I finally set up a bank account today. I almost feel like a person (more on this after part 1). I wouldn`t say that this task was a hassle, but I think I was lucky to have Kento help me, it would be a large hassle without him. It took 3 visits to Mizuho Bank before getting set up. The first two times I was missing documentation needed. The third time there was some confusion over the capitalization of my name in various places but we finally got it.
The best part about opening an account was getting to use my inkan. For those of you who don`t know, an inkan is like a personal seal or stamp. Everyone in Japan has one and it is used in place of a signature when signing things like bank account forms and apartment contracts. I think that normally, you buy one with the Kanji of your family name. Not having a Japanese name I had two options: get one specially made by translating the sounds of my name into Kanji (first or last) or find the closest thing possible available in a store selling inkan. Being much cheaper, I chose the latter. We first looked for something like doi or doitsu because it is the closest sounding to my last name…nothing. Then we looked for mega and there were two options. I can`t remember what the first option was, but the second was great and I chose it. There are two kanji symbols on my inkan and they mean “woman” and “deer”. Sweet!
Now for part 2…back to the getting my bank account. Once I had my little account book, I felt more grounded, more like I exist here. There are records of me. That got me thinking – what are the things, places, or services in my life that make me feel like I am a person. What are the things that I expect? Those elements with NO exception. You don`t need them (so food is excluded) but you must have them to feel at place and capable. Some things I came up with:
* a bank account
* a phone
* health care plan (feel a little unsteady about that here, even with medical insurance)
* internet (yes…I know that`s sad)
* an address (some people in the world might live without one, to me that is scary)
* suitable coffee (for the next few years at least…I`m not giving that up)
Once I have all of these I will feel at peace with being a person here. The list is almost fulfilled…just lacking phone…I will get that tomorrow and then tell you all about it on Monday.