In an Emergency

1. Police (110)
   
2. Fire and Ambulance (119)
   

1. Fire
   
2. Earthquakes
   
3. Typhoons
   

Procedure When Taking Residency in Japan

1. Types of Procedure
   
2. Status of Residence List
   

1. Initial Registration
   
2. Re-application (confirmation) for Certificate of Alien Registration
   
3. Re-issuance of the Certificate in Case It has been Damaged
   
4. Re-issuance of the Certificate in Case It has been Stolen
   
5. Report of Change in Registered Matters
   

1. Notice of Birth
   
2. Notice of Death
   
3. Notice of Marriage
   

1. General Housing
   
2. Public Housing
   

1. Electricity
   
2. Water Supply
   
3. Gas
   

1. Collection of Garbage
   
2. Sorting of Garbage
   

1. Moving-out
   
2. Notice of Removal

In an Emergency

[1] Emergency Calls

1. Police (110)
   To report traffic accidents or crimes to the police, dial 110.
   Phrases to remember:
   • "Jiko-desu" --- "There was an accident"
     
   • "Dorobo-desu" --- "There was a theft"

   If possible, tell the operator when and where and what happened as precisely as you can, along with your name, address and phone number.
   
   
2. Fire and Ambulance (119)
   To report a fire or call an ambulance, dial 119. When the operator answers, specify if it's a fire or if you need an ambulance.
   Phrases to remember:
   • Kaji-desu --- "It's a fire"
     
   • Kyu-kyu-desu --- "An ambulance, please"

   Tell the operator where it is happening precisely along with your name and contact number and/or address. Ambulances are strictly for emergencies only --- do not call one when you can go to a hospital on your own.
   
   

[2] Fire, Earthquake, Typhoon

1. Fire
   If a fire occurs, shout "Kaji-da (fire!)" as loud as you can so the neighbours know, and call 119 to report it to the fire station. Tell the operator the following:
   
   • Location of the fire
     
   • What is on fire
     
   • If there are people trapped by the fire
     
   • If they are wounded
     
   
   ąŁTo Avoid Fire Accidents
   
   • Do not forget to check electricity and gas equipment before you go to bed, or when you go out. Be especially careful of heaters in winter.
     
   • When cooking, especially when frying something, do not leave the stove. If you have to leave it, make sure you turn it off.
     
   • Apartment buildings and boarding houses are equipped with red fire extinguishers. As this helps put out small fires, it is important to ask your superintendent about how to use them.
     
   
   
2. Earthquakes
   
   1. Be prepared for quakes
      Earthquakes happen in Japan more often than in many other countries. Be prepared to avoid panic in case they occur. The following is advisable:
      
      • Do not place heavy and/or fragile things on chests of drawers and/or shelves, etc.
        
      • Place heavy and/or fragile furniture safely against walls.
        
      • Be especially careful around fire-operated equipment --- stoves, heaters, etc., --- so that flammable objects do not fall on them if an earthquake occurs.
        
      • Know the location of your place of refuge and escape route to it.
        
      • Talk with your family/friends and agree where to meet after taking refuge, in case you get separated at the time of a quake.
        
      • Prepare emergency flash lights and a portable radio as quakes often cut electricity.
        
      • Prepare emergency food, drink, drugs, and first-aid kits.
        
      
      
   2. If a Quake Happen...
      An earthquake does not last more than one minute. Do not panic, and keep the following in mind.
      
      • First turn off equipment such as stoves and heaters.
        
      • Distance yourself from possibly falling furniture, and protect your body by kneeling under a desk or table.
        
      • Open window(s) or door(s), and obtain at least one exit route.
        
      • Try to put shoes on as broken pieces of glass and other objects may be all over the street.
        
      • If a fire is generating smoke, cover your mouth and nose with a wet cloth and bend your upper body down when escaping.
        
      • Do not go close to narrow paths, cliffs, or river banks.
        
      • Escape on foot with the minimum of belongings.
        
      • Follow reliable information on TV and radio.
        
