Life in Fukuoka "English"

【Obon】

Today I want to talk about Obon, which is generally what comes to mind when one thinks about August in Japan. Have you heard of Obon? I’m guessing most of you have unless you are brand new to Japan, but just in case, I’ll give you a little intro to it. Obon is a Buddhist custom, and it is believed in Japan that during this period, the spirits of one’s ancestors return home. As such, loving family members and relatives gather to give thanks to their ancestors and pray that those in this world live safe and peaceful lives. Obon is typically the 4 days from the 13th to the 16th of August however in some parts of the Kanto area, it is between the 13th and the 16th of July. Regardless, this is why on TV around these times that you hear about the Obon Rush because if everyone heading back to their hometowns. In the US we don’t really have anything like this the closet approximation I could make might be Thanksgiving. Families typically gather for Thanksgiving dinner, meaning a lot of people go home over that holiday causing a rush like the Obon rush. However the feeling is completely different. In both cases you’re often gathered with family and there seems to be a lot of food, I’ve participated in the Obon custom here, but with Obon there is sometimes a bit of sadness remembering those who have died and well as nostalgia recalling those times past. Thanksgiving seems noisy, busy and loud! That’s just my experience though!

【Information from Fukuoka City on the special fixed relief benefits】

The application deadline for the 100,000 yen special relief benefits is August 31st. Applications were sent to everyone who registered by April 27th as a Fukuoka City resident. Please make sure you get your application in by the deadline! If there is anything that you don’t understand please call 092-401-0826 for help or information. Again that number is 092-401-0826. This phone service is available Monday to Friday from 9am to 6pm and consultation is available in English, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese and Nepali.

And Love FM is also running a special broadcast called the 5 minute guide to understanding the special fixed relief benefits. The English broadcast for that is on every Monday and Saturday at 1:53 pm.

【Multilingual phone interpretation hotline for ward offices】

Next, I have information on a phone interpretation service available to foreign residents. Whether you need help with your resident’s card, aren’t sure about what you need to do when you move house, or have questions about national health insurance, taxes or even garbage, there is a phone interpretation service available for you to use to check with the ward offices.

Interpretation is available in 18 languages, among them are English, Chinese , Korean, Vietnamese and Nepali, and the phone number is 092-753-6113. Again, that is 092-753-6113. When you use this number, after you have spoken to someone at the interpretation center, you will be connected to your ward office. Make sure you tell the interpreter in which ward you live and what you are calling about. For example, you might say something like “ I live in Higashi ward and I need the certificate showing proof of earnings.”, in which case you’ll be connected to the person in charge of issuing those papers for the Higashi ward. From there, you, the ward office person and the interpreter can continue your conversation. And, if you go to the ward office in person, don’t worry, just use your phone to ring up this service if you need any interpretation help.

【Mountain day】

Mountain day was started in 2016 as a day to give thanks to the mountains for the riches they provide us with and to provide people with the opportunity to get to know the mountains better. Now it seems that June is the only month without a national holiday now that Mountain Day" has been added to the calendar in August, which actually had no holidays before the addition.

I think it’s pretty nice that there are national holidays nearly every month. I know a lot of people can’t get time off normally because they are so busy working and no doubt these holidays come as a nice break in their busy schedules.

This year, due to COVID-19, the Olympics have been postponed until next year. However because they were supposed to take place this year, the date of Mountain day was shifted to August 10th, so make sure you don’t mix up the date!

【Information from Fukuoka City on the special fixed relief benefits】

The application deadline for the 100,000 yen special relief benefits is August 31st. Applications were sent to everyone who registered by April 27th as a Fukuoka City resident. Please make sure you get your application in by the deadline! If there is anything that you don’t understand please call 092-401-0826 for help or information. Again that number is 092-401-0826. This phone service is available Monday to Friday from 9am to 6pm and consultation is available in English, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese and Nepali.

And Love FM is also running a special broadcast called the 5 minute guide to understanding the special fixed relief benefits. The English broadcast for that is on every Monday and Saturday at 1:53 pm. So make sure you check that out.

【Be careful of the Red Imported Fire Ant, Red back spider and the blue-ringed octopus!】

In the summer there are a few poisonous creatures you should be careful about, including the Red Imported Fire Ant, Redback Spider and the Blue-ringed Octopus.

The Red Imported Fire Ant is a reddish-brown ant between 2.5 and 6 millimeters in length . If you are stung, you’ll feel a burning pain an some people may go into anaphylactic shock if they have a strong allergic reaction to the sting.

The Redback Spider is a venomous spider that likes to make its home in warm, sunny locations like around potted plants, under drain lids and under benches.

The spiders are about 1 centimeter in length but 3-4 centimeters with its legs stretched out. It has a black body with a red hourglass shape on its abdomen. If you are bitten you may experience pain, a fever and nausea.

If you discover the red imported fire ant or Redback spider, do not touch it with your bare hands and use an insecticide to kill it. If you are bitten, please go to the hospital immediately.

And the blue ringed octopus has been seen both in and outside of Hakata Bay. It is up to 10 centimeters long and has a distinctive blue ring pattern that appears on its body when it is agitated. It has the same deadly poison as a blowfish and in the worst case, can result in death if bitten. If you are bitten, do not try to suck the poison out with your mouth, try to squeeze it out by hand and get to a hospital right away.

【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.

【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.