Alien Registration Card
I assume that most foreigners in Japan already know this, but I didn’t realise fully until today. It is obligatory to have your alien registration card (”Gaijin card”) on you at all times in Japan. If you are stopped by the Police and they ask to see your Gaijin card, you’d better have it on you: otherwise you can receive a court summons, a financial penalty or even end up deported or in jail…
Pachipro, writing over at Jeff’s Sushicam has a nightmare story of popping out one evening without his card.
Arudou Debito has a whole section on Gaijin Cards and the laws involved, but the simple advice is carry it with you, or face the consequences…
Thanks to Blogd for the image
I got stopped once and the cop was like, “Where’s your passport?” I gave him my gaijin card and he lectured me on how I’m always supposed to have my passport on me. I was like, “No, I live here, so this is my id.” Guh. Cops, think they know everything.
I call my denshi jisho my gaijin card too. ;)