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Useful links and sharp discussion for foreign residents building a life, career, or business in Japan.
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Jun 9, 2026 · Wise sends money abroad at the mid-market exchange rate, which is usually far cheaper than a bank. This guide walks foreign residents in Japan through sign-up, identity verification, funding and the first transfer, with fee examples.
Jun 20, 2026 · Wise works with most major Japanese banks including SMBC, MUFG, Mizuho, Japan Post Bank, and many regional banks. You simply initiate a domestic yen transfer to the Wise receiving account from your bank’s app, ATM, or counter.
May 25, 2026 · How to get and use a Suica or IC card in Japan. The easiest way to pay for trains, buses, and convenience stores.
Mar 4, 2026 · Complete guide to Gaimen Kirikae — converting your foreign driver's license to a Japanese license. Learn eligibility by country, required documents, costs, step-by-step process, and tips for the 2025 updated rules.
Japan has a substantial and active international resident community — particularly in Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, Kyoto, Kobe, and Fukuoka. Understanding where this community organizes and how to connect with it helps newly arrived residents build support.
Discover the best professional networking events in Japan for foreigners. From chambers of commerce to startup meetups and career forums, build your network in Tokyo, Osaka, and beyond.
Dec 9, 2025 · Start a Business in Japan with this foreign guide covering visas, company setup, taxes, and compliance essentials to launch smoothly and grow confidently.
Whether you are a Japanese national or a foreign resident, working as a sole proprietor (個人事業主) comes with specific tax registration requirements and ongoing obligations. This guide walks you through every step, from opening your business to filing.
The "Dependent" status is a residence status that lets a foreign national living in Japan on a work or student status bring their spouse or children to Japan. This article explains which residence statuses can and cannot sponsor family, whether work.
Jun 2, 2026 · This complete, easy-to-read guide explains who qualifies for Japan’s Dependent (Family Stay) visa, how to apply step by step, required documents for spouses and children, timelines, fees, work rules (28-hour cap), TB screening, and.
Jun 2, 2026 · How to register your address at the ward office in Japan as a foreign resident — what to bring, the 14-day deadline, what you receive, and what to do when you move.
May 12, 2026 · Learn how to complete ward office registration (jūminhyō) in Japan as a foreigner — what documents you need, how to register your address, and why it matters for daily life.
Money Hub Japan > English > Tax Return Filing a Japanese Tax Return as a Foreign Resident A practical guide to kakutei shinkoku (確定申告) — Japan's annual tax return — for foreign residents. Most full-time employees do not need to file, but many should.
CPA-led U.S. tax preparation and compliance for Americans living and working abroad. Get help with foreign income, assets, investments and complex U.S. expat tax filings. Complex Expat Tax Matters · Secure Virtual Service
This book is structured so that you can complete studying for levels N1, N2, and N3 in 12 weeks, and levels N4 and N5 in 9 weeks, allowing you to study in a systematic manner.
Jul 5, 2026 · A realistic 12-month JLPT study plan 2026: hours needed for N5-N2, month-by-month schedule, the textbooks that work (Genki, Quartet, Shin Kanzen), and where self-study fails without speaking practice.
A complete guide to all documents required for Japan permanent residency (PR) application in 2025. Covers tax, pension, employment, family and HSP documents with tips to avoid rejection.
Japan permanent residency is granted only after the applicant is found to satisfy the applicable legal and guideline requirements. Under the current rules, the core framework is good conduct, financial independence, and a finding that permanent.
May 1, 2026 - The primary search platforms: Sakura House (sakura-house.com) — the largest English-language operator in Tokyo, rooms across 30+ properties, foreigner-friendly application, viewing appointments via website. Oakhouse (oakhouse.jp) —.
July 21, 2026 - Most share houses in Tokyo are foreigner-friendly, meaning no Japanese guarantor is required. Contacts are usually short-term or flexible, and many operators provide support in English.