So I studied abroad in Japan 2 years ago (leaving in July of 2023) and I am strongly considering returning at some point this year. Since I’ve been thinking about this recently, I started to go through all my old things from when I was in Japan before that I’d packed away when I moved back. While looking through things, I found a NHI slip from June 2023 that I’m assuming I stashed away forgetting to pay because there is no stamp on it like I remember usually getting when I paid all my other bills at the conbini in Japan… I have no idea if it has actually been paid or not and I’m panicking a bit at the possibility that I didn’t pay it (and didn’t receive any late payment reminders for it since I had moved out).
I am thinking of phoning the ward office I used when I was living there to see if there is any record of me paying it, but at the same time my Japanese isn’t great and I’m nervous about not understanding/being a nuisance.
Since there is no stamp I am pretty sure it must be unpaid…if I do end up going back to Japan at some point, is this something I’ll be able to pay when I return?? Will it affect me being able to have NHI in Japan in the future? And does anyone have any idea how much any late fees might be?? The bill itself is only for 4,400yen but I imagine late fees would be pretty large by now 🙁 I am also unsure about how I would address it if I end up moving back to a different prefecture – if it will automatically be connected to me when I return or if it’s something I will need to go about sorting by myself.
I haven’t even cemented any plans to go back to Japan yet but since finding this bill I have felt sick with anxiety over the idea of having forgot to pay this and leaving it so long while clueless…I know I’m stupid for not realising until now, you don’t have to tell me :’(
by sonesooyoung