Chapter 10 Officialdom

10.01 Extending Your Visa

10.02 Forgetting to Renew Your Visa

10.03 Obtaining a Re-entry Permit

10.04 Losing Your Registration Card

10.05 Getting Stopped for Speeding

10.06 Words and Expressions

Chapter10

Officialdom

Akira kurosawa’s film Ikiru shows a frustrated member of the public being passed from pillar to post, directed in ever increasing circles around a government office. Things have changed a great deal since then. Nonetheless, the formalities can still be time-consuming, requiring that you fill out a great deal of paperwork then wait a long time for it to be processed. Know the system, and cooperate without making a fuss: this is generally the quickest way to get what you want. And all officials are sympathetic towards those who can speak, and better still, read the language.

If you come to Japan to work, you will have got a visa from the embassy in your country and a landing permit at the airport. Next stop is the city or ward office. You need to get a “certificate of alien registration” (take your passport and two photos). The card is usually valid for five years and should be carried at all times.

During your stay in Japan, you might be asked to produce a document showing proof of residence. This document is obtained from the same department. You are also required, as are all Japanese nationals, to report any change of address.

Incidentally, the Japanese have to register births, marriages, divorces and deaths in what is known as their family register (koseki). Copies of this document are required as proof of identity for certain procedures such as applying for licenses and enrolling in schools. Depending on the situation, you get a copy of the register for the whole family, or the entry for one member of the family.

The same section of the city or ward office deals with registration of name stamps (jitsuin), used instead of a signature on legal documents--for example when buying a car, or land, or getting married. A signature is acceptable in such cases but you may be asked to verify your signature; you’ll need to get a certificate from your embassy (sain shōmeisho). A name stamp used at a bank (todoke-in) does not have to be registered, but make sure you use the same stamp for all transactions at that one bank. Any stamp (mitome-in) can be used for such mundane transactions as receiving parcels. Name stamps should be looked after with the utmost care and should never be loaned to anyone; people have had their homes signed away as collateral for fraudulent loans.

Your most serious bouts with Japanese officialdom will probably be at Immigration. When you need your visa renewed, check on the internet or telephone beforehand to find out what documents you need and be prepared to fill in lots of forms and wait in line. If you suddenly discover that your visa has expired, go immediately to Immigration (even if you haven’t got the papers together), apologize and give a good reason for overstaying. In the dialogue later in this chapter the immigration official overlooks the matter, but you may not be so lucky: it is a serious offence and you could be served a deportation order and be banned from entering the country for five years.

Before you come to live in Japan you should find out whether your country has any reciprocal agreements regarding health and pensions. If none of these apply you will need to pay contributions to Japan’s social security plan. If you are employed, you will automatically be enrolled in health and pension insurance plans (kenkō hoken and kōsei nenkin hoken, respectively) and have the contributions deducted from your pay. If you are self-employed, a student or not working, go to your local government office and enquire about joining the national health insurance plan (kokumin kenkō hoken) and pension (kokumin nenkin). Incidentally, you are entitled to a lump sum repayment on your pension contributions when you leave Japan.

A word about tax: the Japanese tax year for individuals runs from January to December and the return has to be filed by March 15th. In the run up to the deadline the tax office organizes sessions where you can file your return online. A key document here is the “certificate of tax deducted at source” (gensen chōshū-hyō) which your employer will give you in December. And brace yourself for local tax which will be deducted from your pay from June, the amount reflecting your income for the previous year.

To drive in Japan you can use an international driving license, take your overseas license to the licensing center for your area and obtain a Japanese license, or you can take the driving test in Japan. A Japanese license is valid for three years and runs out on your birthday. When you drive, keep to the frustratingly low speed limits and take care not to park illegally: street parking is not allowed. If you’re going to buy a car, you’ll need a document, which can be obtained from the police, verifying that you have a parking space.

