Daily Life Lessons · Neighbors
Understand the role of neighborhood associations and that joining is voluntary, look into the association in your area, and be able to decide for yourself whether to join.
A neighborhood association (町内会・自治会, also called 町会) is a voluntary group run by people who live in the same area. They do things such as crime-prevention patrols, disaster drills, managing and cleaning the garbage collection point (ごみ置き場, or ごみステーション), festivals and other events, and passing around notices from the city or ward using a circulating notice board (回覧板).
Joining is not compulsory; each person decides for themselves. The amount of the membership fee and the activities differ from one association to another.
If you want to join, ask your neighbors for the association head's contact details, or contact the relevant office of your city, ward, town or village (市区町村). Some local governments make guide leaflets in foreign languages.
町内会（ちょうないかい）・自治会（じちかい）は、同じ 地域に 住む 人たちの グループです。
している こと： - 防犯（ぼうはん）・防災（ぼうさい）の 活動 - ごみ置き場の そうじ - おまつりなどの 行事 - 回覧板（かいらんばん）で お知らせを 回す
入るか どうかは、自分で 決めます。 会費（かいひ）や 活動は、グループごとに ちがいます。
入りたい ときは、近所の 人や 市役所・区役所に 聞いて ください。
Which is correct about joining a neighborhood association?
Neighborhood associations are voluntary groups, and no one can be forced to join. Foreign nationals can also join.
Which activities do neighborhood associations commonly do?
They carry out crime prevention and disaster preparedness, managing and cleaning the garbage collection point, events, circulating notices and so on.
What is a "kairanban" (回覧板)?
A circulating notice board is passed around the neighborhood in turn so people can read notices from the municipality or the association. After reading it, pass it to the next house.
How is the amount of the membership fee decided?
The amount of the membership fee differs from one association to another.
If you want to join the neighborhood association in your area, what do you do first?
Ask your neighbors for the association head's contact details, or contact the relevant office of your municipality.
Q. If I don't join, can I not put out my garbage?
A. In some areas, the garbage collection point is managed by the neighborhood association. If you have trouble with how to put out garbage, consult the garbage section of your city, ward, town or village.
Q. What if I'm asked to be an officer or take a turn on duty?
A. You may be asked to help with activities such as cleaning or to serve as an officer. If you can't because of your circumstances, tell them honestly and early, and talk it over.
Q. Can I quit?
A. Joining is voluntary and up to each person. The procedure for quitting and how fees are handled differ by association, so check with the association head or officers.
This practice tool asks questions in random order (it works when JavaScript is enabled). You can still read all the questions and explanations above without it.
Systems and procedures may differ depending on the city, ward, town or village where you live and on the time of year. Please check the latest information from your local government or the relevant organizations.
Content checked on: 2026-10-03
This page is a translation of the Japanese original. If the translation and the original differ, the Japanese version takes precedence. View the Japanese original