No matter how long you have been on JET it is likely you have accumulated and inherited a lot of things.

Don’t be that predecessor who is remembered as leaving behind nothing but filth and rubbish. You probably have your own horror stories from your arrival in Saga!

 

Do:

• Start early: Remember that certain types of garbage are only collected once a month (non-burnable, glass, P.E.T, paper, etc) don’t get caught out and miss your last specific garbage day.
  • Give yourself at least a month to dispose the all the different types rubbish in your home.
  • Oversized Trash (sodai gomi) may require advance booking with your Town/City hall and purchasing a seal from the convenience store or post office. Prepare for this way in advance!
  • Decide what you will be selling or giving to other JETs, taking/sending home with you and what needs to be disposed of. Check with your CO – for Ken-ALTs you should be filling and signing a transfer of goods form that both you and your successor will sign.
• Ask your CO: Find out if your successor will get a new futon or set of bedding, or if you will need to have your futon dry cleaned/disposed. See if there are any unnecessary items that belong to your CO that you can return.
• Repairs: Let your CO know about any repairs or damage in your home that need fixing. They might also have maintenance plans of their own such as replacing tatami, etc. For Ken-ALTs any fees may be taken from your deposit.
• Go professional: Your CO might require you to have your apartment professionally cleaned. They can probably recommend who to use.

Don’t

• Hide: Stuffing garbage or other things away in your closets and cupboards is rude and lazy. Sell, trade, gift, or dispose of anything you are not taking.
• Assume: Somethings should be obvious, but don’t assume your successor wants all your stuff! Especially random items that have been accumulated from previous predecessors. Talk to them about what you will leave them. Dispose of anything they don’t want or won’t need. They are not obligated to purchase anything from you.
• Leave things like:
  • CLAIR study material – your successor will receive their own soon.
  • Personal items – ship/take them home or dispose of them.
  • Toiletries/cosmetics – these can just burden your successor and new things can be picked up easily upon arrival.
  • Inherited Items – you might not have purchased them, but do the right thing and throw it out. Give them away or put them out in your next garbage day.
  • Broken appliances, furniture, or plates/utensils – get rid of them on a non-burnable day.
  • Things you have sold to other JETs – get it to them before you leave. This is solely your responsibility.
  • Food in the fridge and garbage that isn’t sorted.