Finally, never drink and drive in Japan. The “legal limit” is extremely low. A whiff of alcohol on the breath will result in heavy fines, not only for the driver but for the others in the car and for the establishment that served the drinks. Get a taxi, or phone for a driving service (daikō) to drive both you and your car home safely.

10.01 Extending Your Visa

Before you go to Immigration to extend your visa, check on the internet or telephone to find out what documents you need.

OFFICIAL:

Nyūkoku kanri jimusho.

入国管理事務所。

Immigration Office.

MAX:

Moshi-moshi. Eikaiwa no kyōshi o shite iru Igirisujin desu ga, biza no kōshin ni dō iu shorui ga hitsuyō desu ka?

もしもし。英会話の教師をしているイギリス人です力又ビザ の更新にどういう書類が必要ですか。

Hello. I’m a British teacher of English conversation. What documents do I need to renew my visa?

OFFICIAL:

Gakkō ga hoshōnin to natte iru no desu ka?

学校が保証人どなっているのですか。

Is the school your sponsor?

MAX:

Sō desu. Gakkō no rijichō desu.

そうです。学校の理事長です。

Yes. The director of the school.

OFFICIAL:

Sore de wa desu ne, riji-chō ga kaita hoshōsho to gensen chōshūhyō, soshite keiyakusho, sore kara anata no gaikokujin tōroku shōmeisho to pasupōto o motte kite kudasai.

それではですね、理事長が書いた保証書ど源泉徴収票、そ して契約書、それからあなたの外国人登録証明書どパスポ 一卜を持ってきてください。

Then you will need a letter of guarantee from the director, his certificate of tax withheld, and your work contract. Also, please bring your alien registration card and passport.

MAX:

Hai. Arigatō gozaimashita.

はい。ありがどうございました。

I see. Thank you.

10.02 Forgetting to Renew Your Visa

If you have committed this cardinal sin, go straight to Immigration and explain.

LIN:

Sumimasen. Biza ga kiremashita. Ima kara kōshin no tetsuzuki wa dekimasu ka.

すみません。ビザが切れました。今から更新の手続きはで きますか。

Excuse me. My visa’s expired. Can I go through the renewal procedures now?

OFFICIAL:

Ē! Itsu kireta?

んん。いつ切れた？

What! When did it expire?

LIN:

Sengetsu no nijū-go-nichi desu.

先月の25曰です。

The twenty-fifth of last month.

OFFICIAL:

Naze konakatta no? Kireta mama da to taiho sareta ka mo shiremasen yo.

なぜ来なかったの。切れたままだど逮捕されたかもしれま せんよ。

Why didn’t you come? With an expired visa you could have been arrested.

LIN:

Mōshi-wake arimasen. Infuruenza ni kakatte, isshūkan nekonde shimattan’ desu yo. Hontō ni sumimasen deshita.

申し訳ありません。インフルエンザにかかって、1週間寝込 んでしまったんですよ。本当にすみませんでした。

I’m very sorry. I caught the flu and was in bed for a week. I’m truly sorry.

OFFICIAL:

Ki ga tsuite sassoku koko ni kita kara, mada yokatta desu yo. Sore de wa, kono shorui o kaite kudasai.

気が付いて早速ここに来たから、まだよかったですよ。それ では、この書類を書いてください。

It’s a good thing you came here as soon as you realized. Well, fill in these forms, please.

LIN:

Hai. Wakarimshita.

はい。分かりまました。

All right. Thank you very much.

10.03 Obtaining a Re-entry Permit

Most people get their re-entry permits the same time that they get or renew their work visas. The procedure is simple and usually not time-consuming. Emily is at the airport about to set off for their summer vacation in the States:

OFFICIAL:

Sai-nyūkoku kyoka ga kono pasupōto ni wa arimasen yo!

再入国許可がこのパスポートにはありませんよ。

There’s no re-entry permit in this passport!

EMILY:

A, wasurete shimatta !

ア、忘れてしまった！

Oh, no! I forgot!

