Public Relations Magazine DATE English Digest - October 2024 だて市政だより10月号（英訳版）
Calling all Date Children! Participate in Parent/Child Calisthenics with Mr. Yoshi!
P4 あつまれ伊達っ子！ 「よしお兄さんと一緒に親子体操！」
We will hold an event featuring Mr. Yoshihisa Kobayashi, and Ms. Ikue Teshigawara, a former Olympic team representative, as lecturers. Come have a fun time with your child and learn the secrets to promote the healthy growth of your children!
Eligibility Guardians of children of elementary school age or lower living in Date City (participation of both guardian and child is required)
Date & Time December 1st (Sun.) 10:30 AM ~ 11:30 AM (doors open at 9:30 AM)
Location Hobara Gymnasium
Participant Limit first 400 people to apply
Details Lecture and Parent/Child calisthenics
Price Free
What to Bring A towel, drinks, and indoor shoes for those who need them, etc.
Other Information Please be sure to wear appropriate clothing
Application Please scan and apply via the QR code below between 10/7 (Mon.) and 10/31 (Thu.). (application will be closed if the participant limit is reached)
Contact Neuvola Promotion Division, Neuvola Promotion Section ☎ 024-573-5687
Hand in Hand With Matsumae Town
A Lecture on the History of Matsumae Town and Date City
P5 これからも、松前とともに歩む松前町と伊達市の歴史講演会
Contact Lifelong Learning Division, History, Culture, and Community Development Section ☎ 024-573-5804
To commemorate the 40th anniversary of our sister city partnership with Matsumae Town, a historical and cultural lecture will be held to learn about the historical ties between Matsumae Town and Date City.
Date & Time November 10th (Sun.) 1:00 PM~ 3:30 PM
1:00 Pm ~ Historical ties lecture
2:40 PM ~ panel discussion
Location Yanagawa Elementary School Auditorium
Lecturers Matsumae Town Curator Yūki Sato
Hobara History and Culture Museum Curator Toshio Abe
Speakers Matsumae Town Mayor Tomohiro Wakasa, Date City Mayor Hiroyuki Suda
Coordinator Hitoshi Iimura, Former Deputy Director of the Fukushima Prefectural Culture Center
Participant Limit First 150 applicants
Price Free
Application Please scan the QR code or call the phone number below
Hobara History and Culture Museum ☎ 024-575-1615
Celebrating the Fruits of Our Diligent Practice
Traffic Safety Drum and Fife Parade
P5 日頃の練習の成果を 交通安全鼓笛パレードを実施
Sixth graders from Hobara Elementary School will perform a drum and fife parade to promote traffic safety. Please stop by and watch!
Date & Time October 8th (Tue.) at 1:45 PM
Route Date City Hall Front side parking lot → Hobara Gymnasium parking lot → Hobara Elementary School
Other Information Please be aware that certain areas will be blocked off to traffic due to the parade.
Contact General Affairs Office, Hobara Branch, Disaster Prevention Section ☎ 024-575-2111
Premium Merchandise Voucher Sale Wave 2, Digital Vouchers On Sale Now!
P5 プレミアム付商品券第2弾 デジタル商品券を販売開始
Contact Commerce, Industry, and Tourism Department, Commerce and Industry Revitalization Section ☎ 024-573-5632
We are selling merchandise vouchers to help support local business. This second wave will feature digital vouchers. Please try them out!
Sale Period starting 10/1 (Tue.) while supplies last
Eligibility Available to those living or working in Date City
Price 5,000 yen for 1 set
1 set contains 7,500 yen worth of vouchers, (3,000 yen worth of vouchers usable at any participating businesses in Date City, 4,500 yen worth of vouchers usable at participating small businesses in Date City)
Valid Until 2025/1/9 (Thu.)
Purchase Method Vouchers can be purchased after adding us on LINE (limit of 4 sets per person)
Note There may be a difference in businesses that accept physical vouchers and digital vouchers. For more details please check the official pamphlet or the city webpage.
For those having difficulty navigating the website on their smart phone the Date City Council of Commerce and Industry has a call center available. Please feel free to call for assistance.
Call center ☎ 0570-012-523
Event Celebrating One Year of Service!
