Frequently Asked Questions

In daily life in Japan, you will have many occasions to use a personal seal (hanko), such as when opening a bank account or signing a rental contract.
Nowadays, simple seals can be purchased online, and handmade seals are also available at specialty shops. Since a hanko is used in place of a signature, it is important to keep it safe once you have made one. Basic seals can be made for as little as around ¥1,000.
The history of personal seals in Japan dates back approximately 2,300 years, when they were introduced from China. It is interesting to see how this tradition remains deeply rooted in modern Japanese life.

Students who will stay in Japan for more than three months, including those enrolled in long-term programs, must complete resident registration at the local ward office or city hall within 14 days of arriving in Japan.

Like resident registration, the procedure for health insurance is completed at your local ward office or city hall. Please complete this process on the same day as your resident registration.
In Japan, foreign residents are also recorded in the Basic Resident Register. Those who are not enrolled in employee health insurance and who plan to stay in Japan for more than three months are required to join the National Health Insurance system.
When applying, be sure to submit a “Simple Tax Declaration Form” to report your income from the previous year.

<Required Documents for Registration>
・Residence Card
・Designation Form (only for those with the “Designated Activities” residence status; this form is attached to your passport)

Students enrolled in long-term programs at our school are automatically enrolled in the “International Student Insurance” provided by the Japan Language School Cooperative Association, which is approved by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT).
Under the National Health Insurance system, 70% of medical expenses are covered, and students are responsible for the remaining 30%. By submitting the receipt for this 30% payment to the school and applying for the International Student Insurance, the remaining cost will be reimbursed. This means that your out-of-pocket medical expenses can effectively be reduced to zero.
In addition, this insurance covers various situations not included in National Health Insurance, such as liability for injuries caused to others while riding a bicycle, or travel expenses for family members to come to Japan in case of a serious accident.
Please note that treatments related to dental care, mental health, chiropractic care, pregnancy, and childbirth are not covered.

If your period of stay is more than three months, you can open a Japan Post Bank (Yucho Bank) account shortly after arriving in Japan.
Please note that accounts at other banks can generally only be opened after you have been in Japan for at least six months.

Required Documents:
1. Residence Card
2. Passport
3. Student ID (or Certificate of Enrollment)
4. Residence Certificate
5. Personal Seal (Hanko)
6. Japanese Mobile Phone Number
7. Address in Japan

Foreign residents with a Residence Card can sign up for mobile phone services in Japan. These services are generally divided into three categories: major carrier plans, low-cost SIM cards, and budget smartphones.
Japan’s major mobile carriers include NTT Docomo, au, and SoftBank. Each company offers a wide range of services, so it is important to research carefully before signing a contract.
Monthly fees can range from around ¥1,000 to over ¥10,000, so please choose a plan that best suits your needs.

Japan uses a relatively low voltage of 100V. To use electrical appliances from overseas in Japan, a step-up transformer may be required. However, not all appliances can be used even with a transformer, so please check compatibility carefully before bringing them to Japan.
Most electrical appliances are also available for purchase in Japan.

In Japan, the most common type of plug is known as Type A. This plug has two flat, parallel pins.
In Tokyo, the electrical frequency is 50 Hz and the voltage is 100V.

Tokyo has over 700 train and subway stations, with approximately 85 railway lines. In addition, the Toei Bus operates 131 routes throughout the city. As a result, many residents rely on public transportation for commuting to school and work.

To use public transportation in Japan, it is convenient to have an IC card such as Suica (for JR lines) or PASMO (for subways and other services). While you can purchase tickets each time, using a Suica or PASMO card is much more convenient.
Both cards can be purchased at train stations and can be used on almost all public transportation in Tokyo.
When purchasing a card, you can register your name, date of birth, and phone number. This allows you to have the card reissued in case it is lost.
For more details, please ask at a station. There are also mobile versions, such as Mobile Suica and Mobile PASMO, which can be used on smartphones.