{"id":1335,"date":"2026-09-07T13:17:11","date_gmt":"2026-09-07T04:17:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ais-official.sfc.keio.ac.jp\/hub\/?page_id=1335"},"modified":"2026-09-19T11:34:46","modified_gmt":"2026-09-19T02:34:46","slug":"bureaucracy","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/ais-official.sfc.keio.ac.jp\/hub\/for-new-students\/bureaucracy\/","title":{"rendered":"Essential Bureaucracy"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>The paperwork that must be finished in your first two weeks, in the order that actually works.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>The 14-day rule<\/strong> You have <strong>14 days from moving in<\/strong> to report your address at the city office. Health insurance, My Number, a bank account and a phone contract all hang off that one registration, so until it is done nothing else can start. Go on a weekday morning.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>1. Do them in this order<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><td><strong>#<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Task<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Where<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Depends on<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>1<\/td><td>Resident registration (\u8ee2\u5165\u5c4a)<\/td><td>City office<\/td><td>A confirmed address<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>2<\/td><td>National Health Insurance enrolment<\/td><td>Same visit, same office<\/td><td>Step 1<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>3<\/td><td>My Number \u2014 apply for express issuance, or wait for the notice by post<\/td><td>Same visit (express) or by post<\/td><td>Step 1<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>4<\/td><td>National Pension (if you are 20 or older) + student payment exemption<\/td><td>Same office<\/td><td>Step 1<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>5<\/td><td>Personal seal (inkan), if you will open a bank account at a branch<\/td><td>Seal shop<\/td><td>\u2014<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>6<\/td><td>Bank account<\/td><td>JP Bank \/ Suruga \/ Seven Bank<\/td><td>Steps 1 and 5<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>7<\/td><td>SIM card \/ phone contract<\/td><td>Carrier shop or online<\/td><td>Steps 1 and 6 for most carriers<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Set aside a whole morning for this.<\/strong> The city office visit on its own takes one to two hours, and you cannot book a slot in advance. Going early also keeps the My Number express option open \u2014 see \u00a74.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>2. Where to go: City Hall vs. Shonandai Community Center<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Fujisawa City has a main city hall plus 13 community centers (\u5e02\u6c11\u30bb\u30f3\u30bf\u30fc). <strong>The nearest one to SFC is the Shonandai Community Center<\/strong>, right beside the east exit of Shonandai Station \u2014 for most students this is the practical choice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><td>&nbsp;<\/td><td><strong>Shonandai Community Center<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Fujisawa City Hall (main building)<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Address<\/td><td>\u3012252-0804 Shonandai 1-8, Fujisawa-shi (\u6e58\u5357\u53f01\u4e01\u76ee8\u756a\u5730)<\/td><td>\u3012251-8601 Asahi-cho 1-1, Fujisawa-shi (\u671d\u65e5\u753a1\u756a\u5730\u306e1)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Access<\/td><td>Next to Shonandai Station east exit<\/td><td>About 5 minutes&#8217; walk from Fujisawa Station north exit<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Phone<\/td><td>0466-45-1600<\/td><td>0466-25-1111<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Hours<\/td><td>Mon\u2013Fri 8:30\u201317:00 (closed weekends, public holidays, year-end\/New Year)<\/td><td>Mon\u2013Fri 8:30\u201317:00 (closed weekends, public holidays, year-end\/New Year)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Resident registration (\u8ee2\u5165\u5c4a)<\/td><td>Yes<\/td><td>Yes<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>National Health Insurance<\/td><td>Yes<\/td><td>Yes<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Certificate of Residence (\u4f4f\u6c11\u7968)<\/td><td>Yes<\/td><td>Yes<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>My Number Card<\/td><td>Limited Only some procedures, such as changes to printed details. New applications and issuance are handled at the main City Hall (\u5e02\u6c11\u7a93\u53e3\u30bb\u30f3\u30bf\u30fc).<\/td><td>Yes \u2014 full service, including express issuance<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Language support.