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https://tokyocheapo.com/living/japanese-language-guide-visiting-the-doctor/

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Though it may not be perfect, the healthcare system in Japan makes receiving medical care a relatively cheapo-friendly experience. This is great, but if you don't speak Japanese, the experience can easily turn into one of frustration and confusion-not great when you feel like you're going to pass out, or have a team of monkeys playing taiko drums in your head. In this article, we hope to make your next trip to the doctor a little easier by giving you some basic Japanese words and phrases (with audio) to help you get the medical attention you need.

Get the 80/20 Japanese book! Support the author of this post and get the best guidance and tools for improving your Japanese by getting the 80/20 Japanese textbook.

Getting to a doctor

The first step towards seeing a doctor, or "oisha san", is finding one. The most important word you need to know for this is "byōin". This is normally translated as "hospital", but it is actually quite a general term that refers to anything from large hospitals to small doctor's clinics. Use "byōin" with the phrases in our guide to asking for directions in Japanese, and you should find a doctor in no time.

Describing your symptoms

Once at the hospital or clinic, you of course need to explain what the problem is. Here's how to express some of the most common symptoms in Japanese.

All of these individual words can be combined with a verb to form a more complete description. The verb, however, varies depending on the type of symptom. Here's how to describe each of these in full using the polite form of the appropriate verb:

E: I have a headache
J: zutsū ga arimasu

Your browser does not support the audio element.

E: I have a fever
J: netsu ga arimasu

Your browser does not support the audio element.

E: I have a runny nose
J: hanamizu ga demasu

Your browser does not support the audio element.

E: I have a cough
J: seki ga demasu

Your browser does not support the audio element.

E: I am dizzy
J: memai ga shimasu

Your browser does not support the audio element.

E: I have a cold
J: kaze ga arimasu

Your browser does not support the audio element.

If any of these symptoms are really bad, a simple way to express this is to say the basic word for the symptom followed by "ga hidoi". This essentially describes that symptom as being awful or horrible. Here are a couple of examples:

E: I have a horrible headache
J: zutsū ga hidoi (desu)

E: My nose won't stop running (literally: "my runny nose is awful")
J: hanamizu ga hidoi (desu)

Your browser does not support the audio element.

Describing pain in Japanese

When a symptom involves pain, this can be described using the word "itai", which effectively means "hurts". "Itai" is also the instinctive word screamed by Japanese people when they injure themselves, much like the English word "ouch".

To say that something hurts, simply say the body part followed by "ga itai". You can add "desu" on the end if you want to be polite. Here are some examples:

E: My head hurts (or an alternative way of saying, "I have a headache")
J: atama ga itai (desu)

E: My stomach hurts
J: onaka ga itai (desu)

Your browser does not support the audio element.

E: My throat hurts
J: nodo ga itai (desu)

Your browser does not support the audio element.

E: My chest hurts
J: mune ga itai (desu)

Your browser does not support the audio element.

When you don't know the word for the body part you're trying to describe, just point to the pain and say:

E: It hurts here
J: koko ga itai (desu)

Your browser does not support the audio element.

To describe the severity of the pain, the two most useful words to know are "totemo", meaning "very/really", and "chotto", which means "a bit" or "a little". Just place the appropriate word immediately before "itai", like so:

E: My leg/foot really hurts
J: ashi ga totemo itai (desu)

Your browser does not support the audio element.

E: My neck hurts a little
J: kubi ga chotto itai (desu)

Your browser does not support the audio element.

There's also the word "kanari", which can be used to say "quite" or "quite a bit":

E: My back hurts quite a bit
J: senaka ga kanari itai (desu)

Your browser does not support the audio element.

And if you're asked if a certain area of your body hurts ("itai desu ka?"), and it doesn't, say this:

E: It doesn't hurt
J: itakunai (desu)

Your browser does not support the audio element.

Describing when your pain or symptoms began

A good doctor will usually want to know when the symptoms began, or when the injury occurred. If you're quick to get to the doctor, the following is all you need:

If it's been longer, however, and you're not well versed with expressions of time, a shortcut to describing any amount of time (within reason) is to say the number of days followed by "nichi mae", meaning "days earlier", like so:

E: 3 days ago
J: san nichi mae

E: 14 days ago
J: jū yon nichi mae

Now, there are other words to describe time like weeks (shū) and months (kagetsu), and for smaller numbers especially, this isn't the most natural expression, but it's quick, easy and gets the message across, which is all that really matters when you're feeling awful or in serious pain. If you want to master all the possible ways to describe time in Japanese, or anything else for that matter, be sure to check out my Japanese language text book.

So that about covers it! There are, of course, many more symptoms and expressions not covered here, but hopefully this guide-together with your "kenkō hokenshō", or health insurance card -will make your next visit to the doctor no more painful than it needs to be.

Another great way to learn Japanese is by signing up to NativShark. The platform makes learning simple, and gets rave reviews.

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Visiting the Doctor in Japan: A Japanese-Language Guide | Tokyo Cheapo

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Though it may not be perfect, the healthcare system in Japan makes receiving medical care a relatively cheapo-friendly experience. This is great, but if you don't speak Japanese, the experience can easily turn into one of frustration and confusion-not great when you feel like you're going to pass out, or have a team of monkeys playing taiko drums in your head.

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https://www.nenkin.go.jp/international/japanese-system/nationalpension/nationalpension.html#:~:text=The%20pensionable%20age%20for%20the,start%20to%20receive%20your%20pension.

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https://finance.yahoo.com/news/retire-japan-costs-visas-more-153008293.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAAyIb10hAwrBDnqxN7u48JsPk2LmkC8Lbc83A8pGEWXTKMhepl6LXU08BF406s4NEcjMUz8LmNl7fzITp8y2y589wAQ_UDFFrb08cJsqW2L16jY8UT4JLjbya5w0lAXgO46QtbasjnCYkr5U1F0w2byaAKUHx9tB4PiXdEjJaUWI

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Japan is known for bullet trains, an amazing cuisine and some of the cleanest, litter-free streets in the world. Overall, the nation is a beautiful place to both visit and live. In addition to its beautiful landscapes, there are plenty of reasons that people choose to retire in Japan. If you've dreamed of retiring to a beautiful country with plenty of good food then Japan might be the perfect retirement destination for you. But before you pack your bags, here's what you should know about spending your golden years in the Land of the Rising Sun.
Getting a Japanese Visa
Not only is Japan a popular tourist destination, but it's easy for Americans to enter Japan as tourists. Americans can enter Japan without a visa and are able to stay up to 90 days visa-free and are assigned Temporary Visitor status. This is a single-entry visa, but tourists can apply for two trips within six months if they want.

If you want to stay longer than 90 days, you will have to gain a working visa or a spouse visa. This means you must either work in Japan or marry a Japanese citizen.

The final way to get a permanent resident visa takes many years. First, you must stay in the country for three years on one-year visas. Then, you will be able to apply for a long-stay visa. This visa requires a Certificate of Eligibility from the Ministry of Justice. To get this certificate, you must meet several criteria of the Immigration Control Act.

The long-stay visa lasts three more years. After the first six years, you can apply to become a Japanese permanent resident. You must go through a testing process to prove that you are fluent in Japanese and have a strong understanding of Japanese culture.
Housing Costs in Japan
Japan has a notoriously high cost of living, according to data from Numbeo. Overall consumer prices in the United States are 14% lower than in Japan. However, housing costs in Japan are about 32% lower than in the United States.

The national average housing cost for a one-bedroom apartment in the city center of Japan is $821 per month. In the United States, the same apartment would cost $1,359 per month. For a one-bedroom apartment in central Tokyo, for example, rent is about $1,156. In the center of New York, by comparison, a one-bedroom apartment costs about $3,269 on average. Outside of the city center, the same apartment in Tokyo would cost about $702, and in New York would cost about $2,017. Despite the relative value of housing costs in Tokyo, the city is still among the most expensive in the world.

Because rent is significantly less in Japan than in the United States, you can live a similar lifestyle for less. The cost of consumer goods is also a bit less in Japan than in the United States, so your overall lifestyle will be less expensive in Japan than in America.
Taxes in Japan
It's very difficult to get a permanent resident visa or a long-term visa in Japan. However, if you do obtain one of these visas, you will be subject to taxes. If you're a non-resident and have a one-year visa, you will only pay taxes on income earned in Japan. Conversely, if you are a non-permanent resident and have lived in Japan for less than five years, you will pay income taxes on all of your income except foreign income that does not get sent to Japan. If you are a permanent resident, you will pay taxes on all income earned in Japan and abroad.

As a U.S. resident, you will be expected to file taxes in the U.S. each year. You will have to report any foreign bank accounts as well. If you earn any money outside of the U.S., you can use a few different provisions to reduce your U.S. taxable income. These include the foreign earned income exclusion, the foreign tax credit and the foreign housing exclusion, among others. If you'd like to forecast your tax burden more specifically, you may want to consult with a tax expert who is familiar with both U.S. and Japanese tax laws.
Healthcare in Japan
The Japanese public healthcare system is consistently ranked in the top ten healthcare systems in the world by the World Health Organization. This ranking is based on efficiency, quality, responsiveness, and fairness in financing. The government pays for 70% of healthcare costs for residents and pays more for low-income residents. People pay into this system with their taxes.

Anyone who legally lives in Japan for over one year can enroll themselves in the National Health Insurance or Employees' Health Insurance programs. When you are insured, you will only have to pay 30% of your medical expenses. These medical expenses include appointments, hospital visits, and prescriptions. The typical cost for a doctor's visit with insurance will run you about $50-$100 out of pocket.
Safety in Japan
Japan has a very low crime rate. As when traveling anywhere, travelers are warned to be mindful in crowded spaces, as pickpocketing and other petty crime do happen. Overall, the food quality is very high in Japan and there is very little risk of foodborne illness.

Japan is prone to earthquakes and other natural disasters. While these are not daily occurrences, it is important to be aware that these things do happen. Fire is the second most dangerous natural disaster in Japan, especially during an earthquake.

If you feel at risk, Japan has "kobans" around cities. A koban is a small police box, which is free to use and provides a direct line to the police department If you have been robbed or have other emergencies to report, these are free to use.
Bottom Line
Japan is a stunning destination and highly sought after by Americans who want to retire abroad. It is very difficult to gain residency in Japan, but if you do, it can be a great place to retire. The healthcare system is one of the best in the world.
Tips for Achieving Your Retirement Goals

Consider talking to a financial advisor about your retirement plans. Finding the right financial advisor who fits your needs doesn't have to be hard. SmartAsset's free tool can match you with up to three local financial advisors, and you can choose the one who is best for you. If you're ready, get started now.

It's tough to plan for your retirement if you aren't sure what kind of costs you'll have when you retire. To get an idea of what to expect, stop by our retirement calculator. To use this, you'll need a few details about where you want to retire, when you want to retire and how much you have in savings.

Photo credit: ©iStock.com/tawatchaiprakobkit, ©iStock.com/recep-bg, ©iStock.com/JGalione

The post How to Retire in Japan: Costs, Visas and More appeared first on SmartAsset Blog.

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How to Retire in Japan: Costs, Visas and More

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Japan is known for bullet trains, an amazing cuisine and some of the cleanest, litter-free streets in the world. Overall, the nation is a beautiful place to both visit and live. In addition to its beautiful landscapes, there are plenty ... Continue reading ->The post How to Retire in Japan: Costs, Visas and More appeared first on SmartAsset Blog.

