How to Create and Close an Electricity Account When Moving in Japan

Creating and closing an electricity account when moving in Japan isn't as intimidating as it may seem. In fact, it is very simple! Let's take a look at the procedures.

Closing Your Account

Required Information

When you move, you must close your current account with your utility provider. If you have your contract information, you can close your account over the phone, by FAX or online. The necessary information to close your account includes:

• Your current address
• Your name
• Your client number(written in your monthly bill)
• The date when you move
• Tour new address

Final Payment

Your last bill is calculated according to the number of days you lived in the current house since the last reading of your electric meter. If you want to settle your bill on the day of moving, an electric meter reader will come to your house and you can pay him directly. You can also pay afterwards at the bank, post office, or a convenience store.

Contact your electric company - Telephone no.

To close your account, you need to contact your contracted electricity company via phone or online.

If you wish to contact any of the historical regional electricity companies, please refer to the following list. Please note that the following call centers are not dedicated for English speakers. Not all operators are familiar with English language so you may have to wait until you receive a call back from an English speaking operator.

Creating a New Account

Starting Electricity in the New Residence

If you have planned your moving date, you can inquire an electric utility company to start a new contract over the phone, online, or over FAX. Generally, starting your electricity service is not very difficult. It is highly recommended to apply for electricity in advance. Since the digital meters got installed at the most of house, electiricity may be cut at your new house. The smart meter enable all operations are done remotely by the power trnasmission and distribution company.

Creating Your Account with a New Utility Company

電力メーターのスマートメーターへの取り換えが完了している家は、電気の申し込みをしない限り電気が使えませんので要注意！

Near the circuit breaker you will find a small card written, "electricity service start document"(電気使用開始手続き書). There, you can create an account for electricity in your name by completing it with your personal information and send it via post or by fax to the utility company. You can also subscribe to electricity online. TEPCO has an online form in English, which would be the easiest way for English speakers.

You can even subscribe to electricity one month in advance if you know your new address ahead of time. If you already started electricity at a new house, by any chance, you can contact the company and complete your subscription.

Choosing an electricity company and plan

You are not obligated to subscribe to a regional historical electricity company. Since 2016, the electric retail market has been deregulated and many alternative electric providers entered the market. Traditionally, they provide more attractive prices than  historical suppliers.

Some popular alternative utility companies include:

The Cost of Setting up Electricity in Japan

It is absolutely free to open a new account. Once you have subscribed to an electricity contract, what you have to pay is just a monthly fee calculated base on your consumption.

What goes in to the price of Electricity in Japan

There are two types of charges to be aware of when comparing electricity supply offers.

1. The basic fee　- 基本料金：Kihonryokin
2. The price per kWh - Dernyokuryo Ryokin

The basic fee is fixed, and the price per kwh changes depends on consumption. In pricse, there are other charges and each electricity providers offer different types of electricity plans. You can check our article explaining how to calculate your electricity bill.