EST. 1994 ISSUE 160

October/November 2020 Edition

Contents Legend: ity Life is a free English newsletter published every even month by the ☆ events City Notices 2-3 C International Division at the City Government to provide infor- mation to the residents of Sakai City. It is available at libraries, ward offic- ◆ exhibitions Events 3-4 es and other city facilities, or you can view it online at the Sakai City Gov- ※ important notices ernment English website. Don’t forget to also sign up for emails to know △ campaigns Fun Stuff 5 when each new edition is published! There is more information on the back ☺ child & healthcare page. If you have any questions or feedback, please contact Ellen at the ○♣ environment Important Info 6 following email address: [email protected]  help lines

ASEAN Events

With the unfortunate cancellation of the very popular ASEAN Hiroba and other ASEAN week events for this year, the organizing committee has worked hard to still provide some alternative fun events. ASEAN Cuisine Online Recipes Vietnamese and Thai cooking recipes/videos will be released on the Sakai City Government website for a limited time! As we are celebrating the 1st anniversary of the inscription of the Mozu-Furuichi Kofungun as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the cooking will incorporate (ancient mounded tombs) and Director Haniwa will make an appearance in the recipe/ video.

Vietnamese cuisine: Summer rolls (including a version like temakizushi where you eat as you roll) and chè (sweet pudding/soup dessert) with kofun- shaped tapioca. The recipe will be available until 10pm on Saturday 31 October (time has changed from last newsletter’s edition!)

Thai cuisine: Chicken green curry with kofun- shaped rice, shrimp spring rolls, and a sweet potato in coconut milk dessert. The recipe/video will be available until 10pm on Monday 30 November.

Photo Exhibition: Come see an exhibition of roughly 50 works featuring the culture, history and scenery of South East Asian countries! A perfect opportunity to experience different cultures without travelling. Date: Saturday 3 to Thursday 15 October Time: 9:00~21:00 (closes at noon on the last day) Place: 1F Entrance Hall in the Tall Building (高層館kousoukan) of Sakai City Hall

