General Information

Alien Registration and Re-entry Permit

Students are required to apply for an Alien Registration Certificate at the city hall nearest to their living residence within 90 days of their arrival in Japan. You are required by law to carry this card as your personal identification at all times. It is also necessary to obtain a re-entry permit from the immigration office BEFORE leaving Japan for a vacation or short trip. This is required for re-entering Japan to continue your studies. Without this permit, you will lose your student visa status and will face difficulties re-entering Japan. Procedures for applying for this re-entry permit will be explained at the arrival orientation.

Opening Bank Accounts

Students may open an account at any bank using their alien registration card and personal Japanese stamp (ハンコ). Upon opening an account, students receive a 4-digit pin number to use with their bank cash card at various cash withdraw machines located in banks, train stations, department stores, and convenience store locations. You can send money domestically at banks or through specific cash card machines. You can send money internationally to your home country from larger banks. If you are planning to receive money wired from your home country, the International Center advises you to open an account at a certain bank branch that deals with international money. Bank fees are commonly incurred at both the sending/receiving banks.

Japanese Currency

Japan uses 4 types of banknotes (¥1,000, ¥2,000, ¥5,000, ¥10,000) and 6 types or coins (¥1, ¥5, ¥10, ¥50, ¥100, ¥500). The check writing system does not exist in Japan as purchases are commonly made using cash. Japan is basically a cash-based society. Most internationally recognized credit cards are accepted in Japan, however, only at larger hotels, department stores, and large businesses. Foreign currency or traveler's checks may be exchanged at most major nation-wide banks.

Consumption Tax

A 5% tax is attached to all merchandise purchased and services utilized by consumers. Marked prices often already include such tax.

Tipping

Tipping is not customary in Japan. However, hotels and restaurant bills often include service charges within the bill.

Climate

Japan is situated in the middle of the temperate zone and has four distinct seasons.

Average Temperature & Precipitation in Tokyo and Osaka

	Winter (Jan)			Spring (Apr)			Summer (Jul)			Autumn (Oct)
	T(F)	T(C)	P	T(F)	T(C)	P	T(F)	T(C)	P	T(F)	T(C)	P
Tokyo	42.4	5.8	48.6	57.9	14.4	130.3	77.7	25.4	161.5	64.8	18.2	163.1
Osaka	42.4	5.8	43.7	58.6	14.8	121.1	81.0	27.2	155.4	65.7	18.7	109.3

Winter (December - February) The temperature rarely drops below 0°C in the plains along the Pacific Coast during the wintertime. It is also quite dry and often sunny. Central Japan and Northern Japan are highly noted regions for winter sports. Southern Japan is comparatively mild and pleasant in winter. Clothing: overcoats, sweaters.

Spring (March - May) The plumb blossom is a good sign that the cold winter will soon end and spring is just around the corner. This is followed by the cherry blossoms which appear between the end of March and the beginning of April. Clothing: light jackets and sweaters.

Summer (June - August) Summer begins in June with a three to four week rainy season. This is an important time when farmers plant rice. It becomes extremely hot and humid from July through mid-September and many Japanese enjoy swimming at the beach and relaxing at cool mountain resort areas during this time. Summer is host to many interesting festivals. Various events are held throughout the country. Clothing: light, 100% cotton clothes.

Autumn (September - November) Autumn always brings renewed freshness with a light breeze and cool temperatures after the hot and humid summer. The forests are lit up in magnificent autumn colors. Chrysanthemums form beautiful displays and enchant visitors to parks and gardens. Autumn is also the season for many exhibitions, music concerts, and sports tournaments in Japan. Clothing: light jackets and sweaters.

JAPAN

Capital City: Tokyo
Language: Japanese
Official Currency: Yen
Religion: Buddhist, Shinto, etc
Population: 127,708,000
Land Mass: 376,520 sq km (145,374 sq miles)

OSAKA

Covers an area of approximately 1,890 square kilometers or 0.5% of the nation's entire land area. Osaka is the second smallest prefecture. However, it has a population of 8.8 million, or 7% of the entire population, making it the second most populous prefecture after Tokyo. Approximately 210,000 foreigners, or 15.6% of all foreigners registered in Japan reside in Osaka.

>>About Osaka