Life in Fukuoka "English"

【Spring Cleaning】

In Japan, the big house clean up is usually done in December right before the new year, but there are many advantages to cleaning in the spring.
For example, in winter it's pretty cold, so cleaning outside and cleaning around kitchen and bathrooms tends to feel like a hassle, but in spring, it is warmer, so it is easier to get motivated to do these chores. Plus, opening windows and doors for ventilation is actually pretty nice, and oil stains are easier to remove when the temperature is higher. This is really the season for efficient cleaning. Humidity is also lower on many days, so mold is less likely to form. Laundry also dries quickly, making it easy to wash curtains, sofa covers, and other large items.
If you do a big spring clean now along with changing up your room and clothes, your home will be spotless and you will feel pretty fresh and new. You can start this new season completely refreshed.
If you were slacking a bit at the end of last year, why not take this opportunity now to do a thorough house cleaning?

 【Fukuoka City Information】

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

Using Line Call for Information and Advice

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, you can get information on the Foundation's events and announcements for international residents. 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 the LINE talk chat function, but you can use the inquiry form on the foundation's website if you want to send a message about anything.

The Japanese Chatting Salon

To continue, I've also got some information for any international students who are studying in Fukuoka. The Fukuoka City International Foundation holds a “chatting salon” once a month where, international students and Japanese volunteers have a chance to chat. The next session is online, on Friday, March 31^st.

Using Zoom, international students and Japanese volunteers meet one on one or in small groups to talk about topics that interest them. So if you are looking for a chance to use daily Japanese as well as practice the Japanese you've learned in class, or just want to chat with a native Japanese speaker, then definitely join in! The sessions are free but you do need a reservation.

To make a reservation, please visit the Fukuoka City International Foundation's website or its Facebook page. The web address is www.fcif.or.jp. If there is anything that you don't understand feel free to contact the Fukuoka International Student Support Association at 092-262-1744. Again that number is 092-262-1744. Phone calls will be accepted from 9am to 6pm on weekdays. Definitely check it out! They're looking forward to hearing from you!

【Seasonal Foods-Enoki mushrooms】

Autumn and winter are great seasons for so many ingredients and one of them happens to be Enoki mushrooms. These mushrooms are those thin white ones all in a bunch. They are crunchy and have a mild flavor that goes well with any seasoning. It is an ingredient that can be found in supermarkets all year round, but its actual season is fall and winter! Low in calories and rich in dietary fiber, it is a good food for people on a diet. Their white, thin appearance may make you wonder if they are nutritious but despite what you think, they are full of nutrients including vitamin B group, potassium, iron, and other nutrients.

Fukuoka Prefecture produces a brand called "hakata-enoki", and ranks first in western Japan in terms of production volume. The best way to eat them is to cook them without washing them. Washing with water is not recommended, as the aroma, flavor, and nutrients of the mushrooms will be washed away. They are delicious stir-fried with meat, in soups, or even cooked up by themselves.

They can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week, but freezing is recommended. Cut them into bite-size pieces, place in a storage bag, and freeze. The key is not to thaw them before using them. Heat them while frozen. Why freeze them in the first place? Freezing will break down the cell walls of the mushrooms, increasing the absorption of nutrients and flavor.

 【Fukuoka City Information】

Now, I have some information from the Fukuoka City International Foundation about a new service they are offering.

The Fukuoka City International Foundation does have an official LINE account

From 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.

Also, the Fukuoka City International Foundation will be closed for a period of 6 days, from Thursday, December 29^th  to Tuesday, January 3^rd . It will reopen on Wednesday, January 4^th 2023 at 9 am.

The first session in 2023 for the free legal advice service for foreigners will be held will be on Saturday, January 7^th.  You do need an appointment before you go, so please call to make an appointment as soon as you can.

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

The staff members at the Fukuoka City International Foundation hope to 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 in 2023!

【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.

【Protecting Animals】

This week, our topic is focused on being kind to animals. In fact, there is a Be Kind to Animals week from the 20^th to the 26^th of September. The week was created with the idea to deepen people's understanding and interest in animal welfare and proper breeding. It's also a great opportunity to think about how to protect animals. Take for example if you have a dog or a cat. You should consider how you would need to protect your pet in the case of a natural disaster such as an earthquake or heavy rain and perhaps even practice what you would do.

If you are thinking about getting a pet someday, checking animal protection group websites is a good way to get the information you need.

