Pre-Arrival Handbook
for International Researchers & Students

National Astronomical Observatory of Japan
Office of International Relations
Fifth Edition: April 2024

NAOJ Pre-Arrival Handbook
Introduction
This handbook is designed to help visiting researchers and students prepare forarrival at NAOJ. It provides key information you will need to know beforehand toensure a smooth on-boarding process, from the initial planning stages to after
arriving on campus.
The information in this handbook was compiled by the Office of International
Relations. Each section includes contact details for the responsible unit at NAOJ.
If you have any questions, please reach out to the relevant unit through your hostresearcher.
In this handbook, unless otherwise specified, “short-term residents” refer to those
expected to stay at NAOJ for less than three months, and “medium- to long-term
residents” refer to those expected to stay for three months or more. (Please notethat calculating a “three month” period for visa purposes, such as for acquiring astatus of residence, can be complex. If you need assistance, please contact theInternational Academic Affairs Unit through your host researcher.)
The documents you will need to prepare vary depending on your situation, such as
the length of your stay in Japan and your employment status at NAOJ. Please referto the information that applies specifically to you.
May 2021
NAOJ Office of International RelationsFirst Edition: May 2021
Second Edition: January 2022
Third Edition: November 2022
Fourth Edition: March 2023
Fifth Edition: April 2024

© 2024 NAOJ All rights reserved.
Any duplication or other use of this publication without written permission of NAOJ is prohibited.

1

Contents

1. Procedures for Entry into Japan.............................................................. 3
1.1.

Required Documents ........................................................................................... 3
Certificate of Eligibility (COE) ..................................................................................... 4
Visa.................................................................................................................................... 4

1.2.

How to Obtain a COE & Visa ............................................................................... 5
Obtaining a COE ............................................................................................................. 5
Obtaining a Visa .............................................................................................................. 6

2. Accommodation and Housing ................................................................... 8
2.1.

Mitaka Campus ..................................................................................................... 8
Accommodation and Housing for Mid- to Long-Term Residents ........................... 8
Accommodations for Short-Term Stay ..................................................................... 11

2.2.

Mizusawa Campus .............................................................................................. 13
Accommodation on the Mizusawa Campus: Keyaki Kaikan................................... 13
Hotels Near Mizusawa Campus .................................................................................. 14

2.3.

Nobeyama Campus (Nobeyama Radio Observatory) .................................... 15
Accommodation on the Nobeyama Campus ............................................................ 15
Hotels Near Nobeyama Campus................................................................................. 15

3. Medical Care and Health Insurance ...................................................... 16
3.1.

If You Have a Pre-existing Health Condition/ Bringing Medicines into Japan
16

3.2.

Health Insurance ................................................................................................ 16
MEXT Mutual Aid Association Health Insurance .................................................... 17
National Health Insurance .......................................................................................... 18
Short-Term Residents who do not have an employment contract with NAOJ .. 18

3.3.

Bicycle (Bike) Liability Insurance (for those planning to use a bike during

their stay) ...................................................................................................................... 19

4. Bank Account & Credit Card ..................................................................20
4.1.

Bank Account ...................................................................................................... 20

4.2.

Credit Card .......................................................................................................... 20

5. If you have Accompanying Family Members ......................................... 21
5.1.

Procedures at a Municipal Office After Coming to Japan ........................... 21

5.2.

Children’s Education ......................................................................................... 21
On-Campus Nursery School ........................................................................................ 21

5.3.

Working of Your Dependent Family Members................................................22

2

1. Procedures for Entry into Japan
Before entering and staying in Japan, you must go through the procedures
stipulated by the Japanese law. These procedures vary depending on whether you
will engage in paid activities or whether your stay will be short-term or mid- tolong-term.
If NAOJ employs you as a staff or accepts you as a researcher, NAOJ will carry out
the necessary procedures as your host institution. The unit responsible for theseaffairs at NAOJ is the International Academic Affairs Unit. Please contact this unit
through your host researcher if you have any questions or need more details.
If you are a graduate student enrolled at the Graduate University for Advanced
Studies (SOKENDAI), please follow the instructions of the person in charge at
SOKENDAI, for the procedures for entry to Japan will be carried out through
SOKENDAI.

