Emigrants
The INJ’s Emigrant Support Group offers advice and assistance to Irish citizens in Japan. The group is not a charity but rather works on the basis of Irish people advising and helping each other during their time in the Land of the Rising Sun. Administered by a dedicated group of mostly Irish volunteers with extensive experience of life in Japan, this website offers information and support with regards to virtually every issue of relevance to short-term and long-term Irish residents. By providing this service, this website and the ESG group endeavors to make your life here as smooth, safe, and enjoyable as possible. Visitors are encouraged to make the most of the services provided, to post their own comments, links and questions, and in doing so to contribute to a vibrant and active Irish community in Japan.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/irishnetworkjapan/
If you wish us to add or amend the listed information get in touch through the contact form.
As our site's information may be incorrect always double check direct.
Emergency
Helpful post-disaster websites (
Detail)
Full list of Embassy services, including emergency assistance. (
Detail)
In the event of a major disaster, relevant emergency information will be broadcast by radio (as well as on TV, and online newspaper updates, so it is worth taking note of the following stations: (
Detail)
Helpful post-disaster websites (
Detail)
and in Need of Assistance (
Detail)
Useful Links (Jobs, Moving Home, Guides to Japan, Everyday Life, etc)
General Guides to Japan: (
Detail)
National Holidays and other Important Dates: (
Detail)
Hairdressers and Barbers: (
Detail)
Japan has two types of pension plans, Kosei-Nenkin (Employees’ Pension) and Kokumin-Nenkin (National Pension). Both are run by the government. (
Detail)
In order to make the most out of your links with the Irish community in Japan (for example, networking, job updates and contacts, events, support and advice, post-disaster help and updates, we strongly recommended that you make note of the following points: (
Detail)
To drive a car in Japan, you can either obtain an international driver’s license overseas before arriving in Japan or transfer your overseas driver’s license to a Japanese driver’s license. An international driver’s license is valid for one year after entry into Japan or until the international driver’s license expires, whichever comes first. You will not be able to renew your international driver’s license in Japan. To continue driving in Japan after that, you will need to transfer your regular overseas driver’s license, if it is still valid, to a Japanese driver’s license. (
Detail)
Post/Courier Delivery Services: (
Detail)
Returning Home to Ireland: (
Detail)
Moving Home (To and From Japan, Storage, Removal Vans, Shipment, Cleaning and Disposal, Cash for Junk etc.) - (Domestic and Overseas): (
Detail)
Private Courier Companies: (
Detail)
Irish Societies and Groups in Japan: (
Detail)
Travel Agents in Japan: (
Detail)
Immigration
Visas (also see ‘Legal Issues’ and ‘Working Holiday Visa’ sections): (
Detail)
Immigration Information Centers and Bureaus
Please note --The new changes to the immigration laws. (
Detail)
This is a requirement for any foreign national who resides in Japan and wishes to leave Japan with an intension of re-entering Japan before his/her period of stay (or the period within which he/she is eligible to stay in cases where he/she has no fixed period of stay). Put simply, if you are a regular visa holding foreign resident in Japan and you wish to temporarily leave Japan (for a holiday, visit relatives, business trip etc.) and then return to Japan then you must apply in advance for a re-entry permit (‘single’ or ‘multiple’ types available) at your nearest regional Immigration Bureau. (
Detail)
Working Holiday Visa: (
Detail)
Accommodation
Comprehensive Stores for Essential Goods and Products, Moving In Necessities etc. (
Detail)
Communications
Post/Courier Delivery Services: (
Detail)
First, dial your home phone’s prefix (i.e. KDDI = 001, Softbank Telecom = 0041, NTT = 0033).
Second, dial 010.
Third, dial your country code (Ireland = 353).
Fourth, dial the area code but without the first ‘0’, therefore dial ‘68’ and not ‘068’.
Fifth, dial the main telephone number.
Therefore, PREFIX+010+353+AREA CODE (WITHOUT THE FIRST ‘0’)+MAIN NUMBER. (
Detail)
Internet Service Providers: (
Detail)
In the event of a major disaster, relevant emergency information will be broadcast by radio (as well as on TV, and online newspaper updates, so it is worth taking note of the following stations: (
Detail)
Cable/Satellite (Installation Enquiries in English): (
Detail)
Banking
Bureau de Change (Currency Exchange): (
Detail)
Books
Health
Hospitals, Clinics, Specialist Treatment, English speaking assistance and staff etc. (
Detail)
Gynecology and Obstetrics: (
Detail)
Learning
Education (Opportunities in the English Language): (
Detail)
Legal matters
Marriage (and Divorce) in Japan: (
Detail)
Visas (also see ‘Legal Issues’ and ‘Working Holiday Visa’ sections): (
Detail)
Legal Issues (Immigration (Visa) Assistance, Permanent Residence, Marriage, Divorce, Child Custody, Help with Documents and Procedures, Tax and Accounting Questions, Starting a Business, etc.): (
Detail)
Shopping
Foreign Food and Products: (
Detail)
Irish Goods and Products (available in Japan): (
Detail)
Shopping (Comprehensive Stores for Essential Goods and Products, Moving In Necessities etc.): (
Detail)
Transportation
Domestic and Overseas (
Detail)
Travel To and From Airports: (
Detail)
Travel Information (General): (
Detail)
Suica and Pasmo Travel Cards: (
Detail)
Utilities