Life After the Move: Thriving in Retirement in Japan - For Settling Expats

You’ve made it—settling in Japan as a retiree expat (2M strong, 2023!). After “Why retire here” and “How to plan”  this is your guide to settle post-entry. I’ve got the practical, financial, and emotional steps—straight from our stumbles. Japan’s no perfect, but with grit and prep, it’s home. Grab free “Retirement Japan Settle Checklist v1” from “Freebie Shelf”—let’s make your golden years glow!

1. Immigration/Entry

Landing’s just the start—immigration sets the tone:

• At the Airport: Get your residence card at Narita (NRT), Haneda (NHD), Chubu (NGO), Kansai (KIX), New Chitose (SPK), Hiroshima (HIJ), or Fukuoka (FUK). If you land elsewhere, file a Moving-in Notification at your municipal office—card’s mailed later.

• Carrying It: Over 16, you need to get it and keep that card on you.

• Renewals: Extensions cost—IMS (imsvisa.support/en) handled ours for ¥80K. Worth it—they mailed my husband’s new card, no immigration office trek.

• Tough Spots: A friend’s spouse visa crumbled when her Japanese husband passed—6 months to leave or switch status. Plan backups—grief’s hard enough. If you have student/training visa, switch early—IMS saved us again.

• Re-entry: If you need temporary trips out, get a re-entry permit—keeps your status. Foreign Residents Support: 0570-011000; Info Center: 0570-013904.
  We fumbled renewals—don’t!

2. Within 14 Days After Entry

First two weeks? City center’s your hub:

• Address Registration: File a moving-in notice within 14 days. After that, report in case of moves, marriages, deaths. They hand out a living guide—trash rules saved us from Jager’s raids!

• Seal Registration: Get a hanko—critical for big contracts (e.g., buying a house). For instance, if you open a bank accounts, no need to register the seal —¥500 at stationery shops. Ours is registered—certified power!

• My Number Card: Like a U.S. SSN—apply post-registration. Don’t share unless required. Uses: health insurance, tax e-filing, investments.

• National Health Insurance (NHI): Mandatory if under 75, not on employee plans. Premiums vary by income/household.

The copayment ratio of medical expenses for the insured is as follows:

o   Preschool infants under six years old .......... 20%

o   School-age children through adults up to 69 years old ............30%

o   Adults aged 70 to 74 years old...........20% (Wage-earners at their pre-retirement income level: 30%)

3. Social Security

Pensions stretch—Japan’s got your back:

• Agreements: U.S.-Japan Totalization merges credits. Check mhlw.go.jp—20+ countries qualify. My husband’s U.S. Social Security flows here—$1=¥150.73 (March 2025) is a win!

• Access: U.S. Embassy mails forms—direct deposit’s easy. We banked ours in Japan—taxable here. It is categorized miscellaneous income, not employment income.

4. Long-Term Care Insurance (Senior Care Insurance - Kaigo Hoken)

Aging’s covered—Japan’s system shines:

• Basics: Eligibility - Over 40, staying 3+ months. You’re in—premiums by income/age/area. Services: home visits, daycare, rehab, tools like walker, bed, wheelchair, doctor’s visit…etc.

• We enrolled late. Apply at city center with NHI—peace of mind’s worth it!

5. Other Insurances

Beyond statutory, commercial options:

• Earthquake: Japan shakes—coverage varies (¥50K-¥200K/year). Our ¥100K plan cushioned a cracked wall.

• Property: Fire, burglary, disasters—¥30K/year for our 3LDK.

• Car: Mandatory if driving—covers injury/property. ¥40K/year—Jager’s vet runs need it!

• Life/Medical: Optional—high-cost NHI caps (above) make medical iffy. Life’s ¥20K/year.
  We skipped medical—NHI’s enough. Shop around.  *Premiums depends on coverage.

6. Tax

Taxes don’t stop—here’s the rundown:

• Income Tax: Again, U.S. Social Security in Japan is taxable here—file February. We route ours via U.S. banks—U.S. tax, no double dip (treaty magic!). CHI (chiborder.com/blog) keeps us IRS-compliant—¥50K well spent. Actually, we also hire a local tax service provider as well, another ¥40K/couple – no joint tax return!

• Resident Tax: 10%—income-based + flat rate. City mails June invoices.

• Consumption Tax: 10% standard, 8% food/drink—¥500 ramen’s ¥540.

• Property Tax: Own land/buildings? Declare depreciables—city bills you. ¥20K/year for a small lot. Call Tokyo/Osaka/Nagoya Tax Centers—English help!

• Auto Taxes: If you own over 660cc engine, it is taxed. ¥30K/year—weight tax at inspection.  We took my dad’s Audi. He didn’t pay much for maintenance, so our first inspection cost JPY5K! Ouch.

7. Emergencies and Disasters

Japan’s wild—prep’s key:

• Numbers: 119 (ambulance/fire), 110 (crime/accidents)—memorize or put it on the wall.

• Disasters: Earthquakes, tsunamis, typhoons—city hazard maps (free!) pinpoint nearby shelters. Our apartment holds an annual disaster drill—Jager barked nonstop, but it helped us bond with our neighbor in her 70s. She lives alone, so we've promised to support her in case of emergency. It's always better to be acquainted with your neighbors before a disaster strikes.

Prep: Family plan—evacuate place, Stock 7 days’ food/water, first aid. Secure furniture—This way, Jager is safe!

Info: JMA Early Warnings (jma.go.jp)—TV/radio blast ‘em. Stay calm—rumors fly post-quake. Our first tremor? Heart-pounding—now we’re ready. Check shelters—seniors, disabilities and children go early to shelter!

8. Your Life in Japan

After years of hard work and sacrifice, you’ve arrived—Japan’s new challenges and endless possibilities await. Reflect on your journey; It’s time to thrive in a land of culture, peace, and adventure! We are here to support you !!

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