      • Escape to your place of refuge.
        Even after the first shock has gone, aftershocks will last a little while, and often it is safer not to go back home right away. It is important to listen to the most reliable information sources.
        
   
   
3. Typhoons
   Throughout Japan typhoons occur during the period from June to September. With strong wind and rain, in some areas landslides and floods have been reported. The following are tips to avoid damage from typhoons:
   
   • Strengthen your glass windows, and close rain doors and shutters before a typhoon is expected to arrive.
     
   • Take inside light-weight objects that can be blown away by the typhoon.
     
   • Sometimes typhoons cause power cuts. Prepare emergency flash lights and a portable radio.
     
   • Try to get appropriate information from TV and/or radio before a typhoon is expected to arrive.
     

Procedure When Taking Residency in Japan

[1] Status of Residence

1. Types of Procedure
   You have to get permission from an immigration office under the following cases.
   
   ąŁ Changing Status
   
   • Permission to Engage in an Activity Other Than That Permitted by the Status of Residence Previously Granted
     Permission is required when a foreign national desires to engage in an activity, such as a part time job from which the person gets financial reward, other than that permitted under his/her status of residence.

   • Permission to Change Status of Residence
     Permission is required when a foreign national desires to cease his/her present activity which falls under his/her status of residence and to engage in an altogether new activity which falls under another status of residence, for example as a result of entrance to a school or company, or marriage.
     
   
   ąŁ Extending Stay
   
   • Permission to Extend Period of Stay
     Permission is required when a foreign national desires to remain in Japan under the same status of residence and beyond the period of stay granted for the purpose of engaging in the same activity. Applications for extending the period of stay is available one month before the expiration of permission.
     
   
   ąŁ Re-entering
   
   • Re-entry Permission
     Permission is required when a foreign national desires to re-enter Japan to continue his/her residence after a temporary leave from Japan, i.e. for a visit home in vacation, during the authorized period of stay. Re-entry permission is valid up unit one year, and it must not exceed the authorized period of stay.
     
   
   ąŁ Other Procedures
   
   • Permission to Acquire Status of Residence
     Permission if required when a foreign national who was born in Japan or who has renounced Japanese nationality desires to continue to stay in Japan.

   • Permission for Permanent Residency
     This permission is required when a foreign national desires to change his/her status of residence from temporary to permanent or to acquire permanent resident status. You have to meet certain conditions in order to apply for this.
     
   
   
2. Status of Residence List
   
   • Status of Foreign Nationals Who are Permitted to Work in Japan under Rules of Each Status
     Diplomats, government officials, professors, artists, religious activists, journalists, investors/business administrators, people engaging in legal/accounting services, medical services, researchers, educators, engineers, specialists in humanities and international services, company transferees, entertainers, skilled labourers.
     
     
   • Status of Foreign National Who are Not Permitted to Work in Japan (some working may be permitted by acquiring Permission to Engage in an Activity Other Than That Permitted by the Status of Residence Previously Granted)
     Cultural activists, temporary visitors, students, trainees, dependents.
     
     
   • Status of Foreign Nationals Whose Eligibility to Work are Determined by the Contents of What He/She has been Granted
     Designated activities (Working Holiday Visa, and five others)
     
     
   • Status of Foreign Nationals who are Eligible for All activities
     Permanent residents, spouses of Japanese, spouses of permanent residents, children of residents under Law no. 126 of 1952, long term residents.
     
   
   Kyoto Branch, Osaka Immigration Office
   4F Kyoto Chiho Dai-ni Godo Cho-sya 34-12, Higashi-marutamachi, Marutamachi Kawabata Higashi-iru, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606
   Tel: 075-752-5997 Fax: 075-762-2121
   
   ąŁ Access
   
   • By train: get off at Marutamachi Stn. on the Keihan Line, and walk 500 m to the east on the north side Marutamachi Street.
     
   • By bus: get off at Kumano Jinja-mae.
     
   *Do not use a car as the parking space is limited.
   

[2] Alien Registration

• Newly entered foreign nationals who intend to stay in Japan for 90 days or longer.
  
