Tokyo Living Guide
Immigration and Registration Procedures
All foreigners living in Japan are obliged to register as foreign residents when they enter Japan. All foreign employees should complete their Foreign Resident Registration at their local ward or municipal office, at the Foreign Resident Registration Desk, and receive a registration card.
Foreign Resident Registration Procedures
In applying for initial registration:
When to Apply Application Period Required Items Notes
When entering Japan Within 90 days of entering Japan 1. Passport
2. Two photographs (taken within the past 6 months), 4.5cmx3.5cm, showing full frontal view of the face without a hat.
3. Business card from Company A signature is required. When you apply, you will be informed a time period when the card will be issued, and must pick up the card within this period.
When a child is born in Japan Within 60 days after birth Birth certificate.
Locations of Local/Municipal Offices (Kuyakusho/Shiyakusho):
Monday, December 29, 2008
A few pointers to help you get on in Japan
Getting Settled
A few pointers that may help in choosing a new home in Japan:
Set a budget
Before looking for a new home, consider how much you are willing to spend for your monthly rent. Housing in Japan, particularly in Tokyo, is very expensive.
Decide on a location
It is important to consider a location that is convenient for your needs, business, environment, transportation, shopping, schools, and recreation. Tokyo is an expansive metropolis, so the proximity to work will be an important factor. Mass transportation is excellent and driving your own car could take as much as twice the time.
Before you settle on a residence
Inspect the premises and common areas
Discuss the term and rental with your agent
Real Estate Agents (Fudousan Chukai Gyosha 不動産仲介業者)
Real estate offices tend to be located near train stations. They are easily spotted with property advertisements pasted on the windows.
Check for Qualified Agents
Real estate agents must be legally licensed by the municipality governor or Minister of Construction, and are required to display their license to show that they are legally certified and how long they have been in the business.
Their license number looks like 「xxx“s’mŽ–(7)‘æxxx号」and the greater the number, the more years of business the agent has been certified
Pointers for checking property
It is important to ask the real estate agent questions until you are totally satisfied with his/her answers. One way to know determine if the realtor is trustworthy or not is to check the property personally and compare your findings with the realtor's explanations.
When Signing a Contract
Make sure that you understand the all of the contents of the rental contract, as some properties may have very demanding conditions.
Normally the rent period is for two years.
At the end of each month, rent for the next month has to be paid.
In addition to monthly rent payments, some properties may require a maintenance fee every month.
Make sure you know the length of period for your contract. In renewing your contract, an increase in rent and renewal fee payment (equivalent to one month's rent specified in the new contract) is required.
If you plan to move to another residence after your contract expires, then it is generally accepted that you notify your real estate agent (or landlord) one or two month(s) in advance before the expiration of the contract.
Money Needed when Signing a Contract
When you rent residential property, the sum of about four to six monthsErent will be necessary at the beginning.
Reikin 礼金(Key Money)
This is non-refundable (about 1-2 monthsErent) paid to the landlord. It is sometimes called kenrikin 権利金(concession money)
Shikikin 敷金(Deposit)
As a security for rent payment, this money is refundable (about 1-2 monthsErent) and paid to the landlord. It will be returned when you move out. However, any unpaid rent and/or repair costs will be deducted from your deposit.
Chukai Ryokin 仲介料金(Agency Fees)
This is paid to the real estate agency for handling. The amount is specified by law as one month's worth of rent or less.
Utilities
Before moving in or moving out to your new residence, you must notify the electric, gas, and telephone company in order to activate the utilities of your residence.
Electricity
After Moving In
Before Moving Out
To use the electricity at your new home, lift the ampere and short circuit breakers. Complete the application postcard for use of electricity and mail the completed postcard to the electric company.
As soon as you decide to move, call the number of the Tokyo Electric Company written on your receipts. Give your address, name, moving date, and other necessary information. On the day of your move, press the ampere breaker down before you leave.
If you use too much electricity, the ampere circuit breaker will automatically shut down and you will not be able to use electricity. When this happens, reduce the number of electrical appliances in use and lift the ampere breaker again.
Gas
After Moving In
Before Moving Out
Contact the local gas office and have the main valve opened Contact the local gas office up to two or three days before your move. Contact the gas company of your new address to notify them of your moving date.
