Immigration & Government

Information regarding Immigration in Japan, Visas, Taxes, Japanese laws, and more.

Gathered here is a collection of articles containing information about immigration in Japan as well as information about various laws, along with Japan's administrative system and its procedures that are necessary for everyone residing in Japan.

Our guides listed below contain information covering topics such as the "My Number" system, the Residency Management System, income tax payments, various age limits, a list of embassies in Tokyo and more.

Foreign Embassies in TokyoList of each country's embassy in Tokyo.

Japan's National Pension System

What Is the Japan National Pension System and How Does It Work? While Japan offers many protections for working residents, often times the rules are confusing and circular; and with much of the paperwork in complex Japanese, it can be difficult for expats to understand. Whether deducted from your m…

Age Restrictions in Japan: Drinking, Smoking, Voting & More

A Japanese person's age is significantly linked to their social position from their early school years until they obtain a job and even into retirement. For around 140 years, the age of adulthood in Japan was set at 20 years old and even a special celebration called “Seijin no Hi” (or Coming-of-Ag…

A Guide to Getting Married in Japan

While holding a traditional Japanese wedding ceremony at a Shinto shrine or exchanging marriage vows in a chapel in a western style may be popular, no religious ceremony can be a substitute for official marriage registration. Therefore, if you want your marriage to be legally recognized in Japan, y…

Pick Up Items BEFORE Quarantine at Haneda Airport's Amazon Locker

If you are flying into Haneda Airport from outside of Japan, you can pick up your ordered-products at Amazon Locker upon entry before quarantine. These lockers are installed at Haneda Airport Terminal 3 (the lockers are named as Sun, Mercury, and Mars). Follow this instructions below to order in…

Covid-19: The Current Situation in Japan and Countermeasures

This is a summary of the Japanese government’s response to Covid-19 and the countermeasures taken. In this article you can learn about the situations regarding immigration, socio-economic activities, schools, and more. We hope this information will be helpful for those who are planning on moving or…

Covid-19: Necessary Preparations Before Entering Japan

For foreign nationals who are planning to enter Japan, there are certain procedures that need to be followed. In this article you can learn what preparations are necessary before entering Japan. If you do not follow these procedures or prepare the necessary documents and install the required apps,…

Japan’s Residency Management System for Foreign Nationals

If you're moving to Japan, one thing you definitely need to be aware of is what's called the "Residency Management System". This is what the Immigration Bureau of Japan calls their system for tracking the residency of foreigners in Japan. Short Term Residents If you are staying in Japan for less t…

How to register or change your address in Japan

Once you are in Japan and have a fixed residence or are staying at a service apartment that allows their address to be registered as your residence, the first thing you will need to do is head to the municipal office and register your address. This article will cover the procedures used to registe…

The My Number System in Japan and how it affects non-Japanese

Every citizen in Japan has an Individual Number (called My Number). We would like to provide guidance especially for mid and long term foreign residents in Japan, regarding the “My Number” system. About Foreign Residents A “My Number” will be issued to all registered residents who have a residentia…

How to Start a Business in Japan

For those who already have an established company abroad and would like to expand their business to Japan, there are 3 types of operations you can choose from to incorporate your business. You can either establish a Representative Office, a Branch Office, or a Subsidiary Company. In Japan, a Repres…