How to fill in Japan Census 2020 Online for Foreigners

The government of Japan through the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications  seeks data on all Japanese and non-Japanese residents such as household composition, changes in residence and employment situation as of Oct. 1 this year.

The ministry is calling for residents to fill out the questionnaires manually or online. There are about 610,000 census takers who started knocking on doors Monday will put questionnaires in letter boxes, instead of handing them over at the door as they used to, and will give explanations of the content via the interphone to avoid direct contact due to the pandemic.

This Census is mandatory and failure to comply might be fine up to 500,000 JPY according to Statistics Act

Article 61　Any person who falls under any of the following items shall be punished by a fine of not more than 500,000 yen:
(i)　Any person who, in violation of Article 13, refused to make a report of a fundamental statistical survey or has made a false report;

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Nearest Mountains in Tokyo for Summer hiking

Japanese have an endearing affection with mountains. In fact, anything that involves mountain climbing can quickly brighten their mood. No matter the size of the mountain (big or small), you’ll surely get a positive reaction when such a topic gets in the conversation. They even have a Mountain day (Yama no Hi), which is celebrated annually on the 11th of August. If that isn’t a testament of how much they love and adore their mountains then I don’t what is. 

Sea of clouds, Pinoy Gaijin in Fuji-san 2017

 

I love mountain climbing myself. As a matter of fact, I have climbed Mt Fuji in 2017. It was a surreal and otherworldly experience. The trek going up the peak is a laborious one, but once you get in there, the view of the sunrise at the summit will definitely take your breath away. That’s why I highly recommend you go on hiking at least once in your lifetime. Nonetheless, I’m pretty sure once you get to partake in it you’ll never going to stop. It’s addicting, albeit a healthy one. 

If you are planning to get into mountain climbing or if you are a seasoned one, and are looking for the best mountains to climb in Japan, you are definitely in the right place (or blog?). Here are the best mountains to climb in Japan:

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Scholarship: Human Resource Development Scholarship

The Project for Human Resource Development Scholarship by Japanese Grant Aid (JDS) has commenced in the Philippines since 2002.  Recently,  Japanese Ambassador HANEDA Koji together with Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr. signed and exchanged notes on  (JDS) Project on June 8, 2020.

The exchange of Notes signed will provide 337 million yen (approximately 159 million pesos) to support 22 Filipino young officials from various governmental institutions to study as JDS fellows of post graduate program, entering Japan starting Academic Year 2021. This project aims to enhance the JDS fellows’ expertise with their respective fields and to help build a pool of future Filipino leaders who will greatly contribute to the country’s overall economic development by returning to and working in the Philippines.  To date, a total of 361 Filipino JDS fellows have been to Japan since it began in the Philippines in 2002.

If you want to pursue masters related to the social and economic development of the Philippines. You will enter to Japanese prestigious Universities and here is your chance.

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How to Fill in Application for 100,000 JPY Relief for Foreigners in Japan

As response to the economic hardship brought by the corona virus pandemic, the Japanese government has announced that they will be handing out 100,000 yen to residents in Japan for financial support.

 

Each person listed on Japan’s Basic Resident Register as of April 27, 2020 will receiver this 100,000 financial benefit. If you had register as a resident and have a visa of more than three months. Congratulation you are eligible!

The application form will be sent by a municipal office to the head of each household. One got it, you only have 3 months to submit it.  So if you receive it on May, you only have until August.

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Top 5 nearest beaches in Tokyo for summer outing

Summers in Japan are some of the hottest I’ve experienced in my lifetime. The season officially starts from June until through August. The combination of hot and humid weather can make you soak in wet the moment you step out from your house. 

 

Dreaming of being at the beach, while being kissed by the sun with winds coming from the sea, is a thought that we all want to experience while the summer season is still in. Whether you want to get yourself refreshed by soking yourself in hot sea water or you just want to have some relaxation by basking in the sun while simultaneously reading a book, then a trip to a beach is a must. 

If you are looking for ways to enjoy your summer in Japan and experience one of a kind relaxation by visiting beaches near Tokyo, then you come at the right place. 

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Free And Affordable Japanese Classes for Foreigners in Tokyo

As a foreigner in Japan, learning japanese is very important. Not only it gives you an advantage to someone who doesn’t speak Japanese, but it’s also a way for you to pay respect to their culture.

You see, learning a new language especially when you are a foreigner to a country means you are showing your appreciation to them as a nation, their people. By learning and understanding their language, you immerse yourself in their world and you also get a glimpse of how they communicate with one another. Plus, native japanese speakers will appreciate you practicing their language since it entails that you are interested to learn more about them: their ideas, how they think, and most importantly how they convey their viewpoint to others.

