Legal procedures
Foreign resident registration procedures
All foreigners residing in Japan for a period of more than 90 days are required to comply with foreign resident registration procedures, in order that there may be a record of the relevant details relating to their residence (i.e. where they are living) and their actual status (i.e. what they are doing). On registration, you will be issued a FOREIGN RESIDENT REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE (a plastic card), and this takes the place of a passport as ID for foreigners while they are living in Japan. Within 90 days of your arrival in Japan, you must go to the ward or city office of the place in which you are living and complete the formalities.
It is not possible to do this at the branch offices (shutcho-sho) operated by the ward and city offices. You must go to the main ward or city office to register.
The following are required for Foreign Resident Registration:
- A completed Foreign Resident Registration Form (available at the Ward/City Office)
- Your passport
- 2 recent photographs (taken within 6 months; no hat; head and shoulders; 4.5 cm x 3.5 cm; color photograph is desirable)
You are required to carry your Foreign Resident Registration Certificate with you at all times. When an immigration official or police officer asks you to show your Foreign Resident Registration Certificate, you are required to do so. There is no obligation to keep your passport with you if you have your certificate with you. If you move, you must go to the ward or city office in which your new residence is located (whether it is the same area in which you were registered or not) and register your change of address.
You are also required to notify the ward or city office of other changes, such as changes in your visa status. This is fully explained at the time of registration. If your Foreign Resident Registration Certificate is lost, stolen, or destroyed, you must obtain a replacement at the ward or city office within 14 days. Under the new regulations, you do not give up your Foreign Resident Registration Certificate when temporarily going abroad after obtaining a Re-Entry Permit. Take it with you, so that you will have it with you when you reenter Japan.
SHINJUKU City Office
1-4-1 Kabukicho, Shinjuku-ku
TEL: 03-3209-1111
Access map
http://www.city.shinjuku.lg.jp/foreign/english/guide/shisetsu/shisetsu_1.html
On Foreign Resident Registration /Shinjuku City Office
http://www.city.shinjuku.lg.jp/foreign/english/guide/todoke/todoke_1.html
On Foreign Resident Registration / International Communication Committee/ TOKYO Metropolitan Government/
http://www.tokyo-icc.jp/guide_eng/proce/02.html
TOKOROZAWA City, SAITAMA Prefecture
http://www.city.tokorozawa.saitama.jp/multilingual/index.html
Address: 1-1-1 Namiki, Tokorozawa, Saitama
TEL: 04-2998-1111 (operator)
KITAKYUSHU City
http://www.city.kitakyushu.lg.jp/english/index.html
"Lifestyle Information for Kitakyushu"
Kitakyushu City
http://www.kitaq-koryu.jp/jp_new/05/index.html
National Health Insurance
If your stay in Japan will exceed one year, please join the National Health Insurance (NHI) scheme. (The NHI insurance premiums are the responsibility of the researcher). The National Health Insurance scheme covers 70% of the medical expenses of those belonging to the scheme. Insurance premiums include basic imposition (expenses for medical treatment) and nursing care payment imposition (expenses for nursing care); both are taxed on a per capita and income basis. The total of these amounts is your National Health Insurance premium. Please refer to the following URL for more information.
Enrollment in National Health Insurance / SHINJUKU City Office
http://www.city.shinjuku.lg.jp/foreign/english/guide/tax/tax_4.html
Income tax
If you are paid by Waseda University during your stay, you may incur income tax obligations. However, if your home country has a tax treaty with Japan, your income may be taxed only in your home country. You may need to prepare the required documents before you leave your home country. Please consult with your home tax authority or host department for details.
Income Tax Guide for Foreigners/ National Tax agency
http://www.nta.go.jp/taxanswer/english/gaikoku.htm
List of Countries who have tax treaties with Japan (in Japanese only) / Ministry of Finance Japan
http://www.mof.go.jp/tax_policy/summary/international/182.htm