Water
After Moving In
Before Moving Out
Contact Tokyo Metropolitan Bureau of Waterworks Service Station or the Waterworks Section of the city or municipal office of your new address, or fill out the application form for use of water services and mail the completed form. Failure to notify the water bureau of water usage at your new address will cause billing problems Contact Tokyo Metropolitan Bureau of Waterworks Service Station or the Waterworks Section/Division of your local city or municipal office, up to three or four days before moving out.
Tokyo Metropolitan Bureau of Waterworks (03) 5320-6326
Telephone
After Moving In Before Moving Out
You should decide on where you would like to have your telephone connected in advance. You must be present in order to have the line put in. When your moving date is decided, call NTT East (dial 116) to make a reservation to disconnect the phone line.
Cable TV
For information about cable TV services, you can contact
SKY Perfect TV! (http://www.skyperfectv.co.jp/en/)
Internet Access
Cable modem services in Minato-ku (http://www.rosenet.ne.jp/e/index.html)
For ADSL/ISDN services.
Paying Utility Bills
Statement Eyou will receive electric, gas, and telephone (domestic) bills once a month, and waterworks/sewerage bills once every two months.
Payment EBills can be paid at banks, credit associations, post offices or at the business office of the utility company. You can also pay your utility bills at some convenience stores.
If you are late in payment Ea 3% late fee is added to your bill, except for waterworks/sewerage. In the case of your phone bill, contact NTT.
Automatic payment EInstead stepping out to pay your bills each time, there is a more convenient way of paying your bills in which you apply for automatic payment at the bank or post office where you have an account, and have the fees automatically deducted from your account. Every month, you will receive a receipt and notice that gives the amount to be deducted for the next payment and the next payment date.
Address changes should be notified for the following:
Foreign National Registration/VISA Report to the Municipal Office in your new area within 14 days of moving. Post Office To forward mail for one year, fill in the necessary information in the Change of Address forms available at the post office near you.
Bank/Driver's License Notify the change to your bank accounts/ driver's license office
Health Insurance/Transportation Pass
Insurance for house & furniture:
You are recommended to buy insurance policy to cover the following damages. Real Estate Agents help you to buy the insurance policy.
A few pointers that may help in choosing a new home in Japan:
Set a budget
Before looking for a new home, consider how much you are willing to spend for your monthly rent. Housing in Japan, particularly in Tokyo, is very expensive.
Decide on a location
It is important to consider a location that is convenient for your needs, business, environment, transportation, shopping, schools, and recreation. Tokyo is an expansive metropolis, so the proximity to work will be an important factor. Mass transportation is excellent and driving your own car could take as much as twice the time.
Before you settle on a residence
Inspect the premises and common areas
Discuss the term and rental with your agent
Real Estate Agents (Fudousan Chukai Gyosha 不動産仲介業者)
Real estate offices tend to be located near train stations. They are easily spotted with property advertisements pasted on the windows.
Check for Qualified Agents
Real estate agents must be legally licensed by the municipality governor or Minister of Construction, and are required to display their license to show that they are legally certified and how long they have been in the business.
Their license number looks like 「xxx“s’mŽ–(7)‘æxxx号」and the greater the number, the more years of business the agent has been certified
Pointers for checking property
It is important to ask the real estate agent questions until you are totally satisfied with his/her answers. One way to know determine if the realtor is trustworthy or not is to check the property personally and compare your findings with the realtor's explanations.
When Signing a Contract
Make sure that you understand the all of the contents of the rental contract, as some properties may have very demanding conditions.
Normally the rent period is for two years.
At the end of each month, rent for the next month has to be paid.
In addition to monthly rent payments, some properties may require a maintenance fee every month.
Make sure you know the length of period for your contract. In renewing your contract, an increase in rent and renewal fee payment (equivalent to one month's rent specified in the new contract) is required.
If you plan to move to another residence after your contract expires, then it is generally accepted that you notify your real estate agent (or landlord) one or two month(s) in advance before the expiration of the contract.
Money Needed when Signing a Contract
When you rent residential property, the sum of about four to six monthsErent will be necessary at the beginning.
