Guide for expats moving to Japan
 

Japan

Japan

This is the mystical land of origami, harajuku , sushi, street fashion, technology and so much more. Japan has the reputation of being one of the most expensive destinations, however being an expat can be quite lucrative because it’s easy to negotiate a great package. Japan is one of those places where the clash between old traditions and modern technology is tangible. 


Japan

Features on Japan


Holiday Guide to Japan

It's a great place for a summer break due to the fact there is heaps to see and explore. Your taste buds will be taken to new places and you will leave this country calm and relaxed.



The Japanese culture is polite, calm, clean and ever so helpful. Find out some of our top tips if you are visiting Japan this summer holiday and our highlights of Tokyo.



Find out more >>


Ten Delicaies to Try in Japan

sushi

Japan is known for more than just Sushi. It is a delectable place to explore for anyone who wants to send their taste buds on an adventure. They have a distinct cuisine yet something to suit even the fussiest of eaters.



So be brave and try something out of your comfort zone.





Find out more >> 


Expat Clubs


Association of Foreign Wives of Japanese

AFWJ, the Association of Foreign Wives of Japanese, has over 500 members in Japan and abroad and aims to provide members with friendship, support, mutual help in adapting to Japanese society. It also offers opportunities for social, emotional, educational and professional growth.

Website:  https://afwj.wildapricot.org 

 

Association for Women in Finance

The Association for Women in Finance (AWF) is a Tokyo-based volunteer organization that aims to provide women in finance a forum in which they can further their professional development, network and exchange information, and meet like-minded women of all nationalities.

Website: www.awftokyo.com

 

Being A Broad

Started in 1997, Being a Broad has already help thousands of women make the most of their lives in Japan.

Website: www.being-a-broad.com

 

Canadian Women's Club in Japan

The Canadian Women's Club in Japan (CWCJ) was established in 1970 and is made up of a diverse group of women with a connection to Canada, focusing on friendship and cultural exchange.  CWCJ members gather monthly for various cultural events and to support local and international philanthropic organizations as well as extending this philantropy back to Canada.

Website: www.cwcj.com/contents/home/?language=english

 

Foreign Executive Women in Japan

Foreign Executive Women (FEW) is a business and social networking organization whose aim is to help foreign women in Japan achieve their full professional and/or personal potential. FEW welcomes foreign women from all professional backgrounds and at all stages of their careers. We focus on networking, career development as well as social and volunteer activities.

Website: www.fewjapan.com

 

Japan Australia New Zealand Ladies' group

The JANZ Ladies' Group is a friendly and supportive organization for women from Australia and New Zealand presently living in Japan and Japanese women who have lived in either Australia or New Zealand for at least one year, or women who are married to Australian or New Zealand passport holders.

Website: www.janz-ladies.org   

 

Tokyo American Club

Welcome to Tokyo American Club. Learn about Japanese culture, make new friends, get fit and spend time with your family all at one place. Life made simple just for you.

Website: www.tac-club.org

 

Yokohama International Women's Club (YIWC)

Yokohama International Women's Club (YIWC) promotes international friendship and cross-cultural understanding through social and related activities, as a non-profit women's organization. The organization was founded in 1929.

 

College Women's Association of Japan (CWAJ)

An international women's organization with a sixty-year history of promoting education and cross-cultural understanding. Providing scholarships for women with funding from donations and the proceeds from the CWAJ Print Show is a primary objective. Membership in CWAJ provides opportunities for friendship with women from all over the world while learning about Japan and other cultures through monthly luncheons, lectures and special interest groups. Guests are welcome to many activities.

Website: www.cwaj.org

International Schools 


Tokyo

Jingumae International Exchange School

JIES provides a high quality international English language education for children ages 4 to 12.  Classes are timetabled with Japanese lessons which, depending on the ability of the individual, follow Kokugo (Japanese as a Native Language) or JAL (Japanese as an Additional Language).

Curriculum: IB Primary Years Programme

Address: 4-20-12 Jingumae Shibuya-ku, 150-0001 Tokyo

Tel: 03 5413 6090

Fax: 03 5413 2020

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.jies.jp



ASIJ Japan Source

ASIJ - The American School in Japan (ASIJ) provides an American style education to US, Japanese, Europeans and others who speak English fluently.

Curriculum: American

Address: 1-1-1 Nomizu, Chofu-shi, Tokyo

Tel: 03 5771 4344

Fax: 03 5771 4341

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.asij.ac.jp

 

Tokyo International School

TIS is fully authorized to deliver the prestigious International Baccalaureate’s PYP and MYP. The two programs provide an internationally-recognized education and prepare children for easy transfer to the IB Diploma or other education systems.

