Residence Notification (Mandatory)

• When you first move to Japan

Submit the "Residence Notification Form" ("転入の届出") to your city hall or ward office within 14 days of confirming your residence.
Example: If you live in Shinjuku Ward, go to the Shinjuku City Hall; if you live in Fuchu City, go to the Fuchu City Office

• If you move in Japan

When moving to another city, town, or village in Japan (submit 2 forms)
Example: Moving from Shinjuku Ward to Naka-ku

1. Before moving: Submit "転出の届出" at the office of your previous residence
   Example: Shinjuku City Hall
2. After moving: (within 14 days) Submit "転入の届出" at the office of your new residence
   Example: Naka-ku Office

When moving within the same city, town, or village (submit 1 form)
Example: Fuchu City

1. After moving: (within 14 days) Submit "転居の届出" at the same office
   Example: Fuchu City Office

Seal Registration

Seal registration is not mandatory, but it's convenient for many things later. Once registered, you can directly use your My Number Card to easily obtain a seal registration certificate. If you haven't registered yet, it's recommended to do so when visiting the local office.

Documents required for registration

1. Registration application form
   Available at the local office
2. Seal
   Note: The name on the seal must match that on your residence card. If the name is in English characters, the seal should also be in English characters.
3. Identification documents
   Examples: My Number Card, residence card, etc.

My Number Card

About the My Number Card (Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications), the image has been modified.

The My Number Card makes many administrative procedures much easier. Although it's not mandatory to apply for one, having it can make life much smoother. Let's look at some of the actual uses below.

With the My Number Card, you can directly get the following at convenience stores:

• Copies of your resident certificate
• Seal registration certificate
• Family register (Only for Japanese citizens)
• Other

Using the online administrative service "My Portal", you can view the following information:

• Health insurance
• Employment insurance, workers' compensation (compensation for labor accidents)
• Taxes and income
• Pension
• Other

Other practical examples

• e-Tax (Electronic Tax Return for National Taxes)
• Other

Pensions

Everyone aged 20 to 59 living in Japan must join the pension system and pay pension insurance fees. Although this is mandatory, there are various exemption policies available. If you join and meet the exemption criteria, you may be able to pay only a portion or even have all fees waived for a certain period.

Actually, many students plan to return home after graduation, so many people do not join the pension system.
However, if you plan to work in Japan and want to apply for permanent residence, joining the pension system early can be beneficial for your future application for permanent residence.

However, sometimes circumstances are unpredictable. If you have been paying into the pension system for many years and have paid a significant amount, but due to certain circumstances you have to return home and may not be able to come back for a while, this is part of life.
In such cases, if you meet all the following conditions, you can apply to receive a portion of the fees back within 2 years after returning home (one-time withdrawal payment).

1. No Japanese nationality
2. Total pension contributions paid for 6 months or more
   The number of months of insurance premiums paid for the National Pension or having been enrolled in the Employees' Pension Insurance for 6 months or more
3. No residence in Japan
   If you have submitted the "Residence Notification Form" at the local office, even if you have obtained a 'Re-entry Permit' or 'Deemed Re-entry Permit', you can apply. However, if you have not submitted the "Residence Notification Form", you cannot apply during the validity period of your 'Re-entry Permit'.
4. No right to receive pensions
   Generally, you do not have the right to receive pensions before the age of 65

The pension exemption policies are mainly aimed at individuals who have difficulty paying pension contributions, and the amount of exemptions varies depending on income from the previous year or student status.