だて市政だより４月号（英訳版） Public Relations Magazine DATE English Digest - April 2023
Grand Opening of the Hobara New Industrial Estate’s Retention Basin Park
P12 保原新工業団地調整池公園を一般開放
Contact Urban Development Department’s Parks and Green Spaces Section ☎ 024-573-5620
The retention basin developed within the Hobara New Industrial Estate will be opening as a park. Please be courteous while using the facility.
Opening Date Saturday, April 1st
Location Inside of the Kuwata Area of Hobara Town, Date City (Within the Hobara New Industrial Estate 保原新工業団地)
Utilization Cautions and Requests
・As the entire plot is a retention basin, rainwater will flood rapidly during rainfall. If it begins to rain, please immediately cease usage of the park.
・There is no toilet in the park.
・Anything brought into the park, including trash, should also be taken back home.
・The City cannot be held responsible for any accidents, injuries, or troubles that have arisen while using the park.
Prohibited Activities Please do not use the park at night, listen to loud music or engage in behaviors that produce a lot of noise, use fire, bring dangerous goods, or other such activities.
※Please review the notice signboard installed on park grounds before use.
Overview
Park (Northern area): Asphalt Pavement
Park (Southern area): Soil clearing
Parking: Accommodation of 13 standard-sized vehicles and 5 large-sized vehicles possible
Cervical Cancer Prevention Nonavalent Vaccine Now Available For Free
P12 子宮頸がん予防ワクチン９価ワクチン無料接種可能に
Contact Health Promotion Department’s Health Management Section ☎ 024-575-1116
In addition to the bivalent and tetravalent vaccines, the nonavalent vaccine has been made available at public expense for the routine vaccination against cervical cancer.
Commencement of Routine Inoculation of Nonavalent Vaccine From Sat. April 1st
Eligibility
① General Girls equivalent to the age of 6th graders in elementary school through 1st years in high school.
② Catch-up Inoculation Eligibility Women and girls born within the period of April 2nd, 1997 to April 1st, 2007 (Inoculation period is until March 31st, 2025)
Inoculation Frequency and Intervals
※The vaccination frequency is two inoculations given 6 months apart (if the interval is less than 5 months apart, it is three inoculations) for those under 15.
Fee Free (public expenditure)
Inoculation Location Qualifying medical institutions within Fukushima Prefecture (reservation required)
Necessary Items for the Day of Inoculation
・Maternal and Child Health Handbook (※ must be brought)
・Vaccine Screening Questionnaire for Cervical Cancer Prevention Vaccine
Distribution of the Vaccine Screening Questionnaire
① General Those in the 6th grade of elementary school will be mailed the Vaccine Screening Questionnaire. All others have already been sent the Questionnaire. Those who have moved, lost, or otherwise don’t have it, please contact the Health Promotion Department.
② Catch-up Inoculation Please use the Vaccine Screening Questionnaire provided by medical institutions within Date City’s jurisdiction. If receiving vaccination from a medical institution outside of the jurisdiction of Date City (such as Fukushima City), please contact the Health Promotion Department.
Cervical Cancer Prevention Inoculation Procedure
・Those beginning inoculation: 3※ inoculations of either the bivalent, tetravalent, or nonavalent vaccine
・Those who have already received 1~2 inoculations: In principle, the same type of vaccine with be given 3 times. However, upon consultation with the inoculating physician, remaining inoculations given with the nonavalent vaccine are possible
・Those who have already received 3 inoculations: Re-inoculation is not necessary
Aiming for Sure Victory During This Year’s Challenge Day Against Opponent Hekinan City, Aichi Prefecture
P13 チャレンジデー今年こそ勝利を 対戦相手は愛知県碧南市
Contact Lifelong Learning Department’s Lifelong Learning and Sports Section ☎ 024-573-5709
It has been decided that this year’s opponent will be Hekinan City, Aichi Prefecture during Challenge Day, where victory between municipalities is determined by the participation percentage of residents, who must be active for 15 minutes or more. Join us and aim for the first victory in five years!
