February/March 2020 Edition

Index

Events 2-3

Notices & Services 4-5

Important Numbers 6

Message from the Editor: Happy 2020! How has your start to the new decade been so far? I total-ly didn’t realise it when I was editing the last edition, so although it’s late, happy new year to you all!

February and March is when the peach and plum blossoms come out and also the season of love. That is why I’ve chosen this red and pink theme for the newsletter this time. Do have a look and see what’s going on Sakai before spring arrives.

◆Hinamatsuri at Townhouse History Museums

From 4 March to 3 April, the Townhouse History Museums, Seigakuin and the Yamaguchi Residence will be displaying hina dolls to celebrate hinamatsuri (Girls’ Festival). Time: 10:00~17:00 (last entry at 16:30) Closed: Every Tuesday Cost: 100 yen (Seigakuin) 200 yen (Yamaguchi Residence) Entrance to both: 250 yen Children in junior high school and under, those 65 years of age and older, and persons with disabilities can enter for free. Access: ● Seigakuin – 5 minutes on foot from Takasu Station (Hankai Tramway) or Shichido Station (Nankai Line) (1-3-13 Kitahatago-cho Nishi, Sakai-ku) ● Yamaguchi Residence - 3 minutes on foot from Ayanocho Station (Hankai Tramway) (1-2-31 Nishikino-cho Higashi, Sakai-ku) No car parking is available so please use public transport. The old part of the town where Seigakuin and the Yamaguchi Residence contains a number of old town houses which sur-vived the war and date back as far as the Edo period (17th - 19th century). Such houses will also be displaying hina dolls for everyone to see, particularly on weekends. Please confirm opening hours beforehand as they vary depending on facilities.

Enquiries: Cultural Proper ty Division (文化財課 bunkazaika)

at 072 228 7198.

Legend: ☆ events ◆ exhibitions ※ important notices △ campaigns ☺ child and healthcare ○♣ environment help lines

☆Kozen Park

Currently there are about 50 species and a total of 1,400 plum trees. The best time to see it is between mid-February to early March. Place: 2-3 Miyayama-dai, Minami-ku Access: Izumigaoka Station (Semboku Rap-

id Line) → Miyayamadai nicho Bus Stop

(Nankai Bus #2 or #12) Cost: Free

☆Peach Blossoms

The peach tree is thought to have become the symbol of vitality and have abilities to purify sickness be-cause it produces lots of fruit. Peach blossoms are also used to decorate for hinamatsuri. The Togendai area in the Daisen Park Japanese Garden blooms with peach blossoms, plum blossoms and peonies to enjoy in spring. The meaning of togen is utopia. Come and relax while viewing the peach blossoms!

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February/March 2020 Events

◆15th Sakai Student Calligraphy

Exhibition

Award Ceremony: Saturday 22 Feb-ruary 14:00 Exhibition: Saturday 22 February to Friday 28 February 9:00~21:00 *opening day starts at 14:00 *closing day ends at 16:00 Place: Sakai City Hall Main Building (honkan) First Floor Entrance Hall

Calligraphy works by students enrolled in primary schools, junior high schools, and special support schools in Sakai, as well as Sakai ASEAN Week exchange university students will be displayed. The themes include future dreams, aspi-rations, internation-al exchange, and world peace. Why not come see a traditional aspect of Japanese culture?

☆27th KIX Senshu International

Marathon

Date: Sunday 16 February A total of 6,000 runners will be run-ning. Come and cheer for the runners! Representatives from Sakai’s sister and friendship cities, Talia Stewart (Berkeley City, USA), Qiang Wang (Lianyungang City, China), Mark Moore (Wellington City, NZ) and Le Tan Hi (Da Nang, Vietnam) will run the race. Full Marathon: 10:30 start at Hamadera Park Course: Hamadera Park → going up Old Route 26 to north → Ohama Park → going down Old Route 26 to south → Rinku Park Half Marathon: 10:30 start at Hamadera Park Course: Hamadera Park → going up Old Route 26 to north → Ohama Park → going down Old Route 26 to south → Kishiwada Castle Official Homepage: http://www.senshu-marathon.jp/

