A Notice from Kure City June, 2026（English）

【Changes to Residence Cards Effective June 14, 2026】

⭐Residence Cards will change from the current format to a new format.
●Changes in the new format
When applying for a new card or renewing a card, all persons aged 1 year or older must submit a facial photograph.
※If you already have a residence card, you may continue using it until its expiration date. You do not need to exchange it immediately or submit a photograph for your current card.

⭐A new “Specified Residence Card” system will begin.
●What is a Specified Residence Card?
It is a single card that combines the functions of both a Residence Card and a My Number Card.

●What are the benefits?
Previously, after completing residence-related procedures at the Immigration Services Agency, you also had to visit your city hall to update the information on your My Number Card.
With a Specified Residence Card, information on your My Number Card will be updated automatically when the card is issued. This eliminates the need to make a separate trip to city hall, allowing the procedure to be completed in one place.

●Important points to know
Obtaining a Specified Residence Card is optional. You may continue to use a separate Residence Card and My Number Card as before.
You may continue using your current cards until their respective expiration dates. There is no requirement to switch to the new card.
For more information about the Specified Residence Card, please see the links below↓
Japanese：https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/tokutei.html
English：https://www-moj-go-jp.translate.goog/isa/tokutei.html?_x_tr_sl=ja&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=ja&_x_tr_pto=wapp

⚠️Changes Applicable to All New Cards (Important Notice)
For cards newly issued on or after June 14, 2026, some information will no longer be printed on the card itself.
The following items will no longer appear on the card surface:
•Period of Stay
•Type of Permission
•Date Permission Was Granted
•Date of Issue
※These details will be stored only in the card’s IC chip. To check your period of stay and other information, you will need to use the free Residence Card Checker App on a smartphone or other device.
Japanese：https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/procedures/rcc-support.html
English：https://www-moj-go-jp.translate.goog/isa/applications/procedures/rcc-support.html?_x_tr_sl=ja&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=ja&_x_tr_pto=wapp
※Note: The English version is an automatic translation. Please refer to the original Japanese for accuracy.

▼Contact
Kure International Exchange Association　TEL: 0823-25-5607

【Child Allowance Forms (Genkyo Todoke) have been mailed to those who are required to submit them.】

In principle, it will not be necessary to submit the Child Allowance Form (Genkyo Todoke).
Genkyo Todoke forms have been mailed to those who are required to submit them and should be completed and returned by Tuesday, June 30th.
If you do not submit them, you will not be able to receive future allowances, so please be sure to submit them.

▼Contact
Kodomo-shien-ka 　TEL：0823-25-3173
Kure International Exchange Association　TEL：0823-25-5607

【A multilingual life guidebook has been published】
Even if you leave a company, you are still required to be covered by health insurance in case of illness or injury. If you are no longer eligible for health insurance, please follow one of the following procedures:
“The Kure Life Guidebook for Foreigners” has been published in English, Chinese, Portuguese, and Vietnamese. It contains a lot of useful information for foreigners about life and administrative procedures.
It is distributed free of charge at the International Exchange Center on the 1st floor of the Kure City Hall, Tobu Chiku Foreign Resident Comprehensive Consultation Counter in Hiro Shimin Center, and every local Civic Center.
You can also download it from the Kure International Exchange Association’s website.