Life in Fukuoka "English"

【One of my favorite walking spots】

Although it's getting pretty hot out and we've had a fair bit of rain, have you been out for a stroll lately? Staying at home for hours on end is pretty tough and I get cabin fever when I don't get out. And so I thought I might introduce one walking course that I often enjoy that's easy to get to and right in the city. You might actually be able to guess where I'm going to direct you and that is around Maizuru park and the Fukuoka City castle ruins. There are two different places where I like to start my walk. One is in Akasaka back behind the Chuo ward public gym. Off of the bicycle path, there is the East entrance to Maizuru Park that goes up along the back area of the gym and heads in the direction of the Korokan. It's a bit of a hill but not hard and with all the trees lining the path, it's easy to forget that you're in the city! From there, I usually head past the Korokan to the stairs that lead me into the ruins. I don't have a particular route, I just wander to my heart's content, and usually make a visit to the observation deck from which you can see a great view of Ohori Park and all the way to Fukuoka Tower. My other start point is coming off of Kokutai Dohro, onto the road that is called Maizuru Koen Sen which is that road that cuts between the park ruins and west field of Maizuru Park and passes Heiwadai stadium. In the spring and early summer, you can see a ton of flowers, azaleas, wisteria, irises and it's nice to wander through them on the castle side. I often take the slope, where the hotdog truck is sometimes parked, up and again just wander around. No matter what season, it's a nice walk. Where ever you go walking this summer, I recommend going early and taking water with you so that you stay hydrated and cool! Happy trails.

【Rules about putting out the garbage】

Moving on to our next topic, I have some important information for you from Fukuoka City about putting out the garbage. Fukuoka City separates garbage into three categories. These three are burnable garbage, empty glass and PET bottles and non-burnable garbage. You can buy garbage bags at any supermarket or convenience store so make sure that when you take out your trash, you only use Fukuoka City garbage bags. Red bags are for burnable garbage. This includes things like food scraps, paper waste, clothes and plastic. For empty glass and PET bottles, please use the yellow bag. Finally for things like empty cans or glass and other non-burnable items, you will need to use the blue bag.

The area in which you live will have designated garbage days. Burnable garbage goes out twice a week. Empty glass and PET bottles and non-burnable garbage goes out once a month.

You can put your garbage out anytime between sunset and midnight on the day of your area's garbage pick up in the designated area for your residence. If you aren't sure when your area has garbage pickup then add Fukuoka City's official LINE account to your friend list, set your residential location and LINE will send you notifications for your garbage day.

If you've got garbage that is too big to fit in a bag, this is considered oversized garbage and you need to make a reservation in advance to arrange for it to be picked up. You can do that by phone, on the internet, or via LINE. For LINE, look up Fukuoka-shi Sodai Gomi Uketsuke to arrange for pickup. Make sure you check the cost, location and day before you put out that garbage.

If you want to make a reservation by phone, you can contact the Oversized garbage center at 092-731-1153. If you don't understand Japanese, you can ask for an interpreter so please convey that information in whatever language you speak.

【Tanabata, the Star Festival】

In Japan, the 7^th of July is known as Tanabata or, The Star Festival. This festival celebrates the meeting of the deities, Hikoboshi and Orihime, the stars Altair and Vega, who can only meet once a year on this day, according to legend. One popular Tanabata custom is to write one's wishes on a piece of paper, and hang that piece of paper on a specially erected bamboo tree, in the hope that the wishes become true. Personally, my wish is that everyone stays healthy for the rest of the year and that we, as humans, consider the ways we need to change to prevent something like the Coronavirus happening again. It's a bit serious, I suppose....What's your wish?

【The plastic bag charge】

Actually this next topic kind of ties into my wish for things to change! As of July 1^st, 2020, plastic bags that you normally received for free when shopping at supermarkets and convenience stores, are no longer free. You will be required to pay a fee to receive one. This is a great chance to bring your “My Bag” or reusable shopping bag. No only will you be producing less waste, but you'll also be saving money.  If you've got a nice bag that folds up compactly and that you can carry on you, you'll be ready at any time for any shopping. Plastic bags are convenient, but with the amount that gets used, they have become a huge source of pollution in the ocean and have contributed to global warming. So, to reduce how much plastic gets needlessly used, we need everyone's cooperation. Before you take that plastic bag next time, really consider if it's something you need. Let's take this chance to rethink the way we live.

