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Official pages and counter staff use these words constantly. You don’t need to learn Japanese to handle your procedures — but recognizing these twelve terms makes every official page easier to navigate.

住民票 jūminhyō

Resident record — the official proof that you live at your address. Banks and phone companies often ask for a copy.

転入届 tennyū-todoke

Moving-in notification — the form you submit at the ward office within 14 days of moving in.

転出届 tenshutsu-todoke

Moving-out notification — needed when you leave one Japanese municipality for another.

在留カード zairyū kādo

Residence card — your ID as a mid- or long-term resident. Its address must be kept up to date.

マイナンバー mainanbā

My Number — your 12-digit tax and social security number, assigned automatically after you register your address.

区役所 kuyakusho

Ward office — the city hall of your ward, where most life procedures happen.

窓口 madoguchi

Counter / service window — the desk inside the office where a procedure is handled.

国民健康保険 kokumin kenkō hoken

National Health Insurance (kokuho) — the public health insurance you join at the ward office if your employer does not insure you.

世帯主 setainushi

Head of household — the person listed as the household's representative on the resident record.

印鑑・はんこ inkan / hanko

Personal seal — a stamp used instead of a signature in some procedures.

住所 jūsho

Address — written Japanese-style, from big to small: postal code, prefecture, ward, district, then block–building–room numbers.

引越し hikkoshi

Moving house — the event that starts the 14-day clock for your address procedures.