Living in Miyazaki
A Handbook
for Foreign
Residents

Information to Protect You and Your Family.

If you have any problems or issues living in Miyazaki, contact us:

Miyazaki Support Center for Foreign Residents
B1F Carino Miyazaki, 4-8-1
Tachibanadori Higashi, Miyazaki City
Opening Hours: Tues-Sat 10am-7pm,
Closed Mondays & National Holidays
Miyazaki Support Center
Phone：0985-41-5901 Fax：0985-41-5902 for Foreign Residents▲
URL：https://support.mif.or.jp/ E-mail：support@mif.or.jp

Facebook▲

Emergencies ……………… 2、3 Residency………………………12
Disasters …………………… 4、5 Working ………………………13

Contents Living in Miyazaki ………… 6、7 Social Security System ……14
Education …………………… 8 My Details ……………………15
Medical Care ………… 9、10、
11 Useful Words & Phrases in Japanese ……16

1

Emergencies (1)Don’t Panic! ☎ Call for Help!

Accident

Crime

Medical Emergency（Sudden Illness or Injury）

➡

☎ 110

PoliceAmbulance・➡ Fire Department

Fire

☎ 119

Call 110 (Police) or 119 (Ambulance / Fire) - These numbers are free
to call, even from a mobile or public telephone. The ambulanceservice is free of charge, but may only be used in an emergency.

If the Following Items are Lost or Stolen:

・Passport

Ministry of Foreign

https://www.mofa.go.jp/mofaj/link/emblist/ ➡ Affairs of Japan(mobile site)・Residence Card→ Contact the local Immigration Bureau. Pleaseapply for a replacement within 14 days.
Fukuoka Regional Immigration Bureau - Miyazaki Office0985-31-3580
・Driving License→ Contact the local Driving License Center to apply
for a replacement.
Miyazaki Driving License Center 0985-24-9999
・Bank Card(s) → Contact the relevant bank or financial institution tocancel the card(s).
Miyazaki Bank (Head Office)0985-27-3131

Japan Post Bank

0120-794889

The Miyazaki Taiyo Bank (Head Office)0985-24-2111

・Wallet/Purse, Bicycle, etc.
→ Report the theft at the nearest police stationor police box (kōban ).

PleaseNote!
2Don’t Suffer Alone – Talk About It!

Family/Marital Problems, Domestic Violence, etc.
・Miyazaki Prefecture Women’s Consultation Office0985-22-3858
・Police Safety Consultation Office#9110、0985-26-9110
・Women’s Rights Hotline

0570-070-810

Discrimination, Bullying, Harassment→ Contact your country’s Embassy or
Consulate General in Japan.
List of Embassies

Emergencies (2)To reissue a passport or residence card,a Certificate of Lost Property( Ishitsu todokede shōmeisho ) is required,and can be issued by the police.

・Human Rights Counseling for Foreigners
0570-090-911
・Yorisoi Hotline /Helpline for Foreigners in Japan 0120-279-338
・Japan Legal Support Center (Houterasu)
0570-078-367

Abuse and Parenting Issues
・The National Child Consultation Hotline
189（24 hours a day, 365 days a year）
・Children’s 24-hour SOS Hotline
0120-0-78310（24 hours a day, 365 days a year）
・Child Guidance OfficeCentral Miyazaki
Miyakonojo
Nobeoka

0985-26-1551
0986-22-4294
0982-35-1700

3

Disasters (1)Be Prepared, Stay Informed!

Earthquake If Inside a Building ➡

Protect your body. When the shaking
subsides, switch off the electricity and gas.
If Outside ➡
Watch out for falling objects!
Stay away from the sea, rivers, and cliffs.

TsunamiTyphoon・Flooding

Disasters (2)Survival Essentials - Be Prepared!

Actions That Can Save Lives During a Disaster

Evacuate(Escape)

Check the Hazard Map to identify any
dangerous places.

Thunderstorm・Tornado

Stay away from windows, take shelterin a sturdy building or a basement.

Information Stay Informed!

・ Hazard Map➡
http://disaportal.gsi.go.jp/

1 Earthquake-Proofing

Check to make sure that your home will not collapse, and that large
items of furniture will not fall over.

（Large items like these can shift around make sure to secure them:）
Fridge, Bookcase,
Microwave, TV, Computer, Desk, etc.

2 Evacuate Promptly

Stay away from areas at risk of tsunami and flooding after anearthquake.
① Even after a small tremor② Do not evacuate by car③ Do not trust any rumors④ Get to higher groundEscape!

3 Preparation

Pack water, food, and daily essentials in a rucksack or bag.

