Money

Quick Answer Yes, foreigners can get a Japanese credit card. Start with Rakuten Card (highest foreigner approval rate, free) or Epos Card (apply in-person at Marui stores). You need a residence card, Japanese bank account, and stable income. Apply within your first 6 months while your income is easiest to verify. Using the wrong credit card in Japan costs you money on every transaction — foreign transaction fees, poor exchange rates, and missed rewards. The right card setup for Japan is different from what works at home. Here’s what to use and what to avoid. ...

Japan is one of the most regulated crypto markets in the world — and for foreigners who want to invest in crypto while living here, the rules create specific constraints. Knowing the legal landscape protects you. Here’s how crypto works for foreign residents in Japan. Is Cryptocurrency Legal in Japan? Yes. Japan recognizes crypto assets as legal property under the Payment Services Act (資金決済法). The Financial Services Agency (FSA / 金融庁) licenses all legitimate exchanges. ...

Standard apartment insurance in Japan does not cover earthquake damage — that requires a separate earthquake insurance policy. Given Japan’s seismic activity, this is not a gap worth leaving open. Here’s how earthquake insurance works and whether you need it. What Standard Renter’s Insurance Doesn’t Cover When foreigners in Japan sign apartment leases, they typically purchase 火災保険 (fire insurance) — often required by the landlord. Standard 火災保険 covers: Fire Water damage (from above-floor leaks) Theft Some accidental damage Standard 火災保険 does NOT cover: ...

Freelancing in Japan means learning to invoice correctly — in Japanese format, with the right tax handling, and now with the new Invoice System (適格請求書等保存方式). Getting this right determines whether your clients can claim tax deductions for paying you. Here’s what you need to know. The Basics of Japanese Invoicing A seikyu-sho (請求書) is the Japanese word for invoice. Japanese invoices follow a specific format that differs from Western ones. Getting the format right builds trust with Japanese clients. ...

Freelance taxes in Japan catch most self-employed foreigners off guard. The rules on what you owe, when to pay, and how to register as a business are specific — and the penalties for getting it wrong are real. Here’s what every freelancer in Japan needs to know. Who Counts as “Self-Employed” in Japan? You are considered self-employed (jieigyo) in Japan if you: Work independently on contracts (design, IT, writing, consulting) Operate a business without a registered company Receive income as a sole proprietor (kojin jigyōsha) Earn freelance income alongside a salaried job (requiring separate filing if the freelance income exceeds ¥200,000/year) Foreign nationals on appropriate visa statuses — including the Engineer/Specialist visa, Business Manager visa, or the new Highly Skilled Professional visa — can legally freelance and operate as sole proprietors in Japan. ...

Furusato Nozei — hometown tax — is one of Japan’s best-kept money-saving secrets, and most foreigners who pay residence tax here have no idea they’re eligible. Done right, you can receive thousands of yen in local goods and products at essentially no net cost. Here’s how it works. How It Works You donate to any municipality in Japan (not your own) The municipality sends you a gift (返礼品) — usually food, drink, local products You deduct the donation from your income tax and residence tax — minus a ¥2,000 personal contribution Net cost to you: ¥2,000 total, regardless of how much you donate (up to your limit) Example: You donate ¥50,000 to a municipality in Hokkaido. They send you ¥15,000 worth of crab and beef. You deduct ¥48,000 from your taxes (¥50,000 – ¥2,000). Your net cost: ¥2,000 + the money you already owed in taxes anyway. ...

Quick Answer Best credit cards for foreigners in Japan: Rakuten Card (free, ¥5,000 bonus, most foreigner-friendly — apply after 6+ months in Japan), Epos Card (apply in-store at Marui for faster approval), SAISON Card (no annual fee, flexible). You need: residence card, Japanese address registered at city hall, Japanese bank account. Initial credit limits are low (¥100,000–300,000). If rejected, use the Wise debit card as a substitute — no credit check, works worldwide. ...

Renters insurance in Japan is cheap, often required by landlords, and covers more than most tenants realize. Skipping it is a false economy. Here’s what renters insurance covers in Japan and how to get the right policy. Why Is Insurance Required? Japanese landlords require tenants to hold fire insurance to cover: Damage to the apartment caused by fire, water leaks, and accidents Liability if your fire or water leak damages a neighbor’s property Without insurance, you personally bear the full cost of these damages — which can reach millions of yen. ...

Quick Answer Most company employees in Japan don’t need to file a tax return — their employer does year-end adjustment (nenmatsu chosei) for them. You must file yourself if you’re self-employed, had multiple employers, earned over ¥20M, or have deductions to claim. The tax filing period is February 16 – March 15 each year. File at your local tax office (zeimusho) or online via e-Tax. Filing a tax return in Japan for the first time feels overwhelming — the forms are in Japanese, the rules are specific, and the deadlines are unforgiving. Once you understand the structure, it’s actually manageable. Here’s a step-by-step guide to filing taxes in Japan as a foreign resident. ...

Quick Answer Who must file: Freelancers, side-income earners (¥200,000+/year extra income), those with 2+ employers, people who left mid-year, and anyone claiming deductions beyond the standard year-end adjustment. Who doesn’t need to file: Salaried employees with one employer — your company handles it via nenmatsu chōsei. Deadline: February 16–March 15 (for previous year’s income). Biggest mistake foreigners make: Not knowing about the second-year residence tax spike (housing allowance stops, ¥100,000–300,000 bill arrives in June). ...