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https://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/pdfs/guide_living_en.pdf

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https://japantoday.com/category/features/lifestyle/retiring-in-japan-what%E2%80%99s-the-best-strategy

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More and more of us have come to Japan and are choosing to stay. In the summer of 2000, I arrived here expecting to do two years on the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Program, then go onto bigger and better things. More than 20 years later, I am still living in Sendai, just down the road from my first apartment. Oops, it looks like I'm a lifer.

Suppose you do end up staying in Japan (and even if you don't), "old you" will thank yourself for getting your finances in order as soon as possible. This is not difficult, but it is hard. Kind of like exercising and keeping yourself healthy-it's more about habits than knowledge.

I meet many people who say something like, "I haven't made plans to retire, so I will just work until I die," which is fine until you realize that you may not be willing or able to do that. There aren't many jobs for 70-year olds, and you might end up living several decades past that.

Why not save and invest just in case, then? If you choose to keep working, you can do so from a position of strength and do it because you want to and not because you have to.
The basic strategy
In Japan, traditional retirement is funded by an employee's contributions (and employer matching) to nenkin, the national government pension system, or literally "year money," possibly a retirement bonus as well as any personal savings and investments.

A government panel issued a report in 2019 stating that the average married couple would need ¥20 million in savings to supplement their nenkin in retirement.

Saving up ¥20 million is a formidable task. Fortunately, we can invest the money to speed things up a little-and Japan has several tax-advantaged accounts to help people invest for retirement.

Click here to read more.

© GaijinPot

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Retiring in Japan: What's the best strategy?

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More and more of us have come to Japan and are choosing to stay. In the summer of 2000, I arrived here expecting to do two years on the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Program, then go onto bigger and better things. More than 20 years later, I am still...

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https://www.retirejapan.com/

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Retire Japan | Personal finance for residents of Japan.

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Personal finance for residents of Japan. | Retire Japan

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https://www.tnvn.jp/

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東京日本語ボランティア・ネットワーク

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トップ - 東京日本語ボランティア・ネットワーク

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ボランティア日本語教室ガイド 都内を中心に活動しているボランティア日本語教室が検索できます。 ニュースレター TNVNで発行している機関紙「Nihongo Network News」の記事を公開しています。 報告書 TN […]

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https://jsite.mhlw.go.jp/tokyo-foreigner/english/seekers_1/spec/spec_1c.html

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This section explains some basic information briefly which should be recognized by foreigners working in Japan or intending to do so.

Foreign nationals who are permitted to work in Japan and those who are not.

Labour related laws you need to be aware of

When you resign from a company

Other insurance systems for workers

Labour related laws and regulations in Japan you need to be aware of

For those people working in Japan, the Labour Standards Law and other related laws prescribe the following provisions and "Guidelines concerning employment and working conditions for foreign workers." Employers should look closely at these provisions and respect them. (Excerpts)

1. Clear indication of working conditions.
In concluding a labour contract, the employer must clearly indicate wages, working hours, etc. to the worker concerned.
Regarding wages, in particular, it is necessary to indicate them clearly in writing. (Article 15 of the Labour Standards Law) .
In finding employment, it is recommendable to make sure of essential working conditions such as wages, working hours, etc. by documents ( Employment notification ) etc., which show clearly the contents.

2. Restrictions on the dismissals of workers who have been injured in an industrial accident and are under medical treatment.
Dismissing a worker who has been injured or become sick in connection with his/her work and is absent from work in order to receive medical treatment is prohibited during such period of absence plus 30 days thereafter. (Article 19 of the Labour Standards Law).

3. Payment of wages
Wages must be paid to the workers in currency, directly, in full, at least once a month, and on a fixed date. (Article 24 of the labour Standard law). Concerning the payment in full, however, exceptions are made such as statutory deductions for taxes, employment insurance and agreed deductions for union dues, etc.
In case a worker resigns from his employer, the latter must pay the former outstanding wages, etc. within 7 days following the receiving of the former's request for payment. (Article 23 of the Labour Standard Law).

4. Working hours and holidays
The statutory working hours are 8 hours, a day, 40 hours a week (for certain size and types of industry, 44 hours a week). (Articles 32,40 and 131 of the Labour Standard Law).
The statutory holidays are one day a week, or 4 days or more in 4-weekperiod.(Article 35 of the Labour Standard Law).

5. Extra pay for overtime, work on holidays and midnight work.
In order to make a worker work in excess of the statutory working hours or on statutory holidays, it is necessary for the employer to comply with certain procedure prescribed by the law and regulations. (Article 36 of the labour Standard Law).
For work done in excess of the statutory working hours, extra pay calculated at a 25% or more of the wages payable for the normal working hours or work day must be paid, and for work on statutory holidays, at least 35%.
In addition, it is regarded necessary for workers to be paid extra pay calculated at a rate of 25% or more for working during midnight(between10p.m.and5 a.m.).(Article 37 of the Labour Standard Law).

6. Return of money and other goods
Foreign nationals living in Japan always need carry with them their passport or certificate of alien registration. (Article 23 of the Immigration Control Law). Be careful not to entrust your passport with others.
Also, when a worker resigns from a company, the employer must pay the former outstanding wages and any other kind of goods to which the former is entitled within 7 days following the receiving of the former's request for payment.(Article 23 of the Labour Standard Law).

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Labour related laws you need to be aware of | 東京外国人雇用サービスセンター

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This section explains some basic information briefly which should be recognized by foreigners working in Japan or intending to do so. Foreign nationals who are permitted to work in Japan and those who are not.

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https://visaguide.world/retirement-visa/japan/

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Japan Retirement Visa Alternatives - How to Retire in Japan?

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A place where tradition and modernity collide, cherry blossoms cover everything, and history follows you everywhere, Japan is undoubtedly one of the best countries to live in the world.

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Page ID：170010010-215-226-651

If you are non-Japanese and you have short coverage periods under the National Pension system or the Employees' Pension Insurance system, you can apply for the Lump-sum Withdrawal Payments. Please make sure you are no longer covered by these pension systems, and you file the application for the Payments within two years since you leave Japan.
Please choose your language below for details of the Payments and the application form.
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PDF形式のファイルを開くには、Adobe Acrobat Reader DC（旧Adobe Reader）が必要です。お持ちでない方は、Adobe社から無償でダウンロードできます。

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Page ID：170010010-215-226-651 If you are non-Japanese and you have short coverage periods under the National Pension system or the Employees' Pension Insurance system, you can apply for the Lump-sum Withdrawal Payments.

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36,400 members

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43,513 members

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3,000 members

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1, 700 members

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https://www.city.saitama.jp/en/sc/workers_d/fil/english.pdf

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https://docs.google.com/document/d/1zH4R0lqT4zdCZaamLtwj5R1J7EjfjpeygiEubjVrQrk/edit?usp=sharing

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Create a new document and edit with others at the same time -- from your computer, phone or tablet. Get stuff done with or without an internet connection. Use Docs to edit Word files. Free from Google.

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https://www.tofugu.com/japan/retire-in-japan/

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This is a guest post from Ben Shearon, founder of RetireJapan, a website about (you guessed it) retiring in Japan. He knows quite a bit about this subject, so we hope his advice enables you to take your first steps toward retiring in the Land of the Rising Sun.
I came to Japan straight from university in 2000, planning to have fun for a few years, then head back home and get a "real" job.

Sixteen years later, I have a family, a home, a career, and a life here. When retirement time rolls around, why would I leave the place where I've spent my entire adult life?

That's why I started a website called RetireJapan: to help people who are moving or have moved to Japan with the intent of making it their permanent home. Even if you don't plan to retire in Japan, it's worth familiarizing yourself with the information I'm offering here. Like me, your "fun couple of years" may turn into a lot more.

Why Save for Retirement in Japan?

"Why Save for Retirement?" may seem like a silly question these days, but let me give you three reasons:

1. People are living longer. You're probably going to need money after your body wants to stop working.

2. State pension systems are in bad shape. This is true everywhere, but the Japanese pension system is looking particularly inadequate.

3. It might get more difficult to find work in the future. The older you get, the less companies want to hire you. You'll have to quit working eventually.

Look at it this way, if you save for retirement and it turns out you didn't need to, you have a lot of extra money to spend. If you don't save for retirement and end up needing money... well, I rest my case.

Let's take a look at the steps you need to take to start properly saving for retirement in Japan.

Step 0: Permission to Stay

Most people looking to live out their golden years here are going to ask questions like, "how much do you need to retire in Japan?" To which I say, "hold on." Retiring in Japan doesn't require a certain amount of money, but rather a status. Your first step to retirement in Japan is permanent residency.

If you are in Japan for the medium to long-term, you owe it to yourself to get permanent residency ( eijuuken ). There are no downsides, and plenty of benefits.

For example, benefits of permanent residency:

1. No more dealing with the immigration office (except to get a new residence card every eight years).

2. Do any kind work you choose.

3. Borrow money more easily.

4. Get taken more seriously in society.

5. Retire in Japan!

You can apply for permanent residency after 10 years in Japan, or three years if married to a Japanese citizen. There is a new fast-track system to get permanent residency faster if you are what the government considers a highly-skilled worker.

You can also apply to naturalize (become a Japanese citizen) after five years, but you have to give up any other nationalities as part of the process.

Step 1: Sort Out Your Finances

At the heart of personal finance are three simple habits, which are easy to explain and slightly more difficult to acquire. As with any habit, starting small and building consistency is the key.

Spending. Ultimately you need to spend less. Figure out what makes you happy, spend money on that, and cut back on everything else. It's especially effective to reduce regular expenses like rent, utilities, transportation, or food.

Earning. The more you earn, the easier all this is, particularly if you keep your spending in check. Earn more by learning more skills, getting better-paying jobs, and doing side or freelance jobs. You can also invest or create sources of passive income.

Emergency Fund. Once you have some extra money each month, put some aside for emergencies. You'll probably need 2-6 months worth of living expenses, more if you have dependents, less if your job is very stable. This is your "emergency fund." Once you have your emergency fund funded, you can start thinking about investing.

Step 2: Open an iDeCo Account

Once you've got permanent residency and have healthy financial habits, it's time to start saving for retirement. This is where you new friend iDeCo comes in.

iDeCo stands for "individual defined contribution," and it's basically a retirement account like a 401k in the US. If you are eligible (pay into the Japanese national pension and don't have an extravagant corporate pension) you can pay in up to ¥12,000-68,000 a month, pre-tax. This means paying into your iDeCo reduces your income and local taxes! It's a great deal. You can see a simulation of your tax savings here.

With iDeCo, you can't get your money until you are 60 years old. But with retirement, that's a good thing. This way, you can't blow all your money on fast cars and giant totoro plushies when you hit your midlife crisis.

How to Open an iDeCo Account

iDeCo stands for "individual defined contribution," and it's basically a retirement account like the 401k in the US.

1. Choose a provider. You should choose a provider with low monthly fees and the investment options you want. Also, make sure you pick one that is easy for you, personally, to access (it's your money, you don't want to have to jump through crazy hoops to get to it when the time comes). You can see a list of providers, along with the fees they charge, here.

