Life in Fukuoka "English"

【Gen-Katsugi -Keeping a lucky streak】

University entrance examinations are coming up this weekend in Japan.

Students have been furiously studying and are all hoping for good results. Actually, in  Japan, there is a custom called "Gen-Katsugi," which is an action or behavior that one performs in the hope of a good result. We repeat the actions we have done in past that have resulted in success, things like using the same pencil for a test or wearing lucky socks. In Japan, people also eat lucky foods if they have an exam or big competition. Some of it is based on word play like with pork cutlets, tonkatsu because katsu means to win in Japanese. Omusubi, which are rice balls, has the meaning of “to tie”, so people want to tie their efforts to success. Sticky foods are also good luck, it seems.  Other things people do include cleaning and grooming oneself for good luck, and paying a visit to a Buddhist temple. It is also believed that wishes come true when they are spoken aloud, and that power resides in the words that are uttered, an effect known as "kotodama" (the spirit of speech).

Of course, wishes cannot come true without effort, but it might be worth it to make a wish to relieve any test anxiety and calm your mind, or to cheer up your loved ones.

So, to all the students, their families, and supporters for their hard work over the long period of time, I wish you all the best. The time has come to put those study efforts to work. Take care of yourself physically and mentally so that you are ready and good luck on your exams!

【Fukuoka City Information】

Be Careful about the Norovirus

As you may know, winter is the season when it's very easy to get infectious gastroenteritis and food poisoning due to the Norovirus. It's a strong virus and can be transmitted even with very little contact.

The virus enters your body via the food you eat or from your hands from touching something. It causes vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain and fever. You can get the virus through inhalation if someone with the virus in the area has been vomiting or had diarrhea. You can also get it from foods that have been cooked by somebody infected by the virus. It can also be transmitted by eating shellfish, like oysters, that haven't been thoroughly cooked and are carrying the virus.

Severe vomiting and diarrhea can cause dehydration. So if you think you have caught the virus, get checked by a medical professional as soon as possible. You'll recover in a few days but the virus can hang around for a week to a month, even in your stools, and so it is possible to infect others, something we need to be careful about.

We can take measures to prevent the spread of infection, however. Be sure to wash your hands with soap before preparing meals, before eating and after using the toilet. Make sure you wash your utensils and cooking tools thoroughly after each use and disinfect them with bleach or boiling water. Alcohol disinfectants aren't that effective against the Norovirus, but heat is. The Norovirus is killed at temperatures of 85-90 degrees Celsius.

So, make sure that when you cook, things are cooked thoroughly and that you wash any fruits and veggies that you don't cook. And, of course, if you don't feel well, try to stay away from  doing too much in the kitchen.