Category: Official Resources

Living in Japan becomes much easier when you know where to find reliable information.

For foreign residents, the biggest problem is not always the lack of information. The bigger problem is knowing which information is official, updated and trustworthy.

Many people ask friends, Facebook groups, YouTube channels or online comments when they have questions about visa, residence card, city office procedures, health insurance, pension, work rules, scholarships, disasters or legal support.

These sources can be helpful for personal experience, but they should not be your final source for official matters.

In Japan, rules can change. Procedures can differ by city. Requirements can depend on your residence status, nationality, school, employer, family situation and personal case.

That is why every foreign resident should know the most useful official websites.

This guide introduces important official and public information websites that foreign residents, international students, workers, dependents, families and newcomers should keep bookmarked.

Important Note Before You Read

This article is for general guidance only.

For official decisions, always confirm directly with the relevant authority, such as the Immigration Services Agency of Japan, your local city or ward office, your school, your employer, your pension office, your tax office, or a qualified professional.

Website addresses may change over time. If a link does not open, search the official website name on Google.

Need to find the right authority by situation? Use the Official Resources Hub.

1. Immigration Services Agency of Japan

Website:
https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/

The Immigration Services Agency of Japan is one of the most important official websites for foreign residents.

This is where you should check information related to:

• Status of residence
• Residence card
• Visa/residence procedures after entering Japan
• Extension of period of stay
• Change of status of residence
• Permanent residence
• Re-entry permission
• Permission for part-time work
• Immigration forms
• Immigration notices
• Support information for foreign residents

This website is especially important for students, workers, dependents, spouses, researchers, business managers, technical interns, specified skilled workers and long-term residents.

Many people casually say “visa renewal,” but after arriving in Japan, the actual procedure is often connected to residence status. For that reason, immigration information should always be checked from the Immigration Services Agency, not only from social media posts.

When to use this website:

• Before renewing your residence period
• Before changing your residence status
• Before applying for permission to work part-time
• Before leaving and re-entering Japan
• When checking residence card-related information
• When confirming official immigration forms
• When your school or company asks you to prepare immigration documents

2. Foreign Resident Support Portal Site

Website:
https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/support/portal/index.html

The Foreign Resident Support Portal Site is one of the most useful websites for people living in Japan.

It provides practical information for foreign nationals in multiple languages. It is designed to help foreign residents understand important daily-life information in Japan.

This portal is useful for topics such as:

• Residence procedures
• Work
• Medical care
• Health insurance
• Pension
• Childcare
• Education
• Housing
• Emergencies
• Disaster information
• Consultation services
• Daily-life rules

This website is very useful because it brings together government information in a more accessible way.

When to use this website:

• When you are new in Japan
• When you do not know which government office handles your issue
• When you want multilingual information
• When you need general life guidance from official sources
• When you want to understand Japanese systems in simple language

For many newcomers, this should be one of the first official websites to bookmark.

3. FRESC – Foreign Residents Support Center

Website:
https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/support/fresc/fresc01.html

FRESC stands for Foreign Residents Support Center.

It is a government support center where different organizations work together to support foreign residents in Japan.

FRESC can be useful for issues related to:

• Immigration and residence
• Work support
• Legal support
• Human rights
• Employment of foreign nationals
• Consultation for foreign residents
• Support for local governments and companies

FRESC is especially important for foreign residents who do not know where to ask for help.

When to use this website:

• When your problem involves multiple areas
• When you need consultation support
• When you are unsure whether your issue is immigration, work, legal or daily-life related
• When you want to know about government support services for foreign residents

FRESC is not a replacement for your local city office or immigration bureau, but it is a useful starting point for support information.

4. Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan – Visa Information

Website:
https://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/index.html

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan provides official visa information, especially for people who are outside Japan and planning to enter Japan.

This website is useful for:

• Visa application information
• Embassy and consulate-related procedures
• Short-term stay information
• Long-term entry preparation
• Certificate of Eligibility-related entry process
• Diplomatic and consular information
• Travel and entry-related notices

This website is especially useful before coming to Japan.

After you arrive in Japan, many residence-related procedures are handled by the Immigration Services Agency. But before arrival, visa application information is often connected to the Japanese embassy or consulate through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

When to use this website:

• Before applying for a visa from outside Japan
• When checking visa categories
• When preparing embassy or consulate documents
• When confirming entry-related information
• When checking official diplomatic information from Japan

5. Your Local City or Ward Office Website

Website:
Search your city or ward name + “foreign residents” or “English”

Examples of city office topics:

• Address registration
• Moving-in notification
• Moving-out notification
• National Health Insurance
• National Pension
• My Number
• Garbage rules
• Child allowance
• School enrollment for children
• Disaster information
• Tax notices
• Residence certificate
• Local consultation services

Your city or ward office website is one of the most important information sources after you start living in Japan.