<\/strong> Fujisawa City runs a free consultation service for foreign residents \u2014 no appointment needed, privacy protected. Dedicated Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking counsellors are available at City Hall 4F (Mon\u2013Fri, 8:30\u201312:00 and 13:00\u201317:00; in-person reception 8:30\u201311:30 and 13:00\u201316:00; tel. <strong>0466-50-3568<\/strong>) and at the Shonandai Cultural Center 2F (Mon, Tue, Fri; in person only). <a href=\"https:\/\/www.city.fujisawa.kanagawa.jp\/soudanc2-1\/shise\/kocho\/shiminsodan\/gaikokujin.html\">Fujisawa City foreign residents consultation<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>If you do not speak Japanese and no counsellor covers your language,<\/strong> bring along a Japanese-speaking friend or a senior student, or just use a translation app on your phone. Counter staff handle this every week and the forms are the same for everyone, so it is far less frightening than it sounds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>3. Resident registration and National Health Insurance<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>3.1 Moving-in notification (<\/strong><strong>\u8ee2\u5165\u5c4a<\/strong> <strong>tenny\u016b-todoke)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Take the following to the counter. The moving-in notification form is available there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Residence Card<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Passport<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Your new address<\/strong> \u2014 written down exactly, including building and room number<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Your new address is then printed on the back of your Residence Card. Repeat this within 14 days <strong>every time you move<\/strong> in Japan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Certificate of Residence (<\/strong><strong>\u4f4f\u6c11\u7968 j\u016bminhy\u014d).<\/strong> On request the office issues a certificate confirming your address, for roughly \u00a5300. You will be asked for it when buying a mobile phone or opening a bank account, so consider getting one or two copies while you are there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>3.2 National Health Insurance (<\/strong><strong>\u56fd\u6c11\u5065\u5eb7\u4fdd\u967a<\/strong> <strong>&#8220;Kokuho&#8221;)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Any international student staying more than three months <strong>must enrol<\/strong>, unless covered by the employees&#8217; health insurance of a family member living and working in Japan. Overseas travel or medical insurance is not accepted as a substitute.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><td><strong>Point<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Detail<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>What it covers<\/td><td>Roughly 70% of your medical costs at almost any hospital or clinic in Japan \u2014 you pay the remaining 30%.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>What it does not cover<\/td><td>Cosmetic surgery, orthodontics and childbirth.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Cost to join<\/td><td>Free. You enrol during the same city office visit as your address registration.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>What you receive<\/td><td>An NHI Certificate of Eligibility (\u56fd\u6c11\u5065\u5eb7\u4fdd\u967a\u8cc7\u683c\u78ba\u8a8d\u66f8) \u2014 a paper document that works exactly like a plastic insurance card. Issued on the spot on request, or posted later. Present it at reception every time you see a doctor.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Premium<\/td><td>Calculated by the city from your previous year&#8217;s income. Scholarships are not counted as income, so most new students qualify for a large reduction.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Action required<\/td><td>Ask for the Income Declaration for National Health Insurance form (\u56fd\u6c11\u5065\u5eb7\u4fdd\u967a\u6599\u7533\u544a\u66f8) at the counter, fill it in and submit it when you enrol. If you do not submit it you may be charged the maximum premium. From the following year the form is posted to your home address.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>When cover starts<\/td><td>From the month you become an eligible resident \u2014 not from the month you receive the notice. You pay 100% of any medical cost incurred before enrolment, which is why travel insurance for your first days is recommended.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Do not let NHI payments lapse<\/strong> Unpaid National Health Insurance premiums can lead to your <strong>visa renewal or status change being refused<\/strong>. If you cannot pay, go to the NHI counter and ask about reductions before the due date \u2014 do not simply skip a payment.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>4. My Number (Individual Number)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A <strong>12-digit number<\/strong> given to every resident of Japan, used for social security, tax and disaster relief. You keep it for life, so treat it like a passport number: do not hand it out casually and do not lose the documents that show it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><td><strong>Route<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>How it works<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Timing<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Express issuance<\/td><td>If you complete your resident registration in the morning and ask for urgent issuance, you can apply for the card on the spot \u2014 usually you are told to come back that afternoon. (Depending on system load you may be asked to return the next day or later.)