Just arrived in Japan

National Health Insurance Japan: The 70% Reduction You Must Ask For

Japan cuts the flat part of your National Health Insurance bill by 70, 50 or 20 percent when household income was low. In Tokyo that is 65,200 yen a year down to 19,560, a gap of 45,640 yen. But it never arrives unless the city office knows your income, so zero income still has to be declared. Living alone, the 70 percent line is 1.08 million yen. Corrections stop after two years.

2026.08.31

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Do I Have to Carry My Residence Card in Japan? Rules, Fines, Renewal

You must carry your residence card at all times in Japan. Only people under 16 are exempt, and permanent residents are not. Not carrying it is a fine of up to 200,000 yen; refusing to present it is up to one year of imprisonment. But if you carry the card, you do not have to carry your passport. Renewing the card's validity is free, and a lost card must be reported within 14 days.

2026.08.26

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Finding an Apartment in Japan in English: SUUMO Has No English Site

SUUMO has no English version (checked August 2026). That leaves three routes: the Japanese sites, walking into an agency, or a service built for foreigners. Seven words are enough to read any listing - and reikin never comes back while kanrihi is charged every month.

2026.08.20

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Opening a Bank Account in Japan as a Foreigner: The Fastest Route

How foreigners open a bank account in Japan: the 6-month residence rule, Japan Post Bank accepting just 3 months, online banks with no hanko, required documents, and closing the account when you leave.

2026.07.26

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Seeing a Doctor in Japan: Clinics, Hospitals and Emergencies

How to see a doctor in Japan: clinic or hospital, the 5 steps of a visit, Japanese phrases that work, and emergencies - call 119 (free) or #7119 when unsure. A guide for foreign residents.

2026.07.25

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Moving House in Japan 2026: Why March Costs Double

A single person pays about 142,000 yen to move in March and 60,000 to 70,000 from May. How to make companies compete, the honest problem with comparison sites, and the paperwork deadlines nobody warns you about.

2026.07.23

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Residence Registration (Juminhyo) in Japan: A Guide for Foreigners

How foreigners register their address (juminhyo) in Japan. The 14-day rule, what to bring, why you need it for a bank, SIM, insurance and jobs, and how it connects to tax.

2026.07.22

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Credit Cards for Foreigners in Japan 2026: What to Check Before You Apply

"They rejected me when I showed my residence card." The screening criteria are not published, so anyone claiming a card is easy to pass is guessing. Here is what you can actually check before you apply, plus a no-annual-fee first card and the debit route.

2026.07.22

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Best SIM in Japan for Foreigners 2026: No Credit Card Needed

Which SIM in Japan can you get without a credit card? Compare Rakuten Mobile, ahamo, povo and Nihon Tsushin by price, data, coverage and eSIM. Plus the three walls foreigners hit and how to sign up.

2026.07.22

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Home Internet in Japan for Foreigners: Fibre vs Home Router vs Pocket Wi-Fi

Home internet in Japan for foreigners: fibre vs home router vs pocket Wi-Fi. Why a no-installation home router (Rakuten Turbo) suits newcomers, prices, and how to sign up in a rental.

2026.07.21

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Renting an Apartment in Japan: Costs, Documents and Guarantors

Renting an apartment in Japan: the real move-in cost (4-6 months), the documents you need, and how to rent without a Japanese guarantor using a guarantee company.

2026.07.21

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National Health Insurance in Japan: How to Join and What It Costs

Living in Japan over 3 months? You must join National Health Insurance. How to enrol, what it costs, the 14-day rule, using your card, and how unpaid premiums affect your visa renewal.

2026.07.21

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