Life in Fukuoka "English"

【World Translation Day】

This Saturday, the 30th, is "World Translation Day." Are there any books, movies or anything else that pop into your mind in terms of their translation? The first thing that comes to mind for me is Lost in Translation, the movie with Scarlett Johansson and Bill Murray. Apparently this year is the 20th anniversary of the movie. It kind of sums up some of the things that can get lost between languages, even some of the things that get lost in the same language if two people aren't on the same page.
Anyway, going back to translations: Have you ever had the experience of watching a familiar story in a foreign language and being surprised by different interpretations and lines? Of course, accuracy in translation is essential, but it's also interesting to discover the differences in how things are explained and interpreted. Many words exist that are unique to a particular country and may be hard to understand without context. Translations share the meaning and nuances of words and cultures you may not be familiar with. Of course, nowadays, there are convenient translation apps to help you make your way through new languages. Definitely take advantage of them as you enjoy life here, discover the charm of Fukuoka, and expand your world by connecting with people near and far.

【Diaper Services from Fukuoka City】

Now, I have some information from Fukuoka City for you, especially useful for those of you with infants and children under 2 years old.

 In Fukuoka City, a new service called Omutsu To Anshin Teikibin, which means, roughly translated "Diaper and Peace of Mind Subscription" has been launched, targeting families raising children aged 0 to 2 years old. This service provides regular monitoring and delivers childcare items such as diapers to these households.

When you use childcare-related facilities and services in Fukuoka City, you can receive electronic stamps. You can exchange these stamps for approximately 200 different items, including diapers, baby wipes, baby food, powdered milk, skincare products, and more, worth up to 2,000 yen each month.

To receive these electronic stamps, you need to register for the service. Information about how to use the service has been sent to eligible households, so please register through the dedicated website.

If you have your child in daycare facilities, some of these facilities may be able to issue these electronic stamps to you. Additionally, you can collect stamps at places like the Children's Plaza and Parenting Exchange Salons. Be sure to take advantage of this service!

For more information, please go to the website, fuk-omutsu.com. The website itself supports English and other languages.

【Autumn in Japan】

The 23^rd of September is Shubun no Hi, the autumnal equinox, and is one of the national holidays in Japan. Traditionally, it is a day to give thanks to ancestors and to pay respects to them. It is also the day when the length of day and night are equal. This day is unique as it varies between September 22^nd and 23^rd each year, it depends on when the sun passes through the equator.

And on the 29^th of September, we have the mid-

autumn moon, which is considered to be time of the year when the moon is the most .beautiful to look at. It's a perfect time for tsukimi or moon viewing, going out to admire the moon in the evening sky. On this day, we don't always have a full moon for this, but this year, in 2023, we're lucky because we will have a full moon!

The month of September is when we really feel the change from Summer to Autumn in Japan, as the brutal heat of summer settles down into the pleasant, cooler days of autumn, and days become more comfortable. The air becomes clear offering a stunning view of the moon and stars at night.

Another thing about autumn here is the bounty of the harvest. There is something called 'shokuyoku no aki', or the Autumn appetite, and it's because during this season there are so many delicious flavors for us to enjoy. And as we continue through the season, there are vibrant landscapes for our eyes to feast on like the colorful cosmos, as they come into bloom and the autumn foliage.

As we come into Autumn in Japan, make sure you take advantage of it and enjoy it to the fullest!

【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, 143 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. Interpretation is available in 20 different languages.

【NAKASU JAZZ】

If you didn't know, this weekend is "NAKASU JAZZ," a free JAZZ festival held in Nakasu, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka City. It has become an autumn tradition in the city and  you'll hear music all around as stages appear throughout the Nakasu area.
For two days, the streets around Nakasu are filled with the live performances of a number of great artists. Many people may have an image of Nakasu as a nightlife district filled with businessmen and tourists, but what the city wants is to make Nakasu a safe and secure town where people of all ages feel comfortable to visit, and to make it more vibrant through Jazz.
The project started with the cooperation of local people who agreed with the idea of making Nakasu a more vibrant town through Jazz. The atmosphere is one that music lovers as well as those who are not so familiar with Jazz can jump into easily.,
By the way, the performances you'll see on stage are all free of charge! The variety of music from standards to the latest Jazz numbers, and the power and enthusiasm of the performances in front of you will overwhelm you. NAKASU JAZZ" is a dedicated music festival filled with lots of love and passion. So, come and experience the catchphrase, "Jazz fits Nakasu.

【Fukuoka City Information】

Legal Consultation and Personal Counseling

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

The Fukuoka City Consultation Support Center for Foreign Residents at the Fukuoka City International Center offers free legal consultation and personal counseling 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 will be with a lawyer from the Fukuoka Prefecture Bar Association. Each session runs for 45 minutes and is completely free, however, you do need to make a reservation for the session. 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. Sessions do need to be reserved, so please contact the Foundation if you are interested.

Both types of consultations ensure strict confidentiality, so please feel free to use these services. Reservation hours are from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM on weekdays. For detailed inquiries, please contact 092-262-1799. Again, that number is 092-262-1799. The Fukuoka City International Foundation is looking forward to hearing from you.

【Hojoya Festival】

One of the three major festivals in Fukuoka, the "Hōjōya Festival” will be happening soon.  Have any of you been to it? Held at Hakozaki Shrine in Fukuoka City, Higashi Ward, this autumn festival has been held for over a thousand years and is on every year from September 12th to 18th, lasting seven days and seven nights.

It is a Shinto ritual to make offerings and express gratitude for the life we have received in order to live. It is also visited by many worshippers who pray for "prosperous businesses" and "safety in the home.

Along the approximately 1-kilometer approach to the shrine, there are about 500 stalls, including food stalls, haunted houses, shooting games, and yo-yo fishing booths, attracting a large crowd of people. Specialties like new ginger with green leaves and traditional sweets called "Yaki Mochi" are also sold. Additionally, there are music performances such as Japanese taiko drumming and exhibitions of glassworks known as "Champōn." It's a really fun, retro Japanese atmosphere,  that you should definitely check out. .

【Fukuoka City Information】

The Fukuoka Prize

Now, I have some information to share with you from Fukuoka City. Every year, Fukuoka City presents the "Fukuoka Prize" to individuals who have contributed to academic research, arts, and culture in Asia, honoring their achievements. The recipients of the 33rd Fukuoka  Prizes are : Tonchai Winichakul a historian, for the Grand Prize; Khatharya UM a political scientist and Southeast Asian researcher, for the Academic Research Prize; and Zhang Lü, a film director, for the Arts and Culture Prize.

The award ceremony will be held on Tuesday, September 12th, followed by a public lecture from Wednesday, September 13th, to Friday, September 15th. On September 13th, Zhang Lü, the film director who received the Arts and Culture Prize, will give a speech; on September 14th, Khatharya UM, the political scientist and Southeast Asian researcher who received the Academic Research Prize, will speak; and on September 15th, Tonchai Winichakul the historian who received the Grand Prize, will also deliver a lecture. All events are free to attend, and recordings will be available for later viewing. The broadcast for for each recorded public lecture among all three award categories is from October 2nd (Monday) to October 31st (Tuesday). If you plan to attend one of the lectures, please make sure to apply by September 16th (Saturday).

For detailed event information, please search for "Fukuoka Prize" and visit the official Fukuoka Prize website's event page.