Life in Fukuoka "English"

【The Summer Solstice】

Next week, the 21st of June, marks the summer solstice or “Geshi” in Japanese.

The summer solstice is the day with the longest period of daylight from sunrise to sunset. It is also the day of the year when daytime is the longest, about 4 hours and 50 minutes longer than the winter solstice "toji", which is the shortest day of the year.

After this day, summer officially begins, and the temperatures start to rise. As it gets hotter, it's common for our appetite to decrease, and there is a tendency to consume lighter, refreshing meals, which can actually lead to nutritional deficiencies. It's important to maintain a balanced diet and ensure that you're getting enough nutrients, such as vitamin C and potassium, to help you get through the summer.

Additionally, engaging in moderate exercise and getting sufficient sleep are also crucial for getting through the summer season.

So, let's all get ready for the summer by focusing on nutrition and building our physical stamina.

【Fukuoka City Information】

Taxes

Now, I have some information from Fukuoka City. If you live in Fukuoka City, and have earned more than 1 million yen the previous year, from January 1st to December 31st, you may need to pay taxes. You will receive a tax payment notification around the 15th of June. Please make sure you open that envelope, it has information on when you need to pay and how much will be due. You can pay at convenience stores, the bank or even the post office. If you are a regular company employee, these taxes may be taken out from your salary by your company.

If you do not pay your taxes, you may risk facing difficulty when it comes time to renew your residence status or risk being subject to seizure of property.

If there is anything you don't understand, or if you may have difficulty making payments, please consult with your local ward office. You can also consult by phone in 18 different languages. The phone number for this 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 you are calling about taxes.

Foreign Student Taught Language Classes-Recruiting for Classes

I also have some information from the Fukuoka International Foundation to share with you about the language classes being taught this year by international exchange students.  The classes offer the opportunity to learn languages from various countries, such as Chinese, Korean, Spanish, Vietnamese, German, and Arabic. Through interactions with international student instructors, you will not only learn the language but also gain insights into their native cuisines and cultures. The classes will be conducted in Japanese.

The venue for the classes is Fukuoka City International Hall, which is just a 5-minute walk from Nakasu-Kawabata Station on the Fukuoka City Subway.

The courses run from July 2023 to February 2024, totaling 8 months with a total of 28 lessons. The total tuition fee for each course is 33,000 yen.

For more detailed information regarding the languages offered, schedule, and other information, please visit the Fukuoka City International Foundation. You can search for "Foreign Language Classes Taught by International Students" on a search engine to access the page you need.

The application deadline is June 20th. They're looking forward to getting your applications!