9　Procedures and Certificates

A Disaster Victim Certificate (risai shoumeisho) is a paper that certifies how badly a home was damaged by a disaster.
It is used when receiving support from the national or local government.
You can get one at the city office.
The fire department may also provide one after a fire.
It will be made after an inspector from the local government has checked the condition of your damaged home, so it may take some time before you obtain it.

Examples of support that requires a Disaster Victim Certificate

• Support fund for disaster victims to rebuild their lives: Money that those whose homes have been damaged in a disaster can receive.

  ☞　Glossary: Support fund for disaster victims to rebuild their lives

• Relief Funds: Money that victims of a disaster can receive.

  ☞　Glossary: Relief Funds

• Deferment, reduction or exemption from tax or insurance payments (delaying payments or reducing the amount owed)

• Temporary Housing (kasetsu juutaku): Housing where those whose homes were damaged in a disaster can stay for free.

  ☞　Glossary: Temporary Housing

The documents needed, and the time taken for a Disaster Victim Certificate to be issued varies between local governments. Ask the city office for information.

1. Cars that were submerged in water pose a risk of electrocution, so do not start the engine.

2. If you have car insurance, consult with the insurance company.

3. When disposing of a damaged car, or when your car was washed away by a landslide, flooding or a tsunami, you need to carry out automobile disposal procedures with a local Transport Branch Office.
   If you carry out automobile disposal procedures after a disaster, you may get a refund of some automobile taxes.
   Ask at the city office for details.

Carry out procedures to get a new passport issued with your country's embassy.
Ask the embassy about the documents you will need.

For information on embassies and consulates in Japan, see the following page.

https://www.mofa.go.jp/mofaj/link/emblist/index.html(Japanese)

https://www.mofa.go.jp/about/emb_cons/protocol/index.html (English)

1. Carry out procedures to extend your period of stay at a Tokyo Regional Immigration Services Bureau.
   Ask the immigration office about the documents you will need.

   ■Foreign Resident Information Center (foreign language support number)
   Phone: 0570-013904

2. In many cases, those who were unable to complete visa (status of residence) procedures as a result of a major disaster can carry them out even after their period of stay has expired. Ask at the immigration office for advice.

   You can also contact the Foreign Residents Support Center (FRESC).
   Call the following number to make an appointment for a consultation.

   Foreign Residents Support Center (FRESC) (Immigration Services Agency)

   https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/support/fresc/fresc_2.1.html(Japanese/English)

   Phone: 03-5363-3025 (For appointments only)

1. Carry out the procedures for a lost driver's license at a police station.
   Take a form of identification with you (passport, residence card, medical insurance card, company ID, student card, Individual Number Card (My Number card), etc.).

   New driver's licenses are issued by police stations and driver’s license centers.
   See the following page for information on driving license centers in Tokyo.

   ■Reissuing Driver's Licenses (Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department)

   https://www.keishicho.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/menkyo/koshin/saikofu01.html(Japanese only)

2. In the event of a major disaster, the validity period of driver's licenses may be extended, and renewal fees may be waived. Special consultation services for driver's license matters may also be set up.
   Check with the city office or police station.

Those with a registered address in Japan can receive Relief Funds, Disaster Compensation, etc.
Take a form of identification with you (passport, residence card, driver's license, medical insurance card, company ID, student card, Individual Number Card (My Number card), etc.) to the city office and carry out the necessary procedures.

☞　Glossary: Relief Funds, Disaster Compensation

1. Those with a registered address in Japan can borrow money for everyday expenses.
   The system differs between local governments, so ask at the city office for information.
   Take a form of identification with you (passport, residence card, driver's license, medical insurance card, company ID, student card, Individual Number Card (My Number card), etc.) and carry out procedures with the city office's welfare division, or with a local Council of Social Welfare.

   See the locations of local Councils of Social Welfare in Tokyo on the following page.

   ■List of Tokyo Social Welfare Councils (Tokyo Council of Social Welfare)

   https://www.tcsw.tvac.or.jp/shikuchoson/shakyo.html(Japanese only)

2. There are also systems for loaning money to those who need to repair, rent or build a home, including Disaster Reconstruction Housing Loans and Disaster Relief Funds.
   The system differs between local governments, so ask at the city office for information.
   Take a form of identification with you (passport, residence card, driver's license, medical insurance card, company ID, student card, Individual Number Card (My Number card), etc.) to the city office and carry out the necessary procedures.

   ☞　Glossary: Disaster Reconstruction Housing Loan, Disaster Relief Fund

You may be able to get a reduction to or exemption from the fees listed below.
The system differs between local governments, so ask at the city office for information.

• Tax: Resident Tax etc.

• Insurance: National Health Insurance, National Pension, premiums for Late-Stage Medical Care System for the Elderly, Long-Term Care Insurance, Nursing Care Fees

• Childcare fees: Nursery school/Kindergarten

Complete moving procedures at the city office for the place you moved away from.
Ask the city office for information on the documents required.

1. Contact the police if the death did not happen at a hospital. You can call the police by dialing 110.
   Leave everything as it is until the police arrive.
   Ask the police about what procedures need to be carried out.
   Listen to what they have to say with someone who understands Japanese. If you don't know a Japanese speaker, ask for help at the city office.

2. Submit a Notification of Death to the city office.
   To submit a Notification of Death, you will need a Postmortem Certificate from the police or a Death Certificate (or Postmortem Certificate) from the hospital.

   ☞　Glossary: Postmortem Certificate, Death Certificate

3. Inquire at a funeral home or religious institution about funeral arrangements.
   A Cremation Permit is required to cremate a body.
   You can get a Cremation Permit when you submit the Notification of Death to the city office.
   A Burial Permit is required to inter cremated remains.
   You can receive a Burial Permit at a crematorium if the body is cremated.
   If you wish to pursue options other than cremation, ask at the city office.

   ☞　Glossary: Cremation Permit, Burial Permit

4. If a member of your family dies, you can receive Disaster Condolence Money. Ask the city office.

   ☞　Glossary: Disaster Condolence Money