Life in Fukuoka "English"

【Vegetable Day】

This morning, I've got a topic that will hopefully make you want to eat your veggies! August 31^st is Vegetable Day, because August 31 can be read as Ya-Sa-I in Japanese. Did you know that the daily recommended amount of veggies for an adult is about 350 grams? That's not really a lot if you think about it, but according to research, most of us are about 60 grams short of getting our daily total in! That's easy to fix though. All you need to do is add one dish of leafy veg to your meal.  A side of sauteed spinach or a mini veggie stir-fry or even a little green salad will do!

I bet there's been times though when you've gone to the store to buy your veggies, not quite getting through all of them before they went off and ended up throwing them away. It hurts. The key to avoiding that is getting cut vegetables. You can get pre-cut vegetables in single serving portions at a number of supermarkets and convenience stores. If you are worried about all that packaging, you can also prep cut veggies yourself and store them in the freezer. You just need a little time and possibly a quick YouTube tutorial viewing. Having pre-cut veggies on hand is convenient because you can make soup in little time, throw some extra veggies on top of your ramen or whip up a stir-fry, making sure you get in your 350 grams a day!

I actually did a challenge with my friends once in which we had to try to eat at least 10 kinds of vegetables each day for a month. It sounds hard but it's actually quite easy with a little creativity. I think I managed 20 different vegetables in one day! Nabe or hotpots are a easy way to eat lots of vegetables but mincing carrots, onions, mushrooms and garlic and adding them to burgers is another sneaky way of getting plenty of veg in!

【Disaster Prevention Day and Stockpiling Encouragement Week】

Now, I have some information from Fukuoka City. Disaster Prevention Day is an annual awareness day and is on September 1^st. And in Fukuoka City, the week of the 1^st to the 7^th of September is Fukuoka City's Stockpiling Encouragement Week. Stockpiling refers to keeping a good supply of food and other necessities in your home. And through this one week event, the city hopes to raise its citizens' awareness of disaster prevention, including the need to stockpile in both our homes and workplaces.

So why do we need to stockpile? Well, if there is an earthquake or typhoon, even if you aren't in danger, without food or water, we can't survive. If the stores shut down, we can't buy the food and drinks we need. If our water system is stopped, there's no water to drink either. And, if the electric and gas are out, there's no way we can cook food. So, in order to really be safe, it's important to keep a rolling stock.

Alright, so what should be stockpiled?

You should have drinkable water and 3 days worth of food. One person needs roughly three liters of water per day, something to keep in mind. Emergency foods like freeze-dried rice, canned foods, biscuits, chocolate bars and hardtack are some things that are good to have on hand. Food that doesn't need to be cooked is essential.

If you have a radio and flashlight, make sure they have batteries. And if you take medicine, or need bandages or anything like that, make sure you have extra supplies in with your first aid kit. If there is an infant in your family, make sure you have diapers in your supplies as well.

In addition to the water you'll need for drinking, you'll also need water for flushing the toilet and other sanitary needs. Keep a water tank full of water on a daily basis or fill the bathtub so that you do have that extra water on hand.

Buy a little more than you usually do, of the foods you normally eat, and as you use them up, make sure you replace them so that you always have a little more than enough in your house. This is your rolling stock. This is recommended because then you don't have to worry about expiration dates like when you keep a bag full of emergency food in your closet.

We get typhoons every year, so take a look at what you have in your home and make sure you are prepared.

【Watermelons】

For you, what is THE fruit of summer. For a lot of people, I guess it's the watermelon. It has a nutritious punch, it's packed full of potassium, calcium and magnesium and is super hydrating, I mean its name says it all. Really a great fruit for the summer to help prevent heat stroke and dehydration. Some people like to sprinkle a little salt on it which some say makes it as effective as a sports drink. In the south of the US I've heard quite a few people do sprinkle salt on it, but I think it's to make it taste even sweeter. In Kyushu, Kumamoto is the main producer of watermelons and is the number one producer in Japan. Here in Fukuoka we do actually have one place that produces watermelons and it's in the Nishi ward. Those watermelons are called Kitazaki-Suika, Suika being the word for watermelon in Japanese. If you're out shopping and see watermelons in the produce section, why not see where they're from and if you're up for the challenge, compare how they taste? I've got one I picked up from a market in Kumamoto that is waiting for me now!

【Wiping out Drunk Driving】

Now, I have some information from Fukuoka City. Do you know about the drunk driving accident that occurred here in Fukuoka City on August 25, 2006? 15 years ago, this month, on the Uminonakamichi Bridge in Higashi ward, three children were killed when a drunk driver crashed into them.

That accident led Fukuoka City to enact measures to try and wipe out drunk driving once and for all. However, people still drink and drive and in fact, in 2020, there were 31 drunk driving accidents.

Drunk driving IS a crime.

After drinking alcohol you must not drive a car, a motorbike or ride a bicycle.

Lending a car to someone who has been drinking and forcing or even suggesting alcohol to someone who is driving is not okay. If you know that someone has been drinking and plans to drive, do not get in that car.

If you drink and then drive, the possibility of getting involved in an accident is dangerously high. Your judgement and the attention you need for safe driving is reduced. Your ability to recognize high speeds or dangerous situations will be impaired and the time it'll take you hit the brakes will be delayed.