P6 祝！オープン１周年！ 記念イベントを開催します
Contact Tsukidate General Affairs Branch, Community Affairs Section ☎ 024-572-2111
We will be holding an event to celebrate the one year anniversary of the opening of the reformed Ote Elementary School, Ote Village “Kitemi~na.”
Date Cycling
Details Cycling around and taking in the sights of Date City. Participants may select from one of the following courses.
A. Group cycling course (led by a guide)
B. AR Date Chronicle Course
Date & Time November 2nd (Sat.) 8:00 AM ~ 2:00 PM
Location Ote Village “Kitemi~na”
Price 1,000 yen
Participant Limit 50 people per course
Other Information Commemorative goods and a lunch set will be provided to participants. Rental bicycles will also be available.
Application Please apply via the QR code below or via fax (573-3566) by October 25th (Fri.). (Applications may be closed early if the participant limit is reached)
Coronavirus Vaccinations for 2024
P7 令和6年度新型コロナワクチン定期接種がはじまります
Contact Health Promotion Division, Health Management Section ☎ 024-575-1116
In hopes to reduce the severity of its symptoms vaccinations will be conducted from October 1st for those that meet one of the following requirements.
Vaccination Period 10/1 (Tue.) ~ 2024/3/31 (Mon.)
Number of Vaccinations One
Location Designated medical facilities within Fukushima Prefecture
Reservation Please contact and make a reservation with a medical facility directly
*The required health questionnaire is available at the designated medical facilities.
Other Information Those who do not meet the eligibility for the free or reduced price will have to pay full price for a vaccination. Please contact a medical facility directly for more details on the vaccination.
Be Proactive and Receive Your Influenza Vaccination
P7 転ばぬ先の杖 インフルエンザの予防接種を
Contact Health Promotion Division, Health Management Section ☎ 024-575-1116
Please consider getting vaccinations for children, pregnant mothers, elderly or any other at-risk people.
Subsidy Availability 10/1 (Tue.) ~ 12/28 (Sat.)
Available Number of Subsidies 1 time (only the first dose is subsidized even for those under 13 years of age who will receive 2 doses). Welfare recipients will have expenses subsidized up to a certain limit.
Registration Please register with a medical institution. Vaccinations are available in Date city, the Date metropolitan area within Fukushima Prefecture.
Other Information Those who meet requirement #3 will receive a medical history questionnaire in the mail. Please drop off the completed form in advance, register online, or via phone call.
Vaccination Period 10/1 (Tue.) ~ 12/28 (Sat.)
Reservation Please contact and make a reservation with a medical facility directly
Enrollment Has Begun for Children Entering Preschool in April and May of 2025
P16 令和７年４月・５月入園 園児募集、はじまります
Contact Child Future Department, Kindergarten and Childcare Support Section ☎ 024-573-5691
Check out the QR code for more details!
Enrolling in a kindergarten or childcare facility
Enrollment begins in October for children entering a facility in April or May of 2025.
Distribution of Application Forms
Distributed from Tuesday, October 1st
Application Period (First Session of First Stage)
Monday, October 7th ~ Friday, October 25th
Application Location
Day Nurseries ▶ Child Future Department, or at any of the branch offices (excluding Hobara)
Facilities other than day nurseries ▶ At each facility
In order to apply for facility enrollment, it is necessary to make an application for education and childcare subsidies.
The decision regarding the education and childcare subsidies is based on the circumstances and wishes of the guardian; and the need for childcare is classified into one of the three categories found in the table below.
Depending on the education and childcare authorization classification, various conditions will differ (such as the facilities which can be used, the documents required at the time of application, and the selection process, etc.).
Additionally, the utilization times for day nurseries, certified childcare centers, and small-scale nursery facilities (with authorization types 2 and 3) differ depending on the working hours and reasons which necessitate childcare.
Classification of education and childcare authorization levels
① Standard Education Time: approximately 8:15 AM ~ 1:30 PM depending on the facility. There is supervised childcare before and after these times.
② Standard Childcare Time: the eleven hours from 7 AM to 6 PM. Extended childcare is the hour from 6 to 7 PM.
③ Shortened Childcare Time: the eight hours from 8 AM to 4 PM. Extended childcare is the hour from 7 to 8 AM, and the three hours from 4 to 7 PM.
