I moved or arrived in Japan
Start with your city, ward, town, or village office for address registration and local resident procedures. Then check whether health insurance, pension, tax, or immigration steps are also affected.
Administration
Essential administrative procedures in Japan
Use this guide when you need to work out which Japanese public office handles a procedure. It is especially useful for address registration, My Number, certificates, insurance, pension, tax, moving, and life-event paperwork.
Official sources, reviewed by Sollo. Source corpus updated 2026-06-24.
Choose your situation
I need a certificate or official record
Resident records, seal certificates, and many local certificates are usually handled by the municipality where your address is registered.
I need My Number or identity procedures
Use Digital Agency or My Number official information for the system itself, then check your local office or MyNaPortal for applications and updates.
My job, family, or status changed
A job change, marriage, divorce, birth, death, or relocation may affect more than one system. Check local procedures first, then pension, tax, health insurance, or immigration if relevant.
I do not know which office handles it
Start with your municipality's foreign-resident or citizen-services guide. It will usually point you to the right counter or national agency.
Official source map
City / ward / town office
Address registration, moving notices, resident certificates, seal registration, local tax notices, National Health Insurance, childcare, waste rules, and many local welfare procedures.
Digital Agency / MyNaPortal
My Number system information, My Number card functions, online administrative services, and digital procedures.
Immigration Services Agency
Status of residence, period of stay, residence card, re-entry, renewal, change of status, and immigration consultation.
Japan Pension Service
National Pension, Employees' Pension Insurance, contribution notices, exemptions, pension records, and international pension information.
National Tax Agency / local tax office
Income tax, final tax returns, tax filing guides, withholding, and national tax consultation.
What to prepare
Before contacting an office, gather your address, identification, residence card if applicable, My Number information if you have it, employer documents, previous notices, household details, and any reference numbers. For local procedures, confirm the exact ward, city, town, or village where you are registered.
Official sources
This reviewed shortlist provides official starting points. Use the complete filtered directory for more sources.
Administrative Guide for Foreign Residents
Digital Agency
Digital Agency official document related to administrative tasks, foreign resident, new resident.
Open official documentMeguro City Administrative Guide for Foreign Residents - English
Meguro City
Meguro City official document related to administrative tasks, foreign resident, new resident.
Open official documentKatsushika City Administrative Guide for Foreign Residents - English
Katsushika City
Katsushika City official document related to administrative tasks, foreign resident, new resident.
Open official documentChiyoda City Administrative Guide for Foreign Residents - English
Chiyoda City
Chiyoda City official document related to administrative tasks, foreign resident, new resident.
Open official documentArakawa City Administrative Guide for Foreign Residents - English
Arakawa City
Arakawa City official document related to administrative tasks, foreign resident, new resident.
Open official documentShinagawa City Administrative Guide for Foreign Residents
Shinagawa City
Shinagawa City official document related to administrative tasks, foreign resident, new resident.
Open official documentSuginami City Administrative Guide for Foreign Residents
Suginami City
Suginami City official document related to administrative tasks, foreign resident, new resident.
Open official documentChiyoda City Administrative Guide for Foreign Residents - Japanese
Chiyoda City
Chiyoda City official document related to administrative tasks, foreign resident, new resident.
Open official documentCommon questions
Where should I start if I just moved?
Start with your local municipal office. Address registration often connects to health insurance, pension, tax, childcare, and other local services.
Is My Number handled by my ward office or nationally?
The My Number system is national, but many card applications, updates, and local procedures are handled through municipal offices or MyNaPortal.
Why do several offices appear for one problem?
One life event can affect several systems. Leaving a job, for example, can affect employment insurance, health insurance, pension, tax, and possibly residence status.
Can Sollo tell me exactly which form to submit?
Sollo can help you find the right official starting point, but final forms and requirements should be confirmed with the linked official page or office.
Important note
Sollo helps you find and organize official public information. It does not decide eligibility, submit applications, or replace advice from a government office or qualified adviser. Official rules can change and may depend on your location, household, income, residence status, employment, and application timing. Always confirm details with the linked official source or the relevant office before acting.
How Sollo can help
Sollo helps you separate local procedures from national systems, so you can move from a confusing task to the most relevant official source without opening dozens of unrelated pages.