3-3 After entry into Japan: daily life procedures (resident registration, opening a bank account, purchasing a commuter pass)
Procedures at municipal offices
| 1.Resident registration | You must go to the municipal office administering your address in person to submit a notification of moving in within fourteen days after entering Japan. Be sure to bring your passport and residence card with you. Once you submit the notification, you will receive a copy of your residence certificate. |
| 2.National Health Insurance | You can also enroll in National Health Insurance (NHI) when after you complete resident registration procedures at a municipal office. Residents of Japan are required to enroll in NHI. Being enrolled means you will only have to pay 30 percent of the medical expenses when you visit a hospital for illness or injury, with NHI covering the other 70 percent. |
| 3.National Pension | Those who are twenty years of age or older are required to join the National Pension plan. If you are not enrolled, even if you find a job in Japan your application for changing your visa status may be denied. Students may be exempted from paying the premiums while they are enrolled in a school, so please consult with the staff when you apply. |
Social security agreements and lump-sum withdrawal payments
Japan has concluded social security agreements with twenty-three countries regarding dual coverage and enrollment periods. Please visit the following website for more information:
https://www.nenkin.go.jp/service/shaho-kyotei/20141125.html
In addition, if you have been a member of National Pension for six months or longer you may apply for a lump-sum withdrawal payment when you return to your home country.
https://www.nenkin.go.jp/service/jukyu/sonota-kyufu/dattai-ichiji/20150406.html
Opening a bank account
Go to a bank near your school or residence to open an account. You will likely need a personal seal (not required for some banks) , and will also be asked to present your passport and residence card. In some cases, the school may designate a bank to receive the scholarship funds, so please confirm this in advance.
Japan Post Bank [English, simplified Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean, etc.]
https://jp-bank-kaisetsu.japanpost.jp/account_open/0010.php
Cellphones
In Japan, it is common to purchase a cellphone and SIM card as a set, but recently it is also possible to purchase only a SIM card and continue using the device you brought from your home country.
Call the toll-free number for foreign languages to confirm the documents required for the contract beforehand.
| Docomo | Foreign-Language Toll-Free Dial: 0120-005-250 [English, Chinese, etc.] |
| au |
English Toll-Free Dial: 0120-959-472 Chinese:0120-959-476 Korean:0120-933-961 Vietnamese:0120-933-961 |
Purchasing a commuter pass
You can obtain a commuter pass at the nearest station. You must present your student ID when purchasing the pass. Some passes are also rechargeable IC cards, such as Suica and Pasmo, and can be used as electronic money for purchases at participating stores.