In Fukuoka City, the Eastern Animal Protection Management Center, also known as Animal Port, and the Home Animal Enlightenment Center, more commonly known as the Fukuoka-do-butsu-soudanshitsu, are two facilities to check. They work to protect and manage animals in the hopes of creating a symbiotic society in which humans and animals are in harmony.

I've got two cats at home and have worked to find homes for other rescued cats. Personally, I recommend adopting rescue pets if you can. There are many animals out there looking for caring homes. If you are new to having a pet, some of it is trial and error but if you listen to your pet and pay attention, I think you'll do just fine. I love having cats, they have such unique personalities and quirks and bring a lot of joy to my house.

【Introducing the Tutor Program】

Now I have some information from Fukuoka City International Center about the Tutor Program. This will be useful for those of you who are struggling with letters from school and other places because you can't understand what is written in Japanese. The “Tutor Program” is a one on one service that will match you with a tutor that you can contact online. You'll be able to ask this tutor to give you simple translations of letters from school or other documents from places like the ward office. You can also ask them for advice on daily living.

If you are a foreign resident of Fukuoka City and think you will be able to communicate with a tutor online, then you are eligible for the program. The program will usually cost 500 yen per month but until November of this year, it is free!

【The Japanese Chatting Salon】

 I've also got information for any international students who are studying in Fukuoka. Do you about the monthly Japanese Chatting Salon? Using Zoom, international students and Japanese volunteers meet one on one or in small groups to talk about topics that interest them. If you are looking for a chance to use daily Japanese as well as practice the Japanese you've learned in class, or just want to chat with a native Japanese speaker, then definitely join in! The sessions are free and the next session will be held online on September 30^th.

To learn more about the programs mentioned today or to make a reservation, please visit the Fukuoka City International Foundation's website or call the Foundation. The number to call is 092-262-1799. Again that number is 092-262-1799. Phone calls will be accepted from 8:45am to 6pm

on weekdays. Definitely check it out!

【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.

【Conserving Water】

We're already heading into August pretty quickly now and it turns out that August is the month in which the most water is used in the year. We're fortunate in that we have water every day without a problem, every time we turn on the tap, water comes out and we can use it without giving it a second thought.

However, for that water to get to us from the source takes the work and dedication of a countless number of people and in fact, there is a limit to the water we have, it's quite a precious natural resource, something that we should all be aware of. So, keeping that in mind, we should try not to use water needlessly and make an effort to conserve water when we can.

You may not have known this, but in Japan, the city that has the least amount of water per person available is actually Fukuoka. And this is why it's important that we keep in mind how important our water is. So, what can we do to save water in our daily lives? Well, it's pretty easy.

First, turn off the water when you're brushing your teeth and use a cup for rinsing. Second, when  you're cooking, instead of running water to rinse vegetable and dishes, have a full basin of water ready for those jobs. Finally, when you're taking a shower or bath, turn off the water when you aren't rinsing yourself and don't overfill the bath.

By doing these simple things, we can conserve more of that precious natural resource, water!

【Consultation With An Administrative Lawyer】

Now, I have some information from Fukuoka City.

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.

Confidentiality is guaranteed in all consultations, so please feel at ease to make use of these services.

For more information or for reservations, please check the Fukuoka City International Foundation's homepage or call 092-262-1799. Again, you can call 092-262-1799.

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.

【Mail Magazine】

Now, I want to share a little information about Fukuoka City International Foundation's monthly mail magazine. The magazine, published in English and Japanese, shares news and information about international exchange events and cooperation and is available to everyone! You can easily sign up for the magazine by visiting the Foundation's website. Just search for FCIF in your web browser.

【Preventing the spread of Covid-19】

As always, we ask that you practice basic infection prevention measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19. Wear a mask, wash your hands, gargle and practice the 3 C's. And this means that you should avoid closed spaces, crowded places and close conversations.

【Hydrangea】

The flower of the rainy season is the hydrangea. I'm sure you've seen these beautiful flowers already around the city. They are of course beautiful on clear days but somehow under the rain they are even more gorgeous. Gaku hydrangea are a type that originated in Japan, were imported to the West where they underwent breeding techniques and were reimported back to Japan as Western Hydrangea. Recently, both Western Hydrangea and Gaku Hydrangea come in a wide variety of shapes and colors.

Growing hydrangea is actually fairly easy but there is a little trick in pruning to make sure the flowers bloom the next year. And once they're planted, it is a long-lived plant that you can enjoy for many years. The flowers also increase year by year so as time passes you'll have more and more bountiful blooms. Here in Fukuoka City, you can easily see hydrangea in places like Uminonakamichi Seaside Park, Hakozaki Shrine, Maizuru Park and the Fukuoka City Botanical Garden. I saw a bunch over by the castle ruins, quite a few people were out taking pictures of and with them. So get out there and enjoy this Hydrangea season!