Date Wednesday May, 31st Midnight ~ 9 PM
Participation Method Please find further details on the leaflet distributed with next month’s Public Digest (May Edition).
Previous Challenge Days’ Win-Loss Record
Hekinan City is an extremely strong opponent with a participant rate of 71.4% in 2022. We kindly ask for your participation.
Support for Childrearing Households
Information on Childcare Allowances
P14 子育て世帯を支援 児童手当などのご案内
Contact Neuvola Promotion Department ☎ 024-573-5652
Childcare Allowance
Applicability
Those who reside in Date City and are raising children between the ages of 0 and the first 31st of March after the child’s 15th birthday (received by the guardian with the highest income)
Payout Intervals
Allowance Amounts
※ Exceptional Payments are given to those who are not applicable for Childcare Allowances.
Income Limit Table
※ When dependents number six or more, the income limit rises by ¥380,000 per person.
※ The income limits include deductions.
※ The income limits for people whom the Income Tax Law defines as tax-deductible elderly spouses, or those with dependent elderly relatives, rise by ¥60,000 per person over the limits in the above chart.
Child Support Allowance
Applicability
For people raising children in single-parent households, until the first 31st of March after the child’s 18th birthday (or no later than age 20, when there is a defined physical or mental disability)
▼ Also applicable under the following circumstances:
• The father or mother has a severe physical or mental disability
• The recipient is a victim of spousal violence
※For pensioners whose monthly pension is less than the allowance, the difference will be paid.
Payout Intervals
Allowance Amounts (From April, payment amount have changed.)
※ The allowance amount is determined according to income
※ The allowance is not given in cases where the parent, or relatives at the same address, exceed the income limit.
Special Child Support Allowance
Applicability
For people raising children under the age of 20 with moderate to severe physical or mental disabilities
Payout Intervals
Allowance Amounts (From April, payment amount have changed.)
※ The allowance is not given in cases where a parent, or relatives at the same address, exceed the income limit.
Family Support Center
P15 ファミリーサポートセンター
The Family Support Center, i.e. FamiSupo, is an organization that encourages community child-rearing by connecting those seeking assistance with the rearing of children (Requesting Members), and local community members wishing to offer their support (Entrusted Members).
Usage Fee
Can be used in circumstances such as these
・Dropping off and picking up of children at kindergarten etc., and/or looking after the children before they are dropped off or after they are picked up
・Taking care of children after school
・Looking after children during various affairs including important family ceremonies and school events
・Taking care of children while the guardian(s) have left the house for occasions such as shopping
Now Recruiting “Entrusted Members”
There are fewer Entrusted Members compared to Requesting Members. We are especially searching for members able to lend their support in assisting child-rearing. We will require you to attend a training hosted by the Center.
Contact Information
Date City Family Support Center
106-1 Higashizaki, Hobara-machi
Shine KANNO Rm. 201
☎ 024-573-5446
(Weekdays 9AM ~ 5:30 PM, except for weekends, holidays, and the Year End and New Year season)
Subsidized Purchase, Etc., of Hearing Aids for Children with Impaired Hearing
P15 難聴児補聴器購入費等の助成
In order to advance the language acquisition and communication abilities of those children with a light- to moderate-level hearing impairment, who are not eligible to be granted a physical disability certificate, the cost of purchasing or repairing hearing aids will be partially subsidized.
Eligibility Guardians of children under the age of 18, who meet requirements ①~③ (Other conditions exist, such as an income limit, etc.)
