Daily life
Opening a bank account
To open a bank account, you must bring your personal identification (your passport and Foreign Resident Registration Card), your personal seal, and in some cases a certificate of your status at Waseda University. We recommend that you obtain a Foreign Resident Registration Card before going to a bank to set up an account.
When opening a bank account, you will usually need to write your name in katakana. However, some banks will allow you to register using the alphabet.
* You may not be able to open a bank account if you have not been in Japan more than six months. Please consult with your host administration office if you have any difficulty with opening a bank account.
Shinsei Bank provides online banking in Japanese and English.
http://www.shinseibank.com/english/index.html
Foreign money exchange
Changing foreign money to Japanese yen (or vice versa) is only available at banks. For more information, see:
The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd.
http://www.bk.mufg.jp/tsukau/kaigai/senmon/ichiran/index.html(in Japanese)
Mizuho Bank, Ltd.
http://www.mizuhobank.co.jp/tenpoinfo/gaika_ryogae/index.html(in Japanese)
Telephone and Postal Service
Overseas calls can be made from public telephones. You can also call from cell phones hosted by various telephone companies. If you want to make overseas calls from a Waseda research room or housing, please check in advance with the host professor or the host department.
Telephone and Postal Service / Japan National Tourist Organization
http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/arrange/essential/telephone.html#telephone
Mobile phones
If you need a cell phone, you can either purchase one or rent one. You can purchase a phone directly from a cell phone store. Since the documents necessary for purchase differ from shop to shop, please ask at the shop. Usually they require your Foreign Resident Registration Card, passport, national health insurance card and bankbook.
Cell Phones in Japan / Japan-Guide
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2223.html
Internet
Some Waseda accommodation and research rooms have Internet terminals. Please consult with your host department, Waseda University Facility Management Inc., or your landlord.
Waseda University Facility Management Inc.
Waseda STEP21 Office
TEL: 03-5285-3015 (Japanese & English)
Electricity, gas and water service
In some cases you do not have to apply for these services in researcher accommodation provided by Waseda, but if you are in private rental housing, please visit the website below for information.
Other daily issues/ Multilingual Living Information/ Council of Local Authorities for International Relations
http://www.clair.or.jp/tagengorev/en/o/index.html
Garbage disposal
Method, time and dates of garbage disposal vary by municipality. Please follow your area's rules.
Rules / behavior for daily life: Garbage / Council of Local Authorities for International Relations / Multilingual Living Information /
http://www.clair.or.jp/tagengorev/en/o/02-2.html
Changing your address
When you change your address, please report the change and carry out the relevant procedures at your host office and your host faculty in the university.
Procedures when moving out of accommodation
http://www.city.shinjuku.lg.jp/foreign/english/guide/seikatsu/seikatsu_6.html
From the web site above:
"If you plan to move out, you must notify the electric power company, the gas company, the water bureau, NTT (telephone provider) and the post office at least two or three days in advance. On the day of your move, employees from those companies will conduct meter checks to close your account. Post offices will upon request forward your mail to your new address for a period of one year.
Please remember to complete the required procedures at the following offices when moving:
Foreign Resident Registration-Foreign Resident Registration Section, Family and Resident Registration Division, Shinjuku City Office
National Health Insurance-National Pension Division, Shinjuku City Office
Driver's License-Police Department
