Yokohama

๐Ÿ›๏ธ

Local Government Offices

General information about accessing municipal services and important administrative offices in Yokohama.

Sections

A. Tax Services

  1. Resident Tax (ไฝๆฐ‘็จŽ, Juminzei)

    • What it is: A municipal tax paid by all residents of Yokohama, based on your income.
    • Services Offered:
      • Tax payment inquiries
      • Issuance of tax certificates (e.g., tax payment certificate, tax exemption certificate)
      • Assistance with tax payment plans for those facing financial difficulties
    • Costs: No fees for inquiries; certificate issuance costs ยฅ300โ€“ยฅ400 per document.
    • Application Procedure:
      • Visit your local Ward Office's Tax Division (็จŽๅ‹™่ชฒ, Zeimu-ka).
      • Bring your My Number Card (ใƒžใ‚คใƒŠใƒณใƒใƒผใ‚ซใƒผใƒ‰) or Residence Card (ๅœจ็•™ใ‚ซใƒผใƒ‰) and proof of income (if applicable).
    • Operating Hours: Mondayโ€“Friday, 8:45 AMโ€“5:00 PM.
    • Language Support: Limited English support; bring a Japanese-speaking friend or use translation apps if needed.

  2. National Health Insurance (ๅ›ฝๆฐ‘ๅฅๅบทไฟ้™บ, Kokumin Kenko Hoken) Premiums

    • What it is: Mandatory health insurance for residents not covered by employer-provided insurance.
    • Services Offered:
      • Payment inquiries
      • Premium reduction applications (based on income)
    • Costs: Premiums vary based on income; reductions are available for low-income households.
    • Application Procedure:
      • Visit the Insurance and Pension Division (ไฟ้™บๅนด้‡‘่ชฒ, Hoken Nenkin-ka) at your Ward Office.
      • Bring your Residence Card, proof of income, and My Number Card.
    • Operating Hours: Mondayโ€“Friday, 8:45 AMโ€“5:00 PM.
    • Language Support: Limited English support.

  3. Financial Assistance Programs

    • What it is: Assistance for low-income households, including housing subsidies and welfare benefits.
    • Services Offered:
      • Application for welfare benefits (็”Ÿๆดปไฟ่ญท, Seikatsu Hogo)
      • Emergency financial aid
    • Costs: Free to apply.
    • Application Procedure:
      • Visit the Welfare Division (็ฆ็ฅ‰่ชฒ, Fukushi-ka) at your Ward Office.
      • Bring your Residence Card, proof of income, and My Number Card.
    • Operating Hours: Mondayโ€“Friday, 8:45 AMโ€“5:00 PM.
    • Language Support: Limited English support.

B. Banking and Financial Literacy Support

While not directly provided by the government, some Ward Offices offer guidance on opening bank accounts or understanding financial systems in Japan. They may refer you to local non-profits or community centers for workshops.

3. Services Related to Local Services

Local services in Yokohama include registration procedures, waste management, and community support programs.

A. Resident Registration (ไฝๆฐ‘็™ป้Œฒ, Jumin Toroku)

  1. What it is: Mandatory registration for all residents, including foreign nationals.
  2. Services Offered:
    • Change of address (่ปขๅ…ฅๅฑŠ, Tennyu Todoke / ่ปขๅ‡บๅฑŠ, Tenshutsu Todoke)
    • Issuance of residence certificates (ไฝๆฐ‘็ฅจ, Juminhyo)
  3. Costs: ยฅ300โ€“ยฅ400 per certificate.
  4. Application Procedure:
    • Visit the Resident Affairs Division (ๆˆธ็ฑ่ชฒ, Koseki-ka) at your Ward Office.
    • Bring your Residence Card, passport, and My Number Card.
  5. Operating Hours: Mondayโ€“Friday, 8:45 AMโ€“5:00 PM.
  6. Language Support: Some offices have English-speaking staff or translation services.

B. Waste Management and Recycling

  1. What it is: Guidance on Yokohamaโ€™s strict garbage separation and disposal rules.
  2. Services Offered:
    • Distribution of garbage disposal guides
    • Purchase of official garbage bags (if required)
  3. Costs: Free for guidance; garbage bags cost vary.
  4. Application Procedure:
    • Visit the Environmental Services Division (็’ฐๅขƒใ‚ตใƒผใƒ“ใ‚น่ชฒ, Kankyo Sabisu-ka) at your Ward Office.
    • Bring proof of residence (e.g., Juminhyo or utility bill).
  5. Operating Hours: Mondayโ€“Friday, 8:45 AMโ€“5:00 PM.
  6. Language Support: Garbage guides are available in English, Chinese, and other languages.

C. Childcare and Education Services

  1. What it is: Support for families with children, including daycare and school enrollment.
  2. Services Offered:
    • Enrollment in public daycare or kindergartens
    • Financial aid for low-income families
  3. Costs: Varies based on income.
  4. Application Procedure:
    • Visit the Childcare Support Division (ๅญ่‚ฒใฆๆ”ฏๆด่ชฒ, Kosodate Shien-ka) at your Ward Office.
    • Bring your Residence Card, proof of income, and My Number Card.
  5. Operating Hours: Mondayโ€“Friday, 8:45 AMโ€“5:00 PM.
  6. Language Support: Limited English support.

4. General Information

Operating Hours

  • Most government offices operate Mondayโ€“Friday, 8:45 AMโ€“5:00 PM.
  • Closed on weekends, national holidays, and during the New Year holiday period (December 29โ€“January 3).

Language Support

  • English support is limited but improving. Some offices have multilingual staff or translation services.
  • The Yokohama International Communication and Exchange Center (YOKE) offers interpretation services and multilingual guides for foreign residents.

Payment Methods

  • Most fees can be paid in cash. Some offices accept credit cards or bank transfers for larger payments.

Cultural Considerations

  • Be punctual for appointments.
  • Dress modestly and respectfully when visiting government offices.
  • Bowing is a common form of greeting and showing respect.

5. Key Contacts

  1. Yokohama City Hall

    • Address: 6-50-10 Honcho, Naka-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 231-0005
    • Phone: 045-671-2121
    • Website: Yokohama City Official Website (Japanese; some English pages available)

  2. Yokohama International Communication and Exchange Center (YOKE)

    • Address: 1-1-2 Minato Mirai, Nishi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 220-0012
    • Phone: 045-222-1171
    • Website: YOKE Official Website

By following this guide, you should be well-prepared to navigate Yokohamaโ€™s local government offices for finance and local services. If you need further assistance, feel free to ask!