Quick answer
This is a bill or notice sent by an electricity, gas, or water company. Common types include the 検針票 (kenshin-hyō, meter-reading slip) showing your usage, the 請求書 (seikyūsho, bill) asking you to pay, and a notice about 口座振替 (kōza furikae, automatic debit from your bank account). The key is to work out whether it is asking for payment or only informing you, and to find the 支払期限 (shiharai kigen, payment deadline) and the amount. When you move, you also need to arrange the start or stop of each service separately. Follow each supplier's instructions for specifics.
What this document is
In Japan, electricity (電気, denki), gas (ガス, gasu), and water (水道, suidō) are usually provided by different companies or municipal utilities, and each sends its bills separately. Common documents include:
- 検針票 (kenshin-hyō) — meter-reading slip, showing your usage for the period and the charge breakdown.
- 請求書 / 料金のお知らせ (seikyūsho / ryōkin no o-shirase) — the bill, telling you the amount due and the payment deadline.
- 口座振替のお知らせ (kōza furikae no o-shirase) — a notice that the charge will be debited automatically from your bank account.
- 使用開始 / 中止のご案内 (shiyō kaishi / chūshi no go-annai) — notices about starting or stopping service when you move in or out.
Common fields on the document
- 検針票 (kenshin-hyō) — meter-reading slip (usage details).
- 請求書 / 請求金額 (seikyūsho / seikyū kingaku) — bill / amount due.
- 基本料金 (kihon ryōkin) — base charge (related to your contracted capacity).
- 従量料金 / 電力量料金 (jūryō ryōkin / denryokuryō ryōkin) — charges based on how much you use.
- ご使用量 / 使用水量 (go-shiyōryō / shiyō suiryō) — usage (kWh for electricity, ㎥ for water/gas, etc.).
- 口座振替 / 振込 (kōza furikae / furikomi) — automatic bank debit / bank transfer.
- お客様番号 / 供給地点番号 (o-kyakusama bangō / kyōkyū chiten bangō) — customer number / supply point number.
- 支払期限 / 納期限 (shiharai kigen / nōkigen) — payment deadline.
- 開栓 / 閉栓 / 使用開始 / 中止 (kaisen / heisen / shiyō kaishi / chūshi) — opening the valve / closing the valve / starting use / stopping use.
What you need to do
- Work out whether it is a bill (payment required) or a usage notice / automatic-debit notice.
- Find the 支払期限 (payment deadline) and the 請求金額 (amount due), and pay by the method specified (convenience store, 口座振替 automatic debit, bank transfer, etc.).
- When moving, contact the electricity, gas, and water suppliers separately to arrange 使用開始（開栓） (start of service / valve opening) or 中止 (stopping service).
- If you cannot read the document or have questions about the amount, call the customer service number of the supplier printed on the bill; for water, ask your local 水道局 (suidōkyoku, water bureau).
Where the deadline / amount may appear
- Deadline: usually printed next to the label 支払期限 or 「納期限」 (with 口座振替, the amount is debited automatically on the designated date).
- Amount: usually printed next to 請求金額 or 「合計」 (gōkei, total); usage appears next to 「ご使用量」.
Which official body to check with when unsure
For billing and payment questions, first call the customer service of each supplier (the electricity / gas / water company) printed on the bill; water supply is handled by the water bureau (水道局) of each municipality; for a general explanation of public utility charges (公共料金, kōkyō ryōkin), see the websites of the Consumer Affairs Agency and the Agency for Natural Resources and Energy. Follow the supplier's and official explanations for specific procedures.
Common Japanese terms
- 検針票 (kenshin-hyō) — meter-reading slip
- 請求書 (seikyūsho) — bill
- 基本料金 (kihon ryōkin) — base charge
- ご使用量 (go-shiyōryō) — usage amount
- 口座振替 (kōza furikae) — automatic bank account debit
- 支払期限 / 納期限 (shiharai kigen / nōkigen) — payment deadline
- 開栓 / 閉栓 (kaisen / heisen) — opening / closing the supply (gas, water)
- お客様番号 (o-kyakusama bangō) — customer number