【Introducing the Tutor Program】

Now I have some information from Fukuoka City about the Tutor Program. This will be useful for those of you who are struggling with letters from school and other places because you can't understand what is written in Japanese. The “Tutor Program” is a one on one service that will match you with a tutor that you can contact online. The tutors are registered with the Fukuoka City International Foundation. You'll be able to ask this tutor to give you simple translations of letters from school or other documents from places like the ward office. You can also ask them for advice on daily living.

If you are a foreign resident of Fukuoka City and think you will be able to communicate with a tutor online, then you are eligible for the program. The program will usually cost 500 yen per month but until November of this year, it is free! To learn more about the program, please visit the Fukuoka City International Foundation's website or call the Foundation. The number to call is 092-262-1799. Again that number is 092-262-1799. Phone calls will be accepted from 8:45am to 6pm on weekdays. Definitely check it out!

【Personal counseling】

Next up is an announcement 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 runs for 45 minutes and the 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.

【The Long Holiday】

Every year in Japan, at the end of April and into the beginning of May, we've got a handful of national holidays that translates into a long holiday for all of us, often referred to as Golden Week. During this time, there are usually festivals and events held all across Japan, however due to Covid-19, many of these events have been cancelled or are on a much smaller scale than before. I imagine many people will be enjoying online events and travel this year though. Golden Week starts with Showa Day on the 29th of April. What do you have planned this year? A bit of a stay-cation at home perhaps? Or maybe visiting some hot spots in your area? I'm hoping to see some of the wisteria around Fukuoka. The Kawachi Fujien Wisteria Garden has become famous thanks to its beautiful wisteria tunnel, but here in the city there are a couple of places that are just a stone's throw away, like the wisteria near the Fukuoka Castle ruins, or in Futsukaichi at Buzoji Temple. They're cycle-able places, so that's probably where you see me over the holiday! On my bicycle, searching for wisteria and enjoying the hopefully great weather!

【The Volunteer Bank to Support Foreigners】

Now, we have some information from Fukuoka City. From April, the Fukuoka City International Foundation has started a Volunteer Bank to Support Foreigners. Those who want to help the international residents of Fukuoka, by using their language skills, can register with the Volunteer Bank under the following categories: translation or interpretation, international exchange and assistance in case of disaster.

Currently, the Volunteer Bank is looking for participants. Participants will help interpret Administrative Scrivener Consultant meetings and translate posters as well as provide online support to people who don't understand Japanese and are having troubles. Other activities might include helping local civic centers with planning and setting up international exchange events or festivals and supporting interpreters during disasters as well as helping to give translation  and interpretation at disaster drills. 

To be a volunteer, you must be over 18 years old and live in the greater Fukuoka area. You must be proficient in Japanese and on one other language, at least above a daily conversation level. And you must be able to set aside enough time to participate in the volunteer activities. Your nationality does not matter.

This is for those who feel like they want to help with international exchange and build their language skills. Your efforts will promote mutual understanding and international exchange between Japanese and foreign residents, leading to a safe and secure life together.

If you are interested, please visit the Fukuoka City International Foundation's website or give the foundation a call. They are waiting to hear from you!

I have another announcement here for those of you who are struggling with letters from school because you can't understand Japanese. At the Fukuoka City International Foundation, another language support program called “Tutor Program” has been started. The “Tutor Program” is a one on one service that will match you with a tutor that you can contact online. You'll be able to ask this tutor to give you simple translations of letter and other documents as well as get advice on daily living.

If you are a foreign resident of Fukuoka City and think you will be able to communicate with a tutor online, then you are eligible for the program. Please visit the Fukuoka City International Foundation's website or call the Foundation for more information.

The phone number for the Fukuoka City International Foundation is 092-262-1799. Again, that number is 092-262-1799. You can call anytime from 8:45 am to 6pm. Feel free to contact the Foundation with any questions you have!

【500 yen Lunch Meal】

So, what are you thinking about for lunch today? What do you usually do? Are you a convenience store lunch kind of person or do you pack your own lunch? I often pack my own lunch but I love a good a deal and around the Fukuoka area there are a number of places that do the “one coin” or 500 yen deals and one of my favorite places happens to be Saizeriya. Not only are there pasta lunches, which you would expect, but there's also curry, doria and hamburg choices as well. If I'm feeling really hungry or just being greedy, I can get two lunches, stuff myself and not break the bank. I can even go back for dinner later, order off the regular menu and still find myself with cash in my pocket. Maybe I sound like a cheapskate, but who doesn't want good value for their money? I guess what I'm having for lunch today is pretty obvious, hey?

