Someone was looking for this answer..

I'm kind of curious as well. My husband said we will need power convertors, or whatever they are called. Not sure if he was kidding or not though...

I think it is the same as the states. But, don't quote me on it because I don't live on base. You really don't need power converters off base. The voltage is so close. The voltage in Japan is 100 Volt and it's 110V in the US. It really is too small of a difference to notice. You might notice that your hair dryer or iron doesn't get as hot. Anything with a clock on it won't work right. You may need to get a couple adapters if you have a 3 prong plug. All outlets are 2 prong here...you can pick those up at any 100Y store.

You wont need one on base however my analog clock lost time, I think we have 50hz vs 60hz or it was a bad clock, all other items you plug into a wall socket works the same...

I thought this said VOLTRON. I loved that cartoony show as a kid!

You do NOT need converters/transformers (robots in disguise!) etc. It's 110 here. Previous poster is correct. The cycle whatever [insert sciency stuff here] is off, but it is NOT anything to worry or freak out about. You will notice no change in anything, unless you have an alarm clock that requires a plug. And then you'll notice the time off, after a few months or so.

I've been to Europe and I LOVE JAPAN FOR THE SIMPLE FACT IT IS AMERICAN PLUGS!

Oh, you will find the occasional annoying outlet that only has two plugs and you have that third grounded whatever plug. But that's easy, you can buy a converter at the NEX for 2 bucks. Bye bye!

Power generation and distribution in Eastern Japan (Tokyo/Kanto) is 100 VAC 50 HZ and in western Japan (Sasebo) it's 100 VAC 60 HZ. If you have appliances that function with AC motors which are designed for the U.S., they will run slightly slower (Tokyo area) i.e. electric clock. Most items being manufactured now have sufficient power supply regulation so as not to be adversely effected by the lower voltage level (U.S. 110 VAC). If you are concerned, there are transformers available to step up the voltage but there is no frequency/HZ correction.

I'm fairly certain that on base it's 60Hz. I know it's 50Hz off base. To add to what Yoko-girl (aka The wife) said, some newer houses will have three prong plugs.

ummm isn't the US 120V/60Hz same as the Kansai region of Japan. I've checked multiple sources and the official ones more a less say only 120V while a lot of blogs have 110v??

What voltage do you have on base? Do you only have one type of power outlet?

By the way all Japanese consumer products made in the last 20 years are designed with a built-in invertor so the will work at both 100V/50Hz & 120V/60Hz

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mains_..._the_world
http://www.kropla.com/electric2.htm
http://www.elect-spec.com/volt_conv..._us_us.htm

The info you seek is stated in the reference/s you also posted. Power everywhere in Japan is 100 VAC. Western Japan is 50 Hz (cycle) and in Eastern Japan it is 60 Hz (cycle). The HZ difference will not matter unless using an appliance which is dependent on power frequency such as an old style electric clock. Some items may require a step up transformer to correct the voltage disparity. Most smaller digital electronic items will function without correction because their internal power supplies are able to regulate the supplied power to that required for internal function. Larger high wattage appliances such as refrigerators, washers, dryers etc could be problematic. Power on base is the same as that in town.

We live in Ikego and our microwave won't keep acurate time, and I thought it was because the voltage was a bit off. Hubby reset it about 3 times before I mentioned the voltage... The cable box stays pretty accurate though, I think that's because it's programed off of the cable signal... Other than the clocks I havn't noticed any other issues. BTW, I have 3-prong plugs in my house!

I live offbase in Iwakuni and all the outlets are 2 prong. And the Exchange here doesn't sell the 3-to-2 prong adapters, and for some reason Amazon wouldn't ship 'em to an FPO. I finally had to ask my brother-in-law to buy adapters and mail them to me. What a pain! All our US electrical appliances work here.

Oh the on base eletrical outlests and current are the same as the states. Off base is japanesse which is alittle bit less. You only need Transformers for the big stuff like the TV and computers. The American lamps, to vaccume cleaners,coffee makers ect work just fine oh the japanesse power. And yes there is not grounding prong (which is that third one on the bottom) out in town. So make sure to use the surge protectors. I buy the two prong japanesse ones and plug everything eles into them.(ecxtpt for the transfromers)It cuts the electric bill in half too because when I leave or go to be i just unplug one cord and then nothing is ghosting eletricity while im not using it.
And also I dont know about mainland japan but some housing in Okinawa have been converted. My house I think is half and half. My stove and washer/dryer, microwave all the big stufff has american style outlest with thier own fuse box. Down side is I can't run any said appliace with the others. Like the dryer/washer with the microwave or the stove with the microwave, it pops a fuse everytime. I can do the washer and dryer at the same time though. Its like they can pull the correct currnt for them but when I pull over that "poof" i blow a fuse.And these are all american appliances.

