This checklist covers general administrative steps for new residents. Procedures and requirements vary by municipality and may change. Always verify specific requirements with your local municipal office (市区町村役所) and relevant government agencies. This is not legal, tax, or financial advice.
What to Do After Arriving in Japan
Your first weeks in Japan involve a series of administrative tasks that unlock access to essential services. This checklist covers the most important steps in roughly chronological order. Most tasks center on your local municipal office (yakusho or shiyakusho), which is the gateway to many government services.
At the Airport: Residence Card
If entering at a major international airport (Narita, Haneda, Kansai, Chubu, New Chitose, Hiroshima, or Fukuoka), your Residence Card (在留カード, Zairyū Kādo) is issued at immigration. At other entry points, the card is sent by mail after you register your address.
- Check your Residence Card details (name, date of birth, status, period of stay) for accuracy before leaving immigration
- Carry your Residence Card at all times — it is legally required
- The card must be presented to authorities on request
Within 14 Days: Address Registration
Visit your local municipal office (市区町村役所) within 14 days of arriving at your address to register your address on the Residence Card. This is legally required and unlocks many other services.
- Bring your Residence Card and passport
- Your address will be printed on the back of your Residence Card
- You will receive a registration certificate (住民票, jūmin-hyo) which is used as address proof for many applications
My Number (Individual Number) Card
After address registration, you will receive a My Number notification letter (マイナンバー通知カード) at your registered address by mail. My Number is Japan’s social security and tax number system. You will need it for:
- Tax filing (確定申告, kakutei shinkoku)
- Social insurance enrollment
- Opening bank accounts (increasingly required)
- Employment procedures
You can optionally apply for a physical My Number Card (マイナンバーカード) at your municipal office. This card serves as photo ID and has expanding uses (health insurance, digital government services). Processing takes several weeks after application.
National Health Insurance (NHI) Enrollment
Most foreign residents who are not covered by employer social insurance (健康保険, kenkō hoken) must enroll in the National Health Insurance scheme (国民健康保険, Kokumin Kenkō Hoken) at their municipal office. Health insurance enrollment is legally mandatory for residents with a valid residence status.
- Bring your Residence Card, passport, and My Number notification
- Premiums are calculated based on your previous year’s income in Japan (new residents with no prior Japan income typically pay minimum premiums initially)
- NHI covers 70% of most medical costs (you pay 30% at the point of care)
- If your employer provides company health insurance (shakai hoken), you do not need to enroll in NHI separately — confirm with your employer
National Pension Enrollment
Residents aged 20–59 who are not enrolled in a company pension scheme must enroll in the National Pension (国民年金, Kokumin Nenkin) at their municipal office. Monthly premiums apply (verify the current rate with the Japan Pension Service — 日本年金機構). Contributions count toward your pension benefits if you remain in Japan long-term.
Opening a Bank Account
A Japanese bank account is essential for paying rent (typically by bank transfer), receiving salary, setting up utility payments, and more. Opening requirements vary by bank but typically include:
- Residence Card and passport
- Registered address proof (jūmin-hyo from municipal office)
- My Number
- Seal (hanko — increasingly optional at major banks)
Foreign-friendly options: Japan Post Bank (ゆうちょ銀行) is often the most accessible for new residents. Major city banks (MUFG, SMBC, Mizuho) are increasingly foreigner-friendly. Some banks require 6 months’ residence before opening — check current requirements.
Mobile Phone and SIM
A local phone number is useful for registering services, receiving verification codes, and daily life. Options include:
- Major carriers (docomo, SoftBank, au): Plans from ¥2,000–¥8,000/month; require credit check and residence card
- MVNOs (IIJmio, Mineo, NUROmobile, etc.): Lower-cost SIM-only plans from ~¥1,000/month
- Rakuten Mobile: Competitive pricing; requires Residence Card
Utilities Setup
Set up electricity, gas, and water at your new address. Utility companies send enrollment postcards when you move in, or you can contact them directly. Most have online or phone registration in Japanese; some major companies offer English-language support. Automatic payment via bank account is standard.
Summary Checklist
- ☐ Receive Residence Card at airport (or register address to receive by mail)
- ☐ Register address at municipal office within 14 days
- ☐ Receive My Number notification letter
- ☐ Enroll in National Health Insurance (if not covered by employer)
- ☐ Enroll in National Pension (if not covered by employer)
- ☐ Open a Japanese bank account
- ☐ Get a local SIM or mobile plan
- ☐ Set up utilities (electricity, gas, water, internet)
- ☐ Apply for My Number Card (optional but increasingly useful)
Most of the above can be completed within your first 2–4 weeks. Your employer’s HR department (if applicable) can assist with many of these steps. If you’re navigating this alone, many municipalities have multilingual support counters or can arrange interpretation services.