Consultation Q&A list for foreigners

Status of residence is a necessary status for you to live in Japan.

Depending on the status of residence type, the conditions of how long you can stay in Japan, what type of job you can do, and so forth, are different.

In cases such as sightseeing for 90 or fewer days, or coming to see family in Japan, you will receive a "Temporary Visitor" status of residence.

Your residence card shows information such as your status of residence type, your period of stay, whether you can work, and so forth.

It is proof of your right to be in Japan. It is an incredibly important card, so carry it with you at all times.

Residence Card front	Residence Card back

From the Immigration Services Agency's website, March 1st, 2022

Depending on factors such as your status of residence or living conditions the needed paperwork will vary. Ask the Immigration Services Agency, an information center, or some other authority for details.

Question counters related to status of residence

If your status of residence is "Spouse or Child of Japanese National", then when your current period of stay expires, your status of residence will also become invalid. To find out what procedures are necessary to continue living in Japan, ask the Immigration Services Agency.

Question counters related to status of residence

※The same applies to foreign nationals who divorce their Japanese spouse.
※Within 14 days of divorce, or your spouse passing away, or so on: contact the Immigration Services Agency of Japan and do any necessary paperwork.

If you obtain permanent residency, you can live in Japan forever without changing your status of residence or period of stay. Ask the Immigration Services Agency for details about applying for permanent residency.

Question counters related to status of residence

Children need a visa and status of residence. Ask the Immigration Services Agency, an information center, or some other authority for details.

Question counters related to status of residence

Depending on the child's age, it is also necessary to think about sending them to school. Check here for details.

More information

differences between visa and status of residence

Visa…Visas are obtained from a Japanese embassy or consulate in the home country before arriving in Japan, and is issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Status of residence…Status of residence is obtained when entering Japan, and is issued by the Immigration Services Agency.

differences between "Spouse or Child of Japanese National" and "Permanent Resident" status of residence

	Spouse or Child of Japanese National	Permanent Resident
Period of Stay	6 months, 1 year, 3 years, 5 years (Renewal is necessary)	Unlimited (Residence Card renewal paperwork is necessary)
In the case of divorce or the death of the Japanese spouse	In this case the status of residence cannot be renewed, so a new status of residence must be obtained in order to continue residing in Japan. ※After the divorce or death, you can stay in Japan until the current status of residence expires.	This does not affect your status of residence, so you can continue to stay in Japan.

• 「Permanent Residency」means that an individual has the right to live permanently in Japan while retaining their foreign nationality. Apply for permanent residency at the Immigration Services Agency of Japan. Permanent Residency is one type of residency status.
  
  
• 「Naturalization」refers to a foreign national obtaining Japanese citizenship, thereby becoming a Japanese person. Apply at the Legal Affairs Bureau.

Akita Regional Legal Affairs Bureau, Family Registration Division
Telephone：018-862-1129
Available days and times：8:30 - 17:15 (Weekdays only)

related to education and bringing children from overseas

Before bringing a child to Japan from overseas think carefully about the following issues

1. The child's age
2. The child's Japanese language ability
3. Education in Japan

Whether a visa is needed depends on your family or friend's nationality. Ask an embassy or consulate in your home country for details.

Procedures for renewal or extension of duration for passports may be done in Japan at an embassy or consulate of your home country. Check with an embassy or consulate of your home country for details.

Furthermore, in Akita and Iwate Prefectures, as well as other places, there exist "one-day consular service events" for China and the Philippines. At these events, you can renew your passport, consult with the consulate, and receive other services in Akita and Iwate Prefectures, and other places. Ask a consulate about when and where one day consular service events are taking place.

If you lose your passport, or it is stolen, or so on, immediately go to the nearest police box (place where there are police officers). Then, contact an embassy, consulate, or other authority of your country in Japan and tell them about what happened.

More information

transfer of endorsement for passports

If your passport has an endorsement such as for entry or re-entry into Japan, the renewed passport will not have this endorsement. It is possible to have the Immigration Services Agency transfer such endorsements to the new passport (In the case this is not noted on the new passport, it will be necessary to carry both passports until the end of the period of stay).

