英語

Foreign
Resident Manual
Helping you avoid getting
caught up in criminal
activity and have
a peaceful and safe time
in Japan.

Tokyo Metropolitan Government

Office for Promotion of Citizen Safety
With Tokyo Regional Immigration
cooperation Metropolitan Police Department
from Services Bureau
 Contents

Introduction P1

Japanese Rules and Manners P2 ～ P5

Japanese Laws to be Aware Of P 6 ～ P 10

Take Care when Riding a Bicycle P11 ～ P13

Take Care when Working P14 ～ P17

About Your Residence Card P18 ～ P20

Reporting Obligations of Mid

to Long-term Residents P21 ～ P24

Who to Call When You Have Problem P25

 Introduction

To foreigners living in Tokyo Metropolitan

Many foreigners live in Tokyo Metropolitan.

However, some foreigners are in trouble with the Japanese due to

differences in language, culture, and lifestyle.

In addition, there are people who do not know the laws of Japan,

and by remembering the wrong things, they do not notice and violate

the law.

In Tokyo Metropolitan, we created this manual to help foreigners

understand the rules, manners and laws of Japan and lead a safe

and secure life.

1
 Japanese Rules and Manners

Throw away garbage in a garbage bin

Do not throw away garbage in the street.

Follow the rules for disposing of garbage

When disposing of garbage pay attention to the day,

time, location and kind of garbage.

Do not dispose of bulky waste illegally.

To dispose of bulky waste, follow the rules

determined by the City Hall where you live.
2
Obey the rules in the rental agreement.

Without permission from the landlord: adding other renters,

renting to other people, renovating the rooms, and keeping
pets are not allowed!
Failure to adhere to the terms of the agreement may result
in an expulsion order.
Do not leave objects in the hallway and stairs.

Other people also use the hallway and stairs outside

the room.
If there are objects you cannot escape in case of fire
or earthquake.

3
 Do not speak loudly or listen to music at high
volumes in your room or in the hallway.

Loud voices and loud sounds will annoy the people around.

If you make a noise, you may be reported to the police and

receive attention from the police officers.

Do not talk on your phone or have loud

conversations on the train or bus.

A voice speaking telephone and loud voices can bother people

on trains and buses.
If you are noisy, you may get in trouble.

Follow rules and manners where people live

and where there are many people.
4
Only those over 20 years old can take alcohol
and smoke.

In Japan, people under the age of 20 (those who are not

20 years old) cannot drink or smoke.

Please smoke in smoking area.

Do not smoke while walking or use it outside of smoking areas.

And you can't throw cigarette butts on the road.
Tokyo bylaws prohibit smoking inside indoor facilities.

5
 Japanese Laws to be Aware Of

Do not share commuter tickets or health insurance

certificates.
Can
I bor
row
that?

H
insuealth
certi rance
fica
te

You are not allowed to use someone else's commuter ticket,

health insurance certificate, or Individual Number Card.
You are not allowed to lend you commuter ticket, health
insurance card, or Individual Number Card to someone else.
This is a violation of the law and you will be punished.

If you find a lost item, bring it to a police box.

You can't make a found wallet, money, cards your property.

This is a violation of the law and you will be punished.

If you lose something, submit a lost item report.

The lost thing will get back when it is found.
6
Shoplifting is a crime.

Shoplifting is taking products from a store without paying

for them.
Stealing, transporting, keeping watch, or helping
someone to get away are all crimes.
Japanese stores have security cameras and security
guards are patroling them.
You must never do shoplifting.
Do not take ride someone else’s bicycle,
even if it is abandoned.

Do not take away on bicycles at stations or roads.

This is a violation of the law and you will be punished.
Do not take vegetables or fruit from someone
else's plot, or steal their livestock.
Do not catch fish or shellfish in rivers or the sea
without permission.
7
 Do not carry dangerous items.

Knives and pepper spray

Do not carry dangerous goods such as knives for no reason.

This is a violation of the law and you will be punished.
The following is not a reason to carry dangerous goods.
● You have it to protect yourself
● Think it’s convenient that is why you have it
● Think it’s fashionable
● Before it was used for work or camping but putting it away
was bothersome so it was just left in the bag

Possession and use of illegal drugs is a crime.

In Japan, the following drugs cannot be possessed or used.