① Children who have a home within Date City
② Children whose hearing ability threshold in both ears is, in principal, at or above 30 decibels, but below 70 decibels; and who are ineligible to receive a physical disability certificate (※ Even if below 30 decibels, eligibility is granted if the necessity of hearing aid use is recognized by a physician)
③ Children for whom a physician has deemed that with a hearing aid, a definitive improvement in language acquisition, etc., can be expected
Subsidy Amount Two-thirds of purchase or repair expenses, within the standard price limits determined by the City
Other Information Application prior to purchase is necessary. Previously purchased or repaired hearing aids will not be eligible for the subsidy. Please enquire with the responsible department for details.
Contact Neuvola Promotion Department's Disabled Child Support Section ☎ 024-573-5652
Date City Fire Brigade Prays for a Year Without Fire and Disaster
P19 1年間の無火災や無災害を祈る伊達市消防団初午行事
Each branch held a traditional Hatsuuma* event. After praying at a Shinto shrine for no fires and no disasters, various proceedings such as the inspection of water supplies and door-to-door visits to call for fire prevention were conducted, raising awareness of disaster and fire prevention. During this event, the Tsukidate Branch simultaneously discharged water using fire pumps along the Hirose River for the first time in 4 years. Thirteen large columns of water were raised, symbolizing that preparations against fire disasters were complete.
*Hatsuuma is the first day of the horse based on the lunar calendar. For the general public, this usually includes visiting Inari Shrines and events relating to the fox dieties. For many Fire Brigades, it is tradition to pray for safety from disasters, hold drills, raise awareness in the community, etc.
Internal Radiation Exposure Tested by Whole Body Counter
P27 ホールボディカウンターによる内部被ばく検査
Eligibility Date City inhabitants age 1 or older
Date April 1, 2023 ~ March 31, 2024, Monday through Friday
※Morning reception is available the first and second Saturdays of each month from April through November.
Location Fukushima Prefecture Labor Health Center
Application Method Reservations via phone are required (Reservation number 024-554-5195)
Necessary Items Personal identification such as a driver’s license or health insurance card
Price Free
Contact Health Promotion Department’s Health Management Section ☎ 024-575-1116
2024 Academic Year Elementary School Pre-Entrance Examinations
P28 令和6年度小学校入学前調査
Eligibility Children scheduled to enter elementary school in the 2024 academic year
Date From the end of May, to the beginning for June
Location The elementary school of scheduled entry
Details "Pre-Entrance School Lifestyle Adaption Examinations" and "Lectures Regarding Domestic Lifestyle, Etc., Prior to Entering School" will be given
Other Information Notices will be distributed through the kindergarten or certified childcare center, etc., that your child attends at the beginning of April. If you do not receive one by Friday, April 14th, please kindly contact the School Education Department.
Contact School Education Department's Instruction Section ☎ 024-573-5833
Application Deadline Postponed for 2022 Fukushima Offshore Earthquake Financial Aid
P28 令和4年福島県沖地震支援金申請期限延長
Eligibility Households residing within the city in a home which, due to the 16 March 2022 Fukushima Offshore Earthquake, incurred Complete Destruction, Large-Scale Partial Destruction, or Mid-Scale Partial Destruction; or underwent Demolition Following Partial Destruction, or Demolition Following Damage to Land.
Details The application deadline to receive funding from the Program to Support the Reconstruction of Victim’s Livelihoods has been postponed for one year.
Application Period
① Basic subsidy: Until Monday, April 15th, 2024 (one year postponement)
② Additional subsidy: Until Tuesday, April 15th, 2025
Contact Disaster Preparation & Crisis Management Department’s Crisis Management Section ☎ 024-575-1197
Coordinator for International Relations to Teach Japanese Course for Foreign Residents
P29 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, April 18th 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 submission in-person: 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, April 11th
Contact Collaborative Community Development Department's Collaboration Promotion Section ☎ 024-575-1177
Cooperation Sought with Blood Donation
P29 献血にご協力ください
Date Thursday, April 27th 10 AM ~ 11 :30 AM; 1 PM ~ 4 :30 PM
Location Date City Hall
Other Information There may be instances in which one is asked to refrain from donating due to their physical condition or use of medication.