【Be careful not to fall victim to heatstroke】

As the days get hotter, I'd like to remind you to be careful about heatstroke. Heatstroke happens when happens when your body cannot regulate its temperature due to prolonged exposure to heat or intense exercise and the balance of water and salt in your body is off. Symptoms of heatstroke include headaches, dizziness, lightheadedness and nausea. If you do not recover after cooling down, drinking fluids and taking some salt, please dial 119 to call an ambulance.

Especially in July, as temperatures reach maximum highs, the number of emergency heatstroke patients increases rapidly. So as this hot and humid season begins, take care as your body has not yet acclimated. And this year, as we spend more time indoors to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus, do not let your guard down as heatstroke can occur indoors as easily as outdoors. In addition, wearing a mask in the summer increases the risk of heatstroke and so you must take caution.

 So here are some tips to prevent heatstroke. First, drink water throughout the day. Ideally, you'll want to get about 1.2 liters per day. Barley tea or water are nice everyday drinks to stay hydrated with. Sports drinks are good if you are exercising. If you sweat a lot during the day, make sure you rehydrate with plenty of water and a bit of salt, as well. And try to use your fan or air conditioner as efficiently as possible so that the room temperature does not go above 28 degrees.

【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.

【What's the latest trend?】

So, today the topic I'm supposed to talk about is what is popular or trendy right now in the US. And if I'm honest, I don't really know because I don't follow the trends in the US. I still listen to classic rock and have been watching old episodes of Star Trek. Tells you how up-to-date I am! However, a little while back and then again last month, I saw some articles on how women are embracing being more natural, more specifically, not dying their hair as it goes grey and that some salons have even created hair treatments to really accentuate the color as it changes. I thought that was pretty cool, my hair has been going grey, actually white, for a few years now and the thought of using permanent dyes to maintain some kind of  hair color for 'my age', is just not something I can be bothered to do. I recently did a temporary dye for fun, it was a bright magenta that has faded over the weeks, but I am fully at ease with my normal hair color and its 'glitter' strands, as I've heard them called.  If this 'embrace the grey' is a trend that is happening in the US, I guess it's something that I can get on board with!

【Status report on the child allowance】

A child allowance is being provided to those raising children from the age of zero to the age that they finish junior high school. The amount ranges from 5000 yen to 15,000 yen per child, per month, based on the child's age and your income.

The money is paid three times per year, in June, October and February, for the 4 month period before the month of payment. In order to receive this child allowance, you must submit a yearly status report. In the first half of June, Fukuoka City sent the documents necessary to make the report to allowance recipients. Please fill the necessary information in and make sure to post the report so that it will arrive by June 30^th. Please be aware that you will not receive a payment if you do not submit the report or if there are any sections left incomplete.

If there is anything that you don't understand, please check with  your local ward office. You can also consult by phone in 18 different languages. This phone number is 092-753-6113.  Again, 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.

【Information on riding bicycles】

Did you know that last year in Fukuoka city that there were 1770 bicycle accidents and also one resulting death? It is very important to follow the rules and keep your manners while riding bicycles. So from now, I just want to cover some of the main rules in Japan.

 In Japan, in principle, bicycles are supposed to pass on the left side of the road and pedestrians have priority while on the sidewalk. When you are on the sidewalk, please pass slowly along the side closest to the road. Also, remember to turn on your headlight at night.

If you leave your bicycle parked on the road not in a designated area, it will be taken away, so always park in a designated area. Finally, riding side by side is not allowed.

Fukuoka City has introduced a cycle share service challed Charichari. There are over 250 bicycle ports throughout the city and more are to be added in the future.

Use the Charichari application to rent a bicycle. After you are finished, just return the bicycle to your nearest port. It costs 4 yen per minute and you can pay using a convenience store or a credit card. For example, going from Tenjin to Hakata station takes about 10 minutes. Using the bicycle, that will only cost you 40 yen, so definitely try it out.

【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.