Life in Fukuoka "English"

【March 17th Manga Weekly Magazine Day】

As I've mentioned before, Japan has a number of unusual anniversary days. March 17^th, happens to be Manga Weekly Magazine Day.

So, what is this day and why is the 17^th the date for it?

Well, it seems that on this day in 1959, the first weekly magazines targeted toward kids were sold for the first time. These two magazines were Shonen Magazine and Shonen Sunday.

Both of these manga magazines are still being published today and Weekly Shonen Magazine, which went for 40 yen when it was first sold, is still only 340 yen.

Manga is, of course, very popular in Japan with kids to adults enjoying the huge variety of manga available to them.

In the US, manga is also very popular. It's a lot more common now, but it was kind of difficult to get when I was a teen. Actually, I worked at a bookstore when I was 18 and loved watching anime and reading manga. I actually ordered quite a lot of translated manga for the bookstore and managed to get a small section for it. It turned out to be popular with the customers and expanded to several bookshelves. My favorites at the time were Takahashi Rumiko's Maison Ikkoku and Ranma ½.

These days it's much easier to get manga, and anime even, online from anywhere in the world. Is there anything you like to read or watch? I'm a big fan of Meitantei Conan or Detective Conan, as well as One Piece.

Although some manga are pretty difficult to read with complicated plots and loads of difficult kanji, there are quite a few that are a lot easier and pretty fun, if you are trying to find other ways to study Japanese. I found Meitantei Conan to be pretty good for my studies!

【Fukuoka City Information】

Covid Vaccinations

Now, I have some information for you from Fukuoka City about Covid-19 vaccinations.

Fukuoka City has been working toward making sure everyone who hopes to be vaccinated can do so with peace of mind.

In Fukuoka City, vaccination tickets for the Omicron variant for those who will receive their third, fourth or fifth doses of the vaccine are being sent out. The vaccination for the omicron variant will be limited to one time per person. Vaccination vouchers are being sent out to those were vaccinated at least three months before.

When the inoculation coupon arrives, please visit the reservation site or call the vaccine call center to make a reservation. Please wait until that coupon does arrive.

If you haven't received that coupon, please phone the call center to have it issued again.

People who have recently relocated to Fukuoka City from overseas and who hope to get vaccinated need to fill out an application to receive the inoculation tickets.

For questions regarding vaccinations, to make a reservation or to apply for the inoculation ticket, you can call 092-260-8405. Again, that number is 092-260-8405. Calls will be taken between 8:30 am and 5:30pm every day. 7 languages are available at that number, including English, Chinese and Korean.