1.1. Required Documents
Before entering Japan to stay at NAOJ, you may need a Certificate of
Eligibility (COE) and/or visa. Please refer to the table below and check whatkind of document(s) you need to prepare.
Paid or Unpaid

Period of Stay

90 days or more

Nationality

Any nationality

Required Document- COE- VisaCountries and regions (No COE and Visa
with visa Exemptions
required)

Unpaid activities
Less than 90 days

Countries and regions - Visaother than those above (No COE required)
Paid activities(Any period and nationality)- COE- Visa* Countries and regions with Visa Exemptions:
https://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/short/novisa.html(Information may be subject to change depending on the world situation, so pleasebe sure to check the latest information and pay close attention to the footnotes.)3

Certificate of Eligibility (COE)
Foreign nationals are not allowed to enter or stay in Japan without any
reason or purpose; you must be certified to have a certain activity or
status that can serve as a justification for your stay in Japan. The
activities authorized for foreign nationals to perform in Japan are divided
into a variety of categories collectively called "status of residence." To
obtain one, you must be certified as eligible.
The procedure starts with NAOJ, your host institution in Japan, applying
to the Immigration Services Agency on your behalf. Once it is confirmedthat you meet all requirements, a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) will be
issued to prove your status. This COE will be necessary for issuing yourvisa in the same status category.
The following table summarizes the common types of status of residence
among foreign nationals staying at NAOJ and their family members. If you
are uncertain about which category you fall into, please contact theInternational Academic Affairs Unit through your host researcher.
Status of Residence

Professor

Engineer/Specialist in
Humanities/International
Services
Cultural Activities
Family Stay

Authorized Activities
Research, research supervision, or educational
activities at Japanese universities or equivalentinstitutions
Activities to engage in services that require skills
and/or knowledge in the fields of physical science,engineering, or other natural sciences based oncontracts with public/private sectors in Japan
Unpaid, academic, or artistic activities
Daily activities conducted by the dependent
spouse or children of a status holder described ineither of the upper columns【For details: Immigration Services Agency】
https://www.isa.go.jp/en/applications/guide/visa.html

Visa
The issuance of your visa is not only a verification that your passport islegitimate and valid, but also an endorsement that your entry to and stayin Japan is rightful. However, having a visa is only one of the requirements,
not the guarantee, for entry to Japan.
To apply for your visa, you must submit all required documents to the4Japanese Embassy or Consulate General in your home country or countryof residence.

【Residence Card】
If you plan to stay in Japan for more than three months
as a mid to long term resident, a residence card will be
issued when you arrive at Narita International Airport orTokyo International Airport. This card serves as yourprimary identification that verifies your status ofresidence and period of stay, so you must always carrythe card during your stay in case police officers ask you
to show it. Please be sure to update your information
immediately whenever there is a change in status, suchas your address.
*About residence card and residency management
system

1.2. How to Obtain a COE & Visa
Obtaining a COE① The International Academic Affairs Unit will send you an application
form for COE issuance based on a request from your hostresearcher at NAOJ. Upon receipt of the form, please complete all
required fields and send it back along with other supporting
documents. The documents you need to attach include your headshot photo and a photocopy of your passport, but the rest of the
documents depend on which status category you will apply for. For
specific details, please follow the instructions given by theInternational Academic Affairs Unit.
* Make sure to prepare your documents well in advance, so that theInternational Academic Affairs Unit can start the application
procedure at least two months before the date of your arrival in
Japan. When asked to provide your documents, please immediately
respond to the request.
② The International Academic Affairs Unit will submit your COE
application to the Tokyo Regional Immigration Services Bureau, andyour COE will be issued after the screening and certification5

process.
③ The issued COE will be sent to the International Academic Affairs
Unit and then transferred to you. Make sure to keep your COE in asafe place because it is one of the necessary documents for yourvisa application. Upon receipt of the COE, please start your visa
application immediately. Your COE will remain valid only for threemonths from the date of issuance, during which you need to enter
Japan.

Obtaining a Visa
（1）

If You Need Both a COE and a Visa
If you need a visa as well as a COE, you must submit a visa
application, along with your COE issued as described above, to theJapanese Embassy or Consulate General in your home country or
country of residence. The visa category you apply for must be thesame as that certified by your COE.
① While your COE application is underway in Japan following thesteps described in (1) above, please prepare all other documents
required for visa application. The documents you need to submit
depend on which category you fall into. Please visit the Ministryof Foreign Affairs website linked below and click on “Work or
Long-Term Stay,” where you can find a list of resident statuses.
Then click on your status category and find out what documents
you need to submit.
【VISA (Ministry of Foreign Affairs)】
https://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/index.html② Submit your visa application to the nearest Japanese Embassy or
Consulate General along with the COE received from theInternational Academic Affairs Unit. When submitted with theCOE, your application has already passed a preliminary review by
the Ministry of Justice, and your visa will usually be issued inabout a week.
③ The original copy of your COE will be returned when the visa isissued, so do not forget to bring the COE as well as your passport
stamped with the visa when you arrive in Japan. Your visa willremain valid for three months from the date of issue, and you will6

be required to enter Japan within this period.

