| Living in Japan |
Japanese currency
The Japanese currency is the yen. There are
four types of bill (\1,000, \2,000, \5,000,
and \10,000) and six coins (\1, \5, \10,
\50, \100, and \500). All the main currencies
can be changed at banks that handle foreign
exchange. Exchange rates are the same at
all banks. Payments are usually made in cash
in Japan, although there has been an increase
in the number of stores accepting and the
number of people using credit cards. Checks
are not commonly used. Since the year 2000,
a debit card service has started by using
cash cards issued by banks and post office.
Cost of living
Japan is known to be one of the most expensive
countries in the world. The following are
just some examples of typical products and
services:
| Coca Cola (350 ml can) | \118 (US$1.03) |
| Milk (one liter) | \211 ($1.83) |
| Hamburger | \166 ($1.44) |
| Rice (10kg) | \4,929 ($42.86) |
| Bread (1kg) | \420 ($3.65) |
| Tissues (five boxes) | \383 ($3.33) |
| Dry cleaning (business suit) | \1,101 ($9.57) |
| Gasoline (one liter) | \102 ($0.89) |
| Movie theater admission fee | \1,800 ($15.65) |
| Video rental fee (one rental) | \399 ($3.47) |
| Delivered pizza (one pizza) | \2,100 ($18.26) |
(Calculated at an exchange rate of $1= \115.)
Note: Consumption tax (5%) is added to the
above prices.
Source: Study on Retail Prices of Major
Consumer Goods and Services between Japan
and Abroad, the Economic Planning Agency,
published in 1999.
Living expenses
According to the survey, the average monthly
living expenses, including school expenses
of international students in Japan, shows
that such living expenses are considerably
higher for Tokyo than for other regional
cities.Average Monthly Living Expenses of
an International Student as of November 1999:
| Region | yen |
| Hokkaido | 121,000 |
| Tohoku | 119,000 |
| Kanto | 159,000 |
| Tokyo | 165,000 |
| Chubu | 128,000 |
| Kinki | 136,000 |
| Chugoku | 115,000 |
| Shikoku | 116,000 |
| Kyushu | 126,000 |
National average |
142,000 |
Source: "Survey of Privately-Financed
International Students" by AIEJ, Nov.
1999
Note: School expenses included.
Accommodation
The national government, local governments,
and universities run residences for international
type of students, but since this accommodation
is limited, very few international students
are able to benefit from it. About 68% of
international students live in private accommodation.
The housing situation in Japan is not very
good, and it is very difficult to find accommodation,
especially in the Tokyo metropolitan area.
When looking for private accommodation, one
can inquire at a real estate agency in the
chosen area. Those with the status of residence
of "college student" may also seek
accommodation through the Center for Domestic
and Foreign Students. Rent for private accommodation
is more expensive than for student residences.
According to a survey by the Center for Domestic
and Foreign Students, the monthly rents are
as follows:
Monthly rent for an apartment in Tokyo:
a. 6-tatami mat (9.6 square meter) room (shared
toilet) less than \40,000
b. 6-tatami mat room with cooking facilities
and toilet about \40,000
c. 6-tatami mat room with cooking facilities,
toilet and bath about \60,000
d. 6-tatami mat room with cooking facilities,
toilet, bath and air-conditioning \66,000