1 October/November 2020 City Notices & Services

△Orange & Purple Ribbon Cam- ☺ Vaccinations ☺ Applications Open for those paign wanting to enroll in Afterschool ● Rotavirus Care from April November is Child Children born on 1 August 2020 and Abuse Prevention later are now eligible for a free rotavirus Please hand in application forms between Awareness Month vaccination. There are two kinds availa- 16~30 November. ble and the number of injections or (orange ribbon) and ● Nobinobi Room and Sakaikko Room 12~25 November availability at medical institutions differ (open 15:00~18:30, excluding Sunday marks the End Vio- so please consult a doctor before decid- and public holidays) lence Against ing. Please be aware that costs apply after your child passes the target age. ● Hokago Room (open 16:00~18:00, Women Campaign (purple ribbon). excluding Sunday and public holidays) Hotlines (Japanese only) Reservations can be made directly with ● Nationwide Child Consultation Cen- designated medical institutions. After-School Children Support Divi- sion (9:00~19:00, Sunday and public ter: 189 Rotarix: 2 injections at 6~24 weeks old Rota Teq: 3 injections at 6~32 weeks old holidays until 17:00) DV (Domestic Violence) Consulta- tion: 0570-0-55210 Forms are available from ● Japanese encephalitis the afterschool care centers Vaccinations protect children from seri- If you wish to have a consultation (free of as well as the City Hall ous illnesses so it is an essential and Administrative Information charge) regarding the human rights in urgent outing. Please ensure that your English, please visit the Osaka Legal Centre and Ward Office children receive them. Costs will apply Administrative Information Corner. Affairs Bureau Human Right Consulta- if your child passes the target age. tion Room (2-1-17 Tanimachi, Chuo-ku, Eligibility: Osaka). Weekdays 9:00~17:00, 10 lan- st 1 period: 6 months to 7 years 5 months ※City & Prefectural Tax Notice guages available. old (3 injections) 2nd period: 9 to 12 years old (1 injection) The phone number (Navi Dial) below is October will be the start of the 3rd ap- available for human rights counseling for Scan the QR code to pointed time for payment for the city and those who are unable to speak Japanese see the PDF list of prefectural tax. The deadline is Saturday fluently. Feel free to consult with them by designated medical 31 October. Please pay at the nearest phone from anywhere in Japan. institutions for these banking facility, post office, convenience (TEL) 0570-090911 vaccinations (in store, Tax Payment Division (City Hall Weekdays 9:00~17:00 Japanese) Mikunigaoka Branch) or by internet or (Closed on public holidays and 29 De- mobile banking. Please make sure to pay cember to 3 January) before the deadline. Languages: English, Chinese, Korean, ☺ Childcare Service Application For those that use automatic transfer, Filipino, Portuguese, Vietnamese, Nepali, payment will automatically be deducted Spanish, Indonesian, and Thai. Application for childcare services for on Saturday 31 October so please check Your call will be directed to the nearest next fiscal year (April 2021 onward) will that you have sufficient funds. Bureau to you via a multilingual interpre- be accepted until 17:30 Friday 30 Octo- tation service company. ber at the Child-raising Support Divi- sion (子育て支援課 kosodateshienka) ☺ Sakai City Special Benefit for at each ward office. Newborn Babies ※Semboku New Town Housing *closed on weekends and public holi- Assistance days A special benefit of 50,000 yen is paid to They will also be open late until 19:30 families residing in Sakai with children Sakai City provides rent assistance for on the 12th to 16th. born between April 28 and December 31, young married couple households and Information on usage and application are 2020. Please start your application as families with small children that have available at the each childcare facility soon as you receive your notification. moved into rental accommodation in and Child-raising Support Division. Applications close on February 28, 2021. Semboku New Town from outside of the If you have any questions related to the Town area. The assistance will be up to To use the childcare service, it is neces- application, please call ¥20,000 towards the portion of rent above sary for the guardian(s) to have meet 072-228-7537 (Japanese) ¥50,000 for maximum of 5 years. certain conditions regarding employ- or the Sakai International ment, pregnancy, nursing care, afterbirth Plaza (see page 6 for Enrollment Periods: care, illness/disease or disabilities. more details). ▽3rd period (completed mov- ing registrations by 1 Oct and used as fundamental data for adminis- 2020) = 1~31 October 2020 ※National Census Deadline trative purposes on every governmental Please hand in forms to the New Town level. Region Revitalization Office, 16F Tall The whole country is currently undergoing All persons living in Japan are required Building, Sakai City Hall a national census. The deadline for inter- to participate, regardless of nationality. *closed on weekends and public holi- net submissions is 7 October. The dead- days line for those returning answers by post is Conditions apply. Please go to the Admin- 20 October (postmarked by this date). istrative Information Center (City Hall), The national census is conducted every Administrative Information Corner (Ward five years according to the Statistics Law Offices) for pamphlets or Sakai City web- and is the most important survey for the site for more information (Japanese only). country. Various statistics can be collected

2 Events & Notices October/November 2020

☆Czech Festival ☆Sophia Sakai (TEL) 072-270-8110

Date & Times: Access: 1426 Fukaishimizu-cho, Naka- Star Gazing Saturday 31 October, 11:00~20:00 Date: October 3, 9, 17, 23, 31 ku Sunday 1 November, 11:00~18:00 Located a 12 minutes walk from Fukai and November 7, 13, 21, 27 *proceed even if rainy Station (Semboku Rapid Line) Time: 19:00~20:30 Place: 6F Astronomical Observatory Place: Portas Sakai (near the Sakai Closed on: Mondays (however open if a Station West Exit on the Nankai Line) public holiday) Why not come see the starry autumn sky Free entry! through largest telescope in Osaka Prefec- Planetarium Show “My Life on Mars” ture! A free event, just come straight to To commemorate 100 years of exchange A program about the latest excavation the venue. No reservations needed. between Japan and the Czech Republic, to Mars and why humans go to space. *may be can- celled due to bad the popular Czech Festival from last year Date: Until 29 November (closed on weather. Decision will be held again! It will be a charm- 13 October and 10 & 17 November) made at 17:00, Time: Weekdays 14:30~15:05 filled event with traditional Czech music, please check the Extra show at 15:30 on weekends and food, craft beer, Moravian wine and tour- website for more ism information. Works by Czech artist public holidays details Alphonse Mucha will also be on display. *please note that the schedule may *primary school change children and Place: Planetarium younger must be Cost: Adult 510 yen, Child (from 4 accompanied years old to junior high school) 250 with an adult yen

©Konica Minolta Planetarium Co., Ltd.

