Call and Inform the Electricity provider well in advance before you move.
One of the things that we need to do in priority while shifting home or moving permanently out of Japan is to call and inform the electricity service provider. I made a telephone call to the Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) today and informed them about the scheduled moving plan.
I was a bit reluctant to talk in Japanese at first, but the circumstances forced to do so. The moving date is just 2 weeks ahead and can not make any more delay. The phone call went to an electronic receptionist, which started instructing in Japanese to select the desired service. This is a bit cumbersome for foreigners in Japan. I had to repeat the process twice in order to confirm that there was an option for "Hikkoshi". Hikkoshi, 引越しmeans Moving.
After selecting proper numbers, finally the call reached to a live person. I requested the lady at the other end to speak slowly so that I can manage the conversation in Japanese. She asked whether I am the applicant himself or a proxy. I conveyed my requirements and she confirmed my name, address, mobile number and reason for moving. Since it was moving to another apartment, she asked to provide the new address and confirmed that I would use the same mobile number even after moving. (Some people change their mobile number).
When I told the dates of moving in to the new apartment and vacating the current apartment, she asked the date from when the electric connection is required. While vacating the current apartment, all we need to do is switch off the breaker.
Understanding the electronic receptionist's instruction in Japanese and its meaning in English will help you to select proper service.