Contact Health Promotion Department’s Health Management Section ☎ 024-575-1116
Cooperate with the Blood Donation!
Date City Public Library
65th Storytime Week for Children
P30 伊達市立図書館
Sunday, April 23rd ~ Friday, May 12th
Title: “Open Then Shut, Smiles Clear-cut”
Bookmarks will be offered as gifts for the duration.
Borrowing Resources: (Borrowing Period: 2 weeks)
Books: up to 5 per person
DVDs/CDs: up to 2 per person
Hours 9 AM ~ 7 PM (until 5 PM on Sundays and Holidays)
Closed Mondays
Contact 024-551-2132
The “Wellness Walk in Yanagawa” to Be Held
P32 だてな健幸ウォークinやながわを開催
Date Saturday, May 27th 9:30~12:00
Location Start and Finish at Yanagawa Kibo no Mori Park
Info Enjoy a pleasant walk while experiencing the City’s nature, history, and culture alongside Date native and ambassador, Alice Kobayashi.
Application Period Fri. April 14th ~ Fri. April 28th
Application Method Apply via the QR code, or bring the application form to the Happy and Healthy Hometown Development Department’s Happy and Healthy Hometown Promotion Section. (Mailing is optional)
From April 10th onwards, it will also be possible to hand in application forms to places such as the Branch Offices and Central Exchange Halls.
Additional Info Some among the participants will be gifted prizes via a lottery! (Prizes include a smartwatch, bicycles (both for adults and children), a body composition monitor, and more!)
Contact Happy and Healthy Hometown Development Department’s Happy and Healthy Hometown Promotion Section ☎ 024-575-1146
Choose from 4 different courses!
Energetic Course (~5 km (~3.11 mi) / limited to 170 people)
A course to enjoy walking at your own pace while touring around historical ruins of the Date Clan.
Historical Exploration Course (~5 km (~3.11 mi) / limited to 50 people)
Commentary on historical sites from a history guide! A course for getting a taste of the Date Clan.
Comfortable Course (~3.5 km (~2.17 mi) / limited to 50 people)
A slightly shorter course comfortable for beginners.
Laid-back Course (~1.2 km (~0.75 mi) / limited to 30 people)
A relaxing walking course for a small change of pace.
Distance suitable for those using a wheelchair.
Coordinator for International Relations’ Monthly Column by Lara Justice
P35 連載コラム国際交流員の活動日誌
The Power of Language
In February, I went to a 5-day translation and interpretation training held in Shiga Prefecture for CIRs across Japan. I had never been to Shiga Prefecture and the prospect of meeting other CIRs from different countries was very exciting. Ultimately the training was an all-day affair with a few hours of homework every day to top it all off, so I couldn’t fit in much time to sightsee. In exchange though, I had plenty of time to contemplate the power of language.
Language, in any form, is a tool to help humans communicate with one another. Learning multiple languages means that the number of people we can speak to, connect and have discussions with, increases. It also means that the number of words we have available to shape and color our personal, unique experience also increases. To learn another language feels almost as if seeing the world through new eyes. Suddenly even the most insignificant thing in the environment we see every day can be described by a new color, emotion, or expression that we never noticed, or perhaps didn’t have the vocabulary to describe it.
For example, I love the phrase「遠慮のかたまり」(enryo no katamari, lit. the “embodiment of restraint”). It is a phrase in the Kansai dialect of Japanese, and refers to the last piece(s) of food, shared by multiple people, that everyone feels hesitant to reach for out of courtesy to the others. Of course, even Americans subconsciously leave behind this “embodiment of restraint,” but I hadn’t ever had a word to name it. After having experienced this phenomenon numerous times, finally having the specific language to describe it made me extremely happy.
Learning a new language may be daunting, and even scary in some ways, but in addition to broadening our own horizons, there are countless benefits. There is no such thing as it being “too late” to learn a language, so I implore everyone to give it a try!