OFFICIAL: (leading Emily and the children to the airport immigration office)

Chotto kochira e dozō. Nihon o deru no wa hajimete ja nai deshō?

ちょっとこちらへどうぞ。日本を出るのははじめてじやない でしよう。

Come this way, please. This is not the first time you’ve left Japan, is it?

EMILY:

Ē. Sō desu.

ええ。そうです。

No, it isn’t, (lit. Yes, that’s correct.)

OFFICIAL:

Naze kyoka o toranakatta desu ka?

なぜ許可をどらなかったですか。

Why didn’t you get a permit?

EMILY:

Shigoto ga isogashikute, sono ue ryokō no junbi de, ukkari shite shimaimashita.

仕事が忙しくて、その上、旅行の準備で、うっかりしてしま いました。

I was so busy at work and getting ready for the trip that it slipped my mind.

OFFICIAL:

Mata Nihon ni kaette kuru tsumori deshō?

また、日本へ帰ってくるつもりでしょう。

You plan on coming back to Japan, don’t you?

EMILY:

Ē.

たん。

Yes.

OFFICIAL:

Sai-nyūkoku kyoka ga nai to, saisho kara suteppu o funde, ima no san-nen no biza ga moraerun’ desu. Sai-nyūkoku kyoka o wasureru to, ato de anata ga taihen desu yo.

再入国許可がないど、最初からステップを踏んで、今の3 年のビザがもらえるんです。再入国許可を忘れるど、後で あなたがたいへんですよ。

Without a re-entry permit, you’ll have to start from step one and work back up to your three-year visa. If you forget your re-entry permit, it’s tough on you later on.

EMILY:

Sō desu ne. Kono baai dō shitara ii deshō ka?

そうですね。この場合、どうしたらいいでしょう力、

I see. What should I do now?

OFFICIAL:

Konkai ni kagiri koko de oshite agemasu.

今回に限りここで押してあげます。

Just this time, I’ll stamp (your passport) here.

EMILY:

Yokatta. Tasukarimashita. Arigatō.

よかった。助かりました。ありがどう。

Thank goodness. That’s a great help. Thank you.

OFFICIAL:

Kore kara wasurenaide kudasai.

これから忘れないでください。

Please don’t forget again.

EMILY:

Hai. Arigatō gozaimashita.

はい。ありがどうございました。

No, I won’t. Thank you very much.

10.04 Losing Your Registration Card

If you lose your alien registration card, you are required to contact your city or ward office within fourteen days.

KATE:

Sumimasen ga, gaijin tōrokusho o nakushite shimaimashita.

すみません力\外人登録書をなくしてしまいました。

Excuse me, but I’ve lost my alien registration card.

OFFICIAL:

Itsu desu ka?

いつですか。

When did you lose it?

KATE:

Ototoi. Saifu goto nusumaremashita.

おどどい。財布ごど盗まれました。

The day before yesterday, I had my purse and everything in it stolen.

OFFICIAL:

Shashin to pasupōto o motte kimashita ka?

写真どパスポートを持ってきました力、。

Have you brought photographs and your passport?

KATE:

Hai. Shashin ni-mai desu ne.

はい、写真ニ枚ですね。

Yes. Two photographs.

OFFICIAL:

Sore de wa, koko ni namae, jūsho, nakushita hi to jōkyō o kaite kudasai.

それでは、ここに名前、住所、失くした日ど状況を書いてく ださい。

OK. Then please write your name, address, and when and how you lost it here.

10.05 Getting Stopped for Speeding

If you are pulled over for speeding, should you pretend that you don’t speak Japanese? Be warned. Some policemen speak good English. If you know you are in the wrong, it is probably wise to apologize and to bow as best you can from behind the steering wheel!

POLICEMAN:

Menkyoshō o misete kudasai. Gaikoku-jin tōroku shō meisho mo dōzo. Sakki rokujū-san-kiro dashite imashita ne.