Reikin 礼金(Key Money)
This is non-refundable (about 1-2 monthsErent) paid to the landlord. It is sometimes called kenrikin 権利金(concession money)
Shikikin 敷金(Deposit)
As a security for rent payment, this money is refundable (about 1-2 monthsErent) and paid to the landlord. It will be returned when you move out. However, any unpaid rent and/or repair costs will be deducted from your deposit.
Chukai Ryokin 仲介料金(Agency Fees)
This is paid to the real estate agency for handling. The amount is specified by law as one month's worth of rent or less.
Utilities
Before moving in or moving out to your new residence, you must notify the electric, gas, and telephone company in order to activate the utilities of your residence.
Electricity
After Moving In
Before Moving Out
To use the electricity at your new home, lift the ampere and short circuit breakers. Complete the application postcard for use of electricity and mail the completed postcard to the electric company.
As soon as you decide to move, call the number of the Tokyo Electric Company written on your receipts. Give your address, name, moving date, and other necessary information. On the day of your move, press the ampere breaker down before you leave.
If you use too much electricity, the ampere circuit breaker will automatically shut down and you will not be able to use electricity. When this happens, reduce the number of electrical appliances in use and lift the ampere breaker again.
Gas
After Moving In
Before Moving Out
Contact the local gas office and have the main valve opened Contact the local gas office up to two or three days before your move. Contact the gas company of your new address to notify them of your moving date.
Water
After Moving In
Before Moving Out
Contact Tokyo Metropolitan Bureau of Waterworks Service Station or the Waterworks Section of the city or municipal office of your new address, or fill out the application form for use of water services and mail the completed form. Failure to notify the water bureau of water usage at your new address will cause billing problems Contact Tokyo Metropolitan Bureau of Waterworks Service Station or the Waterworks Section/Division of your local city or municipal office, up to three or four days before moving out.
Tokyo Metropolitan Bureau of Waterworks (03) 5320-6326
Telephone
After Moving In Before Moving Out
You should decide on where you would like to have your telephone connected in advance. You must be present in order to have the line put in. When your moving date is decided, call NTT East (dial 116) to make a reservation to disconnect the phone line.
Cable TV
For information about cable TV services, you can contact
SKY Perfect TV! (http://www.skyperfectv.co.jp/en/)
Internet Access
Cable modem services in Minato-ku (http://www.rosenet.ne.jp/e/index.html)
For ADSL/ISDN services.
Paying Utility Bills
Statement Eyou will receive electric, gas, and telephone (domestic) bills once a month, and waterworks/sewerage bills once every two months.
Payment EBills can be paid at banks, credit associations, post offices or at the business office of the utility company. You can also pay your utility bills at some convenience stores.
If you are late in payment Ea 3% late fee is added to your bill, except for waterworks/sewerage. In the case of your phone bill, contact NTT.
Automatic payment EInstead stepping out to pay your bills each time, there is a more convenient way of paying your bills in which you apply for automatic payment at the bank or post office where you have an account, and have the fees automatically deducted from your account. Every month, you will receive a receipt and notice that gives the amount to be deducted for the next payment and the next payment date.
Address changes should be notified for the following:
Foreign National Registration/VISA Report to the Municipal Office in your new area within 14 days of moving. Post Office To forward mail for one year, fill in the necessary information in the Change of Address forms available at the post office near you.
Bank/Driver's License Notify the change to your bank accounts/ driver's license office
Health Insurance/Transportation Pass
Insurance for house & furniture:
You are recommended to buy insurance policy to cover the following damages. Real Estate Agents help you to buy the insurance policy.
A guide to ATMS in Japan
All you need to know about ATM`S in Japan:
Many of Japans ATM`s do not except overseas credit or debit cards
However, there are exceptions you will find you can use the post office ATMs there are around 20,000 Post office ATMs. That work from around 9:00am till 6:00pm. You will also be able to use some of the ATMs at the 7/11 stores around the country. Tokyo and other big cities you will find Citi-Banks you can use the ATM`S in these banks too.these ATM`s let you uses Credit and debit cards and they including Visa, Plus, MasterCard, Maestro, Cirrus, American Express and JCB cards and provide an English user menu.
