Japan Life Document Guides

English guides to common Japanese life documents — national health insurance, pension, resident tax, My Number, property managers, moving out, schools, utilities, bank and mobile contracts.

• What to Do When a Resident Tax (Juminzei) Notice Arrives

  Got a Japanese resident tax (juminzei) notice and can't read it? Learn the common fields, payment methods, deadlines, and which official office to ask.

• Opening a Bank Account in Japan (口座開設) — What You Need and How It Works

  Opening a bank account in Japan? Learn what documents you need for koza kaisetsu, common fields on the application form, and where to confirm officially.

• How to Convert or Renew a Driver's License in Japan (外国免許切替・運転免許更新)

  Converting a foreign license (gaimen kirikae) or renewing a Japanese driver's license? Learn common steps, key fields, and where to confirm officially.

• What Does Genjo Kaifuku Mean in Japan? Move-Out Restoration Explained

  Genjo kaifuku is the move-out restoration duty in Japanese rentals. Learn what it covers, how responsibility is split, and the official guideline to check.

• How to Read the 源泉徴収票 (Gensen Chōshū-hyō), Japan's Withholding Tax Statement

  Can't read the gensen choshu-hyo (withholding tax statement) your Japanese employer issued? Learn its common fields, uses, what to do, and where to confirm.

• How to Get Your Child Into a Hoikuen (Japanese Daycare) — Hokatsu and the Enrollment Application

  Trying to get your child into a hoikuen (daycare) in Japan? Learn how hokatsu works: municipal applications, benefit certification, and placement screening.

• Seal Registration (Inkan Tōroku) in Japan: Registering a Jitsuin and Getting a Seal Registration Certificate

  How to complete inkan tōroku in Japan, register your seal as a jitsuin, and get a seal registration certificate for real estate, cars, and major contracts.

• Japan's Child Allowance (Jido Teate): How to Read the Application and Approval Notice

  Received a child allowance (jido teate) notice from a Japanese city office? Learn the common fields, what to do and by when, and where to confirm officially.

• Japan's Long-Term Care Insurance (Kaigo Hoken) and Care-Need Certification, Explained

  Received a long-term care insurance (kaigo hoken) notice in Japan? Learn the common fields, what to do, and how care-need certification works.

• Kakutei Shinkoku (Japan's Income Tax Return) — Do You Need to File, and How to Read It

  Not sure if you need to file a kakutei shinkoku (Japanese tax return)? Learn the common cases that require filing, what to do and when, and where to confirm.

• Japan's High-Cost Medical Expense Benefit (Kogaku Ryoyohi): Getting Back Medical Costs Above Your Monthly Cap

  Japan's Kogaku Ryoyohi refunds medical costs above your monthly self-pay cap. Learn the income and age tiers, certificates, and how to apply.

• How to Read a Japanese National Health Insurance Payment Notice

  Got a National Health Insurance (Kokuho) payment notice from your Japanese city hall? Learn the common fields, how to pay, and where to find the deadline.

• How to Read a Japanese Lease Renewal Notice (更新のお知らせ)

  Got a lease renewal notice (更新のお知らせ) in Japan? Understand the renewal fee, new rent, and key fields, what to do, deadlines, and where to confirm officially.

• How to Use the Myna Insurance Card (マイナ保険証) and the Eligibility Certificate (資格確認書)

  Japan stopped issuing new paper health insurance cards in December 2024. Learn what the Myna Insurance Card and eligibility certificate are and what to do.

• How to Read a Mobile Phone Contract (Keitai Denwa Keiyaku) in Japan

  Signing a mobile phone contract in Japan? Learn fields like rate plans, ID checks, cancellation fees and MNP, what to do, and where to confirm officially.

• Moving in Japan: How to File the 転入届 / 転出届 (Resident Registration Change)

  Moving in Japan? Learn the tennyu-todoke and tenshutsu-todoke resident registration notifications: common fields, steps, deadlines, and where to confirm.

• How to Read My Number (マイナンバー) Notices in Japan

  Received a 個人番号通知書, a My Number Card application form, or a 交付通知書 from a Japanese city office? Learn what each document is, its key fields, and what to do.

• Japan Pension Payment Reminder Letter: Do You Need to Act?

  Got a National Pension payment reminder from the Japan Pension Service? Understand the letter, its key fields, and where to confirm exemption or postponement.

• How to Read Japan's Nenkin Teikibin (Annual Pension Record Notice)

  Received a Nenkin Teikibin (ねんきん定期便) from the Japan Pension Service? Learn what this annual pension record notice means, key fields to check, and what to do.

• What Is 年末調整 (Nenmatsu Chōsei): Your Company Settles Your Income Tax at Year-End

  Nenmatsu chosei is your employer settling your income tax at year-end. Learn what forms to submit, how it differs from kakutei shinkoku, and where to check.

• What to Do With an NHK Reception Fee (Jushinryō) Contract or Payment Notice

  Received an NHK reception fee (jushinryō) contract or payment notice in Japan? Learn what it means, key fields, and how to respond or verify with NHK.

• How to Read the Japanese School Notices (Otayori) Your Child Brings Home

  Can't read the Japanese otayori or lunch-fee notices your child brings home? Learn common fields, reply and payment items, deadlines, and official contacts.

• Japan's Childbirth and Childcare Lump-Sum Grant (Shussan Ikuji Ichijikin): How to Read and Claim It

  The childbirth lump-sum grant (shussan ikuji ichijikin) is paid by your health insurance in Japan, usually direct to the hospital. Learn the key fields.

• How to Dispose of Oversized Garbage (Sodai Gomi) in Japan: Booking and Fee Tickets

  Throwing away large furniture or appliances in Japan? Learn how sodai gomi booking, fee tickets, and collection work, and where to check official rules.

• What Is a Taikyo Tachiai? Japan's Move-Out Inspection Explained

  When you end a lease in Japan, the landlord or management company often arranges a taikyo tachiai (move-out inspection). Learn what it is and how it works.

• How to Claim Unemployment Benefits in Japan (Employment Insurance / Hello Work)

  Left your job in Japan? Learn how to claim the employment insurance basic allowance at Hello Work: the rishoku-hyo, common fields, and what to do.

• How to Read Utility Bills and Notices in Japan (Electricity, Gas, Water)

  Can't read your Japanese electricity, gas, or water bill? Learn the common fields, where usage, amounts, and payment deadlines appear, and who to ask.

• How to Handle Residence Card / Period-of-Stay Renewal (在留期間更新許可申請) in Japan

  Residence card nearing expiry? Learn how the 在留期間更新許可申請 (period-of-stay extension) works, its key fields, deadlines, and where to confirm officially.