Living in Japan
Information forabout British citizens moving toto, living or livingretiring in Japan,Japan – including guidancevisas, onworking, residency, healthcare and driving.
- From:
- Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
- Published
- 28 May 2013
- Last updated
-
720MayFebruary20242026 — See all updates
Getting help with living in Japan
Help from the Japanese government
ThisThe Japanese Ministry of Justice publishes a detailed guide setsto outliving essentialand informationworking in Japan for Britishforeign citizensnationals.
For any questions about moving to or living in Japan.Japan, Readyou aboutmay howbe ourable Embassyto inget Tokyohelp canfrom help. the:
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informationEmbassyisinprovidedLondon - Immigration
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Professional help in Japan
SupportYou forcan Britishalso Nationalsget Abroad:help Afrom GuideEnglish-speaking professionals setsin outJapan, howincluding:
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Help nationalsfrom canthe stayUK safegovernment
Read abroad the andtravel howadvice for Japan to understand the FCDOrisks canyou helpmay face if you dolive getin intoor difficulty.visit Japan. This includes the latest information on:
- visas and entry requirements
- laws and cultural differences
- safety and security
- natural disasters
Read generalour guidance on movingon moving, living or retiring abroad.
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BeforeVisas, youresidency goand citizenship
SeeMake oursure travelyou advicemeet the entry requirements for Japan Japan andbefore signyou uptravel.
Visas and residency
Check which visa and residence status you need to itlive forin up-to-dateJapan.
Read informationthe Japanese government’s:
- guidance on entry
requirements,andlocalresidencelawsprocedures,andincustoms,thesafetyguide to living andemergencies.workingPleaseincheckJapantheforOverseasforeignBusinessnationals - visa
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asonwell.VisasresidenceandproceduresresidencyCheck(intheentryJapaneserequirementswithforEnglishJapantranslation)
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Residence thecards
Once Japanyou Externalarrive Tradein OrganizationJapan, (JETRO),you’ll Ministryreceive ofa Foreignresidence Affairscard (MOFA)(in VisaJapanese Informationwith desk,English Tokyotranslation). LabourThe BureauJapanese Consultationauthorities andnormally Supportissue Officethis forcard Foreigners.at Thethe Ministryairport. ofIn Justicesome alsocases, producesyou amay Guidebookneed to Livingcollect andit Workingat inyour Japan.
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YouServices canBureau apply(in forJapanese orwith renewEnglish yourtranslation) Britishwithin passport14 fromdays Japan.of your arrival.
CheckYou themust Japanupdate travelor adviceapply for passporta validitynew requirements.residence card if:
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For brigade.more information, read the Japanese government’s:
for foreign nationalsDialguidance110ontoentryspeakandtoresidence procedures, in thepoliceguide toreportlivingaandmissingworkingchildinorJapanadult.- guidance on residence procedures (in Japanese with English translation).
Registering as a resident
IfOnce you havearrive, beenyou theneed victimto ofregister ayour rapeaddress orin sexualJapan. assaultThe inJapanese Japan,government’s readguide theto guidanceliving onand Informationworking in Japan for victimsforeign ofnationals rapeexplains when and sexualhow assaultto in Japan.register.
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victimthe Immigration Services Agency ofrapeJapanand(insexualJapaneseassaultwithabroadEnglish translation).ListanofEnglish-speakinglawyerslawyer in Japan
Permanent residency
IfYou you’vemay beenbe aable victimto ofapply afor crime,permanent arrested,residency orin areJapan.
To affectedfind byout aif crisis, contactyou’re theeligible Britishand Embassyhow Tokyo.to apply:
Read
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- read guidance on
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this.
(in Japanese with English translation)NaturalJapanDisasters
Citizenship
Japan isdoes pronenot torecognise manydual naturalcitizenship. disasters,This includingmeans earthquakes,that tsunamis,you volcanicmay eruptionshave andto typhoons.give Itup is(renounce) essentialyour youBritish preparecitizenship wellto andbecome knowa howJapanese tocitizen.
To reactfind whenout oneif occurs,you’re andeligible followfor Japanese citizenship:
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uptheforJapanesealertsMinistryfromofourJustice - contact
traveltheadviceJapanesepageEmbassy in London
Help with visa, residency and socialcitizenship mediaapplications
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Passports hasand informationtravel
Read our guidance on whatmoving, toliving door inretiring anabroad. emergency,This ascovers wellhow asto:
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linksfortoaweatherBritishandpassportgeologicalfromdata,abroad - travel
andurgentlylinkswithouttoyouremergencyBritishappspassport
Dual citizens travelling to downloadthe UK
When travelling to yourthe phone.UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. Read guidance on dual citizenship.
Natural disasters
Prepare yourself and your home for hazards and emergencies. Make sure youthat you:
- know the different Japanese government alert levels
, - have an emergency kit at home
and - know where your nearest evacuation centre
is.is
Sign up for alerts from our travel advice page to get updates about developments in a crisis.