○♣ Disposing Rubbish ※Be Careful of Hornets!! Don’t Provoke Them! PET bottles are recyclable, making them an important resource. Remove the cap Hornets are especially active around now and label, roughly rinse them and make until the end of October so it’s important sure to put them out by 8:00 on the day to stay vigilant. Hornets instinctively of collection (twice a month). The caps protect their nests so they and label are categorized as “plastic will threaten you if you containers and packages” which can be approach it. thrown out on its collection day (once a week). If you get stung:

● Pinch the area that was stung to squeeze out the poison and run it under a tap with cold water.

● Apply an antihistamine salve (it will ※COVID-19 related tools lessen the pain quicker).

● If you feel abnormally lethargic, fever- Osaka COVID-19 Tracing System ish, dizzy, experience accelerated This is 's system to send We appreciate your cooperation as bags heartbeat or nauseous, you might be in an alert email to those registered in case of PET bottles that have metal parts, anaphylactic shock and should consult they had close-contact with someone at knives and plastic mixed together cannot your doctor immediately. the same event or facility who later tested be collected. For more, please refer to positive for COVID-19. the Sakai City Government website Hornets prey on pests such as hairy cat- where there is a handbook available in erpillars and stink bugs, and therefore COVID-19 Contact Confirming Appli- English, Chinese, Kore- are an important part of the ecosystem. If cation (COCOA) an, Vietnamese, Portu- their nest is not directly interfering with This is a smartphone app supplied by guese and Spanish. your daily activities, please leave them Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and alone. Welfare. Install the app, turn Bluetooth Masks and tissues used Please also be advised that the city does on, and you'll be notified if you have had by people who have not provide extermination services for close contact (1m distance for more than COVID-19 or are close hornets. If extermination is necessary, 15 minutes) with someone infected with -contacts of those who have COVID-19 please contact a company directly (at COVID-19 in last 2 weeks. Scan the QR should be disposed of as the following: your own expense). code below to download it to your ● Don’t overfill bags to ensure they smartphone. don’t break ● Tightly tie the bags so they don’t open ● Wash your hands after throwing the rubbish out

Google Play App Store

3 October/November 2020 Events

☆Harvest Hill: (TEL) 072-296-9911 (URL) http://farm.or.jp Halloween Pie Class Date: Every day in October Time: 10:00~17:00 *subject to change Time: 11:00 Entry Fee: Adult 1000 yen, student (junior high and over) & Cost: 1200 yen senior (65yrs+) 700 yen, 4yrs & over 600 yen Duration: 70 minutes Access: 20 minutes by Nankai bus (Habesutono-oka Bus Stop) (includes 20 mins baking from Izumigaoka Station on the Semboku Rapid Line. time) Capacity: 48 people (in 12 Flower Viewing groups) 1 million pink cosmos flow- ers will bloom in a 6,000 Wrapped-up Mummy Bread Class meters squared flower field. Made by wrapping bread dough around and There will also be a photo around one Harvest Hill homemade sausage! contest held on Instagram. You will also make three plain rolls to look like spooky eyeballs. Best viewing: Mid October Date: Every day from 16 October Place: Mura area Time: 14:00 *please check their website Cost: 1000 yen for flower information Duration: 60 minutes (includes 30 mins baking time) Capacity: 48 people (in 12 groups) Sylvanian Family Autumn Festa There will be several events that par- Monster Pancake Class ents and children can enjoy together Create two of these cute sweets by such as taking pictures with the char- filling them with whipped purple acters who will be dressed in Hallow- fleshed sweet potato and decorate een costumes, and a quiz rally with a with chocolate! limited edition prize. Date: Every day until 15 October Date: Until 3 November Time: 14:00 Place: Sylvania Park Cost: 1000 yen Time: 10:00~17:00 (last entry 16:00) Duration: 30 minutes Entry fee: 600 yen Capacity: 48 people (in 12 groups)