Many of Japans ATM`s do not except overseas credit or debit cards
However, there are exceptions you will find you can use the post office ATMs there are around 20,000 Post office ATMs. That work from around 9:00am till 6:00pm. You will also be able to use some of the ATMs at the 7/11 stores around the country. Tokyo and other big cities you will find Citi-Banks you can use the ATM`S in these banks too.these ATM`s let you uses Credit and debit cards and they including Visa, Plus, MasterCard, Maestro, Cirrus, American Express and JCB cards and provide an English user menu.
A History of Japan
Early Japan
The Origins of Japan's earliest inhabitants is obscure. there was certainly emigration that occurred via the land bridges that once connected Japan with Siberia and Korea. but it is also thought that seafaring migrants from Polynesia may have landed on Kyushu and Okinawa. it is likely that the Japanese people are a result of immigration from Siberia in the north and china and Korea in the west. and perhaps the Polynesian stock from the south.
the first signs of civilization in Japan were from around 10,000 years ago when the so called jomon period began. there has been discovery of pottery fragments with rope marks. the people at this time lived as hunters and food-gatherers they all so were fishers.
the person was gradually superseded by the Yayoi era, which dates from around 300bc and is named after the site near Tokyo were pottery fragments were found. the yayoi people are considered to have had a strong connection with Korea and their most important developments were the wet cultivation of rice and the use of bronze and iron tools.
Edo Period (1603 - 1867):
basic information Tokugawa Ieyasu was the most powerful man in Japan after Hideyoshi had died in 1598. Against his promises he did not respect Hideyoshi's successor Hideyori because he wanted to become the absolute ruler of Japan. H.I.S. Experience Japan Tours Who Wants to Be a Samurai? Attend a lecture about the Japanese warrior code and ninja and use real weapons. In the battle of Sekigahara in 1600, Ieyasu defeated the Hideyori loyalists and other Western rivals. Hence, he achieved almost unlimited power and wealth. In 1603, Ieyasu was appointed Shogun by the emperor and established his government in Edo (Tokyo). The Tokugawa shoguns continued to rule Japan for a remarkable 250 years. Ieyasu brought the whole country under tight control. He cleverly redistributed the gained land among the daimyo: more loyal vassals (the ones who supported him already before Sekigahara) received strategically more important domains accordingly. Every daimyo was also required to spend every second year in Edo. This meant a huge financial burden for the daimyo and moderated his power at home. Ieyasu continued to promote foreign trade. He established relations with the English and the Dutch. On the other hand, he enforced the suppression and persecution of Christianity from 1614 on. After the destruction of the Toyotomi clan in 1615 when Ieyasu captured Osaka Castle, he and his successors had practically no rivals anymore, and peace prevailed .
The Showa Era 1926-89
The Showa Era began when Emperor Hirohito ascended to the throne in 1926. he travelled extensively around Europe especially Britain an mixed with the European elite and monarchs. he enjoyed the British way of life however, during the 1930s the world fell in to a depression and the rise of nationalism came about. Popular unrest saw the rise of political assassinations and plots to over throw the government. this led to a rise in the popularity of the militarist when approved the invasion of Manchuria in 1931 and the installation of there puppet regime controlled by the Japanese. in 1933 the Japanese withdrew under pressure from the league of nations and in 1937 entered in to a full scale attack on china. as the leader of the new order for Asia. japans signed a tripartite pact with German and Italy and in 1940. the Japanese leaders saw their main opponents to the order for Asia the so called greater east Asia co prosperity sphere in the USA.
This led to the start of WWII and the attack on the USA at pearl harbor in December 1941.
When diplomatic attempts to gain US neutrality failed.
Japan was at first gaining allot of ground in the war in Asia pushing the battle almost to Australia and also to India. however, this led the USA to make an attack at the battle of midway and this opened the us counter attack. puncturing the Japanese naval superiority and turning the tide of the war against Japan. by 1945 exhausted by submarine blockades and aerial bombing , Japan had been driven back on all fronts. in august of the same year the declaration of war by the soviet union and the atomic bomb dropped by the USA on Hiroshima and Nagasaki proved to be the final straw. emperor Hirohito announced unconditional surrender.