（2）

If You Need Only a Visa (COE not required)If you only need a visa, you should submit your visa application to
the Japanese Embassy or Consulate General in your home country
or country of residence.
① Check what documents will be required for your visa application.
The documents you need to submit vary depending on yournationality or other factors. Aside from the documents that must
be prepared by each applicant, there are some documents thatmust be prepared by NAOJ or your host researcher (inviting
person). Please visit the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website linked
below and click on your nationality under the “Short-Term Stay.”
There you will find an overview of the application process anddocuments you need to submit.
【VISA (Ministry of Foreign Affairs)】
https://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/index.html② You will be responsible for preparing the documents to beprepared by the applicant. As for the documents to be preparedby the inviting person, please make a request to your hostresearcher or to the International Academic Affairs Unit throughyour host researcher.
③ Upon receipt of the documents prepared by the inviting person,
submit your visa application to the nearest Japanese Embassy or
Consulate General. It may take more than one month fromapplication to issuance. Your visa will remain valid for threemonths from the date of issue, during which you need to enter
Japan.

7

2. Accommodation and Housing
2.1. Mitaka Campus
Accommodation and Housing for Mid- to Long-Term Residents
If you plan to study or work at the Mitaka Campus for three months or
longer (for mid- to long-term period), you will usually stay at Cosmos
Lodge, an on-campus accommodation for short-term visitors, for the firstfew weeks after your arrival at NAOJ. During this period, you will seek offcampus accommodation or apartments to live in (hereinafter collectively
called “off-campus housing”).
Individuals with certain job titles may be allowed to stay at Cosmos Lodge
throughout their entire period of stay at NAOJ. However, the maximum
length of stay for those with other titles will generally be limited to 32
consecutive nights, and during this time, they need to find off-campus
housing and sign a lease. (Please find more information about Cosmos
Lodge in “(B) Accommodations for Short-term Visitors” below.)
At NAOJ, there is an Employer-provided Housing Program for international
staffs who find it difficult to locate housing in Japan. However, to enroll
in this program, you must meet certain criteria. Which type of off-campus
housing you are eligible for and which type of lease contract you would
choose will depend on your individual circumstances such as whether you
are employed by NAOJ.

（1）

Employer-provided Housing Program for International Staff
International researchers (excluding graduate students) who havean employment contract with NAOJ and who have been residing
outside Japan for at least 183 days immediately before the startdate of their appointment at NAOJ are eligible to apply for the
Employer-provided Housing Program. For more information, pleasecontact the Asset Management Unit through your host researcher.

（2）

Types of Off-Campus Housing and Lease Contract
The type(s) of off-campus housing for which you are eligible varies
depending on whether you are employed by NAOJ, and whether you
are eligible for the Employer-provided Housing Program. The tablebelow summarizes the eligibility criteria for off-campus housing
options.
8

Employedand eligible
for NAOJleased
housing

Employed
but not
eligible for
NAOJ-leased
housing

Not
employed(e.g., EACOA
and JSPS
fellows)

SOKENDAI
students

Staff Quarters of
Nearby Universities

○

○

×

×

Corporate
Lease*1

○

×

×

×

Personal
Lease*1

―

○

○

○*2

RentalHousing*1 Difference between Corporate Lease and Personal Lease: "Corporate
Lease" means that NAOJ will sign a lease agreement with your landlord on
your behalf. The search for housing will usually be carried out through a
housing management agency (Tokyu Corporate Housing Management Inc.)in discussion with you and the Asset Management Unit, the department incharge at the NAOJ. “Personal Lease,” on the other hand, means that you
will search for housing with the help of the Support Desk and sign a lease
directly with the landlord. In this case, you will need personal informationof your Japanese host researcher as an emergency contact.
*2 If you are a student at a graduate school other than SOKENDAI, andconducting research at the Mitaka Campus, please contact the relevant
office of your university. The Support Desk services will be limited to
introducing housing agencies that can provide services in English.

（3）

Types of Off-Campus Housing
The following table shows the types of off-campus housing
available in the surrounding area of the Mitaka Campus. Please
note that, as described above, the type(s) of housing for which you
are eligible and the type of lease contract you would choose will
depend on your personal circumstances. (For details, please referto the table next page.)*It will usually take over a month from viewing a rental property tosigning a lease contract. To ensure a smooth transition into yournew home after you arrive in Japan, make sure to contact either the
Support Desk for reaching out to housing agencies (for Personal
Lease) or the Asset Management Unit (for Corporate Lease) tostart your house hunt before you arrive at NAOJ.

