City News Shinagawa

It’s Moving Season!

In Japan, March is moving season—many people move near to the location of their new place of employment or school with the start of the new fiscal year in April.
In this issue, we describe the main procedures that must be completed by those who are moving into or out of the city.
Shinagawa City Office accepts notification forms for foreign resident registration and National Health Insurance on Sundays as well, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Completing Foreign Resident Registration Procedures
Initial registration: If you plan to live in Japan for 90 days or longer, you must complete foreign resident registration procedures within 90 days of entering the country. You must bring your passport and two identical photos (4.5 cm high × 3.5 cm wide, taken within the last six months, upper body, full face, and no hat). Those under 16 years of age, however, do not need photos.　Those who are 16 years of age or older must apply in person. For those who are under 16 years of age, a family member of the same household who is 16 years of age or older should complete the application procedures on the person’s behalf.
Registering a change in address: Please bring your foreign resident registration card to the municipal office and complete the necessary procedures within 14 days of moving. If you move within the city, you must also do this. An application can be made by the applicant him/herself or by someone in the same household who is 16 years of age or older.
Note: If you move from Shinagawa to another municipality, please complete the change of address procedures at the foreign resident registration desk at the municipal office responsible for the area you have moved to.
Note: You must also complete the necessary procedures for registering any other changes that occur in your already registered details. For example, if there is a change in your visa status or period of stay, you must bring your passport and foreign resident registration card to the municipal office and have the changes registered. Please contact the municipal office for more information on the registration procedures for other changes.
Inquiries: Foreign Resident Registration Subsection, Family Register and Residents Registry Section
(City Assembly Building 3F)
Tel: 5742-6658

The National Pension Is Also for Foreign Residents
Registered foreign residents who are between 20 and 59 years of age must enroll in the National Pension program. If the eligibility period (a minimum of 25 years) has been fulfilled, you are entitled to receive the Basic Elderly Pension from the age of 65.
However, those who are enrolled in an employee pension program at a Japanese company, etc., do not need to enroll in the National Pension program.
The cost for National Pension premiums (FY2009) is ¥14,660 per month.
Note: There is a Lump-Sum Withdrawal benefit. Please call for more information.
Inquiries: National Pension Subsection, NHI and Pension Section (Hon Chosha 4F) (National Pension Subsection, NHI, Medical Care and Pension Section from April)
Tel: 5742-6684

Remember to Participate in the National Health Insurance Program
The National Health Insurance program is a system that protects the health of participants through mutual assistance. You must submit a notice to the program within 14 days of any of the situations indicated in the table. Please make registration changes at the NHI and Pension Section.
You are responsible for paying insurance premiums from the day you become eligible. If you are late in submitting your application, you will be charged for insurance premiums retroactively. Please note that you must pay all medical costs charged before you submit an application to join. Also, if you are late in submitting a withdrawal notice, your date of becoming ineligible to receive benefits will be officially recognized as the day you enrolled in the health insurance program used at your place of employment, etc. You will be required to reimburse the city for any medical/prescription fees paid by the National Health Insurance program during the period of ineligibility.
◆ Please note that if you are employed by a corporate body, you must enroll in both the employee pension scheme and the health insurance scheme that your place of employment subscribes to and cannot enroll in the National Health Insurance program at the municipal office.

Inquiries: Qualification Subsection, NHI and Pension Section (Hon Chosha 4F) (Qualification Subsection, NHI, Medical Care and Pension Section from April)
Tel: 5742-6676

	In this situation	To register, you will need
To join the program	When you move to Shinagawa	Foreign resident registration card and passport
	When you withdraw from the employee health insurance program	Proof of withdrawal from the employee health insurance program, foreign resident registration card
	Birth of a child (application for a lump-sum birth allowance)	Mother and Child Health Handbook, foreign resident registration card, bank passbook of the head of the household, name seal
To withdraw from the program	When you move out of Shinagawa	Health insurance card
	When you join the employee health insurance program	Health insurance card, health insurance card from workplace
	When you leave the country	Health insurance card, airplane ticket or other verification of departure date
	Death (application for a lump-sum funeral allowance)	Health insurance card, bank passbook of the chief mourner, receipt from the funeral company
Other situations	When you move within Shinagawa	Health insurance card
	Change in name
	Change in head of household
	Consolidation or dissolution of household(s)
	Lost or damaged health insurance cards	Foreign resident registration card

◯ When there is a change in the head of the household, please bring the health insurance card of all members of the household. A new card will be issued.
◯ Foreign residents who would like to participate in the program should be aware that certain restrictions apply in terms of visa status and the period of stay. Please make inquiries for more information.
◯ Those who are planning to quit their job may continue to participate in the employee health insurance program by making voluntary payments. Inquire at your company for more information.