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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• Japanese informationEmbassy isin providedLondon
• Immigration asServices aAgency guideof only.Japan You(in shouldJapanese getwith definitiveEnglish informationtranslation)
• Foreign fromResidents theSupport JapaneseCentre authorities.(FRESC) in Tokyo

The Foreign,UK Commonwealthgovernment &and Developmentthe OfficeBritish (FCDO)Embassy isin notTokyo liablecannot forgive anypersonalised inaccuraciesadvice inon thismoving information. to, living or retiring in Japan.

Professional help in Japan

SupportYou forcan Britishalso Nationalsget Abroad:help Afrom GuideEnglish-speaking professionals setsin outJapan, howincluding:

• lawyers
• translators
• notaries
• funeral Britishdirectors

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.

ToGet stayhelp upfrom to date:  follow the BritishUK Embassygovernment Tokyoabroad, onincluding Facebookin andan Xemergency.

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,and localresidence lawsprocedures, andin customs,the safetyguide to living and emergencies. working Pleasein checkJapan thefor Overseasforeign Businessnationals
• visa Riskguidance
• visa Guideinformation for JapanBritish nationals
• guidance ason well.

  Visasresidence andprocedures residency

  Check(in the entryJapanese requirementswith forEnglish Japantranslation)

You incan ourget travela advice.visa to:

If

• work
• study
• live youwith arefamily intendingin toJapan
• carry stayout overresearch, 90training days,or youan willinternship
• invest needor todo obtainbusiness ain visaJapan

For frommost yourlong-term nearestvisas, Japaneseyou Embassy/Consulatemust priorapply tofor youra travelCertificate toof Japan.Eligibility British(in citizensJapanese maywith beEnglish abletranslation) tobefore extendyou theirsubmit 90your day visa onceapplication. inThis Japan.confirms Youthat shouldyou enquiremeet atthe requirements for your nearestintended Japanesevisa immigrationand office.residence status.

The ForeignIf Residentsyou Supportwant Centerto (FRESC) isextend ayour one-stopvisa:

• read consultationguidance centreon whichapplying hoststo theextend officesyour ofstay eightin publicJapan organisations(in whichJapanese includeswith English translation)
• contact the Immigration Services Agency of Japan,Japan the(in JapanJapanese Legalwith SupportEnglish Center,translation)

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.

PassportsRegional andImmigration travel

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:

Emergencies

• Dialyour 110card foris thelost, policedamaged, andor dialstolen

• your 119personal details change — for ambulanceexample, your name or fireaddress

For brigade.more information, read the Japanese government’s:

• Dialguidance 110on toentry speakand toresidence procedures, in the policeguide to reportliving aand missingworking childin orJapan adult.

  for foreign nationals
• 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.

SeeIf also:you have any problems or questions about registering your address, contact:

• victimthe Immigration Services Agency of rapeJapan and(in sexualJapanese assaultwith abroadEnglish translation).

• Listan of English-speaking lawyerslawyer 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

• read guidance on entry and residence procedures, in the Japanese government’s guide to living and working in Japan for foreign nationals
• read guidance on internationalapplying parentalfor childa abductionJapanese ifpermanent yourresidence childpermit may(in beJapanese atwith riskEnglish translation)
• contact the Immigration Services Agency of this.

  NaturalJapan Disasters

  (in Japanese with English translation)

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:

• read the instructionsJapanese givengovernment’s bynationality thequestions localand government.

  Signanswers

• contact upthe forJapanese alertsMinistry fromof ourJustice
• contact travelthe adviceJapanese pageEmbassy in London

Help with visa, residency and socialcitizenship mediaapplications

The whichBritish willEmbassy bein updatedTokyo cannot help with anyJapanese developmentsvisa, inresidency aor crisis.citizenship applications.

AlsoFor signany upquestions toor Japaneseissues, governmentcontact:

• the emergencyJapanese alerts;Embassy in London
• the JNTO’sForeign (JapanResidents NationalSupport TourismCentre Organisation)(FRESC) Safetyin TipsTokyo
• an forEnglish-speaking Travellerslawyer in Japan

Passports hasand informationtravel

Read our guidance on whatmoving, toliving door inretiring anabroad. emergency,This ascovers wellhow asto:

• apply linksfor toa weatherBritish andpassport geologicalfrom data,abroad
• travel andurgently linkswithout toyour emergencyBritish appspassport

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:

You

• plan mustyour registerhealthcare
• take formedicine healthcareabroad

Japan asdoes anot residenthave ina Japan,reciprocal usuallyhealth throughagreement yourwith localthe authority.UK.