免許証を見せてください。外国人登録証明書もどうぞ。さ っき、6 3キロ出していましたね。

Show me your driver’s license, please. And your alien registration card. You were doing sixty-three kilometers per hour just now.

MAX:

Sō desu ka? Tsui.

そうです力、。つい、

Was I? I didn’t realize.

POLICEMAN: (looking at license)

O-namae to go-jūsho wa kore de ii desu ne.

お名前どご住所はこれでいいですか。

The name and address on this are correct, aren’t they?

MAX:

Hai.

はい。

Yes.

POLICEMAN:

Yōshi ga todokimasu no de, bakkin o harai-konde kudasai. Ihan tensū wa ni-ten ni narimasu. Sankagetsu inai ni ihan ga nakereba, shizen ni kiemasu kara. Kore kara ki o tsukete kudasai.

用紙が届きますので、罰金を払いこんでください。違反点 数は2点になります。3ヶ月以内に違反がなければ、自然 に消えますから。これから気をつけてください。

We will send you a form for paying the fine. You will be given two points for the offense, but if you have no offenses in the next three months, the points will be taken off. Please be careful from now on.

10.06 Words and Expressions

CITY AND WARD OFFICES
yakusho	役所	government office
kuyakusho	区役所	ward office
shiyakusho	市役所	city office
Hōmushō	法務省	Ministry of Justice
kōmuin	公務員	government worker
jichitai	自治体	local government
koseki	戸籍	family register
koseki tōhon	戸籍謄本	copy of the whole register
koseki shōhon	戸籍抄本	copy of the entry for one person
gaikokujin tōroku shōmeisho	外国人登録証明書	alien registration card
tōroku-zumi shōmeisho	登録済み証明書	certificate of residence (for foreigners)
jūminhyō	住民票	certificate of residence (for Japanese nationals)
hanko/inkan	はんこ•印鑑	name stamp
inkan tōroku shōmeisho	印鑑登録証明書	registration certificate for name stamp
IMMIGRATION
nyūkoku kanri jimusho	入国管理事務所	Immigration Office
pasupōto/ryoken	パスポート.旅券	passport
biza (zairyū kikan) no kōshin	ビザ（在留期間） の更新	visa renewal
zairyū shikaku	在留資格	residential status
hoshōnin	保証人	sponsor
sainyūkoku	再入国	re-entry
sūji sainyūkoku kyoka	数時再入国許可	multiple re-entry permit
TAX AND INSURANCE
zeikin	税金	taxes
shotokuzei	所得税	income tax
jūminzei	住民税	local tax
kakutei shinkoku o suru	確定申告をする	to file a tax return
gensen chōshū hyō	源泉徴収票	certificate from employer showing amount of tax deducted at source
kenkō hoken	健康保険	health insurance (for those employed)
kōsei nenkin hoken	厚生年金保険	welfare pension insurance (for those employed)
kokumin kenkō hoken	国民健康保険	health insurance (for self employed and students)
kokumin nenkin	国民年金	pension insurance (for self employed and students)
POLICE AND DRIVING
keisatsu	警察	police
keisatsusho	警察省	police station
keikan	警官	policeman
shirobai	白バイ	police motorcycle
patokā	パトカー	patrol car
ōtobai	才ー卜/ヽづ	motorcycle
gentsuki	原付き	motorcycle under 50cc, moped
unten menkyoshō	運転免許証	driver’s license
unten menkyo o kōshin suru	運転免許を更新する	to renew a driver’s license
chūsha ihan	駐車違反	parking offense
supiido ihan	スピード違反	speeding offense
inshu unten	飲酒運転	drunken driving
ketsueki kensa	血液検査	blood test
menkyo teishi	免許停止	suspension of license
menkyo torikeshi	免許取り消し	disqualification from driving
nezumi-tori	ネズミどり	radar trap
anzen unten	安全運転	safe driving
daikō	代行	driving service