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Scholarship: Japanese Sponsored Scholarships

For more than 60 years, the Japanese Government had invited Filipinos with other nationals from all over the world to study in Japan. Each year, an annual average of 100 scholars from the Philippines have been sent to Japan under six different scholarship programs.

For more information click each scholarship link.

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How to get help in Tokyo when unsure of having COVID-19

This pandemic creates havoc since January till the present that made the world halted at some point. The virus is still there and cases are rising and falling but had no plans of slowing down especially in big metropolis like Tokyo. Its very important to know where to get help when you suspect you might got COVID base on the known systems.

The Metro Tokyo Government had a guideline on how to get help. Please follow below.

You are experiencing symptoms and have a primary care doctor

  1. If you are pregnant or at higher risk for serious illness (elderly, receiving dialysis, taking immunosuppressive or anti-cancer medication, or have an underlying medical condition such as diabetes, heart disease, or respiratory disease such as COPD), call immediately. For others, call after 4 days of continued symptoms.
  2. Severe symptoms such as shortness of breath, severe sense of fatigue, or high fever　If you think your symptoms are severe, or you are taking and need to remain on an antipyretic, call immediately.

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Visiting a Doctor in Japan for Foreigners

Health is an important aspect of one’s wellbeing. A good health means a person can perform optimally on a given task, be it at work, school, or sports. Getting sick however, is a reality that we all go through at least some few times in our lifetime. That’s why an access to proper medical facilities is tantamount to you getting the adequate healthcare you need so you can recover fast.

 

Being sick in your own country is a totally different experience compared to being sick in a foreign one. There are so many factors that can affect your overall experience, especially with how you’ll navigate your way through that country’s healthcare system. Add to that problem are the issues you’ll encounter such as unfamiliar customs and language barrier. If you happen to live in a foreign country, particularly Japan, then you are in the right place. I’m going to share with you some tips and tricks on how you can ease your way through in finding a good doctor in Japan.

 

Japanese healthcare system overview for a foreigner

It is mandatory in Japan to get yourself enrolled in the Japanese healthcare insurance system particularly when you’ve been residing here for longer than 3 months. Even if you are already covered by your insurance company in your country of origin, you still have to get yourself enrolled in their healthcare insurance system.

If you have a full time job, most likely, your employer will process your health insurance in which part of your salary will be deducted in order to pay for it. Consequently, if you are self-employed or not working  you’ll be required to get yourself enrolled in Japan’s National Health Insurance. You can process the application at any local city hall near you.

Once you successfully get yourself registered in their healthcare insurance system, when you visit a doctor you’ll pay more or less 30 percent of the actual amount. Concurrently, the govt will shoulder the remaining 70 percent of the remaining balance. And don’t forget to always bring yourself with you your health insurance card since they’ll ask you to present it if you are visiting for an appointment.

 

How to set an appointment with a doctor

 

 

  1. Once you find a nearest health care facility/ Clinic/ Hospital, call them and set for an appointment. Usually, clinics in Japan don’t accept walk in patients.

 

  1. Be on time on your schedule, otherwise they will give your slot to the next patient.

 

  1. Register at the information; fill out the forms for clinic records. Show your medical insurance card.

 

  1. Ask for a bilingual doctor if you can’t understand Japanese.

 

  1. Wait for your number to be called. Then the waiting game begins (approximately 30min-1hr of waiting before your name gets called).

 

  1. Once your name is called to see the doctor, be meticulous in detailing your condition as much as you can.

 

  1. When you’re done talking with your doctor, they’ll prescribe a medicine and will ask you to go back to information desk.

 

  1. Pay your medical consultation fee and get the medicine slip. You can also ask for a medical certificate if you need one. And that’s it, you’re done with your appointment.

 

 

How to get Mobile Phone Service in Japan as a Foreign Resident

Getting a mobile phone service has got to be one of the most important task one has to go through in order to be connected with virtually anyone and anything around the world. By doing so, it allows you to have access with vast information via the internet, or even play games using your smartphone when you are bored, or get yourself to learn new skill through different phone applications. All these are possible when you are connected through a mobile phone carrier.

There are three major carriers in Japan namely: NTT Docomo, AU and SoftBank. Applying for these mobile carriers is so easy and simple steps

1.You will only need your residence card

2. Your bank account (Credit Card or Debit Card)

Once you get to their respective offices, just present the aforementioned documents. Afterwards, they’ll hand you a form that you have to fill-in. When they are done reviewing your documents, you’ll be given options on what services you want to be enrolled to (the services may depend on which carrier you’ll choose). As soon as you have chosen the mobile plan that works for you, you’re now good to go and can now start using their mobile phone service.