・Register for the emergency email
information service. Send a blank email to: ➡
bousai.miyazaki-pref@raiden2.ktaiwork.jp
・Ministry of Land, Infrastructure,
Transport and Tourism➡
http://www.mlit.go.jp/
・River and Flood Information➡
http://www.river.go.jp/portal/#80
・NHK WORLD-JAPANhttps://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/
・NHK Radio Miyazaki
Miyazaki 540 Nobeoka 621
Kushima・Kobayashi 1026
Miyakonojo 1161 Nichinan 1341 Takachiho 1584
・Disaster Emergency Message ➡
Dial171(follow the prompts to record or play back a message)

4

Emergency

Disaster
Residence
Bankbook
Supply Kit Card & Passport and Card

Cash

Medicine

4 Disaster Apps

You can download these apps on your smartphone – they can be
useful in the event of a disaster.
Safety tips

NHK News・Disasters

NewsDigest

VoiceTra(Multilingual voice translation)

Zenkoku hinanjo gaido(Information on evacuation shelters)

Yurekuru Call
(Earthquake alerts)

Help!

Please If you are unable to escape in time, shout for help!
Note! A loud whistle can also be used to get attention.
5

Living in Miyazaki (1)Important Basic Information

Accommodation
・ When looking for somewhere to live, information can be found at real estateagents, in housing information magazines at bookstores, or online.
One source of information:➡Miyazaki Real Estate Transaction Association
0985-26-4522 http://www.m-takken.jp/

Renting

・ A guarantor is needed to rent a place to live.
・ Along with key money and a security deposit to thelandlord, an agency fee, and/or other fees mustbe paid to the real estate agency.

Living・Most properties are unfurnished.
・Changes cannot be made to the door or wall colors, floor , tatami mats,or interior.

Utilities

・After securing a place to live, apply for electricity, gas, and water supplies.

Electricity → Kyushu Electric Power Co. (Kyūshū denryoku )Gas → The local gas company
Water → The water supply division of your local city, town or village hall

Rules and Manners

Each city, town and village has its own rules on garbage disposal
and recycling, so make sure to confirm when, where and how you
need to put out your garbage. Specific bags must be purchased
for burnable and non-burnable garbage, and are available at local
shops and supermarkets.

Sort by type → burnable, non-burnable, and recyclable garbage, as per local rules.

・NoiseBe aware - playing musical instruments, parties, screaming children, etc.,
may cause annoyance for neighbors, so please keep the noise down.

Useful Information for Daily Life:・ Multilingual Living Information

http://www.clair.or.jp/tagengo/ ➡

・ Daily Life Support Portal for Foreign Nationals

iOS

Android

http://www.moj.go.jp/nyuukokukanri/kouhou/nyuukokukanri10_00055.html

・ Ministry of Justice - Contact Informationwww.moj.go.jp/content/001291871

・ Houterasu - Legal Information in Multiple Languages
0570-078377

6

Useful Things to Know

Tax

Finding Somewhere to Live・Garbage

Living in Miyazaki (2)・ Japan Post Customer Service Center (in English) 0570-046-111 ofMinistry
Justice(mobile site)

The Japanese ta x system is composed of national andlocal taxes. Income, sales, and property are all taxed inJapan. Ta xes are used to suppor t people and provide
essential services.
Income Tax → Paid annually, the amount is calculated based onyour net income.
Resident’s Tax → This tax is based on the previous year's income
and paid to the your local government.

The amount of tax you need to pay will be calculated after
you submit a tax return is for the previous year’s income.
People who are self-employed or have multiple sources ofincome are required to file a tax return.
Consumption Tax→

8% ：Food and drinks (except alcohol and dining out)
10%：Alcohol, dining out, any other goods or services.

Vehicle Tax → A tax imposed on owners of motor vehicles.
More Information ➡ Visit your local tax office
National Tax Agency https://www.nta.go.jp/

Driving Rules Pedestrians should walk on the right-handside of the road.
Vehicles and bicycles use the left-hand side of the road.
Observe the traffic signs and obey the rules.
License To drive a motor vehicle in Japan, you will need one of the following:① Japanese Driving License② International Driving Permit③ Driving License from aCountry with a Specific Agreement with Japan(+ Japanese Translation)

Do you hold a valid Drivers’ License from another country?
If so, you can apply to convert it to a Japanese Drivers’ License
Please to be able to drive in Japan
Note! If not, you can apply for a new Drivers’ License following thesame process as a Japanese Citizen

For More Information ➡ Miyazaki Prefectural Police 0985-31-0110
http://www.pref.miyazaki.lg.jp/police/

Japan Automobile Fed. 0985-52-4511 https://jaf.or.jp
Miyazaki Driving License Center 0985-24-9999

7

Education

Going to School in Japan
Learning Japanese in Japan

School System

Elementary School lasts six years, Junior High School three years, HighSchool three years, and University four years (Junior College - two years). The
school year starts in April, with breaks in the summer and winter.

