だて市政だより６月号（英訳版） Public Relations Magazine DATE English Digest - June 2023
"Novel Coronavirus Vaccine Spring 2023 Vaccinations” To Begin
P6 「新型コロナワクチン令和５年春開始接種」が始まります
Contact Novel Coronavirus Countermeasure Department's Vaccination Section ☎ 024-572-6456
Booster vaccinations will be offered for those who have received their initial vaccination (1st and 2nd inoculations) and for whom at least three months has passed since their most recent inoculation, if they meet any of the following conditions:
Eligibility
① Aged 65 or over
② Aged 12 ~ 64 with an underlying condition, or whom a medical doctor has deemed at high risk of becoming seriously ill
③ Employee of a medical institution, facility for the elderly or disabled, etc.
※ Please consult with your family doctor to confirm whether or not you are eligible
Details found here:
Sending of Vaccination Vouchers
Among those who are eligible for vaccination, only those who answered “Wishes to be Vaccinated” on the “Novel Coronavirus Vaccine Spring 2023 Vaccination Intention Questionnaire” will have a “Pre-Examination Form with Attached Vaccination Voucher” sequentially sent out to them.
※ Even if “Wishes to be Vaccinated” is the answer on the intention questionnaire, in cases of “No Underlying Conditions” there is no eligibility for spring vaccinations, and vaccination vouchers will not be issued. All people age 5 and older will be eligible for autumn vaccinations, so please kindly wait.
Procedure for Changing the Day and/or Site of Inoculation In principle, notification will be given for vaccination at the mass-vaccination site (Hobara Gymnasium) on a City-assigned day and time. When circumstances do not allow for this, please follow the instructions included with the vaccination voucher and change the day and time of vaccination by yourself.
To those who have not yet replied to the intention questionnaire:
Although reply postcards will still be accepted after their reception period has ended, the dates for the spring vaccination period have been decided, so please respond as soon as possible.
City Resident Health Exams to Begin:
Health Improvement begins with Health Exams!
P6 市民健(検)診が始まります 健康づくりは健(検)診から!
Contact Public Relations and Secretarial Department's Public Relations and Civic Virtue Section ☎ 024-575-1116
Health exam forms are to be mailed out in early June. For details, please see the “City Resident Health Exam Pamphlet” enclosed in the same envelope as the health exam forms.
Facility-Based Examinations (Held at Designated Medical Institutions)
Every year, the latter half of the exam period becomes crowded, so those eligible to undergo exams are asked to do so early on.
▼ Stomach Cancer Screening Monday, June 12th ~ Saturday, December 2nd
※ Only performed at designated medical institutions within Date City and the Date District (i.e., the towns of Kunimi, Koori, and Kawamata)
▼ Cervical Cancer / Breast Cancer Screening Tuesday, August 1st ~ Thursday, February 29th, 2024
※ Regarding breast cancer screening, examinations can be taken in Fukushima City only until Thursday, December 28th
The following people can undergo examinations for free
Those becoming age 70 or older within the fiscal year
Those in households receiving public assistance
Those enrolled in Latter-Stage Elderly Medical Insurance
Those exempt from municipal taxes
Expenses Partially Subsidized in the Purchase of an Electric Vehicle, etc.
P7 電気自動車などの購入費用の一部を補助
Contact Living Environment Department's Environment Section ☎ 024-575-1228
As a measure to prevent global warming, those who have purchased next-generation automobiles (fuel cell vehicles or electric vehicles) will be granted subsidies.
Eligibility People who fit any of the following conditions:
① Those with an address within the city
② Corporations with an office, etc., within the city
③ Business operators who provide leases to ① or ② above
Subsidy Amounts
Fuel Cell Vehicles ・・・ ¥200,000 per vehicle
Electric Vehicles ・・・ ¥50,000 per vehicle
※ Hybrid vehicles and plug-in hybrids are not eligible
Application Method By post, or submission in-person
Application Site Living Environment Department (3rd floor of City Hall’s Central Building)
Additional Information Application reception will end when the budgeted amount has been used
Details on subsidy conditions, etc. are here
Expenses Partially Subsidized in the Installation of Storage Battery Systems and Electric Vehicle Charging Equipment
P7 蓄電池システム・電気自動車充給電設備の設置費用の一部を補助
Contact Living Environment Department's Environment Section ☎ 024-575-1228
Those who have installed battery storage systems, etc., will be granted subsidies. From this fiscal year, the installation of electric vehicle charging equipment (V2H; vehicle-to-home) will also be subsidized.
Eligibility People who have installed such systems at the home in which they reside, or those who buy and reside in a home in which such a system has been installed (limited to homes located within the city) ※ Other conditions apply
Subsidy Amounts
Battery Storage System ・・・ ¥20,000 per kilowatt hour (Limit of ¥80,000; up to 4 kwh subsidized)
Electric Vehicle Charging Equipment (V2H) ・・・ Uniform subsidy of ¥50,000
Application Method By post, or submission in-person
Application Site Living Environment Department (3rd floor of City Hall’s Central Building)
Additional Information Application reception will end when the budgeted amount has been used
Details on subsidy conditions, etc. are here
Surgery Expenses for the Spaying or Neutering of Cats without Owners Partially Subsidized
P7 飼い主のいない猫の不妊・去勢手術費用の一部を補助
Contact Living Environment Department's Environment Section ☎ 024-575-1228
In order to care for animals and ensure a comfortable living environment, surgical expenses will be partially subsidized for organizations which carry out spaying or neutering surgeries.