<\/td><td>Card posted within about one week of application<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Standard \u2014 notice<\/td><td>An Individual Number Notice (\u500b\u4eba\u756a\u53f7\u901a\u77e5\u66f8) arrives by registered mail. Someone must be home to sign; otherwise collect it using the delivery slip within the retention period.<\/td><td>2\u20133 weeks after registration<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Standard \u2014 plastic card (optional)<\/td><td>Fill in the enclosed application form, attach a photo and post it in the return envelope \u2014 or apply by smartphone, PC or an ID photo booth. A municipal office then posts an issuance notice (a postcard); you collect the card in person at the location stated on it, bringing your Residence Card, passport and the postcard.<\/td><td>Issuance notice about one month after applying<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Redelivery of registered mail:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.post.japanpost.jp\/index_en.html\">Japan Post<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Using the card as a health insurance card.<\/strong> A new My Number Card does <strong>not<\/strong> work as an insurance card automatically. Link it yourself through the Myna Portal app or website, at a hospital reception, or at another designated location. Application guide: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kojinbango-card.go.jp\/en\/\">kojinbango-card.go.jp<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>If you extend your period of stay,<\/strong> you must update the details printed on your My Number Card at your municipal office before the card expires \u2014 otherwise the card becomes invalid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Specified Residence Card (<\/strong><strong>\u7279\u5b9a\u5728\u7559\u30ab\u30fc\u30c9).<\/strong> An optional IC card combining the Residence Card and the My Number Card in one. Advantages include smoother Myna Portal use and obtaining certificates at convenience stores. Apply at the same time as an extension of stay or change of address, or at your municipal office. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.moj.go.jp\/isa\/tokutei.html\">Immigration Services Agency<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>5. National Pension<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Everyone resident in Japan aged <strong>20 to 59<\/strong> must enrol, students included.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>If you are 20 or older on arrival:<\/strong> enrol at the city office or the Japan Pension Service office covering your address, after your resident registration.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>If you are 19 or younger on arrival:<\/strong> nothing to do now. A &#8220;Report of Acquisition of Qualifications for National Pension System&#8221; arrives about one month before your 20th birthday.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">About a month after enrolment you receive a <strong>Basic Pension Number Notification<\/strong> and payment slips. Keep both safe \u2014 you will need them for any future living or working in Japan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Apply for the student exemption \u2014 every April<\/strong> The contribution is <strong>\u00a517,920 per month (FY2026)<\/strong>. The <strong>Special Payment System for Students (<\/strong><strong>\u5b66\u751f\u7d0d\u4ed8\u7279\u4f8b\u5236\u5ea6<\/strong><strong>)<\/strong> lets students with low income postpone payment. Apply at your city office; the form is available there and at Japan Pension Service branches. <strong>You must reapply every year, in April.<\/strong> Details: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nenkin.go.jp\/service\/pamphlet\/kaigai\/gakuseinouhutokurei.html\">Japan Pension Service<\/a><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>For Section 6 &amp; 7<\/strong><br><strong>Important Notice for Fall 2026 Freshmen (Residence Cards issued after 14 June 2026):<br><\/strong>If your Residence Card was issued after 14 June 2026, you may experience unexpected errors with online identity verification (e-KYC) when applying for SIM cards or opening bank accounts via mobile apps (e.g., ahamo, LINEMO, Yucho Bank App, Seven Bank ATM). Consider applying at physical shop counters, or check this live non-commercial tracker provided by <a href=\"https:\/\/setupinjapan.com\/\">Set Up in Japan<\/a> to see which carriers\/banks currently support the new cards: <a href=\"https:\/\/setupinjapan.com\/residence-card\/online-verification\/\">https:\/\/setupinjapan.com\/residence-card\/online-verification\/<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>6. Getting a SIM card<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You will need a Japanese phone number for almost everything else: bank apps, delivery slips, part-time job applications. Getting one is harder than it should be, for three reasons. A period of stay under 24 months blocks handset instalment plans, most carriers want a credit card you do not have yet, and the whole process is often in Japanese only.