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Japanese lenders look at your age at the end of the loan, health, income, years in your job and repayment ratio, and many also consider nationality or residence status. The government-backed Flat 35 requires Japanese nationality, permanent residence or special permanent residence. Without permanent residence, expect fewer options and more questions.
Japan had 9.0 million vacant homes in 2023, 13.8% of all homes. Many towns list them on akiya banks, and some are very cheap, but repairs, earthquake-proofing, taxes and fees can cost far more than the price. Since 2023, a neglected vacant house can lose its land tax relief.
Call 119 for fire or an ambulance and 110 for the police; both are free from public phones. In an earthquake, protect your head and stay under a sturdy table until the shaking stops. Find your nearest evacuation shelter on your city's hazard map now, keep food and water for at least three days, and install a multilingual alert app.
Everyone living in Japan for more than three months joins public health insurance: employee insurance through the company, or National Health Insurance at the city office. Patients aged 6 to 69 normally pay 30% of the medical bill. Residents aged 20 to 59 also join a pension system. If you leave Japan, you may claim a lump-sum withdrawal within two years.
Income tax is taken from every salary, and your employer settles the exact amount in the year-end adjustment. Resident tax is charged by the city where you lived on 1 January, based on the previous year's income. That is why it usually starts in June of your second year. Unpaid resident tax can affect your visa renewal.
An IC card lets you tap in and out of trains and buses and pay at many shops. Most need a ¥500 deposit, and a registered card can be reissued if you lose it. If you travel the same route every day, a 1-, 3- or 6-month commuter pass costs less. On trains, do not talk on the phone and keep your bag out of the way.
Renting in Japan usually costs about 4 to 7 months' rent at the start, according to the MLIT guidebook. That covers the deposit, key money in some regions, an agency fee within one month's rent, insurance and the first rent. Most landlords want a guarantor or a rent guarantee company. Read the contract and the move-out rules before you sign.
For a phone contract you need ID that shows your current address: a residence card, driver's licence, My Number Card, or a passport only if it shows your address. You pay by credit card or a Japanese bank account. Compare SIM-only plans with handset contracts, ask about the minimum term and cancellation fees, and remember the 8-day cancellation rule.
To open an account, bring your residence card. Some banks want a hanko seal, and students or employees may be asked for an ID. Japan Post Bank will not open an account if your stay ends within 3 months. Send money home only through a bank or a funds transfer service provider registered with the FSA. Never sell or lend your account.
In your first two weeks, register your address at the city or ward office within 14 days of moving in. Your My Number follows by post. At the same office, join National Health Insurance and National Pension unless your employer enrols you. Then open a bank account and get a phone: both need the address on your residence card.
Permanent residence removes limits on your work and your period of stay. Usually you need 10 years in Japan, including 5 years on a work or residence status, a clean record, taxes, pension and health insurance paid on time, and a household income at the Japanese average for your household size. From 1 October 2026 the fee is ¥200,000.
If you live in Japan on a work or study status such as Engineer/Humanities, Student or SSW (ii), your legal spouse and children can join you on the Dependent status. You must be able to support them. They can work up to 28 hours a week with permission.
