Key Money

[GunmaBrentPA]

While this is unrelated to key money, will the arrival time to your main prefecture be predetermined or will you be able to make your own arrangements? Or is it all ESID and up in the air?

I know in Gunma it is decided for the new JETs. We have a bus chartered and waiting to take everyone to their new prefecture. Since arrival in Gunma is quickly followed by an introduction ceremony of the new JETs to their new contracting organizations (at least a representative.)

I don't know if this is universal, but I imagine most prefectures have the transportation details figured out for new JETs.

[Cliodhna]

^ Hahahaha. Well, if JET takes me, I'll be looking forward to visiting some of my old stomping grounds in the evenings for dinner, so I'm not too worried about that.

Bus sounds kinda uncomfortable, though, but if it's free, I have no complaints, haha. I think if I had an option, though, especially compared to flying, that I'd prefer to take the train. Of course, that still depends on how far off the placement is. Can't exactly take a train to some places, haha.

Thanks again, and I'll try not to sweat the key money too badly.

[Jax]

I think that some people do take the train, some of the placements quite close to Tokyo, but I'm not 100% sure.

I know at least Hyogo and Osaka take the Shinkansen, but then Kobe City flew.

I didn't have to pay for anything upfront in Tokyo. I got my bill sometime in October which I had to pay, and then I was reimbursed a couple weeks later. You can probably find out your exact travel arrangements once you know your placement. Everything will be so much easier to understand then because at this point, it's way too ESID.

[Gizmotech]

Umm...

So I live in the blackhole of the Japanese transit system, and me and another JET were flown out to where we now live. We were not asked to pay for our transportation from Tokyo to bumficknowhere upfront. Our personal belongings, besides one piece of carry on luggage, were also shipped to our destination from Narita airport. The travel agency that organized the flight over for us eventually "billed" us (about a month later or so) for all of this and the prefecture at the same time compensated us for this bill. At no point was I hurting for money during the move from Tokyo to bumficknowhere, and did not have to worry about anything in that process. (seems to me I actually came out ahead as the prefecture over compensated us for this)

As for key money, I haven't talked to all the ALTs where I am but I don't know of any near here who had to pay key money. You also shouldn't have to pay key money when you take over a predecessors apartment because they aren't usually in your name, they're in the BoE (local or prefectual)'s name and nothing has actually changed. If you're REALLY lucky you end up as a prefectual employee and they put you in prefectual housing, which though small and impersonal, is DIRT CHEAP to live in

As for the first two nights in Tokyo, ya you can spend alot of money, I know I did, BUT enjoy yourself there. You might end up somewhere where you'll be BORED STIFF for a couple of weeks until you get yourself righted, and you might as well have had a good time before doing nada till school starts.

Lastly, don't be too worried about monies up front. A friend of mine in the southern end of nowhere Japan got screwed for Key Money, Deposits, AND had to buy a car in his first week because he lives 20 hours from nowhere and has a travelling circus routine of 10 schools. The BoE lent him the money and arranged a repayment schedule from his paycheck. There is room for negotiation and the BoEs are fully aware that JETs aren't likely to have 3-7k sitting around to start a new life abroad.

[GunmaBrentPA]

You also shouldn't have to pay key money when you take over a predecessors apartment because they aren't usually in your name, they're in the BoE (local or prefectual)'s name and nothing has actually changed

Just want to point out that while it is true that in a good amount of cases the apartment is in the CO's name so key money might not be an issue, there is still the custom of the "renewing the lease fee." I forget what this is called, but it generally costs near the same as key money. This only comes up at the end of a lease, so it doesn't affect that many people, and it seems a lot of COs just cover the fee themselves. Other than that spot on post.

Oh yeah, obligatory ESIblahblahblah...