Healthcare in Japan
ThereRead isour noguidance reciprocalon healthcaremoving, agreementliving withor Japan.retiring abroad. This covers how to:
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NOTE: UK
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Read the Mentalsection Healthon Guidancemedical ifservices applicable.
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Ifin youthe areJapanese ongovernment’s aguide prescriptionto forliving anyand medication,working youin shouldJapan ensurefor youforeign havenationals. aThis supplyexplains ofthe ithealth orinsurance besystems ableand how to obtainregister.
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inguidanceJapanon(includinghealthmajorbrandsreadilyavailableintheJapan - find
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Workingresidence instatus Japan
Ifthat gives you arepermission planning to movework. to Read Japanthe andJapanese work,government’s youguidance willon needwork aor visalong-term beforestay your arrival in Japan.visas.
ReadYou can also read the Japanese government’s government’s guidance on employment and working, in the guide to living and working in Japan asfor a foreign nationals.
This nationalcovers and howtopics toincluding:
- employment
getcontracts - wages
- working conditions
- employment laws
- finding a
visa.job
IfTo you’reapply looking for advicea onjob, generalyou workingmay conditionsneed andto standardsprovide inat Japan,least youthe canfollowing finddocuments:
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helpcard - passport
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Recognition hotlines inof selectqualifications
If prefecturesyou aswant operatedto bywork thein JapaneseJapan, Ministryyou ofmay Health,need Labourto andget Welfare.your Thereforeign arequalifications alsorecognised. localFor NPOinformation organisations,read:
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Driving exist in yourJapan
Read areaour guidance on moving, living or contactretiring FRESCabroad. This covers how to:
Studying
- drive
inabroad Japan
legally
If you plan to studystay in Japan,Japan for 12 months or less, you mustcan meetdrive allin visaJapan requirementsusing beforethe you1949 travel.version Checkof withthe yourInternational nearestDriving JapanesePermit Embassy/Consulate(IDP). You should apply for an IDP in the requirements.UK, as you cannot do so from Japan.
ContactRead theabout relevantroad educationtravel providerin Japan, in safety and security in the travel advice for Japan. toThis checkincludes whatinformation feeson youdriving havein tocountry, pay.including the IDP and driving licence rules.
Tax
TheIf UKyou hasplan a doubleto taxationstay agreementin with Japan sofor thatlonger than 12 months, you doshould notapply payfor taxa onJapanese thedriving samelicence. incomeYou incan bothconvert countries.your Askvalid theUK relevantlicence taxto authoritya yourJapanese questionslicence aboutwithout doubletaking taxationa relief. test.
YouThe shouldJapanese getAutomobile professionalFederation adviceprovides information on payingdriving tax in Japan.Japan, Findincluding an English-speakinghow lawyer in Japanto:
Read guidance on:
taxFor onmore yourinformation, UKread incomethe ifsection youon livetraffic abroad
taxrules ifin youthe getJapanese agovernment’s pensionguide to living and liveworking abroadin Japan for foreign nationals.
Disabled drivers
payingYou Nationalmay Insurancebe whileable abroad to protectapply yourfor Statea Pensionspecial andparking entitlementpermit tofrom otherthe benefitslocal andpolice. allowances.You will need to provide a:
- physical disability certificate
- mental disability health and welfare certificate
Benefits
CheckContact whichthe UKcity benefitshall youor canward claimoffice while(in abroadJapanese) and howwhere you’re registered as a resident to claimget them.these certificates.
ManyRead income-relatedthe benefitsJapanese suchgovernment’s asguidance Pensionon Creditcertification for people with disabilities. You can find this in the pension and Housingwelfare Benefitsection cannotof bethe paidguide ifto you’reliving abroadand forworking morein thanJapan 4for weeks.foreign nationals.
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Tax
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You needcan toalso tellread the relevantsection governmenton officestax thatin dealthe withJapanese yourgovernment’s benefits,guide pensionto living and taxworking thatin youJapan are movingfor orforeign retiring abroadnationals.
Pensions
IfThe youUK retirehas ina Japan,double youtaxation canagreement claimwith your UKJapan Stateso Pension or newthat UKyou Statedo Pension. Contactnot pay tax on the Internationalsame Pensionincome Centre forin furtherboth information.countries.
JapanContact hasthe a three-tierJapanese pensionNational systemTax Agency and participationfor inany thequestions nationalabout pensiondouble system,taxation alsorelief.
Consider knowngetting asprofessional a “Basicadvice Pension”,on paying tax in Japan is. mandatoryTo fordo mostthis, whofind workan English-speaking lawyer in Japan.Japan.
Pensions
LifeClaiming certificatesyour for UK State Pensionspension
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Benefits
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oftheassociation,pensionallandJapanesewelfaremajorsectionbanksinarethelistedJapanesethere.Mostgovernment’sforeignguidecredittocardslivingworkandatworkingATMsintheJapanpostforofficeforeignornationals - contact
SevenyourElevenlocalconveniencewardstoresorforcitywithdrawingcash.office
AccommodationBuying and buyingrenting property in Japan
SeeRead buyingour aguidance propertyon moving, living or retiring abroad.
