Life in Fukuoka "English"

【Information from Fukuoka City about the Covid-19】
Next, I have some information from Fukuoka City in regards to the Novel Coronavirus.
The first is a request from Fukuoka City. Life in the time of the coronavirus means that we, the residents of Fukuoka, all must make some changes for our new lifestyle. Some of these changes include keeping the 3 C's in mind--meaning to avoid closed spaces, crowded places and close conversation. Other changes include trying to maintain a distance of 2 meters from others, wearing a mask when outdoors and having conversations, and washing our hands and faces when we get home.

You may also want to consider some other things as you change your lifestyle. When shopping, either do so online or use electronic money to make payments at the store. If you want restaurant food, get takeaway or delivery, or if you are eating in the shop, sit side by side.

As a standard practice for your new lifestyle, wear a mask when you go out, especially when you are on the subway.

This next bit of information is for students and international students who have lost their jobs. Fukuoka Prefecture has quickly put into action, a project that creates short term jobs that you can apply for. And in addition, the national government has implemented a set of benefits payable to students who have seen a significant loss of income from their part-time jobs and meet certain requirements. For more information on that, please check the Fukuoka City website. Also on the website, information on the special fixed benefit relief money is updated from time to time so make sure everyone takes a look at that, by searching for “Fukuoka Support for Foreigners”

【Regarding Taxes】
Continuing with information from Fukuoka City, anyone that owned a motorized bike or light vehicle as of April 1st is required to pay the light vehicle tax.
Owners of motorized bikes or light vehicles should have received the tax payment notice which was sent around May 5th. If you have not yet paid this tax, please make your payment, which can be done at a convenience store or bank, as soon as possible.
And, for people who were residents of Fukuoka City as of January 1st, and if your annual income is over 1,000,000 yen, an individual city resident tax may be charged.
For those employed by a company, the tax amount will be withheld from your salary.
For those who are not employed by a company, tax payment slips will be sent around June 15th. Please make your payment at a convenience store or at a bank.
If you do not pay these city taxes, such as the light vehicle tax, you may encounter difficulties when it comes time to renew your resident status and you may also be subject to seizure of your property.
There may be some of you who, due to the effects of the Coronavirus, have seen a decrease in income and may have difficulty paying your city taxes. If so, please consult your local ward office. You can also 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 that the call is to inquire about taxes.

【Colleen's “Stay at Home” time】
I wonder where you are listening to me right now? In the car? On a morning walk or maybe at home? I guess a lot of you were and maybe still are spending a lot more time at home due to the Coronavirus. It was the same for me. Except for the time outside walking for exercise, going to the supermarket and occasionally doing jobs that couldn't be done from home, I was doing my best to stay home. I know for some, this time was a chance to binge-watch tv shows, learn a new hobby or just catch up on sleep. I did a little bit of all of that, and I made attempts at being productive. I pulled the weeds out of my garden...but they just keep coming back. It is a never ending battle. I also put some vegetables and flowers in and in addition to the weeds, now I have to battle the slugs who are trying to eat my hard work! I did eat some of the komatsuna I grew but had to pull two slugs off...at least I know it's fresh, right?! I actually found that despite being home, I was never not busy, there was always something, and in fact, some days I felt like I needed a few more hours! Hopefully you have been able to enjoy your time at home as well, despite the situation that put us there.

【100,000 Yen Government Relief Money (Special Fixed Relief Benefits)】
This next topic will no doubt be of interest to everyone, it is about the 100,000 yen relief money being provided by the government. For everyone, including foreign nationals, who were registered as residents of Japan by April 27th are eligible to apply.
For people living in Fukuoka city, the applications for that relief money have been sent, beginning from May 15th. If there is anything that you don't understand, for example like how to fill out the application, please call the following number for help. The helpline is available in English, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese and Nepalese and that phone number is 092-401-0826. Again, that is 092-401-0826.

