Leaving Japan for Good: A Checklist for Residents

A plain-language checklist for residents moving away from Japan, covering the moving-out notice, residence card, tax agent, pension lump sum, insurance and household accounts.

Published October 20, 2026 at 1:31 PM JST | By Tokyo Paul

Quick answer: Residents who leave Japan for good typically file a moving-out notice (tenshutsu todoke) at the municipal office before departure, return the residence card at the airport, sort out tax and appoint a tax agent if needed, and, for eligible non-Japanese pension members, apply for the lump-sum withdrawal payment within two years. Also close health insurance and household accounts.

Start with the timeline

Leaving Japan involves several offices, and the order matters. A helpful way to plan is to work backward from the departure date and group tasks into three stages: before you go, on the day you fly, and after you arrive abroad. Some items, such as the lump-sum pension application, can be handled from overseas, while others, such as the moving-out notice, are handled before you leave.

Begin early, ideally several weeks ahead, because some steps need documents from other offices. Make a simple list that includes your employer or school, landlord, city office, bank, phone and internet providers, and insurers. Keep copies of key documents, since you may need them later for pension, tax or visa matters in your next country. A calm, unhurried checklist usually prevents last-minute stress. It also helps to note which tasks have a fixed deadline, such as the moving-out notice and the two-year pension claim window, and which are flexible, such as closing a subscription, so the urgent items get done first.

The moving-out notice at the city office

When moving abroad, residents generally file a moving-out notification with the municipal office where they live, before leaving the country. This step is called tenshutsu todoke. It updates your resident record, and other procedures, such as the pension lump-sum claim, can refer to it as proof that you no longer live in Japan.

Offices differ on how far ahead they accept the form and what they ask to see, so check with your own city or ward office. Bring your residence card and, if your office asks for it, your passport. Staff may also be able to explain related steps in the same visit, including health insurance and any local tax matters, so it is worth asking what else needs attention before you go.

Residence card and re-entry permission

In general, the residence card is returned to an immigration officer at the airport or seaport when you leave Japan after finishing your activities. This applies if you do not plan to come back to the same status. If you only plan a long trip abroad, the rules on re-entry are different, so it helps to know which situation you are in.

For re-entry, the Ministry of Justice describes two kinds of permission: a special re-entry permission valid for up to one year, and a standard re-entry permit that can be valid for up to five years. The special permission generally does not need a separate application if you carry your residence card and a valid passport, while a standard permit is applied for in advance. Confirm current details with the Immigration Services Agency before travelling.

Taxes and the tax agent

Taxes are a common area of confusion. The National Tax Agency explains that an individual who leaves Japan and loses residence for tax purposes but still has filing or payment obligations needs to appoint a tax agent who lives in Japan. This can be an individual resident or a corporation. The person submits a notification of tax agent to the tax office that covers their place for tax payment, and the agent handles procedures on their behalf.

The timing differs depending on what you do. The agency says that if the notification is submitted before departure, the agent files the return and pays tax between February 16 and March 15 of the following year. If you leave without submitting it, you file a quasi-final return and pay the tax before departure. Because every situation differs, the tax office or a licensed tax professional can confirm what applies to your income.

Pension: the lump-sum withdrawal payment

Foreign nationals who contributed to the National Pension or Employees' Pension for a short period may be able to claim a lump-sum withdrawal payment after leaving. The Japan Pension Service says the applicant must be non-Japanese, must have left Japan after a short coverage period, and must no longer be covered by either system. The application deadline is two years from the day you leave.

Application forms are published in 14 languages, including English, and they come with Japanese text alongside. For details such as the amount, supporting documents and bank requirements, check the form instructions or the agency's consultation page. Social security agreements with some countries can also affect what is possible, so ask the agency if you may work in an agreement country.

Health insurance and employer steps

Health insurance is a point many residents handle at the city office or through the employer. If you were on a local national health insurance plan, ask the office what is needed to withdraw when you file the moving-out notice. If you were on an employer plan, your company handles it, and you should ask for any documents you need. Timing matters, so confirm which day your coverage ends before you cancel anything else.

If you work for a company, tell your employer your last day early so payroll, resident tax and pension paperwork can be completed. Ask for a withholding tax slip and any pension number documents, because these papers are useful for later tax and pension steps. Students can talk to their school office about final certificates and any tuition or housing steps tied to the date of departure.

Utilities, housing and what to keep

Utilities and household services usually need a few days of notice. Tell electricity, gas and water providers your move-out date so a final reading can be taken, and ask how the final bill will be settled. Internet and phone contracts can carry early-termination terms, so read the contract. Landlords commonly want advance notice, a room check and key return, so agree on dates in writing where possible.

After you leave, keep a small folder of records: your pension number and form copy, a copy of the moving-out notice, tax papers, the lump-sum application confirmation and bank details in the name used in Japan. These items help if an office asks a question months later. This guide shares general information; rules change, so confirm details with the official agency or provider before you act. It is not legal or tax advice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to file a moving-out notice before leaving Japan?

Yes, residents who move abroad generally file a moving-out notification with their current municipal office before leaving the country. Ask your city or ward office what it needs, since forms and timing can vary, and keep any receipt or confirmation it gives you.

When do I return my residence card?

In general, you return the residence card to an immigration officer at the airport or seaport when you leave Japan after finishing your activities. Different rules apply if you hold re-entry permission and plan to come back, so check with the agency if your plans are uncertain.

How long do I have to claim the pension lump sum?

The Japan Pension Service says the application must be filed within two years of leaving Japan, and you must no longer be covered by the pension systems when you apply. Forms are available in many languages. Check the agency's current page and consultation contacts for amounts and supporting documents.

Want to go deeper? Tokyo Paul's book Building a Life in Japan is available on Amazon.

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