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>6.1 Which type of provider<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><td><strong>Type<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Who<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Best for<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>International-student friendly<\/td><td>GTN Mobile, Mobal, Sakura Mobile<\/td><td>Your first months. English or multilingual support, and no Japanese bank account or personal seal required \u2014 GTN and Sakura Mobile accept convenience-store payment; Mobal accepts an overseas credit card and ships worldwide before you arrive.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Budget SIM (MVNO)<\/td><td>Rakuten Mobile, Y!mobile, UQ mobile, and others<\/td><td>After a few months, once you have a bank account and documents. Cheaper monthly, but the contract process is usually Japanese-only.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Major carrier<\/td><td>NTT docomo, au, SoftBank<\/td><td>Best coverage and handset deals; strictest requirements. Realistic once you are settled.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/gtn-mobile.com\/en\/uni_plans\/\">GTN Mobile<\/a> \u00b7 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mobal.com\/japan-sim-card\/\">Mobal<\/a> \u00b7 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sakuramobile.jp\/\">Sakura Mobile<\/a> \u00b7 <a href=\"https:\/\/network.mobile.rakuten.co.jp\/shop-detail\/7776\/?wovn=en\">Rakuten Mobile \u2014 Shonandai shop (English assistance available)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>6.2 Bring to the shop<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Residence Card<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Passport<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Bank card<\/strong> (or a credit card, depending on the carrier)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Personal seal (inkan)<\/strong> \u2014 required by some Japanese carriers, not by the international-student providers<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A <strong>Certificate of Residence (<\/strong><strong>\u4f4f\u6c11\u7968)<\/strong> is sometimes requested \u2014 bring one if you have it<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>7. Opening a bank account<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><td colspan=\"2\">&nbsp;<\/td><td><strong>JP Bank (<\/strong><strong>\u3086\u3046\u3061\u3087\u9280\u884c<\/strong><strong>)<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Suruga Bank<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Seven Bank<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td colspan=\"2\">Open at a branch<\/td><td>Yes \u2014 personal seal required<\/td><td>Yes \u2014 personal seal required<\/td><td>No<\/td><\/tr><tr><td colspan=\"2\">Open by app \/ convenience-store ATM<\/td><td>Account opening app \u2014 no personal seal required<\/td><td>Account opening app \u2014 no personal seal required<\/td><td>Convenience-store ATM<\/td><\/tr><tr><td colspan=\"2\">Card and passbook<\/td><td>At a branch: on the spot By app: no passbook; cash card in about 2 weeks<\/td><td>At a branch: on the spot By app: no passbook; cash card in about 2 weeks<\/td><td>No passbook; cash card in about 2 weeks<\/td><\/tr><tr><td colspan=\"2\">Services in your first 6 months<\/td><td>Deposits and withdrawals only, until your 6th month<\/td><td>Deposits and withdrawals only, until your 6th month<\/td><td>Classified as a &#8220;resident&#8221; from day one \u2014 all standard services: deposits, withdrawals, transfers, debit card, overseas remittances<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>MEXT scholarship recipients must open a JP Bank account in person at a branch counter<\/strong> in order to receive the scholarship. Do not open it by app.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Seven Bank ATM Opening &amp; App Verifications:<\/strong> Seven Bank ATM account opening and several bank\/carrier app verifications currently apply restriction rules for Residence Cards issued after 14 June 2026. Full system support is expected around December 2026. Check the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sevenbank.co.jp\/english\/personal\/atm\/madoguchi.html\">Seven Bank ATM account opening page<\/a> for the current position.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>7.1 Personal seal (<\/strong><strong>\u5370\u9451<\/strong> <strong>inkan)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Needed to open an account at a branch counter. Have one made in advance \u2014 from about <strong>\u00a5400<\/strong>. It can be carved in kanji, hiragana, katakana or the Latin alphabet. Nearest shop: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ekiten.jp\/g0337\/st4188\/\">Yumekobo<\/a>, first floor of Ito-Yokado Shonandai (Japanese only).