9

Type of
Off-Campus Housing

Overview

Staff Quarters of
Nearby Universities

As of April 2020, staff quarters owned by the nearby
universities (Tokyo University of Agriculture andTechnology, the University of Electro-Communications,Tokyo Gakugei University, or Hitotsubashi University) can
be chosen if there is any vacancy available. The monthly
rent is relatively cheap, but note that the restoration
costs upon move-out can be expensive (about 200 to
300K JPY). If the Employer-provided Housing Program isapplied, the maximum period of application will be 3
years.

GeneralRentalProperties

These are rental housing for tenants who expect to stayover a relatively long period of time, and are further
divided into “apartments” and “houses” based on the
structure and number of stories. An initial payment of 3
to 4 months’ rent is generally due (via bank transfer) at
the time of signing the lease agreement. Please makesure that you are prepared to make this upfront payment.

Monthly
Apartments
RentalHousing

These are rental housing for tenants who expect to stayover a relatively short period of time, and are usuallyfurnished with furniture, electrical appliance, equipment,
and Wi-Fi. The typical monthly rent is over 100K JPY withall utilities included. In most cases, there are no Englishspeaking staff available, so you will need to beaccompanied by someone who is fluent in Japanese
during the process of viewing a property and signing alease.
The following website provides information
monthly apartments in the Mitaka area.
Libest:only)

Guesthouses

https://www.libest.co.jp/(Japaneseabout

language

A guesthouse is a type of shared accommodation, usuallyfurnished with a shared kitchen, bathroom, and lounge.
The initial and monthly payments are more affordable
than those of other housing options. This option is
popular among younger generations such as students,and suitable for those who prefer interacting with otherpeople and living in a lively environment. However, if you
prefer a quiet environment, this is not a good choice.
Many guesthouses can provide services in English.
The following website provides information about
guesthouses in the Mitaka area.
OAKHOUSE: https://www.oakhouse.jp/eng/

10

Accommodations for Short-Term Stay
There is an on-campus accommodation, Cosmos Lodge, available for shortterm visitors who plan to stay at the Mitaka Campus for purposes such as
joint research. However, if there is no vacancy at Cosmos Lodge, you willneed to book and stay at a local hotel.

（1）

Cosmos Lodge
Cosmos Lodge is an accommodation facility located on the Mitaka
Campus, designed to provide housing for short-term visitors.
Whether you can make a priority booking or how long you can staydepends on your employment status and job title. Reservations
must be made through NAOJ staff, so please contact your hostresearcher if you wish to stay here.

11

（2）

Hotels Near Mitaka Campus

Hotel/Telephone/URL

Address

Hotel Mets Musashisakai
TEL: 0422-32-5111
https://www.hotelmets.jp/en/
musashisakai/

2-1-8, Kyonan-cho,Musashino-shi, Tokyo,
180-0023
0 min. walk from JR
Musashisakai Station,
South exit

Business Hotel CitytelMusashisakai
TEL: 0422-33-5111
http://www.hotelcitytel.jp/citytel_sakai/(Japanese only)

2-4-15, Kyonan-cho,Musashino-shi, Tokyo,
180-0023
1 min. walk from JR
Musashisakai Stataion,
South exit

Rate

【Corporate Rate】
Single: \9,250 (plus￥650 for breakfast)【Corporate Rate】 Single:\7,2503-21-5, Shimorenjaku,
Mitaka-shi, Tokyo,
Single￥7,800(smoking)/
181-0013￥8，000（non-smoking）～
https://www.mitakacityhote
5 min. walk from Mitakal.jp/ (Japanese only)
Station, South exit
Mitaka City Hotel
TEL:0422-48-4111

Kichijyoji Tokyu REI Hotel
TEL:0422-47-0109
https://www.tokyuhotelsjapan.
com/global/kichijoji-r/

1-6-3, Kichijoji Minamicho, Musashino-shi, Tokyo,【Corporate Rate】
180-0003
Single: \12,640
1 min. walk from JR
Kichijoji Station, Southexit

2-4-14, Kichijojihon-cho,
Kichijyoji Excel Hotel Tokyu
Musashino-shi, Tokyo,
TEL: 0422-22-0109
180-0004
https://www.tokyuhotelsjapan.
5 min. walk from Kichijoji
com/global/kichijoji-e/Station, North exit

Standard double￥15，000～

Urban Hotel Twins Chofu
TEL: 042-486-3500
http://www.tokyowesthotel.co.jp/urban-tw/(Japanese only)

1-47-4, Fuda, Chofu-shi,
Tokyo,
182-0024.
1 min. walk from Keio
Chofu Station, East exit

Creston Hotel Chofu
TEL: 042-489-5000
https://www.crestonhotel.jp/c
hofu/en/

Chofu PARCO, 8F/9F/10F
1-38-1, Kojima-cho, Chofu- 【Corporate Rate】
Single: From \10,240
shi, Tokyo, 182-0026.
1 min. walk from Keio
Chofu Station, North exit.