Oh thia guy I think i have some extra two prong adapters that go to three if you need them its free for me to ship fpo to fpo they are a buck a piece. Which is really weird because they sell them at both Kadnea and Foster exchanges.

Hello everyone ! I need help! Just moved in the townhouse on the main base. I have been having problems with my clocks keeping the time. When we wake in the morning its the wrong time. My can opener runs a little slow and my husband beard clippers /hair clippers runs really loud and vibrates. Do we need converters even though we live on the main base using american appliance/electronics?.. What should we do? Your help is appreciated ....

Hello everyone ! I need help! Just moved in the townhouse on the main base. I have been having problems with my clocks keeping the time. When we wake in the morning its the wrong time. My can opener runs a little slow and my husband beard clippers /hair clippers runs really loud and vibrates. Do we need converters even though we live on the main base using american appliance/electronics?.. What should we do? Your help is appreciated ....

Posted By 水兵　Sailor on 01-15-2010 4:59 PM
Power generation and distribution in Eastern Japan (Tokyo/Kanto) is 100 VAC 50 HZ and in western Japan (Sasebo) it's 100 VAC 60 HZ. If you have appliances that function with AC motors which are designed for the U.S., they will run slightly slower (Tokyo area) i.e. electric clock. Most items being manufactured now have sufficient power supply regulation so as not to be adversely effected by the lower voltage level (U.S. 110 VAC). If you are concerned, there are transformers available to step up the voltage but there is no frequency/HZ correction.

Best answer

That's weird. Everything should work perfectly if you're on base. You're in Yokosuka? And were these appliances bought in America?

Half of our electrical items have the same issue, it's because of the Hz and the fact that the appliances are older. Our Gov provided stove has a clock that runs slow and the temperature also is lower for the desired setting. That results in longer time required to get the items cooked properly or a higher setting.

>Hey Thai I see your JB Bux went off the scale I hope you're hungry.

For Rea...not sure about Okinawa, but here in Yokohama, we had the same problem with fuses popping when running our small electrical heater in the morning to heat the shower room and coffe pot or microwave. We moved to another house and to avoid the problem at the "new" house my husband contacted the rental agent, they called Electric Co. and they came and put in a bigger circuit breaker. There was no charge for this, but electric bill went up slightly...not sure EXACTLY how much...just know they charge more per kw hour for a bigger breaker

Posted By ThaiGuy on 01-21-2012 10:21 AM
That's weird. Everything should work perfectly if you're on base. You're in Yokosuka? And were these appliances bought in America?

We live on base on Yokosuka. Our US microwave works slower, the plug in clocks don't keep time, and the dryer takes longer. Other than the clocks everything works, just a little bit slower.

Yes .. Thaiguy appliance brought in America .. I wonder how I get my clocks to keep the time especially for alarm clock purposes

Buy a new one.

Step up transformers typically don't correct the Hz which is the real issue at play. 120V/60Hz appliance will work (aside from clocks, that is) but their lifespan is probably cut in half. A fridge built to American specs won't likely last any longer than 7-8 years off base.

Posted By yokota on 01-21-2012 10:28 AM
>Hey Thai I see your JB Bux went off the scale I hope you're hungry.

Yeah, I'm all set to use that TexMex coupon you provided.  :-)

The power on base is the same as the power off base in that its all considered "dirty" meaning it all fluctuates in and out of the spec range.

If you have any clocks that were plugged into the USA power, they won't keep proper time here in Japan and if you've tried - don't bother trying to take them back to the USA because they will no longer work there either.

You need to find clocks with switchable power supplies on them that usually say 100 - 240v 50/60 hz = iPod docks with clocks are one of the best bets you can find to meet these specs on base - most of the on base clocks the NEX sells are battery operated due to the power here in Japan.