When marrying in Japan, submit a registration of marriage to your city hall, or other public office in your town, village, or other location. Also be sure to inform your country's embassy, consulate, or other authority. Necessary procedures differ by country.

More information

marriage of a foreign national to a Japanese national

When a foreign national marries a Japanese national in Japan, normally the marriage procedures for both countries must be completed. In cases where the procedures for only one country are completed, there are cases where the other country does not recognize the marriage, leading to various problems.

There is the method of first completing marriage procedures in the Japanese system and then notifying the foreign country, as well as the method of completing marriage procedures in the system of the foreign country and then notifying Japan. Depending on the country there are also cases where the latter procedures become very simple.

marriage between two foreign nationals

In the case of marriage between two foreign nationals in Japan, necessary procedures vary greatly depending on country, so be sure to confirm what is necessary with relevant embassies and consulates in Japan.

Furthermore, since there is no problem with also completing marriage procedures in Japan, confirm with your local public office for necessary paperwork when completing marriage procedures in your municipality. Of course, you must also inform your home countries.

First, go to your city hall or public office of your town or village, and submit a pregnancy notification. From pregnancy until birth, and then after the child is born, there is a lot of paperwork to do.

Please check here for more details.

Ask the baby's regular physician (the doctor who examines the baby when they get sick), your city's, town's, or village's health center or public health center, or another professional. There is also a vaccination schedule written in the Maternal and Child Health Handbook. If you want to know about illness, vaccination, and related topics in another language, view the Vaccination and Children's Health Pamphlet at the following URL.

Public Foundation of Vaccination Research Center Homepage
Vaccination and Children's Health Pamphlet, foreign language version
（English, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Spanish, Portuguese, Thai, Indonesian, Tagalog, Nepali）

There exist places (child care support centers) where you can consult about raising children, exchange information with others while playing together with your child, and more. There is also a service to have your child watched by someone else for a short amount of time. The specific services are different depending on what city, town, or village you live in, so please consult at the counter of your local public office.

List of Child Care Support Centers in Akita Prefecture

Depending on factors such as the age of the child and situation of the guardians, the places (facilities) that can look after your child are different. The characteristics of each are also different, so please look at the table below.

Facility Name	Child's Age	Usage Time	Guardians Who Can Use the Facility	Facility Purpose
Kindergarten	3-5 years	Morning-Afternoon	Anyone	Teaches early childhood education
Day Care Center	0-5 years	Morning-Evening	Guardians who cannot care for children at home due to work, illness, etc.	Takes care of children in place of guardians
Certified Early Childhood Center	0-5 years	Morning-Evening	0-2 years: Guardians who cannot care for children at home due to work, illness, etc. 3-5 years: Anyone	Carries out education and childcare
	3-5 years	Morning-Afternoon
Regional Model Childcare	0-2 years	Depends on the city, town, or village you live in

The cost needed to use the facility also depends on factors such as the person and the facility. For details, please ask at the public office for the city, town, or village in which you live.
For information about kindergartens, please ask each kindergarten directly.

When divorcing in Japan, you must submit a notification of divorce to your city hall, or other public office in your town, village, or other location. Also be sure to inform your home country's embassy, consulate, or other authority.
Necessary procedures vary by country.

Consultation relating to procedures in Japan

• Japan Legal Support Center in Akita
  Telephone：050-3383-5550　/　0570-078386
  Available days and times：9:00-17:00（Weekdays only）

• Akita Bar Association Legal Consultation Center
  Telephone：018-896-5599
  Available days and times：9:30-16:30（Weekdays only）
  
  
• Free legal consultation center operated by municipalities

Even if you don't want to be divorced, if the government office accepts a divorce notification, you will become divorced. If you don't want to be divorced, go to your Japanese husband's place of origin, or the government office of where they live, and submit a request to not accept divorce notification, which will prevent the government office from accepting a divorce notification.

