The final few months before you leave the JET Programme will go by very fast – here are some recommendations to make your departure a little less rushed or stressful.

April

• Map out your final months so you get a clear idea of the amount of time and tasks you have to do.
• Start saving and budgeting, if you haven’t already. You never know how long you’ll be without a regular paycheck once JET ends. Depending on your CO you might have to pay for your flight home upfront (to be reimbursed only after you’ve returned home) so it’s good to have something saved.
• Be sure to start saving for final residence tax payments if you will leave Japan. You will likely need to pay your taxes for the entire previous year (the bill many JETs get around June) plus the period from January 1st to departure. This amount will vary greatly based on how long you have been on the program and your country of origin.
• Start cleaning, clearing out possessions, or at least start thinking about it. Technically you should not be leaving anything behind in the apartment! (Unless agreed with your successor and approved by your CO). You can advertise items in this Facebook group.

May

• For Ken ALTs, we will have a Leavers’ Meeting this month to discuss important paperwork and procedures relating to your departure.
• Start filling in the Saga Successor Handover Document [PDF]
• Decide what things you will be taking, selling, giving away and discarding – make use of all your remaining non-burnable rubbish days. Do not dispose of things that belong to your CO (e.g. washing machine, refrigerator, etc). If you are not sure if something belongs to your CO, ask your supervisor.
• If you want to use your nenkyu at the end of your contract to finish work earlier, ask your supervisor, and notify them well ahead of time.
• Start planning your air ticket home. Ask you supervisor if they haven’t talked you about it yet and find out the process. You might be asked to find quotes. Ensure you understand the whole process.
• Start making arrangements for shipping items home.
• Confirm with your CO what the necessary procedures will be for handing over your apartment to your successor. Clarify what final payments, etc. you will need to make.

June

• Incoming JETs should find out about their placements from late May/early June (or might get specifics in July if they are a Ken-ALT). If you are being replaced, contact your successor as soon as possible (after you receive permission) and send them your handover information.
• If you require any adjustments in your Status of Residence, including extension, change of status, or obtaining a temporary visitor permit, contact the immigration office in Saga early to get a clear understanding of what is required. Start the application process with enough time (at least a month is recommended) before the expiration of your current status. Applications can be made up to two months before the expiry of your visa so don’t leave it until it is too late!
• Start sending items home that you won’t be using or taking on the plane by surface mail, etc.
• Organizing your bills and other finances, such as assigning a tax representative to handle your tax refund application for your Pension Lump Sum Withdrawal Payment.
• Ask your school and supervisors for reference letters. You might even want to ask as early as April if you wish to ask particular colleagues that might move schools.
• If you don’t have a successor, or they do not want to buy/keep your items, you will have to dispose of everything in your home before you leave. Even if there are things in your apartment that were left by previous JETs, you won’t be able to leave them behind.

July

• Start writing thank you letters and saying goodbye. Farewell gifts to people who were helpful to you during your stay, or letters and cards are recommended. Plan and practice your farewell speech.
• Arrange to have your mail forwarded to either someone in Japan or redelivered back home.
• For anyone doing planning to stay and work in Japan, you should ask your CO to make them a statement of earnings/tax certificate slip (gensenchoshuhyo 源泉徴収票) for January 1 to their finish date. Their next employer will need it to calculate their taxes properly, or the JET in question will need to deal with the pain that is filling for themselves.
• Finalize who will serve as your proxy for bill payments. Designate and complete the paperwork for a tax representative if you are leaving Japan.
• Consult with utility companies/CO to agree on a desired final date and on procedures for shutting off utilities and making final payments.
• Pack and send your final postal/shipping packages.
• If you have a car properly sell or dispose of it (haisha 廃車)
• Thoroughly clean your apartment and dispose of remaining rubbish. For Ken-ALTs there will be a supervisor (with ALT PA or Apartment Managment) inspection.
• Leave money in your Japanese bank account that can cover final bills and expenses (cleaning, damages, etc.)
• If you are still here when your successor arrives, consider assisting them in getting acquainted with their new placement.