Admissions / Transfers

Children aged between 6 and 15 can attend Elementary and Junior HighSchool regardless of nationality.
Consult your local city, town or village hall for more information regarding
admissions. For High School and University, there is an entrance examination.

Medical Care ❶Sickness or Injury - Things to Know

Some medical facilities in Japan specialize in one particular area,
while others have separate departments to deal with separate areas,such as internal medicine, general surgery, pediatrics, ophthalmology,
dentistry, etc.

・Finding a Hospital

Miyazaki Medical Navi http://www.e-navi.pref.miyazaki.lg.jp/ ➡
Child Health Hotline#8000、0985-35-8855（7pm - 8am）

※ fevers, head injuries, seizures - phone for advice/assistance

After Hours
Please Make sure to call before visiting
Emergency Helplines Note!
Elementary School (6 years)

Junior High School (3 years)

High School・University (3 years)・(4 years)

For more Information ➡ Council of Local Authorities for International
Relations - Multilingual Living Information
http://www.clair.or.jp/tagengorev/ja/index.html
For help finding a school ➡Miyazaki Education Information Service Network
http://himuka.miyazaki-c.ed.jp/

Japanese Language Study
Learn Japanese - Connect with Everyone Around You
Japanese Lessons in Miyazaki Prefecture
Miyazaki International Foundation

0985-32-8457
https://www.mif.or.jp/ ➡

Miyazaki City International Association
Miyakonojo International Association

Recommended Websites
NEWS

WEB EASY0985-21-1719
http://www.miyazaki-mcia.jp/

0986-23-2295
http://miyakonojo-mia.com/

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/easy/

NHK WORLD JAPAN (Audio & text lessons) https://www.nhk.or.jp/lesson/
JF Japanese e-Learning Minato

https://minato-jf.jp/

Agency for Cultural Affairs - Handbook for Learning
Japanese and Life in Japan
https://www.bunka.go.jp/seisaku/
Agency for Cultural Affairs
kokugo_nihongo/kyoiku/handbook/➡
(website)Japanese Language Proficiency Test - JLPT

8

https://www.jlpt.jp/

Miyazaki City（7pm - 7am）
Miyakonojo（7pm - 7am）

0985-77-9101（夜間）
0985-77-9915

Nobeoka（7：30pm - 11am）※Hours vary depending on the day

0986-36-8890
0982-21-9999

Nichinan（7pm - 10am）

0987-23-9999

Hyuga（7pm - 9：30am）

0982-50-1000

Doctors Currently On Call（Pre-recorded message）
Miyakonojo - Kitamorokata 0986-23-5555
Hyuga - Higashiusuki
0982-53-1214
Nichinan / Kushima region 0987-23-9999

・For Further Medical Care Information

AMDA International Medical Information Center (NPO)https://www.amdamedicalcenter.com/
Helpline for Foreigners 03-6233-9266（Mon-Fri10am - 3pm）
Medical Handbook (Miyazaki International Foundation)
https://www.mif.or.jp/ ➡

・Medical Expenses

Medical bills will be reduced for holders of National Health Insurance uninsured people must pay full price.

PleaseNote!

Always bring your health insurance card whenever
you go to see a doctor.

9Medical Care ❷Giving Birth and Raising Children

Pregnancy Submit a pregnancy notification form to receive a“Maternal and Child Health Handbook”.

♡ Maternal and Child Health Handbook (Boshi kenkō techō ) ♡In this book, results from prenatal checkups, vaccinations,and health records of the child from birth up to entering
elementary school are recorded. The handbook is available
in several different languages.

Medical Care ❸Seeing a Doctor

・Using the illustration below① Point at the relevant area of the body on the diagram.
② Describe the symptoms, such as:kizu (injury),

hare (swelling), netsu (fever), itami (pain), or kayumi (itchy)

For more information, visit your local city, town or village hall.

Childbirth

Decide on a clinic, arrange regular checkups and receive advice.
After giving bir th, National Health Insurance holders will
receive a lump-sum allowance for childbir th & childcare(Shussan ikuji ichijikin).

Birth Registration Baby is born ➡ decide on a name ➡ register the birthat the local city, town or village hall (within 14 days).