Love FM has also been broadcasting a special 5 minute program to help you understand more about that relief money. The program is called “Life in Fukuoka Special Edition-Understanding the Fixed Relief Benefits in 5 Minutes" and it is on every Monday and Saturday at 1:53pm in English.You can also listen to this special program as a podcast at anytime on the Love FM Homepage so definitely check it out.

You can also look at the Fukuoka City Homepage and link to Support  For Foreigners to get information. On that page,  you'll find information not only about living in Fukuoka, but also information on other things like Coronavirus support services. Definitely take the time to access that page, it has a lot of useful and necessary information.

【Cloth Mask Delivery】
As you know, the Japanese government has sent cloth masks out to all of its residents. And in Fukuoka as well, these deliveries began on the 12th of May. For each household, two masks were sent. The masks are washable and can be used again and again. When you wash them, use regular clothes detergent and gently wash them by hand. Hang them out in a sunny place to dry.

【Mask & Ride】
I guess now that the state of emergency has been lifted for Fukuoka, the number of people out and on public transportation has increased. As such, Fukuoka City has asked that when you are out using the Fukuoka City Subway or the Fukuoka City operated ferries, to avoid the 3 C's that have been mentioned before and to always wear a mask. They also request that people, except in the case of an emergency, avoid having unnecessary conversations while on board the subway or ferry, and to stagger commuting times or work from home in order to reduce congestion.

【Support for Foreigners on the Fukuoka City Homepage】

If you look at the official Fukuoka City Homepage, you will find a section on the site that provides support for the foreign residents in Fukuoka. It's simply called Support for Foreigners, and has information on living in Fukuoka and now has information in Vietnamese and Nepalese as well.

Just search for “Fukuoka Support for Foreigners”. Again, you just need to type “Fukuoka Support for Foreigners” into your search bar. It's a useful site with important information so definitely take a look.

【Information Regarding the 100,000 yen Monetary Relief from the Government】

This site will be a big help if you have any questions about that 100,000 yen relief money from the government that everyone is talking about, or if you aren't sure how to fill in the application form for that money.

 In addition to the information on “Support For Foreigners”, on the Fukuoka City Homepage, a special telephone hotline exclusively for foreign residents has been set up  to give consultations on the 100,000 yen benefit money. The hotline supports 5 languages, they are English, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese and Nepalese. The phone number is 092-401-0826. Again, that number is 092-401-0826. Please call this number if, after checking the Fukuoka City homepage, there is anything that you don't understand.

【For Those Looking for Full or Part-time Jobs】

If you are currently looking for work, the Fukuoka City Employment for Foreigners section will help you with your job search. Consultations are available over the phone in English and Chinese. That phone number is 092-716-8608. Once again, for job search support, please call 092-716-8608. 

 If you are an international student looking for work, you should consult the Fukuoka City International Student Support Center. The Center will provide support for finding part time jobs and employment where you can use your translation and interpretation skills. That phone number is 092-725-9201. Again that is 092-725-9201.

【Information on “Support for Foreigners” on the Fukuoka City Homepage】

Next I'd like to mention that if you look at the official Fukuoka City Homepage, you will find Support for Foreigners, a site that provides support for the foreign residents in Fukuoka. This site has information on living in Fukuoka as well as support regarding the Coronavirus. Just search for “Fukuoka Support for Foreigners”. Again, you just need to type “Fukuoka Support for Foreigners” into your search bar. It's a useful site with important information so definitely take a look.

【Trouble With Living Expenses】

Due to the Coronavirus, there are no doubt a number of people who are currently unable to work because of temporary closures or have lost employment, and as a result are worrying about their living expenses. The Fukuoka City Council of Social Welfare isproviding consultation on special loans that are available for those who have been affected. For more information, please call 092-791-7266. Again that is 092-791-7266. You can also check the “Support for Foreigners” site on the Fukuoka City Homepage for more information.

【100,000 yen Monetary Relief from the Government】

The Japanese Government is planning to provide 100,000 yen per person to all residents, including non-Japanese residents, registered to the Basic Resident Registration Network System as of April 27, 2020. I know many people are wondering about this and details will be published as soon as they have been decided so please check the Fukuoka City Homepage for that information.