Curriculum: Primary Years-IB Diploma

Address: 2-13-6 Minami Azabu, Minato-ku, Tokyo

Tel: 81 3 5484 1160

Website: www.tokyois.com

 

The British School in Tokyo

The British School in Tokyo (BST) is a truly international co-educational school with over 800 students aged between 3 and 18, located right in the centre of one of the most exciting cities in the world.

Curriculum: British (Nursery-Year 13)

Address: 1-21-18, Shibuya Shibuya-ku, Tokyo

Tel: 03 5467 4321

Fax: 03 5467 4322

Website: www.bst.ac.jp/

 

KAIS International School

KAIS is a boutique international school located in central Tokyo, and is uniquely designed to give students an education that is international, personalized, and creative. We offer a curriculum that focuses on balancing academia, leadership skills, character-building, and self-discovery. The classroom experience at KAIS is intimate and hands-on. Maintaining a low student-teacher ratio allows us to give each pupil unparalleled care and attention.

Curriculum:

Address: 2-7-16 Kami-Osaki, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo

Tel: 03-5421-0127 (from abroad: 011-81-354-21-0127)

Fax: 03-5421-0127

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.kaischool.com/

 

The American School in Japan

ASIJ has a rich and successful history that spans over 100 years and places it among the top international schools in the world. The success of its past students and the educational achievements of its current students are beyond question.

Curriculum: American (Nursery-Grade 12)

Address: 1-1-1 Nomizu, Chofu-shi, Tokyo

Tel: 03 6259 3566

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.asij.ac.jp

 

Canadian International School Tokyo

Canadian International School (CIS) is a private co-educational institution which offers a complete Canadian K-12 program. Canadian-certified teachers conduct classes in English using the same curriculum methods and resources as in schools in Canada.

Curriculum: Canadian K-12

Address: 5-8-20, Kitashinagawa, Shinagawaku, Tokyo

Tel: 03 5793 1392

Email: [email protected]

Website: cisjapan.net

 

Nishimachi International School

Curriculum: Kindergarten-Grade 9

Address: 2-14-7 Moto Azabu, Minato-ku, Tokyo

Tel: 03 3451 5520

Fax: 03 3456 0197

Email: [email protected]

Website:  www.nishimachi.ac.jp/

 

St. Mary’s International School

St. Mary's International School, founded by the Brothers of Christian Instruction, opened its doors to 60 foreign boys ranging from kindergarten to grade three in 1954. By 1971, the rapid growth of the international community and the demands for quality college-preparatory education in the Tokyo area encouraged the Brothers to move to its current location, a nine-acre site in the Setagaya district, one of Tokyo's rare green residential areas.

Curriculum: International Curriculum

Address: 1-6-19 Seta, Setagaya-ku,Tokyo

Tel: +81 3 3709-3411

Fax: +81 3 3707 1950

Website: www.smis.ac.jp

 

India International School (IISJ)

India International School IISJ is the oldest Indian school in Japan. It offers K-12 education to Indian as well as non-Indian students. The school combines the best of Indian and western education systems and provides unique learning to its students

Curriculum: K-12

Address: 1-20-20 Ojima, Koto-ku, Tokyo

Tel: 03 5875 5435

Fax: 03 5875 5436

Website: www.iisjapan.com/

 

Tokyo Children’s Academy

Tokyo Children’s Academy provides a complete learning experience for children who have an insatiable desire to learn, explore, understand and can demonstrate the motivation, and overall readiness for the environment of an accelerated educational program.  At Tokyo Academy we realize that learning is as much a social activity as it is an individual activity, much of what students learn comes from interacting with other people. Thus the nature of the relationships among the people at the school will have a strong influence on students’ learning.

Curriculum: International Curriculum (Primary to Middle School)

Address: 3-15-13 YODA Bldg. 4 floor, Tokyo-to Minato-ku Shiba

Tel: +813-5765-6697

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.tokyochildrensacademy.com

 

International School of the Sacred Heart

Curriculum: K-12 Curriculum

Address: 4-3-1 Hiroo, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo

Tel: +813 3400 3951

Fax: +813 3400 3496

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.issh.ac.jp

 

The Montessori School of Tokyo

The Montessori School of Tokyo (MST) offers educational opportunities for students unrivalled by any other school in Tokyo. The school’s core values of Confidence, Respect and Compassion, represent the characteristics which we hold dear and which we strive to instill and uphold in our administration, faculty and student body.