2. Open an account. Apply to the provider and they send you some easy paperwork to fill out. Your employer also has to certify that you are eligible, or you have to send in paperwork if you are self-employed.

3. Decide what to invest in. Most people should choose low-cost passive mutual funds. A mix of international stocks, Japanese stocks, and bonds should provide balanced growth.

To learn the basics of investing, read Andrew Hallam's Millionaire Teacher or visit the Bogleheads forum. For more information on iDeCo, read Minako Takekawa's 確定拠出年金活用入門 or visit the RetireJapan iDeCo page.

Step 3: Open a NISA Account

If you have money left over after funding your iDeCo account to the max, you're doing great. Treat yourself to a nice sushi dinner, then start thinking about the next step.

A NISA account is tax-free investing for up to five years. You can pay in up to ¥1.2 million a year for an adult, and ¥0.8 million for a child, so a family of four could invest up to ¥4 million a year and not pay taxes on dividends or capital gains. You can access your investments at any time so it's more flexible than iDeCo, but it won't reduce your income taxes.

To get started with NISA follow the steps below:

How to Open a NISA Account

A NISA account is tax-free investing for up to five years.

1. Find a provider and open an account. You can open a NISA account with a huge range of providers, but generally speaking the cheapest option is going to be one of the big online brokers like Monex, SBI, or Rakuten Securities. They also have the widest range of investing options.

2. Decide your investing plan and start investing. This is going to depend on what you are investing for, your personal circumstances, and how much you know about investing. Once you have a plan, transfer funds to your account and start investing.

For more information on NISA, read Minako Takekawa's ＮＩＳＡ活用入門, or see the RetireJapan NISA page.

Step 4: Invest Normally

If you have even more money to invest and have maxed out your iDeCo and NISA accounts, you are in supergreat amazing shape. Consider one of the following options to push your investing into overdrive:

Invest in normal accounts. Use an online broker in Japan to invest even further. You can probably keep all your accounts with the same broker for simplicity (just one login), or go with different brokers to minimize the tiny risk of something bad happening (like the broker getting hacked or going out of business).

Invest using a robo-advisor. Robo-advisors use software to manage your investments. They generate a portfolio, then manage it for you, doing rebalancing and tax-loss harvesting automatically. The best one in Japan right now is THEO. They have a minimum investment of ¥100,000 and a yearly fee of 1%. See all the options at the RetireJapan robo-advisors page. Keep in mind, robo-advisors in Japan will not take US citizens at the moment.

Invest abroad. If you think you might be leaving Japan eventually, or if you just want to diversify your investments, you can invest abroad. Some options include Interactive Brokers (a US broker who will take non-resident clients), banks in Hong Kong or Singapore, or financial institutions in your "home" country.

Step 5: Think About the Future

Once you have your investments humming away, it's time to think start thinking beyond retirement.

1. Will. If you are a permanent resident (but not a Japanese citizen), your estate will be handled according to the law in your country of nationality (or state, in the case of US citizens), not the laws of Japan. Bottom line: if you have dependents, you should have a valid will drawn up in your country of nationality. This can be done cheaply online.

2. Overseas assets. Once you have been in Japan for five years you must pay tax on all worldwide income. If you have more than ¥50 million worth of overseas assets you must declare them to the tax office, even if there is no tax owed. Failure to do this is a crime with severe penalties.

3. Pensions. The Japanese national pension currently requires you to pay in for 300 months in order to become eligible to receive pension payments at retirement. This may be reduced to 120 months if the sales tax increase ever goes through. It is possible to claim eligibility for the months between you turning twenty and coming to Japan (this period is called karakikan in Japanese). You may be eligible for pensions from overseas - be sure to check.

4. Leaving Japan. If you end up leaving Japan you will have to close your bank and investment accounts. It may be possible to transfer some assets without selling them. If you have more than ¥100 million of worldwide assets excluding property, you may be liable to pay the exit tax starting in 2018. You can receive a Japanese pension abroad if you qualify for one, or you can claim back three years of payments if not.

When to Starting Thinking About Retiring in Japan

The best time to plant a tree is fifty years ago. The second best time is today. I started planning for retirement in my mid-thirties, but I wish I'd done it sooner. So don't wait until you get a better job, until the kids grow up, or until you pay off the house to start thinking about your financial affairs. That's not how it works.

If you sort out your finances, your financial situation will improve. It's a virtuous circle:

You think about your financial situation

You spend less, make more, save the difference

You start investing, creating passive income

You have more money to invest

You continue investing until you have more than you need

So start now. If you need help, check out my site RetireJapan. We have articles, links to more information, and a friendly, helpful community. Or email me at my contact page. I'd be happy to answer questions about this article or any other issue. Talk to you soon!

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Moving, Retiring, and Living Out Your Life in Japan

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This is a guest post from Ben Shearon, founder of RetireJapan, a website about (you guessed it) retiring in Japan. He knows quite a bit about this subject, so we hope his advice enables you to take your first steps toward retiring in the Land of the Rising Sun.

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https://blog.gaijinpot.com/retiring-in-japan-whats-the-best-strategy/

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https://smartasset.com/financial-advisor/retire-in-japan

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https://thetokyolife.jp/an-easy-guide-to-taxes-in-japan/

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Taxes in Japan: An Easy Guide for Expats - The Tokyo Life

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Taxes are inevitable and part of living and working in Japan is paying your portion. Japan operates on a withholding tax system, wherein your employer(s) withhold a percentage of your salary every month. This amount will then be applied once taxes are due.

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https://thetokyolife.jp/year-end-adjustment-guide/

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It's that time of year again! Yes, that's right, it's year-end adjustment season in Japan and oh boy is it not a fun one. The payoff, at least, is that once you get this done, you (for most people, at least) won't have to bother with income tax returns come March next year (see our tax guide for more information).

Whether your company fills out your year-end adjustment forms（年末調整; nenmatsu chōsei ）or you have to fill them out yourself, it's definitely worth knowing how your taxes in Japan work.

In this guide, we'll take you through the basics of filling out your year-end adjustment forms along with step-by-step instructions and examples for the more challenging parts. Let's dive right into it!

Table of Contents

1. Introduction to the Year-end Adjustment

2. 年分給与所得者の扶養控除等（異動）申告書（Application for (Change in) Deductions for Dependents of Employment Income Earners）

3. 給与所得者の基礎控除申告書（Application for Basic Deductions for Employment Income Earner）

4. 給与所得者の保険料控除申告書（Application for Deduction for Insurance Premiums for Employment Income Earner）

Introduction to the Year-end Adjustment or 年末調整

The first thing you'll need to know is that there are three forms you'll need to submit for year-end adjustment in Japan:

1. 年分給与所得者の扶養控除等（異動）申告書（Application for (Change in) Deductions for Dependents of Employment Income Earners）

2. 給与所得者の基礎控除申告書（Application for Basic Deductions for Employment Income Earner）

3. 給与所得者の保険料控除申告書（Application for Deduction for Insurance Premiums for Employment Income Earner）

You will need to fill out the entries that apply to you and your situation, then submit all the above forms to your employer plus any supporting documents they might need. If there are any terms here that are unclear to you, we highly encourage you to consult your company's accounting department.

One last thing to note is that if you happen to change jobs within the year, your old company should provide you with a document called the Withholding Slip（源泉徴収表; genzenchōshūhyō）which outlines the history of your payment (including withholding tax deductions) from the company. When the time comes to complete the nenmatsu chōsei, submit the genzenchōshūhyō to your new company so that they can include your payment history with the old company into account.

We'll go into more detail as we go through each form below.

Application for (Change in) Deductions for Dependents of Employment Income Earners

The first form you need to fill in for the year-end adjustment is the Application for (Change in) Deductions for Dependents of Employment Income Earners.

As the name suggests, this form informs the tax office of who you are currently supporting financially. Of the three forms you need to submit, this is the only one that applies for the next year. This means that any changes in your dependents (whether you add or remove someone) and any deductions that apply take effect the following year.

For most people (the lovely people living the single life), the completed form will look something like this:

The above example assumes that the person is not currently supporting anyone financially. In this case, the only thing to fill out is block ①:

1. Your name in both romaji and katakana

2. Your birthday

3. The number on your My Number card

4. The name of your Head of Household and below that your relationship with them

5. Your current or temporary address

6. Your marital status

This also applies to married individuals who aren't financially supporting their spouse (i.e. you both work enough to qualify for your company's social insurance).

However, if you have dependents, you will need to provide their information according to which category of dependent they are.

If you are the sole breadwinner for your household with dependents (e.g. your spouse, your children, etc.), then you will need to fill in the corresponding section with each person's information in section A and B.

If your household has a person with disability (including yourself) or you are a widow, single parent, or working student, check the applicable box in section C. For households that have a person with disability and for working students, you will also need to provide the following information in the box provided:

For households with PWD:

1. The state of the disability

2. The type of notebook issued

3. The date the notebook was issued

4. The grade of the disability

5. The person's name, My Number, address, birthday, relationship with you, and their estimated income for the next year*

*If this information is already present in another section (A, B, or Items Concerning Residence Tax), the person's name will suffice.
For working students:

1. Your school's name

2. The date of your admission

3. Your income type for the next year

4. An estimated amount of your income for the next year

Application for Basic Deductions for Employment Income Earner

The second form you need to fill in for the year-end adjustment is the Application for Basic Deductions for Employment Income Earner.

The complete title is actually "Application for Basic Deductions for Employment Income Earner, Income Earner's Spouse, and Adjustment Deductions of the Paid Income," but for the sake of simplicity, we'll use the shorter one.

For this one, you'll need to break out your payslips and math skills. Everything you need should be on your payslips. In particular, what you will need to know is the "Total Cumulative Salary"（課税支給累計）written on your latest payslip. This amount is typically reflected somewhere along the bottom. Your "Total Cumulative Salary" is your total gross salary up to the month indicated on your payslip (see our payslip guide for more information).

For example, the value on your November payslip will contain your salary for October but the 課税支給累計 amount reflects your gross salary from January (or whenever you started employment) up until November.

Now that you have that amount on hand, let's go over which boxes you need to fill in.

For all the bachelors and bachelorettes out there, the completed form will look something like this:

Again, this also applies to married individuals who aren't financially supporting their spouse.

The first thing to do is to write your name and address in block ①, then input your Gross Income Amount and Taxable Income Amount into the appropriate boxes in block ②. Use the correct formula below to derive your Taxable Income Amount:

For example, if your Gross Income Amount is ¥3,141,956 you should use ((ⓐ / 4) * 2.8) - ¥80,000.

((¥3,141,956 / 4) * 2.8) - ¥80,000 → (¥785,489 * 2.8) - ¥80,000

However, since we have to round down to the nearest 1,000 first, the next step is actually:
(¥785,000 * 2.8) - ¥80,000 → ¥2,198,000 - ¥80,000 → ¥2,118,000

Therefore, if your Gross Income Amount is ¥3,141,956 and your derived Taxable Income Amount is ¥2,118,000.

If you have any other sources of income, input the Taxable Income Amount for the sum of all other sources in (2).

If you have a dependent spouse, fill out their information in block ③ using the same steps.

Finally, if you have any dependents, especially if you support someone with a special disability (including yourself), fill in the required information in block ④.

