Job Discussion Forums

RandCiel · Joined: 24 Sep 2004 Posts: 9 Location: Nishinasuno

Hey everyone. I've heard from a lot of teachers that most services in Japan are unavailable to you until you get an Alien Registration Card (cable TV, Internet service in your home, cell phones), thus I'd like to get one as soon as possible after I arrive.

My question is: Is this the type of process I could handle on my own? Do I need to take a Japanese coworker with me (my Japanese ability is conversational)?

I'd like to take care of it a couple days after I get there. Any input would be appreciated.

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

Sounds like you already have a job lined up. I'm surprised that your employer hasn't mentioned this vital necessity yet.

You have to go the nearest ward office to your apartment in order to sign up for the alien registration card. If you are interested in getting national health insurance, you can do this at the same place on the same day. In both cases, you will be given temporary cards to hold until the real ones come in a couple of weeks.

It might be a good idea to take a Japanese person with you to help.

RandCiel · Joined: 24 Sep 2004 Posts: 9 Location: Nishinasuno

They have mentioned it to me, I had just hoped to get some more info about the process of applying, the application, and whether the clerk might know enough english that I could handle it myself. I'd like to get it done as soon as possible, rather than wait for a coworker to have some free time.

Celeste · Posted: Sun Oct 17, 2004 12:20 am Post subject:

It is very easy to do. You might be able to fill out the forms by yourself because the ward office might have a multilingual sample form there. As best I can remember the form is in English and Japanese. You may have trouble communicating with the desk clerk, though. I took a co-worker to get his alien registration card a couple of months ago, and it wasn't too bad, but he told me that he didn't feel he would have been able to handle it by himself straight off the plane. ( I think that when you arrive you may feel a bit overwhelmed by the newness of everything and need a helping hand from a co-worker or employer for a week or so)

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

I really think your employer should help you out with this and not a big hassle for them either.

Nagoyaguy · Joined: 15 May 2003 Posts: 425 Location: Aichi, Japan

One thing to be careful of is the random "carding" that lots of Japanese businesses like to do. I have been asked for my alien card at my gym, video store, post office, hotels, etc. I refuse to provide it in all cases, of course. Your alien card contains lots of sensitive and private information that is frankly none of the above mentioned businesses business.

I show them my driver's licence if they insist on something with a photo, or my health insurance book if they want my address. This happens in a lot of situations. Reality is that only the police or immigration officers have a right to see your alien card. It has your passport number and expiry, visa type and expiry and sponsor, home AND business addresses, and so on. Information that the pimply faced clerk at ABC Video does not need.

Worst is when they actually want to photocopy it! Happened at my gym, crazy. I went with a coworker (Japanese). THEY could sign up with no hassles, no checks. They wanted to photocopy my alien card. Why? "ja, gaikokujin no keesu wa...." Crap. If you want my business, treat me like a customer.

Eleckid · Joined: 03 Jun 2004 Posts: 102 Location: Aichi, Japan

It's easy to get. But first you must know your full home & work address, postal code & all. Write these addresses down as well as your phone # before you go, or have someone write the addresses down in Japanese so you can just give it to the staff & they'll help you fill. Bring along 2 passport size photos with your passport & visa. I think that's it, but bring a hanko just incase (I didn't need it for mine). I went to the city hall that was like 3 min bike ride. I went by myself. The ppl there couldn't really speak English but they could say & point a few things for the forms. I just went there & spoke English to them & they'll find someone who can speak a little for you. Just tell them that you're here for the gaijin card & it shouldn't be a problem. Remember to look for the sign (probably the only sign in English) that says "For Foreigners". They usually help you fill out & it won't take long~ it takes about 3 weeks to get your actual card. Heck, I couldn't use the phone or internet for 1 month! Good thing I had free cable~ It'd be best if a person who speaks Japanese can go with you, saves a bit of time.

David W · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Posts: 457 Location: Japan

RandCiel · Joined: 24 Sep 2004 Posts: 9 Location: Nishinasuno

Wow, thanks for the outpouring of input everyone. I'll take it all into account.

Plus: Eleckid, how would a foreigner get one of those stamps? I thought they were only for natives and foreigners always just give their signature.

Sadken · Joined: 11 Aug 2004 Posts: 341

Personally I think that the fact that the Japanese government is allowing the ownership and registration of aliens is highly concerning. We have all seen the mess they made of poor John Hurt and keeping one as a domestic pet is sheer madness.

Boom and, indeed, boom.

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

Sadken,
What are you talking about...ownership? You are an alien in a foreign land, just like someone would be in your own country, and THEY require a form of identification like an alien registration card, don't they? That's not ownership, that's just keeping track of legal entries.

RandCiel,
You don't need a hanko to get your alien card. Most people sign up for the alien card the day after they land, so there is no time to get one anyway. You'll get one from your bank after your employer sets up your bank account for you, so he can pay you with automatic deposit. If you want a more personalized one for other reasons, just find any old hanko shop, pay 2000 yen, and get one. You can get it registered at the ward office for official documents, if you like.

TokyoLiz · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1548 Location: Tokyo, Japan

Sadken,

Lots of countries require a legal identification card/number for their own nationals in country. My Korean students in Vancouver showed me their official national id. I believe the Swiss government requires a national id card, too.

In Canada, a driver's license is required for most transactions that require contracts. If the customer isn't a licensed driver, there is always a legal id card which is issued on request by the province you reside in.

The gaikokujin torokusho - alien registration card - relieves us of the burden of carrying a passport everywhere. It's just good sense to have such a thing.

Eleckid · Joined: 03 Jun 2004 Posts: 102 Location: Aichi, Japan

David W · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Posts: 457 Location: Japan

Li-ka · Joined: 21 Mar 2004 Posts: 52

Just thought I'd add... I went in for my gaijin card the day after I arrived. I don't speak much Japanese (not even at a conversational level... more like I can ask a few questions and hunt for a few words in the answers) and I understood the clerks just fine. Make sure you have your employer's address and phone number and your passport with you. Mine took a whole month (exactly) to process, but you can ask for a certificate the day you apply that has your name and address. You'll need one for each account you want to sign up for: bank, video rental, internet, cell phone (if you can't find a place that takes credit cards). Most places will accept the certificate, I think. You just have to fill out a short form and pay 300yen for each one. I didn't need a hanko, not even to open my bank account, but that might be because my employer opened the account for me. I just used my signature. Don't forget your passport when you go to get your gaijin card!

Good luck (c: