Delivering Delights: The Uber Eats Experience in Japan - A Personal Journey

Delivering Delights: The Uber Eats Experience in Japan - A Personal Journey

I have been doing Uber Eats in Japan for two years now. My experience with Uber Eats as a delivery person in Kobe has been a lot of fun. I started working with Uber Eats in April 2024. In the beginning, I had to send in some important documents. These documents included my passport, my foreign registration card that shows I can work legally in Japan,  and insurance for my scooter. After submitting my documents I did this I found out that there is another step for people who are not from Japan, like me to follow with Uber Eats.

I had to go to Uber's office in person for them to check my documents. This is something Uber does to make sure all foreign delivery partners are legally allowed to work in Japan. The closest Uber compliance office was in Osaka. I had to go all the way to Osaka, which was a little far. This trip showed me the effort it takes to be an Uber Eats delivery partner.

After I did the in-person verification, Uber told me to take a driving test on my phone. The driving test is a part of signing up to be a delivery person with Uber. They want to make sure all delivery partners know how to drive. This is really important when you are driving in cities because the streets are very busy and the traffic can be confusing. Uber wants to make sure that all of their delivery partners know the driving practices.

I finished the test. It was a success. So I waited for a day or two to get the confirmation. The test was really important so I was waiting for the result of the test.

I passed and got the okay to join the Uber Eats team as a delivery partner. Now I am a part of the Uber Eats team and I deliver around Kobe bringing food to people who order from Uber Eats. So far I like my job as an Uber Eats partner.  I get to see places and meet new people working for Uber Eats.

So if you want to start working with Uber Eats in Japan. To get started there are things you need to do first before you can start. The following are the essentials for starting your Uber Eats adventure, in Japan. You need to make sure you have these things taken care of before you can start delivering with Uber Eats.

Age: You must be at least 18 years old.

Vehicle: The way you want to deliver things will decide what you need to use. You might need to use a bicycle, moped, scooter or car. If you want to use a scooter it has to be a kind. If the engine is not too big under 125cc you will need a drivers license and insurance for the scooter. You have to get these things for scooters, like that.

To get started you need to show an identification card and a picture of yourself. The kind of vehicle you use to deliver things will decide if you need to bring papers. You might need to show a vehicle registration certificate and insurance for your delivery vehicle.

To work in Japan you need to have a residency status that lets you get a job. This means you have to be a Permanent Resident or the Spouse or Child of a Japanese National. You can also be a Long-term Resident. Have some other kind of residency status that says you are allowed to work in Japan. The thing is, you must have a residency status that permits employment like one of these:

* Permanent Resident

* Spouse or Child of a Japanese National

* Long-term Resident

Required Documents for Uber Eats Japan Delivery Partners

For all delivery methods you will need:

ID documents for foreign nationals (if applicable)

Photograph of the required documents

Profile photo without sunglasses, masks, or hats

For delivery by foot or bicycle:

• Identification Card (身分証明書)
  

  
  
  
  

For delivery by moped:

Driver’s license(運転免許証)

License Plates (ナンバープレートの写真)

Automobile liability insurance certificate (自賠責保険証)

Light vehicle registration certificate (自動車損害賠償責任保険証明書)

For delivery by small two-wheeled vehicle or kei-car:

Driver’s license (運転免許証)

Vehicle inspection certificate (車検証または軽自動車届出済証)

Optional insurance or mutual insurance certificate

(任意保険または自動車共済証書)

I needed a delivery bag so I got one from Uber Eats Japan's website. This was a deal for me than buying from other places, like Amazon Japan. The delivery bag is not something to carry food in. It shows that Uber Japan cares about the service it provides. The delivery bag makes sure the food is safe and warm until it gets to the customer. Uber Japan uses these bags to guarantee that the food stays at the temperature.

On the job that is where the real learning happens. You do not have to go to a classroom to learn everything. Learning Japanese is very important because you will have to talk to customers on the phone. When you are on the phone with customers it is not about taking orders or finding out where they live. You also get to talk to them and get to know them a bit even if it is just a short conversation. This is a part of the job and it is something that you will do every day. On the job learning is what will really help you to understand how things work. Japanese language skills are necessary for, on the job learning because you will be using them all the time when you are talking to customers.

Using the Uber Eats application is pretty easy when it comes to payments and orders. Uber Eats gives you the option to take cash payments. You can just go completely cashless. I like using the cashless option because it's so much easier. I do not have to look for exact change. This is really helpful on days it makes the whole thing a lot faster and smoother when you use Uber Eats. Uber Eats is great, for this reason.

When you start doing Uber Eats delivery you need to get to know the area you are working in. This is really important for people who're new to Uber Eats delivery. You should learn where the local landmarks and stores are because this helps you find your way and it makes your deliveries faster.

You can choose to take an order or not when it comes in. Some orders are a little more complicated because you have to pick up food from, than one place. Uber Eats delivery can be managed easily if you plan carefully.