Application for Deduction for Insurance Premiums for Employment Income Earner

The last form you need to fill in for the year-end adjustment is the Application for Deduction for Insurance Premiums for Employment Income Earner

If you paid for any type of insurance (life insurance, earthquake insurance, national health insurance, national pension, etc.), this is where you add them. Whenever you take out any kind of insurance policy, you will likely be given a certificate or invoice for your payments. Now is the time to dig those out of your files.

For most people, the completed form will look something like this:

Similar to the forms above, the first thing to do is to write your name and address in block ①. Next, you'll need to fill in the information for your life insurance (②), earthquake and fire insurance (③), social insurance (④), and small business mutual aid premiums (⑤).*

*If you are enrolled in your company's social insurance (employees' health insurance and pension insurance), you don't need to include any of that information in blocks ① and ④.

While there is a box for nursing care insurance in block ①, this does not refer to the amount reflected in under social insurance deductions on your payslip. In addition although block ④ is labelled as social insurance, this is actually meant for national health insurance and national pension premiums.

Calculating your deduction amount for block ① is straightforward. Simply input the required details for whichever type of life insurance you have. Be mindful of whether the insurance policy is new or old so that you calculate it correctly according to its classification.

Calculating your deduction amount for block ③ is fairly simple. Fill in the required details for whichever type of insurance you have, for example 地震保 (earthquake insurance) or 旧長期損害保険 (long-term damage insurance/fire insurance). Similar to block ①, calculate the deduction amount using the formula provided. Remember to group the amounts according to their classification.

Finally, for block ⑤, input the amount you paid for any of the following types of mutual aid premiums.

1. Contribution to the Mutual Aid Agreement of the Organization of Small & Medium Enterprises and Regional Innovation

2. Corporate Member Pension Premiums Stipulated Under Defined Contribution Pension Law

3. Individual Member Pension Premiums Stipulated Under Defined Contribution Pension Law

4. Agreement Regarding the Dependent Mutual Aid System for the Physically and Mentally Handicapped Contributions

When submitting your Application for Deduction for Insurance Premiums for Employment Income Earner for your year-end adjustment attach copies of documents (certificates or invoices) bearing the amount you paid as written on your form.

Download our translated guides here:

年分給与所得者の扶養控除等（異動）申告書（Application for (Change in) Deductions for Dependents of Employment Income Earners）
給与所得者の基礎控除申告書（Application for Basic Deductions for Employment Income Earner）
給与所得者の保険料控除申告書（Application for Deduction for insurance Premiums for Employment Income Earner）

Hopefully filling in your year-end adjustment forms goes smoothly. Best of luck!

Featured image by Christa Dodoo on Unsplash

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Year-end Adjustment in Japan: A Translated Guide - The Tokyo Life

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It's that time of year again! Yes, that's right, it's year-end adjustment season in Japan and oh boy is it not a fun one. The payoff, at least, is that once you get this done, you (for most people, at least) won't have to bother with income tax returns come March next year (see our tax guide for more information).

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https://thetokyolife.jp/how-to-read-your-japanese-payslip/

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How to Read Your Japanese Payslip - The Tokyo Life

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Disclaimer : Since official English terms and translations are rarely fixed or agreed upon across sources and documents and some may even overlap in translation, it is best to learn and use the Japanese terms when referring to each topic and to keep the English terms in mind simply for your own reference.

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https://thetokyolife.jp/ward-office-change-address/

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Now that you've made it to Japan, it's time to get settled in. The first step you need to complete is to visit your ward's 区役所 ( kuyakusho - ward office) and register your change of address. You officially live in Tokyo now! Hooray!

What you need to do is head down to the 戸籍住民課 ( koseki jūminka - Resident Registry Section) and submit a 住民異動届 ( jūmin idō todoke - Notification of Change of Address). This enters you into the ward's registry of residents.

How to Fill in a Notification of Change of Address

To fill out the 住民異動届, follow the steps below, moving from top to bottom and left to right. You'll also need to provide either your passport or 在留カード ( zairyū kādo - Residence Card) to confirm your information. Only the boxes enclosed by the thick border require your attention.
*Please note that a few wards like Nerima-ku will have it split into 転入届 (tennyū todoke - Notification of Moving In) and 転出届 (tenshutsu todoke - Notification of Moving Out). In most cases, please remember to circle 転入届 when moving in.
Personal Information

1. Write your move-in date in 異動日 (idōbi - date of change of address). This might also be written as 異動年月日 (idō nengappi - date of change of address) or 引っ越しをした日 (hikkoshi o shita hi - moving date).

2. Write your application date under 届出日 (todokedebi - notification date).

3. Write your new Japanese address under 新住所 (shin jūsho) or 新しい住所 (atarashii jūsho) and your name under 世帯主 (setai nushi - head of the household). If you are moving with relatives, write the name of the head of the household instead.

4. Write your old address under 旧住所 (kyū jūsho) or 今までの住所 (ima made no jūsho) and your name under 世帯主. If you are moving with relatives, write the name of the head of the household instead.

5. In boxes marked 本人との関係 (honnin tono kankei - relationship to the person) or 異動者との関係 (idōsha tono kankei - relationship to the person moving), write 本人 (honnin) to indicate that you are both the person moving into the ward and the person submitting the application.

6. If you have a Japanese phone number, write it in boxes marked 電話 (denwa - telephone), 電話番号 (denwabagō - telephone number), or連絡先 (renrakusaki - contact information). Then, circle 自宅 (jitaku) for home phones and 携帯 (keitai) for mobile phones.

*For information on how to write your address in Japanese, check out our Beginner's Guide to Tokyo.
異動した（する）人全員

For boxes under 異動した（する）人全員 ( idō shita (suru) hito zenin - people who moved), write down the necessary information for all persons, including yourself, even if it's just you who is moving.

1. In 氏名 (shimei), write a person's name in English, last name first and separated by a comma. In the thin box above 氏名, write the katakana reading. If there is a space for 通称 (tsūshō), write your shortened name, if you have one (e.g. Jonathan -> Jon).

2. In 生年月日 (seinengappi - birthday), circle 西暦 (seireki - Common Era) and write the person's birthday in this order: 年 (year), 月 (month), and 日 (day).

3. In 性別 (seibetsu - gender), circle 男 (otoko) for male and 女 (onna) for female.

4. Under 続柄 (zokugara - family relationship), write 本人 to indicate the person moving and submitting the application are the same, otherwise indicate your relationship.

5. In 住基カード (jūki kādo - Basic Resident Register Card), 通知カード (tsūchi kādo - Notification Card), and 個人番号カード (kojinbangō kādo - My Number Card), circle 有 (aru), if you have one, and 無 (nai), if you don't. マイナンバーカード (My Number card) is the same as the 個人番号カード.

*Please note that the 住基カード was replaced by the 個人番号カード in 2015.
**To learn more about the My Number Card, including how to apply for one, check out our separate guide here.
Moving onto Your Next Big Adventure

You've been at the grind for a while now and you've managed to save up a decent sum for yourself. It's finally time to upgrade your life. Moving to a bigger and better place sounds like a good idea. Somewhere more convenient and scenic, for sure. Once you've signed the paperwork though, it's more than just moving into your new place.

You have to do the necessary paperwork to change addresses. Otherwise, you'll be in quite a pickle if you don't get all your missives, and you definitely DO NOT want to be running late on bills and payments to anyone.
*Please note that this is a different 転居届 from the one you submit to your ward office when moving within that ward.
First things first, you'll need to notify your old ward that you'll be moving - within or out to another ward. To do this, you need to submit another 住民異動届 to your current ward office and indicate your change of address by marking 転居届 ( tenkyo todoke - Notification of Relocation) when moving within the ward, and 転出届 when moving out of the ward, or out of Japan.

When moving within the same ward, remember to submit a 転居届 to your nearest Post Office too.

When moving out of the ward (or Japan), you'll need to take the 転出証明書 ( tenshutsu shōmeisho - Certificate of Change of Address) they give you to the NHI section along with either your My Number Card or Notification Card.

You need to cancel your NHI in the old ward before you can enter the NHI in the new ward. Next, you'll need to bring the 転出証明書 to the new ward office and submit a new 住民異動届 to the new ward. Finally, you'll need to submit a 転居届 to your nearest Post Office to complete the process.

Registering Your Forwarding Address

You can find Japan Post's 転居届 near the Post Office section of each branch.

Whether or not you choose to get a bank account with Japan Post, you'll need to drop by the Post Office to register your forwarding address. A forwarding address is essentially where the Post Office will send letters and envelopes that are sent to your old address, for one year.

This gives you the chance to update the address on bills and subscriptions so that they're sent to the right house in the future.

To do this, head on over to your nearest Japan Post office and pick-up one of their 転居届 ( tenkyo todoke - Notification of Relocation) and submit it to the Post Office section,

The form contains proper English, so it is thankfully very straightforward. Hand it over to the Post Office clerk and you're good to go! After that, it's home to a nice cold (or hot) drink.

Hey, it's been a long day, right?

Need help with figuring out living in Tokyo? Our Tokyo 101 guides take the stress out of navigating life in Japan.

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Ward Office and Change of Address - The Tokyo Life

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Now that you've made it to Japan, it's time to get settled in. The first step you need to complete is to visit your ward's 区役所 ( kuyakusho - ward office) and register your change of address. You officially live in Tokyo now! Hooray!

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https://www.pref.osaka.lg.jp/attach/18176/00111796/ikiiki(en).pdf

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https://www.city.osaka.lg.jp/contents/wdu020/enjoy/en/content_j.html

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Taxes

Essentials for living in Osaka [Taxes] (Osaka Information Service for Foreign Residents)
https://www.ofix.or.jp/life/english/guide/pdf/8-3.pdf
Since Osaka City is a city designated by government ordinance, the tax rate for residents of Osaka Prefecture is 2% (instead of 4%) and the standard municipal tax rate is 8% (instead of 6%) as noted in "2. Types of Taxes", "(2) Prefectural and Municipal Taxes" on page 60 that the link represents.

Individual Municipal Inhabitants Tax and Individual Prefectural Inhabitants Tax

People who live in Osaka City as of January 1st will be subject to both municipal inhabitants tax and prefectural inhabitants tax according to the amount of their income etc. for the period from January 1st to December 31st of the previous year. If you move out of Osaka City (including overseas), you are required to notify a tax agent. For more information, contact the local municipal tax office in charge of your ward.

Automobile Tax/Light Motor Vehicle Tax

1. Motor vehicle Tax (category base)
As of April 1 of every year, owners of standard-sized cars are imposed a motor vehicle tax (category base, prefectural tax), and owners of light motor vehicles or motor vehicles with two wheels are imposed a light motor vehicle tax (category base, city tax). (The tax due date is the end of May.) Notification is required in the event of acquiring or discarding motor vehicles. For further information about the motor vehicle tax (category base), contact the Automobile Tax Call Center (TEL: 0570-020156, 9:00-17:45 except weekends, national holidays and the year-end/New Year holidays). As for light motor vehicle tax (category base), contact the local municipal tax office in charge of the ward where your vehicle's fixed parking place exists (except Semba Houjin Municipal Tax Office).

2. Environmental performance-based tax
When acquiring a standard-sized car or a light motor vehicle (with three or more wheels), the environmental performance-based motor vehicle tax (prefectural tax) or light motor vehicle tax (city tax) is imposed. These two types of tax are imposed and collected by the Osaka Prefectural Government. For further information, contact the Osaka Prefectural Automobile Tax Office Naniwa Branch (06-6612-7251) for the motor vehicle tax, or Light Motor Vehicle Inspection Organization Osaka Office in charge of the environmental performance-based light vehicle tax (06-6612-2181) for the light vehicle tax.