• Foreign nationals who were born in Japan
  
• Foreign nationals who have lost Japanese nationality
  

1. Initial Registration
   
   1. Foreign Nationals Who are 16 Years and Older
      You must register within 90 days of the day your entrance to Japan was permitted, or within 60 days of the day you lost your Japanese nationality.

      [Necessary Documents]

      • Application Form for Certificate of Alien Registration (to be found at a local government office)
        
      • Passport
        
      • Two photos (4.5 x 3.5 cm, the same kind as the one on the passport, taken within 6 months of the registration data)
        
      
      For foreign nationals who are 16 years old and under, his/her parent or guardian must substitute for the application procedure. When he/she turns 16, the actual person must apply with all the necessary documents within 30 days of his/her birthday.

   2. Newly-born Infants
      Newly-born infants must be registered within 60 days of his/her birth.

      [Necessary Documents]

      • Birth certificate
        
      • Passport (if available)

      The Certificate of Alien Registration is issued after application. Go back to the office to obtain it. Foreign nationals who are 16 years and older must constantly carry the Certificate with him/her.

2. Re-application (confirmation) for Certificate of Alien Registration
   Foreign nationals who are 16 years and older must reapply or confirm the facts mentioned on the certificate within 30 days after the fifth birthday form the initial registration or previous confirmation.

   [Necessary Documents]

   • Application Form for Confirmation of Registration
     
   • Certificate of Alien Registration
     
   • Passport
     
   • Two photographs

3. Re-issuance of the Certificate in Case It has been Damaged
   In case the Certificate of Alien Registration has been damaged, reapply for a new Certificate at the local government office.

   [Necessary Documents]
   

   • *Same as above

4. Re-issuance of the Certificate in Case It has been Stolen
   If the Certificate gets lost or stolen, the incident must be reported to the police. The police will issue a number for your report of the lost property. Write the number on the Application Form for Issuance of the Certificate of Alien Registration and resister a the local government office. This registration must be conducted within 14 days of the day of loss or theft.

   [Necessary Documents]
   

   • Application Form for Issuance of the Certificate of Alien Registration
     
   • Passport
     
   • Two photographs

5. Report of Change in Registered Matters
   A change in your name, nationality, occupation, address, or period of stay must be reported within 14 days of the day the change occurred.

   [Necessary Documents]

   • Application Form
     
   • Certificate of Alien Registration
     
   • At least one authorized item as a proof of the change.

[3] Notice of Birth, Marriage and Death

1. Notice of Birth
   When a new infant is born, you must submit a Report of Birth within 14 days of the birth. This registration may be necessary for the child to acquire the nationality from its country of nationality.
   If the parent(s) intend to stay in Japan for 60 days or longer after the birth of the child, they must acquire Status of Residence for the child within 30 days of its birth, and register it as an alien within 60 days of the birth.
   If mother and father have different nationalities, the birth must be reported to both countries.
   
   
2. Notice of Death
   Death must be reported to the local government office by the deceased's family within 7 days of the death. It must be accompanied with a death certificate made by the attending doctor.
   The Certificate of Alien Registration of the deceased has to be returned to the local government office.
   If cremation or burial is to be conducted in his/her country of nationality or other countries, ask the embassy or consulate. If cremation or burial is to be conducted within Japan, ask the local government office for permission. Generally burial is illegal in Japan with some exceptions.
   
   
3. Notice of Marriage
   Conditions under which marriage status is established vary according to nations. In case of international marriages, the husband and wife must meet the conditions laid by both his and her countries.
   To acquire marriage status within Japan, you must submit a Notice of Marriage to the local government office in the place of your residence, and have it screened and accepted.
   
   

Housing and Services

[1] Housing

1. General Housing
   It is suggested that you consult with a real estate agent(s) when you intent do rent an apartment or house. These agents can tell you such things as distance between the interested residence and train/bus stations, lay-out and equipment of the residence, and can take you to the prospective location. Note that in many cases you have to pay the following when you rent an apartment/house.

   Rent (yachin): In Japan rent is usually paid on a monthly basis. If you start your tenancy in the middle of the month, rent is allocated by the day and multiplied by the number of days you will stay or have stayed.

