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home > about cfr > fellowships > fellowships in japan > living in japan
1. Before Coming to Japan
We ask that fellows complete the following prior to arrival in Japan.
1.1 Arrangements with Host Institutions in Japan
Affiliation with a Host Institution must be arranged well in advance of a Fellow’s departure. (see Cooperating Institutions). Hitachi, Ltd. acts on behalf of Fellows to arrange affiliations with Host Institutions and Fellows are encouraged to consult with Carl Green, Senior Representative, Hitachi Ltd. Corporate Office, D.C. for advice and assistance. However, Fellows are not restricted to affiliation with the listed Host Institutions and may make arrangements through their own channels if they so choose.
Hitachi Corporate Office, D.C.
1900 K Street, N.W., Washington D.C. 20006
TEL +1-202-828.9272 ext 31 FAX +1-202-828.9277
Email: carl.green@hal.hitachi.com
1.2 Visas for entering Japan
Visas are generally required for entry into Japan. Fellows are typically eligible for “Cultural Activities” visas, which are issued for one year or six months and enable recipients to pursue “academic or artistic activities that provide no income...” (Consular officials have taken the position that Fellowship stipends paid by the Council are not income). Dependents of cultural affairs visa holders are eligible for non-working visas of the same duration. Application may be made at any Japanese consulate (click HERE for information on Japanese consulates from the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs).
As American citizens, fellows are also eligible to enter and stay in Japan for up to three months at a time under the Bilateral Visa Exemption Program. For further information concerning Japanese visas and the Visa Exemption Program, see http://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/index.html.
For those who apply for the Cultural Activities visa, the required documentation includes:
2. Settling into Japan
Hitachi acts to assist Fellows in settling into their new Japanese environment. At the request of fellows, it will help them to locate suitable housing either before their arrival or within a short time of their arrival. (See Accommodations/Apartments). If you prefer to make your own arrangements, Hitachi can introduce a real estate agent to help locate satisfactory living quarters for foreign residents for both short- and mid-length stays in Japan. In addition, someone from Hitachi will assist Fellows to register as foreign residents with their ward offices and to open bank accounts to receive their monthly stipends.
2.1 Arriving at Narita International Airport
From Tokyo's Narita International Airport, you may proceed to your destination by “Limousine Bus” or by Limited Express Train. Taxis from the airport are extremely expensive (over 20,000 yen) and should be avoided except in unusual circumstances. The Limousine Bus is recommended for those with heavy luggage, as taking the train involves climbing up and down stairs. Limousine Buses depart for the major hotels in Tokyo at intervals of approximately thirty or forty minutes. The ride takes about 90 minutes on average, depending on traffic conditions. The fare is 3000 yen.
Those wishing to use the train from Narita International Airport may choose the Narita Express (NEX) to Tokyo Station (fare about 3000 yen) or the Skyliner to Ueno Station (fare 2000 yen). Several trains leave Narita each hour and the travel time to Tokyo is only one hour. From Tokyo Station or Ueno Station, passengers can change to local trains or proceed to their lodging by taxi.
2.2 Accommodations/Apartments
For your convenience, we can make arrangements for you to stay at International House of Japan for the first few days or weeks you are in Japan. Located in a beautiful setting in central Tokyo, International House is a membership organization that provides accommodations at reasonable rates, primarily to scholars. We recommend using International House for stays of a few months, or as a starting point for longer stays. International House can accommodate families with small children. Because the rates at International House are below those at comparable hotels, International House is often full. We recommend making reservations well in advance.
Other Arrangements
If you prefer to make your own arrangements, there are a number of real estate agents who are trusted to introduce satisfactory living quarters to foreign residents for both short- and mid-length stays in Japan.
2.3 Foreign Registration
The Japanese Government requires foreign residents who will stay in Japan for over 90 days to register their residency. The registration itself is a simple procedure that takes no more than 30 minutes. The procedure is completed at the local ward office, or city hall, in the area you decide to live in during your Fellowship. A temporary registration card is issued on the day you register, and an official card, which is your official identification while living in Japan, will be ready to be picked up at your local ward office within ten working days.
For your registration, the following are required.
2.4 Bank Accounts in Japan
You will need a bank account in Japan to receive your monthly stipend (see Stipends). Hitachi will assist you in opening an account at the bank of your choice. Most banks allow withdrawals from any branch or ATM corner with the use of an ATM card, which is issued within seven working days from the day you opened the account.
2.4.1 Resident Bank Account
The most convenient account is the resident account. It is available for those who have registered as a Japanese resident (see Foreign Registration). This type of account allows you to make withdrawals from any branch or ATM corner with the use of an ATM card, which is issued within seven working days from the day you opened the account.
Items needed to open account:
2.4.2 Non-resident Bank Account
If you choose not to register as a foreign citizen (see Foreign Registration), most major banks in Japan offer non-resident bank account services. This type of account can be inconvenient in that you can only make withdrawals at the bank branch where you opened the account, with your bank book and signature.
Items needed to open account:
2.5 Stipends
The Hitachi fellowship provides a stipend of 25,000 yen per day, or 750,000 yen per month. As a Fellow, you will also receive a research allowance of 50,000 yen per month to cover research expenses, local travel, health insurance premiums and miscellaneous expenses. In addition, Fellows receive an international travel allowance of $5,000.
The Council issues a US dollar check for the travel allowance prior to your departure for Japan. The stipend and research allowance are paid by the Council in yen. It is a good idea to open a bank account in Japan as soon as you arrive in order to receive and use the Fellowship funds (see Bank Accounts in Japan).
We calculated the stipend to cover the reasonable living expenses of an individual temporarily residing in Japan. The costs of maintaining a family in Japan can be quite high, especially in the Tokyo area. In some cases, less expensive housing may be available through particular host institutions (e.g. visiting faculty housing).
The $5,000 travel allowance, which is roughly the cost of a single round-trip ticket to Japan in business class may be used to cover two or more round trips at economy or discounted fares and may be used for the travel of family members. You are responsible for purchasing your own travel insurance, if desired.
2.6 Taxation
The impact of Japanese and U.S. taxes on a fellowship recipient depends on various factors, including the fellow’s professional status and his or her length of residence in Japan. Fellows should consult their tax advisers concerning their particular tax situations.
2.7 Health Insurance
You are responsible for your own health insurance arrangements. Those who will be in Japan for a year are generally eligible to participate in Japan’s National Health Insurance plan. In addition, private Japanese health insurance coverage may be available for those who require it. If you have questions, please consult Carl Green at the Hitachi Washington Office. TEL +1-202-828.9272 ext 31; FAX +1-202-828.9277 or Email: carl.green@gbd.hitachi.co.jp
3.1 Places of Interest in Tokyo
In addition to being the financial and political center of Japan, Tokyo is a historical city with many interesting tourist attractions. Known as “Edo” during the nation’s feudal period under the Tokugawa Shogunate, Tokyo has been the central city of Japan since the early 17th Century. Today, Tokyo is one of the most exciting and fascinating cities in the world, with splendid shopping districts, fine art and theater, as well as exhilarating nightlife. Tokyo offers visitors an interesting mixture of both traditional and modern culture. The following websites offer interesting facts on sightseeing in and around Tokyo:
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