Registration, banking and utilities in Tokyo

The ward office visit

Within fourteen days of moving into your address you notify the ward or city office, which records your address on your residence card and enters you on the resident register. In the same visit you enrol in national health insurance and the pension scheme if you are not covered through an employer, and you can start the My Number card application. Take everything in one trip: the queues are long and the counters close early.

• Zairyu card, passport and the lease or a proof of your new address.
• Ask for several copies of the juminhyo while you are there — you will need them.
• National Health Insurance and National Pension enrolment happen at the same office.
• Notify the ward office again whenever you move, including within Tokyo.

Hanko, My Number and identity

The inkan or hanko — a personal name seal — is still requested by some landlords, banks and offices, though signatures are increasingly accepted and a government push against seal requirements has removed many of them. A simple ready-made seal covers most needs; a registered jitsuin, recorded at the ward office with a certificate to prove it, is only needed for major transactions. The My Number card is the more important document now: it carries your individual number, functions as photo identification and has been integrated with the health insurance system.

• A cheap ready-made hanko covers routine paperwork; have your name carved if it is not a Japanese one.
• Jitsuin registration at the ward office is only needed for large transactions.
• My Number card doubles as identification and as your health insurance credential.

Bank account and phone

The classic circularity is that some banks want a Japanese phone number and some carriers want a Japanese bank account. The residence card plus a completed ward registration usually breaks it, and Japan Post Bank and the online banks are generally the most accommodating to new arrivals. Note that many banks apply a waiting period before allowing international transfers out, and that a cash card is not a debit card everywhere — Japan remains more cash-dependent than its reputation suggests, though IC cards and QR payment have changed that quickly in the cities.

• Zairyu card, juminhyo, a Japanese phone number and a hanko cover most bank applications.
• Prepaid or eSIM first, then a full contract once the account exists.
• Expect a delay before outbound international transfers are enabled.

Tax, pension and utilities

Income tax is withheld through payroll and reconciled by the employer in a year-end adjustment, while resident tax is levied by your municipality based on the previous year's income — which means your second year in Japan costs noticeably more than your first, a surprise that catches almost everyone. Pension contributions are compulsory, and a lump-sum withdrawal payment is available to some people on leaving Japan, subject to conditions and to any social security agreement with your country.

• Resident tax is billed on the previous year's income — budget for a step up in year two.
• Electricity, gas and water are contracted separately; the gas connection needs someone at home.
• Pension lump-sum withdrawal on departure depends on nationality and bilateral agreements.
• Rules change; confirm your position with the tax office, the pension service or a professional.

In order

1. 1Get a residence card on entry, or collect it at the ward office if issued later.
2. 2Move in, then register your address at the ward office within 14 days.
3. 3Collect several copies of the juminhyo at that visit.
4. 4Enrol in health insurance and the pension scheme if not covered by an employer.
5. 5Buy a hanko and apply for the My Number card.
6. 6Open a bank account, then take out a phone contract.
7. 7Set up electricity, gas and water, booking the gas appointment for a day you are home.