type: resource · tags: sofa, tax, japan, residency
Japan SOFA Reference
Japan SOFA Reference
Why this matters
The SOFA status / 住民票 timing drives the single highest-stakes financial decision in the plan — the Roth 401(k) distribution sequencing.
The sequence (mirrors Retirement-Planning)
- Retire; keep SOFA docs; do NOT register 住民票.
- Distribute the entire Roth 401(k) Empower → Schwab while still SOFA / non-住民票 ($0 US tax + $0 Japan tax).
- AFTER the wire is confirmed, register 住民票 at Asago City Hall.
- Same day: enroll 国民健康保険 + JA共済 医療保険 + がん共済.
Wrong order = ~¥100M lost to taxes.
Key concepts to keep documented here
- 住民票 (resident registration) — the trigger that establishes Japan tax residency.
- SOFA status and its tax treatment while it holds.
- 国民健康保険 (National Health Insurance) enrollment on residency.