2. Other Procedures

Banks

When you open a bank account, you can use these services: deposits, money transfers, automatic payment of such items as utility bills and credit card balances, currency exchange, and so on.

They generally open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekdays, Monday through Friday, and closed on Saturdays, Sundays and national holidays. ATM operating hours vary from bank to bank and some provide a 24 hour service.

Opening an Account

You are recommended to apply for an ATM card at the same time opening an account.
The following are required documents in most cases:

1. Passport
2. National Health Insurance Card or Alien Registration Card
3. Personal seal (inkan) *Some banks accept a signature as a substitute for an inkan. - Please check with the bank.
4. Cash for initial deposit *The minimum amount of deposit will vary depending on the bank. - Please check with the bank.

Mitsubishi Tokyo UFJ Bank, Sumitomo Mitsui Bank and Japan Postal Bank have set up ATMs in Osaka University.
(See Toyonaka Campus map). The following website has a list of Japanese Financial Institutions.
http://www.samurailink.com/link/0801.html (Japanese only)

Utilities (Electricity, Gas, Water)

Utility bills can be paid in cash at banks or post offices or convenience stores. Alternatively, you can arrange for payment via account transfer. Ask for details at your bank.

Electricity

In Osaka, the electricity supply is 100V/60Hz. Make sure you use appropriate electrical appliances matching this power supply. Power failures may occur if you run too many electrical appliances at the same time.  Thus, it will be helpful to know about the electrical capacity of your apartment. If the power does go off due to an overload, turn off as many appliances as possible before re-setting the circuit breaker.

Electricity in Osaka is supplied by "Kansai Electric Power Co., Ltd". To begin using electricity or in case of emergency, contact the nearest service office of Kansai Electric Power.

Phone number of each Service Office (Mon.-Fri. 9 am-5 pm)
Suita City, Settsu City - Hokusetsu Service Office, Kansai Electric Power Co., Ltd.	06-6384-1131
Takatsuki City, Ibaraki City - Takatsuki Service Office, Kansai Electric Power Co., Ltd.	072-676-3131
Toyonaka City, Ikeda City - Mikuni Service Office, Kansai Electric Power Co., Ltd.	06-6391-1061
Website of Kansai Electric Power Co., Ltd:  http://www.kepco.co.jp/english/ Guide to Electricity: http://www.kepco.co.jp/english/guide/

Gas

There are two types of gas supplied in Japan: propane gas and utility gas. "Osaka Gas Co., Ltd." supplies utility gas in the Kansai region. When you begin living in your new residence, contact Hokubu Office, Osaka Gas Co., Ltd. (Tel: 0120-5-94817) to make an appointment to have the gas valve opened. An employee will visit you on the appointed date to open the valve, following an inspection of gas lines and appliances, and give you instructions on how to use them.

For emergencies such as a gas leak, contact the gas leak hotline, Hokubu Office, Osaka Gas Co., Ltd. (Osaka Gas Leak Call: 0120-6-19424).
Osaka Gas website: http://www.osakagas.co.jp/indexe.html and choose the English site.

Water

Tap water is safe for drinking in Japan. When you move into your new residence, contact the waterworks division of the city office in the city where you live in

Phone numbers of each Service Office
Suita City: the Waterworks Dept.	06-6384-1255	Ibaraki City: Business Division of the Water Dept.	072-620-1691
Toyonaka City:  Customer Service Center, Waterworks & Sewerage Bureau	06-6858-2931	Takatsuki City; Waterworks Dept.	072-674-7890 or 7952
Ikeda City : Waterworks Division	072-752-1111 (ext.406/ 566)	Minoh City: Customer Service Div., Waterworks &Sewerage Bureau	072-724-6756

Telephones, Internet

Services vary from company to company among the major telephone companies in Japan. For details please check the company websites before application.

Residential Telephone

The followings is information on major telephone companies for your reference only.

NTT	Tel: (0120)364463 (NTT West Information) /No access from mobile phones English, Chinese, Spanish and Portuguese on Monday to Friday 9 am to 9 pm Korean on Monday, Wednesday, Friday 9 am to 9 pm http://www.ntt-west.co.jp/service_guide/ For installation or other inquiries, please call the above numbers, OR You can apply for a telephone by dialing "116" (9 am to 9 pm) and follow the guidance, OR go to a nearby NTT West service counter to apply for telephone service. (When applying, you will have to present some personal identification (passport, Certificate of Alien Registration, or driver's license) Also NTT offers Internet package services. Refer to above website for details.
KDDI	http://www.kddi.com/english/personal/service/phone/
Softbank Telecom	http://tm.softbank.jp/english/consumer/

Public Phones

For domestic calls, public phones can be used by inserting 10 or 100 yen coins or telephone cards. Phone cards can be bought at Kyoto University CO-OP, convenience stores or other places. Public phones that can be used to make an international call are marked with an ''International Phone'' sign.

Cell Phones

You can apply directly to your phone company or visit its nearest representative office. You will need to present your identification documents, usually together with your Alien Registration Card. Listed below are the major mobile companies in Japan. Services vary from company to company. For details, check the company websites before application.

Listed below are the major Cell Phone Companies in Japan.

	Tel	URL
Docomo	0120-800-000	http://www.nttdocomo.co.jp/english/
Softbank	0088-21-2000	http://mb.softbank.jp/en/
au	0077-7-111	http://www.au.kddi.com/english/index.html

Telephone Directory in English

"iTOWNPAGE" is an online directory designed for those who wish to search for businesses by category, business name, or region. (http://itp.ne.jp/)

Internet

The method of connecting to the Internet varies according to the type of line (dial-up, ADSL, cable TV) and local environment. Accordingly, when moving, be sure to inquire about the Internet provider(s) available for your new home. Listed below are the major Internet providers in Japan. (Japanese only)

	Tel	URL
OCN	0120-506-506	http://www.ocn.ne.jp/
Nifty	0120-816-042	http://www.nifty.com/
Yahoo BB	0120-33-4546	http://bbpromo.yahoo.co.jp/
AOL	0120-265-265	http://www.jp.aol.com/
So-net	0570-00-1414	http://so-net.ne.jp/

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