Life in Fukuoka "English"

【Bonenkai-Year End Parties】

The end of the year is approaching and we are right in the middle of the Bonenkai, or "year-end party" season. How is it for you? I'm sure you've heard that word, Bonenkai kicking around quite a lot!  In Japan, December is the time for people at work, in the community, and among friends to shake off everything that was hard or felt like it was dragging them down in the past year, and instead welcome the New Year with a fresh outlook! In Japan, we have the bonenkai or  "Year-End Party," an event to help us do that. It is also a chance to get together to appreciate each other's efforts, so it is common for whole work teams or groups of friends to go out to dinner, and have a drink all together." Everyone toasts to "good work done for the year~" and usually enjoys a nice meal and a good time. 

The Japanese phrase that is often said at these gatherings is "Kyou ha bureikou” and it basically means to enjoy the time without worrying about your position or title. In sum, relax, kick back and have fun. This phrase does seem to express a very Japanese cultural situation as people do often hesitate in situations because of what they think their position or title in a situation is, especially among seniors at a company  It's important to relax every now and then and you should, but don't get too carried away. I wonder if it's difficult to find that balance sometimes. Also, don't drink too much and forget everything about that evening when you are out enjoying a Bonenkai party!

It's a little early, but I'll say thank you for all of your hard work this year! 

【Fukuoka City Information】

Ward office consultation and putting out the garbage over the New Year Holidays

Now, I have some information from Fukuoka City. Over the New Year's holidays, there are a few changes to ward office consultation hours and the days on which you can put out the garbage. For ward offices, please be aware that these places will be closed from Friday the 29^thof December to Wednesday the 3^rd of January.  In the days before and after the new year holidays, the ward office consultation counters will be busy so make sure you give yourself plenty of time when you go there.

Also, from Sunday the 31^st of December to Wednesday the 3^rd of January, please do not put your garbage out for pick up. The last day to put out burnable garbage for scheduled pick up is Saturday the 30^th of December. Scheduled garbarge pick-up will resume on Thursday the 4^th of January. If the regularly scheduled garbage days in your area are Wednesday and Sunday, you may put your garbage out on Saturday, the 30^th of December for pick up. For nonburnable garbage and glass and pet bottles, if Monday January 1^st  is your regular day to put them out, instead they can be put out beforehand on Friday, December 22^nd. If Tuesday January 2^nd is the regular day, put the nonburnables out on Friday, December 29^th. For areas where Wednesday, January 3^rd is a regular pickup day, nonburnables will be picked up instead on Friday, January 5^th.

Also, applications and pickup for oversized garbage will be stopped between Friday, December 29^th to Wednesday, January 3rd, so please be aware of that.

Spend the New Year's Holiday safely

Fukuoka City wants you to enjoy your winter holidays safely and enjoyably and has a few tips to share.

From the end of the year to the start of the new year, there are a lot of opportunities to drink alcohol. So, make sure, 100%, that you don't drink and drive, don't make others drink and drive, never allow someone to drink and drive and don't ignore someone who would drink and drive. Even cycling after drinking is against the law.

And it's important to remember that even the next day you might have some alcohol in your system or will be hungover. In that case, even if you think you only have a little bit of alcohol left in your system, it doesn't mean you should drive, because you shouldn't.

Also, every year, the end of the year sees more and more traffic accidents. If you are out late at night, make sure you are wearing bright or reflective clothes that are easy for drivers to notice. And if you are driving, make sure you turn your headlights on earlier in the evening.

Next, we have a warning for you about bag snatching incidents. There have been a number of these crimes from the evening to midnight in places where there are few people around. A lot of these incidents have occurred with the criminals riding motorbikes and snatching bags as they pass by. To avoid being involved in such an incident, make you carry your bag on the side opposite to the road and pay attention to your surroundings, making sure you look back behind you if you sense signs of people or hear a motorbike.

Protect yourself and the things that are important to you and have a safe and enjoyable winter holiday.

【The End of Year Big Cleanup】

There's only just a bit of 2023 left, how time flies. And at the end of the year just before the new year, in Japan, many people typically do a big, thorough house cleaning. It's called “O-souji” in Japanese. 

Originally stemming from ancient Shinto rituals in Japan, many people still practice this custom with the intention of cleaning away the dirt of the past year from their homes, workplaces, and places they are grateful for, to welcome the new year in a clean and refreshed state.

