Guides
How tax, pension and insurance work in Japan, explained for foreign residents and checked against official sources. To see them in order for your situation, start from the life events.
Leaving Japan: Money Checklist (Taxes, Pension, Resident Tax)
What to do with resident tax, income tax, your pension, NISA and your residence card when you leave Japan, in the order you need to do it.
Resident Tax in Japan: Why It Starts in Your Second Year
Why your take-home pay drops in June of your second year, how much resident tax is, how it is paid, and what happens if you change jobs or leave.
Filing a Tax Return in Japan: A Guide for Foreign Residents
Who must file a tax return (kakutei shinkoku), who gets money back, how foreign income is taxed, and how to file for 2026 income.
Moving to Japan: Money Checklist for Your First Months
Registering your address, health insurance and pension, My Number, the tax form for your employer, and when resident tax starts.
Japanese Payslip Explained: Every Deduction on Your Salary
What each deduction on a Japanese payslip means, with 2026 rates, and why the amounts change in June, September and December.
Side Jobs in Japan: Visa Permission and Tax for Foreign Residents
Whether your residence status allows a side job, when you must file a tax return, and why income under ¥200,000 still needs a resident tax declaration.
Permanent Residency in Japan: The Money Records You Need
The tax, pension and health insurance records Immigration checks for permanent residency, and how to avoid late payments.