Shipping to Japan
Are you looking to move to Japan but are not sure where to start? With visas to obtain, jobs to organise and living costs to account for, there is more than enough to be thinking about. One thing you most certainly will need to consider at some point however is how you are going to move all your belongings.
You have most likely moved home before at some point and can appreciate the massive amount of upheaval and planning that goes into such a move. Moving internationally is a whole new experience altogether and comes with added considerations and pressures. That is where choosing the right international removal company is crucial. With so many to choose from, it is not an easy task.
White & Company can help make the transition as smooth and worry free as possible. A family owned business established in 1871, and founder members of BAR, FIDI & Omni, White & Company have shipped thousands of people around the globe and should be your first choice for international relocations.
Survey
The surveyor will need to conduct a home survey to ascertain the volume of effects being shipped. This involves him/her walking through the property room by room noting what items are to be exported and recording it on his electronic tablet.
Storage
White & Company has storage facilities at 19 storage locations throughout the UK all providing secure containerised storage in personal dedicated storage containers.
Packing
When the client has accepted the quoted price and a move date has been secured, the vehicle and removal team will arrive at residence. The removal team will proceed to export pack and wrap all items being shipped in special breathable bubble wrap.
Shipping
Upon arrival at your local depot, all effects are transferred to the export warehouse to await loading into a 20ft or 40ft container. The container is booked with the shipping line onto the first available vessel destined to the closest port of entry to your final destination.
Moving to Japan? Get A Quick Quote
Why move to Japan?
Christened the ‘land of the rising sun’ by its neighbour China due to its unique eastern location, Japan is an ancient country that has married strong cultural traditions with technological innovation to position itself as one of the world’s most developed economies.
The country benefits from a highly skilled workforce and is among the most educated countries in the world with an exceptional literacy rate and one of the largest proportions of citizens with a minimum of degree level education.
Despite having one of the largest and densest populations in the world, Japanese people are respectful, courteous and extremely law abiding and the country boasts one of the lowest crime rates in the world.
The demand for space means housing and living expenses can be quite high depending on where you choose to live. However, expats who relocate to the suburbs and take in the plethora of local cuisine on offer, such as yoshoku and sushi, rather than expensive western indulgences, often remark at how affordable it is. Getting used to chop sticks is also a challenge, but great fun!
The Japanese work hard and play hard. Indeed Tokyo’s nightlife is regarded to be one of the best in the world. Japan is also the birthplace of Karaoke, which combined with food and drink is a favourite Japanese past time and an all round social affair (don’t be surprised if a business meeting culminates in a trip to one of Japan’s many Karaoke boxes!).
Poor renditions of Taylor Swift aside, Japan also boats a rich and vibrant cultural history like no other. You can spend your days exploring stunning landscapes immersed in cherry blossom or hike snow-capped mountains. Wherever you choose to work and live, you are unlikely to be short of things to do and in such wonderful company people to do it with.
Visas
Obtaining a permanent residence visa in Japan isn’t easy. To be able to work in Japan, you must apply for a working visa, typically achieved through an offer of employment from a Japanese company.
In addition, the Japanese company must be at least one year old before it can hire you for a working visa. You must apply for your working visa in person at a Japanese embassy or consular office that has jurisdiction over your state of residence. It is important to point out that visas aren’t issued after arrival in Japan.
Visit the following web sites for further information on obtaining a work permit:
shibajapan.com/work-permit/
workpermit.com/immigration
Finding Work
Lots of expats find working opportunities in Japan’s thriving technology sector, which is home to such household names as Sony and Panasonic, or in the financial sector. Teaching English is also a viable option for many as demand for speaking English has risen in the increasingly globalised economy.
Besides these more traditional opportunities there is also currently demand in Japan for lawyers, engineers, IT professionals, and sales & recruitment specialists. As with most international destinations beyond Europe, it is highly advisable to start learning the national language as soon as possible in order to give yourself the best chance of getting a good job.