Capacity and Application Processes of Each Facility*
*With the exception of day nurseries, please obtain entry application forms from each facility
Day Nurseries
Eligible Ages: Two months after birth ~ before age of school attendance
Facility Commute District: City-wide
Certified Childcare Centers
Eligible Ages: Two months after birth ~ before age of school attendance
Facility Commute District: City-wide
※ 3 Those who have either the Date or Hikari certified childcare centers as their first choice, please apply to the Shin-Ai Kindergarten until those facilities open.
※ 4 Those who have the Hobara certified childcare center as their first choice, please apply to the Yanagawa Kindergarten until the facility opens.
※ 5 Children from the Ryōzen area given priority
Small-Scale Nursery Facilities
Eligible Ages: Two months after birth (alternatively, 4 months) ~ age 2
Facility Commute District: City-wide
FY 2024 Disaster Prevention Training
October 19 (Sat.) 9:00 AM ~ 12:00 PM
P19 ～自分にできる防災を考えよう～
We will carry out a training aimed at establishing a disaster prevention system and raising citizens' disaster prevention awareness. This year marks the first "Fukushima Prefecture Comprehensive Disaster Prevention Drill" ever held in Date City, and the training offered is a much larger scale than usual. Citizens can also participate in the training. Please join us!
Location Hobara Total Park and other locations
Overview Public relations training for citizens / flood damage response / landslide disaster response / large scale fire response / Abukuma Express passenger rescue / distributing supplies to remote areas and residence assistance / rescue from collapsed houses and damaged vehicles / mass casualty response training / air operations coordination / evacuation training for residents as well as residents with pets / supplying food to victims / setting up and operating volunteer centers / disaster prevention development, goods and practice corner
Notifications distributed throughout the city
At around 9:20 a.m., you will receive an emergency alert email via your mobile phone, the app and/ or the email you used to register.
Broadcast on disaster prevention administrative radio
At around 9:20 a.m., a training broadcast will be made in the Hobara area from the disaster prevention administration’s outdoor speakers.
Contact Disaster Preparation & Crisis Management Division, Crisis Management Section ☎ 024-575-1197
Beginning of Reservation Acceptance for City Resident Health Exams
P22 市民健（検）診 保原会場予約開始
This year’s mass health exams are offered by appointment only. Please make a reservation online or by phone.
Mass Examination Schedule (for dates starting in October) (Hobara Civic Center)
Telephone Number for Reservations:
☎ 024-573-0538 or 024-572-7356
Reception Times: 9 AM ~ 4:30 PM (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays)
Reception Period: During the reservation reception period for each district
※ If there are openings in the schedule, reservations will be made upon request, so please contact us.
※ People from outside the Hobara area can also receive an examination.
Stomach Cancer Examination
This examination is available through Nov. 30th (Sat.). Appointments tend to fill up towards the last half of the reservation period; so, make sure to reserve as early as possible. At the time of the evaluation, an examination facility sticker is required. If you do not have it, please contact the Health Promotion Division Health Management Department.
Distribution and Collection of Colon Cancer Screening Kits
Kits are distributed at the Hobara Health Center, the National Health Insurance and Pension Department, or any of the general branch offices (excluding Hobara).
Please return unused and unneeded kits at the exam site, or to one of the distributing locations.
Reservation Website Please use the reservation form to make an appointment by 4 PM, seven days (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays) prior to the exam date.
Contact Health Promotion Division, Health Management Section ☎ 024-575-1116
Seeking Homestay Host Families
P24 ホームステイ受入れ家庭を募集
There is a project underway to connect with foreign exchange students.
Date 10/12 (Saturday) – 10/14 (Monday, holiday)
More details via Date International Association’s LINE.
Contact Collaborative Community Development Department's Collaboration Promotion Section ☎ 024-575-1177
Exhibition Commemorating the 40th Anniversary Since the Pact was Made “Matsumae Domain and Yanagawa”
P24 協定締結４０周年企画展「松前藩と梁川」
When October 12, 2024 (Sat.) – January 27, 2025 (Mon.)
