You are moving to a place where the language and way of life are totally different. Both seasoned travelers and first-timers are likely to be uncertain about many things. If there is anything that you would like to know, that Art Hikkoshi Center may have the answer: please ask. We have put together some of the most asked questions and answers on this page of the website.

	What are the most useful daily life items that I can take overseas from Japan?

	How do I get an International Driver's License in Japan?

	What are the best types of presents to give to people overseas from Japan?

	What are the language education points to pay attention to when taking children on overseas postings?

	What exactly are the quarantine regulations when returning to Japan?

	What is the best way to handle residence registration when returning to Japan?

	Can I use the driver's license that I acquired overseas in Japan?

Q. What are the most useful items that I can take overseas with me from Japan? What you should take depends entirely on the local circumstances of the country that you are going to. Therefore you should find out as much as you can from people who have actually been there or are living there now. In various countries, many people have reported the items listed below to be useful. Electrical items Transformer / Rice cooker / Microwave oven / Griddle / Electric kotatsu / Electric stove / Electric blanket / Hair dryer / Hot-curler / Cassette tape / Fan / Electric iron / Desk lamp / Bedding dryer *The voltage and frequency of local electrical supply varies depending on the country. Usually, you will not be able to directly connect electrical devices from Japan to the local main power supply. This means that you either have to take appropriate electrical transformers or goods that conform with local specifications. It is worth noting that in America that main power is 120 V and 60 Hz. *In some countries, electrical devices in good condition may be regarded as new: therefore you may be asked to pay customs duties if you take used items with you. Consequently, it's best to take proofs of purchase (receipts and warranties) that show the date you bought the goods. Kitchen goods Knives / Whetstone / Chopping board / Steamer / Sukiyaki pot / Eathernware pot / Mortar and pestle / Grater / Fish griddle / Mat for rolling sushi / Pickle-making set / Rice spatula / Japanese cooking utensils / Nested boxes / Dish cloths / Chopsticks and chopstick rest / Dishes for Japanese cuisine / Green tea cups / Small teapot / Sake flask *Crockery suitable for Japanese dining is hard to get overseas, so make sure that you take enough items with you. *Lacquerware is liable to crack if taken to countries where the atmosphere is dry. It is generally better to take plastic substitutes,

	Clothes
	Underwear / Men's formal shirts / Children's clothing / Yukata / Japanese clothing
	*Be careful when buying clothes abroad, the sizing often does not fit Japanese body proportions.

	Articles of daily use
	Broom / Ruler / Bathroom scales / Measuring tape / Household tools / Dust cloths / Clothes pegs / Hand fan / Sewing set / Personal seal / Medicines / Spare glasses or contact lenses, etc. / Bedding / Floor cushions / Electronic calculator / Word processor / Toys / Shoes (worn in) / Cosmetics (take plenty of the items that you always use) / Books / Study accessories / Hobby gear and materials

Q. How do I get an International Driver's License in Japan? If you already have a driver's license, it is easy to get an International Driving License. All you have to do is go to your local driving test center designated by the Public Safety Commission and apply. Below is a list of what you need. 1. A valid driver's license 2. A valid passport 3. An I.D. photograph (5 cm ( 4 cm wide) 4. Completed forms (blank forms provided at the counter) 5. Revenue stamp for JPY 2,700) * International Driver's Licenses are valid for one year from date of issue. If you will be resident overseas for longer than that, apply for a local driver's license. Be aware that some countries require long-term residents to acquire a local driver's license as soon as they become resident.

