Terminating a rental contract (lease)
If you live in a rental residence it is necessary to notify the property owner 1-2 months before the date you intend to terminate the lease. Details of the termination of a lease are written in the contract. (Notification of the termination of a lease may be required in writing.)


Using a removals company
There are many removal companies in Japan. It is recommended to get quotes from a number of companies before choosing one. If you want to do the removal work yourself, there are car/truck rental companies.


The disposal of garbage from a removal
If a large amount of garbage results from a removal, the city, ward, town or village office will dispose of it for a fee. You need to contact the desk in charge and make a request for the disposal.
Bulky garbage should be disposed of in the designated manner in the assigned place and day. Televisions, air conditioners, refrigerators and washing machines are not collected as bulky garbage. These should be returned to the store where they were bought or an electrical goods store should be asked to collect them for recycling. A recycling fee and transportation fee must be paid.


Procedures before moving residence
(1)    Electricity, gas, water
Notify each utility company of the address, name and telephone numbers and moving date of your present residence and the new residence. It is useful to hold onto a meter reading slip or receipt which shows your customer number (okyakusama bango).
(2)    Telephone
Notify NTT of the moving date and your new address (Tel. 116).
If you have a contract with another company, notify it also.
It is useful to have the use of your telephone on the moving day, so request it to be disconnected the following day.
(3)    The Post Office
If an application is submitted, mail will be forwarded to your new address for one year. You can obtain a Notification of Change of Address Postcard (iten todoke hagaki)) or use a regular postcard.  Indicate (1) the date of application, (2) both your new and old addresses, (3) your full name/s (householder, family members), (4) the date to start forwarding mail, and (5) the seal of the applicant. The postcard can be handed in at a post office counter or sent by mail.
(4)    Monetary facilities (banks, etc.)
Notify your bank etc. of the change of address. The procedures can be done by mail for most facilities.
(5)    National Health Insurance
The insured person should return their insurance card to the desk in charge at their city, ward, town or village office.
(6)    Changing schools (leaving school – elementary/junior high school)
Notify the school your child is attending of the moving day.


Various registrations and reports to be made after moving residence
(1)    Alien Registration (gaikokujin toroku)
Notification of a change of address must be made within 14 days after moving to a new address. This is done at the city, ward, town or village office in your new area.
(2)    Registration of personal seal (inkan toroku)
For relevant persons, a new registration of one’s personal seal should be made at the city, ward, town or village office in your new area.
(3)    For those who have joined the National Health Insurance and National Pension systems
Notify your entry to the systems at city, ward, town or village office in your new area.
(4)    Driver’s license
Bring some identification of your new address to the police station or driver’s license examination center in the area of your new address and complete the required procedures.
l    If you have moved from another prefecture a (3cm high X 2cm wide) photograph is required.
(5)    Changing schools (entering a new school – elementary/junior high school)
After completing Alien Registration procedures, an application must be made to the city, ward, town or village board of education of the area to which you have moved.


Note 1   Authorities responsible for applications, application procedures, services and the naming of these may vary according to cities, wards, towns or villages.
         For details, ask a person who understands Japanese to enquire for you at your city, ward, town or village office.

Note 2   The information given is that confirmed as of July 2002. Note that a new system or system revisions may have been introduced after this date.

This information is from the CLAIR website. The Council of Local Authorities for International Relations (CLAIR) was established in July 1988 in response to rising concerns about local level internationalization in Japan.