● Stimulant ● Cannabis (marijuana) ● Cocaine
● Heroin ●MDMA ●Dangerous drugs, etc.
Even a single use is a crime.
Never possess or use it.
Bringing it to Japan is also a crime.

8
The following are crimes!
Beware of work that promises easy earnings.

● Selling or transferring cellphones, cash cards or bank books.

● Making contracts for other people including cellphones

or bank accounts.

● Using other people’s credit cards to order products or

services online, etc.

Order

9
 ● Withdrawing money using someone else’s cash card.

PIN code
× × × ×

● Receiving packages in someone else’s name. Forwarding

to someone else or to a designated location.

Forwarding

Receiving packages in someone else’s name Forwarding to a designated location

● Receive envelopes or luggage from other people,

not knowing what is in them and pass it to those who asked it.

Be careful!
These kinds of actions hide organized crime.
People may become accomplices
to crime without realizing it.
Don’t get involved easily just because
it appears to be easy money.
10
Take Care when Riding a Bicycle

When you purchase or receive a bicycle please

perform registration procedures.

When you purchase a bicycle: ▶ Registering as new bicycle is required

When you receive a bicycle: ▶ Registering a change of name is required

You can apply for crime prevention registration at a bicycle dealer, etc.
where the sign for “Bicycle Crime Prevention Registry” is displayed.
To change the name of the crime prevention registration,
you will need a fee, residence card and bicycle security registration
card (if you have one).

Park your bicycle in designated bicycle parking spaces.

If you do not park in a designated location and just park in front

of a station, etc. it will be removed!
To receive your bicycle back after removal, you may need
to pay a fee.
11
 In Japan the same laws apply to bicycles
and cars!

Five rules for safe riding bicycles

１
For bicycles, the road is the rule, the sidewalk
is the exception.

But, in the following situations it is acceptable

to ride a bicycle on the sidewalk.

● When there is a sign on the sidewalk that

says "Normal bicycle sidewalk is allowed"
● When the person riding is a child under 13,
a senior 70 or older, or a person with physical disabilities
● When it is difficult to stay on the left edge of the road
due to construction, etc

２ Ride on the left edge of the road

When passing the road by bicycle, it is the same

left-hand traffic as the car. Right-hand traffic is prohibited.

12
３ Pedestrians have the right of way on sidewalks.
Bicycles keep to the side of the road.

When riding the sidewalk by bicycle, run at a speed that allows

you to stop immediately near the driveway.
If you are blocking the passage of pedestrians, be sure to pause.
４ Obey safety rules

Riding while drunk Riding double Riding side-by-side

is prohibited is prohibited is prohibited

Riding with an open Use a light at night Obey traffic signals at intersections.
umbrella is prohibited. Stop and confirm safety

５ Wear a helmet
Tokyo Metropolitan promotes using helmets
when riding bicycles.

If riding a bicycle in the Tokyo Metropolitan

area, it is necessary to take out insurance
against bodily injury liability.
13
 Take Care when Working

When you work part-time, please receive

permission to engage in non-qualified
activities in advance.

SAMPLE SAMPLE SAMPLE

Foreign nationals are allowed to work in Japan within the limits

of their status of residence as defined by the Immigration
Control and Refugee Recognition Act.
In the following cases, please obtain a permission
to engage in activity other than that permitted under
the status of residence previously granted in advance.
● A person who is not allowed to work in Japan, such as
"Student" or who has a "Family" status of residence,
does a part-time job
● Those who are permitted to work in Japan, such as the
status of residence “Technology, Humanities knowledge,
International services", do a part-time job in addition to the
activities specified in the status of residence

Be careful!
There is a time limit for non-qualified activity permits.
You must not work part-time without receiving permission
from outside the qualification or work part-time without
adhering to the restriction.
This is a violation of the law and you can be
NO!
punished or even deported!

14
If you will work part-time after receiving the permit,
do not work more than 28 hours per week.

28 hours + 20 hours = 48 hours

28 hours maximum!

The total must not exceed 28 hours per week even if in two and
more different locations!
Persons with a “Student” status of residence may work up to 8
hours per day (maximum 40 hours per week) during extended
breaks defined by the school (summer break, winter break, etc.)
If you will work part-time after receiving the permit,
do not work in adult entertainment

You cannot work part-time in the following locations.