Name

Area in charge

Adress / Tel.

Monday to Thursday, 9:00-17:30,Friday, 9:00-19:00,
※ Monday to Friday, 9:00-17:30, for Semba Houjin Municipal Tax Office

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Pension

1 Pension System

1 National Pension Insurance

All people who are registered to reside in Japan and aged between 20 and 59, irrespective of their nationality, must be enrolled in the National Pension system and must pay contributions. The National pension system provides you with basic pension benefits for old-age, disability or death.

2 Welfare Pension Insurance

If you are covered by welfare pension insurance, you are a Category II insured person and through the welfare pension insurance system you can receive welfare pension on top of the basic pension provided by the national pension system.

3 Lump-Sum Withdrawals

Lump-Sum Withdrawal Payments are granted, in principle, on request to persons who satisfy all of the following four conditions and have filed a claim within two years of leaving Japan. Request forms are Pension Offices.

Those who do not possess Japanese citizenship.

Persons who contributed to the National Pension or the Welfare Pension Insurance premiums for at least 6 months.

Persons who do not have a place of residence in Japan.

※The period for which a lump-sum withdrawal payment has been made will no longer be calculated in the pension enrollment period for social security agreements.

<Documents to be attached>

Copies of the pension handbook or other documents that confirm the basic pension number

Documents confirming that the individual no longer has an address in Japan

A copy of your passport with departure stamp.

A copy of documents specifying your bank account number. (e.g. passbook)

<Submit the invoice and attached documents to>

Japan Pension Service, etc.

4 Allowance for Elderly Foreign Residents

Those elderly foreign residents who were unable to receive the Old Age Basic Pension may receive a monthly allowance (10,000 yen/month). For inquiries and application, please contact your local Public Health and Welfare Center.

<Eligibility>

This allowance is applicable to foreigners living in Osaka City who were born on or before April 1, 1926, who retained alien registration from January 1, 1982 or earlier until July 8, 2012, and who have continued to be registered as residents of Osaka City since then, or who first made alien registration in January 1, 1982 or earlier, obtained Japanese nationality on or after that date, and are currently registered as residents of Osaka City.
※This benefit is not provided to people who are receiving public assistance or any public pensions such as survivor's pension, or benefits for Osaka municipal foreign residents with disabilities, or people whose income exceeds the specified level.

2 Japan Pension Service - Branch Offices・Japan Health Insurance Association

Names of Branch Office

Tel., Location (Nearest Station)

Jurisdiction

Health Insurance/Welfare Pension

National Pension

Temma

☎ 06-6356-5511
4-1-15 Tenjimbashi, Kita-ku
(Subway Ogimachi sta. / JR Temma sta.)

Kita-ku
(incl. the part of Kita-ku area)

Kita-ku

Yodogawa

☎ 06-6305-1881
2F&3F Nisshin Shokuhin Bldg. 4-1-1 Nishinakajima, Yodogawa-ku (Subway, Nishinakajima-minamigata sta.)

Kita-ku(incl. the part of Kita-ku area), Yodogawa-ku,
Higashiyodogawa-ku

Yodogawa-ku
Higashiyodogawa-ku

Joto

☎ 06-6932-1161
1-8-19 Chuo, Joto-ku
(Subway Gamo 4-chome sta.)

Miyakojima-ku,
Asahi-ku, Joto-ku, Tsurumi-ku

Asahi-ku, Joto-ku, Tsurumi-ku

Fukushima

☎ 06-6458-1855
8-12-6 Fukushima, Fukushima-ku (JR Fukushima sta.)

Fukushima-ku, Nishiyodogawa-ku

Fukushima-ku
Nishiyodogawa-ku

Ichioka

☎ 06-6571-5031
3-25-17 Isoji, Minato-ku
(Subway, JR Bentencho sta.)

Konohana-ku, Minato-ku, Taisho-ku

Konohana-ku, Minato-ku

Otemae

☎ 06-6271-7301
6F-8F Semba Diamond Bldg.
2-1-30 Kyutaro-cho, Chuo-ku
(Subway Sakaisuji-hommachi sta.)

Moyakojima-ku, Chuo-ku, Naniwa-ku, Higashinari-ku, Ikuno-ku, Asahi-ku, Joto-ku, Tsurumi-ku

Miyakojima-ku
Chuo-ku

Namba

☎ 06-6633-1231
1-6-16 Shikitsuhigashi, Naniwa-ku
(Subway Namba, Daikokucho sta.)

Chuo-ku(incl. the part of Chuo-ku area),
Naniwa-ku

Naniwa-ku

Horie

☎ 06-6531-5241
3-10-1 Kitahorie, Nishi-ku
(Subway Nishinagahori sta.)

Nishi-ku

Nishi-ku
Taisho-ku

Tennoji

☎ 06-6772-7531
7-6 Hidain-cho, Tennoji-ku
(Subway, JR Tennoji sta.)

Tennoji-ku
Abeno-ku

Tennoji-ku
Abeno-ku

Imazato

☎ 06-6972-0161
2-1-8 Oimazatonishi, Higashinari-ku
(Subway Imazato sta.)

Higashinari-ku, Ikuno-ku

Higashinari-ku
Ikuno-ku

Tamade

☎ 06-6682-3311
4F, Osker Dream, 1-2-1 Shin-Kitajima, Suminoe-ku (Subway: Suminoe Park Station)

Suminoe-ku, Sumiyoshi-ku,Nishinari-ku

Suminoe-ku, Sumiyoshi-ku, Nishinari-ku

Hirano

☎ 06-6705-0331
6-2-78 Kire-Nishi, Hirano-ku
(Subway Kireuriwari sta.)

Higashisumiyoshi-ku,
Hirano-ku

Higashisumiyoshi-ku
Hirano-ku

Name

Tel, Location(Nearest Station)

Jurisdiction

Japan Health Insurance Association
Osaka Branch Office

TEL 06-7711-4300
6F Shinanobashi Mitsui Bldg.1-11-7 Utsubohommachi, Nishi-ku(Subway Hommachi sta.)

Every municipal in　Osaka Prefecture

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Long-Term Care Insurance, Welfare

1 Kaigo Hoken: The Long-Term Care Insurance System

The Kaigo Hoken system provides services such as: home visits, day care and brief stays at nursing facilities. People age 65 or over (Category 1 insured) and people between ages 40 and 64 who are enrolled in a medical insurance program (Category 2 insured) are covered. Foreign nationals who have completed resident registration in Osaka City and are permitted to stay in Japan for more than three months are covered by the Long-Term Care Insurance Program of Osaka City. Foreign nationals who are permitted to stay in Japan for three months or less at the time of entry to Japan are also covered by the Long-Term Care Insurance Program of Osaka City and are required to pay the insurance fee if their period of stay is expected to exceed three months according to the purpose of the stay and their respective living conditions in Japan.
※Of preventive care services, the home-visit care and day-care have been provided under the "Long-Term Preventive Care/Comprehensive Daily Life Support Program" (Comprehensive Program).
Persons who can utilize the Comprehensive Program are persons certified as requiring support and persons determined to require support according to a basic checklist of health-related criteria.

1 Application for Nursing Care

To use Kaigo Hoken services, you need to receive certification of requiring nursing care (or requiring assistance) by sending an application to the Osaka City Authorized Clerical Center (2-5-20 Deshiro, Nishinari Ward, Osaka City) or applying at the Kaigo Hoken Counter of the Public Health and Welfare Center in the ward where you are registered as a resident.You may submit the application in person, or ask a family member or other appropriate person such as your home care service provider to submit it on your behalf. Please consult with the Public Health and Welfare on this matter.

2 Expenses (including service fees under the Comprehensive Service Program) borne by the insured

The amount that you must pay when receiving a Kaigo Hoken service is the amount obtained by multiplying the service fee and the burden rate indicated on your Kaigo Hoken Burden Rate Certificate (10%, 20%, or 30%). (You do not have to bear the cost for making a care plan, etc.) When entering a long-term care facility or using a short-term stay service, you must bear the cost for meals and living (staying); and when using out-patient services at a facility, you must bear the cost for meals, etc.

3 Long-Term Care Insurance Card ( Kaigo Hoken Insurance Card)

A Long-Term Care Insurance Card is issued to those who are over 65 years old. For people who are between 40 and 64 years old, this cards is issued to people who have received certification of requiring nursing care (or requiring support).

Public Health and Welfare Center in your local ward or Local Comprehensive Support Center

4 Preventive Care Program

The preventive care program (preventive care classes, etc.) is provided for people 65 years old or older who have not received certification of requiring support or requiring nursing care. It offers prevention services such as exercise classes, nutritional guidance, and help with improvement of oral functions, in order to maintain and improve capabilities for daily life . Please contact your local ward's Public Health and Welfare Center.

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2 Welfare for the Elderly

Name, Tel. , Adress

Service

Local Comprehensive Support Center

Local Comprehensive Support Centers provide following services:
General consultation and support regarding welfare, healthcare, and nursing care for the elderly. Protection of abused elderly.
Providing Long-Term care management.
Making nursing care prevention programs for people who need support, and those who have become eligible for services under the preventive care/comprehensive daily life support program.

Intensive support team for persons with early-stage dementia

The intensive support team for persons with early-stage dementia consists of physicians and medical/nursing care and welfare professionals.
The team addresses early detection and early support for demented persons.
The team is set up in Local Comprehensive Support Center of each ward, and provides consultations on dementia/premature senility.

Ward's Welfare Center for the Elderly

Consultation on daily life, holding of open lectures, provision of opportunities for hobby and recreational activities, support for senior citizen's clubs, etc.

Senior Citizen's Club
(General Incorporated Association) Osaka City Federation of Senior Citizens' Clubs
TEL 06-4303-8555

They participate in various activities like recreation, cultural enrichment, cleaning service, and fraternal visits, etc.

Osaka City Silver Human Resource Center

Introduction of temporary or short-term work to those who are over 60 and wish to work for fulfillment.

Emergency Call System
Public Health and Welfare Center in your local ward

For elderly people living alone and households with only elderly people (in general, people 65 or older who are alone for approximately 8 hours a day because a person living with them is away for work, etc.), an emergency notification system will be installed in the home in order to handle emergencies such as sudden illness.
Emergency notifications will be sent to a 24-hour/day center, and it will be possible to receive the necessary assistance, such as requesting first-aid or making a request of a person nearby who was registered at the time of application. It is also possible to make health consultations about daily life.

※For other welfare services for the elderly, contact a Public Health and Welfare Center in your local ward.

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3 Welfare for the people with physical or mental disabilities

1 Identification Booklet for a Person with a Physical Disability

It serves as a certificate of eligibility for welfare services for people with physical disabilities, including medical benefits and allowances to cover prosthetic appliance expenses.

2 Identification Booklet for a Person with a Mental Disability

This booklet is aimed at encouraging social independence and social involvement for people with mental disabilities. This booklet is necessary for receiving various welfare services.

3 Identification Booklet for a Person with an Intellectual Disability

This booklet is issued to assist people with intellectual disabilities with receiving consistent guidance, consultation, and various support services.

