Japan National Census 2020

Poste date: Monday, September 28, 2020

Once every 5 years, the Japanese government conducts a nationwide Census which is to be the most important statistical survey. This year (2020) is the Census (Kokusei Chousa) year and the deadline of its submission is on October 7th. This Census covers everyone who has lived or plans to live in Japan for over 3 months, regardless of nationality. As the submission of the Census survey is required by law, the Bureau of Census provides their questionnaire in Japanese, English, Chinese, and other languages in order to make it easier for foreign residents to provide accurate information to the Census.

As explained on the official Census website 2020, the results of the survey will be used for measures such as city planning to make life easier for foreign residents. All responses to the Census will be used only for the purpose of creating accurate statistics and will not be used in any way for immigration control, police investigations, or other such purposes.

Hard Copies

A Census taker will visit and deliver the Census survey documents into your mailbox starting from September 14th, 2020.

How to submit the Survey Online by October 7th

You can also fill out the Census online by visiting their official website. To respond, you will be required to use your Login ID and Access Key that are included with the Census survey documents.

Online surveys are available in the following languages below:
Japanese, English, Chinese (Simplified/Traditional), Korean, Vietnamese, Spanish, Portuguese

The Japanese government urges residents in Japan to fill out and submit their Census surveys online to reduce CO2 and administrative costs from the delivery of documents.

When you can’t submit the Census online

In event that you are unable to fill out and submit the Census survey online, you can fill out the hard copy that you received.

In this case, please refer to the “English translation of the questionnaire” and “How to fill out a questionnaire form” which you will find in the “Survey Document Envelope”. Fold and place your completed survey form in “Postal envelope” and mail it by October 7th, which is the deadline of the Census survey

If postal submission is not possible, please contact the Census Call Center (0570-07-2020) and ask them to come and collect your Census Survey Document at your home.

What if you don’t submit your Census Survey by October 7th?

In case your response was not confirmed by Wednesday, October 7th, 2020, a Census Taker will visit you to ask for your response between October 7th to 20th.

Questions

If you have any questions, please contact the Census Call Center directly.

Census Call Center: 0570-07-2020
Period: From September 7th (Monday) until October 31st (Saturday)
Reception Hours: 8am - 9pm (Monday to Sunday/Holiday)

*The phone operator will respond in Japanese when answering the phone, but foreign language support is also available upon request

English translation of Questionnaire

Official Website:
https://www.kokusei2020.go.jp/lib/pdf/language/questionnaire/01_en.pdf

How to Start a Business in Japan

Starting a business in Japan may seem a bit overwhelming at first but it’s not too difficult if you know what to do. To establish a new business within Japan you’ll need to establish a company and obtain the necessary visa for it. Here’s what you need to do to get a visa and how to register your corporation in Japan along with the type of business structures commonly used in Japan.
How to register or change your address in Japan

When first moving to Japan or when moving within Japan you will need to register your new address with your local municipal office. If you're too busy to make the trip, some municipal offices will even let a attorney register for you on your behalf. Here is what you will need to know about how to register or change your address in Japan.
Covid-19: The Current Situation in Japan and Countermeasures

This article contains a summary of the Japanese government’s response to Covid-19 and the countermeasures taken up until this point. In this article you can learn about the situations regarding immigration, traveling, socio-economic activities, schools, and more.
Japan Rent Relief Grants - Housing Security Benefits

The Japanese Government provides Rent Relief Grants - Housing Security Benefits (住居確保給付金 - Jûkyo Kakuho Kyûfukin) for a certain period of time for people who have trouble with paying rent due to the loss of job, closing of a business, or falling into a situation equivalent to these. This system's purpose is to help people who have lost or lose their house.
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.
The My Number System in Japan and how it affects non-Japanese

A card containing a 12-digit Social Security and Tax Number will be issued throughout Japan as part of the My Number system. Simply put, the My Number card is the Japanese version of the American social security number. In our guide, we talk about the system and how foreign residents will be affected.