[Patryn]

you guys got compensated for delivery of your luggage? >< *jealous*

I wouldn't be surprised to learn that the limit for Shinkansen travel is between Tokyo and Osaka, because that's where the services start dropping off a little. Not sure about north of Tokyo, but I haven't heard of anyone who had to pay for their travel from Tokyo Orientation to wherever, mainly because all the tickets would have needed to be reserved and, most likely, prepaid. But if you're a short trip away, maybe you might have to, but not many people are a "short" trip away from Tokyo. haha.

[Crowbeak]

There's also a possibility that when you get here you'll have to pay nothing up front because the apartment is taken out in your BOE's name and has been for years. I paid no key money, didn't have to pay rent until I'd been here a month, and since the same apartment has been in use by the local ALT for over a decade the place was already stocked with good stuff above and beyond what the BOE provides by contractual obligation (in my case, vacuum, stove, fridge, bedding, TV, dvd player). I didn't have to buy anything, which was great because my dad died in the middle of June and the only reason I was able to scrape up even $1000 was that my mom had some savings she could loan me. I also got paid right on time less than three weeks after I got here.

This won't necessarily be what you get, of course! But it's possible. Honestly, I think if you just relax and take it as it comes then you'll be fine.

Oh, and my predecessor made sure I knew what I was getting into. In the wake of the 3/11 disaster and concerns over the Fukushima power plant, placement announcements were delayed because the US and Japan were politicking over placements outside the Japan-regulated evacuation zone and the US-recommended evacuation zone, so I didn't get my mailed contract and letter from my predecessor until mid-June (ironically, less than 12 hours before my dad kicked it, ). The contract told me exactly what my CO is responsible for providing at my apartment. Between the letter my predecessor sent and a two-hour Skype conversation I had with her, I knew before going how much I was paying for rent, that I had no key money OR deposit to pay, and a variety of other good information about the town and work.

[miami_coordinator]

While I'm never happy when someone says "ignore your local coordinator back home," it is true that situations do vary from person to person. When I first started out as a coordinator, I barely mentioned the recommendation that JETs bring about $2500 with them. However, I started advocating bringing (or having access to) about $2500-$3000 after I realized that a number of my new JETs actually did have to pay key money. One of my recent JETs inherited a position, but his predecessor got a new job in the same city and kept both the apartment and the furnishings. So, my JET (who was going to a big city, hence had to pay more money on an apartment) needed to pay $3000 to secure just the apartment and then had to take care of furnishings on top of that. Another JET told me that he arrived at his apartment to find that there was absolutely no furniture. He spent his first night in his new town on the floor.

When I was a JET, I had a huge 3 bedroom apartment that was fully furnished and subsidized rent. None of the JETs I knew had to pay key money. I believe that for most JETs it is still that way. However, given the increasing number of JETs I am hearing from who DO have to pay key money and do have to buy their own furnishings, I'm certainly not going to back down on advising that JETs to either bring or have access to a reserve amount of money just in case they need it. It could well be that the two JETs I'm describing are the exception to the rule, but just in case you are an exception as well, I strongly recommend that you do what you can to plan ahead. At the very worst, you have extra savings to use as a cushion.

Consider it this way: moving is expensive, and moving internationally is even more expensive. You may well end up in a situation where you have to pay little to no money for rent or furnishings, but you're not entitled to that. That sort of living situation is up to the discretion of your contracting organization. They are not required to provide you with housing, although they are supposed to help with procuring it. Your predecessor and/or supervisor can help give you a better idea of what to expect and how much is a practical amount to bring with you.

I know that number can be scary, especially for recent graduates and students. That's why I bring it up in my recruiting sessions - I want applicants to have as much time as possible to save up, just in case it is necessary. That said, it's not a requirement, it's a recommendation. We're not going to check you at the airport to make sure you've got the exact amount of money we suggest. It's all up to you. If you find out you really don't need that amount of money and are comfortable not having it, then don't bring it. If you're someone who would rather bring a smaller amount of cash and have a line of credit available back home in case of necessity, that's fine too. If you decide you want all of the money with you the second you arrive in Japan, you might consider taking a short term loan and setting up a payment plan to pay it off within your first few paychecks. There are options. There have been plenty of JETs in the situation where they're nervous about that money recommendation and they find ways around it.