As December begins, it is common for people to plan and gradually complete the cleaning by the end of the year, taking into consideration how much time they have and where they need to clean. Though, in reality, it often becomes a bit hectic, especially after Christmas. It seems it is considered unlucky to do your cleaning on the 29th, 31st of December, and the 1st of January. So, you shouldn't do any major cleaning or New Year's preparations on those specific days, and make sure you plan to clean before then. We don't want to be superstitious, but maybe knowing and respecting these customs is a good idea just in case.

Doing household chores, especially ones that require a lot of water or washing, can become a bit of a pain during this period. I'm sure all of us are pretty busy this time of the year with plans, work and other events all overlapping on our calendars as we wrap up this year, but we've still got a few weeks before the year ends. Just doing a bit every day will get your house clean before the year ends and will let you enjoy a leisurely and pleasant start to the New Year. So make that effort now and spend the year-end and New Year's feeling relaxed and positive!

【Fukuoka City Information】

official LINE account

The Fukuoka City International Foundation does have an official LINE account.

If you connect with the Foundation's official LINE account, you can make an appointment for consultations on daily life or free professional consultation using the LINE call feature. Telephone consultations are available in 22 languages, so please feel free to contact them. In addition, the Voom function of LINE is used to send out information on the Foundation's events and announcements from Fukuoka City. Please add the Foundation's official LINE account to your friends' list from the Fukuoka City International Foundation website. The foundation will not accept consultations via LINE talk, but you can use the inquiry form on the foundation's website. So if you want advice via text rather than calling, use that form on the homepage.

 End of year information

Also, the Fukuoka City International Foundation will be closed for a period of 6 days, from Friday, December 29th  to Wednesday, January 3rd . It will reopen on Thursday, January 4th 2024 at 9 am.

The first session in 2024 for the free legal advice service for foreigners will be on Saturday, January 6th.  You do need an appointment before you go, so please call to make an appointment as soon as you can. 

For consultations with a gyousei-shoshi, or administrative lawyer, reservations are not necessary. The first day available in 2024 for that is Sunday, January 14th. 

For more information please call 092-262-1799. The call is free to make. You can also check the Fukuoka City International Foundation's website for information.

The Fukuoka City International Foundation will continue being an

antenna to gather and provide a wealth of information and support to you, the foreign

residents of Fukuoka, in order to make life here in the city even more comfortable, so feel free to use their services!

【mochi-pounding】

A question for those of you listening this morning. "Do you all like 'mochi'? We call it rice cake in English,
which isn't the best translation but I think people are beginning to know the word mochi itself as it becomes
more popular around the world. Freshly made mochi is soft and delicious, if you've had it, you know. In Japan,
in December, there are 'mochitsuki' events at schools and in communities and of course , a lot of mochi is
consumed during the New Year, so it is prepared and stored during this season.
To make mochi, a big group of people will get together and using special tools, knead and pound steamed
glutinous rice nonstop. The process of making mochi, with everyone shouting and taking turns pounding and
shaping, is lively and enjoyable to participate in or even simply to watch.
Once the mochi is pounded, you can eat freshly made mochi on the spot, seasoned with your favorite flavors.
There are various seasoning options, from sweet flavors like roasted soybean flour, sweet bean paste, sugar
and soy sauce to savory options like grated radish, soy sauce and seaweed. You can even try it with with
fermented soybeans or (natto) for a meal-like variation.
If you have the chance, definitely participate in this very fun and delicious, and traditional Japanese event.

【Fukuoka City Information】

World Human Rights Day and Human Rights Week

Now, I have some information from Fukuoka City about World Human Rights Day and Human Rights Week. Human rights" refers to the right to "live like a human being" that each individual has from birth.

December 10 is World Human Rights Day, a day to think about "human rights" not only in Japan but also in other parts of the world.
December 4 to 10 is Human Rights Week, and Fukuoka City also observes "Respect for Human Rights Week," which aims to make Fukuoka City a better place to live, where human rights are respected, and there is no discrimination.

While you ARE irreplaceable, OTHERS are also irreplaceable. This is an important week to know that each and every one of us is important.

In order to realize a society where "no one is left behind" as stated in the SDGs, it is important to eliminate discrimination and prejudice against women, children, the elderly, foreigners, and people with disabilities, and to respect each other's human rights.

It's a good time to reflect upon what compassion and irreplaceable life means.