●Places such as snacks, cabarets, pubs, cabaret clubs, host clubs, etc.
where a customer is entertained and offered meal and drink
● Gaming centers
● Mahjong shops ● Pachinko parlors ● “Love hotels” ● “Telephone clubs”
● “Deai kissa” ● Adult goods stores
● Adult video stores ● Private room video shops ● Call girl businesses
In such places, you are not allowed work even as a janitor,
dishwasher, waiter, hall staff, etc.
15
 If you work part-time after receiving the permit,
be careful of work similar to adult entertainment.

You should not work in a massage parlour with sexual services

or in a restaurant where you sit next to a customer and have a
conversation or a drink.
Even if any person in the shop says that it is okay, you must not
believe it.
Even if you even didn’t know that you worked in adult entertain-
ment, you may be punished or deported.

You are not allowed to work part-time if you leave your school.

After an international student leaves school due to withdrawal or

removal from school, he / she cannot work part-time.
Even if the period of residence status and Non-qualification
Activity Permit remain, part-time job is not allowed.
If you work part-time after leaving school, you may be punished
or forcibly deported from Japan.

16
Beware of work that asks for a registration fee.

There is a crime that introduces a part-time job to a foreigner

who lied and cheated money as a registration fee.
Beware of those who ask for money, such as registration fees
and referral fees.

Do not offer your home as accommodation for

a fee without permission.

In order to receive money and allow travelers to stay at home, it

is necessary to obtain permission from a health center, etc., or to
notify a prefectural government or municipalities.
If you manage an accommodation facility without permission,
you will be punished.

17
 Your Residence Card

Always have your residence card with you

when out of your home.

Always
carrried

The residence card is issued to foreigners who stay in Japan for

a long time.
You must always carry the residence card.
Not keeping a residence card with you is a violation of the law
and you may be fined.
You must keep a residence card with you, even if you have
another identification card, such as a passport or health insur-
ance certificates.

Those who are eligible for a resident card ("Mid to Long-term

Residents") are those who do not fall under any of the
following ① to ⑥.
❶ Persons with a period of stay of up to three months.
❷ Persons with a “Temporary Visitor” Status of Residence.
❸ Persons with a “Diplomat” or “Offi cial” Status of Residence
❹ Officials of Taiwan Japan Relations Associations office in
Japan (such as Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative
Office, etc.), or the General Department of Palestine in Japan
or their family members.
❺ Special permanent residents
❻ Those who do not have a status of residence
18
Please show it when you are requested
by police or an official from the Immigration
Services Agency to present your Residence Card.

Show

Foreigners are obliged to show their residence card when police

officers etc. request them to present their residence card.
You will be punished if you do not present your residence card
in response to a request from a police officer.

Residence cards have a validity period.

Check here!

● Status of residence "Permanent resident" / "Class 2 Highly Skilled Professional"

Older than 16 years of age: 7 years from the date of grant
Younger than 16 years of age: till 16th birthday
● Residents other than "Class 2 Highly Skilled Professional"
Older than 16 years: Until the expiration date of your stay
Under 16 years of age (until the expiration date of your stay or your 16th
birthday), whichever comes first
19
 If you have lost your Residence Card,
immediately apply at the Immigration Services
Agency to have it reissued.

Loss

To apply for a reissue, you will need a proof of loss (lost certifi-
cate, stolen certificate, disaster certificate, etc.), passport, and
photo. Ask your local immigration and immigration office in
advance.
If you do not apply within 14 day, you may be punished.

Do not lend or transfer your Residence Card.

Do not lend it! Do not transfer it!

Do not lend or hand over your residence card if you know it will
be misused.
Even if your residence card has expired, you must not lend it.
This is a violation of the law and you can be punished or deported.

Beware of counterfeit or modified Residence Cards!

Foreigners who have a forged or altered residence card
for the purpose of exercising may be punished or deported
even if they have status of residence!
NO!
20
 Reporting Obligations
of Mid to Long-term Residents
Mid to Long-term Residents are required
to report their municipalities and Immigration
Services Agency of their Japanese address
and the organization they belong to (company,
shop, school, etc.).