◆☆Sakai City Museum (TEL) 072-245-6201 ☆Activities from the Sakai City Water and Sewage Bureau Access: 2-cho, Mozusekiun-cho, Sakai-ku Exhibition: “Let’s Explore Treasures of The Museum! From the collection of 7 min walk from Mozu Station (JR Hanwa Let’s have fun while － Line) Sakai City Museum Part 2: People and learning something Time: 9:30~17:15 (last entrance 16:30) Landscape” new at the same time! Closed: Monday (however open if a pub- Date: 10 October to 29 November Why not fill your free lic holiday) The second half of the exhibition to cele- time by trying some Admission: Adult 200 yen, university & brate the museum’s 40th anniversary. It puzzles based on Sa- senior high school 100 yen, junior high & will introduce paintings from the muse- kai City Water and elementary school 50 yen um’s collection in three chapters, using the Sewerage Bureau’s keywords of “Sakai and people”, “local mascot, Suichan! There are mazes, spot- Museum Pass region” and “the sea”. the-difference and coloring-in sheets. An elementary or jun- There is also a crossword in Japanese ior high school student Intangible Cultural Heritage Series Ex- that you can try if you’re and an accompanying hibition: “Asia’s Traditional Plays” feeling confident! adult can enter for free! Date: 3~29 November I personally found some Period: Until 29 November Photo panel exhibition on the costumes of of these puzzles challeng- Applicable facilities: Sakai City Muse- Japan’s kabuki, classical Chinese opera, ing and enjoyable. um, Mihara History Museum, Sakai City Korea’s talchum (mask dance) and Vi- Historical Townhouses (Yamaguchi Resi- etnam’s cheo (popular opera) and tuong There is also a manga where Suichan dence and Seigakuin) Sakai Plaza of Rikyu (classical opera) explains how to prepare for earthquakes and Akiko, Alphonse Mucha Museum, and other scenarios. It’s very informa- Sakai Traditional Industrial Museum, Bi- Interactive Learning: “Let’s make an tive because it’s written in an easy-to- cycle Museum ancient helmet from cardboard!” understand way and also introduces Eligibility: Elementary/junior high Date: Sunday 15 November what initiatives Sakai City has in place. school students living or attending schools Time: 13:00~16:00 Read a part of the first volume on the in Sakai Place: Basement Hall right! Where to receive: Through elementary Capacity: 15 groups (elementary/junior and junior high schools in Sakai. Eligible high student and guardian) If you want to read more, students can also receive them at applica- Cost: Free please scan the QR code ble facilities. Phone reservations open at 10:00 on here. Wednesday 14 October. First come first served basis.

