KYC Newsletter - English Language Edition
January 2015
New KNOW Your City
Kokusai Volunteer Network of Wakayama (KNOW)
News and Information
KNOW Office
c/o: Domestic and International Affairs Division
Wakayama City Hall
23 Shichibancho, Wakayama City
Wakayama Prefecture, 640-8511
TEL. 073–432–0037 FAX. 073–435–1252
Happy New Year - 2015
The Wakayama City Domestic and International Affairs Division and the Kokusai Volunteer Network of Wakayama
(KNOW) send our wishes for happiness and prosperity in this New Year!
Happy New Year!
We would like to everyone for the great understanding and
cooperation offered to all of us here at KNOW and the
Wakayama City International Affairs Division last year.
In this New Year we would like to continue to plan fun events
that will help give opportunities for meaningful exchange between
foreign residents.
We look forward to this New Year together with you!
Ayumi Nakanishi
Director
Domestic and International
Affairs Division
Wakayama City
Chieko Mukai
President
Kokusai Volunteer
Network of Wakayama
(KNOW)
New Year Party!
Come join us at the KNOW international exchange New Year party!
It’s time once again for Wakayama’s volunteer international organization, KNOW, to hold its annual New Year’s Party! The
purpose of this party is to create an opportunity for the local community to interact with some of the foreign residents living here in
Wakayama and to promote inter-cultural understanding and internationalization. This is a great opportunity for everyone to make
some new friends and learn about other cultures. There is no limit to how many people can come so invite your friends! We hope to
see you all there.
Date and Time: January 25th, 2015 (Sunday) 13:30~16:00 *Doors open at 13:00
Wakayama shi Yakatamachi Chome
Banchi
Place: Lumiere Kagetsuden (5th Floor) 和歌山市屋形町 2丁目10番地
Cost: Japanese ￥2,000 Foreigners ￥1,000 Students￥500 *Includes drinks and snacks
Activities: Mochi pounding, singing, dancing, etc.
*This party is for anyone in junior high or older*
For those who want to attend please contact the KNOW Office by Wed. January 21st at:
〒640-8511
23 Shichibancho, Wakayama City
Domestic and International Relations Division TEL: 073-435-1010 FAX: 073-435-1252
Email: [email protected]
Upcoming Photo Exhibition at the City Hall
Learn more about Wakayama’s International History
Photo Exhbition: “The Wakayama Taiwan Connection”
The exhibition will feature photos of Taiwan including the
historic ‘Kishuan’ building that has deep ties with Wakayama.
The exhibition will be on display in the citizen’s gallery on the
first floor of the city hall between January 21-29.
For more information:
Wakayama Japan - Taiwan [email protected]
Wakayama City Tourism Division Tel. 435-1234
Page 1
KYC Newsletter - English Language Edition
FREE!
Testing for the
Hepatitis B and C
Virus
January 2015
Tomogashima Islands Regular Ferry Service
Back in Operation
If you haven’t had a chance to visit these beautiful and historic islands, than
why not take the chance now that the docks have been repaired?
After the facilities were damaged by a
typhoon last year, the ferry service to the
Tomogashima Islands was temporarily
cancelled. Now, the repairs have been
completed and regular ferry service is back in
operation. Ferry service runs from the Kada port
(accessible from Kada station) and Tomogashima Island.
(Note: Service during January and February will be limited
to Saturday, Sunday, and holidays only.)
For more information contact the ferry operator at:
Tel. 459-1333
Be Careful to Avoid Being Poisoned by
Improperly Prepared ‘Fugu’ (Pufferfish)
Every month the health center is
offering free testing!
When left untreated, viral hepatitis
can cause cirrhosis of the liver,
liver cancer and other problems.
Yet, symptoms do not appear soon
and you liver can be damaged
when you don’t even notice. That
is why early detection and early
treatment are so important.
Testing takes place on the third
Wednesday of each month from 9
AM - 11 AM at the health center.
Testing is free, however advance
appointments are required.
Must not have been tested before.
For more information: Health
Policy Division Tel. 488-5118
‘Fugu’ (pufferfish) is a popular delicacy here in Japan.
While it can be a safe and delicious treat when prepared
by a reputable and properly licensed restaurant, this is
not something for home chefs to try making themselves.
Tetrodotoxin, the poison contained in pufferfish is a
powerful neurotoxin that is a
thousand times more potent than
cyanide. Also, it does not break down when heated, so
even a very thorough cooking will not remove or reduce
the poison at all. Amateurs and home chefs should never
attempt to prepare pufferfish on their own!!
If you ingest this toxin you will begin to experience
numbness in your lips and hands followed by a decline in
motor ability and the ability to breath. Severe cases lead to
death.
If you are going to eat pufferfish, make sure you eat fish that has been prepared
by a properly trained and licensed establishment.
For more information: Healthy Living Division: 488-5112
Beware of ‘Refund Fraud’
Don’t be Tricked out of Your Money!
Recently there have been a number of cases where people have received phone
calls from people impersonating city workers or other official personnel. These
phone calls usually claim that they have some tax payments or medical
payments that they can refund and ask you to go to an ATM.
Don’t be fooled!! These are all attempts to trick you
into sending your money to them! City employees
will NEVER call you asking you to do such things!
Be especially weary around income tax filing time,
when this kind of thing tends to happen the most
often.
For more information: Citizens’ Living Advice
Center Tel. 435-1025
Police Department Hotline: #91105
Page 2
KYC Newsletter - English Language Edition
January 2015
‘Natural Yoga’ Yoga Class
Yoga is a great way to start the new year off with great health!