This is because many daily-life rules are local.

For example, garbage rules are different by municipality. Health insurance procedures are handled by your municipality if you are enrolled in National Health Insurance. Address registration is also done through your local municipal office.

A rule in Tokyo may not be exactly the same in Saitama, Chiba, Osaka, Fukuoka or Hokkaido.

When to use this website:

• After moving to a new address
• When checking garbage separation rules
• When enrolling in National Health Insurance
• When receiving letters from the city office
• When checking disaster shelters
• When applying for local services
• When moving out of your city
• When requesting a residence certificate

Important advice:

Do not depend only on general information for local procedures. Always check your own city or ward office website.

6. Digital Agency of Japan – My Number

Website:
https://www.digital.go.jp/en/policies/mynumber

My Number is Japan’s individual number system.

It is used for administrative procedures related to social security, tax and disaster response. Foreign residents who have a residence record in Japan may also receive a My Number.

The Digital Agency website is the official source for My Number and My Number Card information.

This website is useful for:

• Understanding My Number
• Understanding My Number Card
• Checking how My Number is used
• Learning about administrative procedures
• Understanding identity verification use
• Checking official updates about My Number-related systems

When to use this website:

• After registering your address
• When you receive My Number documents
• When applying for a My Number Card
• When using My Number for tax or social insurance procedures
• When you are asked to submit My Number information
• When you want to understand My Number Card functions

Important advice:

My Number is sensitive personal information. Do not share it casually. Keep your My Number documents safely.

7. Japan Pension Service

Website:
https://www.nenkin.go.jp/international/english/index.html

The Japan Pension Service website is important for understanding Japan’s pension system.

Many foreign residents are surprised when they receive pension letters. However, pension procedures can apply to foreign residents as well.

This website is useful for:

• National Pension
• Employees’ Pension Insurance
• Pension enrollment
• Pension notices
• Student payment special system
• Exemption or postponement procedures
• Lump-sum withdrawal payment information
• Basic Pension Number
• Multilingual pension materials

When to use this website:

• When you receive pension letters
• When you are 20 years old or older and living in Japan
• When you are a student and cannot pay pension contributions
• When you are employed by a company
• When you leave Japan and want to check possible lump-sum withdrawal procedures
• When you want multilingual pension information

Important advice:

Do not throw away pension letters. If you do not understand a notice, bring it to your city office, pension office, school office or employer.

8. Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare

Website:
https://www.mhlw.go.jp/

The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare is responsible for many important areas connected to daily life, work and health.

For foreign residents, MHLW-related information can be useful for:

• Health insurance
• Labour rules
• Employment support
• Working conditions
• Public health
• Medical care
• Welfare systems
• Foreign worker support
• Labour consultation

The MHLW website can be difficult for beginners because it covers many areas. But it is one of the most important official sources for health and labour-related information.

When to use this website:

• When checking work-related rules
• When confirming health or medical system information
• When searching for labour consultation support
• When checking information for foreign workers
• When confirming official health insurance-related notices

9. Tokyo Employment Service Center for Foreigners

Website:
https://jsite.mhlw.go.jp/tokyo-foreigner/english.html

This is a government-run employment support service under the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

Although it is Tokyo-based, the information is useful for many foreign residents who want to understand work-related support in Japan.

This website is useful for:

• Job search support
• Employment guidance
• Work-related information for foreigners
• Support for international students
• Support for people with work-permitted residence status
• Labour-related basic information
• Company employment information

When to use this website:

• When looking for a job in Japan
• When you are an international student preparing for job hunting
• When you want to understand job-search procedures
• When you need employment guidance
• When you want to know which foreign residents are permitted to work

Important advice:

Job permission depends on your status of residence. Before accepting work, always check whether your residence status allows that job.

10. Labour Standards Advice Hotline for Foreign Languages

Website:
https://www.check-roudou.mhlw.go.jp/soudan/foreigner_eng.html

This website provides information about labour consultation services and hotlines in foreign languages.

It can be useful when foreign workers have concerns about working conditions.

Possible topics include:

• Wages
• Working hours
• Overtime
• Paid leave
• Dismissal
• Workplace rules
• Labour contract issues
• General working condition concerns

When to use this website:

• When you are worried about unpaid wages
• When your working hours seem unreasonable
• When your employer does not explain your contract clearly
• When you need foreign-language labour consultation information
• When you want to understand where to ask about working conditions

Important advice:

For serious work problems, keep documents such as employment contracts, payslips, work schedules, messages and company notices.

