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Japan's broadcast frequencies are different to those in the rest of the world. AM is the same but your FM range in Japan is only 76-90 MHz and does not go up to the 108 MHz of other countries. (Some stereos you can buy in Japan do). The same goes for your television as frequencies start in the US upper FM radio bands. Your video player uses a different VHS format to that outside of Japan so tapes will not play on any other machines. In layman's terms most of your standard items will not work outside of Japan. For TV, Japan uses the NTSC broadcast, like North America, Korea, and the Philippines. If you have family/friends from Europe or Australia who send you a videotape, you won't be able to watch it. Special VCR's can play all formats but they cost over US$ 200 and are only sold at electronics stores that handle a lot of international tourists. Your DVD's you have bought in Japan will be region 2 and will not work on standard DVD players back home. Each DVD has a region code ensuring it can only be played in certain countries thus enabling the industry to stagger the release of movies world-wide. Thus a DVD from one region will not play in a player outside of its region. The regions are as follows:
To play a DVD from Japan in the USA or UK you will need a multi-region DVD player. These can play DVD's from any region. A low end multi region DVD player will cost around 15,000 yen. It will also operate on any voltage so is a very sound investment should you like your movies. PORTABLE EQUIPMENT If you have bought portable equipment such as a MiniDisc player or CD player you will be able to buy a power supply unit for it in your home country so you can power it from the mains and recharge it. Of course, if it runs of batteries then you will have no problem using it anywhere but if you need a power supply to charge it take the player or unit into an electronics store such as Radio shack and then show the attendant. They will usually be able to supply you with the power supply unit with the correct voltage frequency and polarity. This will work just as well and be cheaper than contacting Sony, Panasonic or whoever made your unit in your home country. If you contact them they will probably tell you it is not possible to operate the unit outside of Japan or try and sell you a vastly overpriced but identical power supply unit but with a brand sticker on it. Their prime interest is protecting their domestic market or ripping you off for accessories so be careful and a very cynical. GAMES CONSOLES If you have bought a games machine it would be worth taking home as long as you have a Scart lead for it. The machine will most likely cost a great deal more in your home country, Japan being the mecca of the games industry. Most modern TVs will handle the scart plug from a Japanese games machine no problem. Note though, that without an adapter you will not be able to use games for the machine if they were not purchased in Japan. Basically US games work in US machines, Japanese games on Japanese machines, British on British etc etc. There are however, chips available which can overcome this problem, but once you have a chip installed, your warranty is voided. (It will be void outside of Japan in any case so who cares?). Games and the machines themselves will also come out onto the market many months later outside of Japan so your piece of kit and games will be pretty advanced outside of Japan. The machine you bought in Japan will also run around 15-20% faster than the equivalent model in your home country. This is due to the higher refresh rates of the NTSC system. VOLTAGE In Japan, the whole country runs on 100V, with the northern half of the nation (i.e. north of the Oi River) on 50Hz and the southern half on 60Hz (same as in the US). Most electric gadgets will work fine, but things like quartz clocks on 50Hz will go nuts. Many items with electric motors on 50Hz will run slower, and not run normally when you take it home. This may or may not affect you. Another possible glitch is the plug--Japanese outlets may not allow you to put in polarised plugs. It is possible to buy step up voltage adaptors should you wish to take for example your stereo home after your stay in Japan and you will encounter no problems should you use the correct voltage adapter. These are available in electronics stores and retail for around 2,800 yen for a basic adapter with the price rising as you increase the output (i.e. the more appliances you want the adaptor to handle).
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