☆Tokyo 2020 Olympic Torch

Relay

Date: Tuesday 14 Apr il Time: 8:00 star t Place: Star t: Daisen park, Finish: Plaza of Rikyu and Akiko

(Risho no Mori) The route for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Torch Relay in Sakai has been decided as shown. On 14 April, Sakai will be the starting destination for the relay in Osa-ka Prefecture so there will be a ceremo-ny before departure. There will more information about traffic changes closer to date in the next edition.

● Chinese Culture Seminar Date: Sunday 8 March Time: 10:00~12:00 Cost: Free Audience: Primary school age or older Capacity: 30 people (first come fir st served basis) Reservation/Inquiry: Directly contact the International Division at 072-222-7343 from 12 to 21 February (weekdays 10:00~17:00) What kind of place is Sakai’s friendship city, Lianyungang City? What does Chinese tea taste like? Lianyungang-born Li Zang (Chinese Coordinator for International Relations of Sakai City) will be holding a class on Chinese culture with tea tast-ing! ● New Zealand Culture Seminar Date: Sunday 22 March Time: 13:00~15:30 Cost: 500 yen (free for SWA members) Capacity: 40 people (raffle if capacity reached) Reservation/Inquiry: Directly email swa@sakai-sfc-council.com with your name, name of course and whether you’re a SWA member or not. Reservations close 28 February

The Sakai Wellington Association will be hosting a culture seminar with NZ wine tasting. The seminar will be led by the Coor-dinator for International Relations from NZ (aka yours truly). I hope to see you there!

● ASEAN Culture Classes Please send your name, name of class and phone number to ako@city.sakai.lg.jp. *Participants will be decided by raffle if reservations exceed capacity. *Primary school students and younger must be accompanied with an adult. Thai Lotus Leaf Painting Date: Friday 13 March Time: 13:30~16:30 Cost: 1500 yen Capacity: 15 people Freely color in a canvas pre-prepared with lotus leaves to create an artwork that repre-sents yourself. The canvas will be 20cm x 20cm. Come and make a one-of-a-kind piece in a relaxed atmosphere, free from obstructive thoughts. Reservations open until 2 March.

This photo is just an image Vietnamese Summer Rolls Date: Tuesday 24 March Time: 14:30~16:00 Cost: 200 yen Capacity: 20 people Listen to talk on Vietnamese food culture while making summer rolls. Reservations open until 8 March

☆Cultural Events at the Sakai International Plaza (all held in Japanese)

Please refer to page 6 for contact details

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February/March 2020 Events

◆Kindergarten Children’s Art Exhi-bition

Date: Thursday 13 February to Monday 17 February Time: 9:00~17:30 *closes at 16:00 on the final day Place: 1F Entrance Hall of the Tall Build-ing (kousoukan), Sakai City Hall Cost: Free There will be an exchange exhibition of art made by kindergarten children from Sakai City and from Sakai’s sister and friendship cities, Berkeley City (USA), Lianyungang City (China), Wellington City (New Zea-land) and Da Nang City (Vietnam).

☆Sophia Sakai (TEL) 072-270-8110

Access: 1426 Fukaishimizu-cho, Naka-ku Located 12 minutes away on foot from Fukai Station on the Senboku Rapid Rail-way Line. Closed: Mondays (however open if a public holiday) Flea Market Date: Monday 24 February and Saturday 28 March Time: 11:00~15:00 Cost: Free Place: Sophia Sakai Gallery There will also be a children’s craft session held at the same time. February – sweets decoration: magnet 300 yen, parfait 400 yen, tissue case 800 yen, pen stand 1000 yen. March - nametag 500 yen, UV resin mirror 800 yen *may finish earlier if supplies run out Planetarium Show “Journey of the Stars: World Version” Special Long Version Showcasing places like North America, Hawaii, Australia, Bolivia, New Zealand, travel the northern and southern hemisphere to see the starry night sky. Date: Until 24 March Time: Weekdays 11:15 and 14:30, Week-ends/public holidays 12:00 and 14:30 Cost: Adult 510 yen 4 years to jun-ior high school 250 yen