Application for an Identification Booklet and further information

Public Health and Welfare Center in your local ward.

4 Inquiries regarding the welfare of people with physical or mental disabilities

Consultations related to welfare for disabled people：Public Health and Welfare Centers

Name, Adress

Tel.

Public Health and Welfare Centers

Mental Health Center
(Address)3F Miyakojima Center Bldg. 5-15-21 Nakano-cho, Miyakojima-ku

(TEL)06-6922-8520
(Contact No.) 06-6923-0936 (Consultation)

Name, Adress

Tel.

Name, Adress

Tel.

※For information on other services for people with a disability, please contact the Public Health and Welfare Center in your local ward.

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4 Support for Single Parent Families

For information on support services for single parent families, please contact the Public Health and Welfare Center in your local ward.

5 Ward Social Welfare Council（In-Home Care Service Centers of local ward）

6 Local comprehensive Support Center

7 Intensive support team for persons with early-stage dementia

8 Welfare Center for the Elderly

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Public Information Division, Office of the Mayor, City of Osaka

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Essentials for living in Osaka [Taxes] (Osaka Information Service for Foreign Residents) https://www.ofix.or.jp/life/english/guide/pdf/8-3.pdf Since Osaka City is a city designated by government ordinance, the tax rate for residents of Osaka Prefecture is 2% (instead of 4%) and the standard municipal tax rate is 8% (instead of 6%) as noted in "2.

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https://www.internations.org/japan-expats?gclid=EAIaIQobChMItIX4752U-gIVw2kqCh0tfARcEAAYAyAAEgK6lvD_BwE

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Edmund Taylor
Tokyo has so much to offer and InterNations made it much easier to become acclimated to life in this bustling city.

Our Community of Expats in Japan Welcomes You!

Konnichiwa, and a warm welcome to our expat communities in Japan! InterNations is a platform designed to help expats all over the world, including Japan. Whether you're about to relocate or you're already here, you can use the wealth of information provided by other expats in Japan to make your experience easier. From Tokyo and Osaka to Yokohama and Nagoya, Japan's most popular expat cities offer exciting prospects for people around the world, but how will you overcome some of the challenges associated with moving to them? Before you take the plunge, now's a good time to explore InterNations, where experienced members can answer some of your burning queries. These include questions like, "which are the most affordable schools?", "how long will it take to process my visa?", and "how will I adapt to the local cuisine?". With a little reassurance, the InterNations members will soon let you know that there is a plethora of schools available, many companies offering expats jobs also assist with the visa process, and while the cuisine in Japan may vary in terms of taste, it is incredibly healthy.

With InterNations, you never stand alone. Whether you are moving to another country or going on a business trip somewhere - our communities around the world are there to make you feel at home wherever you are. Feel free to check out our vibrant InterNations Communities in countries like Malaysia or Peru.

Jump right in:

Frequently asked questions regarding expats in Japan

Why are expats moving to Japan? Of course, the individual reasons why expats decide to move to Japan can vary a lot. But thanks to our vast member base and our annual Expat Insider survey, we were able to uncover some of the underlying trends that make Japan an appealing place to move to. Notably, the most valued attributes of Japan as an expat destination are a very unique & fascinating culture, a high sense of safety & security and a job market eager for young talent.

In addition, out of the 64 expat destinations worldwide in our Expat Insider 2019 survey, Japan scores quite well in our Quality of Life Index (10th) but quite low in our Ease of Settling in Index (55th) . It ranks about average in our Working Abroad Index (39th). Japan isn't just interesting for career-driven single expats. It has a lot to offer families as well, resulting in a very respectable ranking in our Family Life Index (20th).

How much do expats earn in Japan? On average, expats make on average 328,793 USD according to the ECA Expat Salary Survey for salary levels of expats in middle management positions. This is not the cash salary that expat workers take home after taxes, but the total value of their expat package that usual includes healthcare, cost of education, and housing (among other things). This relatively high salary combined with the rather high cost of living explain why Japan scored about average in the Personal Finance Index (39th) and the Cost of Living Index (35th) in 2019.

Where are expats living in Japan? Usually the expat population concentrates in places that offer the most career opportunities - at least for those who aren't just looking for a place to retire in the sun. According to our member base these are the most popular cities for expats in Japan:

Exchange Tips about living in Japan

Get trustworthy advice and local insights from fellow members in our Japan expat forums.

Learn more about life in Japan

Where to live

Where the best schools are

How to do your taxes

Ask experienced expats in Japan.

Join now

Edmund Taylor
Tokyo has so much to offer and InterNations made it much easier to become acclimated to life in this bustling city.

Marina Salgado
In such a huge city, InterNations has created great events for expats to meet in Tokyo.

Share your hobbies and interests with expats in Japan
Join now

Learn More about Being an Expat in Japan

With rolling mountains, lush forests, and ancient structures, Japan is undeniably beautiful. Expats living in Japan who have settled into their new country have plenty of opportunities to explore their cultural surroundings, and with the help of InterNations' members you can find out which restaurants, activities, and attractions will best suit your family's needs. While living in Tokyo, pay a visit to The Lounge by Aman for dishes from around the world, or Gen Yamamoto for traditional Japanese cuisine. You'll soon find that there is an abundance of educational establishments available for children, such as the British School in Tokyo, the Horizon Japan International School in Yokohama, or the American School in Minato-ku. With the guidance of the Japan expats at InterNations, you can soon determine which schools meet your cultural and educational needs. As a country that consistently tries to attract more expats, Japan offers plenty of lifestyle benefits, especially for those who work in the construction industry. Many of the major cities have a bustling atmosphere, their public transportation eliminates the need for a car, and the latest electronic goods are available on tap. If you're seeking a modern lifestyle and a strong economy, the life of an expat in Japan is for you.

InterNations is the largest global network for expatriates, with communities in 420 cities around the world. Meet fellow global minds in your city of residence or get to know local expatriates before you're moving or traveling abroad and never feel like a stranger. InterNations makes it easy for you to stay in touch with your expat friends, both online and offline, so you can grow your network of friends and contacts from all over the world. Whether they live in China or Qatar, InterNations allows you to be close to them even if they are miles away.

Start Building Your Expat Network in Japan Today!

InterNations is a thriving international community of carefully approved members who can help you settle into your life in Japan. As there is no substitute for personal experience, you can draw on the knowledge provided by our members to make your life in Japan easier. Whether it is arranging health insurance, finding the right apartment, or seeking out after-school childcare, our expatriates in Japan can arm you with all the knowledge you need prior to your arrival. Aside from answering some of your more serious questions, InterNations is here to enhance your social life. Regular events in Japan's biggest cities include formal InterNations gatherings, flyboarding in Tokyo, coffee meet-ups, and days out at the beach where you can dip your toes in the Pacific Ocean.

Connect with Like-Minded Expatriates in Japan

Meet other expats like you in Japan
Join now

Join Our Online and In-Person Events in Japan

Attend our many events to get to know like-minded expats, both in Japan and around the world! Our new online events even let you find connection and inspiration without leaving your home.

Want to see all the upcoming events in Japan?
Join now

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Expats in Japan - Meet other Expats - Find Jobs, Housing & Events

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Edmund Taylor Tokyo has so much to offer and InterNations made it much easier to become acclimated to life in this bustling city. Konnichiwa, and a warm welcome to our expat communities in Japan! InterNations is a platform designed to help expats all over the world, including Japan.

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Planning a postretirement move from, say, New York to Florida is relatively simple. But if you're thinking about spending your golden years abroad, there are many more unknowns. How can you check out a prospective retirement haven before you make a big move--and maybe a big mistake?

Thanks to books like Retirement Without Borders by Barry Golson and sites like Internationalliving.com, such research is easier than ever. But be careful; much of what you'll find on the Web comes from those with a financial interest in luring you to some locale. Register at some sites and you might be deluged with spam.
In Pictures: 10 Questions To Ask Before You Retire Abroad
Forbes.com is one of a number of online sources ranking foreign retirement havens. Others, such as Mercer (mercer.com/qualityofliving), rate locations worldwide without any special focus on retirement. Read the footnotes: We all have unique ways to weight the different criteria. But lists are only a starting point, and you may be interested in some place that doesn't make them anyway--say, a country you've visited or have ancestors from. Here are some issues to consider and ways to investigate them.

Residency. What's needed legally to become a resident? Many foreign embassies in Washington post clear answers in English. There's a list of links at embassy.org/embassies.

Cost of Living. Ignore those "French living on $30 a day" pitches. They tend to leave off stuff, like medical costs and eating out. What you want is hard, detailed data. Numbeo.com has relative country-by-country breakouts for rent, groceries and restaurants. But remember costs can be lower farther out into the countryside.

Taxation. The U.S. taxes its citizens' income no matter where they live. Those living abroad can claim an annual $91,500 exclusion of income from work, which retirees often don't have. Tax treaties usually protect against double taxation, but many countries have higher rates than the U.S. However, breaks can be found: For example, American expats pay no income tax in France on U.S.-source investments. The Internal Revenue Service's Publication 54 (go to irs.gov) explains the rules for U.S. taxpayers living abroad, while Publication 901 lists the tax treaties.

Health Care. The bad news is that the U.S. government's Medicare program for senior citizens generally doesn't cover care provided abroad. The good news is that in most countries medical services cost far less than they do here. Outfits including the Association of Americans Resident Overseas (aaro.org) and April Medibroker (medibroker.com) offer or broker surprisingly affordable health insurance. But check out the rules on preexisting conditions.

Safety and Stability. The U.S. State Department publishes surprisingly informative "background notes" on 200 countries (state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn). So does Canada's equivalent (intercultures.ca); search for "country profiles."

Weather. There are endless debates over whose is best. You can use world-climate.com to compare the weather of just about any significant city in the world with what you've been used to all those years. That way you can figure out whether that terrific weather you encountered on your visit (or saw in a brochure) is the norm.
In Pictures: 10 Questions To Ask Before You Retire Abroad
Friendliness/Language. English is not always widely understood abroad nor its speakers appreciated. What's the local temperament? Try using Google Blogs (blogsearch.google.com). Typing "American Expats Uruguay," for example, produces running blogs describing how foreigners fare in that pleasant South American country.

Test Run. Make an extended visit (two months or more) before moving. Rather than the resort that seemed so enchanting, try to rent the kind of housing that might become your home. See how hard it is to register your car or to get the garbage picked up.
In Pictures: 10 Questions To Ask Before You Retire Abroad Special Offer: Free Trial Issue of Forbes

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Planning a postretirement move from, say, New York to Florida is relatively simple. But if you're thinking about spending your golden years abroad, there are many more unknowns. How can you check out a prospective retirement haven before you make a big move--and maybe a big mistake?

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The 4 phases of retirement | Dr. Riley Moynes | TEDxSurrey

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https://thetokyolife.jp/applying-for-a-my-number-card/

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If you've lived in Japan as a foreigner, chances are you've heard of the My Number Card. In fact, log on to practically any application in the public and private sectors for anything important, and you'll find a subsection describing the benefits of using your My Number Card for any type of process. In all of this talk about the My Number Card, it's easy to get confused about its explicit purpose. It may also be difficult filling out the application, as most of the materials for it are only given in Japanese.

