Financial Assistance

The Personal Financial Management program emphasizes personal financial responsibility and accountability by providing basic principles and practices of sound money management, counseling tools and referral services. The PFM is trained to assist members and families and can work with you to prepare a personalized budget and spending plan. There are a variety of PFM classes offered through our Yokosuka FFSC. To register for PFM Class, call DSN 315-243-3372 or International 011-81-46-816-3372 or email FFSCinfo@us.navy.mil.

• Developing Your Spending Plan
• Saving and Investing
• Credit/Debt Management
• Thrift Savings Plan
• The Basics of Retirement Planning
• Car Buying Strategies
• Home Buying
• Holiday Spending (seasonal class)

Financial pre-planning and preparedness are imperative. Japan, in general, has a high cost of living. Being overseas, you may be eligible for entitlements you were not entitled to in the states such as:

• Cost of Living Allowance
• Temporary Lodging Allowance
• Move in Housing Allowance
• Reoccurring Utilities Maintenance Allowance
• Overseas Housing Allowance
• Dislocation Allowance (available stateside)

To see if you qualify for these rates along with how much they are, please see the Per Diem website.

Any re-assignment to an overseas duty station can be expensive, but with initial housing expenses ranging from $4,000 to $10,000, Yokosuka is near the top of the list. Military personnel can request Advanced Housing Allowance through their command. Advanced Housing Allowance is authorized to cover the entire move-in cost, which may include:

• First month's rent
• Security deposit
• Agent fee (fixed, one-time, non-refundable charge)
• Owner's bonus (fixed, one-time, non-refundable charge)

Along with requesting Advanced Housing Allowance and/or Advanced Pay, remember these allowances you will have to pay back in increments reducing your monthly pay. This is where having a prepared spending plan will be a big help.

Because the yen rate fluctuates frequently it is best to check the exact yen conversion by using the Community Bank website.

Typical Rental Costs (Monthly)

Note: All amounts are in yen.

Dwelling size – Apartment/Home (these amounts are minimum, but it is available to provide you an idea of how much money you might need)

• 1BR: 160,000
• 2BR: 180,000
• 3BR: 200,000
• 4BR: 210,000

The above rates are just an average; the Yokosuka Housing Service Center will assist you in finding a rental that meets your needs and is within your budget.

If the Yokosuka Housing Service Center personnel state that Military Family Housing may be available within 60-days, you may remain at the Navy Lodge and TLA will be paid in 10-day increments until you move in. Declination of Military Family Housing may result in TLA being stopped. If the Yokosuka Housing Service Center indicates MFH will not be available within 60-days, you must actively pursue off base housing (a minimum of 5 houses every 10 days) to be eligible for TLA. TLA may not be authorized beyond 60 days if you stop actively seeking housing or do not move forward with the housing referral process in a timely manner.

In order for you to claim TLA, you need to reserve lodging at Navy Lodge/NGIS first. If they are fully booked or not available, you must obtain a Confirmation of Non-Availability memo and local hotel list from YHSC. Once the form is obtained, you can view several hotels withing walking distance or a short taxi ride from the main gate of base. 

The Yokosuka Housing Service Center will assist your TLA claim with the zero balanced receipt of temporary lodging, the Housing Viewing Log Sheet and CNA memo (if staying at local hotels). If you already know your arrival date, it is highly recommended to contact the Navy Lodge or NGIS as soon as possible to secure a room for you and your command-sponsored family members.

Families residing in private rental housing should be mindful of utility conservation. Monthly costs typically start at ¥30,000 and increase based on the size of the home and individual usage habits.

Car Insurance Requirements

Car insurance is mandatory in Japan; the cost varies based on the type of vehicle you drive. The base offers insurance on Yokosuka especially for this reason. There are two types of car insurance that are mandatory in Japan – Japan Compulsory Insurance (which is paid every 2-3 years based on the age of the vehicle) and base liability insurance. Do not purchase a vehicle until you arrive in Japan. Once you have a vehicle in mind, contact American Insurance Underwriters for insurance quotes at DSN 315-243-4950 or internationally at 011-81-816-4950.

Emergencies

Should you encounter some type of emergency during your relocation process, whether on leave or in transit, the single most significant action you can take will be to notify someone in authority (like the Command Duty Officer) at your new duty station. You can also seek assistance and guidance from Command, Security or Relocation Assistance personnel at any military installation that may be nearby. Contact phone numbers for the major commands, as well as many of the auxiliary commands and detachments, at Yokosuka Navy Base are listed in the Major Unit Listings.

The American Red Cross and the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society are available for emergency aid. When contacting the Red Cross stateside, call 877-272-7337 or visit the Red Cross website.

There are many NMCRS locations on the road. Use their website for more information. Both agencies can help with emergency communication, contacting people who will need to know where you are and what's happening and provide you with referrals to other agencies.