More information

international divorce

In the case that a foreign national and Japanese national, or two foreign nationals, wish to get a divorce in Japan, then divorce procedures must be completed in all countries where marriage procedures were completed. If you only complete the procedures in Japan, but not your home country, then you will still be married in your home country. This will cause various problems, including if you wish to marry again, so don't forget to submit needed documentation. Contact an embassy or consulate in Japan for details.

regarding divorce procedures in Japan

There are 4 methods for getting divorced

1. Divorce by agreement
   Spouses discuss together and agree to divorce. 
   
   
2. Divorce by mediation
   After a family court listens to each spouse individually, spouses discuss together and agree to divorce.
   
   
3. Divorce by court judgment
   When agreement cannot be reached through discussion, a family court decides on a divorce. 
   
   
4. Divorce by court order
   A family court decides on divorce through a court order.

status of residence after divorcing a Japanese national

If a foreign national is separated from a marriage with a Japanese person by death or divorce, then their Spouse or Child of Japanese National residency status will continue until the expiration date, but it cannot be renewed after that. Make certain to notify the Immigration Services Agency of Japan within 14 days of being separated by death or divorce. If you wish to continue living in Japan, then you must obtain a different residence status. For details, ask the Immigration Services Agency of Japan.

remarriage

In Japanese law, a woman cannot remarry until 100 days have passed since divorce. However, there are exceptions, such as in the case of remarrying the former husband, so check with the public office of your municipality. In the case of a female foreign national performing remarriage procedures in Japan, she must wait for not only the remarriage waiting period in Japan, but also any such waiting period defined in the laws of her home country.

When divorcing, it is necessary to decide if you or your husband will raise your children. Discuss with your husband about who will have custody (the right to raise the children).

• Japan Legal Support Center in Akita (Lawyer/Law Consultation)
  Telephone：050-3383-5550　/　0570-078386
  Available days and times：　9:00-17:00（Weekdays only）
  Address：Hokuto Bank Building 6th floor, 5-1-51 Nakadori, Akita City
  
  
• Japan Legal Support Center Multilingual Information Service
  Telephone：0570-078377
  Available days and times：　9:00-17:00（Weekdays only）
  Available foreign languages： English, Chinese, Korean, Spanish, Portuguese, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Nepali, Thai, Indonesian

Don't worry alone, ask for help. If consulting in Japanese is difficult, there are also places where you can get help in foreign languages.

	Phone Number	Available days and times	Available foreign languages/strong>
Consultation Center for Women	018-835-9052 0120-783-251（*）	8:30-21:00 （Weekdays） 9:00-18:00 （Weekends and holidays）	ー
Akita Prefectural Police Headquarters Emergency Number for Women	0120-028-110	24/7	ー
Yorisoi Hotline	0120-279-338	Available languages vary by day and time. For detailed information, check the Yorisoi Hotline Facebook.	English Korean Chinese Tagalog Vietnamese Nepali Portuguese Spanish Thai Indonesian

（*）Not available outside the prefecture or by cellular phone

 

More information

violence from spouses or significant others

Domestic violence is not limited to physical abuse. It refers to physical abuse (hitting/kicking/throwing objects), mental abuse (insults/yelling/neglect), sexual abuse (unwanted sexual activity/refusal to cooperate with contraception), economic abuse (not providing living expenses/obstruction of working outside the home), societal abuse (limiting, monitoring, etc. someone's movements, relations with others, etc.) and so on.

It is possible to consult regarding work at Hello Work (Public Employment Service Center). Consultation is free. Before searching for a job, confirm your status of residence and period of stay, and whether your status of residence allows you to work.

More information

for foreign nationals working in Japan

For a foreign national to work in Japan, their status of residence must permit them to work. Anyone in violation of this will be working illegally and be subject to punishment. For example, status of residence such as "Student" and "Dependent" do not allow one to work, but if you receive "Permission to Engage in Activity other than that Permitted under the Status of Residence Previously Granted" from the Immigration Services Agency, it is possible to work a part-time job for a limited amount of hours. Even for someone whose status of residence allows them to work, if they want to engage in work outside the field of that allowed by their status of residence (for example: receiving pay for interpreting under a Skilled Labor status of residence), they will need "Permission to Engage in Activity other than that Permitted under the Status of Residence Previously Granted".