I deal with kitchen equipment on a regular basis and yes the 50hz will make things run ever so slightly slower - my Fridgedair (sp?) commercial 7 ft chest freezer (bought at Camp Zama in 1998 still works great today.

I've also had brand new commercial USA or Japanese equipment break with-in a year or two = everything is made so cheaply these days it really is hit or miss when selecting something (just pay attention to the warranty details and that should help if there's any trouble with the unit).

For portable heaters, try the Holmes accutemp units the NEX sells for $36.99, they are quiet, small, easy to open and clean (especially if you have pets) and keep a fairly constant accurate temp (~74 degrees) in our off-base kitchen (which is a pretty drafty room with the exhaust vent).

Good luck with your clock search!

The besy solution for the clock is to buy one that is battery operated. They sell them in the NEX in Sight and Sound.
My battery last over a year. Plus if the power ever goes out you always have the time. No excuse to be late for work or school.

Look for appliances that are 50/60hz. Everything does run slower and lower here.

Also do not be surprized that when you return to the states those appliances do not work properly. We had this problem when we moved back to the US from Europe.

Does Japanese power damage all electrical appliances? I was under the impression that it was just clocks. I'd hate to get back to the US in a few years and need a new TV, microwave, etc.

Thanks

I've gone back & forth from States and Japan 3 times and never experienced damage to any electrical appliance. Granted, some appliances won't work 100% as they should in Japan (toasters, hair dryers, irons) but they were perfectly fine when I got back to the States. Many modern appliances are designed for 100-120 VAC and will work perfectly; you can read the label on the appliance to double-check. We have no transformers or adapters of any type in our apartment offbase and everything's fine. I have to run the toaster & microwave a bit longer than normal, but that's it.

Simple answer if you are useing an electric motor and it is marginal for the task at hand it will burn up. ohms law dictates that as the voltage drops 120 to 100 for instance that in order to do the same work amperage must (and will ) rise if the item in question is well built with adequate headroom it will work, just a little slower (this is do to the frequency HTz) but the amount of amps required will rise, causing breakers to pop if they are sized against the original items requirements.

anything that is capacitance start say 1 1/2 hp and higher usually will have difficulty starting and will eventually blow out the start and possibly run capacitor and or burn the widnings on the motor (compressors, preasure washers, drill presses etc.) most home appliance useually do not have a problem as they are not capacitance start, or they have enough headroom built in to handle the difference in voltage.

The air compressors that the NEX Depot sells is a perfect example of something that will often have problems here in japan, the motor has no problems starting when empty but they do not have enough startup tourqe to start again once it is at its restart pressure.

Anything with a brush motor will also burn its brushes up faster. inductance motors do not have this problem.

I've looked this up online and also used a multimeter in the socket - here in Ikego, we are at 105 volts and about 50 hz. Some google references regarding CNIC and volts/freqs probably confirm that. Even some friends here with the same microwave have clocks that run slightly off - so it's even inconsistent from appliances we get from housing.

We have resigned to put all our US clocks in storage or kept in a box til we PCS. If you want really accurate timekeeping, you can get some atomic signal clocks here in Japan. I even have a couple of G-shock watches that pickup that signal and sync every night. Japan has two towers that broadcast the time signal, so you have a good chance of getting that anywhere in Japan.

I am pretty sure the answer to this question is you can't.

I just use my cell phone for an alarm clock as it is the first thing I look at the am and last thing at night..... and it fits right under your pillow.
When I first got here I used my stateside cell phone for a clock as well.

Maybe another solution is to purchase a clock off base to see if that helps.

On another note, I have noticed that my toaster does not work as well. I have it on the highest setting, it is brand new bought it at the NEX Home Store, it drives me crazy as I have to pretty much cook my toast twice everytime.

Though I think it is interesting that the gov provided microwave and my stove both keep the correct time.

I've had American appliances burn out in my off base home. A small American freezer I bought on base lasted just three years. I replaced it with a Japanese model, more initial expense, but it will last longer.

The scariest situation happened to me was with an American microwave I bought on base and used only at work in the middle school. Last November I placed my lunch in the microwave and went to make copies in the room next to mine. I returned to find the room full of smoke, hard to see and harder to breathe. Something electrical imploded. The scariest part was that no alarms were set off, a relief on one hand, but unsettling on the other.