Eligibility Organizations which include at least two people who reside within the city (such as neighborhood associations, volunteer organizations, etc.)
Eligible Surgeries Cases in which surgical expenses have been paid for surgical neutering or spaying operations undertaken at a veterinary clinic on or after April 1st, 2023
Subsidy Amounts
Spaying Operation ・・・ ¥8,000 per female
Neutering Operating ・・・ ¥4,000 per male
※ When the surgical expenses are less than the above amounts, the subsidy amount is limited to the amount of the surgical expenses.
Application Method Organization registration is necessary. Please apply with the “Cats Without Owners Countermeasure Organization Registration Application Form”.
Additional Information Application reception will end when the budgeted amount has been used
Organization Registration Application Form, etc., found here
Supporting the Livelihoods of Newly-Married Couples!
Home Acquisition, Rent, Etc., Subsidized
P8 新婚世帯の生活を応援 住宅取得費や家賃など補助
Contact Collaborative Community Department’s Collaboration Promotion Section ☎ 024-575-1177
In order to reduce the financial burden of newly-married couples, subsidies will be provided to help cover the expenses related to obtaining a home, paying rent, moving residences, etc.
Expenses Eligible for Subsidy The following expenses are eligible, when paid between April 1st, 2023, and March 31st, 2024:
① Home acquisition expenses (New Construction/Purchase/Renovation)
② Rent, security deposits, key money, communal property fees, broker fees
③ Moving expenses
Maximum Subsidy Amounts Per the chart below
Eligible Subsidy Recipients ※ Other conditions apply
① Couples whose marriage registration has been submitted and accepted between March 1st, 2023, and March 31st, 2024
② Newly married couples whose combined income is under ¥5,000,000
③ The subsidized home is within Date City
④ Both husband and wife are age 39 or younger on the day of their marriage registration etc.
Application Period Thursday, June 1st, 2023, to Friday, March 29th, 2024
※ Application reception will end when the budgeted amount has been used
Application Method Please see the “Application Manual” for details. It is available from the City’s homepage, the Resident Services Department, or any of the General Branch Offices.
To Those Considering Earthquake-Proofing Their Homes:
Earthquake Resistance Examinations for Wooden Houses
P9 住宅の耐震化を検討中の人 木造住宅の耐震診断
Contact Construction and Housing Department’s Housing Management Section ☎ 024-573-5064
To promote the creation of a community that is strong against earthquake disasters, earthquake resistance examinations will be carried out on wooden homes by earthquake resistance diagnosticians, and earthquake-proofing plans will be drawn up.
Eligibility Homes within the city, inhabited by the applicant, built of wood on or before May 1981, with three stories or less
※ Homes which have undergone extension and structural alteration anytime since June 1981 are ineligible
Amount Paid by Applicant ¥7000
Application Method Please apply directly to the Construction and Housing Department (on the 2nd floor of City Hall’s Central Building) between Monday, June 19th, and Friday, July 7th
Necessary Documents
① Application Form
② Materials which show the date on which the home was newly constructed and/or underwent extension and structural alteration
③ Site plan
④ Photographs of current condition
Applicant Limit 10 homes (first to apply)
Application Form, etc., found here
Assistance with Expenses for Removing or Reconstructing Dangerous Concrete Block Walls
P9 危険なブロック塀の撤去や建て替え費用を支援
Contact Construction and Housing Department’s Housing Management Section ☎ 024-573-5064
Expenses for the removal or reconstruction of dangerous concrete block or stone walls is subsidized.
Eligibility Owners of dangerous block walls which face public roads within the city
Subsidy Amount Maximum of ¥100,000
Application Method Please apply directly to the Construction and Housing Department (on the 2nd floor of City Hall’s Central Building) between Monday, June 19th, and Friday, July 21st
Applicant Limit 15 applicants (first to apply)
Application Form, etc., found here
Keep Yourself Safe!
Get Prepared for Disasters
P14-15 自分の安全は自分で守る!災害に備えよう
With the onset of the rainy season, this is the time of year when disasters caused by linear rainbands and other factors are more likely to occur. From preparations you can make at any time to confirming your means of gathering information, let’s review what you can do so that you can take evacuative action that is right for you.
Contact Disaster Preparation & Crisis Management Department’s Crisis Management Section ☎ 024-575-1197
1. Recieving Information
You can now obtain evacuation information and other news from the City through the Disaster Ready App
Date City Disaster Ready App
Notifications
In addition to notifications during emergencies, such as evacuation information and refuge shelter openings, other information such as daily weather conditions will be delivered
Disaster Prevention Map
You can access the Disaster Prevention Map for each region
Disaster Monitoring System
You can view precipitation levels, images of Shiono River and Furukawa, etc. (updated every minute)
Related Links
・Date City Official Website
・Local News
・River Disaster Prevention Information
・River Water Level Information, etc.