This article will tell you:

The advantages and disadvantages of a My Number Card

Where you can get and use one

How to fill out the application for one

Table of Contents

1. Advantages of the My Number Card

2. Disadvantages of the My Number Card

3. Getting a My Number Card

Advantages of the My Number Card: Cutting through Red Tape

The My Number System was introduced in 2000 by the Japanese government in order to create, in the words of the government, "social infrastructure to improve administrative efficiency, enhance public convenience, and realize a fairer and more just society" (Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, 2018). Living as a foreigner in Japan, you've probably run up against a perplexing bureaucratic system. Especially for foreigners without native comprehension of Japanese, this system can sometimes seem like a hamster wheel.

This is where the My Number Card comes in. While not a be-all-end-all solution to everything, it can come in handy for a lot of situations. The card is almost universally accepted as a photo ID everywhere in Japan, and is especially helpful if you do not have a driver's license. In addition, if you're using it as an ID at a government office, you may not have to bring other forms of ID along (e.g. your driver's license, residence card, passport), making your life a lot easier. In summary, the My Number Card may be the perfect tool for foreigners submerged in the swamp of Japanese bureaucracy.

The primary purpose of the My Number System, however, is to connect social insurance, taxation, and disaster relief systems. Basically, if you owe the government money, or the government owes you money, the My Number System figures all that out. In the My Number System, much like with an American Social Security number (SSN), you receive a unique number which you use to access documentation like taxation and social insurance, online or at a government office. As far as I can tell, you do not necessarily need the My Number Card for these transactions, but they do simplify them significantly.

Disadvantages of the My Number Card: Privacy

You may be surprised to hear that, despite the large number of services that the My Number Card provides, uptake on the cards among Japanese has been quite slow. Why? A simple answer could be that Japanese tend to be very particular about privacy.

It's difficult to ascertain whether these fears are grounded in real danger. The reality is that the government has taken incredible measures to make sure a cardholder's identity isn't stolen. This includes encryption, decentralization of information, and restriction of who can access files. The Cabinet Office has issued a handy pamphlet that goes into detail about privacy measures in regard to the My Number Card.

Most of the horror stories I've heard about the My Number Card and privacy violations boil down to either rumors or hearsay. Speaking to other Japanese, these stories are usually from fourth or fifth-hand sources, and I would not be surprised if these stories were made up by rumor-mongers in bad faith.

The reality is that the My Number Card is a safe and convenient way to keep track of important records in Japan. If you are concerned about privacy, feel free to perform your own research on the My Number Card and decide for yourself if it is right for you. Again, the My Number Card is optional so you can go about your life in Japan without it, but you may run into some bureaucratic roadblocks along the way.

Getting a My Number Card

So, how do you get a My Number Card? Well, you'll first need an "individual number" (個人番号), the 12-digit number that is assigned to you and you only, like a Social Security Number. You can get this by registering your address with your ward office. If you need help registering your address, you can consult The Tokyo Life's article on "Ward Office and Change of Address" on how to do it. Within a few weeks, you should receive an envelope in the mail containing an "Individual Number Notice" (通知書類 tsūchi shorui). You can use the information on this sheet to finish your application for the My Number Card.

In the past, this would come with a paper "Notification Card" (通知カード tsūchi kaado) which could serve to verify your individual number instead of the My Number Card. The Notification Card was discontinued in May of 2020, in a measure meant to encourage more people to apply for the My Number Card.

Applying for the My Number Card: Different Methods

There are all kinds of different ways you can send in your application for a My Number Card. The first is presented to you as soon as you open the envelope with the Individual Number Notification in it. You'll find an application for the card and a return envelope already in the envelope.

This is likely the easiest way to apply for the My Number Card, since the application may be already partially filled out with your name, address, and other information. There is also an English translation of the guide and clear instructions for the application if you follow this link to the My Number Card website.

You are also able to apply online, however, this application is only available in Japanese, so if you're not totally secure with your Japanese ability, the paper form is probably the right way to go. For this article, we'll show you how to apply with the paper form sent to you in your return envelope, since it's fairly simple.

Step 1: Get Photo Taken for ID

In order to apply for your My Number Card, you'll need an identification photo, similar to the one on your passport or residence card. If you look at the English version of the form, you'll find a clear explanation of the requirements for a passport photo. It may seem like these requirements are kind of strict, but not to fear! There are photo booths all over Tokyo that can print out "identification photos" (証明写真- shōmei shashin), usually in train stations and other public areas. They usually look like this:
*Make sure you have the proper size of photograph for a My Number Card application. Usually, the photos you receive from the booth will print multiple sizes and show which one is suitable for the My Number Card.
Once you get your photos printed out, simply attach them to your form in the top right corner with some glue.

Step 2: Fill Out Preliminary Information*

The basic information required on the form is relatively simple to fill out, but if you have trouble writing and reading your name or address in Japanese, you might need to ask for help filling out some of the form. As stated previously, the My Number Card website provides you with a thorough English guide to filling out the form (as well as information in Chinese and Korean). The basic information you are asked to fill out are all shown on the top left of the form. They are as follows from the boxes at the top to the bottom:

City or Ward: Just the name of the city or ward where you live (For example: Nerima-ku = 練馬区、Minato-ku = 港区, Takasaki-shi = 高崎市).

ID Number: This is your 12-digit "Individual Number" as provided in the notification document.

Name: Your full name. English or Japanese lettering works.

Address: Your registered address, written out in Japanese.

Date of Birth: Date of birth in the form YYYY/MM/DD.

Gender: You can circle either 男 (male) or 女 (female).

Previous Last Name or Nickname: If you have another name listed on your Certificate of Residence (for example, if you were recently married or if you have a nickname listed on your certificate), list that name here.

Phone Number: Enter a number with which someone can reach you during business hours. You'll only get a call if there are any issues with your application.

Braille Type: This is a box you can check to receive a card with your name in Braille on the card.

Step 3: Residency Status*

For this next part, you'll need your Resident Card (在留カード- zairyū kaado) to fill in information on your residency status. These boxes are located right below where you should attach your ID photo on the right side of the form. The first box asks you to fill in your residency status. Please note: these statuses listed on your Residence Card may differ slightly from the statuses you are asked to enter on your application. I'll try my best to explain the categories below if they seem ambiguous.

中長期在留者 (Mid- to long-term residents): These include most people with a Resident Card, including foreign students, spouses of Japanese nationals, and people with working visas. Permanent residents who are not special permanent residents fall under this category.

特別永住者 (Special permanent residents): This includes residents of Japan who are former citizens through Japan's former colonial rule, such as Zainichi Koreans.

一時庇護許可者 (Persons permitted to enter under temporary refugee status)

仮滞在許可者 (Persons permitted for provisional stay): asylum seekers.

出生による経過滞在者 (Persons who may continue to stay transitionally in Japan by birth)

国籍喪失による経過滞在者 (Persons who have lost Japanese nationality and may continue to stay transitionally in Japan)

Fill out your residency status (most will be mid- to long-term residents) in Japanese in the top box.

The next box asks whether your Resident Card has an expiry date. If your card does not have one, leave this box and the next one blank. If it does, write the symbol "有" for "listed". The final box asks you to list the expiry date if you have one. Fill out the expiry date as printed on your Resident Card.
*Depending on the ward that you live in, this information may be filled out for you in advance.
Step 4: Signature and Preferences

The next step is to write your signature and the date of the application in the second box from the bottom. You can write the date of the application in the style YYYY/MM/DD first, and then affix your signature on the line below. If you are filling out the application for a person under 15, have them sign the form.

Digital Certificate:

Within this box, you can elect to not receive a digital certificate with your My Number Card. One of the functions of the My Number Card that I have not mentioned up to now is its use for printing documents at convenience stores. You can print, for example, copies of your Certificate of Residence. In order to use the My Number Card for this function, you'll need a digital certificate. If you are concerned about the privacy implications of the card and of printing official documents at a convenience store, you can choose to not have a digital certificate attached to your My Number Card. There are two digital certificates:

Electronic certificate of bearer's signature (署名用電子証明書): Allows the user to register for online banking and file taxes online easily with the information provided on the My Number Card.

Electronic certificate of user proof (利用者証明用電子証明書): Allows printing of official documents from convenience store terminals.

Both certificates are included with the My Number Card by default. If you choose not to receive one or both of these certificates, simply fill in the box next to the certificate you do not want.

If you're filling out the application for yourself, you are finished. Confirm that all the information on the form is correct and that the photograph you've attached is the right size. Place the application in the envelope that was mailed to you, and send it out. You won't even need a stamp if you use this envelope.

Step 5 (For Some): Statutory Representative

If you are filling out an application for someone under the age of 15, you'll need to fill out the bottom section of the form, detailing your information. You can write your name, phone number, and address in the boxes provided on the form. You'll then be asked to fill in your relationship to the applicant. To help you fill out the form, below is a table of relationship terms in kanji.

Once you're done, make sure that all the details you provided are correct, and the photo you've attached is the right size. Then you can place the form in the envelope sent to you, and send it as is, without a stamp.

Final Step: Waiting

If you follow the instructions listed in this article and apply for a My Number Card via mail, it'll take about three weeks for you to receive your card via mail. Over the course of those three weeks, you may receive a call from your local ward office in the event that any information you provided was incorrect or needs clarification. The COVID-19 Pandemic has also delayed the printing of My Number Cards, so you may need to wait a little longer to receive your card in the post. Thank you for taking a look at our guide to getting a My Number Card! The Tokyo Life has various other articles that show you how you can use your My Number Card for ID, such as opening a bank account. Take a look at our Tokyo 101 guides for more help as you settle in Japan.

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How to Get a My Number Card in 5 Easy Steps - The Tokyo Life

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If you've lived in Japan as a foreigner, chances are you've heard of the My Number Card. In fact, log on to practically any application in the public and private sectors for anything important, and you'll find a subsection describing the benefits of using your My Number Card for any type of process.

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https://thetokyolife.jp/disaster-preparedness-101/

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Safety First: Expecting the Unexpected

Japan is no stranger to disaster. With frequent tremors all year-round and typhoons ravaging the country between July and October, the country has naturally amassed a collection of disaster preparedness measures.

It goes without saying that safety and disaster preparedness are a serious business in Japan. It will be a long time before people forget the magnitude 9.0 earthquake, subsequent tsunami, and resulting nuclear meltdown in 2011 that left the country in turmoil.

Estimated to be at least $235b in damages alone, it's considered the most expensive disaster on record.

Typhoons have also become increasingly brutal in recent times. For example, 2018's Typhoon Jebi effortlessly swept a tanker into the bridge connecting Kansai International Airport to the mainland, dislodging it, and stranding around 3,000 people. Typhoon Jebi also easily tore apart massive trucks and casually threw around cars, among other things.

In this article, The Tokyo Life guides you through the core of disaster preparedness based on the Tokyo Metropolitan Government ( TMG)'s extensive guide.

Preparing for the Worst: Home Security and Stockpiling

First things first, you'll need to secure large objects. Shelves, cabinets, closets, your home theater system, anything that could fall over and break should be fastened using anti-slip pads, wall brackets, tension rods, straps and the like. Anti-shatter film is also a good investment to prevent injuries from broken glass.

Japan has strictly enforced building guidelines and regulations where earthquakes are concerned so you won't necessarily catch yourself in a dire situation, but practicing all the appropriate safety measures will help safeguard yourself against preventable distresses.

