Bring your residence card and My Number card (or notification card). You’ll receive a Moving-Out Certificate (転出証明書) —keep this for airport or visa procedures. This also deactivates your enrollment in the national health insurance system, unless you have company coverage. 2) Taxes: Why Timing Matters Ja...

How Salary, Bonuses, and Payslips Work in Japan Japanese payslips can be difficult to decipher when you first start working in Japan. Base salary, allowances, social insurance contributions, income tax, bonuses, and resident tax all appear as separate items, often with unfamiliar terminology. This guide explains how salaries and payslips work in Japan in 2025, why certain deductions are made, and how your take-home pay is calculated. 1) How Salary Is Structured in Japan Most full-time employees receive a fixed monthly salary. Companies usually describe compensation as “monthly salary + bonus,” not annual salary, which often surprises foreign residents. Understanding what makes up your monthly income is essential for budgeting and negotiating offers. Typical components: Base salary (基本給) — the main part of your compensation. Allowances (手当) — such as transportation, housing, overtime, or family support. Bonuses (賞与) — usually paid twice per year. Why Japanese c...

How to File Taxes in Japan (2025 Guide for Foreign Residents) Whether you work full-time for in as a company employee or freelance independently, understanding Japan’s tax filing process is essential. While most employees’ taxes are handled automatically through payroll, others must file manually. This 2025 guide explains who needs to file, how to do it, and what happens if you leave Japan mid-year. 1) Who Needs to File a Tax Return (確定申告 / Kakutei Shinkoku) In Japan, income taxes are generally withheld from your salary each month, and your employer performs a year-end adjustment (年末調整 / nenmatsu chousei) . If that adjustment covers your total income, you usually don’t need to file anything. However, you must file a tax return if any of the following apply: You changed jobs during the year (two or more employers). You have freelance, rental, or investment income. You left Japan before December and didn’t receive year-end adjustment. You want to claim extra deduct...

How to Rent an Apartment in Japan Renting an apartment in Japan can feel complicated, especially for foreign residents. Multiple fees, guarantor requirements, strict screening, and detailed contracts make the process very different from many other countries. This guide explains the main steps, typical costs, and practical tips to protect your money when moving in and moving out. 1) Overview of the Renting Process The general flow when renting in Japan looks like this: Search for properties (online portals, agencies, corporate contacts). Property viewings (内見 / naiken). Application and screening (申込・審査). Contract signing (契約). Move-in inspection and key handover. At each stage, you may be asked for documents and payments, so it helps to understand the full cost picture upfront. 2) Typical Upfront Costs (Example: ¥100,000 Monthly Rent) For an apartment with ¥100,000 monthly rent, a typical initial cost breakdown might look like this: Deposit (敷金) : usual...