How do I separate PET bottles correctly in Shibuya-ku?

Remove the cap and label, rinse the bottle, and crush it flat. In Shibuya-ku, PET bottles are collected on the designated recycling day. Place them in a transparent or semi-transparent bag separate from other recyclables.

Best mobile carrier for foreigners in Japan with English support?

Ahamo by NTT Docomo is popular among foreigners because the app is available in English, plans start at 2,970 yen per month for 20GB, and no Japanese credit card is required. Other foreigner-friendly options include Rakuten Mobile and IIJmio.

How to open a bank account in Japan without a Japanese phone number?

Japan Post Bank (Yucho) is the most foreigner-friendly option. They accept applications with just your residence card and do not strictly require a Japanese phone number at all branches. Visit a larger post office branch for the best experience.

How do I separate PET bottles correctly in Shibuya-ku?

Remove the cap and label, rinse the bottle, and crush it flat. In Shibuya-ku, PET bottles are collected on the designated recycling day. Place them in a transparent or semi-transparent bag separate from other recyclables.

Best mobile carrier for foreigners in Japan with English support?

Ahamo by NTT Docomo is popular among foreigners because the app is available in English, plans start at 2,970 yen per month for 20GB, and no Japanese credit card is required. Other foreigner-friendly options include Rakuten Mobile and IIJmio.

How to open a bank account in Japan without a Japanese phone number?

Japan Post Bank (Yucho) is the most foreigner-friendly option. They accept applications with just your residence card and do not strictly require a Japanese phone number at all branches. Visit a larger post office branch for the best experience.

What are the most common scams targeting foreigners in Japan?

Common scams include fake NHK fee collectors, utility company imposters, phone scams (ore ore sagi), online shopping fraud, investment scams, and fake rental deposit schemes. Always verify identity of anyone claiming to be an official.

How do I report a scam in Japan?

Report scams to: the police (110), the Consumer Affairs Agency hotline (188), or your local consumer life center. For financial fraud, also contact the Financial Services Agency. You can file reports in English through many regional police departments.

Is the NHK fee mandatory for foreigners in Japan?

NHK fees are legally required if you own a TV or device capable of receiving NHK broadcasts. The fee is about 1,225 yen/month. NHK collectors cannot enter your home without permission - always ask for official ID.

What should I do if I think I am being scammed?

Stop all communication immediately. Do not send money or share personal information. Contact the police (110) or Consumer Hotline (188). Japan has an 8-day cooling-off period for many contracts that lets you cancel without penalty.

What are the most common scams targeting foreigners in Japan?

Foreigners face specific scams in Japan. The top 5 are: Fake Immigration Calls: Scammers claim to be 入管 (Immigration) saying your visa has problems. Real immigration NEVER calls about visa issues. Apartment Key Money Scams: Fake landlords collect deposits for apartments that don't exist or aren't theirs. Employment Scams: Jobs requiring upfront "training fees" or promising unrealistic salaries (¥500,000+/month for simple work). Romance Scams: Online relationships leading to requests for money, often via dating apps. Phishing (なりすまし): Fake Amazon, bank, or delivery emails asking for personal information. Golden Rule: Government offices and banks NEVER ask for passwords or PINs by phone or email.

I received a call from 'Immigration' saying my visa is cancelled. Is it real?

This is 100% a SCAM. Here's why: Immigration Bureau (入管) NEVER makes phone calls about visa status Official notifications come by postal mail (封書) only They never ask for money over the phone They never threaten immediate arrest If you receive this call: Hang up immediately Don't press any buttons they request Report to police: #9110 (non-emergency consultation) Check your actual visa status at the real Immigration website if worried Real Immigration contact: Only through official office visits or their website www.moj.go.jp

How do I verify if an apartment listing is legitimate?

Apartment scams are common, especially targeting foreigners. Red flags: 🚩 Warning Signs: Price too good to be true (nice area, low rent) Landlord is "overseas" and can't show the apartment Asked to pay before viewing Communication only through messaging apps Pressure to decide quickly Safe practices: Use licensed real estate agents (宅建業者) - check license number Always view the apartment in person Never pay cash - use bank transfer with receipt Verify landlord ID before signing Get everything in writing (契約書) Verify agents: Search the license number at mlit.go.jp/takken

What should I do if I've already been scammed?

Act quickly to minimize damage: Contact your bank immediately: Report fraud, freeze accounts/cards if needed. Banks can sometimes reverse transfers within 24 hours. File a police report: Go to your local 警察署 (not koban). Bring all evidence - messages, receipts, screenshots. Report to Consumer Affairs: Call 188 (consumer hotline) for advice and official complaint filing. Document everything: Save all communications, don't delete anything. For specific scam types: Credit card fraud: Call card company's 24-hour emergency line Online shopping scam: Report to the platform + police Employment scam: Report to Hello Work + Labor Standards Office Support in English: TELL Japan 03-5774-0992 can help you navigate the process.

