Living Support Guide
Utilities
Electricity
Electrical Appliances
Two electrical frequencies are used in Japan. 50Hz is used in Eastern Japan and 60Hz in Western Japan, with the boundary running along the Fuji River in Shizuoka Prefecture and the Itoi River in Niigata Prefecture. Electrical appliances that are marked 50/60Hz can be used anywhere in the country. If only one frequency is listed, it can only be used in that half of the country. Many appliances sold overseas will not be compatible with Japanese standards. Attempting to use electrical appliances that use the wrong frequency or voltage is dangerous and may do damage to the appliance. Please consult an electronics store before using such appliances, as you may need to purchase a converter or have some electrical parts changed.
To Start Using Electricity
First flip on the ampere breaker, ground fault interrupter, and other circuit breakers. The breaker panel can usually be found near the top of one of the walls in your entryway. After making sure you have power, fill in the required forms on the postcard hanging from the breaker panel and mail it to the electric company (in some areas you will be required to phone in this information instead). If the power does not come on, contact your neighborhood electric company to have someone come out to your home.
Tokyo Electric Power Company
Kansai Electric Power Co., Inc
Chubu Electric Power Co.,lnc
Tohoku ElectricPower Co., Inc
Chugoku Electric Power Co.,Inc
Kyushu ElectricPower Co., Inc
Okinawa Electric Power Company, Incorporated
Gas
To Start Using Gas
There are two forms of residential gas used in Japan: propane gas (LP gas)and city gas. Furthermore, there are seven different types of city gas in use in Japan. To begin using city gas, contact your neighborhood gas company 2-3 days ahead of time and they will come out to open up the main gas valve. To use propane gas, contact a propane gas company to have them bring out gas cylinders. When initiating service, the service person will often check for gas leaks and inspect your appliances. Thus, you should make sure to be present in case they want to talk to you and to confirm that your gas appliances are compatible to the gas being used.
If You Smell Gas
If you smell gas: extinguish all flames, open all windows and doors to your home, shut off the gas, and contact the gas company immediately (even during holidays and evenings). By all means, do not turn on any electrical appliances, including ventilation fans. Explosion could result.
Water
To Start Using Water
Turn on the faucet to make sure you have water. Then fill in the required fields on the postcard in the entryway or hanging from a faucet and mail it in to the Waterworks Bureau. You may also notify the Waterworks Bureau that you have begun using their services by telephone. If the main water shut-off valve is closed, refer to the instructions accompanying the postcard for directions on how to open up the valve, or contact the Waterworks Bureau for information.
