Utilities
ガス料金 請求書: Japan Gas Bill / Usage Notice Explained
This is your gas bill or 検針票 (usage notice) from your gas company. It shows the gas used in the month (㎥) and the charge, amount and due date. Japan has 都市ガス (city gas, supplied through pipes) and プロパンガス / LPガス (propane, delivered in cylinders); propane prices are set per company and vary. The charge is a base fee plus a usage charge plus raw-material adjustment, and tends to rise in winter. Always check the ㎥ used, the amount and the due date on your own document.
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Whoever holds the gas contract for that home — usually the resident who arranged the 開栓 (turn-on) when moving in. Nationality does not matter. ⛔ Unlike electricity and water, gas usually requires an appointment with someone present to open the supply. If you moved in and never arranged 開栓, gas won't work and no billing starts.
What to do
- 1Check the ㎥ used, the amount, and the due date. City gas and propane have different pricing.
- 2Pay by the due date using a method for your account: direct debit, credit card, or convenience store.
- 3To avoid forgetting, set up direct debit or credit-card payment.
- 4When you move, because opening/closing the supply often needs someone present, contact the gas company several days to a week ahead to book a time.
- 5If the bill is high, check winter heating and hot-water use, and the propane unit price, and ask the company (with propane, switching provider can sometimes lower it).
About the deadline
The due date is on the bill. Missing it does not stop gas immediately, but after reminders, continued non-payment leads to a supply-stop warning and eventually the supply being cut (the warning is a separate document). If it is cut, restoring it may need an appointment to reopen. If paying is hard, contact the gas company early.
Common misunderstandings
- What's the difference between city gas and propane (LP)?
- City gas is supplied through underground pipes; propane is delivered in cylinders. Propane companies set their own prices and it can be more expensive than city gas. Which one your home uses is fixed by the property and area.
- I moved in but the gas doesn't work.
- Gas usually needs a 開栓 (turn-on) procedure and, in most cases, someone present when you move in. Contact the gas company to book an appointment. Without it, gas won't work and no billing starts.
- The bill is very high in winter.
- Heating and hot water raise usage, so gas costs rise in winter. Check the 検針票 to see if the ㎥ used went up. With propane, the unit price itself can be high, and reviewing your provider may lower it.
- Someone visited or called saying 'we're the gas company, want to switch your contract?'
- Beware of visits or calls impersonating the gas company (switching sales). Don't sign or give personal details on the spot; verify with the number on your current gas company's bill before deciding.
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This page is general information. For your own case, confirm with the office that issued the document, or with a qualified professional.