MISATO VIEW: No.132 May - July 2026

<Overview>

Most foreign nationals residing in Japan have a Residence Card or a Special Permanent Resident Certificate (hereinafter referred to as "Residence Card, etc.") as well as a My Number Card. However, currently, those foreign nationals who hold both the Residence Card and My Number Card must go through separate procedures at different administrative agencies, forcing them to endure cumbersome procedures. Therefore, this amendment to the law will make it possible to integrate Residence Card, etc. and My Number Card, thereby improving convenience for foreign nationals residing in Japan and enhancing their quality of life, as well as enabling the administrative operations more efficient. Specifically, mid- to long-term residents or special permanent residents recorded in the Basic Resident Register may apply for the issuance of a Specified Residence Card or a Special Permanent Resident Certificate (hereinafter referred to as Specified Residence Card, etc). Procedures related to Residence Card, etc. and My Number Cards will be processed centrally; the details and validity period of the Residence Card, etc. will be revised.

*The service is scheduled to launch on June 14^th, 2026. The information on the following website is planned at the time of publication and it may be subjected to change in the future.

Source: Immigration Services Agency website （https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/tokutei.html?hl=en）

Residents’ Registration Section, Resident Affairs Division           

Phone: 048-930-7701 

• Alert levels will be added to the name of warnings and advisories.
• River flooding risks levels will be announced differently [introducing ‘Emergency Warning’ alert].
• Information ‘Equivalent to Alert Level 4’ will be issued as an ‘Urgent Warning’.

  <Source>

  Japan Meteorological Agency website 「新たな防災気象情報について（令和8年～）」 (https://www.jma.go.jp/jma/kishou/know/bosai/keiho-update2026/index.html) arranged for this article.

The danger lies near rivers

Buildings may be inundated or swept away.

The danger lies in low-lying areas

Areas such as roads under railroad tracks and basements may be inundated.

The danger lies near mountains & cliffs

Slopes may collapse causing rocks and soil to flow down. 

The danger lies near the sea

When ‘storm surge’ occurs as a typhoon approaches and sea levels rise, sea water overflows the seawall.

■Evacuate to a safe place before disaster occurs.

■If it is difficulties to escape from home:

 In the event of a disaster, disaster warnings, advisories and weather disaster alerts will be announced by television, radio, internet, disaster prevention apps, and Misato City’s disaster prevention administrative radio. Check the ways to obtain information in advance. Please visit Misato City official website for the information from Misato City. The evacuation information will also be announced by the disaster prevention administrative radio and public announcement vehicles.

■Japan Meteorological Agency website → ‘Kikikuru’ (Risk Maps)

https://www.jma.go.jp/jma/index.html

■Misato City official website: ‘Disseminating information during disasters’

https://www.city.misato.lg.jp/mokuteki/kyukyu_bosai/7766.html

■Misato City official website, English site: ‘Disaster Preparedness’

https://www.city.misato.lg.jp/kurashi_tetsuzuki/english/10034.html

Crisis Management and Disaster Prevention Division   

Phone: 048-930-7832

◆ FY2026 Municipal and Prefectural Resident Tax Determination and Tax Payment Notices will be sent out as below.

1. Those whose resident tax is deducted from the salary (Special Collection) : Friday, May 15^th, 2026.
2.  Others (General Collection) : Monday, June 8^th, 2026.

◆ FY2026 (income in 2025) Certificate of Taxation [Income]/ Certificate of Tax Exemption are available from May 15^th, 2026 for those who in 1)  and June 8^th, 2026 for those who in 2). 

◆ Issuance at convenience stores by using My Number Card

Residents of Misato City can obtain a Certificate of Taxation [Income]/ Certificate of Tax Exemption by multifunctional copier at a convenience store using My Number Card from June 8^th, 2026. 

Available time : 6:30 a.m. - 11:00 p.m. 

Fee : ¥100 per copy (¥300 per copy at the municipal service counter or by post.)

Municipal Tax Section, Municipal Tax Division   

Phone: 048-930-7706

◆The tax payment notice will be sent out in mid-July, 2026. Please pay by the due date. 

◆Health Insurance Eligibility Certificate or a Notification of Health Insurance Eligibility Information will be issued by late July 2026.

A different notification will be issued depending on registration status of My Number Card.

• Those who are not registered  My Number Card as your health insurance certificate.  → Health Insurance Eligibility Certificate

• Those who are registered My Number Card as your health insurance certificate. → Notification of Health Insurance Eligibility Information

*Health Insurance Eligibility Information without expiration date will not be issued again. 

*In case of My Number Card as your health insurance certificate is not readable by machine, please present your Notification of Health Insurance Eligibility Information.

Insurance Premium Section, National Health Insurance and National Pension Division

Phone: 048-930-7703

This page compiles various grants, allowances and subsidies provided by the city. You can search for subsidies and allowances that suit your life stage and specific needs. Please use it.

Misato City official website (Multilingual support)

https://www.city.misato.lg.jp/service/2000/index.html

Public Relations and City Promotion Section, Public Relations and Public Hearing Division 

Phone: 048-930-7762

National Police Agency website ‘Traffic Bureau’

https://www.npa.go.jp/english/bureau/traffic/index.html#englishhttps://www.npa.go.jp/english/bureau/traffic/index.html#english

Saitama Prefectural Police website ‘English’

https://www.police.pref.saitama.lg.jp/english/index.html

Leaflet (Japanese)

https://www.npa.go.jp/bureau/traffic/anzen/poster/r7_leaflet_jitensya.pdf

Leaflet  (English)

https://www.npa.go.jp/bureau/traffic/anzen/poster/r7_leaflet_jitensya_en.pdf

Leaflet (Simplified Chinese)

https://www.npa.go.jp/bureau/traffic/anzen/poster/r7_leaflet_jitensya_zh.pdf