2009 Imabari Stimulus Guide
So, the government of Japan decided to follow the silly US economic policy of granting “stimulus” checks to the people. (I call this silly because I’d rather the US government just let us keep our money to start with, not pretend to be so magnanimous in doling out cash we used to be holding… I didn’t actually pay Japanese taxes last year, so this is free cash for me. Sorry Japanese taxpayers! I promise to spend it here.) If you’re currently a registered foreigner in Japan, you’re probably eligible for the payments – but you should check. The money is being meted out by the local governments, so if you don’t live in Imabari City, this may not be of use to you.
I checked this site and found that the notices and application forms were mailed out on Monday (the 13th of April). Comb through what you thought was junk mail and double check. 
You’ve got until Tuesday, October 13th to apply for your stimulus money. I’ll do a quick summary first, and the application procedure second.
FORMS MAILED: April 13th, 2009 (Monday)
APPLICATION DEADLINE: October 13th, 2009 (Tuesday)
ELIGIBLE PERSONS: Anyone with a registered residence or a recorded Alien Registration* in Imabari City as of February 2, 2009.
AUTHORIZED RECIPIENTS: The head of each household for Japanese citizens; every individual for registered foreigners.
AMOUNT: 12,000 yen per person. However, people older than 65 or younger than 18 as of February 2, 2009 receive an additional 8,000 yen.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS FOR FOREIGNERS: A completed application form, a copy of your alien registration card (or temporary stub), and a copy of either your cash card or the inside front cover of your bank book.
QUESTIONS: General Business & Regulations Department, Stimulus Payment Room TEL（0898）36-1666 (Japanese)
* – This means that if you applied for, but have not yet received your Alien Registration Card, as long as you have proof that you applied, you’re eligible. Of course, if you’ve got the card, you’re eligible.
I’ve created an English example to guide you along. Not that the minimalist English on the form isn’t sufficient (with its 2 typos – “Telephon” and “Date of born”)… It’s really not too difficult. Using your home telephone rather than your cellular is a good idea. I’ve done an example using a bank, instead of a postal account. (The row below the one I’ve filled in is for postal accounts. It’s the same basic format EXCEPT that they want you to enter the numbers leaving empty squares on the right for postal accounts. For banks, leave the empty squares on the left – so the number is pushed all the way to the right like the example.) The checkboxes at the bottom are for people who already let the local government interact with their accounts – it didn’t apply to me, but get a Japanese friend to look at it with you if you’re unsure.
Once you’ve filled out your form you need to make a copy of: 1) your alien registration card (or proof that you have applied for it by February 2, 2009); 2) your bank card OR the inside front cover of your bank booklet. I copied both sides of the alien registration card, since they didn’t specify. I also enlarged the copies just a bit so that they are legible – teensy weensy text is lame. Ha ha. Affix the copies to the back side of the application form. (The verb in the instructions is 貼り付ける, which leads me to believe that they want glue or tape, not paper clips or staples…just so you know. I went with tape.) Mail it back to them using the enclosed envelope. That ought to do it. Now just wait and dream of what you’ll blow your ¥12,000 on. I’m thinking about putting it toward an air conditioner…3 summers without one seems a bit overly ascetic, and I’ve got nothing to prove…ha ha. Hope this was helpful. Comments or emails are welcome if you’re confused. Cheers!
PS – If anyone notices ANY errors, please correct them! I don’t want to mislead people.
EDIT: Here’s some additional information. Date – The date on the example sheet provided by the government had a 2008 date – I totally neglected the date at the top in my example, but filled my personal form out with 2009. Duh. 
Banks – You should write name used on your account exactly as it appears on your bank book and cash card in the bottom-most name field. The choices of branch type are “branch ’store’ shiten” 支店 or “main ’store’ honten“本店. (Or 本所 or 支所 or 出張所 – but it’s not too likely). Also, the choices of account type are “normal futsuu” 普通 and “current touza” 当座 – if you need to check, look on the front of your bank book. Mine says 普通預金通帳 (futsuu yokin tsuuchou), so it’s “normal.”
Please note that Imabari City is also distributing a “Special Allowance for the Support of Child Raising” (子育て応援特別手当) at the same time, but this article doesn’t cover it.
