Foreigner

Quick Answer In a May 2026 Japanese government survey, 47% of foreign residents reported experiencing discrimination in daily life. The most common forms: service refusals (restaurants, onsens), apartment rejections, and persistent “outsider” treatment regardless of how long you’ve lived here. Overt hostility is rare — systemic and ambient discrimination is common. Japan has no comprehensive anti-discrimination law. Knowing what to expect, and what your options are, makes it significantly easier to navigate. ...

Quick Answer To find an English-speaking doctor in Japan: (1) Search Google for “English clinic [your city]” or “外国人対応 クリニック [city]”. (2) Use the JMIP hospital database (jmip.gr.jp) — these hospitals are certified for foreign patient support. (3) Call Japan Helpline 0120-46-1997 (24/7, English) for guidance. (4) Use #7119 for non-emergency medical advice — English available in Tokyo 24/7. Not sure if it’s an emergency? Call 7119 first. Getting sick in Japan as a foreigner is stressful enough. Not being able to communicate with your doctor makes it worse. The good news: English-speaking clinics exist in every major Japanese city — you just need to know where to look. Here’s exactly how to find one before you need it. ...

Quick Answer The best job sites for foreigners in Japan are GaijinPot Jobs, Daijob (bilingual roles), LinkedIn Japan, and TokyoDev (tech). Japanese language (N2 level) dramatically expands your options, but many tech and international companies hire English-only candidates. Job hunting in Japan as a foreigner is not like job hunting anywhere else. The market has real demand for foreign talent — but you need to know where to look and how to present yourself. Here’s a practical guide to finding work in Japan. ...

Quick Answer Credit card rejections in Japan are common for foreigners in the first 1–2 years due to zero Japanese credit history. Cards foreigners reliably get approved for: Rakuten Card (easiest), Japan Post Bank Cash+ Visa Debit (not a credit card but works everywhere), SMBC Prestia Debit, and Wise Card (Mastercard, instant issuance). After 1 year in Japan with stable employment, standard credit cards become accessible. Avoid applying for multiple cards simultaneously — each rejection hurts your score. ...

Quick Answer Key money (礼金, reikin) is a non-refundable payment of 1–2 months’ rent made directly to the landlord when signing a Japanese lease. It is not a deposit — you get nothing back. Combined with security deposit (敷金), agency fee (仲介手数料), and guarantor insurance, move-in costs in Japan typically reach 4–6 months’ rent before you spend a yen on furniture. Key money has no legal requirement — many apartments, especially newer ones and UR housing, no longer charge it. ...

Quick Answer Your first year in Japan will cost significantly more than your monthly salary calculations suggest. Major unexpected costs: apartment move-in fees (4–6x monthly rent upfront), National Health Insurance back-payments if you enroll late, residence tax bills in year two (based on year one income), pension contributions starting month one, and a second security deposit when you eventually move apartments. Budget at minimum ¥1.5–2M in non-recurring first-year costs beyond your regular living expenses. ...

Quick Answer Dating in Japan as a foreigner works differently than most expats expect. Japanese dating culture moves slower, communication is more indirect, and early relationship stages involve more ambiguity than in Western relationships. Couples often don’t define the relationship explicitly — you may be in a relationship before anyone says so. Apps like Pairs and Omiai work better for serious relationships; Tinder and Bumble have more English-speaking users. Dating in Japan as a foreigner comes loaded with expectations — from anime, from travel blogs, from other expats — that often collide with reality in confusing ways. The reality is both more ordinary and more complicated than the mythology suggests. ...

Quick Answer Getting medical care in Japan as a foreigner: start at a clinic (クリニック), not a hospital — clinics are cheaper, faster, and handle 90% of needs. Bring your health insurance card (保険証) and residence card. For English-speaking doctors, use the AMDA International Medical Information Center (03-5285-8088) or search Zocdoc Japan / Japan Healthcare Info. Out-of-pocket with National Health Insurance is typically ¥1,000–3,000 for a GP visit. “I had a fever of 39°C and no idea where to go or how to explain what was wrong.” That’s one of the most stressful experiences foreigners in Japan report — needing medical care urgently and not knowing the system. ...

Quick Answer Japanese landlords can legally refuse foreign tenants — and many do. Your best path: use foreigner-specialist agencies (GaijinPot Apartments, Sakura House, Able), look for UR housing (government-run, zero discrimination by policy), or go for share houses while building rental history. Having a Japanese guarantor or using a corporate guarantor service (e.g. GTN, ORIX) dramatically increases your acceptance rate. You found a great apartment, submitted your documents, waited — and then got the politely worded rejection. Or the agency told you upfront: “The landlord prefers Japanese tenants.” It’s one of the most common frustrations foreigners encounter in Japan, and it’s not something most expat guides prepare you for. ...