4 Miscellaneous October/November 2020

5 For Your Reference

 Sakai International Plaza ○♣ Smoking and Littering Ban

TEL 072-228-7499 FAX 072-340-1091 In Sakai City, there is a ban on smoking and Email: [email protected] littering stretching from around Sakai Hi- Address: 1-4-24 Nakakawara- gashi station, the City Hall and Oshoji road ublished by the Inter- machi, Sakai-ku 〒590-0077. to Sakai station (East to West). There is a P national Division, Located 300m from Sakaihigashi 1000 yen penalty fee if caught. Sakai City Government. Station (Nankai Koya Line) The areas of western Sakaihigashi station, Nakamozu 3-1 Minamikawara-machi, Opening Hours: Sunday to Friday 9:00~17:30 station, Mikunigaoka station, JR Sakaishi station and Sakai-ku, Sakai, Osaka 〒 (closed on public holidays and New Year’s the shopping arcade in front of it have been marked as 590-0078 break) priority areas for improvement. We appreciate your cooperation. (TEL) 072-222-7343 General Consultations for Foreign Residents (FAX) 072-228-7900 Please drop by in person or call during these  Emergency Numbers This issue was compiled hours if you have any queries regarding daily life. 110: accident or require police by Ellen Xiong, Coordina- Japanese/English Mon to Fri 10:00~12:00 119: fire or medical emergency tor for International Rela- (available in English, Chinese, Korean, tions. Published on the 13:00~16:00 Spanish, and Portuguese) first working day of every Portuguese Mon 13:00~16:00 ・Ambulances are free to use however, they are only second month. Fri 9:00~12:00 for emergencies, not for minor illnesses or injuries. ・When you call 119, the operator can set Pick up your next copy Spanish Mon & Fri 13:00~16:00 up a three way call with an interpreter. It can from the International Korean Tues 9:00~12:00 take up to 10 seconds to connect, during Division (6F Sakai City which the caller should wait on the line. Chinese Wed 13:00~16:00 Hall) or from:  Ward Offices Fri 9:00~12:00 ○♣ Parking Ban-Zones for Bicycles & Mini  Libraries *Languages other than Japanese/English will Bikes  Sakai City Museum be conducted through a 3-way call Each railway station in Sakai city  Public health centres The Sakai International Plaza provides support (except for the Hankai Line) is desig-  Public gyms with daily life enquiries in 11 languages through nated as a parking ban zone. Bicycles  Cultural halls the use of translation devices and interpreting and mini bikes left in the zone will be services. Residents can come by between removed. In addition, we will collect  Or read it online! 10:00~12:00 and 13:00~16:00 on Monday to the removal & storage fee for the return Friday for advice. Languages include English, of a removed bike or mini bike. Please Foreigners living in Sakai Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Nepali, Indone- use the parking lot to park a bicycle or mini-bike. are eligible for free deliv- sian, Tagalog, Thai, Portuguese and Spanish. ery. Please email us with your name and address to:  English Facebook Page Free Confidential Consultation [email protected] The Sakai International Plaza’s Face- 21 October & 18 November, 14:00~17:00 book page is a great source for the Consultations on naturalizations and immigra- newest information on what’s happen- Readers can also sign up tions with an administrative procedure specialists ing in Sakai. Things like emergencies, for an email notification as are available for discussing the status of or disaster warnings, upcoming events each new City Life is pub- changes to applications. Three slots available written in English are regularly posted. lished. Use the QR Code (Reservations required). Those that require an Please like our page by scanning the QR code! or the link on the City Life interpreter must apply at least 10 days before the homepage to go to the date of the consultation. registration website. The ○♣ Storing Water in Case of Disaster registration process is all Volunteer Interpreter Service It’s important to store drinkable water for at least 7 days in Japanese but there is an Those who need interpretation can in case of a disaster. One person drinks about 3 liters of English guide on the page. apply for a volunteer interpreter at water for one day. It is necessary to save water in case the Sakai International Plaza. of a large earthquake that could result in water pipes Please make sure to apply 10 days in advance being damaged, causing filthy or sewage water not using the form available for download from the being properly disposed. If this happens, QR code. Please hand it in via post, fax or email. it is recommended that you refrain from using the water from the pipes. By doing this, you can reduce the sewage up to  FM COCOLO about 70%.

This FM radio station (76.5MHz) provides living information in Sakai City and information in the case of disaster. ○♣ Waterworks & Sewage Bureau Reminder

It is on air on the weekdays of the 2nd and 4th Please contact the center when you need to start or stop week of the month at the following times: your water supply. Also, please make sure to pay your Monday 19:15– Japanese water bill on time. If not, the water supply may stop.

Monday 20:40– Korean Waterworks & Sewage Bureau Customer Tuesday 20:40– Chinese Center Wednesday 20:40– English (TEL: navi-dial) 0570-02-1132 Thursday 20:40– Spanish (TEL) 072-251-1132 (Japanese only) Friday 05:28– Vietnamese Weekdays: 8:45~19:00 Friday 20:40– Portuguese Weekends & public holidays: 9:00~17:00

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