Practical guides for foreigners living in Japan: paperwork, costs, telecom and everyday life.
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PIN My Number is locked does not mean the card is damaged. You can reset it at the My Number window where you registered your residence; Some electronic PIN numbers can also be processed at the kiosk if the conditions are met.
When you move house in Japan, you must handle your residence registration, residence card, My Number, insurance, postal mail and many service contracts. This checklist helps you do things in the right order and avoid missing the important 14-day deadline.
MNP lets you switch mobile carriers in Japan while keeping your current phone number. Do not cancel your old line first; check one-stop eligibility, MNP reservation details, device compatibility, documents, and activation timing.
If your My Number card is lost, suspend it immediately, report the loss to police, and keep the acceptance number. Then apply for replacement at your registered municipality.
Losing your residence card is not a visa problem, but it is a deadline. Report it to the police to get a 受理番号 (receipt number), then apply for a reissue at your regional immigration office within 14 days. The reissue is free and the new card is normally handed over the same day.
A guide for foreign residents on getting a copy of your 住民票 at the ward office or a convenience store: individual or full household, relationship to the head of household, residence details for foreign residents, and My Number.
A Japanese phone number is not required the moment you land, but it makes housing applications, work, deliveries and service verification far easier. Here is when to get one and which SIM to choose.
When internet in Japan becomes slow or disconnects, first identify whether the problem is the device, Wi-Fi, line, or carrier. A structured check helps you avoid deleting an eSIM, resetting equipment, or changing plans unnecessarily.
The three options differ in how the connection actually reaches your devices: Pocket Wi-Fi and Home Wi-Fi run over a mobile network, while fiber uses a fixed line installed to the building. That makes the right answer depend on whether you need to carry your connection, get online at home quickly, or keep many devices stable. This guide compares them by portability, installation work, device load, and how long you plan to stay in Japan.
Your time in Japan narrows the internet choices but does not decide everything. Compare SIMs, eSIMs, Pocket Wi-Fi, Home Wi-Fi, and fiber by usage and true total cost.
Your former employer's health coverage normally ends after your last official employment day. From the next day, you need coverage through a new employer, voluntary continuation, National Health Insurance, or a family member's plan.
A practical first-week checklist covering your address, residence card, health insurance, pension, SIM, housing, banking, work, school, and internet.