The next step in disaster preparedness is stockpiling. If you ever followed the craze over dystopian stories and doomsday prepping years back (circa 2010), you'll know that every little bit helps ensure survival. It might seem ridiculous to think about it now, but unfortunately, disasters won't happen at your convenience.

Think about it this way, locking yourself out of your house is already stressful without having to think about food, right? And the few hours you can't bathe or cook because you forgot to pay your utility bill are an ordeal. So, you definitely won't want to wait until everything's flying off the shelves before you start stockpiling essentials and hunker down for a typhoon.

Stockpiling Essentials

Stockpiling isn't just packing a few snacks and pajamas into an overnight bag. It, and by extension disaster preparedness, is making sure you have everything ready in case you need them, so it's always better to err on the side of caution.

This list is a good and easy way to get into the prepping habit. It has nothing that's too difficult to find or too specific and should serve as your main concern when buying supplies.

1. Drinking water (about 2.5L per day)

2. Water for toilet, washing, etc. (can be from tap - separate from drinking water)

3. Non-perishable food (canned food, protein bars, etc.)

4. Flashlight (and batteries)

5. Battery powered radio (and batteries)

6. Medical kit

Maintaining Your Pile

Unfortunately, there is no hard-and-fast rule on how much to stockpile since it all depends on factors such as location, type of disaster, storage space, personal needs, etc. However, Peace Boat Disaster Relief ( PBV) recommends that a stockpile should be enough to sustain each person for at least 72 hours ( 3 days), although if possible 1 weeks' worth would be a more ideal quantity and a better safeguard.

PBV and TMG also recommend that you practice what is called a rolling stockpile, where you regularly use and replace the items in your stockpile to ensure that nothing will go to waste and you will never forget to maintain it.

How to Find Your Nearest Evacuation Spot

A list of evacuation areas is usually included in your welcome kit whenever you move to a new ward. But TMG has something better for you. A part of their initiative is the Disaster Prevention Map, which allows you to look at evacuation areas near you, as well as convenience stores and medical institutions.

The best part is it allows you to search down to the district, or 丁目 ( chōme), level and is readily available in English, Chinese, and Korean.

Now that you know where to go in case of an emergency, it's important to also always remember to have your insurance card with you at all times.

How to Receive Emergency Alerts

The J-Alert, or 全国瞬時警報システム ( zenkoku shunji keihō shisutemu), is a nationwide, satellite-based alert system for emergencies such as earthquakes and severe weather. It's issued by the 消防庁 ( shōbōchō), or the Fire and Disaster Management Agency, through the Superbird-B2 which then transmits it to various media such as mobile phones.

The Earthquake Early Warning ( EEW) which serves a similar purpose but only for earthquakes and its aftereffects like landslides and tsunamis. EEWs are issued by the Japanese Meteorological Agency ( JMA).

To begin receiving emergency alerts, you'll need to set-up your mobile phone.

Enabling Emergency Alerts

For iPhone users, go to Settings > Notifications and turn on Emergency Alerts at the bottom of the page.

For Android users, go to Settings > Apps & notifications > Advanced > Emergency alerts and turn on Allow alerts and Show public safety alerts. However, your mobile phone must have a SIM card from a supported carrier like Softbank, KDDI, or NTT DOCOMO to receive emergency alerts.

Keep in mind, however, that phones bought outside of Japan may not be capable of receiving J-Alerts or EEWs altogether.

Emergency Alert Apps

In this case, you can still set your phone to receive themby installing either the NHK World TV ( Android| iOS) or the Yahoo! Emergency App ( Android| iOS).

NHK World TV is a news app that also issues EEW alerts, allowing users to keep themselves up-to-date and prepared in case of further emergencies. The app itself is available only in English but alerts are also issued in both Simplified and Traditional Chinese.

The Yahoo! Emergency App, on the other hand, is more what you would expect an emergency app to be. It displays information about the weather and issues EEWs, but it also doubles as a map for evacuation sites. The app is available only in Japanese but the information is easy enough to navigate through using a translation app. The developers caution, however, that EU phones may not be able to install the app due to GDPR.

Wi-Fi is required to receive news updates and alerts on both the NHK World TV app and the Yahoo! Emergency App.

Safety 101: Keeping Yourself Safe during Disasters

Now that you've (hopefully) done some disaster proofing around your home, some stockpiling of essentials, and setting up emergency alerts, and other disaster preparedness measures, let's get into what to do during and after a disaster.

Earthquakes

1. You're NUMBER ONE priority when an earthquake hits - no matter the magnitude - is to protect your head. During more intense quakes, immediately hide under a desk. If not, at least stay low to the ground and cover your head with whatever is nearby like books, blankets, etc. Move away from things that can fall over IMMEDIATELY.

2. After the tremor subsides, go slow and be cautious. Beware of aftershocks. Do not rush outside of the house. Instead, secure an exit for yourself by opening a window or door.

3. Secure any fire hazards around you such as your gas range, and get updated on news and alerts for evacuation.

4. In case of an evacuation, shut off your gas (if possible) and electricity to prevent any accidents. DO NOT take the elevator when evacuating a building.

*In the event that you become trapped and need help, shout. You will only exhaust your remaining energy. Instead, stay calm and find a way to make loud noises to draw attention.
Typhoons

1. Typhoons are much easier to detect and monitor than earthquakes so use this opportunity to gather as much information as you can. Keep yourself up-to-date on evacuation notices. Think carefully about whether to stay or evacuate and act accordingly.

2. Prepare yourself and your house in the event that the power and water might be interrupted due to the weather.

3. Gather more supplies as needed and prepare ahead of time.

4. Even if the typhoon is not strong or the wind seems calm, DO NOT take risks. Stay inside as much as possible. Accidents are called accidents for a reason.

Need help with figuring out living in Tokyo? Our Tokyo 101 guides take the stress out of navigating life in Japan.

Featured image by 🇨🇭 Claudio Schwarz | @purzlbaum on Unsplash

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Disaster Preparedness 101 - The Tokyo Life

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Japan is no stranger to disaster. With frequent tremors all year-round and typhoons ravaging the country between July and October, the country has naturally amassed a collection of disaster preparedness measures. It goes without saying that safety and disaster preparedness are a serious business in Japan.

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https://thetokyolife.jp/how-to-use-a-japanese-heater/

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When it comes to keeping warm in the winter, Japan offer a variety of heaters. Read on to find out which one works best for you and how to use it efficiently.

Table of Contents

Wall-mounted HVAC Unit

Wall-mounted heating and cooling units are most common in Japan, with central heating and cooling not common for residential buildings. More than likely, your wall unit has this dual functionality. Not every unit is the same, but in general, here are a few key points for using your HVAC unit to stay warm this winter.

Cleaning your filters

Not only does having a dirty filter require your heating unit to use more energy, if too much dust collects, there's a (slight) risk of fire. And, more annoyingly, turning on any heating unit that has dust around the heating coils will result in a terrible burning smell. For most wall mounted units, the filters can be removed by carefully lifting up the front panel and sliding the filters out. Even a quick monthly vacuuming of both sides of the filter can make a huge difference. More specific directions can be found in your heater's manual or on diagrams displayed on the inside of the unit.

Turning on the unit

If you've used the air conditioning functionality of your HVAC unit, using the heating function should be relatively similar. Look on your remote for a button that says 暖房 (だんぼう danbou). This will turn on the heater. To turn it off, look for the off button, 停止 (ていしい teishi).

Setting the temperature

Now that your heater is on, you can set the temperature, usually denoted with 温度 (おんど ondo), by using the up and down arrows on the remote. The Japanese government recommends people set their heaters to no higher than 20 degrees (Celsius). A word of caution, leaving a heater like this on overnight can dry out the air significantly and cause a sore throat. It's recommended to turn heaters off before going to sleep or set a timer for it to turn off shortly after going to bed.

Setting a timer

To set a timer that turns the heater off (recommended to use at night so the heater doesn't dry out the air too much), look for a button that says 切タイマー (きりたいまあ kiritaimaa). Pushing this will often show a duration in 15 minute blocks from the current time to when you would like the heater to turn off. Some may allow you to input a time to set the timer directly. To set a timer for when to turn your heater on (it's recommended you schedule it to turn on 15-30 minutes before the time you're expecting to be home), look for the 入タイマー (いりたいまあ iritaimaa) button. Just as above, this is usually given in 15 minute blocks. To cancel any timer, look for a button that says 取消 (とりけし torikeshi).

Electric Oil Heater

Electric oil heaters (オイルヒーター oiruhiitaa) offer many of the same options as a wall-mounted heating and cooling unit, but have the advantage of not drying out the air and are less expensive to use. They warm at a slower rate, but are less prone to tipping over and causing accidents like space heaters.

The functionality is more or less the same, but here's a quick rundown of how many operate.

Cleaning the coils

Just like with the filter on a wall-mounted HVAC unit, burning dust is not a good smell. While still cool, run a damp cloth over the coils and allow them to dry. This will help remove dust that may have collected on the unit. It's recommended to store something like this in a bag to help prevent dust from collecting between seasons.

Turning on the unit

Look on the device for a button that says 入 (いり iri) to turn on the unit. To turn it off, look for the off button, 停止 (ていしい teishi).

Setting the temperature

The temperature buttons may be an unlabeled set of up and down arrows, or may be denoted with 温度 (おんど ondo). Since electric oil heaters tend to heat a room more slowly and use less electricity than wall-mounted heaters, going 1 or 2 degrees over the recommended 20 °C is usually ok.

Setting a timer

To set a timer, look for the same buttons that you would on a wall-mounted heater:

切タイマー (きりたいまあ kiritaimaa) timer for when to turn the device off

入タイマー (いりたいまあ iritaimaa) timer for when to turn the device on

取消 (とりけし torikeshi) cancel a timer

Space Heater

Space heaters, or ストーブ (すとおぶ sutoobu), typically have an exposed coil that heats up and is protected by a metal screen. These radiate heat in the area directly in front of them, up to a relatively short distance, but can get very warm. When you're cold, it's great to be able to sit directly in front of a space heater and get warm. But because of how hot they can get, space heaters can pose a fire hazard if clothing is laid on top of them or if they tip over. Many have a built-in automatic off switch, so they switch off if they aren't level on the floor. Space heaters generally have much simpler controls to use, with an off, low, and high mode. Potentially more so than any of the other heaters listed here, it is important that you do your best to clean the coils, especially when first using the space heater after having kept it in storage for a while. Like an oil heater, it's recommended to store a space heater in a bag so it won't collect dust when not in use.

With the exception of space heaters, you'll see the best results (and a cheaper electricity bill) by setting your heater to a lower temperature but leaving it on for longer. Turning a heater up to 23, then turning it off, then turning it back on again once the room cools will cost more than if you had just set the heater to 20 degrees for the entire period. Additionally, the room would be warmer if kept at a constant 20 degrees.

Need help with figuring out living in Tokyo? Our Tokyo 101 guides take the stress out of navigating life in Japan.

Photo by Jung Hyeyoung from Pixabay

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How to Use a Japanese Heater - The Tokyo Life

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When it comes to keeping warm in the winter, Japan offer a variety of heaters. Read on to find out which one works best for you and how to use it efficiently. Wall-mounted heating and cooling units are most common in Japan, with central heating and cooling not common for residential buildings.