Life in Fukuoka "English"

【Delicious Asian Pears】

It's the season for sweet and juicy nashi or asian pears. Sometimes they're also called apple pears. They are in season from July to November in Fukuoka prefecture and you should be able to find them in supermarkets and veggie shops pretty easily now.

Right now, the pears you'll find in season in the shops are called Akizuki, Niitaka or Shinkou.

The way to choose a pear is to look at the skin and make sure it looks firm. The pear should still be hard and feel heavy. The bigger the pear, the better, the big ones are delicious.

If you buy a bunch and are trying to keep them as fresh as possible for as long as possible, makes sure you don't let them dry out. Keep them in a well sealed plastic bag in the fridge. You can keep them for one to two weeks that way, I've had some pears last nearly a month. Although the pears are sweet, they are low in calories and are said to help prevent cavities from forming. I wonder if it's their texture, that kind of helps to clean your teeth a bit while you're chewing, like with apples. Anyway, they make a great and healthy dessert if you're trying to keep away from other sweets! We cut them up and keep them in storage containers for handy anytime snacks. I think this season might be my favorite fruit season.

【Fukuoka City Information】

Tuberculosis Prevention Week

Now, I have some information from Fukuoka City about Tuberculosis Prevention Week from the 24^th to the 30^th of September.

Tuberculosis is a disease that causes inflammation of the lungs mainly by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It is an infectious disease that is transmitted person to person.

In 2022, 138 people in Fukuoka City were diagnosed with tuberculosis.

Symptoms of tuberculosis include coughing, phlegm, fever, bloody phlegm, chest pain, lethargy, night sweats and or weight loss. In the beginning, it does resemble the common cold.

If you've noticed that you've had a cough for over two weeks, have had a lot of phlegm, you've felt lethargic or you've suddenly lost weight, please see a medical professional for an exam as soon as possible. The earlier it is detected, the earlier it can be treated preventing it from becoming a serious illness.  It is important to prevent spreading illness to family, friends and those at the workplace who are important to us.

Even if you are infected, tuberculosis does not always develop, however if your body cannot fight the tubercle bacillus, over time, an infection may develop.

If you are diagnosed with tuberculosis, you can fight it off by taking the proper medication every day according to your doctor's orders.

And, to prevent the spread or start of infections, make sure you get plenty of sleep, eat a good, balanced diet and get enough exercise. Making an effort every day to live healthily is the most effective prevention.

In Fukuoka City, there is the Fukuoka City Medical Interpreting Call Center service available if you do need to find a hospital or need some advice. It is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The phone number for that service is 092-733-5429. Again, that number is 092-733-5429. Interpretation is available in 20 different languages.

【Typhoon Warnings】

Well, September is the month when we often get strong typhoons. So, when we hear or see news and weather reports that typhoons are approaching, we should also check that we are prepared for weather disasters.

It's important that we have at least 3 days worth of food and water in case there are power outages, water shortages or store closures. Portable toilets like toilet bags, flashlights, portable radios, mobile batteries and portable gas stoves are things that we should have ready as well.

You should also check your yard or balcony before the wind gets strong and either move items indoors or secure any items that might get blown over.

Make sure you check evacuation routes to designated evacuation sites such as schools and community centers in advance and discuss the evacuation measures you'll take and how to communicate in case of an emergency with your family members on a regular basis.

【Information From Fukuoka City】

Now, I've got some information from the Fukuoka City International Foundation.

Legal Consultation

The Fukuoka City International Foundation, at the Fukuoka City International Center, offers free legal consultation twice a month for the international residents of Fukuoka City.

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 runs for 45 minutes and is completely free. However, you do need to make a reservation to consult with the lawyer. Free English interpretation services are also available so if you will need an interpreter, please mention that when you make your reservation.

 If you choose to use this service, please know that confidentiality is guaranteed.

For more information, please call 0120-66-1799. Again, that number is 0120-66-1799. Calls will be taken between 9am and 6pm on weekdays.