【Preparing for heavy rain and evacuations while taking into consideration COVID-19】

In Japan, we often get typhoons. And so, it's best to check in advance what we need to do to for when the heavy rains come.  If you look at Fukuoka City's homepage, you can check hazard maps and get information on disaster prevention. If you check Support for Foreign residents, you'll find disaster prevention information for foreign residents so make sure you check that important information regularly.

In order to protect your life, it's important to know to where you should evacuate and to do that you need to plan in advance. First, take a look at flood and landslide hazard maps. You need to know if the area where you live poses any kind of danger.

If your home is in a safe location or if you live in a condominium or apartment where the higher floors are a safe place even if a disaster occurs, then do not leave your home and make sure you stay tuned to the TV, radio or other media to receive updates as information comes in.If your home may be in danger, then you need to either escape to an evacuation center or to a friend's home. Make sure you check a hazard map to ensure that your escape path is a safe one.

When you do evacuate, there are a few things that you should absolutely bring with you. These are things like water, some kind of food, clothes, hygiene or health supplies, a flash light, medicine, face masks and a thermometer. At the very least, you need to have three days worth of these supplies prepared.

This year, with the spread of COVID-19 , we need to take extra care and so if you are at an evacuation center, please wear a mask, wash  your hands and practice cough etiquette.

For emergency information on disasters, please visit Fukuoka City's Facebook page for foreign residents called (Global Community Fukuoka) or the Fukuoka City International Foundation's Facebook page. In addition, through Fukuoka City's disaster prevention mail, LINE and the disaster prevention application TSUNAGARU Plus, you will receive notifications so be sure to use these as well.

【Important information from Fukuoka City about disaster prevention】

Now it's time for a couple of announcements from Fukuoka City. The first is about disaster prevention. In Japan, from June to July we have a rainy season, a time in which there is a lot of rain. And due to all of this rain, this is also a period in which natural disasters easily occur.

In July 2017, in Fukuoka Prefecture, record levels of heavy rain caused a huge amount of damage. During heavy rains, do not go near rivers, coasts or cliffs near mountains as these become dangerous places. Please take actions that will protect your life.

You can take a look at Fukuoka City's Homepage to find information on hazard maps and disaster prevention. If you check Fukuoka Support for Foreigners, Fukuoka City's support page for foreign residents, you can also see this disaster prevention information.

Make sure you check, in advance, the evacuation centers and safe routes for the area that you live in, because you never know when danger will strike.

Important information is also posted on Fukuoka City's official Facebook page “Global Community Fukuoka” and on the Fukuoka City International Foundation's Facebook Page “Fukuoka City International Center/Attaka Fukuoka”. If you follow these pages, you will receive regular updates on important information.

 There is one more service to mention here from Fukuoka City. An umbrella sharing service called “Ai Kasa” has been put into place and can be utilized via LINE. The umbrellas are easy and cheap to rent and you'll find them in the subway stations and around department stores, so if there's a sudden downpour, you don't have to worry about being caught out in the rain!

For more information, please search for “Ai Kasa Fukuoka Shi” on the internet.

【Information from the National Health Insurance】

Next is information about national health insurance. In Japan, everyone is required to sign up for health insurance and I'm sure everyone has. By paying for insurance, you will reduce the amount you have to pay at the hospital if you need to go for an illness or injury. There are three types of insurance available but at this time, we're covering information for those who have national health insurance.

The insurance premium for that is decided every June and a notification will be sent in the middle of June. Please confirm your insurance premium when it comes and pay before the deadline.

Insurance premiums are based on your income from the previous year.

For households whose income has decreased due to the effects of the new coronavirus, please consult the ward office as you may be able to reduce taxes.

For households who have enrolled in national health insurance but whose previous year's income is unclear, a National Health Insurance Income Report has been sent.

If you have not yet submitted this report, please fill in the necessary details and post it or take it to your local ward office or branch office.

 If there is anything that you don't understand, you can consult by phone in 18 different languages. This phone number is 092-753-6113.  Again, this phone number is 092-753-6113. This phone number will connect you to the ward office after you speak with an interpreter. Please tell the interpreter which ward you live in and what you are calling about.