There areThis nocovers legalbuying restrictionsand for foreigners renting orproperty buyingabroad.
Contact aan propertyEnglish-speaking lawyer in Japan.Japan However,if theyou’re processconsidering andbuying requirementsor canrenting beproperty complicated.or land.
If you are planninglooking onto buyingrent or buy a property, pleaseit’s makeillegal surefor homeowners to reachdiscriminate outbased foron legalsexuality, advice.
Ifrace aor propertynationality. isHowever, privatelythere owned,have youbeen canreported becases refusedof owners rentingbeing selective about tenants or buyingbuyers, accommodationand people have been refused properties based on yourtheir race,sexuality, sexualityrace or nationality.
DrivingVoting in Japan
UK elections
Read theour guidance on:
whatonactionsmoving,youlivingmustordoretiringtoabroad.driveThislegallycoversinhowJapan.to:
Ifin you’reUK askedelections forfrom aabroad
Japanese validatingelections
You yourcannot UKvote driver’sin licence,Japanese youelections shouldunless contactyou yourhold UKJapanese issuingcitizenship.
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GuidanceIfforyoutravellingplanbytoroadstudy inJapanGuidanceJapan,foryoutakingmustyourmeetvehicleallwithvisayourequirementstobeforeJapanyou travel.
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onetheyear,JapaneseyouMinistryshouldofapplyEducation,forCulture,aSports,JapaneseSciencedrivingandlicence.TechnologyIf(MEXT)
Children
Read youour alreadyguidance haveon amoving, UKliving drivingor license,retiring youabroad. canThis convertcovers thismoving toabroad awith Japanesechildren, drivingincluding:
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licensepermissionwithoutneedingto takeayourtest.childForabroad - claiming
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Schools UKand drivingeducation
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For youmore mustinformation, returnread it to the originalJapanese UKgovernment’s issuingguidance authority.on:
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Foreign(MEXT) nationalsis areresponsible notfor allowedearly tochildhood voteeducation.
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Youthe mayJapanese begovernment’s ableguide to voteliving inand someworking UKin elections.Japan Youfor can:
checkforeignifnationals.youThisarecoversablechildcaretoallowancevoteregisterandaspre-schoolanoverseasvoterfacilities.
Births, deaths, marriagemarriages and civil partnershippartnerships
Births
If your child is born in JapanJapan, you should register the birth with the localJapanese authorities. authorities. YouRead canthe then,childbirth ifand youparenting wantsection to,of registerthe withJapanese thegovernment’s UKguide authoritiesto living and applyworking forin aJapan UKfor birthforeign certificate.nationals.
IfRead yourour childguidance hason Britishmoving, nationality, youliving door notretiring needabroad. toThis covers how to:
- register the birth with the
UK authoritiesUK authorities to get a UK birth certificate - apply for
ayour child’s first British passport.
Deaths
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers:
- what to do after someone dies abroad
- how to register the death with the UK authorities
If someone dies in JapanJapan, read our guidance on:
You can also read the Japanese government’s guide to living and working in Japan for foreign nationals. This covers:
- notification of death in Japan
- death benefit
- widow’s pension
MarriageMarriages and civil partnerships
FindRead out howour youguidance canon moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to get married or get a civil partnership abroadabroad.
ForSame othersex servicesmarriages theand Embassycivil inpartnerships Tokyoare provides,not pleaselegally visitrecognised thein Embassy’sJapan. website.
Pets
IfFor youinformation areabout planningLGBT+ torights bringin yourJapan, petread withguidance youon tosafety Japan,and pleasesecurity visitin the Ministrytravel ofadvice Agriculture,for FisheriesJapan.
Divorce and Foodseparation
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Serviceto animalsget area subjectdivorce toor theend samea quarantinecivil procedures.partnership.
ForThe questionsJapanese regardingMinistry the importation of petsJustice andoffers serviceguidance animals,on pleasedivorce contactin theJapan.
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ReturningDocuments tofor theBritish UKpeople in Japan
Read theour guidance on returning to the UK permanently which includes information on bringingdocuments familyfor members,British taxpeople andabroad. accessThis to services.covers:
Other useful information
UKlegalisinghelpandservicescertifyinginUKJapandocumentsJapanmarriage–andListcivilofpartnershipLawyersdocumentsJapanaffirmations–andListofMedicalFacilitiesaffidavitsJapanwitnessing–signatures
Lawyers, Listtranslators ofand Translatorsnotaries
To andfind Interpreters
Pets
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Japanimporting–dogsPrisonerandpackcats into JapanJapanbringing–animalsInformationintoonchildabductioninJapanJapantaking–yourInformationpetfordog,victimscatoforrapeferretandtosexualaassaultnon-EU countryJapan
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DisclaimerReturning to the UK
ThisRead informationreturning isto providedthe asUK apermanently. generalThis guideincludes andinformation ison basedbringing uponfamily informationmembers providedback to the embassyUK, bytax theand relevantaccess localto authoritiesservices.
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Coronavirus information has been removed. Other slight updates including to 'Healthcare' section and added FRESC links.