International Students now in Japan: 8 Helpful Living Support info amid COVID-19

The repeated re-issuance and extensions of emergency declarations by the government had made life severely difficult for people in Japan.
Especially for many international students living in Japan, we suppose life has become hard facing financial problems due to the closure of their part-time jobs and such.

Hope this information of available aids offered to those international students in Japan suffering at the moment will be found useful.

In this article, you will find where to find support depending on your condition.
We know you will need much more details and how-to instructions in order to apply your needed option, so, the multilingual hotline/helpdesk phone numbers that can assist you are added at the end of this article.

1. Support to the financial problem to continue studying in Japan
2. Support to reduce or exempt payment of National Health Insurance premiums
3. Deferment of payment of utility bills, such as electricity, gas, phone, water, NHK subscription, etc. fees
4. Support to tenants of public housing
5. Support to allow workers to take a leave of absence securely during the COVID-19 pandemic
6. COVID time immigration service-related information
7. Consultation service at FRESC (Foreign Residents Support Center) helpdesk
8. Multilingual Hotlines and Call Centers that support you in Japan

Support to the financial problem to continue studying in Japan

Special loans for emergency small amount funds (loan of a little money to people who need immediate money for living expenses for a while because of the COVID and reduced income due to missed/suspended work or job loss).

Who can borrow money?
The number of people who can borrow money has increased. Many people are now able to borrow. Foreign students can also apply if the conditions are met.
* If your income had been significantly reduced due to the COCID, this is applicable even if you are still working.
For details, contact the Council of Social Welfare 社会福祉協議会 (しゃかいふくしきょうぎかい) of your address’ registered municipality.

Check this page => Information on life and work page by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare

Support to reduce or exempt payment of National Health Insurance premiums

People with significantly reduced income may be able to reduce the burden of National Health Insurance premiums. Conditions applied, for more information, please contact the National Health Insurance Section 国民健康保険担当課 (こくみんけんこうほけんたんとうか) of your address’ registered municipality.

Deferment of payment of utility bills, such as electricity, gas, phone, water, NHK subscription, etc. fees

The Japanese government asked for cooperation from utility companies in Japan to defer the payment of electricity, gas, and other living expenses for those who have difficulty paying due to unemployment caused by COVID. For more information, please contact the company you have a contract with.

Lists of the companies that agreed with the above-said deferment are found on the links below (including the availability-scheduled companies).

Electricity fees
https://www.enecho.meti.go.jp/coronavirus/pdf/list_electric.pdf

Gas fees
https://www.enecho.meti.go.jp/coronavirus/pdf/list_gas.pdf

Support to tenants of public housing

The Japanese government requested support for those who are living in public housing or UR rental housing, or who are planning to live in such housing, and who have difficulty paying rent due to unemployment caused by COVID, etc., be allowed to defer payment of rent so that they can continue to live in their homes.
For more information, please contact the public housing section 公営住宅担当課 (こうえいじゅうたくたんとうか) of your address’ registered municipality.

Support to allow workers to take a leave of absence securely during the COVID-19 pandemic

Extension of the eligibility period and application deadline for the support fund and allowance for the leave forced to be taken under the COVID-19 outbreak. This is for those workers whose work hours have been reduced due to COVID and who have not yet received payment for leave of absence security from their employers. There are conditions for receiving this benefit, contact the number applicable to your case on the list at the end of this page.

COVID time immigration service-related information

Although the special measures to extend the validity of your residence status for the COVID emergency status had been ended in 2020, you can find the latest immigration-related information on the  Information related to COVID-19 page by the Immigration Services Agency of Japan.
Or you can call the Immigration Information Center.
0570-013904 (Hours: 08:30 to 17:30   Japanese weekdays only)
or
03-5796-7112 (For IP phones, PHS, and calls from overseas)
(Hours: 08:30 to 17:30   Japanese weekdays only)

Consultation service at FRESC (Foreign Residents Support Center) helpdesk

The Foreign Residents Support Center (FRESC) is a consultation center that supports foreign nationals who live and work in Japan. It is located in the Co・mo・re Yotsuya Building near JR Yotsuya Station in Shinjuku. FRESC provides advice for foreign nationals, supports companies that wish to employ foreign nationals, and supports local governments that provide assistance to foreign nationals.
FRESC works together with residential organizations to improve the environment for accepting foreign nationals through various support initiatives related to foreign nationals’ lives in Japan.
The FRESC Help Desk provides telephone counseling to foreigners who have lost their jobs due to the new coronavirus.

FRESC web page => About the Foreign Residents Support Center

Helpdesk => 0120-76-2029 (Hours: 09:00 to 17:00   Japanese weekdays only)

Multilingual Hotlines and Call Centers that support you in Japan

〇 When you’re COVID symptomatic with fever, etc., call the Fever Consultation Center of your prefecture. Find your residence prefecture’s local hotline number.
Click to jump to the prefecture-based map => Local Call Center map

〇 For total support consultation, call FRESC multilingual support desk
   0120-76-2029 (Hours: 09:00 to 17:00   Japanese weekdays only)

〇 For consultations to get advice on your working conditions.
(Hours 10:00-15:00 (except 12:00-13:00))
 English：050-001701 (Mon-Fri)
Chainese：050-001702 (Mon-Fri)
Portuguese：050-001703 (Mon-Fri)
Spanish：050-001704 (Mon-Fri)
Tagalog：050-001705 (Mon-Fri)
Vietnamese：050-001706 (Mon-Fri)
Myanmar(Burmese)：050-001707 (Monday)
Nepali：050-001708  (Tue, Wed and Thur)
Korean：050-001709 (Thur and Fri)
Thai：050-001712  (Wednesday)
Indonesian：050-001715 (Wednesday)
Cambodian(Khmer)：050-001716 (Wednesday)
Mongolian：050-001718 (Friday)

〇 For consultations to get advice on your working conditions during AFTER HOURS of the above working condition consultation lines.   
   (Days/Hours: 17:00-22:00  Mon – Fri / 9:00-21:00 Sat,Sun,Hol)
 English：0120-531-401 (Every day)
Chainese：0120-531-402 (Every day)
Portuguese：0120-531-403  (Every day)
Spanish：0120-531-404 (Tue and Thu-Sat)
Tagalog：0120-531-405 (Tue, Wed and Sat)
Vietnamese：0120-531-406 (Wed, Fri and Sat)
Myanmar(Burmese)：0120-531-407 (Wed and Sun)
Nepali：0120-531-408  (Wed and Sun)
Korean：0120-613-801 (Thur and Sun)
Thai：0120-613-802  (Thur and Sun)
Indonesian：0120-613-803 (Thur and Sun)
Cambodian(Khmer)：0120-613-804 (Mon and Sat)
Mongolian：0120-613-805 (Mon and Sat)

Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare page = Counseling services, and hotlines in Foreign Languages

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