In Japan, there is a law known as the "Minimum Wage Act" (which dictates that it is unlawful to pay workers wages below a predetermined minimum wage). Foreign and Japanese nationals are both protected equally under this law. Please consult with someone if you have worries such as your wages being below minimum wage, if you are being made to work during breaks, or so on.

• Akita Labour Bureau, General Labor Consultation Corner
  Telephone：018-862-6684（Japanese only）
  Available days and times：8:30-17:15（Weekdays only）

 

• Labour Standards Advice Hotline

Available Language	Phone Number	Available days	Available Times
English	0120-531-401	Every day	・Weekdays (Monday-Friday) 5 PM-10 PM   ・Saturdays/Holidays 9 AM-9 PM
Chinese	0120-531-402
Tagalog	0120-531-405	Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday
Vietnamese	0120-531-406	Wednesday, Friday, Saturday
Nepali	0120-531-408	Wednesday, Sunday
Korean	0120-613-801	Thursday, Sunday
Indonesian	0120-613-803

 

If you are a Technical Intern

Consultation in various languages by the Organization for Technical Intern Training (OTIT)

Available Language	Available days and times	Phone Number	Consultation Site URL
Vietnamese	Monday-Friday 11：00～19：00 Saturday 9：00～17：00	0120-250-168	https://www.support.otit.go.jp/soudan/vi/
Chinese	Monday, Wednesday, Friday 11：00～19：00 Saturday 9：00～17：00	0120-250-169	https://www.support.otit.go.jp/soudan/cn/
Indonesian	Tuesday and Thursday 11：00～19：00	0120-250-192	https://www.support.otit.go.jp/soudan/id/
Filipino	Tuesday and Thursday 11：00～19：00 Saturday 9：00～17：00	0120-250-197	https://www.support.otit.go.jp/soudan/phi/
English	Tuesday and Thursday 11：00～19：00 Saturday 9：00～17：00	0120-250-147	https://www.support.otit.go.jp/soudan/en/

※Unavailable New Year Holidays (December 29th-January 3rd) and other holidays

More information

laws related to labor

Labor standards laws apply to any foreign national working in Japan.

"Labor Standards Act" Specifies labor conditions such as wages, pay to employees during business suspension, working hours, etc., at the time of contracting.
"Minimum Wage Act" Prevents wages below the minimum wage established for the relevant area. (As of March 1st, 2022, minimum wage in Akita Prefecture is ￥822 per hour)
"Workers' Accident Compensation Insurance Act" Provides for compensation via Worker's Accident Compensation Insurance in events of work related or commuting accidents.

There is a pamphlet published that is related to the Labor Standards Act. It is called the Working Conditions Handbook (in Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, Tagalog, Thai, Vietnamese, Nepali, etc.).
The leaflet can be downloaded from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare's homepage, or you can contact your nearby Labour Standards Inspection Office.

What happens if I quit my job?

Various kinds of procedures are necessary after quitting a job. For details, ask a nearby Hello Work, or the Akita Labor Bureau, Employment Security Department, Employment Security Division (Telephone: 018-883-0007).

Labor Standards Inspection Offices

Labor Standards Inspection Offices in each area offer labor related consultation regarding matters such as failure to protect labor laws, unjust dismissal, failure to pay wages, and so on.

If you cannot go to the hospital with someone who can speak Japanese, you can use the Multilingual Medical Questionnaire.
This questionnaire is designed for foreign nationals living in Japan to be able to explain their injuries, sicknesses, and so forth to doctors when they go to a hospital.

It is divided into 11 medical departments and translated into 18 languages. 

There are two kinds of public health insurance in Japan (insurance for illness, injury, etc.): Employee Health Insurance and National Health Insurance. Those working at a place like a company will be enrolled in Employee Health Insurance, while others will be enrolled in National Health Insurance. Anyone who is enrolled in either will receive a Health Insurance Card. If you bring your Health Insurance Card with you to the hospital when suffering from injury, illness, or so on, you will only have to pay 30% of the hospital fees.

