Leaving Japan

Checklist

the 'to do' list

This is a general checklist of things ‘to do’ before you leave Japan.  You may not need to do all or you may have more.  This is primarily for JET Programme ALTs but can be used for ALTs in general.

Successor

• Welcome letter
• Your contact details
• Maps - supermarkets, shops, restaurants, izakayas, other JETs, etc.
• Bus schedules
• Emergency & work phone numbers
• School/Office info
• Payday & office deductions
• Instructions for appliances
• Garbage day & explanations
• Price list of household items (include photographs, age) to email
• Car sold / disposed

Employment

• Researched about life after JET – education / travel / employment
• Departure date covered by correct visa
• Relevant paperwork for return flight reimbursement completed

Money Matters

• Insurance cover for when Japanese National Health Insurance runs out

Pension Refund

• ‘Application for Lump-Sum Withdrawal’ form
• Pension book (little blue book)
• Designated a tax representative (resident of Japan)
• Filed an ‘Application to Appoint a Tax Representative’
• Copies of important numbers/addresses to take home (school, supervisor, CO, JTE etc)
• Money sent home / converted

Domestic Issues

• Clean out your apartment (air futon, toilet, shower, fridge, behind/in cupboards!)
• Landlord; waterworks; electricity; gas informed of departure
• Pay all bills (keitai, rent, electricity, gas, phone, internet)
• Hanko, bankbook and cash card with tax representative
• Mail forwarded
• Belongings organized – sell / keep / discard
• Belongings shipped/ sent home
• Suitcase pre-delivered to the airport

Miscellaneous

• Thank you / goodbye letters
• Make a list of skills acquired, tasks completed, ideas implemented
• Reference letter

** Please don’t assume/think that your supervisor will handle all of this for you and automatically know what to do – it’s your responsibility to see to it that the necessary things are completed!**