I always make sure to check my order. Confirming your order by checking the order number and talking to the shop staff is very important. Mistakes can still happen,. They happen less often when you have more experience and you pay close attention to what you are doing. When I first started I made some mistakes. I learned from them. Now I double check that each order is correct before I leave the shop. I do this with every order to make Attention to Detail is taken care of. Attention to Detail is important, to me so I take my time to get it right.

The money part of this job is really good. One good thing about it is that people do not expect you to be tipped. As a delivery partner my money comes from the orders I do. I have found that even taking the orders is a good idea because it shows me that working hard pays off. The Financial Aspect of this job is simple. I get paid every Monday. The money goes right into my bank account. The Financial Aspect is easy to understand because I set up my bank account through the app. This makes The Financial Aspect of the job easy, for me.

Quests: The Extra Mile

Uber Eats has something called Quests. This is to help its delivery partners do a job. They get money when they do well. For example if a delivery partner completes 10 deliveries they might get a bonus of 1000 Yen or even more.

Uber Eats uses Quests to motivate its delivery partners. This is so they do deliveries and earn more money. Quests are like a reward, for Uber Eats delivery partners to keep doing a job and take on more work. Uber Eats delivery partners can make money with Quests.

Independence and Flexibility Working with Uber Eats is really great because I get to be my boss.

I can choose when I want to work and how many hours I put in.

This is very important to me.

I love that Uber Eats gives me the freedom to make my schedule.

Uber Eats is a community to be a part of because it lets me work the way I want to.

I think this independence is the good thing, about working with Uber Eats.

It makes me happy to be able to work on my terms with Uber Eats.

This is more than a guide to working with Uber Eats in Japan; it's an insight into the personal growth that accompanies it. Not only will you master the basics, but you may also discover personal development in ways you didn't anticipate. It's fascinating how this app brings together people from diverse backgrounds, offering each person an opportunity to try something different. Along the journey, you might even learn some Japanese.

What is Resident Tax in Japan and who needs to pay it?住民税 JUUMINZEI

Understanding Japan's Residence Tax: A Comprehensive Guide

Living in Japan comes with the responsibility of contributing to local communities. Residence tax is a local tax paid by residents to fund public services like education and welfare.

Who Needs to Pay Residence Tax?

Anyone residing in a Japanese prefecture and municipality as of January 1st is liable for residence tax. There's a grace period for newcomers – you won't be taxed in the year you arrive, but you will be for the previous year's income if you're still in Japan on the following January 1st. Even if you leave before the bill arrives, you're still obligated to pay.

Here is an example of the residence tax bill.

Calculating Your Residence Tax

The tax amount is based on your taxable income earned between January 1st and December 31st of the preceding year. The tax office analyzes your income tax return (kakutei shinkoku 確定申告) for this period and calculates the tax based on two components:

• Per capita burden: A fixed amount set by each municipality.
• Income-based portion: A percentage of your taxable income.

Example Breakdown (hypothetical rates):

Tax Type	Rate	Per Capita Burden
Prefectural Resident Tax	4%	1,000 yen
Municipal Resident Tax	6%	3,000 yen
Forest Environment Tax (optional)	-	1,000 yen
Total	10%	5,000 yen

How to Pay Your Residence Tax

The tax office typically calculates your residence tax. However, you can use the following formula if you're curious:

Taxable Income Amount - Income Deductions = Taxable Income Amount
Taxable Income Amount × Tax Rate - Tax Amount Deductions = Income Tax Amount
Income Tax Amount + Per Capita Burden = Resident Tax Amount

There are two payment methods with different due dates:

• Lump sum payment: Due in June.
• Installment payment: Divided into four payments due in June, August, October, and January.

Payment Methods

• Special collection (salary deductions): For employees, the municipality sends the tax notice to your employer, who deducts the tax from your salary throughout the year or in a single payment.
• Ordinary collection: For freelancers, self-employed individuals, or the unemployed with income from the previous year, the city office sends a tax notice in June specifying the due date. You can pay at a post office, financial institution, or convenience store.

Important Reminders

• Leaving employment: If your residence tax was deducted through salary deductions, and you quit your job, the remaining balance will be shifted to ordinary collection. Some employers may deduct the outstanding amount from your final paycheck. Clarify tax payment procedures before resigning.
• Leaving Japan: You're still responsible for paying any due residence tax before departure. If you can't pay beforehand, appoint a tax representative authorized to pay on your behalf with the local government office.

Reducing Your Residence Tax Burden

• Foreign tax credit: If you've already paid income tax on foreign income, you might be eligible for a deduction on your Japanese income tax, which can indirectly reduce your residence tax.
• Tax treaties: Many countries have tax treaties with Japan, some covering residence tax. Residents fulfilling specific requirements, such as trainees or apprentices, might qualify for a lower or even waived residence tax by submitting the Application Form for Income Tax Convention (租税条約に関する届出書, sozei jōyaku ni kansuru todokede-sho) by March 15th.

Conclusion: Pay Your Fair Share in Japan

Residence tax helps your local community thrive. It's easy to pay, with options for installments or a lump sum. Remember deadlines and plan ahead if you leave your job or Japan. By following these tips, you'll fulfill your tax obligation smoothly.