1. Leaving Japan Winter JET conference 2016

3. Overview What you need to do before you leave ▫How to do it What you should do before you leave ▫How to do it What to do when you’re back Some advice from successful repatriates

4. The Process of Leaving You start now. Gives you time Gets easier and easier

5. Return Flight One-way economy-class ticket*. * : ▫You complete your contract, and do not enter into a subsequent contract in Japan. ▫You return home within one month of the completion of your contract. ▫You go back to the airport you came from.

6. Return Flight CO pays for travel to the airport Direct flight Cancel = New Flight Ticket or cash

7. Budgeting Your final paycheck may be less than normal. ▫You don’t work the full month. ▫You may have to pay insurance/pension premiums. Confirm it with your contracting organisation. You may be asked to leave some money for any unpaid bills, or cleaning and repair costs.

8. A Clean Place for a New Face Your apartment needs to be clean. You can only pack so much It will take longer. Sell / dispose of everything else.

9. Shipping Goods Home There are many options for shipping. Japan Post is the best. Remember customs Ensure you insure. Details and costs are on the Japan Post website (www.post.japanpost.jp/english/index.html) Can take three months.

10. Selling Items Greater Kyushu co-prosperity facebook page Recycle shops ▫No sell? No buy. ▫Do a house call You may have to pay

11. Disposing of Items Large items need special stickers Form is in your local post office ▫ 粗大ごみ申込書 About ¥500/item Once a month – don’t miss it

12. Contact Your Landlord At least one month in advance. You will probably have an inspection. ▫Organise a time that works for you. Bye Bye deposit!

13. Close your Account (kouza kaiyaku) Do After last paycheque Take your account book, bank card, and inkan. Make sure you can pay your other bills in cash. Different branch? Special fee. You cannot close your account from overseas.

14. Paying Your Bills Utilities Mobile Internet Miscellaneous (subscriptions, parking, etc) Rent/Cleaning and Repair Costs Local Inhabitant Tax

15. Cancelling Your Utilities Day of departure. Pay the last bill. Contact in advance You will need to be present for this. Your home telephone can be cancelled at any time. Payment is usually a month after. You may have a representative pay on your behalf.

16. Cancelling Your Mobile Phone You can cancel your mobile phone at any time. At any outlet. You will need to visit the store in person. Bring your ID, inkan, and the phone itself. Cancellation fee

17. References References in Japan are different Sealed letters to include in the application The title of the person making the reference is more important than the contents. ▫Think carefully about who should be making this reference for you Write examples Make sure they understand.

18. Mail Japan Post can forward your mail in Japan Change of Address Notification Card Will not forward to an overseas address Notify the city of your move Get contact details of schools Leave your own details

19. Your Vehicle You have to officially transfer the ownership ▫Certificate of transfer Can’t sell? Dispose. ▫Contact a vehicle disposal company ▫There is a fee Cancel your insurance

20. Your Successor About your area About your apartment What to pack About omiyage Example lessons Weekly school visit schedule Your contact information Anything you wish your predecessor had left for you This doesn’t just help your successor. It also helps your schools, and the JET program as a whole Consider contributing to the Englipedia

21. Staying In Japan Update your Status of Residence At least 14 days before Status of Residence expired? Illegal alien ▫Interrogated ▫Fined ▫Possibly be detained Overstaying = punishment

22. Updating Your Registration Confirm the details with your new workplace You will need: Application form Reasons for Requesting a Change of Status Letter showing contract start and end dates ▫(Ask your contracting organisation to issue) You must be able to show that you have funds Valid passport and Alien Registration Card ¥4000 Revenue Stamp (from the post office)

23. Pension Refund Your pension payments can be refunded Up to 3 years Claiming counts against your eventual pension ▫IE If you must work 25 years to be eligible for a pension, claiming means that the years you worked will no longer count towards this ▫Consider carefully if this is going to be important ▫In the UK and NZ this does not apply – get the money

24. You Must Not have a place of residence in Japan ▫(I.E. cancel your Alien Registration and leave) Apply within two years of leaving Not possess Japanese citizenship Never have applied for pension benefits (including Disability Allowance)

25. How Much 1 Year ¥270,000 2 years ¥540,000 3+ years ¥780,000 20% is taxed ▫This is also refundable

26. Pension Refund Procedure/Gimmie 1. Before leaving choose your tax representative. 2. After leaving mail the forms for the refund. 3. (~6 months later) You will receive a lump-sum payment into your overseas bank account. 4. Mail the notice of refund form to your tax representative in Japan. 5. Your representative files for a refund of the tax. 6. (~6 months later) The refund is transferred to you.

27. Welcome Home

28. Reverse Culture Shock Caused by Difficulties adapting to life back home. Hits after the novelty wears off. Idealised views and the expectation of familiarity. You have changed, and everyone else has as well. Often harsher than culture shock because people don’t expect it. Not getting culture shock doesn’t mean you wont get reverse culture shock.

29. Source: The 2010 JETAA survey

30. Examples of Reverse Culture Shock It felt like everyone was really rude. The job rejection letters piling up. I really missed my school. I never felt like I was a part of it until I left. People don’t want to hear about Japan, they are not interested in more than a few short stories. Meeting friends and realising the extent their lives and mine had diverged. Even though we’d kept in contact I was so out of the loop.

31. Remember the good things

32. Further Education About one third of former JETs go on to further education. Experience on JET is generally well received by both employers and universities.

34. The JETAA Membership forms sent to all JET participants Alumni are strongly encouraged to join. Assist with JET interviews and orientation Promote the JET Programme in their local area Offer support and information via career fairs and resource guides to returning participants Organise Japan related events JETAA Job Guide JET Mentor Network

35. Rac Start packing now Apply for jobs before you leave Save and exchange personal email addresses Go to sushiro Plan to have your farewell parties ahead of time ▫Both with school and friends Advice From Former Repatriates

36. Tyler As JETs, you’ve got a very good reputation, so you’ve got a good chance of getting employment. Get started early and make connections. You can leave a job after getting the visa. Feel free to get a job “for now”, then look for more permanent work when you have time.

37. Carlos Most of the opportunities to work in Japan after JET are in Tokyo The more Japanese you speak the better your odds of finding a job But even just conversational Japanese is enough Get used to the idea of overtime ▫Do a job you love / can live with

38. Shane Make sure you don’t lose your blue pension book. You’ll miss having access to nomihoudais If you can get everything in order early, it’ll stay that way until you’re ready to leave

39. Jono Assume you’re never coming back to Japan Buy all the crazy shit you want Spend mad time with your friends Get in as many experiences as you can