【Daily Life】
・Loud noises such as raised voices, running children, animal cries, high volume music or television, vacuum cleaners or washing machines, especially late at night and early in the morning, can be considered a disturbance, and lead to trouble with neighbors.
・Most places in Japan have community associations called chonai-kai (town association) or jichi-kai (neighborhood association.)
■Public Services
・There are many different procedures regarding change of address and entering/breaking contracts for electricity, water, gas, etc., so please check the following links for more details.
＜Related organizations＞
●Processing and general inquiries
（Water）
・Municipal offices in Hokkaido (Multilingual)
/soudan/guide/shichoson.xls
（Electricity）
・Hokkaido Electric Power Co., Inc. (HEPCO) (Japanese, English)
http://www.hepco.co.jp/
（Gas）
・Hokkaido Gas Co., Ltd. (Japanese, English)
http://www.hokkaido-gas.co.jp/
（Postal system）
・Japan Post Co., Ltd. (Japanese, English)
http://www.post.japanpost.jp/top.html
（Railway）
・JR Hokkaido (Multilingual)
http://www.jrhokkaido.co.jp/
（Phone / Internet）
・NTT East Japan, Hokkaido Division (Japanese)
https://www.ntt-east.co.jp/hokkaido/
■Housing
・When renting a home or apartment in Japan, there are a variety of different procedures. See the below links for more information.
＜Related organizations＞
●Details on system and procedures
・Tokyo Real Estate Companies Association of Japan “Apartment Search Guidebook” (Multilingual)
http://www.zenkoku-fudousan.or.jp/guidebook/
・National Federation of Real Estate Transaction Associations “Guidebook for Tenants” (Multilingual)
https://www.zentaku.or.jp/useful/guidebook/
■Garbage
・Garbage separation policy and collection days vary, so be sure to learn and follow the specific rules for your municipality.
＜Related organizations＞
●Processing and general inquiries
・Municipal offices in Hokkaido (Multilingual)
/soudan/guide/shichoson.xls
■Consumer Affairs
・The following organizations handle consultations regarding consumer affairs, such as contractual troubles like fraud
or false claims, as well as product safety.
＜Related organizations＞
●Processing and general inquiries
・Hokkaido Consumer Affairs Center (Japanese)
http://www.do-syouhi-c.jp/
■Domestic Violence
・You can consult the following organizations regarding domestic violence, etc.
＜Related organizations＞
●Processing and general inquiries
・Hokkaido Women’s Consultation and Support Center / Domestic Violence Support Center (Japanese)
http://www.pref.hokkaido.lg.jp/ks/jsc/
・Hokkaido Police Department Consultation Center (Japanese)
https://www.police.pref.hokkaido.lg.jp/consult/soudan/soudan.html
TEL:＃9110
・Ministry of Justice Women’s Rights Hotline (Japanese)
http://www.moj.go.jp/JINKEN/jinken108.html
TEL:0570-070-810 (Japanese)
・Yorisoi Hotline (Helpline for Foreigners) (Multilingual)
http://279338.jp/yorisoi/
TEL:0120-279-338 (Press 2 after Japanese guidance)