Public Services
for Off-Base Residents
Here are some useful tips for your life
off-base. We hope it will help you in some way.
(1)
Electricity
Applying for and Canceling
Your landlord will contact the Tohoku Electric Power Company for the initial
connection and cancellation.
Electric Appliances
There are two electric frequencies used in Japan.
In Northern Japan, 50Hz and 100V are used. Make sure you are using compatible
electric appliances and be careful when you use appliances brought from the
States.
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(2) Water
Supply
Applying for and Canceling
Your landlord will contact the Misawa City Water Supply Office for the
initial connection and cancellation.
Frozen Pipes
When temperatures dip below 32°F(0°C), beware of freezing pipes (kitchen
faucets, toilets, bath and showers) because it may cause a burst. The best
way to avoid the freezing is to run a little bit of water throughout the
night. When you leave your house for a while, make sure to drain the pipes
and turn off all the water valves, or inform your landlord of your absence.
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(3) Gas and
Kerosene
Applying for and Canceling
Your landlord will contact the gas and kerosene company for the initial
connection and cancellation.
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(4)
Telephone
Some of the off-base housing may have a
pay phone installed. If you want to install your own line, you will have to
apply at the NTT (Nippon Telephone and Telegraph) or buy a line from someone.
There are also companies to rent telephones and rights of telephone that may
be economical if the period of your stay in Japan
is not very long. To setup a new line, you will have to buy it at some
expenses. There are also two kinds of cellular phone; Keitai Denwa and PHS
(Personal Handy phone System). You may apply for the service at the NTT or
local cellular telephone companies.
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(5) Garbage
Disposal
Local Japanese contractors will collect
the garbage of the U.S. Forces personnel residing off-base. Ask your landlord
for the contractor’s name for your house.
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(6)
Bank and Postal Services
Generally, Japan
is a “cash society” and personal checks are seldom used.
International credit cards can be used at department stores and other large
services, but small shops usually will not accept them. So make sure you have
cash on hand while you do shopping at off-base. Financial services such as
saving accounts, money transfers and credit card payments are provided by
banks and post offices in Japan.
The account holders of both of the services can have bank cards which can be
used to make withdrawals and deposits from ATMs. Automatic bill payment and
other financial services are available there.
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(7) Opening
an Account
You are required to bring your passport,
Alien Registration Card (if you are registered as a foreign resident in Japan
at the local City Hall) or military ID card, and your personal seal
“hanko” (your signature will substitute for the seal if you do
not have one) with you to the bank and fill out an appropriate form.
Immediately after opening an account, you will receive a bankbook. They do
not have a system to send you a monthly statement of your account. You can
also use the bankbook to record your transactions processed both at the bank
and the ATMs.
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(8)
Cable Television Service
The City of Misawa provides
MCTV, cable television service, for anyone living in the city. Currently,
there are 8 satellite channels offered, including MTV, Star channel (movies)
and ESPN. To subscribe to the service and for more information, please contact
or visit the Misawa Cable Television Office at the City Hall.
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(9)
English Newspaper Subscription
There are several English language
newspapers that you can have them delivered to your house daily. Recommend
you have a Japanese speaking person to assist you to apply for your
subscription. Following is a list of English newspapers available in this
area:
Asahi Newspaper Agency
Phone: 0176-53-3750
Japan Times, Asahi Weekly, Asahi Evening News, Weekly SP Student Time, New
York Times, Japan Times Weekly
Mainichi Newspaper Agency
Phone: 0176-53-2637
Mainichi Daily News (2 days late), Mainichi Weekly Newspaper (English and
Japanese)
Yomiuri Newspaper Agency
Phone: 0176-53-3454
The Daily Yomiuri (1 day late)
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(10)
Japanese Language Lessons
Tohoku Gaigo Gakuin
Phone: 0176-51-1600
Private Lesson - ¥2,700 per hour
Please call for information on group lessons.
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