Financial Assistance

The Personal Financial Management Program (PFMP) emphasizes personal financial responsibility and accountability by providing basic principles and practices of sound money management, counseling tools and referral services. The PFM counselor 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 PFMP classes offered through our Yokosuka FFSC:

• Developing Your Spending Plan
• Saving and Investing
• Credit Management
• Thrift Savings Plan
• The Basics of Retirement Planning
• Car Buying Strategies
• Home Buying Basics
• 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 (COLA)
• Temporary Lodging Allowance (TLA)
• Move in Housing Allowance (MIHA)
• Reoccurring Utilities Maintenance Allowance
• Overseas Housing Allowance (OHA)
• Dislocation Allowance (DLA)-Available in Stateside

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

Any reassignment to an overseas duty station can be expensive, but with initial housing expenses ranging from $4,000 to $8,000, 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
1BR:  140,000
2BR:  160,000
3BR:  190,000
4BR:  210,000

Monthly rental amounts may be somewhat lower, the farther the home or apartment is from the downtown Yokosuka area. The above rates are just an average, the Yokosuka Housing Office will assist you in finding a rental that meets your needs and is within your budget.

If Welcome Center personnel state that Military Family Housing may be available within 60 days you may remain at the Navy Lodge and Temporary Lodging Allowance (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 Welcome Center indicates Military Family Housing will not be available within 60 days you must actively pursue off base housing (a minimum of 5 houses per week) to be eligible for TLA. TLA may be extended at the end of 60 days only after the Welcome Center certifies that you are actively seeking off base housing.

Several TLA approved hotels, within walking distance or a short taxi ride from the main gate of the base, provide temporary lodging when on base facilities are full. You must obtain a receipt from the hotel for proper TLA reimbursement. Your TLA will be paid by the Disbursing Office after the Navy Lodge endorses your receipt. Room Fees:  $53.00 (w/o kitchenette)/$60.00 (w/kitchenette).

If you do not have hotel reservations, the Navy Lodge, CNFJ Housing Welcome Center, and the Fleet & Family Support Center can provide you with a listing of hotels, both Western style and Japanese style, in the Yokosuka community. Please contact your Sponsor to make Navy Lodge reservations for you as soon as possible to ensure a confirmed reservation. 

Families residing in private rental housing must be prepared to conserve utilities as they are expensive.  Utility costs usually start at 30,000 yen a month and upwards. As in the states, if the house is bigger the more money you will be spending on utilities.

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 is 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.