Health Insurance Card front	Health Insurance Card back

March 1st, 2022: From the Japan Health Insurance Association homepage

More information

Japan's public health insurance program

In Japan, there are cases where if you complete some paperwork you may get money back from the hospital. On the other hand, there are cases where even if you are enrolled in insurance your hospital bill may not become cheaper. Please make effort to properly understand the insurance system.

※For those whose country has a social security agreement with Japan relating to the public health insurance program, enrollment is not required.

【Applicable Countries】
・Germany
・United Kingdom
・Korea
・United States
・Belgium
・France
・Canada
・Australia
・The Netherlands
・The Czech Republic
・Spain
・Ireland
・Brazil
・Switzerland
・Hungary
・India
・Luxembourg
・The Philippines
・Slovakia
・China
・Finland

If you cannot pay your insurance fees due to reasons such as your current life situation being difficult, absolutely make certain to go to the city hall or public office of your town or village and consult with them. If you do not pay and do not go to consult with your public office, you may become unable to use your insurance. Furthermore, if you continue to not pay without a special reason, you may become unable to use money you have in the bank. There is also a possibility that it may become difficult to renew your status of residence, so please be careful.

The Authentication of Official Seals is when the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan checks and authenticates paperwork from Japanese city halls and similar locations, to make sure they are real paperwork. Authenticated paperwork must be certified at foreign country embassies and consulates located in Japan. Check the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan homepage for procedures regarding the Authentication of Official Seals.

Although procedures differ depending on the age of the child, children can be enrolled in elementary schools, middle schools, and so on.

【When the child is 6-15 years of age】
In Japan, this is the age range for compulsory education. Although it is not compulsory for children who are foreign nationals, if you wish, children may study at Japanese elementary and middle schools. In the case of wishing to transfer in partway through the school year, consult with the Board of Education of your municipality.

【When the child is 15-18 years of age】
When transferring to a high school within Akita Prefecture from a high school in another prefecture or foreign country , consult with the Akita Prefectural Bureau of Education, Senior High School Education Division (Telephone: 018-860-5161).

More information

regarding support for foreign national children and students who require Japanese language education (restricted to compulsory/public education)

Local government bodies provide the following types of support for foreign children and students who need Japanese language education.

While taking normal enrolled classes, extra teaching staff, Japanese language guidance instructors, or similar individuals will enter the class to accompany and provide guidance for the foreign national students. Alternatively, they may receive guidance, language instruction, and so on in other classrooms during normal class periods.

For details regarding this sort of support, ask the Board of Education of each municipality.

regarding children's Japanese language skills

For children whose native language is not Japanese, language barriers may become a large obstacle for studying at Japanese schools. Although Japanese language ability is a basic assumption for study at school, the language used in classes, textbooks, and so forth, will differ from the language one hears in everyday life. Besides feeling disoriented due to factors such as lifestyle environment changes, as well as culture and customs differences, language problems can become a psychological burden on children and may have a large impact on their individual character. If you feel support is needed for their Japanese language learning, consult first with the school.

Depending on your home country, there are both cases where you can drive in Japan and cases where you cannot. For details ask the Driving License Center.

Akita Prefectural Police Headquarters Driver License Center (for exams)
Telephone：018-862-7570

More information

in case of changing a foreign country driver's license into a Japanese driver's license

After acquiring a driver's license in a foreign country and residing in that country for at least 3 months, it is possible to apply for that license to be changed to a Japanese driver's license if done so before the license's expiration date. At that time, in the case that driving skills, knowledge, and so forth are confirmed, and it is recognized that there are no impediments to your driving ability, you may be exempted from parts of written and/or practical tests. To see which countries are exempt, you can look at the National Police Agency's homepage.

National Police Agency homepage: "To those with foreign country driver's licenses"

For the application, a Japanese translation of the foreign driver's license provided by a foreign government office, an embassy or consulate of the home country in Japan, or the Japan Automobile Federation (JAF), will be necessary.

