Useful information for life in Japan
Practical guides to help you understand everyday procedures, decide where to ask for help, and find the right public service, professional or service provider.
Latest guides and questions
New to Japan and Paying 20.42% Income Tax? A Six-Month Training Contract May Still Qualify for Review
Why a new employee in Japan may …
Read moreWhen Can You Lose Your Status of Residence in Japan?
Expiration, missed re-entry dead…
Read moreLeaving Japan Temporarily: Special Re-entry Permission vs. Regular Re-entry Permission
If you leave Japan temporarily, …
Read moreChanged Jobs or Resigned in Japan? The 14-Day Immigration Notification Rule
Foreign residents in several wor…
Read morePermanent Resident, Long-Term Resident and Spouse of Japanese National: What Is the Difference?
These residence statuses general…
Read moreDependent Status in Japan: 28-Hour Work Rule and Changing to a Work Status
What people on Dependent status …
Read moreStudent Status in Japan: 28-Hour Work Rule and What Happens After Graduation
How the 28-hour work rule works …
Read moreSpecified Skilled Worker (i): Technical Intern Training, Job Changes and Test Exemptions
The basics of Specified Skilled …
Read moreEngineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services: Jobs, Job Changes and Renewal
A practical guide to the Enginee…
Read moreWhich Statuses of Residence Allow You to Work in Japan?
Some statuses allow only specifi…
Read moreWhat Is the Difference Between a Visa and a Status of Residence in Japan?
In Japan, people often say work …
Read moreLeaving Japan: what happens to your pension? Lump-sum Withdrawal Payment and returning later
Foreign nationals leaving Japan …
Read moreCan old unpaid pension periods be fixed later? The difference between 2 years, 2 years 1 month, and 10 years
The 2-year, roughly 2-year-1-mon…
Read moreHow can unpaid pension affect permanent residence in Japan? Student years can matter too
Under the Permanent Residence Gu…
Read moreReceived a National Pension unpaid notice? Check these 3 things before paying
An unpaid notice does not always…
Read moreMoved in Japan: do you need to change your pension address?
If your My Number is linked to y…
Read moreDo you pay pension while temporarily outside Japan? Keeping or removing your Japanese address
Pension during a temporary trip …
Read moreDo you pay pension during a gap between jobs? Even a short gap can require a procedure
Even a short gap between jobs ca…
Read moreWhat happens to pension after leaving a job? Switching from Employees’ Pension to National Pension
If you leave a company and do no…
Read morePension for international students: student payment special, exemption, and unpaid periods
International students aged 20 o…
Read moreDo foreigners in Japan need to join the pension system? National Pension and Employees’ Pension basics
Foreign residents in Japan are g…
Read moreUnpaid wages or trouble at work in Chiba?
Where to ask about unpaid wages …
Read moreMoving to or within Chiba City: address-change checklist
What to check after a move in or…
Read moreReceived a National Health Insurance payment reminder?
Four things to check when a Japa…
Read moreWhere to ask about visas and residence status in Japan
Official sources of general visa…
Read moreFree consultation services for foreign residents in Chiba
Public and nonprofit places to a…
Read moreCan’t understand a Japanese letter or notice?
What to check when you receive a…
Read moreNot sure who to ask for help in Japan?
How to choose a suitable profess…
Read moreNot sure where to start?
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