Usage of Registered Aliases After Acquiring Permanent Residence and Rules on Residence Card Notation#

Many foreign nationals who obtain Permanent Resident status in Japan wish to use a “Registered Alias” (Tsusho-mei), a Japanese-style name, for their daily lives or workplaces as they integrate deeper into Japanese society. A common question arises upon acquiring this status: “Can I print this alias on my Residence Card now that I am a Permanent Resident?”

This article provides a sincere and objective explanation regarding the rules for using a registered alias after acquiring Permanent Residence, specifically focusing on whether it can be noted on the Residence Card, and how it is handled on other official documents like the Resident Record (Juminhyo) and My Number Card.

Can a Registered Alias be Printed on the Residence Card?#

To give a direct conclusion: In principle, a “Registered Alias” (Tsusho-mei) cannot be printed on the Residence Card issued to mid-to-long-term residents, including Permanent Residents.

The Residence Card is an official document issued by the Immigration Services Agency of Japan. Its content must strictly match the information on the holder’s passport. Since the Residence Card serves as an international form of identification and proof of legal status, adding a “Registered Alias”—which is a name valid only within Japanese domestic society and not listed on the passport—is not permitted under current immigration operational rules.

Therefore, even for Permanent Residents, the name field on the Residence Card will generally display only the name in the Roman alphabet as it appears on the passport.

Distinction from Special Permanent Residents#

It is important not to confuse “Permanent Residents” with “Special Permanent Residents” (individuals with special legal status due to historical circumstances, such as Zainichi Koreans). Special Permanent Residents hold a “Special Permanent Resident Certificate,” which does allow the listing of a registered alias. However, for “General Permanent Residents” (those who transitioned from work visas, spousal visas, etc.), the Residence Card does not have a field for an alias.

Kanji Name Notation (Different from an Alias)#

While an alias cannot be listed, there is a system for “Kanji Name Notation” on the Residence Card. This is conceptually different from a registered alias.

For nationals from countries or regions that use Chinese characters (such as China, Taiwan, and Korea), it is possible to apply to have their name displayed in Kanji alongside the Roman alphabet. If this procedure is completed, both the alphabet and Kanji names will appear on the card.

However, this is strictly for the Kanji version of the real name as verified by official documents (like a passport or birth certificate). It is not a system that allows one to freely register a Japanese-style name or a nickname of their choice.

Official Documents Where Aliases Can be Used#

Although an alias cannot be printed on the Residence Card, it can be listed on public documents managed by the municipality (city/ward office) after completing the necessary procedures.

If a Permanent Resident wishes to use an alias officially, it can be listed on the following documents:

1. Resident Record (Juminhyo)
2. My Number Card (Individual Number Card)
3. Driver’s License (Provided the alias is already on the Resident Record)
4. Health Insurance Card (Depending on the employer’s or union’s regulations, but often possible)

By having the alias on these documents, it becomes possible to use the Japanese-style name for many administrative and private transactions within Japan, such as opening bank accounts, signing real estate contracts, and subscribing to mobile phone services.

Procedures and Rules for Registering an Alias#

To have an alias listed on the Resident Record, one must file a “Notification of Alias” at the municipal office of their residence.

Proof of Usage Required#

Simply requesting to use a specific name is not sufficient for registration. You must objectively prove that the alias is “already being used and is widely accepted in your social life in Japan.”

Generally, the municipality will require the following types of evidence (requirements may vary by municipality):

• Postal mail received under the alias (preferably multiple items with postmarks).
• Certificate of employment or employee ID card issued by the employer showing the alias.
• Salary slips (pay stubs) showing the alias.
• Receipts for utility bills (electricity, gas, water).
• Bank passbooks in the alias name (if already created).

The municipality will permit the registration on the Resident Record only if they judge, based on these documents, that the name is not merely a self-proclaimed nickname but has a substantial reality in social life.

Timing of Registration#

The acquisition of Permanent Residence and the registration of an alias are separate procedures. Becoming a Permanent Resident does not automatically grant the right to an alias, nor does it relax the evidentiary requirements. If one intends to use an alias, it is common to build a track record of usage even before applying for Permanent Residence.

Managing Multiple IDs: Residence Card vs. Other Documents#

When a Permanent Resident registers an alias, they will end up possessing two types of ID with different notations: the Residence Card (Real Name/Alphabet only) and the My Number Card or Driver’s License (Alias included).

This discrepancy in names requires careful management in daily life.

Identity Verification#

When performing procedures at banks or government offices, if the name on the presented ID differs from the name on the application or other documents, identity verification may take longer. It is often necessary to present a copy of the Resident Record (which lists both names) to prove that the holder of the Residence Card and the user of the alias are the same person.

International Travel#

When traveling abroad, flight tickets must always be booked using the name exactly as it appears on the passport (Roman alphabet). If a ticket is booked under the registered alias, it will not match the passport, and boarding will be denied. Furthermore, at immigration control upon re-entering Japan, the Residence Card must be presented. Since the Residence Card uses the real name, all immigration and international travel procedures must consistently use the passport name.

Conclusion#

Regarding the usage of registered aliases and Residence Card notation after acquiring Permanent Residence, the following points are essential:

• No Alias on Residence Card: General Permanent Residents cannot have an alias printed on their Residence Card. Only the alphabet name and, for applicable nationalities, the real Kanji name notation are allowed.
• Allowed on Municipal IDs: Aliases can be listed on the Resident Record, My Number Card, and Driver’s License after proper registration at the city hall.
• Proof Required: Registering an alias requires evidence (mail, pay slips, etc.) proving that the name is currently being used in social life.
• Contextual Usage: One must use the “Passport Name (Real Name)” for immigration and travel, and the “Registered Alias” for daily life in Japan.

Using a registered alias is a valid means to enhance convenience for Permanent Residents building their lives in Japan. However, it is crucial to correctly understand the difference in rules between the national Immigration Control System (Immigration Services Agency) and the local residency registration system (Municipalities). The Residence Card proves your legal status under immigration law, while the Resident Record reflects your social identity in the community; understanding this distinction will help avoid confusion in administrative procedures.