※If your case does not fall under that outlined above, you must acquire a Japanese driver's license. At a driving school in Japan, you must take lessons and undergo practical tests, and take a written test at the Driving License Center. In Akita Prefecture it is possible to take the test in Japanese (with furigana included) or in English.
For questions regarding the test at the license center, ask the Akita Prefectural Police Headquarters Driving License Center examiner (telephone: 018-862-7570).

regarding foreign language textbooks when obtaining a driver's license in Japan

"RULES OF THE ROAD" (Published by JAF) is sold in English, Chinese, Spanish, and Portuguese. Exam questions are mostly taken from this textbook.

JAF Akita Branch
Telephone：018-864-8492

1. Check if the place you are in is safe, and make sure there are no other dangers.
   
   
2. Check if you or the people you got into an accident with have any injuries. If you have a large injury that prevents you from going to the hospital by yourself, immediately call an ambulance (telephone: 119).
   
   
3. Call the police (telephone: 110). After the police confirm the situation of the accident, you will be able to receive a traffic accident certificate. You will need this certificate in order to receive any insurance money.
   
   
4. Teach the people you got into an accident with your contact information, and make certain to ask for their contact information. If you are enrolled in automobile, bicycle, or similar insurance, don't forget to contact the insurance company as well.

Regarding traffic accident certificates and traffic accident consultation

The Japan Safe Driving Center issues traffic accident certificates. If you are enrolled with an insurance company, that company will do the paperwork for you to receive the traffic accident certificate. In the case you will do the paperwork yourself, you have several options including getting an application form at a nearby police station, or applying on the internet or at the office counter of the Japan Safe Driving Center.

Furthermore, there is also a traffic accident consultation counter where specialists can answer questions about matters such as insurance claims paperwork, consultations related to accidents caused by children, and so on. Do not judge by yourself, and don't accept without question the opinions of others. Instead, if there is anything you want to know, consult with a professional.

Akita Prefectural Consumer Affair's Center, Traffic Accident Consultation Counter
TEL：018-836-7804　or　018-836-7805

Read the guidebook created by the Immigration Services Agency of Japan. It is called the Guidebook on Living and Working: For Foreign Nationals Who Start Living in Japan. Inside, there are all sorts of things necessary for daily life in Japan written in the languages of various countries, as well as in easy to understand Japanese.

The Akita International Association (AIA) can introduce people who can translate, interpret, and provide other services.
First, contact the AIA with the time, place, and contents of your request. There is a fee for these services.

Akita International Association (AIA)
Telephone：　018-893-5499
For those who wish to request for work from an AIA community supporter

Every resident of Japan has a 12 digit personalized My Number. It is used for various procedures, including pension, taxes, and medical care. Even as a foreign national, if you have a certification of residence in Japan, you will have a My Number issued to you.

Various information about you can be learned through this number. It is a very important number, and if it is not clear what someone needs it for, you should not teach it to someone else. The card with your My Number written on it is also precious, so do not lose it.

• Questions related to the My Number system
  Telephone：　0120-0178-26
  Available days and times：　9:30-20:00（Weekdays）　/　9:30-17:30（Weekends and holidays）
  Available languages：English, Chinese, Korean, Spanish, Portuguese

• If you lost the card with your My Number written on it
  Telephone：　0120-0178-27
  Available days and times：Always available, any time, any day
  Available languages：　English, Chinese, Korean, Spanish, Portuguese

• My Number General Site
  https://www.kojinbango-card.go.jp/
  You can read explanations about the My Number Card in English, Chinese, Korean, Spanish, and Portuguese.

・Sendai Regional Immigration Bureau, Akita Branch Office（consultation only available in Japanese）
Telephone：018-895-5221
Available days and times：9:00-12:00、13:00-16:00（Weekdays only）

・Consultation Support Center for Foreign Residents（consultation available in foreign languages）
Telephone：03-3202-5535 / 03-5155-4039
Available days and times：9:00-16:00（Weekdays only）
※Not open on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of every month.

Available languages and days for calling

	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
Chinese	○	○	○	○	○
English	○	○	○	○	○
Spanish	○	○	○
Portuguese	○	○	○
Indonesian		○
Vietnamese	○		○
Tagalog					○

・Immigration Information Center（consultation available in foreign languages）
Telephone：0570-013904　(If calling from overseas or using IP or PHS phone service, dial 03-5796-7112)
Available days and times：8:30-17:15（Weekdays only）
Available languages：English, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Filipino, Nepali, Indonesian, Thai, Khmer, etc.