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>7.2 After six months<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Japanese banks fall into three groups: <strong>mega-banks<\/strong> (Mizuho, MUFG, SMBC \u2014 branches nationwide), <strong>regional banks<\/strong> (Suruga Bank, Bank of Yokohama) and <strong>internet banks<\/strong> (Seven Bank and similar). Choose on convenience \u2014 but check first whether your scholarship provider requires a specific bank.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Foreigner-friendly options:<\/strong> SBI Shinsei Bank, SMBC Trust Bank, Sony Bank, Rakuten Bank, Seven Bank.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>On campus<\/strong> there is a Lawson convenience store with an ATM. You cannot open an account there, but you can withdraw once your account exists. Branches are clustered around Shonandai, Tsujido and Fujisawa stations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>7.3 Using your account<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Bank counters are normally open 9:00\u201315:00 on weekdays and closed at weekends and on public holidays.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Withdrawing at a counter requires your registered seal or your signature, depending on how the account was opened. ATMs have daily limits on both amount and number of withdrawals.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Any domestic or international remittance over \u00a5100,000 requires photo ID (Residence Card or insurance card).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Currency exchange is rare at branches outside Tokyo. There is a Travelex just outside the JR ticket gates at Fujisawa Station, and a discount ticket shop, Daikokuya (\u5927\u9ed2\u5c4b), near Shonandai Station often offers good rates.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>When you leave Japan, close every account<\/strong> A dormant Japanese account can be exploited for wire-transfer fraud, and the registered holder can be held criminally liable. Close them before you go.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>7.4 Credit cards<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Bank-issued cards are screened strictly and are realistically out of reach in your first year or two. These three are the ones international students usually get approved for, and none of them charge an annual fee:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rakuten-card.co.jp\/\">Rakuten Card<\/a> (Japanese only)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>EPOS Card<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Life Card<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Keio also has its own card, available at the Keio Co-op store in the Sigma Building at SFC: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.keiocard.com\/\">keiocard.com<\/a> (Japanese only).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>You will need:<\/strong> a bank account, a registered address, a mobile or landline number, your Residence Card, and \u2014 if you are under 18 \u2014 parental consent. Applications are in Japanese only.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The paperwork that must be finished in your first two weeks, in the order that actually works. The 14-day rule You have 14 days from moving in to report your [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":33,"featured_media":0,"parent":110,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-1335","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"blocksy_meta":{"styles_descriptor":{"styles":{"desktop":"","tablet":"","mobile":""},"google_fonts":[],"version":7}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ais-official.sfc.keio.ac.jp\/hub\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1335","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ais-official.sfc.keio.ac.jp\/hub\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ais-official.sfc.keio.ac.jp\/hub\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ais-official.sfc.keio.ac.jp\/hub\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/33"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ais-official.sfc.keio.ac.jp\/hub\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1335"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/ais-official.sfc.keio.ac.jp\/hub\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1335\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1636,"href":"https:\/\/ais-official.sfc.keio.ac.jp\/hub\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1335\/revisions\/1636"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ais-official.sfc.keio.ac.jp\/hub\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/110"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ais-official.sfc.keio.ac.jp\/hub\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1335"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}