Q. What are the best types of presents to bring from Japan as gift to people overseas? People overseas are naturally pleased to receive typically Japanese items. On the other hand, because gift-giving practices vary from country to country, it is best to check that gift giving is not likely to offend or cause problems. If presenting gifts is acceptable, it is certainly most useful to take lots of smaller items. (Some countries have restrictions on the number of items that you can import as gifts.) Examples of gifts for foreigners Chopstick rest / Japanese plates or other pottery / Japanese tea / Japanese postage stamps / Coins / Records or CDs / Stationery sets / Origami ( Japanese paper) / Books on Japanese cooking (in English) / Character goods (for children)

	Examples of gifts for Japanese people residing overseas
	Japanese food: to be passed on soon after arrival Vacuum packed pickled vegetables / Vacuum packed Cod roe / Pickles / Vacuum packed Smoked eel / Japanese confectionery Otherwise Recent magazines / Paperback books / Cassette tapes / Japanese tea / Japanese cook books

Q. What are the language education points to pay attention to when taking children overseas? 1. Usually, it is best to decide on whether you want to educate your children in a foreign language or in Japanese. 2. It is best to assume that your child's Japanese language development will be delayed and take remedial steps well in advance. 3. While still in Japan, it is best to provide some foreign language education to children progressing from junior high to high school. 4. Children in the upper years of elementary school do not forget Japanese when they live abroad. Even so, it is best to keep them accustomed to reading books written in Japanese.

Q.What exactly are the quarantine regulations when returning to Japan? Although you are allowed to bring animal and vegetable products into Japan, customs regulations often limit the amount that you may import. (e.g. Import of rice is limited to 100 kg per adult. *There are differences depending on locality) Regulations concerning animal products 1. You are allowed to bring in cheese, butter, and honey. 2. You are allowed to bring in fish products (such as smoked salmon) 3. You can bring in processed meat such as ham, bacon, beef jerky, sausages if you have inspection certificates, but it is usually difficult to obtain these documents for goods sold in normal retail channels. 4. You do not need inspection certificates for completely processed horn products from water buffalo, deer, and other animals; however, you do need certification for partially processed items and horns that are still attached to the heads of animals. 5. You can bring in completely processed feather products without showing inspection certificates. Regulations concerning plant products 1. It is almost impossible to bring in plants in soil, plants with soil clinging, or plants with roots. 2. Plant seeds and decorative items made with seed coverings will be disinfected or burned if, on inspection, they are found to contain pests. The same applies to things such as pine cones, dried flowers, and wooden carvings. 3. Coffee beans and other large seed materials are disinfected or burned if insect infestation is found. The same applies to rice and other grains. 4. You may not bring in walnuts, rice straw, or wheat straw. 5. If you bring in bulbs, corms, and tuberous roots, such as tulip, hyacinth, and dahlia, besides inspection, they may also have to be grown for a fixed period in isolation to ensure that they are free of disease.

	Things that you are not allowed to export or include in your personal effects when moving overseas
	Categories of non-exportable items
	(1) Illegal drugs (2) Cultural properties and recognized ancient artifacts (3) Straw products (including tatami) (4) Items which the possession or transport of are either not permitted or strictly controlled by the Washington Convention or other agreements under international and domestic law. In addition, you may not export food and other items that the destination country prohibit. Furthermore, you may not include the following items in your personal effects. (1) Money, convertible bonds, bank deposit books (2) Precious metals and gemstones (3) Matches, benzene, thinner, and other hazardous substances (4) Pharmaceuticals (5) Fresh food (6) Private correspondence

Q. What is the best way to handle residence registration when returning to Japan? If the registration of your residence was deleted when you left Japan, you have to go to the local government office and reregister your residence when you return. Below is a list of what you need. 1. Your passport 2. A copy of your family registry 3. Supplemental family registry document *You have to register your residence within two weeks of moving to a locality.

Q.Can I use the driver's license that I acquired overseas in Japan? If your driver's license lapses while you were a resident overseas, your eligibility for Japanese driver's license renewal will expire. When you return to Japan you will have to apply to get your Japanese driver's license reactivated. You have to make this application within a month of the day that you returned to Japan. Below is a list of what you need. 1. Your passport 2. Your expired driver's license 3. Your resident card 4. Two I.D. photographs (3 cm ( 2.4 cm) *When you apply to get your license back, it is also necessary to take an aptitude test. If three years have passed since your license expired, you are required to take a paper test. However, if you had not acquired a driver's license before leaving Japan, but acquired one while living abroad, you can exchange your license.

*For more information contact Art Hikkoshi Center.

To order, or for more information, call 0120-0123-03