窓口

Medium to Long-term Residents must submit a notification as

required by the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act.
● Address location ● Name, date of birth, nationality / region, gender
● Affiliated organization (activity organization, contract organization) ※
● Divorce from a spouse, death of a spouse ※
※ Notifications regarding affiliated institutions and spouses are determined
by the target person.
Failure to fulfill the notification obligations or filing a false lie may
result in punishment or cancellation of your status of residence.

If you have not fulfilled the notification obligation,

● Application for change of status of residence
● Application for permission to renew the period of stay
● When applying for a permanent residence permit, you may be negatively
evaluated and may be punished.

21
 After entering Japan, if you decide where you
live or change your place of residence, be sure
to notify your municipal office of your new address.

Address
is determined

Address changes

A resident card is required to submit a new address to the

municipalities.

If you get married or in other cases when

there is a change to your name, birthdate,
nationality or gender, notify the Immigration
Bureau immediately.

Name, nationality,
etc. change

When submitting a notification to the Immigration Services

Agency, you will need a passport, a photo, a residence card, and
other materials to prove that your name has changed.

22
If you drop out of school or change your company,
notify the Immigration Services Agency immediately.

Graduation,
enrollment,
transfer, withdrawal
from school, etc.

Job change,
retirement, etc.

The following status of residence is required for notification.

Professor, Highly Skilled Professional, Business Manager, Legal /
Accounting services, Medical services, Instructor, Intra-company
Transferee, Technical Intern Training, Student, Researcher,
Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services, Nursing,
Entertainer, Skilled labor, Specified skilled worker

The following reasons are required for notification.

● Name change, location change, disappearance of organization such as
school or company to which you belong
● Withdrawal and transfer from organizations such as schools and compa-
nies to which you belong
● Termination of contract with a contracted organization such as a company,
conclusion of a new contract

Failure to fulfill notification requirements or filing a lie will result in

punishment.

23
 If you are a resident with a status of residence
such as "Family stay”, "Spouse” etc. of Japanese",
or "Spouse of a permanent resident etc.", please
notify the Immigration Services Agency immediately
if you are divorced or widowed.
け
り こん とど

Divorce,
death of
a spouse

The person who is obliged to report is the person whose

activities as a spouse are the basis of the status of residence.
Others are not eligible. If you are divorced or your spouse died,
you must submit a report to the Immigration Services Agency as
well as to the municipalities (notice of divorce and death of a
spouse).
Failure to fulfill the notification obligations or false notifications will
result in punishment.

Notifications such as changes to the organization

to which you belong, and divorce or death of
a spouse can also be made via the Internet.
Please search here.

Immigration Services Agency electronic Search

notification system

https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/publications/materials/i-ens_index.html

24
 Who to call
When You Have Problems
In an emergency
For crime or accidents For fires, sickness or injury
▼ ▼
Dial 110 Dial 119

For information about status of residence, etc.

Immigration Information Center
Dial 0570-013904
(Weekdays 8:30 to 17:15)
Assistance available in English, Korean, Chinese,
Spanish, Portuguese, Tagalog, Vietnamese!

For more information about residency for foreign nationals

Foreign Residents Support Center
(Tokyo Regional Immigration Services Bureau)
Tel: 03-5363-3025 (Reservation only)
(Weekdays 9:00 to 17:00)
Reservation form:
http://www.moj.go.jp/isa/support/fresc/fresc_2.1.html
Address: Yotsuya Tower 13F, 1-6-1 Yotsuya, Shinjuku City, Tokyo

For information about daily life

Tokyo Metropolitan Foreign Residents' Advisory Center
Language Available Tel.
English Mondays to Fridays 03-5320-7744
Chinese Tuesdays and Fridays 03-5320-7766
Korean Wednesdays 03-5320-7700
Consultation times: 9:30 to 12:00, 13:00 to 17:00
25
 Foreign Resident Manual

This manual is available in multiple languages.

It can be downloaded free of charge from
the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Office
for Promotion of Citizen safety website.

Foreign Resident Manual Search

https://www.tomin-anzen.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/chian/chiankaizen/gaikokujin/zairyuumanyuaru/index.html
Issued by: Tokyo Metropolitan Government Office
Headquarter/General Promotion Headquarter/Security
Measures Section-2-8-1- Nishi-Shinjuku-ku, Shinjuku-ku,
Tokyo 163-8001
☎ 03-5388-2279
2022年3月発行 印刷物登録番号

英語版 （ 3 ）40