Date and Time: Thursday nights 7-8:00 PM, January 29 - February 26 (5 classes total)
Class size: 10 (Participants will be chosen by random drawing), Cost: ￥500
Location: Higashi-kouen (East Park) Gymnasium
To apply: Bring in a postcard (52 yen) and apply in person no later than Tuesday, Jan. 13.
For more information: Higashi-kouen Gymnasium Tel.474-3331
Kendama Workshop
Here is a fun chance to try a fun, traditonal Japanese passtime!
Date and Time: Thursday nights 7-8:00 PM, January 29 - February 26 (5 classes total)
Class size: 10 (Participants will be chosen by random drawing), Cost: ￥500, Location: Higashi-kouen (East Park) Gymnasium
To apply: Bring in a postcard (52 yen) and apply in person no later than Tuesday, Jan. 13.
For more information: Higashi-kouen Gymnasium Tel.474-3331
Oil Pastel Crayon Workshop
Here is a fun chance to try a fun, traditonal Japanese passtime!
Date and Time: Thursday nights 7-8:00 PM, January 29 - February 26 (5 classes total)
Class size: 10 (Participants will be chosen by random drawing) Cost: ￥500
Location: Higashi-kouen (East Park) Gymnasium
To apply: Bring in a postcard (52 yen) and apply in person no later than Tuesday, Jan. 13.
For more information: Higashi-kouen Gymnasium Tel.474-3331
Gymnastics Classes for Children
Does your child have an interest in gymnastics,
or are you interested in finding more opportunities for them to get exercise?
The Gymnastics class that was held at the prefectural Gymnasium will now be held at Wakayama Big Whale.
Date and Time: January - March, Monday - Sat, 6 - 10 sessions, Classes Available for Preschool - Jr. High
Cost: Varies depending on the class, ￥4,800 - 8,000 (Class fee and insurance included)
Those interested should in quire for more information. Wakayama Prefecture Sports Promotion Foundation Tel. 422-4108
Wakayama Prefecture Housing
Now accepting applications for tennants for some of its public housing developments.
Applications will be available between Feb. 2 - 10 for various locations around Wakayama City.
For more info: Tel. 425-6888
Pension Payments Start at Age 20!
When you turn 20 years old you need to become a member
of the National Pension System and make payments until you turn 60.
There are three different categories depending on your employment status:
1. People who don’t fall into one of the other two categories, including unemployed,
self-employed, students, etc.
2. Workers who are enrolled by their employer in Employees Pension schemes and pension
contributions are deducted from the workers’ salary by the employers.
3. People aged between 20 to 60 years old who are dependent on category 2 people.
Note: Category 3 members are not required to pay contributions;
their cost is paid by the person they are dependent on.
As of 2014, the monthly payment for people in category 1 was ￥14,980 per month.
There is a payment deferment/exception system available for those who qualify for reasons such as financial
hardship, schooling, etc. but it needs to be properly applied for. (It’s not automatic.) If you have trouble
making payments, it is far better to come in for a consultation than to simply leave them unpaid.
For more information: National Health Insurance Pension Division 435-1055
Page 3
KYC Newsletter - English Language Edition
January 2015
Winter Energy Saving Plan
We all need to work together to reduce our electricity usage!
Wakayama Prefecture is asking everyone to work together to save electricity so we don’t experience a shortage this
winter. Of course, this will also help the environment and save you money as well. This winter saving period will extend
from now until March 31st. It is especially important to save energy from 9 AM - 9 PM on weekdays
and during the evenings in general. The goal is the same as last year, to reduce energy usage by 7%
compared to 2010.
It is best to work together to create an action plan that works for you and your family.
Here are a few tips that can help you save electricity:
Set your heater for 20 degrees (Celsius) and wear a few extra layers. It can save a lot of energy if
your whole family gathers together in one room. Why not enjoy spend the cold weather cuddled up
around the ‘kotatsu’ and enjoy eating Wakayama Mandarian Oranges together as a family?
※
※
※
Turn off unnecessary lighting.
※
Set your television to energy saving mode and turn it off when you aren’t watching it.
※
Turn the thermostat in your refrigerator down from ‘medium’ to ‘low’
Unplug appliances you aren’t using.
Use gas or kerosene heaters instead of electric heaters when possible.
For more information:
Wakayama Prefecture General Environment and Lifestyle Division: Tel. 073-441-2674
※
Support Avaliable for Single Parent Families
Welfare Support for Single Mothers, Single Fathers and Widowers
To be elegible, you must have a child that is scheduled to begin attending a vocational school or
college as of April of this year and be a single parent household. Regardless, please feel free to come
in for concelling especially about support for tuition, school entrance fees, etc. for your child(ren).
Must apply no later than March 31st.
Support for Independent Education and Training
Under this system, part of the costs can be covered for attending one of the designated courses.
(20 percent of the cost of the course, up to ￥100,000.)
You must come in for a consultation before attending the course.
Requirements: Must be the parent of a single parent family, Must be currently
receiving or qualified for child rearing allowance, must not be receiving or qualified
to be receiving employment insurance, must be deemed to be in need of a job, and
must not have received this support before.
For more information: Child and Family Support Division Tel. 435-1219
和歌山市役所内外交流課
和歌山国際ボランティア組織
〒６４０－８５１１
和歌山市七番丁 23 番地
A note about the content: The “KNOW Your City” English language
newsletter is put together using articles and announcements from the
Japanese language publications: “Shiho Wakayama” and“Wakayama Kenmin no Tomo.”
Page 4
電話：073-432-0037/073-435-1010
FAX: 073-435-1252
https://twitter.com/w_city_kokusai
E-Mail: [email protected]