Planning an indefinite departure from Japan can be overwhelming, especially when it comes to effective bank account management.
From Japanese bank account management to canceling utilities and settling outstanding bills, proper management can prevent unnecessary complications later down the road, especially when you return to Japan.
Plus, staying connected with Sakura Mobile services ensures you’re ready for your departure.
Here’s everything you need to know to manage your finances and stay organized as you prepare to leave Japan.
Hello readers! Sakura Mobile is a SIM Wi-Fi service provider for international residents and tourists in Japan.
Our global editorial team living in Japan will introduce the country’s charms based on what we have experienced and felt.
Table of Contents
Bills
If you decide to terminate your apartment lease, you will need to go through the closing processes of your utilities.
It is advised to do this as soon as possible.
How to Cancel Utilities When Moving
Canceling your utilities 1-2 weeks before your moving date is advised.
The sooner you can inform your utility companies, the better.
Check out our chart to see when you should notify your utility providers to shut off services:
Shutting Off Your Water
Contact your ward office and go through the application process for shutting off your water.
You may need your customer number for this, so be sure to have this on hand, especially if you are canceling your service via phone.
A staff member from your ward office may be required, but generally, this is unnecessary.
🚰Inside TIP: Depending on your prefecture and ward, some ward offices offer a service to suspend your water supply temporarily.
Check with your ward office to see if this is possible for you.
Canceling Electricity
Once you know your moving date, contact your provider.
You will need your customer number, address, name, moving date and time, and contact address after you’ve moved.
Depending on your city and electricity provider, it may be necessary for someone to visit to turn off your electricity. However, in most cases, the company can do this remotely.
Canceling Gas Service
Once your date for moving out is determined, contact your gas provider with your address, name, moving date, new address, and customer number.
Someone from your gas provider needs to come in and turn off your gas.
To do this, you will need to schedule an appointment. So, the sooner you can schedule this, the easier it will be for you in the long run.
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Bills When Moving Out
Cancelling utilities ahead of time helps to ensure you can settle the accounts for the final month.
Make sure to pay your final bills.
Even though you will be moving out of the country, these companies can sue you if you leave outstanding amounts, making things more difficult for you when you return to Japan.
Check Your Invoice Timing:
Bills are usually charged one month later, depending on the billing schedule for the utility. This is the same with most phone and Wi-Fi service providers.
Check your most recent invoice to find out when you will be billed.
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Keeping Your Utilities Open?
If you plan on keeping your apartment while you are away, be sure you can pay for your utilities, whether through credit card payment or automatic withdrawals from your Japanese bank account.
In this event, before leaving, make sure:
- All faucets and taps are shut properly
- Turn off the main supply so that it is not left dripping
- Unplug electrical devices to prevent any potential fires and surges
- Do NOT turn off the breaker
- Doing so will cut the power to drainage.
- Turn off the gas taps.
Whenever you return to Japan and need a reliable internet connection, Sakura Mobile offers eSIM, SIM cards, and Wi-Fi routers for easy access to fast internet in 99% of populated Japan. Before returning, you can set up your plan for a hassle-free stay!
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Japanese Bank Account Management
If you plan on leaving Japan for over a year or indefinitely, you may want to consider closing any bank accounts you have.
While Japanese bank regulations do not require the bank to close accounts when a person becomes a non-resident, banks implement internal policies to close accounts due to anti-money laundering regulations.
⭐Closing your bank account(s) should be the last thing you do.
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How to Cancel Your Bank Account
If you decide to close your account, follow these steps:
- Empty Your Account: Ensure your bank account has a zero balance before attempting to close it.
- Items to bring:
- Bank Card or Banking Book
- Passport
- Residence Card
- Notice of Closer (if applicable)
- Inkan (seal), if used when opening the account
- Visit the Bank: Go to a physical branch of your bank and inform the teller that you wish to close your account.
⚠️If you are planning on canceling your account:
You CANNOT transfer or sell your account (passbook or cash card) for the purpose of making it available to a third party.
🚫It is illegal.
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What If You Don’t Cancel Your Account?
If you don’t close your account and it remains inactive for an extended period, your bank may automatically close it.
Yucho will do so after five years, but some banks may go up to seven or ten years.
It is best to handle this yourself to avoid any issues, especially if you expect future payments or withdrawals from your account.
You Don’t Have to Cancel Your Phone Plan Either:
If you don’t plan on canceling your account, rather than canceling your phone plan and registering a different phone number with the bank account when you return, which can be a hassle, find out if your provider offers a suspension plan.
Sakura Mobile’s Voice + Data SIM card and eSIM plans allow you to suspend your contract instead of terminating it, so you only pay 220 JPY per month!
For more about our suspension options, check out our FAQ Page here!
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If You Expect Further Payments or Withdrawals
You may be waiting for paychecks to come in or paying bills through your bank account.
If this is the case, designate a representative residing in Japan to complete the closure procedure on your account. This way, you can close your account after moving.
If you pay for bills through your bank account, make sure you do not cancel them before paying them.
If you leave outstanding bills, you will get into trouble and potentially be sued by the companies, making your re-entry much more complicated.
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Ensure Your Connectivity with Sakura Mobile
Sakura Mobile offers affordable eSIM, SIM cards, and Wi-Fi options specifically for Japan, making it easier when you return and need to get back online quickly.
eSIM, SIM cards, and Wi-Fi
If you’re leaving Japan but plan to return, you can use Sakura Mobile’s eSIM service to have immediate access to mobile services the moment you land back in Japan.
You can also enjoy immediate service upon arrival in Japan by picking up your SIM card or Wi-Fi device at one of our airport counters:
- Narita Airport
- Haneda Airport
- Kansai Airport
- Chubu Airport
- New Chitose Airport
- Fukuoka Airport
Click here for airport pickup information.
Returning Sakura Mobile Customers:
Inform us of your return: If you suspended your account, please notify us of your return and specify when you’d like your service to resume.
At the airport: Change your existing eSIM or swap out your physical SIM card as soon as you arrive in Japan for quick access to mobile services.
If you are an existing Sakura Mobile customer who canceled their contract, getting your service back up and running is relatively simple.
For more details on this, click here.
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Conclusion:
Proper Japanese bank account management is crucial for ensuring a smooth transition while you live abroad, away from Japan.
By staying proactive with canceling your utilities, settling bills, and properly managing your Japanese bank accounts, you can avoid complications that may arise upon your return. Whether you choose to close your accounts completely, suspend them, or leave them running, ensuring everything is in order before your departure will save you time and stress in the future.
Staying connected with Sakura Mobile ensures seamless mobile service access when you return to Japan.
With Sakura Mobile’s services, you’ll be connected upon your arrival back in Japan without any hassle.
By staying on top of bank account management and connectivity needs, your move abroad will be smooth and stress-free.
Sakura Mobile offers various long-term postpaid voice and data service plans. Use the link below to find the one that best suits your needs.
LINK: Sakura Mobile Voice + Data SIM
If you’ve completed everything on this list and are wondering if there is more to be done before you leave Japan, you can check out our other articles on LEAVING JAPAN INDEFINITELY:
Your Ultimate Leaving Japan Checklist: Essential Immigration Procedures
Essential Steps for Leaving Japan Temporarily: Apartment Moving
If you are only traveling abroad for about a month, check out our SHORT-TERM DEPARTURE BLOG:
Japan Exit Checklist: Steps for Leaving Japan Temporarily
