In Japan, tenants are the ones who need to activate the utilities like electricity, gas, and water when you first move into a new place. It is also the tenant’s responsibility to close utility contract at the place you are moving out. After signing your rental contract the real estate company will give you the telephone number to the local electricity, gas and water company.
If you have difficulty with Japanese, you can request your school's student office to activate the basic utilities on your behalf or you can also ask the real estate company to help your out. Please note that real estate company can help you activate the utilities but they
CANNOT close the utilities on your behalf when you leave.