☆◆Sakai City Museum

Access: 2-cho, Mozusekiun-cho, Sakai-ku 7 min walk from Mozu Station (JR Hanwa Line) Time: 9:30~17:15 (last entr ance 16:30) Closed: Monday (however open if pub-lic holiday) Admission: Adult 200 yen, university & senior high school 100 yen, junior high & primary school 50 yen Exhibition: History of Household Goods and Devices of Old Days Date: Until 8 March An introduction of tools and items mostly from the Showa Era (1926-1989) and the wisdom and smarts behind how the Japa-nese used them to improved their daily life.

Literati Painting in Sakai Date: 20 March to 10 May Vicariously experience the academic lives of literates through an exhibition of litera-ti paintings from the Edo to Meiji Period (late 19th C.) that were drawn in Sakai. Interactive Event: “Let’s try olden tools and games!” Date: Saturday 29 February Time: 13:00~16:00 Place: Basement Hall Cost: Free Capacity: 100 pr imary and junior high school students Reservations unnecessary, first come first served basis.

☆Harvest Hill (TEL) 072-296-9911 (HP) http://farm.or.jp

Please note winter admission and hours will revert back to normal from March, indicated in bold. Admission: Adult (junior high school & above) 600 yen (1000 yen) Child (4yrs old & up) 400 yen (600 yen) Hours: 10:00~17:00 (9:30~17:30/18:00 on weekends) Closed: Every Wednesday (open every day) Flowers - Come and see the roughly 50,000 daf-fodils in bloom dur-ing February! - The rapeseed flow-ers have bloomed exceptionally early this year and are in full bloom! For more infor-mation on the flower forecast, please visit their website.

Check online for availability and more cooking classes! Strawberry Parfait Class Pick a pack of strawberries for your dish! Date: Weekends and public holidays in February Time: 10:30 Cost: 1800 yen Duration: 90 mins Capacity: 30 people Strawberry Pie Class Pick a pack of strawberries for your dish! Date: Weekends and public holidays in February Time: 14:30 Cost: 1800 yen Duration: 90 mins Capacity: 30 people Strawberry Daifuku Class Date: Weekdays dur ing February Time: 11:00~ Cost: 1300 yen Duration: 60 mins Capacity: 24 people

(TEL) 072-245-6201

☆World Masters Games 2021 KANSAI Japan

Did you know that the World Masters Games 2021 Kansai will be held in May 2021? It is a worldwide international sports competition that anyone aged 30 and over can partici-pate in. This will be the first time it will take place in Asia, with 35 games and 59 events, and Sakai will be holding the soccer and futsal games. With no preliminary rounds and medals awarded for every age and level category, the chances of becoming a medalist are high! Entries will open from February 2020. Sports-lovers must participate! Entry URL: https://www.wmg2021.jp

©KAGAYAスタジオ

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February/March 2020 Notices & Services

☺ Sick Childcare Services

If a child is unable to at-tend their usual childcare center due to sickness or injury and childcare at home is difficult due to circumstances of parents' work, we will temporarily provide childcare at a dedi-cated nursery facility. These facilities are available for use after the acute period until recovery. Target children: 6 months to 6th grade pr imary school Target illnesses: illnesses that can be treated with ordinary outpatient care (e.g. common cold, diarrhea, infectious diseases such as rubella and chronic illnesses such as asthma) and trau-matic injuries (such as fractures) Period of use: up to 7 consecutive days Usage fee: 2,500 yen per child per day ● Households living in Sakai City with welfare or with resi-

dent tax exemption: 500 yen per child per day ● Households living in Sakai City with income tax exemption:

1,500 yen per child per day *there may be a separate expense charges How to use: 1. Pre-registration → 2. Child becomes sick → 3. Consulta-tion with a family doctor → 4. Reservation → 5. Admit-tance Detailed explanation about each step is available on the web version of this edi-tion’s newsletter. Please scan the QR for the link.

