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Relocation checklist — Japan

Interactive relocation checklist for Japan — 20 critical steps from tier-1 operational data (2026-04). Progress saves in your browser only.

Last reviewed April 15, 2026 · Data as of 2026-04

← Relocation hubFirst 30 days guide →Japan profile

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Newcomer reality flags

Japan has 2 high-severity newcomer reality flag(s) — culture, bureaucracy, and social fit beyond COL scores. Expat community score 65/100; making friends difficulty 62/100 (higher = harder).

  • high · Housing

    Guarantor companies

    Many landlords require a guarantor (保証会社) — corporate relocation support or guarantor services often required.

  • high · Housing

    Key money and agency fees

    Move-in costs beyond deposit include key money (reikin) and agency fees — budget significantly above one month's rent.

  • medium · Bureaucracy

    Ward office registration

    Address registration at the ward office within 14 days unlocks My Number, health insurance, and banking paths.

Expat & social integration — Japan

Community access and social friction — separate from COL and visa scores. No affiliate links; channels are orientation hints only.

Expat community access65/100
Making friends difficulty62/100
English-friendly workplaces45/100

Tokyo and Osaka have active foreign communities; daily life Japanese accelerates trust. Work socials (nomikai) matter.

Common entry points

  • International exchange associations
  • Language schools' social events
  • Hobby circles (サークル)

Explore relocation paths

Related guides, comparisons, and tools — deterministic tier-1 graph.

Data as of 2026-04 · Last reviewed April 15, 2026

FAQ

What should I do first when relocating to Japan?
Start with the first 24 hours section — Secure temporary accommodation. 20 steps are marked critical across the full checklist.
Does VEROQA store my checklist progress?
No — progress is saved locally in your browser (localStorage) on this device only. Clearing site data resets your checks.
How is this different from the first-30-days guide?
The first-30-days page is a narrative timeline with costs and evidence. This checklist is the same operational steps in tick-box form for tracking progress.