Voltage differences Europe vs Japan

GSM,
Based on your post, I assume you are moving (or contemplating a move to Tokyo (if so, welcome to Tokyo) rather than the west of Japan. In that case, the frequency is 50Hz, same as France.

These guys have a product which is supposed to be a self-regulating step-up/down transformer (100V to 220V input, 100V-230V output).

There is one available here on Yahoo! Auctions (the Japanese version of eBay), offered at JPY 90,000, which should translate to about 750 euro. It may be cheaper if ordered directly from HK but i could not get the HK site to work well on my browser. The mfr. asks that it be set up by a licensed electrician, but it looks like it would probably serve your purposes.

Otherwise, the premier Japanese mfr of products which are like PS Audio's is called CSE, and their product just does step-up from 100V to 117V. Accuphase's offerings are just waveform regenerators - no step-up.

Otherwise, Japan has a very active market in used equipment on the Yahoo Auctions, in high-end stores, and on HiFiDo (www.hifido.jp). You may find it interesting to explore what Japan has to offer while you are here. If you are at all a DIYer, there is actually a strong used market for well-built DIY tube equipment and one can buy, experiment, and sell for very little friction (and if one is good/careful, one will sell for a bit more than one bought).

My thanks to you all, I really appreciate this forum and the help, if I can ever reciprocate for audio matters in France - don't hesitate. Certainly the step up transformer route looks logical. Can anyone shed any light on how to adapt to the lack of earth wiring in the domestic Japanese outlets, currently all of my apparatus is earthed through the mains leads ?

To T_Bone, thank you for the welcome, when I eventually arrive if you feel like auditioning Emm Labs and ATC over a glass or three then you shall be very welcome.

Gsm, It would be my pleasure and privilege.
Regarding your ground, there are a couple of products which are sold which provide a ground. The best-known version is the Acoustic Revive RGC-24, and I believe Acoustic Revive made one other, which can be found used. They are available at or through Tokyo high end stores or on Yahoo Auctions (the local version of ebay). The other easy way to accomplish this is to ask the realtor/landlord to get an electrician to put a ground in, and run it pipe to where you want to use it. It does not cost much, and if asked for as an initial condition for rental, it will probably be done for you. Note that the Japanese word for 'ground' is 'earth' (アース), pronounced the way a posh old man might state (slowly), "He forgot [to get a ground installed] - what a Stupid A__".