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Resident Registration
住民票・住民登记
Within 14 days of moving to a new address, file a Move-In notification at the ward office. Juminhyo is the base doc for rent, banking, insurance.
- Bring residence card + Move-Out certificate from previous city
- Your residence card address is updated on the spot
- Can enroll in health insurance & pension at the same window
- Paper copies of juminhyo cost ~300 yen each
💡 Get a few copies — new employers, landlords, and banks often need originals.
Issued on arrival to mid/long-term residents. You must carry it at all times — police can ask to see it; failure risks a fine.
- After moving, register the new address at the ward office within 14 days
- Report changes (name, nationality, visa type) to Immigration
- Renewal can be filed 3 months before expiry — do not overstay
- If lost: report to police, then reissue at Immigration
💡 Immigration Services Agency: www.moj.go.jp/isa (Chinese version available).
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My Number (ID)
マイナンバー・个人番号
A 12-digit personal ID used for tax, employment, social security, and bank accounts. Notification arrives after you register an address.
- The paper notification is separate from the plastic My Number Card (apply yourself)
- The plastic card serves as photo ID and enables online tax filing (e-Tax)
- Treat the number as sensitive — share only with employer, bank, etc.
- Update your card at the ward office after moving
💡 Apply via the official Myna Portal: myna.go.jp.
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National Health Insurance
国民健康保険・健康保险
Required for residents staying 3+ months. Cuts your out-of-pocket medical cost to 30% — core safety net.
- Apply at your ward office's insurance desk with your residence card
- Premium is based on prior-year income (new arrivals pay minimum)
- Show the insurance card when registering at hospitals
- Full-time employees are auto-enrolled in Shakai Hoken instead
💡 Find Chinese-speaking clinics by region/department on our home page.
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Opening a Bank Account
銀行口座・银行开户
Japan Post Bank (Yucho) is easiest for newcomers — but it opens as a non-resident account with restrictions on transfers. Major city banks usually require 6+ months of residence.
- Once you land an arubaito (part-time job), you can apply to convert your Yucho account from non-resident to resident — little-known trick
- Bring: residence card, juminhyo, hanko (or signature)
- A Japanese phone number is usually required — get a SIM first
- Yucho opens same day; city banks take 1–2 weeks
💡 Don't want to wait? Online options like Wise / Revolut have fewer requirements, sign up fast, and support international transfers — good as a bridge or long-term.
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Life Event Notifications
届出・申报手续
Marriage, divorce, job change, having a child — almost every life event in Japan requires a formal notification at the ward office or Immigration. Skipping these can affect insurance, pension, taxes, and your visa.
- Marriage / divorce (foreign residents included): file at the ward office of either spouse's address — both signatures + a witness required, effective the same day
- Job change: insurance & pension transfer with the new employer; gap periods need self-enrollment in National Health Insurance / Pension
- Visa-related changes (marriage, job change, leaving job): notify Immigration within 14 days
- Birth / death: file at the ward office within 14 / 7 days
💡 「Within 14 days」 is the deadline you'll see most often. Make it a habit to drop by the ward office whenever something major changes — it'll save you most headaches.