When you decide to leave Japan, you have to file a moving-out notification to the municipal office. Of course, the municipal office has to be in the area where you are registered after your relocation to Japan.

Moving to Japan can be a tough task, but leaving Japan can be more difficult. So, you need advice about moving-out notification to know how to do it.

Before you leave Japan, it is good to prepare everything. That’s why we bring you some details of procedures for leaving Japan.

What is a moving-out notification?

All residents in Japan have to submit a moving-out notification when they want to leave Japan or they are moving to another city in Japan. When you file the moving-out notification you will receive a moving-out certificate. Also, keep in the mind, you must not lose this certificate while you are relocating from Japan. And, even more, important is to make sure to file a moving-out notification before you leave Japan, in another case you will be paying all taxes like you are in Japan. For example, you may be paying for National Health Insurance even you don’t live in Japan anymore.

When to submit moving-out notification?

Leaving Japan means that you are good prepared and informed about procedures. You have to submit a moving-out notification about 14 days before your moving-out date.

Also, make sure to submit a moving-out notification when you decide where are you going to live. You need to give your new address. There is no procedure for late submission. So you should file moving-out notification as soon as you can, in 14 days before your relocation. A moving –out notification will be sent to you by post.

A moving-out notification can be sent by post if your new address is too remote from the previous address.

What you have to bring for moving-out notification?

When you are going to submit a moving-out notification you have to bring your Ids such as residence card, permanent resident certificate, and passport.

How does it look moving-out notification?

The form of moving-out notification is different in every municipality. But, universal form which name is “notification of move”, is using for moving-in, moving-out and changing an address in Japan. You can find it bi-lingual if you aren’t Japanese residents. But, many of these applications still have formed just in the Japanese language.

Common problems with moving-out notification and certificate

There are few problems people sometimes face when they submit a moving-out notification, and also when they receive a moving-out certificate.

Some of these problems are:

• Lost a moving-out certificate
• Moving-out date you have notified is not due yet

But, if these problems happen to you, there is the solution. Your moving-out certificate can be reissued. You just need to bring your ID such as passport to the municipal office.

And, if you have a problem like losing a moving-out certificate and it exceeds the planned moving-out date you have notified, you have to bring your ID to the municipal office as soon as possible. They will give you a moving-out certificate replacement, but you need to pay fees.

If you decide to stay in Japan after you receive a moving-out certificate than you should go to the municipal office where they will revoke your certificate.

Other applications you can submit along with moving-out notification

When you are going to the municipal office to submit a moving-out notification, you also can finish other applications for your moving process. If your working company isn’t arranging for you to sort Employee’s Health Insurance and Employees’ Pension, you need to do it.

A resident who is moving to another city in Japan, need to quit the current National Health Insurance to re-enroll at the new municipality. But, if you are leaving Japan permanently, then you only need to withdraw from the current National Health Insurance. So, when you file a moving-out notification, you will not be in National Pension System. This means there are no other requiring procedures for you.

Return back you residence card

After your relocation to Japan, you’ve got a residence card. Now, when you are leaving Japan you must return it. As you know this card you are required to show on many occasions during your stay in Japan. Now, you have to return your residence card at the port of departure, not at the municipal office.

Don’t forget about your moving-out checklist.

We bring you some tips for your pre-departure checklist:

1. Pack and ship your boxes
2. Recycle or dispose of your stuff
3. If you are moving with pets, buy them tickets and prepare required documentation
4. If you are moving to another city in Japan, investigate which are the best places to live in Japan
5. Appoint a tax representative, and pay your residence tax
6. Check your visa
7. Tell your city hall that you’re leaving Japan
8. Cancel your lease and get your deposit back
9. Close your gas, electricity, internet and water accounts
10. Give the post office a forwarding address
11. Close your bank accounts
12. Hand over your health insurance card
13. Cancel your cell phone contract
14. And, most important don’t forget to find and hire a reliable Japanese moving company

So, when you decide to leave Japan, sort out all requirements before you go and leave Japan with no regrets. Also, when you read all instructions for leaving Japan you will avoid moving stress. Go to your municipal office and submit a moving-out notification on time, it is the most important advice.

Leaving Japan doesn’t have to be a complicated and difficult task. Just prepare all documentation on time, and decide which type of transportation you will use – air transportation or sea transport.