△24 March: World Tuberculosis Day (“Unite to End

TB”)

It is estimated that 9.6 million people annually develop TB across the world and 1.5 million people die from it. With this situation, the UN has taken an important step and designated one of their Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to resolv-ing the global spread of TB by 2030. In Japan, there are still about 18,000 people who develop the disease every year, amongst which about 2,000 die from it. TB is not an illness of the past; it is an infectious disease that requires constant cau-tion. If the following symptoms continue, please take a TB ex-amination. ● Cough lasting for more than 2 weeks

● Phlegm

● Loss of appetite

● Decrease in weight

● Sluggishness ● If the condition gets worse, there is a

possibility of symptoms such as bloody phlegm and hemoptysis to appear.

In Sakai City, persons aged 40 and older can receive a free TB and lung cancer screening once a year. Please take advantage of this offer.

※Declaration of Municipal and Prefectural Tax

This is an important procedure which provides the basis for the calculation of taxes in FY2020 and also enables taxpayers to be

issued with tax certificates such as “Proof of Income” (所得証

明書 shotokushomeisho). Who needs to make a municipal and prefectural tax decla-ration? Anyone who had an address within Sakai City as at 1 January 2020 and received income in 2019, excluding: ● anyone whose place of employment automatically informs the

municipal government of their earnings ● anyone whose income during 2019 is from public pension

only and 1.55 million yen and under (1.05 million yen and under for those born on 2 February 1955 and after)

● anyone who informs the national tax office of his/her income individually

If you had no income in 2019, but still want to receive a “Proof of Income”, please make a declaration. Declaration period: 17 February to 16 March (excluding weekends and public holi-days) Time: 9:00~17:15 Place: City Hall Main Building 3F Meeting Room, Naka/Higashi/Minami Ward Office 2F Meeting Room, Nishi Ward Office Basement Meeting Room, Kita Ward Office 1F Meeting Room, Mihara Ward Office 3F Meeting Room Necessary Items:

● personal seal (印鑑 inkan)

● something that can prove your earnings, e.g. income tax with-

holding slip (like a 源泉徴収票 gensen choshuhyo)

● something that can be deducted from your income, e.g. pay-

ment receipts of national health insurance (国民健康保険kokumin kenko hoken)

● ID (either My Number card or two other different IDs).

△1-7 March: Spring Fire Prevention Campaign Week

Let’s practice the following 7 points in order to protect our-selves from fires.

3 good habits to prevent fires: ● Turn off the stove completely

when leaving unattended

● Do not smoke in bed ● Keep burnable things away

from heater and remember to turn it off before sleeping or going out

4 good measures of action to reduce damage:

● Installing fire alarms and testing them regularly to ensure quick detection.

● Use fire-proof bedding, garments and curtains. ● Invest in a fire extinguisher for use on small fires.

● Create a community with your neighbors in order to help elderly as well as those who are physically handicapped

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Health & Childcare February/March 2020

☺ Sakai City Childcare Support Helper Dispatch

Eligibility: ● Those living in Sakai and registered as residents ● Those with or are expecting a child/children and are having

difficulties with household work and childcare due to lack of aid.

Those who are returning to their parents’ home to give childbirth or currently have someone helping are not eligible. Support Contents: ● Household Work (food preparation and/or cleanup, laundry,

room cleaning, shopping, etc.) ● Childcare Assistance (changing diapers, supporting feeding

and bathing a baby, etc.) These services will be done at the user’s house and strictly only provide assistance. The helpers will not take care of the baby alone, such as when guardians are not present in the house. For more details, please see the Support Con-tents Details: What Helpers Can and Cannot Do

「支援内容詳細～ヘルパーさんができるこ

と・できないこと～」on the city website

(only in Japanese).

