A mixed bag of topics for this week's edition of Lifelines:

'Gaijin card' deadline looms

First up are the new residence cards, which have replaced the old alien registration cards (aka gaijin cards) for foreign residents. If you are still using your old card, be aware that the deadline for changing over is July 8. You can apply for the new card at your local Immigration Bureau office, and just need to take along a passport-size photo and your alien registration card. Fill out the application form at immigration or, alternatively, download and print it from here: www.moj.go.jp/content/000099496.pdf.