If you arehave employed,a usuallyvisa yourvalid employerfor willmore providethan 90 days, you withmust privateenrol healthcarein instead.either:

NOTE: UK

• the TravelJapanese insuranceNational providersHealth willInsurance notSystem generally(‘Kokumen coverKenko yourHoken’)
• Employee healthcareHealth costs if you live overseas.
  Insurance

Read the Mentalsection Healthon Guidancemedical ifservices applicable.

Medicine

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.

To itfind whenout inhow Japan.to Certainget medicinesmedical maytreatment:

• contact notyour beinsurance availableprovider
• read inguidance Japanon (includinghealth major brands readily available in theJapan
• find UK),English-speaking andmedical youfacilities mayin beJapan

Working prohibitedin fromJapan  

Read takingour themguidance intoon themoving, country.living Youor shouldretiring consultabroad. yourThis GPcovers beforeworking travellingabroad, toincluding Japandocuments toyou findmay outneed aboutfrom anythe alternativeUK medication.government.

ReadTo thework guidancein ifJapan, you need toa travelvisa withand medicines

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:

• residence helpcard
• passport
• Japanese viapolice the counsellingcriminal serviceshistory andcheck

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:

• the suchJapanese as POSSE,government’s providinginformation freeon labourassessment legaland advicerecognition inof English.foreign Checkcredentials
• Q&A withfrom yourthe cityNational orInformation prefectureCenter iffor suchAcademic NPOsRecognition

Driving exist in yourJapan

Read areaour guidance on moving, living or contactretiring FRESCabroad. This covers how to:

Studying

• drive inabroad Japan

legally

take your UK vehicle abroad

get driving licence letters

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:

• taxconvert ifa youforeign leavedriving thelicence

• drive UKlegally toand livesafely abroadin Japan

• bring your vehicle to Japan

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.

ToIf findyou outhave abouta whatUK benefitsBlue youBadge mayand belive entitled to in Japan, you shouldmust contactreturn yourit localto wardthe ororiginal cityUK office.issuing authority.

Tax

SeeRead the informationour guidance on benefits youmoving, mightliving beor ableretiring toabroad. getThis whilecovers beingtax, abroadincluding andpaying howUK totax claimand them.National Insurance.

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

IfRead youour getguidance a ‘lifeon certificate’moving, fromliving theor UKretiring Pension Serviceabroad,. youThis mustcovers:

• how respondto asclaim soonyour asUK possible.State YourPension
• where paymentsthe mayUK begovernment suspendedpays ifan youannual doincrease not.
  in the State Pension

Money

Claiming anda banking

Japanese pension

MostJapan companieshas paya salaries3 directtier topension employees’system. JapaneseMost bankpeople accounts.who Inlive orderand towork openin aJapan bankmust account,participate youin wouldthe needNational aPension residentialSystem status(‘Basic thatPension’). allowsFor youmore toinformation, stayread overthe sixpension months and normally,welfare asection in the Japanese residentgovernment’s cardguide andto registeredliving addressand working in Japan wouldfor beforeign required.nationals.

Contact Youthe alsoJapan cannotPension openService anto accountfind fromout overseas,whether as you willcan usuallyclaim needa toJapanese presentpension.

Benefits

Claiming yourselfUK andbenefits

Read residenceour cardguidance toon themoving, bankliving inor person.retiring  Forabroad. moreThis specificcovers details,how pleaseto contactclaim yourUK bankbenefits ofabroad, choiceincluding directly.Child Benefit.

The

Claiming Japanese Bankersbenefits

To Associationfind hasout aabout listbenefits ofin banksJapan thatand areeligibility membersrequirements:

• read of the association,pension alland Japanesewelfare majorsection banksin arethe listedJapanese there.

  Mostgovernment’s foreignguide creditto cardsliving workand atworking ATMs in theJapan postfor officeforeign ornationals

• contact Sevenyour Elevenlocal convenienceward storesor forcity withdrawing cash.
  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:

• whaton actionsmoving, youliving mustor doretiring toabroad. driveThis legallycovers inhow Japan.to:

  • Drivingvote abroad

  Ifin you’reUK askedelections forfrom aabroad

• register letteras authenticating,an certifyingoverseas orvoter

Japanese validatingelections

You yourcannot UKvote driver’sin licence,Japanese youelections shouldunless contactyou yourhold UKJapanese issuingcitizenship.

Studying officein (eg the DVLA)

Japan

• GuidanceIf foryou travellingplan byto roadstudy in Japan

• GuidanceJapan, foryou takingmust yourmeet vehicleall withvisa yourequirements tobefore Japanyou travel.