2. Prepare
Emergency Supplies
Prepare supplies necessary in the case of an evacuation and put them in a backpack or other container so that you can immediately take them in the case of an emergency.
Keep a rotation or “rolling stock” of emergency rations
Sandbag Stations
10 places within the city will be installed. Please feel free to make use of the sandbags and leave them at entrances when there is concern of flooding.
3. Think about "My Evacuation Plan"
Steps to take in the case of an emergency vary by person. Please review how you should evacuate!
The above image in addition to other valuable disaster preparation tips in English can be found in this booklet prepared by Fukushima Prefecture.
Other important English resources such as severe weather warnings, guidebooks for various natural disasters, and more can be found here on the Fukushima Prefecture website.
Guitarist “YOSHIKAWA Chūei Concert”
P21 ギター奏者「古川忠英コンサート」
A distinguished performance on acoustic guitar can be enjoyed.
Date Saturday, June 24th 6 PM~
Location Date City Hometown Assembly Hall
Admission Fee Advance Tickets, ¥3000; Same-Day Tickets, ¥3500
Contact Date City Hometown Assembly Hall ☎ 024-583-3244
“The World of KAMEOKA Masamoto’s Documents” Special Exhibition to Be Held
P21 企画展「亀岡正元家文書の世界」開催
Documents will be displayed which shed light on KAMEOKA Masamoto’s activities and home architecture in the Meiji era.
Date Saturday, June 17th ~ Monday, September 25th
9 AM ~ 5 PM (Museum closed every Tuesday)
Location Hobara Museum of History and Culture
Admission Fee General admission ¥210; ¥100 for elementary, middle, and high school students
Contact Hobara Museum of History and Culture ☎ 024-575-1615
Trivia Night: International Quiz
P21 クイズで交流「トリビアナイト」
Date Friday, June 23rd 6:00 PM ~ 8:00 PM
Location Date Central Exchange Hall
Eligibility Expats as well as residents of the city
Details Exchange culture and knowledge with those from other countries through a quiz game. Additional information in both Japanese and English can be found on this dedicated city homepage.
Participant limit 32 people
Application Please apply by Friday, June 16th using this link or the following QR code.
Coordinator for International Relations to Teach Japanese Course for Foreign Residents
P21 国際交流員による外国人住民向け日本語講座
Language used in everyday life, as well as useful information, can be learned.
Date and Time Tuesday, June 13th 6:15-7:30 PM (taught in English)
Location City Hall’s Silk Hall
Eligibility Foreigners
Class Capacity First 10 applicants
Application Method Please apply through one of the following methods.
① Application Form: Please apply through the QR code.
② Post, or in-person submission: Please fill in the necessary information on the flyer (available at any of the Branch Offices or Central Exchange Halls), and submit it to the Collaborative Community Development Department.
③ Please call the Collaborative Community Development Department to give your name and contact information.
Application Deadline Tuesday, June 6th
Contact Collaborative Community Development Department's Collaboration Promotion Section ☎ 024-575-1177
Date City Municipal Library
Library Experience Tour for Adults
P22 伊達市図書館 大人の図書館体験ツアー
The normally inaccessible book storage room can be toured, and the lending and returning of books can be experienced firsthand.
Date Sunday, June 25th 10:00 ~ 11:30 AM
Eligibility Middle schools students and older
Application Call or submit an application form by Friday, June 16th
(A drawing will be held if there are many applicants)
Facility Hours 9 AM ~ 7 PM (Closes at 5 PM on Sundays and Holidays)
Facility Closures Every Monday
Telephone Number 024-551-2132
Coordinator for International Relations’ Monthly Column by Anthony Gillan
P35 連載コラム国際交流員の活動日誌
Morning Walks
June 21st is the summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere, and the day with the longest period of daylight in the entire year. Accordingly, the sunrises are quite early around this time; and having been raised in a land that makes use of daylight savings, the sunlight that begins to fill my home at 3:30 AM is an annual and unappreciated cause of sleep deprivation. Early one such morning, finding myself unable to fall back to sleep, I looked out the window as the world outside stood still in the bright morning air. “Enough already,” I said to myself. “Time for a walk.”
That morning’s walk occurred on a whim, but last summer I made a habit of taking morning walks. As I often face days spent entirely at my desk within City Hall, maintaining my health had become a concern; being indoors all day was also taking a toll on my mental health. It had become apparent that moving my body outdoors before showing up to work was a necessity. In my current practice of walking amongst the rice paddies and peach orchards of a neighboring town, I return home forty minutes later with both body and spirit rejuvenated.
Though I don’t take a walk every morning, the many on which I’ve gone walking have allowed me to see the scenery change as the seasons flow through the farmland, giving me a deeper sense of connection to the region in which I live. As a result, this past year has been the most poignant of my Date City residency; time spent walking has provided an occasion to think deeply and see clearly what I am, and how I can be of some use to the region and the rest of Japanese society.
During this last year of living in Date City, it seems that morning walks have caused me to take a step forward in life.
