We're sad to see you go, but you're on to the next big thing in your life! Moving out of Tokyo can be a whirlwind, so here's a general checklist and timeline to keep you on track.
Think of something else not on this list? Add it or contact the Information Committee!
April[]
Public: Set up Return Airfare[]
- Receive the “JET Return Travel Itinerary” form from your school
- Fill out and turn in the return the “JET Return Travel Itinerary” or related form by the deadline stipulated by your contracting organization. This deadline may vary between JETs.
Public: Finalize Work Schedule for July(+Aug)[]
- Public School JETs will be asked to finalize their last month(s) schedule at this time.
- If your contract ends in July (Group A), select your 16 work days for July.
- If your contract ends in August (Group B), select your 16 work days for July AND at least one day in August or you will have to pay back August's amount from your 6 month transportation allotment.
May / June[]
Private: Set up Return Airfare[]
- Receive the “JET Return Travel Itinerary” form from your school (expect this form around Mid-May to June)
- Discuss with your supervisor any stipulations, fill the form out, and turn in the “JET Return Travel Itinerary” or related form
Notify Landlord/Rental Company[]
- Contact the appropriate party as soon as possible to discuss your moving out procedures and timelines.
- Public School JETs: Contact Relocation Japan, Global Trust Networks (GTN) run by Abelエイブル, or your landlord
- Private School JETs: Contact Relocation Japan, Global Trust Networks (GTN), or your landlord
- Rental agreements differ, so it is best to direct specific questions you may have to them.
- You should do this at least 5 weeks in advance.
- Please note that your successor CANNOT inherit your apartment.
- Anticipate and ask about moving out fees
- This depends entirely upon your lease agreement, so moving out fees may or may not apply to you.
- Anticipate Resident Tax
- You can also do your taxes online at E-Tax
- Because of the withholding Tax agreement that your employer is enrolled in, you will likely not have to file many taxes (especially not income tax).
- You may likely only have to file Income Tax individually if you leave before the end of the Japanese Fiscal Year.
Finding a Tax Agent/ Filing Taxes Online[]
- When cutting your contract (especially if you cut it mid-term) , you may be requested to find a tax agent to help calculate your income tax on your behalf.
- A Tax Agent can include anyone ranging from a friend to a professional accountant, so please feel free to choose who will be of support to you when filing taxes.
- HOWEVER, you may not actually need a tax agent at all. This is because there is a simpler method that neatly details all of your income taxes on your behalf.
- If you request a Gensenchuhyo ( Income statement 源泉徴収表) from your employer; it will detail your total salary, your deductions, other paid taxes and your withholding tax total for the entire term of your employment.
- In addition to this, if you copy the contents of your form into E-Tax (an online tax filing service), this may save you from needing to acquire a Tax Agent.
E-Tax[]
- To file personal taxes, press the '個人の方' button on the left side of the header.
- Then you will see a page titled, '確定申告を行う'. In order to go to the application landing page, press the '確定申告書等の作成はこちら' button.
- To make a brand new application press the left big button labelled as ’作成開始める’. If you want to continue an application from your save data, press the other button.
- Next, you will have 4 options on what final method you will use to send your final tax return.
- The first is 'マイナンバーカード方式（二次元バーコード）in which you can generate a barcode to finalize your tax return.
- The second is '(ICカードリーダーライター)' in which you use both your 'My Number Card' and 'IC' card on a reader.
- The third is 'ID・パスワード方式' in which you set up an online account to file your taxes.
- The final option is '印刷して提出' in which you can print off your tax return and mail it to your closest tax office.
[1][]
Ship Things Home[]
- Japan Post
Postal Services Information in English TEL: 0570-046-111. Hours of Operation: 8:00 a.m.–10:00 p.m. (Mon–Fri), 9:00 a.m.–10:00 p.m. (Sat, Sun & public holidays) - In order to ship things home via Japan Post, you must set up a Japan Post International My Page account.
- Using this account, you must make a label for your parcel that details all of the items in your package.
- Ensure that your parcels and packages cost no more than 200,000 yen or it will become very difficult to ship them home (and you will have to pay additional taxes).
- Once you have prepared your parcels, contact Japan Post at 0800-0800-111 in the case that your parcels are too heavy to carry to the post office.
- They will give you a pick-up service for free, and you can pay your parcel shipping charge right at your door.
- Another option for shipping items home is to use a shipping company. This is a good option for people with lots of items to send home. These companies typically like to receive advanced notice, so we recommend contacting these companies at least a month before you leave.
Sell Things[]
- There are several Facebook groups dedicated to exchanging/selling items in Tokyo, including:
- Sayonarasale.com is a useful website for selling and exchanging a variety of goods.
Dispose of Things[]
- Sodai Gomi: the standard service provided by all wards to dispose of unwanted items. You will need to purchase stickers from a convenience store that correspond to the item you wish to dispose of. Please consult your specific ward's website for further information.
- Many neighborhoods have "recycling trucks" or "kei-trucks" that will pick up undesired items. These trucks usually charge a few thousand yen, but the cost depends on the specific item you wish to dispose.
- Some retailers (BIC Camera, Yodobashi Camera) will dispose of old appliances for a reasonable price if you buy a new one.
July[]
End Service Agreements[]
- Cell Phone
- Internet
- Utilities (electricity, gas, water, etc.)
- Magazine/newspaper subscriptions
- TV
- Bank Account
Submit Moving Out Notice to Ward Office[]
- Fill out and submit the Moving Out Notification form (tenshutsu-todoke, 転出届) at your local ward office.
Submit Visa Paperwork[]
- Third year JETs who intend to leave Japan upon completion of their JET contract may have a date of departure that is after the expiration date on their status of residence. To avoid being detained or deported, JETs in this situation will need to apply for temporary visitor status.
- JETs who plan to stay in Japan and/or change to a different line of work will need to change their status of residence.
Pay Lump-Sum Resident Tax[]
Set Up Pension Refund[]
- Carefully read the pension refund information on the wiki:
Leave Information for your Successor[]
- Do not contact your successor until you receive permission from your school.
Breaking Contract[]
Resignation Letter[]
- When quitting JET before completing your appointment, you will need to turn in a resignation letter to your school's principle. Make sure it includes:
- Your school's name
- Your full name
- job position
- the date of your last day
- signature
- Please be aware that if you leave mid-contract, your employer may only accept your letter once you have bought a flight ticket.
Resignation Procedures[]
- For Public School Tokyo Metropolitan Government JETs, check out the resignation page on the wiki
- Here is a template to follow for ALTs to hand to their Principle or Vice Principle. File:-Resignation Letter Example-.docx
After You Arrive Home[]
Apply for Pension Refund[]
- Carefully read the pension refund information on the wiki:
Join the JET Alumni Association![]
- "The JET Programme Alumni Association (JETAA) is a self-supporting alumni association which was created in 1989 to strengthen and maintain the bonds of friendship developed between JET Programme participants." Sign up here!