1. Requirements: have a residence card (zairyu card)
2. Be on the register of your local city office with a valid address
3. Be registered as a resident as of April 27th, 2020
4. There are no restrictions on age or nationality
5. Student and working holiday visa holders are eligible as well
6. There are two ways you can apply: online or by mail
7. By mail: you will receive an official form from your local city office
8. Fill it in and send it back with a copy of your bank details (bank passbook or ATM card)
9. Online: fill in your bank details and personal information using “My Number Portal”
10. Transfers should be processed throughout May

See also: How to fill in Japanese government’s ¥100,000 relief fund application form?

100,000 yen relief fund to help residents face COVID-19 economic consequences

Covid-19 is having a considerable economic impact on Japanese businesses and households.

To face this economic disaster, on April 17, 2020, the Japanese Prime Minister, Abe Shinzo, announced a relief fund of 100,000 yen available for all residents of Japan. Initially, the Japanese government announced on April 2 that it had set up a relief fund of 300,000 yen for households that were facing financial difficulties due to the pandemic. The latter has been extended so that all residents of Japan could get a financial aid of 100,000 yen. Consequently, the budget for this program has tripled, from 4 trillion to 13 trillion yen.

Covid-19: What are the requirements to get the 100,000 yen relief fund from the Japanese government

The relief fund set up by the Japanese government allows citizens and residents to benefit from a 100,000 yen financial aid. There are no restrictions on age or nationality. Thus, foreigners residing in Japan are eligible for the fund as well, as long as they are registered in the resident register as of April 27, 2020 and are holders of a Zairyu card with their current address on it. Based on these conditions, foreign students as well as working holiday visa (WHV) holders are qualified for receiving the financial aid as well. In order to get it, you will need to meet the following requirements:

• Have a Zairyu card
• Have registered your address at your local city office
• Be on the resident register as of April 27, 2020
• There are no restrictions on age or nationality

How to obtain the financial aid of 100,000 yen from the Japanese Government?

This program has been designed so that clusters in administrative places and close contacts, which are responsible for the spread of the virus, can be avoided: everyone will be able and should apply from home. Consequently, the form will automatically and systematically be sent via mail to people who meet the criteria previously mentioned. It hasn’t been specified yet whether the form will be sent in multiple languages but it is highly likely that they will only be in Japanese.

Apply by mail

Each district will be deciding when the aid will be available. The fund itself, will be monitored by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Communications. In the next few weeks, you should get an official form from your local city office. Fill it in with your bank details and send it back to your local city office.

• You will get an official form from your local city office
• Fill this form ce document
• Send it back to your local city office with your bank details

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Apply online

Another way to apply is online. However, only the holders of a “My Number” card will be able to apply.

1. Go to the online portal
2. Fill in your personal information and bank details

When will the financial aid be transferred

No official date has been released for when the transfer will be processed. However, according to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, transfers should be done throughout May. For more details, the Ministry has set up an official call line: 03-5638-5855. Note that it will be available in Japanese only.