PleaseNote!

Regardless of the parents’ nationality,
the birth must be registered in Japan.

For more Information ➡ visit your local city, town or village hall.

Nationality When the birth is registered, the baby's nationality must also

be registered. If one of the parents is Japanese, the child will
have Japanese nationality. If both parents are foreign nationals,
the child’s nationality will be determined according to the law of
the parents’ home countries

For more Information ➡ Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan Foreign Embassies in Japan
https://www.mofa.go.jp/mofaj/link/embassy/ ➡

Medical CarewebsiteCheckups：Free health examinations for young children are scheduled atregular intervals.
Vaccinations：Vaccinations which are required by law are free of charge, others
are partially reduced in cost.
Medical Expenses：The local government will partially cover the medical costsof children living in Miyazaki Prefecture who hold National
Health Insurance (until they enter elementary school).

PleaseNote!

10

An application must be submitted to receive
financial assistance for medical bills.

For more Information ➡ visit your local city, town or village hall.

・The following documents are available from the
AMDA International Medical Information Center
・General Procedures for an Outpatient at a Medical Facility
・Medical Fee Statement/Receipt (sample form)
・A list of Medical Examinations
・Registration Form・Vaccinations and Immunization Schedule for Children

For more Information ➡ AMDA International Medical Information Center (NPO)https://www.amdamedicalcenter.com/
Helpline for Foreigners 03-6233-9266（Mon-Fri 10am - 3pm）

11

Immigration & Residency Procedures
Status of Foreigners intending to enter or live in Japan must havevalid visa. There are two main types; a Certificate of
Residence aEligibility
issued by the Minister of Justice for work or
specific activities, or specified visas such as a permanent
resident or spouse of a Japanese citizen.

Requirements for Work

Activities are limited according to the status of residence gainedon entry to Japan, and length of stay.
◦ List of Available Types of Status of Residence
http://www.immi-moj.go.jp/tetuduki/kanri/qaq5.pdf ➡

The card must be carried at all times.
Residence cards are not issued to tourists.

◦ People who want to engage in different activities thatgenerate income, other than that previously permitted
by their Status of Residence◦Student visa holders who want to work
(up to 28hours per week)

must notify the local Immigration Bureau of any changes
Residency You
to your visa status or information that occur after entering
Procedures Japan as soon as possible.
・Any changes to your name, nationality, date of birth, or
gender must be registered (within 14 days).
・Any change to your status of residence,extensions to theperiod of stay・Permission to engage in income-generating activities
other than that listed in your status of residence
・Permission for Permanent Residence

Immigration
BureauContact the Immigration
Bureau of Japan

Necessary Documents➡Application Form, Residence
Card, Passport, Certificate of Eligibility, ID, Letter of
Guarantee, Photographs, etc.

For more Information ➡ Immigration Services Agency of Japan
http://www.immi-moj.go.jp ➡
Foreign Residents Information Centre 0570-013904
Fukuoka Regional Immigration Bureau - Miyazaki Office 0985-31-3580

Resident Registration A necessary procedure if living in Japan for more than three months.
・Address Notification Register your address within 14 days of moving in.
・Before moving, submit 転出届 Tenshutsu todoke at the city, town or village
hall where your current address is registered.
・Submit転入届 Tennyū todoke at the city, town or village hall with jurisdiction
over your new address (within 14 days of moving in).
※ Required documents: Residence card and passport.

12Working in Japan

A residence card will be issued to any

Residence foreign national who will stay in Japan for
more than three months, having obtained
Cardpermits relating to the status of residence.

PleaseNote!

Employment

Immigration Bureau of Japan (website)

Must apply for permission➡ For more information on applying for “permission to
engage in activity other than that permitted under
the status of residence previously granted”, go to
http://www.immi-moj.go.jp/english/tetuduki/kanri/shyorui/09.html ➡

Finding a Job

Hello Work is a government employment bureau that provides job
counseling and placement. There are no fees to use its services
and job vacancies nationwide can be checked online.
➡ Hello Work (website)

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

Contracts

Before signing a contract, make sure to carefully read the contents.

◦ Contents：workplace, job description, wages, working hours, holiday
leave, insurance, etc. If the job differs from the contract, or there areproblems at work, contact the Labor Standards Inspection Office foradvice.

Accidents at Work◦ Workers' Compensation Insurance is a system which provides insurance
benefits such as medical expenses for workers who get injured, become
ill or die during work or while commuting.

Your local city, town orvillage hall.