【Corporate Rate】
Single:\9,350

Wild Cherry Blossom, Hostel, 4-15-14, Naka-cho,
Koganai-shi, Tokyo,
Tokyo Koganei
184-0012
TEL: 042-401-1221
Cabin Room￥5，500～
https://wildcherryblossomhost 5 min. walk from Musashi
el.com/Koganei Station, South exit∗∗

The rates above are current as of September 2023 and may have changed sincethat time. Please check up-to-date information when booking.
Consider that corporate rates might not always be the lowest. Check other hotel
reservation sites for comparisons.

12∗The most reliable way to secure the corporate rate is to make reservations by phone.
When booking, mention your stay is for NAOJ business to ensure they apply thediscount. While some hotels offer corporate rates through online booking platforms,
it is important that you check directly with the hotel to see if the corporate rateapplies.

2.2. Mizusawa Campus
On the Mizusawa Campus, there is “Keyaki Kaikan” for short term visitors.
Short-term visitors can also choose to stay at a nearby hotel.

Accommodation on the Mizusawa Campus: Keyaki Kaikan
The “Keyaki Kaikan” provides housing to short term visitors at theMizusawa Campus. Reservations must be made through your hostresearcher at the Mizusawa Campus.
For the detailed procedure, see the following website or Contact theGeneral Affairs Unit at Mizusawa VLBI Observatory through your hostresearcher at the Mizusawa Campus.
https://www.miz.nao.ac.jp/content/researchers.html (Japanese only)13

Hotels Near Mizusawa Campus
Hotel/Telephone/URL

Address

Rate

Hotel Route INN Oshu
TEL: 050-5847-7710 /
105, Yoko-machi, Mizusawa-ku,
0197-51-7101
Oshu-shi, Iwate, 023-0801
https://www.route15 min. drive from JR Tohoku
inn.co.jp/hotel_list/iwate/ind Shinkansen Mizusawa-Esashi
Station.
ex_hotel_id_622/(In multi-language)Single: From \7,300(Inc. tax, service
charge, breakfast
included)Mizusawa Kita Hotel
TEL: 0120-51-3456
TEL: 0197-22-8888
https://hpdsp.jp/kitahotel/en/2, Terakoji, Mizusawa-ku,
Oshu-shi, Iwate, 023-0811
JR Tohoku Main Line 4-minute
walk from Mizusawa Station.
15 min. drive from JR Tohoku
Shinkansen Mizusawa-Esashi
Station.

Single: From \6,000(Inc. tax, service
charge)Breakfast available
for extra \700 (Inc.
tax)

Mizusawa Sun Palace Hotel
TEL: 0120-43-1125
TEL: 0197-25-4311
http://sun.oshushi.com/(Japanese only)

4, Azumacho, Mizusawa-ku,
Oshu-shi, Iwate, 023-0818
15 min. drive from JR Tohoku
Shinkansen Mizusawa-Esashi
Station.

Single: From \5,000(Inc. tax, service
charge)Free breakfast
available.

Mizusawa Grand Hotel
TEL: 0197-25-8311
https://mizusawagrandhotel.com/english/

40, Azumacho, Mizusawa-ku,
Oshu-shi, Iwate, 023-0818
15 min. drive from JR Tohoku
Shinkansen Mizusawa-Esashi
Station.

Single: From \5,500(Inc. tax, no meal)
Breakfast available
for extra \500 (Inc.
tax)

Mizusawa Green Hotel
TEL: 0197-24-5212
https://hpdsp.jp/mizusawagreenhotel/en/

118-1, Nakamachi, Mizusawa,
Oshu-shi, Iwate, 023-0813
1 min. walk from JR Tohoku
Shinkansen Mizusawa-Esashi
Station.

Single: From \2,100(Inc. tax)
Single: From \2,650(Inc. tax &breakfast)

Mizusawa Suimeisou
TEL: 0197-25-3311
http://suimeisou.jp/en/

5-33, Ootemachi, Mizusawa-ku,
Oshu-shi, Iwate, 023-0053
Single: From \7,200
8 min. walk from JR Tohoku(Exc. tax)
Shinkansen Mizusawa-Esashi
Station.