[Cliodhna]

Thanks for the insight, Miami. Although it seems strange that that one JET got to keep the JET apartment he had, along with everything in it. Certainly didn't seem fun for his replacement.

I'll certainly do everything I can to prepare if I'm accepted! Really looking forward to how things turn out.

Thanks again, and thanks to everyone who's posted in this thread!

[Loerian]

hey guys this is really helpful I'm just curious how much in reality would you suggest bringing our jet recruit suggested maybe 1500 euro but that works out at what about 156263.40 think thats about right please tell me if I'm wrong to those of you who have been out there is this a recommended amount or should i really plan to save more if I'm accepted ?

[Patryn]

That sounds about right, Loerian, but it really depends on a number of factors which you will find out from your predecessor.
What everyone else has said about having funds available is also pretty accurate.

You'll need to find out how much your rent is and when you'd have to pay it - if your rent is 150,000 (unlikely, but for arguments' sake), then you'd obviously need more!
When your first paycheck will be is important. Sometimes people have to wait longer than a month to get their first paycheck!

The other questions you can ask yourself:
Will you be getting a phone here? Will the local phone store be nice and let you pay it off monthly or make you pay outright?
And then how cheaply you want to live?

Do the maths yourself and you'll get your answer.
Of course, my recommendation is to have as much money saved/accessible as possible! Just in case! And if you don't need it, then just dump it all into a savings account or for more fun!

[Loerian]

Thanks a million for the reply reckon I could prob put a bit more by in the coming months as I'm not really a phone person more an internet nut who may hit up the Square Enix flagstore in Shibuya if I'm lucky enough to get to Japan I do have to say that this forum is providing a lot of information and answering questions I would have never thought of so Thanks for all the info guys

[Cliodhna]

Thanks a million for the reply reckon I could prob put a bit more by in the coming months as I'm not really a phone person more an internet nut who may hit up the Square Enix flagstore in Shibuya if I'm lucky enough to get to Japan I do have to say that this forum is providing a lot of information and answering questions I would have never thought of so Thanks for all the info guys

A note on phones (since they were brought up), I'm pretty sure you're going to need a cell phone so that work can easily get up with you when they need to. Phone companies tend to run like they do in the west (or at least the US) where you can sign up for a plan and they have a selection of 'free phones' that you can get with it if you sign for a two year contract (which you will- saves cash in the long run, even if you cancel after a year). If you go with AU, they usually have at least one free phone that's bilingual and they're one of the best services for a reasonable price (as of 2009), so phones won't have be a rubik's cube or anything. So, if you're wanting to factor that into a budget, too, I'd set aside maybe $50-$60 (sorry, I'm not sure of the pound equivalent :/) to pay for your first month of service and any costs that might have.

Anyway, just thought I'd mention that. :B

[Patryn]

I wouldn't say you'd absolutely NEED a phone. I did fine without one for a month and a bit and pretty much use it only for social stuff.

You'll probably hear a lot more about phones during orientation and stuff like that, so I won't spoil it for you! But yeah, don't count on getting a plan like that as it depends a lot on the store/staff.

[Cliodhna]

But yeah, don't count on getting a plan like that as it depends a lot on the store/staff.

I was pretty much just describing the plan I had when I was an exchange student. I took a friend who already lived locally and was a fluent speaker, actually an ex-JET, and he helped negotiate my phone with the AU store for me. The 2 year contract was a basic plan- mine only cost $47 a month because I wanted more than 2 minutes a month, so they can go much cheaper than that. So seems to be a pretty generic plan that you can expect to find when you go in to sign up. Would it be different getting a phone in an area that has next to no foreigners possibly? Is that what you mean? :/