This article contains an assortment of notes I’ve collected while switching from the status of “resident” to “non-resident” in Japan. Your particular situation may vary, but this should be a helpful starting point. Always be sure to consult with your tax advisor to make sure you stay compliant when you return to Japan as a non-resident.
Even as a tourist, be sure to not stay more than 183 days of the year. There are other factors to consider as well. Read more
It is possible to keep a bank account as a non-resident. My bank, SMBC Prestia, allowed me to keep it after changing my address to a foreign country, and marking myself as a non-resident. While there was definitely push back, they allowed it once knowing I would use it for things like paying tax in the future.
It is possible to keep your Japanese drivers license as a non-resident.
Steps ==[TBD ???]==
Notes:
Related: https://www.police.pref.kanagawa.jp/mes/mes83005.htm Maybe: https://www.keishicho.metro.tokyo.jp/smph/menkyo/koshin/koshin/koshin06.html
It is possible to own a car or motorcycle as a non-resident. ==[???]==
Times Car Share as a non resident? ==[???]==
Regular rental cars are of course possible, and if you show them an international drivers permit, they will lend you an ETC card. Japanese drivers license holders are not able to borrow an ETC card w/ their rental car. Not only that, but Japanese drivers license holders generally must have a Japanese credit card to get an ETC card.
Renting motorcycles all over Japan is also very easy using the https://Rental819.com service. They also provide ETC cards upon request, with the same caveat as above on international licenses.
If you would like to have your own ETC card (highway toll card), you can use the subscription service https://JapanETCCard.com. It costs about ¥1,200 per month, but only during the months that you use it. It only makes sense to do if you own a vehicle in Japan, as it has to be registered with the ownership documents associated with the vehicle, car or motorcycle. ==[Need to be resident ???]==
Skype offers 050 phone numbers (Japan) for $2 USD per month. With this, you can send and receive phone calls locally in Japan. This is often useful for things like restaurant reservations, and other misc forms around the country. SMS / text messages are not supported.
Non-residents are not permitted to keep a standard Japanese phone plan. ==[verify ???]==
While I did not look into details of creating a new lease as a non-resident, I highly doubt it is easy. Look how difficult it is for residents. That said, if you already have a lease, the chances of them asking if you are still a resident are low.
==[TODO verify]==
You are far better off renting from a serviced apartment / short-medium term rental company. See a long list of companies here: https://reustle.org/tokyo-housing
It is not possible to join the National health insurance scheme as a non-resident. Here are some options in Japan: ==[TODO]==
You are able to request up to the past 5 ==[???]== years of pension payments when you stop being a resident. https://www.nenkin.go.jp/international/japanese-system/withdrawalpayment/payment.html