11. Study in Japan Official Website

Website:
https://www.studyinjapan.go.jp/en/

Study in Japan is an official information website for international students.

It is useful for students who want to study in Japan, as well as those already living in Japan and planning their next academic step.

This website is useful for:

• Studying in Japan
• Japanese universities
• Graduate schools
• Japanese language schools
• Scholarships
• Student life
• Admission planning
• Japan’s education system
• Student stories
• Life in Japan by area

When to use this website:

• When planning to study in Japan
• When choosing a school or university
• When checking scholarship options
• When learning about student life
• When preparing for admission
• When comparing study routes

This is a good official starting point for anyone planning education in Japan.

12. Japan Student Services Organization – JASSO

Website:
https://www.jasso.go.jp/en/

JASSO is one of the most important organizations for international students in Japan.

It provides information related to:

• Scholarships
• International student support
• EJU
• Study in Japan
• Student exchange support
• Support programs
• Follow-up services for former international students

Scholarship page:
https://www.jasso.go.jp/en/ryugaku/scholarship_j/index.html

When to use this website:

• When checking scholarship information
• When researching EJU
• When looking for international student support
• When planning study in Japan
• When checking official student-related information

Important advice:

Scholarship rules and deadlines differ by program. Always confirm directly from the scholarship provider or university.

13. Official Website for Specified Skilled Worker

Website:
https://www.ssw.go.jp/en/

The Specified Skilled Worker system is important for many foreign workers in Japan.

This website is useful for people who are interested in or currently working under the Specified Skilled Worker status.

It can help with:

• Understanding the SSW system
• Worker support information
• Procedure support
• Field-related information
• Consultation information
• Basic guidance about working in Japan under SSW

When to use this website:

• When planning to come to Japan as an SSW worker
• When already working under SSW status
• When checking support services
• When confirming general information about the SSW system
• When you need official information instead of agency-only explanations

Important advice:

Be careful with unofficial agents or misleading job promises. Always confirm SSW information through official sources.

14. Japan Meteorological Agency

Website:
https://www.jma.go.jp/jma/indexe.html

Multilingual weather and disaster information:
https://www.data.jma.go.jp/multi/index.html?lang=en

Japan has earthquakes, typhoons, heavy rain, landslides, heat illness alerts, volcanic activity and tsunami risks.

The Japan Meteorological Agency is one of the most important official sources for weather and disaster information.

This website is useful for:

• Weather warnings
• Weather forecasts
• Earthquake information
• Tsunami information
• Typhoon information
• Heavy rain information
• Landslide risk information
• Heat-related warnings
• Volcanic information

When to use this website:

• During typhoon season
• During heavy rain
• After an earthquake
• When checking warnings before travel
• When preparing for disaster risk
• When you need official weather information

Important advice:

Do not wait until a disaster happens. Bookmark this website before you need it.

15. MLIT Disaster Prevention Portal

Website:
https://www.mlit.go.jp/river/bousai/bousai-portal/en/index.html

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism provides a Disaster Prevention Portal that can be useful for international residents and visitors.

This website is useful for:

• Disaster prevention information
• Flood and river-related information
• Evacuation-related information
• Disaster management facilities
• Multilingual disaster information
• Useful links for disasters

When to use this website:

• When preparing for typhoons or heavy rain
• When checking flood-related information
• When learning about disaster prevention
• When looking for multilingual disaster resources
• When preparing family emergency plans

Important advice:

Also check your local city or ward office disaster map and evacuation shelter information.

16. Safety Tips App by Japan Tourism Agency / JNTO

Website:
https://www.jnto.go.jp/safety-tips/eng/app.html

Safety Tips is a useful app for disaster alerts and emergency information in Japan.

It can provide alerts related to:

• Earthquake early warnings
• Tsunami warnings
• Weather warnings
• Volcanic warnings
• Heat illness warnings
• Civil protection information

This app is useful not only for tourists but also for foreign residents who may not understand Japanese disaster alerts quickly.

When to use this app:

• If you are new to Japan
• If you do not understand Japanese warning messages well
• If you travel around Japan
• If you live in an area with typhoon, earthquake, tsunami or volcanic risk
• If you want disaster information in multiple languages

Important advice:

Install disaster apps before a disaster happens. Do not wait until an emergency.

17. Houterasu – Japan Legal Support Center

Website:
https://www.houterasu.or.jp/site/english/

Foreign nationals page:
https://www.houterasu.or.jp/site/foreign-nationals/

Houterasu is the Japan Legal Support Center.

It provides information about Japan’s legal system and related consultation services. It can be useful when foreign residents face legal problems and do not know where to ask.