   Deposit (shikikin): Your landlord keeps the deposit, but in Japan no interest is added. The deposit will be returned when you vacate your residence. However, fees for the repair(s) of damaged equipment and unpaid bills for utilities are subtracted if the tenant vacated the residence leaving these unpaid.

   Entering charge (reikin): You pay this to the landlord when making a contract, and this will not be returned.

   Agent fee (reikin): Real estate agent fee.

   Management fee (kanri-hi): For elevators, janitors, and utilities, etc. Some landlords do not charge this fee, or it is already included in you rent.

   Reservation deposit (tetsuke-kin): You pay this in order to keep your residence prior to your tenancy period. This will not be returned to you if you terminate your contract without proper agreement.

   • Note that you should prepare the equivalent money of 5 - 10 months rent before you start your tenancy.
     
   • In many cases, renting an apartment/house is based on a 2-year contract, and your landlord can raise the rent at the time of the contract renewal. If you wish to vacate your residency prior to your contract, give notice at least one month in advance.
     
   • In most cases, you are not permitted to renovate your rented residence.
     
   
   [Tips for House/Apartment Hunting]
   These marks stand for the following:

   1K: One room and kitchen (or part of the room)
   2DK: Two rooms and a dining kitchen room
   2LDK: Two rooms, one living room and a dining kitchen room

   The size of the room is specified by the number of tatami mats, i.e. a room with 6 tatami mats is called "roku (six) jo (tatami)" and 3 tatami mats "san (three) jo." The size of one tatami mat is usually 1.8 x 0.9 m.
   
   

2. Public Housing
   Other than residences dealt with by real estate agents, there are public residences managed by local governments and/or organization. To take tenancy in these establishments, you must meet some conditions. For more information, contact the following:

   Housing Division, Dep. of Public Works and Construction, Kyoto Prefecture: Tel: 075-414-5366

   Kyoto Prefectural Housing Loan and Management Corporation: Tel: 075-432-2011

   Kyoto Boshu Centre, Housing and Urban Development and Cooperation: Tel: 075-255-0499
   

[2] Public Services

1. Electricity
   [Applying and Cancelling]
   Contact the closest service centre of Kansai Denryoku (Kansai Electric Power Co., Inc.) by phone, and a service person will come to your residence.

   [Initial Set-up of Electricity]
   In your residence, you will find a switchboard(s), usually on a wall at the entrance or kitchen. Turn on the breaker equipped in it (them). You will find a post card near the breaker. On it, write down your address, name, etc. and deposit it in a mail box.

   [Electric Appliances]
   In Japan, two major electric frequencies are used. In Kyoto 60 Hz and 100 V are used. Using incompatible electric appliances may cause damage. Be careful especially when you intend to use appliances brought from abroad.

   [Payment]
   The electric power company figures out the monthly fee by checking your meter. There are three ways of payment:

   1. Pay at a bank or post office counter (furikomi)
      
   2. Pay the bill collector
      
   3. Use your bank/post office's automatic transfer system

   Automatic transfer systems can be used for gas, water, telephone, NHK subscription fees and taxes for local governments as well. Ask a teller in your home branch.

   [Cancelling or Transferring]
   Call your electric power company a few days prior to your vacating day at the latest, and pay all the bills that are due.

   Note:
   If your usage of electricity at one time exceeds that which is standardized, the breaker functions to cut power in your room or house. If this occurs, turn off some appliances and switch the breaker on again.
   
   

2. Water Supply
   [Applying and Cancelling]
   Go to the water supply service-related section at your local government office (you may do this by telephone). Change of the user's name(s) must be reported as well. Note that some government offices charge you at the time of application.
   *In some cases, your landlord or superintendent will conduct the above procedure.

   [Payment]
   Water usage is charged bi-monthly. A collector can come to your door, or you can use a bank/post offices' automatic transfer system. In areas equipped with drainage, additional fees are charged according to the amount of water you have used.

   [Tap Water is Safe to Drink]
   In Japan, tap water is purified by the system managed by the local governments and is safe to drink.
   