Usage Period: ● From the date of Pregnancy Notification

submission till one year after childbirth Note: Not available dur ing New Year Holiday Break (December 29 ~ January 3) Number of Usage: ● Maximum 50 times (For twins and more,

maximum of 80 times) Hours: ● 8:00~20:00 (for some cases until 18:00) ● 1 visit for 2 hours (maximum twice a day) Note: Continuation of the two visits, i.e. maxi-mum of 4 hours, is possible. Application: Please apply 7 days in advanced by filling out the Sakai City Childcare Support Helper Dis-

patch Application (堺市育児支援ヘルパー派

遣申請書 sakaishi ikujishien herupa

hakenshinseisho) and directly handing it in or

mailing it to Childcare Division (子育て支援課 kosodate shienka) at your local ward office.

Note: Please be aware there will be a cancellation fee if you do not notify the helper by 17:00 on the day before sched-uled and the helper does visit your home. ● Fees are decided according to the taxa-tion situation of the household members (including cohabiting relatives, etc.). ● Please ensure to pay helpers after every visit.

User’s Household Classification Fee (1 hour) Fee (1~2 hours)

Documents Needed for Application

Public Assistance, etc. Households 0 yen 0 yen

Public Assistance Receipt Certificate

(生活保護受給証明書 seikatsuhogo jukyu shomeisho)

Municipal Tax Exempt Households (Single Parent Households)

0 yen 0 yen Taxation Certificate (課税証明書

kazeishomeisho)

Municipal Tax Exempt Households (General Households)

100 yen 200 yen Taxation Certificate (課税証明書

kazeishomeisho)

Municipal Tax Exempt Households (Households paying tax per capita

{均等割kintowari} only) 250 yen 500 yen

Taxation Certificate (課税証明書 kazeishomeisho)

Other Households 700 yen 1,400 yen Taxation Certificate (課税証明書

kazeishomeisho)

☺ Preventing Spread of Norovirus

Norovirus infects humans and causes gastroenteritis which results in diarrhea, vomiting and more. It is particularly common in winter (November to March). The excrement and vomit of those infected is contaminated with the virus. When dry, the virus can become airborne and spread. If there is someone with the virus in your home or at work, swiftly take the following measures to pre-vent it from spreading. ● Quickly wipe up ● Don’t let it dry ● Disinfect Make sure to use dis-posable gloves and masks to avoid direct contact with dirtied bedding, clothes and toilets etc. when dealing with them. A mixture of commercial chlorine bleach and water in a 490ml:10ml ratio (i.e. two capfuls in a 500ml bottle) is very effective for disinfecting.

△Prevent the spread of influenza!

● Thoroughly wash hands and gargle after going out

● Use a humidifier to maintain a suitable level of humidity (50-60%)

● Get enough rest and eat a balanced diet ● Avoid going to places with lots of people, such

as downtown areas. If your child catches influenza: ● Young children and teenagers may make ab-

normal movements, such as suddenly running, trying to leave the room or restlessly walk around. Make sure not to leave children unat-tended for at least two days after symptoms appear.

● Do not let your child go to school or daycare until five days after symptoms appear or two days after fever breaks.

500ml

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City Life provides non-Japanese residents and visitors with information about daily life and events in Sakai. Published by the Interna-tional Division, Sakai City Government. 3-1 Minamikawara-machi, Sakai-ku, Sakai, Osaka

〒590-0078

(TEL) 072-222-7343 (FAX) 072-228-7900 This issue was compiled by Ellen Xiong, Coordina-tor for International Rela-tions. Published on the 1st of every second month. Pick up your next copy of City Life from the 6th floor of Sakai City Hall or from:

Ward Offices

Libraries

Sakai City Museum

Public health centres

Public gyms

Cultural halls Foreigners living in Sakai are eligible for free deliv-ery. Please email us with your name and address. If you would like to give feedback or contribute something to City Life (event information, hints for living in Japan, recipes etc.) please contact Ellen at: kokusai@city.sakai.lg.jp Readers can now sign up to be sent the link to each new City Life as it be-comes available online.