Country	Name of Embassy or Consulate	Phone Numbe
China	Consulate-General of the People's Republic of China in Sapporo	011-563-5563
	Consulate-General of the People's Republic of China in Niigata	025-228-8888
Philippines	Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines	03-5562-1600
South Korea	Consulate-General of the Republic of Korea in Sendai	022-221-2751
United States of America	U.S. Consulate-General in Sapporo	011-641-1115 011-641-1116 011-641-1117
Vietnam	Embassy of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam in Japan	03-3466-3311 03-3466-3313 03-3466-3314
Thailand	Royal Thai Embassy in Japan	03-5789-2433
Indonesia	Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia	03-3441-4201

For embassies and consulates of other countries, check the list of "Foreign Missions in Japan".

①Things to prepare from submitting the pregnancy notice until birth

Receive a maternal and child health handbook

After submitting the pregnancy notice, you can receive a maternal and child health handbook. This handbook will keep track of various things, such as the mother's health and the baby's growth. Coupons that can make hospital examinations (bodily checkups) cheaper or free can also be received with this handbook. The handbook itself does not cost money. You can buy foreign language maternal and child health handbooks on the internet.

Search for a hospital to give birth at

You can give birth at a hospital with a maternity division or an obstetrics and gynecology department. Once you know you are pregnant, quickly make a reservation for giving birth.

Get checkups for the mother and unborn baby (examination)

Every month, get checkups at the hospital to check the health of the mother and baby.

Do paperwork to receive the Childbirth Lump Sum Grant

In Japan, it costs around ￥500,000 to give birth. If you are enrolled in health insurance, you can receive a childbirth lump sum grant payment of ￥420,000.

Take part in mother/father (papa, mama) classes

These are classes that teach you about childbirth, raising the child, and more. The city, town, or village where you live holds these classes. There are also cases where these classes are held at the hospitals where children are born.

Bodily changes

First Trimester （From 1 to 4 months）	Second Trimester （From 5 to 7 months）	Third Trimester （From 8 to 10 months）
When morning sickness (when you feel bad) becomes difficult, and you can't retain fluids, go to the hospital.	Be careful of anemia (when your body's iron becomes low).	If you feel like your belly is painfully expanding, rest immediately. If the feeling continues, go to a hospital.

 

②Things to do after the baby is born

★Do paperwork at the public office of the city, town, or village where you live★

Submit a birth registration

Within 14 days after the baby is born, submit a birth registration to the city hall or public office of the town or village you live in. After that, if there is some necessary paperwork for the Immigration Services Agency of Japan, be sure to receive a Certificate of Acceptance of Birth Report, and a Certificate of Residence (which includes the name of the baby).

Receive a Welfare and Medical Beneficiary Certificate (Marufuku Card)

With this card, children of 0 years of age can go to the hospital for free.

Do the paperwork to receive child allowance

Child allowance is money used for raising a child.

 

★Do paperwork for the Immigration Services Agency of Japan, your embassy, and so on★

Obtain a status of residence, citizenship, and so on

If both the father and mother are foreign nationals, apply for residence permission within 30 days of the baby being born. Also, do the paperwork at an embassy (consulate) to obtain the baby's citizenship.

 

③Things to do for the health of the baby and mother

1 month checkup

Get a checkup for the condition of the baby's body, growth, and so on at the hospital where the baby was born.

Baby home visit

A midwife, public health nurse, or other professional will visit the home to check if the baby and mother are well. This is also a chance to consult about anything troubling you.

Get vaccinations

Around 2 months after the baby is born, begin getting shots to protect against getting sick.

Infant examinations

Get the baby's growth checked at places like hospitals. This will be done several times, such as when the baby is 4 months old, 7 months old, and 10 months old. The timing and place to get these examinations done will vary depending on the city, town, or village.

※Depending on the person, there are cases where the items in this list may not apply. Use this list as a reference, and check what is needed for your situation ahead of time.