   

3. Gas
   Generally there are two types of gas --- city gas and LP gas (propane gas). Find out which type is used in your residence.
   
   
   1. City Gas
      [Applying and Cancelling]
      Make an application for the initial set-up by contacting your are Osaka Gas service centre. You can also apply for installation by telephone. Give your gas usage number, name, address and phone number and a service person will come to your residence. You must be home when the service person is opening the gas operation system. Also, make sure to contact Osaka Gas when you want to cancel. A service person will come to your residence. At this time make the rest of the payment.

      [Gas Appliances]
      The kind of gas used in Kyoto is 13A. Make sure you use appropriate appliances. If you use old and/or used appliances, have an Osaka Gas service person check it before you use it.

      [Payment]
      Charged monthly.
      
      

   2. LP Gas
      
      • Contact the sales shop whose name you can find on a tag hanging from the meter. Both opening and closing can be done over the phone.
        
      • Payment: Your shop checks the meter and charges you.
        
      • LP gas appliances are standardized all over Japan, whereas city gas-compatible appliances are not.
        
      • Make sure to have a service person check the appropriateness of the appliances before you use them.

      
      
   3. Beware of the Following for Your Safety
      
      • Visually check that the flame is ON or OFF.
        
      • Make sure to turn the gas off at the mains before you go out or go to bed.
        
      • In Japan, bathtub water is often heated by gas. Make sure there is enough water in the bath before
        
      • heating, and that there are no leaks.
        
      • Make sure to ventilate while gas is in use.

   4. If You Smell Gas...
      Open the windows and doors wide --- while city gas is lighter than the air and easily spreads out, propane gas is heavier and tends to stink to the floor. Use a broom, etc. to sweep out the gas.
      • Switch gas off at the mains.
        
      • Contact your Osaka Gas service centre.
        
      • Do not touch the switches on electrical appliances.

   Note:
   In order to pay your bill, you can use the automatic transfer system of a bank/post office. Be aware that there is an additional charge for late payment.
   

[3] Garbage

1. Collection of Garbage
   The systems vary according to area. Ask your neighbours and/or the local government office about:
   • Collecting days, time and place.
     
   • How and when to have large-size garbage, i.e. furniture, collected.
     
   • About combustible and incombustible garbage.
     
   • Recyclable waste types and collecting days.

2. Sorting of Garbage
   Generally garbage must be sorted out in the following way.
   • Combustible
     
   • Kitchen waste, paper, dust, etc.
     
   • Incombustible
     
   • Tin, cans, pottery, etc.
     
   • Large size
     
   • Electric appliances, furniture, bicycles, etc.
     
   • Toxic
     
   • Batteries, chemicals, etc.
     
   • Recyclable
     
   • Aluminum cans, paper, glass, etc.

[4] Moving

1. Moving-out
   Service companies can take care of your moving procedures. Call them and they can give you a cost estimate. Many of them have overseas carrying services as well.
   Prices vary according to the type of service you wish to purchase. Ask the service company.
   
   
2. Notice of Removal
   The following procedures must be undertaken when you change your address.
   
   

   Type	Before removal		After removal
   Alien registration			Report of change of address at the local government office
   Electricity and gas	Contact both current and prospective service centres by phone and let them know the date of changing residence.
   Water supply	Contact both current and prospective service centres by phone and let them know the date of changing residence.
   Postage mail	Get a form of Notice of Change of Address at a post office, fill it in and post it. They will forward mail for one year.
   Phone	Contact the NTT service office in your new are by phone and ask for a transfer set-up.
   Elementary and junior high schools	Contact the current school and get a "zaiko shomei-sho", a certificate that proves the student is in school.	After completing the report of change of address for your alien registration, designate a school that the student would attend at the board Education, and present the "Zaiko Shome-sho" certificate to the designated school.
   Banking	Cancel the automatic transfer system for bills for telephone, electricity, gas, water, etc.
   Driver's license		After completing the report of change of address for your alien registration, report the change to the police. If you move to a different prefecture, an accompanying photo is necessary.