Use the QR Code above or the link on the City Life homepage to go to the registration website. The registration process is all in Japanese but there is an English guide on the page.

Sakai International Plaza TEL 072-228-7499 FAX 072-340-1091 Email: kokusai@city.sakai.lg.jp Address: 1-4-24 Nakakawara-machi, Sakai-ku 〒590-0077

300m from Sakaihigashi Station (Nankai Koya Line)

Opening Hours: Sunday to Friday 9:00~17:30

(closed on public holidays and New Year’s break)

General Consultations for Foreign Residents

Please drop by in person or call during these hours if you have any queries regarding daily life.

Japanese/English Mon to Fr i 10:00~12:00

13:00~16:00

Portuguese Mon 13:00~16:00

Fri 9:00~12:00

Spanish Mon & Fri 13:00~16:00

Korean Tues 9:00~12:00

Chinese Wed 13:00~16:00

Fri 9:00~12:00

*Languages other than Japanese/English will be conducted through a 3-way call

The Sakai International Plaza provides support with daily life enquiries in 11 languages through the use of translation devices and interpreting services. Residents can come by between 10:00~12:00 and 13:00~16:00 on Monday to Friday for advice. Languages include English, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Nepali, Indone-sian, Tagalog, Thai, Portuguese and Spanish.

Free Confidential Consultations

● 19 February & 18 March, 14:00~17:00

Consultations on naturalizations and immigrations with an administrative procedure specialists are available for discussing the status of or changes to applications. Three slots available (Reservations required). For those that require an interpreter must apply at least 10 days before the date of the consultation.

● 29 March, 13:30~17:30 (doors close at 17:00) Talk with experts on issues with daily life in Japan, taxes, pensions, visas, education, and work. Please make a reservation by phone, fax or email. You will need to provide your name, contact number, preferred language and time, and topic of consultation. Volunteer Interpreter Service Those who need interpretation can apply for a volun-teer interpreter at the Sakai International Plaza. Availa-ble languages are English, Chinese, Korean, Spanish, Portuguese, etc. Please make sure to apply 10 days in advance using the form available for download from the QR code. Please hand it in via post, fax or email.

○♣ Smoking and Littering Ban

In Sakai City, there is a ban on smoking and littering stretching from around Sakai Higashi station, the City Hall and Oshoji road to Sakai station (East to West). There is a 1000 yen penalty fee if caught. The areas of western Sakai Higashi station, Nakamozu station, Mikunigaoka station, JR Sakaishi station and the shopping arcade in front of it have been marked as priority areas of improvement. There will be patrollers go-ing around to promote the campaign. We deeply appreciate your understanding.

○♣ Storing Water in Case of Disaster

It’s important to store drinkable water for at least 7 days in case of a disaster. One person needs about 3 liters of water for one day. It is necessary to save water in case of a large earthquake that could result in water pipes being damaged, causing filthy or sewage wa-ter not being properly disposed. If this happens, it is recommended that you refrain from using the water from the pipes. By simply refraining from the use of water other than the toilet, you can reduce the sewage up to about 70%.

Emergency Numbers

119: fire or medical emergency (available in English, Chinese, Korean, Spanish, and Portuguese) 110 : accident or require police Ambulances are free to use however, they are only for emergencies and must not be used for minor illnesses or injuries. How to make emergency calls using public phone boxes: 1. Pick up receiver

2. Press the red button (緊急用通報ボタン) 3. Dial 119 or 110

○♣ Waterworks & Sewage Bureau Reminder Please contact the center when you need to start or stop your water supply. Also, please make sure to pay your water bill on time. If not, the water supply may stop. Waterworks & Sewage Bureau Customer Center (TEL: navi-dial) 0570-02-1132 (TEL) 072-251-1132 (Japanese only) Weekdays: 8:45 ~ 19:00 Weekends & public holidays: 9:00 ~ 17:00