That letter from the city: what it is and what to do

The 30-second check

Before translating the whole thing, look for these words. They tell you almost everything:

Don't throw away anything from your city office (区役所 / 市役所), the pension service (日本年金機構) or the tax office (税務署) until you know what it is.

Resident tax (住民税, jūminzei)

Arrives around June. It's the local tax on last year's income, charged by the city you lived in on 1 January. That's why your first year in Japan often has no resident tax, and the year after you arrive has a surprise bill.

• If you're employed: your company usually takes it from your salary each month (特別徴収, tokubetsu chōshū). You'll just see a notice.
• If you're freelance, a student with a part-time job, or between jobs: you get the bill yourself (普通徴収, futsū chōshū), split into four payment slips (usually June, August, October and January), or one slip for the whole year.
• Leaving Japan mid-year? You still owe the year's resident tax. Pay it before you go, or name someone to handle it (納税管理人, nōzei kanrinin).

National Health Insurance bill (国民健康保険, kokuho)

If you're on National Health Insurance, the yearly bill usually arrives in June or July, split into monthly or bi-monthly slips. The amount is based on last year's income in Japan, so your first year is often cheap and your second year goes up.

Income dropped, or lost your job? You can apply for a reduction. Ask at the insurance counter: 保険料の減免はありますか? (Is there a reduction on the premiums?)

Pension slips (国民年金, kokumin nenkin)

From the Japan Pension Service (日本年金機構), not the city. If you're 20–59 and not on a company pension, you'll get a booklet of monthly slips. The amount is the same for everyone, roughly ¥17,000–18,000 a month, and changes each April.

• Can't pay? Apply for an exemption or a delay (免除, menjo / 猶予, yūyo). Not paying and not applying is the worst choice: it can count against you later.
• Students: apply for the student deferral (学生納付特例).
• ねんきん定期便 (nenkin teikibin) is a yearly statement of your record around your birthday. Information only.
• Leaving Japan for good? You may be able to claim back part of what you paid. Moving out of Japan.

Other letters you'll see

How to pay a slip in two minutes

Most payment slips with a barcode can be paid at any convenience store (7-Eleven, FamilyMart, Lawson) up to the due date. Hand it to the cashier and pay cash. They stamp your half: keep it as your receipt.

• Many slips can also be paid with PayPay, au PAY and similar apps by scanning the barcode at home. Look for the logos on the slip.
• Slips without a barcode, or past their due date, often have to go to a bank, post office or the city office.
• Rather never think about it again? Set up direct debit (口座振替) at the city office or your bank.

If you've missed one

Late payments add a small daily charge (延滞金, entaikin), and ignoring reminders can end in your bank account being frozen. More importantly for you, unpaid tax, health insurance and pension can count against you when you renew your visa or apply for permanent residence.

The fix is almost always simple: call or visit the counter written on the letter, say you want to pay, and ask for a new slip or a payment plan. 分割で払えますか? (bunkatsu de haraemasu ka? Can I pay in instalments?)