IfFor yourmore stayinformation:

• visit Study in Japan
• read willguidance beon fortravel agrants year or less, apply for anstudents IDPstudying beforeabroad youor leaveon theplacements UK.(England)
• contact Ifyour youhigher intendeducation toprovider stay in Japanthe forUK longeror thanJapanese
• contact onethe year,Japanese youMinistry shouldof applyEducation, forCulture, aSports, JapaneseScience drivingand licence.Technology If(MEXT)

Children

Read youour alreadyguidance haveon amoving, UKliving drivingor license,retiring youabroad. canThis convertcovers thismoving toabroad awith Japanesechildren, drivingincluding:

• getting licensepermission without needing to take ayour test.child Forabroad
• claiming moreUK informationChild andBenefit detailsabroad
• child ofmaintenance officespayments whereif youa canparent convertlives yourabroad

Schools UKand drivingeducation

The licenseJapanese toMinistry aof JapaneseEducation, license,Culture, visitSports, the JapaneseScience Automobileand FederationTechnology website(MEXT). Ifprovides youinformation doabout notthe haveschool asystem UKin drivingJapan.

You license,can youalso willread needthe toeducation attendsection aof localthe drivingJapanese schoolgovernment’s guide to takeliving lessons and testsworking towardsin gettingJapan afor Japaneseforeign driving license.nationals.

Disabled drivers

IfAll youchildren haveaged a6 UKto Blue15 Badgemust andattend liveschool in Japan,Japan.

For youmore mustinformation, returnread it to the originalJapanese UKgovernment’s issuingguidance authority.on:

You

• elementary couldand applysecondary foreducation ain specialJapan
• starting parkingschool permitin fromJapan theas locala police.foreign Instudent

Childcare

The orderJapanese toMinistry doof so,Health, youLabour willand needWelfare tois obtainresponsible afor physicalchildcare disabilityservices certificatein orJapan. mentalThe disabilityoperation health and welfaremanagement certificate.of Youlocal shouldchildcare consultservices theare cityoverseen hall/wardby officemunicipal yougovernments.

The areJapanese registeredMinistry asof aEducation, residentCulture, withSports, toScience obtainand theTechnology certificates.

Voting

Foreign(MEXT) nationalsis areresponsible notfor allowedearly tochildhood voteeducation.

Read boththe atchildbirth local and nationalparenting levelsection inof Japan.

Youthe mayJapanese begovernment’s ableguide to voteliving inand someworking UKin elections.Japan Youfor can:

• checkforeign ifnationals. youThis arecovers ablechildcare toallowance vote

• registerand aspre-school an overseas voterfacilities.

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:

• Whatwhat to dowhen if someone dies abroadin Japan

• English-speaking funeral directors in Japan

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

Read forour detailsguidance andon informationmoving, onliving howor toretiring bringabroad. yourThis petcovers withhow you.

Serviceto animalsget area subjectdivorce toor theend samea quarantinecivil procedures.partnership.

ForThe questionsJapanese regardingMinistry the importation of petsJustice andoffers serviceguidance animals,on pleasedivorce contactin theJapan.

Consider Animaltaking Quarantinelegal Serviceadvice atfrom youran portEnglish-speaking oflawyer entry.in Japan.

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

• UKlegalising help and servicescertifying inUK Japandocuments
• Japanmarriage –and Listcivil ofpartnership Lawyersdocuments
• Japanaffirmations –and List of Medical Facilitiesaffidavits
• Japanwitnessing –signatures

Lawyers, Listtranslators ofand Translatorsnotaries

To andfind Interpreters

Japanan –English-speaking Listlawyer, oftranslator Undertakers

Japanor –notary Notarialin andJapan, Documentaryread guidance on professional services if you’re abroad

Japan.

Pets

If –you Whatwant to dobring afteryour apet Britishwith personyou diesto inJapan, Japan

read guidance on:

• Japanimporting –dogs Prisonerand packcats into Japan
• Japanbringing –animals Informationinto on child abduction in Japan
• Japantaking –your Informationpet fordog, victimscat ofor rapeferret andto sexuala assaultnon-EU country
• Japan

For –any Mentalquestions, Healthcontact Supportthe Animal Quarantine Service .

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.

Disclaimer

We andprovide maythis beinformation subjectas toa changeguide atonly.  anyFor timedefinitive withinformation, littlecontact orthe noJapanese notice.authorities.

Read Theour FCDOconsular andinformation thedisclaimer.