Shipping My Effects to Japan: the process
The whole moving experience can be incredibly stressful, especially so when relocating abroad. White & Company, with its 145 years of experience in the removal industry, can help make the process a lot smoother.
Survey
We can arrange a free no obligation home survey and quotation. Our experienced surveyor will visit your home to conduct a pre-move survey to ascertain the volume of effects being shipped. This involves him/her walking through the property room by room noting what items are to be exported and recording it on his electronic tablet. A quotation will follow within 48 hours.
Storage
You may find you need to store some or all of your possessions for a period of time prior to moving abroad. It is good to know that White & Company have storage facilities at all our branch depots across the UK. All our warehouses are clean, dry, secure and accredited to European standard BS EN 14873. Just speak to our surveyor for further information.
Our partners in Japan can also offer you storage. You may be renting for a while and may not need all of your effects to be delivered immediately. You can arrange for certain items to be delivered and once settled in your new home, the rest can follow. Please note that storage rates may apply.
Packing
When our quotation has been accepted and a move date has been secured, the vehicle and removal team will arrive at residence. The removal team will proceed to export pack and wrap all items being shipped and load onto vehicle for delivery to our closest depot.
We use a modern range of environmentally friendly, purpose-made packing materials and can pack everything for you prior to your move. All china and glassware will be wrapped in special paper and then packed in double-thickness cartons. Furniture can be wrapped in bubble blanket for extra protection. Items requiring specialist care, such as antiques, can be packed in made-to-measure wooden crates.
Shipping
All effects are transferred to the export warehouse to await loading into a 20ft or 40ft container. The container is booked with the shipping line onto the first available vessel destined to the closest port of entry to your final destination in Japan.
Upon arrival at your residence in Japan, our trusted agents will place boxes and furniture in appropriate rooms as directed. They will unpack your belongings onto flat surfaces and dispose of all packing materials.
Property
Expatriates who work and live in Japan don’t usually buy properties due to the very high real estate prices.
In general, buying property in Japan is not considered as a good investment because of the risk of destruction by natural disasters, mostly earthquakes. Despite these issues, A foreigner can acquire proprietary rights to Japanese real estate just like a Japanese national. Proprietary rights to land in Japan by a foreigner is also permitted.
There is no time limit to proprietary rights, and it can be bought, sold and inherited freely among foreigners. The tax paid by a foreigner at the time of purchase is also the same as that paid by a Japanese citizen.
As a guide, in Tokyo city centre, you can currently expect to pay approximately 1,155,000 ¥ (£7,682) per square metre for a one bedroomed apartment. Outside the centre the price drops to 577,000 ¥. (£3,837).
Its good advice to have an English-speaking Japanese person to represent you to landlords and estate agents. They will speak for you and if any problems are encountered, can represent you.
Schools
Education is highly valued in Japan and the education system in Japan is excellent.
Following the Second World War, compulsory education in Japan was introduced consisting of elementary and middle school, which together last for nine years (from age 6 to age 15). Almost all children continue their education at a three-year senior high school. Higher education is also outstanding with both Tokyo and Kyoto universities having produced 16 Nobel Prize laureates.
There is also a good selection of international schools in Japan offering a wider curriculum and more diverse student body than those found in traditional Japanese schools. Be aware however that they can be expensive (roughly £6654-£19,900).
Visit some of the following web sites for further information:
White & Company
International Removals since 1871
We recommend a visit from one of our Surveyors for all International moves, so that we can assess your requirements, and the volume of goods to be moved.
Popular Places to Relocate in Japan
Fukuoka
Hiroshima
Keihanshin
Nagoya
Okayama
Sapporo
Sendai
Shizuoka
Tokyo
What Others Say…
Wayne Middleton and Brian Witherford were professional and extremely helpful. Did a brilliant job. Would recommend Whites to anyone. Thanks very much.
Have used this company regularly for 5 years including my time in the armed forces. They are professional and efficient. Will use them again on our next move.
The move went very smoothly and they were very polite.
A very smooth move by White and Co. The team worked very hard and were polite, professional and helpful.