23-65, Nakamachi, MizusawaAoki Ryokan
ku, Oshu-shi, Iwate, 023-0813
TEL: 0197-23-7115
1 min. walk from JR Tohoku
http://www.aokiryokan.com/
Shinkansen Mizusawa-Esashi(Japanese only)
Station.
∗Single: From \4,000(Inc. tax, No meal)
Single: From \4,800(Inc. tax, breakfast)

Neither of these hotels offer company discounts. The rates and services are
current as of October 2020 and may have changed since that time. Please checkup-to-date information when booking.

14

2.3. Nobeyama Campus (Nobeyama Radio Observatory)
Accommodation on the Nobeyama Campus
There is no accommodation facility operated by NAOJ on the Nobeyama
campus, but a nearby accommodation facility owned by another university
may be available, depending on the time of year and the availability ofrooms. For details, please contact your host researcher at the NobeyamaCampus.

Hotels Near Nobeyama Campus
Short-term visitors can also choose to stay at a nearby hotel.
Hotel/Telephone/URL

Address

Rate

Yatsugatake Grace Hotel
TEL: 0267-91-9515
https://www.ygrace.com/(Japanese only)

217-1, Nobeyama, Minamimakimura, Minamisaku-gun, Nagano,384-1305
5 min. drive from JR Koumi line
Nobeyama Station.
(Free Shuttle Bus available)

Single: From \13,500(Inc. tax, service
charge, breakfast &dinner)Standard Twin:
From \6,500(Inc. tax, service
charge. no meal)

Hotel Nobeyama
TEL: 0267-91-1200
http://www.chateraiseres
ort.co.jp/HOTEL/(Japanese only)

1841-5, Goshodaira, Kawakamimura, Minamisaku-gun, Nagano,384-1407
5 min. drive from JR Koumi line
Nobeyama Station.

Standard Twin w/
breakfast:
From \7,000(Inc. tax, service
charge)Standard Twin w/
breakfast & dinner:
From \7,500(Inc. tax, service
charge)Kiyosato-Kogen Highland
Hotel
TEL: 0551-20-8111
https://kiyosato.izumigo.
co.jp/(Japanese only)

3545, Kiyosato, Takane-cho,
Hokuto-shi, Hokuto, Yamanashi,
407-0301
3 min. drive from JR Koumi Line
Kiyosato Station.
(Shuttle Bus available.
Reservation required.)Standard Twin: From
\16,790(Inc. tax, breakfast &dinner)Hotel Hut Walden
TEL: 0551-48-2131
https://www.hutwalden.com/(Japanese only)

3545, Kiyosato, Takane-cho,
Hokuto-shi, Yamanashi,
407-0301
10 min. walk from JR Koumi Line
Kiyosato Station

Standard Twin: From
\11,500(Inc. tax, breakfast &dinner)∗Neither of these hotels offer company discounts. The rates and services above
are current as of October 2020 and may have changed since that time. Pleasecheck up-to-date information when booking.

15

3. Medical Care and Health Insurance
3.1. If You Have a Pre-existing Health Condition/ Bringing Medicines intoJapan
Please ask your doctor in your home country to issue a referral, medical
certificate, test result, or prescription written either in English or in Japanese,and bring them when you see a doctor in Japan for the first time. Some
hospitals or clinics in Japan may be reluctant to accept foreign patients
because of the language barrier or other reasons. If you have a pre-existing
condition that requires you to see a doctor shortly after your arrival, pleasecontact your country’s diplomatic mission prior to your arrival in Japan so as
to ensure that you can find a doctor or medical facility that can provide
services in your native language or English.
If you need to bring medicines into Japan, you may be required to seek
advance permission from one of Japan’s eight Regional Bureaus of Healthand Welfare. Please take the necessary application procedures before
traveling to Japan.
[Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare]https://www.mhlw.go.jp/english/policy/healthmedical/pharmaceuticals/01.html

3.2. Health Insurance
The type of health insurance you will enroll in during your stay will differ
depending on whether or not you have an employment contract with NAOJ
and your length of stay in Japan. In some cases, you may need to switch types
during the middle of your stay in order to cover the entire period from theday you arrive to the day you leave. Please refer to the following information
and apply for an appropriate insurance to make sure that you are covered incase of a sudden illness or injury.
【Overseas Travel Insurance】
Please note that after you arrive in Japan, it is often difficult to enroll inoverseas travel insurance policies that provides coverage for illness during
your stay, and you will not be able to acquire a new credit card that comeswith overseas travel insurance benefits.

