Living in Japan,

Daily Life in Japan

n Japan

t :■ — pany will probably prepare i rsal estate agent who can speak ir hit different froni where you pesx If youYe apartment hunting n« cg will be a big help.

b j move out. this will be used to e and cover outstanding rent.

back anything left over. but : airect much.

r m ney (reikin or kenrikin): One »:> m nths’ rent as a “gift” to the r — :t's gone for good. tr- no fee (c huka i tesuryd): Maxi-* e month. by law.

nn:enance fee (kanrihi): For apart-; v.rre can also be a monthly main-l - fee that covers such communal i outside lamps, elevators, and r 'cT.ices.

iter's insurance (hoken): Most -etjuiie you to pay the first year of ■-'urance, usually around 10.000

Japanese and non-Japanese alike need j guarantor (hoshdnin), who is liable for the rent if the renter defaults. Most real estate agents will reąuire a Japanese person with indications of sonie social standing and moncy. Sometimes you have to show a bank passbook.

On your own

The rents in Tokyo are high. If you’re looking for an apartment on your own, first decide where you want to live and then the terms and accommodations you want. Go to a real estate office. the Internet. or one of the English periodicals.

If you don't mind an hour and a half one way commute. you'II find rent much morę reasonublc. But if convenience is uhat you're looking for. be prepared to pay for it. While many Japanese 1 ive close to the city center when theyTe young. they’11 often buy a house in the

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Internet for-rent ad

Mejiro 2 bedrooms Apartment

Maintenance fee: Include 2 months Deposit:    4 months

Key money:    1 month

Location:    Sliimo-ochiai, Shinjuku-ku

3-minute walk to Mejiro Station

Floor space:    130 m-. 5th floor suburbs when they get married and have children.

Real estate offices

Not many real estate agents speak English. So you'11 have much better luck if you can take someone with you to interpret. If you can narrow down your choice to a few apartments. the agent is usually happy to let you in to have a look. But be warned that some agents and owners have a no-foreigner policy.

English periodicals

Most of the English newspapers. mag-azines. and free papers have information on apanments. In addition to classified ads. there are companies that specialize in helping non-Japanese find places to live. Although the costs are much morę expensive. they certainly save time and grief in finding what you want.

¥600,000

Structure:    Reinforced concrete

Built:    March, 1999

Facilities:    Heating and cooling, elevator. gas oven.

eleelric rangę, refrigerator Parking:    Y 50,000 per car

Restrictions: No pets