After resident registration, you will be issued a “My Number”.
Keep it safe, as this number is required for various procedures
and applications.
For more Information➡My Number - General Information 0120-017-826(free-dial)
The Resident Registration Counter at your local city, town or village hall

◦ The Insurance fee is borne by the company; the accident claim formshould be submitted to the Labor Standards Inspection Office by the
injured/sick person or the company.

For more Information ➡ Contact your local Labor Standards Inspection OfficeMiyazaki City 0985-29-6000

Nobeoka 0982-34-3331

Miyakonojo 0986-23-0192

Nichinan 0987-23-5277

13

Social Security System

Protects Everybody’s Way of LifeMy Details

Health Insurance Health Insurance offers support for everyonein the event of a disaster, accident, illness, orother unforeseen circumstances. After enrolling,
you will be issued a health insurance card that
entitles you to reduced medical expenses.

・National Health ・For those who are self-employed, or not working.
Insurance
・Inquires: The NHI Department of your local(NHI - Kokumin kenkō hoken )city, town or village hall

・Employee Health ・For employees of companies, organizations, etc.
Insurance
・Inquires: The insurance department at your place(Kenkō hoken )of work.

・Part-time workers may have to enroll in NHI (instead of Employee
Please Health Insurance), depending on their working hours and income.
Note! ・People from countries that have social security agreements withJapan might not be required to enroll.

Employment This insurance pays a basic allowance to theinsured in the event of them losing their job.
Insurance

Pension System By paying regular amounts into the system whileworking, a pension supports people in their old age.

・National Pension ・For those who are self-employed, or not working.
(Kokumin nenkin )・The pension contribution is the same, regardlessof income.
Inquires ➡ The pension department of your local
city, town or village hall.

・For employees at companies, organizations, etc.
・Corporate
Employee Pension ・Pension contributions vary according to salary.
(Kōsei nenkin )Inquires ➡ The pension department at your place of work.

For more Information
Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare
https://www.mhlw.go.jp/ ➡
Japan Pension Service
https://www.nenkin.go.jp/ ➡

14・Name：（わたしについて）（なまえ）・Address：（じゅうしょ）・Phone：（でんわ）・Nationality：（こくせき）

・Language(s) Spoken：（はなすことば）・Date of Birth：（せいねんがっぴ）

・Gender：（せいべつ）

Blood Type (if known)：（けつえきがた）・Emergency Contact：（きんきゅうれんらくさき）・Current Health Issues：（かかっているびょうき）

・Current Medication：（のんでいるくすり）

・Religion：（しゅうきょう）・Allergies/Dietary Requirements：（たべられないしょくひん）

15

Useful Words & Phrases in Japanese・Help!

（English）（Japanese - Japanese Pronunciation）
たすけて！

Tasukete!

・Traffic Accident
・Fire・Illness
・Injury・My ________ hurts
・My name is ________
・My address is ________
・I am in / in the / at _____now
・My phone number is _____I CANNOT EAT THIS/THESE

こうつうじこです。

Kotsu-jiko desu.

かじです。

Kaji desu.

びょうきです。

Byoki desu.

けがです。

Kega desu.

○○がいたいです。

〇〇 ga itai desu.

わたしのなまえは、○○です。

Watashi no namae wa 〇〇 desu.

じゅうしょは、○○です。

Jyusho wa 〇〇 desu.

わたしは、いま、○○にいます。

Watashi wa ima 〇〇 ni imasu.

でんわばんごうは、○○です。

Denwa bango wa 〇〇 desu.

Please point at any relevant items

これはたべられません！ Kore wa taberaremasen!

DOES IT CONTAIN THIS/THESE?

これがはいっていますか？ Kore ga haitte imasu ka?

▢ Egg▢Dairy Products ▢ Wheat ▢ Buckwheat ▢ Peanuts ▢Prawn/Shrimp▢ Crab▢ Pork▢ Chicken▢ Squid

たまご

ぶたにくにゅうせいひんとりにく

こむぎ▢ Beef

ぎゅうにく

そば

ピーナッツ

エビ

▢ Salmon ▢ Mackerel ▢ Abalone
さけ

さば

あわび

カニ

いか

▢ Salmon Roe ▢ Soybeans ▢ Sesame ▢ Walnuts ▢ Mountain Yam ▢Matsutake Mushroom ▢ Peaches
いくら

16

だいず

ごま

▢ Apples ▢ Oranges ▢ Bananas
りんご

オレンジ

バナナ

くるみ

▢ Kiwi

キウイフルーツ

やまいも

まつたけ

▢Cashew Nuts ▢ Gelatin
カシューナッツ

ゼラチン

もも