Curriculum:

Address:

Tel: +813 5449 7067

Fax: +813 5449 0087

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.montessorijapan.com/

 

Hiroshima

Hiroshima International School

Hiroshima International School offers a broad and balanced curriculum for students aged 3-18. Using educational programmes designed specifically to meet the needs of children in international schools, such as the International Baccalaureate, HIS offers an international curriculum that incorporates best current teaching practices. Our curriculum provides for development of the whole child through an integrated, inquiry-based approach to learning. It recognizes children’s social, physical, emotional, and cultural needs as well as their need to be challenged academically.

Curriculum: International Baccalaureate

Address: 3-49-1 Kurakake, Asakita- ku, Hiroshima

Tel: +81 82 843 4111

Fax: +81 82 843 6399

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.hiroshima-is.ac.jp

 

Hokkaido

Hokkaido International School

Hokkaido International School is a private, coeducational day/boarding school offering a Western-style education from pre-school through high school for students of all nationalities. English is the language of instruction. The school has an enrollment of 190, with 90 students in the secondary school and 17 in the graduating class of 2013. Students represent 30 different nationalities. Hokkaido International School was founded in 1958 and is the only accredited international school on the island of Hokkaido.

Curriculum: International Curriculum

Address: 1-55, 5 jo 19 chome, Hiragishi, Toyohira-Ku, Sapporo

Tel: +81 11 816 5000

Fax: +81 11 816 2500

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.his.ac.jp

 

Nagoya

Nagoya International School

Set on a park-like campus of approximately 7.5 acres, the Nagoya International School consists of three modern buildings connected by terraces, gardens, and covered walkways, and also includes a Japanese Cultural Center. The Early Learning Center (ELC) building, renovated in the summer of 2004, houses the preschool and kindergarten classes, and is fitted with age appropriate bathroom fixtures, a shower, a kitchen/work area, storage and teacher office space.

Curriculum: American Curriculum

Address: 2686 Minamihara, Nakashidami, Moriyama-ku, Nagoya

Tel: 052 7362025

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.nagoyais.jp/nis/index.html

 

Aichi International School

Aichi International School’s mission is to empower its learners to become global minded citizens who are equipped with the knowledge and integrity to function successfully, responsibly and effectively in an ever-evolving global environment.

Curriculum: 10-Year Education System

Address: Nijigaoka3-4, Meito-ku, Nagoya, Aichi

Tel: 052 788 2255

Email: [email protected]

Website: nipais.com

 

Osaka

Osaka YMCA International School

The Osaka YMCA International School is fully accredited (PK-6) by the Schools Commission of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. Osaka YMCA International School is authorised as an IB world school to teach the IB Primary Years Program (PYP).

Curriculum: International Curriculum

Address: 6-7-34, Nakatsu, Kita-ku, Osaka

Tel: (0)6 6345 1661

Fax: (0)6 6345 1601

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.senri.ed.jp

Local News in English


The Asahi Shimbun

The Asahi Shimbun AJW is the English-language digital version of The Asahi Shimbun, Japan's leading daily newspaper. AJW stands for “Asia and Japan Watch” to reflect our editorial policy of offering in-depth coverage of China, the Korean Peninsula and the rest of Asia, in addition to extensive coverage of Japanese politics, business and society.

Website: ajw.asahi.com/?ref=asacom

 

Japan Times

Toshiaki Ogasawara is Chairman and Publisher of The Japan Times, Ltd., which publishes Japan’s oldest English language newspaper. The company was founded in 1897 and is today the country’s only independent English-language newspaper.

Website: www.japantimes.co.jp  

 

Japan Today

Japan Today, launched in September 2000, is a Tokyo-based online newspaper, featuring all the latest news on Japan and the world, including national, political, entertainment, business, technology and sports news.

Website: www.japantoday.com

 

The Japan News

See the world, find out what is happening in your community and learn English, all with a subscription to The Japan News.

Website:  the-japan-news.com

 

News On Japan

News On Japan was established in 1999 and has become a leading portal for Japan-related news in English. Our 24/7 streaming news provides a vital source of information for businesses and travelers in the Asia-Pacific region.