How can I protect myself from phishing emails in Japan?

Japanese phishing emails are sophisticated. Here's how to identify them: Common phishing disguises: Amazon Japan delivery notifications Bank security alerts (三菱UFJ, みずほ, etc.) Credit card verification requests NHK payment demands Tax office (国税庁) refund offers How to check if email is real: Check sender email domain carefully (amazon.co.jp vs amaz0n.co.jp) Hover over links WITHOUT clicking - see real URL Look for spelling/grammar errors (even in Japanese) Real companies never ask for passwords via email When in doubt, go directly to the official website (don't click email links) Report phishing: Forward suspicious emails to phishing@ipa.go.jp (Information-technology Promotion Agency)

Fraud Shield

Last Updated: April 2026

Predatory practice analysis and defense tools for international residents.

2026 THREAT LEVEL: CRITICAL

Universal Scam Radar

The "Foreigner Armor" Defense System. Analyze any offer here.

Diagnostic Check

Is there 'Time Pressure'? (e.g., 'Offer ends today', 'Sign now')Is it 'Only for Foreigners' or a 'Special Visa Deal'?Is payment 'Cash' or 'Crypto' only? (No bank transfer)Did they say 'Don't tell your Japanese friends/partners'?Is communication only via Telegram/Signal/WhatsApp (No email/phone)?

Official Registry Search

Yamada Hack: The Proxy Test

If an offer seems too good to be true, tell the person:

「日本の同僚（弁護士）に見てもらいたいのですが。」
"I want my Japanese colleague/lawyer to look at this."

Result: Legitimate businesses will wait. Scammers will immediately make excuses ("Time sensitive", "Private deal") or disappear.

Japan Scam Protection FAQ

Foreigners face specific scams in Japan. The top 5 are:

Fake Immigration Calls: Scammers claim to be 入管 (Immigration) saying your visa has problems. Real immigration NEVER calls about visa issues.
Apartment Key Money Scams: Fake landlords collect deposits for apartments that don't exist or aren't theirs.
Employment Scams: Jobs requiring upfront "training fees" or promising unrealistic salaries (¥500,000+/month for simple work).
Romance Scams: Online relationships leading to requests for money, often via dating apps.
Phishing (なりすまし): Fake Amazon, bank, or delivery emails asking for personal information.

Golden Rule: Government offices and banks NEVER ask for passwords or PINs by phone or email.

Frequently Asked Questions

Foreigners in Japan are most frequently targeted by: fake job offer scams requiring upfront training or equipment fees, rental deposit theft schemes operating outside legitimate real estate platforms, telephone fraud calls impersonating NTT or government agencies demanding immediate payment, romance scams via dating apps that gradually lead to investment or money transfer requests, and fraudulent immigration consultant services charging excessive fees for services that don't require professional help. Awareness of these fraud patterns is the first defense.

Red flags for fraudulent job offers targeting foreigners in Japan include: requests for any upfront payment (training fees, uniform costs, registration fees) before work begins, salary promises significantly above market rate for the described role, no verifiable company website or physical address, high-pressure tactics to sign quickly, requests for passport or residence card copies before a formal interview has taken place, and all communication conducted exclusively through LINE or informal messaging channels with no formal documentation.

If you fall victim to fraud in Japan, act immediately on several fronts: contact your bank to report unauthorized transfers and request a freeze on further outgoing transactions, file a victim report (higai todoke) at your nearest police station or koban with all available evidence including screenshots, transfer records, and communications, and report the incident to the National Police Agency's internet fraud portal (internethotline.jp) for online scams. While full recovery of funds is not guaranteed, early reporting improves the chances significantly.

The NTT impersonation fraud is a common telephone scam in Japan where callers claim to represent NTT (Nippon Telegraph and Telephone) and warn that your phone line will be disconnected due to unpaid bills or suspicious activity unless you make an immediate payment or provide personal information. NTT and its subsidiaries never contact customers demanding immediate telephone payment. If you receive such a call, hang up immediately and contact NTT directly through their official published number to verify whether any issue actually exists.

To report fraud in Japan, visit your nearest police station (keisatsusho) or neighborhood police box (koban) and request to file a victim report (higai todoke). Bring all available evidence: bank transfer records, screenshots of fraudulent communications, any contracts signed, and a written timeline of events in Japanese if possible. You are not required to have a Japanese speaker with you, but bringing a Japanese-speaking friend simplifies the process considerably. The police will issue a copy of the victim report which you may need for bank refund claims or insurance purposes.

Fraud Shield

Universal Scam Radar

Diagnostic Check

Official Registry Search

Yamada Hack: The Proxy Test

Japan Scam Protection FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common scams targeting foreigners in Japan?

How do I identify a fake job offer in Japan?

What should I do if I'm scammed in Japan?

What is the NTT phone scam that targets foreigners in Japan?

How do I report fraud to the police in Japan?

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