Possible topics include:

• Legal consultation information
• Debt problems
• Divorce
• Labour problems
• Accidents
• Housing or contract issues
• Legal aid information
• Information on relevant organizations

When to use this website:

• When you need legal information
• When you are unsure where to ask about a legal problem
• When you need multilingual legal information support
• When you are facing serious contract, family, labour or debt problems

Important advice:

For legal issues, do not rely only on online comments. Get proper advice from an official support center or qualified professional.

18. Japanese Law Translation

Website:
https://www.japaneselawtranslation.go.jp/en/

This website provides English translations of Japanese laws.

It is useful for advanced users, researchers, professionals and anyone who wants to check legal texts in English.

This website can help with:

• Labour laws
• Immigration-related law references
• Civil law
• Criminal law
• Business law
• Administrative law
• Legal research

When to use this website:

• When you need to understand Japanese laws in English
• When preparing academic or legal research
• When checking basic legal wording
• When comparing official legal terms

Important advice:

Legal translations can help understanding, but legal interpretation should be confirmed with a qualified professional when the issue is serious.

19. Japan National Tourism Organization – Official Travel and Safety Information

Website:
https://www.japan.travel/en/

This is the official tourism website of Japan.

Although it is mainly designed for visitors, it can also be useful for foreign residents who travel inside Japan.

This website is useful for:

• Domestic travel information
• Regional travel guides
• Safety tips
• Transportation information
• Cultural information
• Travel planning
• Emergency-related visitor guidance

When to use this website:

• When traveling inside Japan
• When checking official tourism information
• When helping family or friends visit Japan
• When preparing for travel safety

20. Embassy and Consulate Websites

Website:
Search “Embassy of [your country] in Japan”

Foreign residents should also know the official website of their embassy or consulate in Japan.

Embassy and consulate websites may provide information about:

• Passport renewal
• Emergency documents
• Birth registration
• Marriage-related documents
• Power of attorney
• Notarial services
• Emergency contact
• Travel documents
• Citizen services

When to use embassy or consulate websites:

• When your passport is lost
• When your passport is expiring
• When you need nationality-related documents
• When you need emergency assistance
• When your family documents are required in Japan
• When you need official documents from your home country

Important advice:

Japanese immigration and city office procedures often require documents from your home country. Your embassy or consulate can be important for those documents.

How to Know Whether a Website Is Reliable

A good habit is to check the domain.

In Japan, many official websites use domains such as:

• .go.jp — Japanese government organizations
• .lg.jp — local government offices
• .ac.jp — universities and academic institutions
• Official ministry or agency websites
• Official city or ward office websites

Be careful with websites that look official but are actually private blogs, agencies or advertisement pages.

Private websites can be helpful, but they are not final authority.

For official matters, use official sources first.

What Foreign Residents Should Bookmark First

If you are new in Japan, bookmark these first:

• Immigration Services Agency of Japan
• Foreign Resident Support Portal Site
• Your local city or ward office website
• Digital Agency My Number page
• Japan Pension Service
• Japan Meteorological Agency
• Safety Tips app page
• Your embassy or consulate website

If you are a student, also bookmark:

• Study in Japan Official Website
• JASSO
• Your university or school website

If you are working or job hunting, also bookmark:

• MHLW
• Tokyo Employment Service Center for Foreigners or your local Hello Work
• Labour Standards Advice Hotline
• SSW official website, if applicable

If you have a legal problem, also bookmark:

• Houterasu
• Japanese Law Translation

Final Thoughts

Reliable information is one of the most important tools for living safely and confidently in Japan.

A small misunderstanding about residence status, city office procedures, health insurance, pension, work permission or disaster information can create serious problems later.

That is why foreign residents should build the habit of checking official sources.

Do not depend only on social media.

Do not guess.

Do not wait until the deadline.

Check the official website. Ask the responsible office. Confirm before making important decisions.

AIC Japan will continue to explain Japanese systems in a simple and practical way, but official information should always be confirmed through the relevant government office, city office, school, employer or professional support service.

AIC Japan
Reliable Japan Information

References

Official information should always be confirmed through the relevant authorities, including:

• Immigration Services Agency of Japan
• Foreign Resident Support Portal Site
• Foreign Residents Support Center
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan
• Digital Agency of Japan
• Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare
• Japan Pension Service
• Study in Japan Official Website
• Japan Student Services Organization
• Japan Meteorological Agency
• Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism
• Japan National Tourism Organization
• Houterasu Japan Legal Support Center
• Japanese Law Translation
• Local city and ward office websites
• Embassy and consulate websites

This article is for general guidance only. Rules, procedures, services and website links may change. Always confirm important matters with the responsible official office.