Location Date City Hobara History and Culture Museum
Facility Hours 9:00 AM ~ 5:00 PM (closed on Tuesdays)
Price 210 yen (100 yen for elementary, middle, high school students)
Contact ☎ 024-575-1615
Trivia Night: Get to Know People Through a Quiz
P25 クイズで交流「トリビアナイト」
Date Friday, November 15 6:00 PM ~ 8:00 PM (doors open at 5:45 PM)
Eligibility 32 people (first come first serve); open to expats as well as residents of the city
Location Date Central Exchange Hall’s Multipurpose Hall
Application Please apply using the following QR code.
Deadline November 8th (Fri.)
Contact Collaborative Community Development Department's Collaboration Promotion Section ☎ 024-575-1177
October Facility Guide
P22 10月の施設案内
Date Hometown Hall
October 13th (Sun.) Theater Performance
Date Town Cultural Organization Liaison Council
October 14th (Mon., holiday) Karaoke Battle
(Japan Amateur Song Federation (NAK) Fukushima Branch)
October 27th (Sun.) Big Band Concert 2024
(New Fantastic Jazz Orchestra)
Hometown Hall Hours 9:00 AM ~ 10:00 PM (reception desk open until 5:00 PM). Closed Mondays (if Monday is a holiday, the facility will be closed the following day)
Contact ☎ 024-583-3244
Date City Hobara History and Culture Museum
Exhibitions (admission charged)
Exhibition “Matsumae Domain and Yanagawa”
Starts on 10/12 (Sat.)
Valuable items that reaffirm historical ties will be on display.
More details on page 24.
Facility Hours 9:00 AM ~ 5:00 PM (closed on Tuesdays)
Price 210 yen (100 yen for elementary, middle, high school students)
Contact ☎ 024-575-1615
Ote Village “Kitemi~na”
Tsukidate Cycling (Beginner level)
10/12 (Sat.) 10:00 AM ~ 12:00 PM
Cycling in the Tsukidate Region (12 ~ 20 kilometers)
Date Cycling
10/27 (Sat.) 10:00 AM ~ 3:00 PM
We will bike along where the trolley used to run.
Participation is free (bike rentals are 500 yen)
Kitemi~na Hours 9:00 AM ~5:00 PM (for those not staying the night).
Closed on Tuesdays
Contact ☎ 024-573-0753
Updates from the Date City Public Library
P30 図書館通信
Announcement of the Date City Public Library’s Temporary Closure due to LED Light Renovations
Closure Period 9/30 (Monday) – 11/30 (Saturday)
Temporary Library
Location Date Fureai Center’s 1st Floor
Duration 10/8 (Tuesday) – 11/24 (Sunday)
(Tuesday through Saturday 9:00 AM ~ 7:00 PM, Sundays and holidays 9:00 AM ~ 5:00 PM)
・During the closure, please make use of the rooms and digital library at each Central Exchange Library (except Date).
・Because we won’t have access to the books and won’t be able to enter the library, services will be limited. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation during this time.
Facility Hours 9:00 AM ~ 7:00 PM (open until 5:00 PM on Sundays and holidays)
Closure Mondays
Contact ☎ 024-551-2132
This Month’s Payment Deadlines
P30 今月の納期
The payment deadline is Thursday, October 31st
・City and prefectural tax (3rd payment)
・National Health Insurance (4th payment)
・Nursing Care Insurance (4th payment)
・Late-stage Elderly Health Insurance (3rd payment)
Coordinator for International Relations’ Monthly Column by Yvonne Takahashi
P31 連載コラム 国際交流員の活動日誌
Life Until Recently
This August, my husband, our two kids and I all moved from Washington D.C. area to Date City where I am working as a Coordinator for International Relations. We are all so excited for this new family adventure.
Since my kids were very small we had a rule within our family to speak Japanese at home. We sent our boys to local schools Monday through Friday and Japanese school every Saturday. Japanese school curriculum was kept at grade level and my husband and I were incredibly impressed with how bilingual they could be.
I have an M.A. in Japanese Professional Applications (Translation) from San Francisco State University and prior to becoming a mom ran my own business teaching English to the local Japanese community residing in D.C. While here, I want to offer English immersion events for your adorable, energetic children and offer support to the foreign community living here as well as bring us all together. If you have ideas, I am all ears!