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MEXT Mutual Aid Association Health Insurance
Those on a medium- to long-term stay who are employed by NAOJ withprescribed working hours of more than 29 hours per week or who meet all
the requirements for enrollment in the "MEXT Mutual Aid Association" 1
will join this insurance on the first day of their employment.

（1）

During the period of employment: MEXT Mutual Aid
Association Health Insurance
You are required to enroll in the MEXT Mutual Aid Association
Health Insurance starting from the day of your employment.
However, please keep in mind that eligibility for enrollment in the
MEXT Mutual Aid Association Health Insurance will only be for theperiod of employment at NAOJ.

（2）During the period prior to employment (if arriving in Japan

before the date of employment): Overseas Travel Insuranceand National Health Insurance
If you plan to come to Japan before the start date of youremployment, please make sure that you are enrolled in overseas
travel insurance that provides coverage for illness or injury for thetime period until your employment at NAOJ begins, since the MEXT
Mutual Aid Association Health Insurance will only be effective
during your employment period at NAOJ. Although some credit
cards come with travel insurance benefits, please consider
purchasing new overseas travel insurance since those benefits
tend to have limited coverage.
In addition, while most overseas travel insurance covers illness or
injury during travel by airplane, etc., prior to arrival in Japan, there
may be inconveniences after arriving in Japan, such as the lack of
nearby medical facilities designated by the insurance company. For
this reason, it is recommended that you also apply for National
Health Insurance, which covers illness and injury up to the day you
start employment. Please visit your local municipal office as soon
as possible after your arrival and complete the procedures for1

Eligibility requirements for enrollment in MEXT Mutual Aid Association: 1) prescribedworking hours is at least 20 hours per week; 2) expected to be employed for more than 2months; 3) monthly fixed salary is 88,000 JPY or more; and 4) is not a student.

17enrollment. After you start your employment at NAOJ, revisit yourlocal municipal office and show your MEXT Mutual Aid Association
Health Insurance certificate to take the necessary procedures forwithdrawing from National Health Insurance.

National Health Insurance
Those on a medium- to long-term stay who do not have an employment
contract with NAOJ or who have an employment contract with NAOJ but
do not meet the requirements for enrollment in the "MEXT Mutual Aid
Association"1 must join the National Health Insurance system.

（1）

During the period of stay at NAOJ: National Health
Insurance
You will need to apply for National Health Insurance. Please visit
your local municipal office as soon as possible after your arrivaland complete the procedures for enrollment.

（2）

During the period prior to resident registration: Overseas

Travel Insurance
It is recommended that you purchase an overseas travel insurance
policy that provides coverage for illness and injury for the periodprior to your resident registration including your travel to Japan,
since National Health Insurance will only be available after you takethe necessary procedures at your local municipal office. Althoughsome credit cards come with travel insurance benefits, pleaseconsider purchasing a new overseas travel insurance since thosebenefits tend to have limited coverage.

Short-Term Residents who do not have an employment contract
with NAOJ
Those on a short-term stay (less than three months) are not eligible forboth MEXT Mutual Aid Association Health Insurance and National Health
Insurance.
Before leaving your country, you are highly encouraged to purchase an
overseas travel insurance policy to protect yourself from illness or injury
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that may occur during your stay.
Although some credit cards come with travel insurance, such insurance
may not have enough liability coverage, so if necessary, please consider
purchasing new travel insurance.

3.3. Bicycle (Bike) Liability Insurance (for those planning to use a bikeduring their stay)
Bike insurance has become mandatory in Tokyo since April 2020, and thistrend is spreading to other prefectures. From April 2023, all bicyclists
nationwide will be responsible for making an effort to wear helmets. In
fact, there have been cases of bike accidents where the cyclists wereforced to pay a large amount of compensation.
If you are likely to use a bike in Japan, you need to purchase bikeinsurance that covers injury to yourself and others caused by bike
accidents. Mid- to long-term residents can apply for a bike insurance evenafter coming to Japan, but not all applications will be approved. Thus, they
are encouraged to purchase bike insurance before leaving their country.
Short-term residents, on the other hand, cannot apply for such insurance
after coming to Japan, and thus need to purchase one beforehand. It is
recommended, if possible, to purchase an insurance policy that includes
services such as Japanese interpretation and settlement negotiation.
Recently, there have been many traffic collisions, particularly between
bikes, and when an accident does occur, the language barrier will makethe case difficult to settle. In Japan, please make sure to ride a bike with
an appropriate insurance coverage.