Website: www.newsonjapan.com

Country Information 


Location: Asia

Capital City: Tokyo

Other Important Cities: Kyoto,Nagoya, Osaka, Sapporo

Currency: Yen (¥)

Language:  Japanese

Calling Code: +81

Internet TLD: .jp

Electricity: 100V 50Hz

Emergency Numbers:

 

Country Information

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Flag_of_Japan.svg

 

Country Study

lcweb2.loc.gov

Embassy Information


embassy.goabroad.com/embassies-in/japan

Residents Visa and Work Permit information


There are many types of visas depending upon the reason and length of your stay in Japan. For more detailed information, visit www.japan-guide.com

In order to visit Japan, you may need only a valid passport or you may need to apply for a visa become visiting. Temporary visitors from most countries are allowed to stay in Japan for up to 90 days.



Foreigners, who wish to work in Japan, need to apply for an appropriate visa. There are about a dozen types of working visas, each allowing the holder to engage in paid activities only within a defined professional field. For example, there are visas for artists, professors, engineers, instructors and entertainers.



If you change jobs while you are in Japan, you also need to change your status of residence, provided that the new job falls into a different professional field. Most working visas are valid for one or three years and need to be extended before they expire. A prospective employer is needed as sponsor when applying for most types of working visa.



Please contact the Japanese Embassy in your country to ensure you have the correct paperwork to enter the country.



All foreigners, who stay in Japan for more than 90 days, need to apply for an alien registration card within the first 90 days of their stay. Applications can be made at the local municipal office (e.g. city hall). The alien registration card is an important document required for opening a bank account and similar activities. Foreign residents are required to carry their alien registration card with them at all times.



Foreigners, who are married to a holder of a working visa, can apply for a dependent visa. A dependent visa is valid for between three months and three years and needs to beextended before it expires.



Holders of a dependent visa are not allowed to engage in any paid activities, unless they get the permission of the immigration office. Even then, dependent visa holders may work only a set maximum number of hours per week.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs >>



Accommodation


Some of the world's most expensive land can be found in central Tokyo. Consequently, even tiny apartments in the city center are very expensive. However, housing costs are distinctly lower in Tokyo's suburbs, surrounding prefectures and in other regions and cities of Japan. Additional commuting costs are often more than compensated by the savings on the rent, especially as many Japanese companies pay part or all of their employees' commuting expenses.



Apartments are usually rented through real estate agents rather than landlords. Real estate offices can be recognized by listings of available apartments in their show windows. They also advertise on signs in the neighborhood and in various publications.



The rental system of many conventional real estate companies is not very foreigner friendly.



Real estate companies, which specifically target Japan's foreign community, exist mainly in Tokyo and other large metropolitan areas. They offer private and shared apartments for conditions that are much more suitable to the needs of foreigners, and often have staff trained in foreign languages.



For example, they offer rental contracts for much shorter time periods and lower and fewer initial fees than conventional companies. In addition, their apartments are often already furnished, and the cost for utilities may be included in the monthly rent.



Living costs in Japan and especially in Tokyo are famous to be among the world's highest. However, if you live outside of central Tokyo, adjust to a Japanese lifestyle and do not depend too heavily on food and products from your home country, you may be surprised how inexpensive Japan can be. 

Driving License


Japan's large metropolitan areas around Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya are served by highly efficient public transportation systems. Consequently, many residents do not own a car or even a driving license. Outside the big cities, however, public transportation tends to be inconvenient, and most people rely on a car.



In Japan, cars drive on the left side of the road and have the driver's seat and steering wheel on the right. The legal minimum age for driving is 18 years. Road signs and rules follow international standards, and most signs on major roads are in Japanese and English.



Foreigners can drive in Japan with a recognized international driving permit for up to one year. Japan recognizes only international driving permits, which are based on the Geneva Convention of 1949.

Some countries have agreements regarding converting foreign driver’s licenses. If you hold a valid driving license from one of these countries, you can get a Japanese license without taking a written or practical exam. All you need to do is go to the local license center with an official translation of your license, take an eye test and prove that, after obtaining your license, you have lived at least three months in the country where your license had been issued.



If you have a driving license from a different country, you will have to take a written and practical exam in order to obtain a Japanese driving license, a process which typically takes several attempts even in case of experienced drivers.

Owning and operating a car is linked with various considerable expenses, including compulsory inspections (shaken) every two to three years, various taxes, mandatory and optional insurance, high parking costs in cities, and expensive toll expressways. A liter of gasoline is very expensive.



Learn more about owning a car and obtaining a driver’s license at  www.Japan-guide.com

Healthcare


There are basically two types of insurance in Japan. One is the National Health Insurance, the other one is Social Insurance. National Health Insurance is for people who don't have a job, or self-employed. The city you reside cover 70% of your medical expense. And your insurance fee is decided based on your previous year's earning.



Social Insurance is provided by your company, and the fee is usually shared between you and your company.