New to Japan
Your first year: set up money from scratch.
Who this is for
You have recently arrived and need to build banking, cards, tax, and daily money from zero.
Use this page to choose the next task, not to replace a complete guide.
Everything is new at once — a bank account, a phone contract, rent, and a tax system you did not grow up with. The goal of your first year is not optimisation; it is a working foundation.
You do not need the perfect card or the best brokerage yet. You need accounts that function, bills that pay themselves, and a basic grasp of what comes out of your income.
Products, comparisons, and tools
Start with needs and eligibility; no product is universally suitable.
Checklist and time horizons
- Confirm what applies to your household
- Collect the documents needed by the linked guide
- Set a date to review progress
Time horizons
- Now: remove urgent blockers
- Next 90 days: build a stable routine
- Later: compare long-term options
Taxes, deadlines, and benefits
- Use the linked official guidance to confirm dates for your own tax year and municipality.
No universal benefit applies solely because of this persona.
Your money priorities
- Open a bank account using your residence card
- Understand your tax residency and what is withheld
- Get one accessible credit card and pay it in full
- Set up cheap international remittance before you need it
Watch out for
- Resident tax is billed a year late — budget for a bigger year two
- Keep your address updated within 14 days of moving
- Avoid revolving payment (リボ) defaults on new cards
Recommended courses
Money basics in Japan
How everyday money works here: banks, cash culture, My Number, and the bills you cannot ignore.
Budgeting and an emergency fund
A simple system to track spending, control fixed costs, and build a safety buffer before you invest.
Credit and cards in Japan
How credit history works here, how to get approved, and how to avoid the revolving-credit trap.
Understanding Japanese taxes
Income tax, resident tax, the year-end adjustment, and the deductions most people leave on the table.
Related roadmaps
In the library
Related life events
When to get professional help
- Get qualified help when tax residency, immigration status, overseas assets, dependants, or a binding contract changes the answer.
Sources
Reviewed: 2026-07-30 · Review by: 2027-01-30