F.C.I.F Official LINE Accounts

You can also contact the Fukuoka City International Foundation through their official Line account. Just connect to their phone line via a Line Call and you can make inquiries about lifestyle consultation, free professional consultation and other services. And as before, telephone interpretation is available in 22 different languages.

In addition, you can receive information about Fukuoka City International Foundation events and other information for international residents, so be sure to add the Foundation to your friend's list! Chat is not supported on the account, however, so if you do want to contact the foundation via text, please use the inquiry form on the Fukuoka City International Foundation's website.

For more information about all of this and more, please visit the Fukuoka City International Foundation's homepage.

【Kui-shin-bou no hi- The Foodie's Day】

Did you know that the 14^th of September is Kuishinbo no hi? It's a bit of word play on the date 9/14 in Japanese but what exactly is a Kuishinbo? Well, it's a glutton but that does bring to mind a sloppy and voracious eater. You could say it is a gourmand, but that sounds a bit fancy. These days we'd probably say a foodie, someone who really likes to eat. There's actually a magazine that caters to these Kuishinbo and introduces the pleasures of various foods. This magazine is called Dancyu (Dan Chew)and is put out by the company, President Incorporated.

From 2021, the magazine made its aim to make meals tastier and more enjoyable as well as to remember to thank food producers, chefs and the others who are involved in the food we have in our lives.

In Fukuoka City, we have so many delicious foods and ingredients all around us. Not only Japanese restaurants but the number of foreign food restaurants have also increased. What food reminds you of when you were a kid? Why not try making it again here? It can be a little difficult to find all the ingredients you need sometimes but if you look around and do a little research, you can probably get your hands on nearly everything you need. Personally, kimchi chige with a ton of tofu reminds me of my childhood and getting what I need to make it here is really easy!

【Infomation From Fukuoka City】

Information about Covid vaccinations

Now, I have some information for you from Fukuoka City about Covid-19 vaccinations.

Fukuoka City has been working toward making sure everyone who hopes to be vaccinated can do so with peace of mind.

In Fukuoka City, inoculation tickets for the third and fourth doses of the vaccine are being sent out. Residents who have received the previous two or three inoculations will receive the vaccination coupon for the next dose in the mail, roughly 5 months after their last dose if you are eligible.

Vaccination coupons for the fourth dose will be sent to people over the age of 60 who have had three previous doses, and to people between the ages of 18 to 59 who have underlying illnesses or who are healthcare workers, or workers in facilities for the elderly and the disabled.

When the inoculation coupon arrives, please visit the reservation site or call the vaccine call center to make a reservation. Please wait until that coupon does arrive.

If you haven't received that coupon, please phone the call center.

You can also phone that call center to register if you have an underlying illness.

Vaccinations for children between the ages of 5 and 11 are also being done.

People who have recently relocated to Fukuoka City from overseas and who hope to get vaccinated need to fill out an application to receive the inoculation tickets.

For questions regarding vaccinations or to make a reservation, you can 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.

The Fukuoka Prize

Now, I have some information to share with you about the Fukuoka Prize. Fukuoka City honors those who have contributed to academic research, art and culture in Asia by awarding the Fukuoka Prize. This year, the laureates of the 32nd Fukuoka Prize are Taiko drummer Eitestu Hayashi, who will get the Grand Prize. The Academic Prize goes to Art Historian Timon Screech and the Arts and Culture Prize will go to Artist Shahzia Sikander.  The three laureates will gather in Fukuoka in September to each hold a public lecture. The Grand Prize Public Lecture is a particularly noteworthy event, as visitors will be able to enjoy a free taiko drum performance by Eitetsu Hayashi. The other public lectures with Mr. Screech and Ms. Sikander are also valuable opportunities to experience Edo art and contemporary art. These events are free to attend and you can even watch them online after the event so definitely apply if you are interested.

For more information on the events, please search "Fukuoka Prize" or visit the event page on Fukuoka Prize official website.

https://fukuoka-prize.org/en/