【Photo Guide】Is That Paper Worth 600,000 Yen!? How to Identify “4 Cards and Documents” You Must Never Throw Away in Japan

Hi! It’s Sensei.

Are you having trouble with all the mail coming from the local government office (Shiyakusho / 市役所)?
“I can’t read Japanese, so I’ll just throw it away like a flyer.”

Wait a minute! You must NEVER throw it away!

Inside, there might be “your identification” or “the right to receive 600,000 yen.”
Today, I (Sensei) will show you 4 cards and books you must cherish with photos while living in Japan.

1. Residence Card (Zairyu Card / 在留カード)

If the police ask to see your card and you don’t have it, you could be arrested.
Even when going to a convenience store (Konbini / コンビニ), always keep it in your wallet.

※If you renew it, you also need to update your bank info!👇
👉 Address change at the bank after renewing your Residence Card

2. Health Insurance Card (Kenko Hoken-sho / 健康保険証)

Without this, hospital bills become very expensive (you must pay 100%).
Keep it in your wallet or store it safely with your passport.

3. Pension Notice or Pension Book

This is the easiest one to throw away by mistake! Caution!
The document you have depends on when you arrived in Japan.

A. Those who arrived BEFORE April 2022

You should have a blue notebook called the “Pension Book (Nenkin Techo / 年金手帳).”

B. Those who arrived AFTER April 2022

There is no longer a book. Instead, you received a white paper called “Basic Pension Number Notice (Kiso Nenkin Bango Tsushisho / 基礎年金番号通知書).”
It looks like a simple “important notice” in an envelope, so don’t throw it away thinking it’s a flyer!!

You won’t use it daily, so keep it in the back of your drawer in the dormitory (Ryo / 寮).
Never throw it in the trash. This paper is worth 600,000 yen.

4. My Number Card (Mai Namba / マイナンバー)

There are two types, which is confusing.

① Plastic Card (My Number Card)

A hard card with a face photo.
With this, you can issue your Residence Certificate (Juminhyo / 住民票) at a convenience store or use it for overseas remittance.

② Green Paper or Notice

A thin piece of paper that arrives soon after you come to Japan.
This is the “Notice of your Number.” Keep it safely without throwing it away.