Post-war 1945 to 2008
At the end of the war the Japanese Economy was in ruins. Japan was under control from the allied forces who were run by General Douglas Macarthur the allied forces begin by rebuilding Japan by changing the way the country was run. trying war criminals and also starting by the emperor who resigned his divine right to rule this shocked many as it got rid of all of his power and he became a mere figure head. However, it was not until 1952 that occupation was ended and Okinawa was not handed back to Japan until the 1970s. nevertheless, Okinawa is still used as a large US military base today. However a program of loans and restricted imports and encouraged capital investment and personal savings began. by the late 1950s trade flourished and the manufacture of labour-intensified goods such as cameras the Japanese economic miracle spread into virtually every sector of economic activity however, economic recession surfaced in the 1970s and then again in the 1980s leaving many out of work. this was mainly due to the rising costs of imported oil. moreover, despite these setbacks Japan became of the worlds largest exports of goods.
Japan has generated a massive surplus in trade exports and is one of the worlds largest exporters of computers, robotics, technology, Cars and banking.
A guide to obtaining the right visa in Japan
Well I am not really an expert on this so its a good idea to check out your local Japanese embassy or consulate.
Click here for your countries embassy
Europe
http://www.mofa.go.jp/about/emb_cons/over/europe.html
NORTH AMERICA
http://www.mofa.go.jp/about/emb_cons/over/north_a.html
Below is the link to the Japanese embassy in the UK.
http://www.uk.emb-japan.go.jp/en/visa/visa-main.html
From my experience it was never that hard to get a visa however, with the change in the global economy I think things are getting harder.
There are a number of visa that allow you to work in Japan
here are a list.
http://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/03.html#categories
Spouse i.e your married to a Japanese man or woman.
a spouse visa is the best to get as there are no restrictions on what you can do.
Work visa this is restricted to what you came to do so if you come in as an English teacher and you leave that job you will have to apply for a change of status you may or may not get it.
Working Holiday visa this is open to only a select few countries and enables you to work and stay for up to 12 months in Japan. The UK is one of the countries that is allowed to apply for this type of visa. It is open to anyone from the ages of 18 to 30.
http://www.uk.emb-japan.go.jp/en/visa/work_hol.html
In order to get your visa you will also need to fill out a Certificate of eligibility.
This form basically proves you have fulfilled all the requirements to be issued the visa for the industry you wish to work in or you have the right documentation to go a head and get a spouse visa. Once you have this document and everything is in order you will be able to obtain your visa. please click the link below to find out what you need.
http://www.uk.emb-japan.go.jp/en/visa/visa-certif.html
if you have any other questions about visas please visit
www.theblackship.com/forums
Click here for your countries embassy
Europe
http://www.mofa.go.jp/about/emb_cons/over/europe.html
NORTH AMERICA
http://www.mofa.go.jp/about/emb_cons/over/north_a.html
Below is the link to the Japanese embassy in the UK.
http://www.uk.emb-japan.go.jp/en/visa/visa-main.html
From my experience it was never that hard to get a visa however, with the change in the global economy I think things are getting harder.
There are a number of visa that allow you to work in Japan
here are a list.
http://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/03.html#categories
Spouse i.e your married to a Japanese man or woman.
a spouse visa is the best to get as there are no restrictions on what you can do.
Work visa this is restricted to what you came to do so if you come in as an English teacher and you leave that job you will have to apply for a change of status you may or may not get it.
Working Holiday visa this is open to only a select few countries and enables you to work and stay for up to 12 months in Japan. The UK is one of the countries that is allowed to apply for this type of visa. It is open to anyone from the ages of 18 to 30.
http://www.uk.emb-japan.go.jp/en/visa/work_hol.html
In order to get your visa you will also need to fill out a Certificate of eligibility.
This form basically proves you have fulfilled all the requirements to be issued the visa for the industry you wish to work in or you have the right documentation to go a head and get a spouse visa. Once you have this document and everything is in order you will be able to obtain your visa. please click the link below to find out what you need.
http://www.uk.emb-japan.go.jp/en/visa/visa-certif.html
if you have any other questions about visas please visit
www.theblackship.com/forums
Sunday, December 28, 2008
A Guide to working in Japan
This guide is from my own experience for looking for work in Japan and also helping a friend of mine find a job.