If you see a car doing the following things, it's possible the driver is drunk so please call 110 to make a report.

If a car stops well before the stop line at a traffic light. If the light turns green but the car doesn't seem to be moving. If the car is weaving while driving. If the car keeps speeding up and slowing down.

It is important that each and every one of us remembers “Do not drink and drive, Do not let others drink and drive! “ Let's get rid of drunk driving together.

【Uchiwa】

Well, in this hot, hot weather, I'd be surprised if you said no, but have you ever used an uchiwa? If you're not familiar with the word, in English, it's a hand fan, a flat round kind of fan. The frame is usually made of wood or plastic and it's top part is covered with paper. Apparently, it came over from China in the 6th century.
During the Nara and Heian periods, high ranking people used to use the fan for telling fortunes as well as to block the sun or to hide their faces. From the Edo period, it was used in a variety of ways, to help start fires and to keep bugs away, as ornamental objects and for advertising!
Even now, many companies put their logos on the uchiwa that they pass out. If you get one, don't waste it, use it! It's an eco-friendly way to keep cool and it's great having one on hand.

【Residency Matter and Legal Consultation and Personal Counseling】

Now, I have some information from the Fukuoka City International Foundation. 

 Is there anything you don't understand about residency status and term of stay regulations? If there is, free consultation is available for the foreign residents of Fukuoka at the Fukuoka City International Foundation. Consultations are held every second Sunday afternoon of the month. A gyousei-shoshi, or administrative lawyer, will answer your questions and offer consultation.   There are English and Chinese interpreters present, and so, consultation in English, Chinese and Japanese does not require a reservation. For other languages, please consult with us at least one week in advance.

I also have information about free legal consultation and personal counseling for foreigners who live in Fukuoka

Legal consultations are available from 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM on the first Saturday of every month, and from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM on the third Wednesday of the month. Each session is with a lawyer from the Fukuoka Bar Association and runs for 45 minutes. This service is completely free. Free English interpretation services are also available so if you will need an interpreter, please mention that when you make your reservation. Personal counseling services are available every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday with a Japanese clinical psychologist in English or Japanese. If you choose to use these services, please know that confidentiality is guaranteed.

For reservations or more information, please call 092-262-1799. Again that number is 092-262-1799. Calls will be accepted between 8:45 am and 6pm on weekdays.

And to prevent the spread of Covid-19, measures are being taken so please wear a mask and disinfect your hands when you come for a consultation.

【Information on Covid-19 Vaccinations】

This morning we've got a lot of information for you from Fukuoka City. It is about the Covid 19 vaccinations. From the 30^th of June, information about the vaccination program was sent by post to Fukuoka City residents 64 years and younger. In addition to the two inoculation tickets and preliminary exam tickets in the envelope that was sent out, you should have also found a booklet giving instructions in regards to the vaccine and information on the vaccine. There is also a leaflet informing you of when you can reserve your vaccination. If you are a resident of Fukuoka City but have not received that envelope, at the end of this announcement, I will give you the phone number to call so that you can have it sent to you again.

Vaccinations will be administered to anyone, including foreign residents, who are over the age of 12.

You will receive two doses, 3 to 4 weeks apart.

Vaccinations will be administered either at a clinic in your area or at mass vaccination center.

You are able to also get vaccinations at locations outside of your ward of residence.

And, those who are 18 years or older can also get vaccinated at the Chuo Wharf Cruise Center. There is a free shuttle bus that runs between Tenjin and the Chuo Wharf Cruise Center. If regular center hours are difficult, late night vaccinations are also available at the Fukuoka City Hospital between 10pm and 8am. 

Please make sure you reserve a day and time before getting your vaccination.

If you can, make reservations for both your first and second vaccination doses on the special reservation website. If making a reservation online is too difficult, reservations can also be made by phone. In order to make a reservation, you must have the number that is printed on your inoculation ticket.

On the day of your vaccination, make sure you have 1 vaccination ticket and your preliminary exam ticket with you, as well as some kind of ID. The vaccination ticket is a sticker, so bring it as it is, on the sheet that it is attached to. DO NOT remove it from the sheet. You will use one preliminary exam sheet and one vaccination sticker at each appointment. Make sure you read the instruction manual before your appointment and fill in all necessary information in advance.

You will be given the vaccine in an area around your shoulder, so make sure you are wearing clothes that allow you to expose your shoulder area easily. Make sure you come wearing a mask.

The prepared number of vaccines must be used on the day, so unless you are feeling ill, please do not suddenly cancel your appointment.

For information on places that are doing inoculations and for the most up to date information from Fukuoka City, check the Fukuoka City homepage.

For more information about the vaccination program or to arrange for your envelope to be sent again, please call 092-260-8405. Again, that number is 092-260-8405. Calls will be taken between 8:30 am and 5:30pm every day. 7 languages are available at that number, including English, Chinese and Korean.

It will not cost anything to you to get vaccinated. You will not receive a bill for the vaccination. In addition, you will not get phone calls or emails asking for personal information. Please be careful, there have been suspicious phone calls and emails recently.