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4. Bank Account & Credit Card
When you come to Japan, please carry enough money for the expected expenses
of settling in Japan. Particularly, if you plan to live in off-campus housing under apersonal lease agreement, you will need more than three to four times as muchmoney for the initial payment, furniture, and electric appliance as you will pay foreach monthly rent.
The following are important points to note when you open a bank account or use
a credit card.

4.1. Bank Account
While most mid- to long term residents can open a bank account in Japan,
requirements and standards vary depending on the bank, and there may becases where you will not be able to open an account.
During the first six months of your arrival in Japan, your bank account will beconsidered a “non-resident” account and will be restricted to minimalfunctions such as deposits and withdrawals. Furthermore, during this “nonresident” period, domestic money transfers will be treated as internationaltransfers, and each transaction will be subject to a costly transfer fee. Oncesix months have passed since your entry into Japan, you will be able toreregister your account as a “resident” and resume all functions, including
normal domestic money transfers using an ATM.
Short-term residents are unable to open a bank account in a Japanese bank.

4.2. Credit Card
It is very difficult for foreign nationals to obtain a new credit card in Japan.
If you wish to use a credit card during your stay, please obtain one that is
valid internationally before leaving your country and bring it with you to Japan.
To obtain a mobile phone number in Japan, you need a credit card in yourname.
If you plan to use a credit card or debit card that you brought from yourcountry, or that was issued by a bank in your country, please make sure,
before coming to Japan, to check whether your card is valid in Japan. Even if
you find that your card is valid in Japan, never fail to check the card limit.

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5. If you have Accompanying Family Members
5.1. Procedures at a Municipal Office After Coming to Japan
After coming to Japan, mid- to long-term residents must notify their local
municipal office of their address and, if any, those of their accompanying
family members. For each family member, you need to submit the original copyof a document that proves your family relationship (e.g., marriage certificate
for spouse, birth certificate for children). These certificates must be
officially issued by public entities, such as government agencies of yourcountry, so please make sure to have the necessary certificates issued
before leaving your country, and bring them with you when coming to Japan.
When submitting to the local municipal office, you must also attach Japanesetranslations of these certificates.

5.2. Children’s Education
In Japanese kindergartens and schools, each school year begins in April andends in March of the following year.
Nursery schools are open to preschool children of any age, and kindergartens
are open to children from three years old until they enter elementary school.
However, children will not be admitted into nursery schools unless theparents meet the criteria for admission, such as employment status.
Compulsory education in Japan lasts a total of nine years: six years inelementary school from the age of six and three years in junior high school
up to the age of 15. This is followed by further three years of high school andusually four years of college/university education.

On-Campus Nursery School
The Mitaka Campus has its own nursery school, Childcare Room
“Hoshinoko,” which accepts preschool children aged 57 days or older if
their parents meet certain criteria. For details about “Hoshinoko,” pleasecontact the Employee Affairs Unit through your host researcher.

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5.3. Working of Your Dependent Family Members
The spouse and children who come to Japan as dependents of aninternational researcher or student with a status of residence are granted
the “Family Stay” status, which allows them to engage in “daily activities as
the dependent spouse or child of a working foreign national residing in Japan.”
However, this visa category is not intended for working, so paid activities areprohibited in principle.
Under certain conditions, however, dependent family members may bepermitted to work by applying for “Permission to Engage in an Activity Other
Than That Permitted by the Status of Residence Previously Granted” to the
Immigration Services Agency.
"Unspecified Permission" and "Individual Permission" are the two types of
permits granted under the permission to engage in an activity other thanthose permitted by the status of residence previously granted.
An Unspecified Permission is a comprehensive permit that allows theapplicant to engage in part-time jobs without specifying the details of theactivity, including the place and the contents of the work, insofar as theworking hours are limited to 28 hours per week. If the work hours are
expected to exceed 28 hours per week or are difficult to verify objectively,an Individual Permission will be required. To obtain an individual permit, theapplicant must provide details of the activity, including the contents, work
hours, and remuneration.
Even if the permission is granted, though, there are restrictions such as
limitation of working hours according to the type of work permit. Those who
violate the rules shall be imprisoned for not more than three years, or fined
not more than three million JPY, and may be deprived of their status and/or
deported.
Please note that once your spouse or children with the status of a“dependent family member” under the MEXT Mutual Aid Association Health
Insurance become able to continue earning a certain amount of income, they
may lose the status and may need to remove their registration from theInsurance.

For more details about the permission, please see the following

websites.
https://www.isa.go.jp/en/applications/guide/nyuukokukanri07_00045.html

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