Japan is a very expensive country so make sure you have enough money to at least last you 3 to 6 months. Depending on the type of work you a willing to take depends on the time of year you should come to Japan.
Click here for a budget
If you would like to be an English teacher in a school or an ALT then you need to find out the times in the year when the schools finish and start and start applying for work about 3 months before they start and finish. I.E Term times are normally that of the American school calender from the beginning in late August and concluding in mid June for international schools and for Japanese schools the terms start on April 1 st to mid-July. here are some job websites you may be interested in.
The reason I have talked about becoming an English teacher is that it is far the easiest way to get in to Japan.
JobCube/
GaijinPot
Click here for more information on visas
Japan is a very expensive country so make sure you have enough money to at least last you 3 to 6 months. Depending on the type of work you a willing to take depends on the time of year you should come to Japan.
Click here for a budget
If you would like to be an English teacher in a school or an ALT then you need to find out the times in the year when the schools finish and start and start applying for work about 3 months before they start and finish. I.E Term times are normally that of the American school calender from the beginning in late August and concluding in mid June for international schools and for Japanese schools the terms start on April 1 st to mid-July. here are some job websites you may be interested in.
The reason I have talked about becoming an English teacher is that it is far the easiest way to get in to Japan.
JobCube/
GaijinPot
Click here for more information on visas
A guide to Kabuki
Going to see Kabuki is a must if you ever visit Japan.
You may wonder why I am starting my blog and starting with Kabuki, Well I wanted to be different that's all. Most people go on about Japan and its stats first. I just wanted to do something more cultural.
If you love Japanese culture then I feel Kabuki is a must see, I was reading recently that in Tokyo you can go and see a part of a Kabuki play for as little as 1000 yen about 5 pounds or 8$.
As you may well know Kabuki is a traditional Japanese theater it means sing dance and skill. however, it is said that the Kanji has changed over the years and the old Kanji meant Sing, Dance and Prostitution. As Kabuki started around 1603 and was played but Women.
Kabuki started in the river beds in Tokyo or Edo at that time. The reason for this was that the river beds were not owned by anyone and as such had very little laws. Okuni, maybe a miko was said to be one of the main founders of Kabuki. When she started Dancing and Singing.
However, around 1629 Kabuki had got such a bad reputation, that the government bad women from acting and all the rolls were played by men.
To get an in dept view of Kabuki please read my essay http://www.theblackship.com/forum/ge...erry-jago.html
Going to see Kabuki in the modern day
http://hisexperience.jp/index.php?op...view&Itemid=24
This site can hook you up with some fantastic shows but if you want to go by yourself its more fun feel free to contact me if you would like more details about Kabuki.Here is a nice theater in Ginza.
http://www.shochiku.co.jp/play/kabukiza/theater/ticket-ordering.html
You may wonder why I am starting my blog and starting with Kabuki, Well I wanted to be different that's all. Most people go on about Japan and its stats first. I just wanted to do something more cultural.
If you love Japanese culture then I feel Kabuki is a must see, I was reading recently that in Tokyo you can go and see a part of a Kabuki play for as little as 1000 yen about 5 pounds or 8$.
As you may well know Kabuki is a traditional Japanese theater it means sing dance and skill. however, it is said that the Kanji has changed over the years and the old Kanji meant Sing, Dance and Prostitution. As Kabuki started around 1603 and was played but Women.
Kabuki started in the river beds in Tokyo or Edo at that time. The reason for this was that the river beds were not owned by anyone and as such had very little laws. Okuni, maybe a miko was said to be one of the main founders of Kabuki. When she started Dancing and Singing.
However, around 1629 Kabuki had got such a bad reputation, that the government bad women from acting and all the rolls were played by men.
To get an in dept view of Kabuki please read my essay http://www.theblackship.com/forum/ge...erry-jago.html
Going to see Kabuki in the modern day
http://hisexperience.jp/index.php?op...view&Itemid=24
This site can hook you up with some fantastic shows but if you want to go by yourself its more fun feel free to contact me if you would like more details about Kabuki.Here is a nice theater in Ginza.
http://www.shochiku.co.jp/play/kabukiza/theater/ticket-ordering.html
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