So you need to live on your own here in Japan

If I were in your shoes I would try to cultivate friendships with bilingual people who can help me with living advice. Act as intermediary, making phone calls etc.
People here can help you but certainly it's not as effective.

Go back to the shiyakusho and ask if there are any Japanese courses being offered.
What are your interests? If you have any hobbies, seek out people with similar interests so you can start getting a bit more integrated into the community. Martial arts? Painting? Car clubs? Sports? You are only alone if you choose to be alone. Its good to get integrated into the community (even the expat community if there is one) just so you can share information and start building a support network. You obviously have access to the internet since you are posting here, so get your search engine mojo working and start finding out what there is in your community that might interest you. Getting employed is a great way to start getting integrated - are you permanently retired? I think I read where you were recently single and thinking about where to live the rest of your days, but I wasn't sure if you were retired or if you were able/willing to get back to work somewhere.

Majestic said:

Go back to the shiyakusho and ask if there are any Japanese courses being offered.
What are your interests? If you have any hobbies, seek out people with similar interests so you can start getting a bit more integrated into the community. Martial arts? Painting? Car clubs? Sports? You are only alone if you choose to be alone. Its good to get integrated into the community (even the expat community if there is one) just so you can share information and start building a support network. You obviously have access to the internet since you are posting here, so get your search engine mojo working and start finding out what there is in your community that might interest you. Getting employed is a great way to start getting integrated - are you permanently retired? I think I read where you were recently single and thinking about where to live the rest of your days, but I wasn't sure if you were retired or if you were able/willing to get back to work somewhere.

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Hi Majestic
I'm retired and on SS now. It's not much but if I moved back to the States it may even be tougher for me, that's why I really would like to stay here. I can legally, so why not. I've paid into everything here all these years that was required.
The place where they have the apartment is really out in the boonies, (it's fairly new also) but even then I might find opportunity there.
Could make home calls and or try to make something work within the neighborhood community center and hold English conversation classes or even teach beginner guitar to children. I'm not one for sitting around and staying idle. Money is a big problem and of course the language, which I'm hitting the books daily now. This place is west of Shimonoseki near Tsunoshima, the famous bridge. It's mostly small fishing villages dotted along the coastline. Right now I have to wait and see the outcome of the interview. I'm trying and they are trying to find out if the city will waive the deposit and give a discount on the rent which is 23400 yen a month.
Your suggestions are most welcome.
Thank you again.

While you're waiting to hear from the public housing, go check out those MUCH cheaper alternatives I searched up for you. You could easily eat a week or two on the difference in the rent.

Do you have any of the basic necessities for setting up housekeeping? Fridge, stove, pots and pans, rice cooker, dishes, towels, bedding, clothes pins, spatula, ladle, washing machine, can opener, scissors, soap, detergent, light fixtures, curtains, etc. ?

Are you aware that rental properties typically don't come with ceiling light fixtures and that you're expected to provide your own? Same for curtains.

Do you know where the second-hand/recycle shops are in your area? Those are going to be your most economical source for your things like fridge, washing machine, and other such items. Most of them will deliver large stuff for free if it isn't too far from the store, so hit up shops near where you move.

The quality isn't always great, but if I were in your shoes I would buy all my dishes and kitchen utensils at Daiso. Their stuff is more than good enough for bachelor housekeeping.