Hello Work office (region)	Phone Number	Address
Hello Work Kazuno	0186-23-2173	Arata 82-4 Hanawa, Kazuno City
Hello Work Odate	0186-42-2531	Shimizu 1-5-20 Odate City
Hello Work Takanosu	0186-60-1586	Higashinakatai 26-1 Takanosu, Kitaakita City
Hello Work Noshiro	0185-54-7311	Midorimachi 5-29 Noshiro City
Hello Work Oga	0185-23-2411	Shinhamacho 1-3 Funagawa, Funagawa Port, Oga City
Hello Work Akita	018-864-4111	Barajima 1-12-16 Akita City
Hello Work Plaza Atorion	018-836-7820	Nakadori 2-3-8 Akita City (Atorion 3rd Floor)
Hello Work Plaza Goshono	018-889-8609	Jizoden 3-1-1 Goshono, Akita City (Akita Terrsa 3rd Floor)
Hello Work Honjo	0184-22-3421	Tajirino 18-1 Ishiwaki, Yurihonjo City
Hello Work Omagari	0187-63-0335	Omagarisumiyoshicho 33-3 Daisen City
Hello Work Kakunodate	0187-54-2434	Kodate 32-3 Kakunodatemachi, Semboku City
Hello Work Yokote	0182-32-1165	Asahikawa 1-2-26 Yokote City
Hello Work Yuzawa	0183-73-6117	Shimizucho 4-4-3 Yuzawa City

Name	Phone Number	Jurisdiction
Akita Labor Standards Inspection Office	018-865-3671	Akita City Oga City Katagami City Minamiakita District
Odate Labor Standards Inspection Office	0186-42-4033	Odate City Kazuno City Kitaakita City Kazuno District Kitaakita District
Noshiro Labor Standards Inspection Office	0185-52-6151	Noshiro City Yamamoto District
Honjo Labor Standards Inspection Office	0184-22-4124	Yurihonjo City Nikaho City
Omagari Labor Standards Inspection Office	0187-63-5151	Daisen City Semboku City Semboku District
Yokote Labor Standards Inspection Office	0182-32-3111	Yokote City Yuzawa City Ogachi District

Board of Education Name	Phone Number	Fax Number
Akita Prefectural Board of Education	018-860-5111	018-860-5851
Akita City Board of Education	018-888-5803	018-888-5804
Noshiro City Board of Education	0185-73-2757	0185-73-6459
Yokote City Board of Education	0182-32-2402	0182-32-4034
Odate City Board of Education	0186-43-7111	0186-54-6100
Oga City Board of Education	0185-24-9100	0185-24-9156
Yuzawa City Board of Education	0183-73-2161	0183-72-8515
Kazuno City Board of Education	0186-30-0290	0186-30-1140
Yurihonjo City Board of Education	0184-32-1306	0184-33-3381
Katagami City Board of Education	018-853-5361	018-853-5277
Daisen City Board of Education	0187-63-1111	0187-63-7131
Kitaakita City Board of Education	0186-62-6616	0186-63-2678
Nikaho City Board of Education	0184-38-2259	0184-38-2252
Semboku City Board of Education	0177-43-3381	0187-47-2244
Kosaka Town Board of Education	0186-29-2342	0186-29-4436
Kamikoani Village Board of Education	0186-60-9000	0186-77-3223
Fujisato Town Board of Education	0185-79-1327	0185-79-2227
Mitane Town Board of Education	0185-87-2115	0185-87-3052
Happo Town Board of Education	0185-77-2816	0185-77-3230
Gojome Town Board of Education	018-852-5372	018-852-5370
Hachirogata Town Board of Education	018-875-5812	018-875-5950
Ikawa Town Board of Education	018-874-4424	018-874-2924
Ogata Village Board of Education	0185-45-3240	0185-45-2661
Misato Town Board of Education	0187-84-4914	0187-85-3102
Ugo Town Board of Education	0183-62-211	0183-62-3334
Higashinaruse Village Board of Education	0182-47-345	0182-47-2119

※Information current as of April 1st, 2021