英語版

TThhee GGuunnmmaa GGuuiiddee November/December 2012

Q4. What is the procedure for foreigners newly entering ?

Once your new address is finalized, bring your Four months have passed since the new residency Resident Card (zairyu card) that you were issued at management system and foreign resident registration the port of entry upon arrival to Japan and submit a system went into effect. The abolition of Alien “notification of moving in” to the municipality where Registration system was one of the biggest changes, you live. Please be aware that the householder is a but the partial amendment of the Basic Resident foreign resident, you will need to prove official

Registration Act, which enables applicable foreign documentation to prove your relationship to them. residents to receive a Residence Record (juminhyo), wa s also a significant change. With this change, there Q5. Is it true that under the new are many situations where foreign residents are system, I will have to submit a required to go through the same procedures as “notification of moving out” if I change address? Japanese nationals. In this issue of the Gunma Guide, Yes. Under the new system, foreign residents will we would like to share some Q&As you may want to have to go through the same procedures as know. Japanese nationals when changing address.

Q1. When do I need a copy of my Resident Record? You will need to apply for a “notification of moving out” You will need a copy of your Resident Record when you at the municipality where you used to live, and submit have to prove your address. it to your new municipality as part of your “moving-in”

application. With the new law, all applicable foreign Q2. What will the record be used for? residents are required to complete this process before  For submission to school or workplace moving out of a municipality. If you have any  Transferring your foreign driving license to a questions regarding the new system, it is best to Japanese one contact the International Association in your  Acquiring a driving license or changing your municipality. If there is no such association in your

address on a driving license community, please do not hesitate to contact the  Buying or getting rid of a car number below. We have English speaking staff on  Adding a dependant to your health insurance Tuesday ~ Friday, 8:30 ~ 17:00.  Applying for a pension etc. If you would like to consult an attorney, you can rd attend the 3 legal consultation day, which will be Q4. Where can I obtain a copy of the record? held in on December 2. There is also a legal

The Resident Record (juminhyo) Section of your local consultation day for foreigners provided by the government office. Be sure to bring an ID. There will Gunma Bar Association, which will be held in be a fee for each copy. Each municipality has different November in . price s for a copy of the resident record.

Gunma Association of Tourism, Local Products & Int’l Exchange Gunma Kaikan 3F, 2-1-1 Ote-machi, Maebashi-shi, Gunma 371-0026

TEL: 027-243-7271 FAX: 027-243-7275 Email: [email protected]

URL http://www.gtia.jp/kokusai/english/ Hours: 8:30a.m.-5:00p.m. The Gunma Guide – November/December 2012

Co-hosted by GTIA, the Gunma Bar Association will host a free legal consultation day for foreigners in November. All information will be treated as strictly confidential. Interpreters in four languages will be available. Please see below for details.

The Gunma Bar Association hosts Free Legal Counseling for Foreigners

When: Sunday, November 11, 2012 13:00-17:00 Where: Gunma Bengoshi Kaikan (Gunma Bar Association Bldg.) 3-6-6, Ote-machi, Maebashi-shi Interpreters: Chinese, Spanish, Portuguese, English Reservation is strongly recommended (Registration on the day of the counselling is accepted, but those with reservation will take precedence.) Contact: 027-233-4804 for reservation and inquiry

Free Legal Consultation for Foreigners “SOS” in Takasaki When: December 2, 2012 (Sunday) 10:00 ~ 15:00 Where: Takasaki Shiyakusho (City Hall) 2F (Takasaki-shi Takamatsu-cho 35-1) Consultants: Lawyer Gyoseishoshi (Visa issue specialist) Shakai Hoken Romushi (Labor issue specialist) Prior reservations are strongly recommended. Call us at (027) 243-7271 for reservations and inquiries

The 4th session in Oizumi on February 17 (Sun.) , 2013 Oizumi-machi Bunkamura 1F

Flu Season The first temporary school closing of this year due to influenza-like illnesses has been reported. From now, seasonal outbreaks of influenza may occur. To prevent influenza, use simple infection control measures such as hand washing, gargling and getting influenza vaccinations in advance. If you contract influenza: ・Individuals with coughs should use proper cough etiquette (using masks, turning away from others when coughing, covering you mouth etc.)

・If your symptoms such as fever or cough develop, please seek assistance at medical facilities (Please wear a mask when going to a hospital)

・It is said that the flu virus can be spread within 3-7 days after contraction and individuals who are ill are requested to avoid going outdoors and to limit contact with others.

・Carefully monitor your symptoms and immediately seek medical assistance if your condition worsen or if symptoms such as shortness of breath occur. Pregnant women, small children and individuals with other illnesses should use extra care to avoid flu virus because they are at greater risk for getting severe symptoms.

The Gunma Guide – November/December 2012

What to do when you are involved in a traffic accident in Japan? When you are in an unexpected car accident, you will most likely be upset, but it is very important to stay calm and identify the parties involved, assess the damage done to your car, and see a doctor as soon as possible. It is also important to file a police report, find out if there are any witnesses, and gather information on the other driver. Here is the list of procedures you need to follow under such circumstances. 1. File a police report The driver at fault must file a police report, but the victims should also report the collision to the police. Especially when the victim is injured, file the incident as a “car accident causing injury or death”. 2. Gather the following information from the driver at fault (1) Name, address, and phone number (2) Driver’s automobile insurance information (Automobile third party liability insurance) (3) Voluntary insurance information and insurance policy number, etc. (4) License plate number 3. Find witnesses In case of serious accidents, witnesses are called for interrogation. Witnesses’ testimonies are considered valuable evidence to negotiate an out-of-court settlement. So, find witnesses at the scene of the accident, obtain their names and contact information, and ask them if they could testify for you later as needed. 4. Record accident details While your memories are still fresh, make a record of essential items such as the layout and photos of the accident scene and what exactly happened, etc. (1) Use your cell-phone camera (2) Make a note of the accident scene 5. See a doctor You may think the injury is minor at the time of the accident, but it may turn out to be serious later. These things happen, so please be sure to see a doctor.

What insurance covers damages caused by traffic accidents? According to the Automobile Liability Security Law, all drivers of automobiles and motorcycles are obligated to buy the Automobile Third Party Liability Insurance (compulsory insurance)/ Jidosha Songai Baisho Sekinin Hoken, also known as “Jibaiseki Hoken”. Jibaiseki Hoken (compulsory insurance) was created to ensure victims of car accidents are given basic compensation for the damage caused by the driver at fault. When you have a traffic accident causing injury or death without Jibaiseki Hoken, you are responsible for paying the entire amount of the compensation which could have been covered by the Jibaiseki Hoken. Even if you have a voluntary insurance, it only covers the maximum compensation for damage offered by the insurance minus what could have been paid by the Jibaiseki Hoken. If you drive an automobile or motorbike without Jibaiseki Hoken, you are subject to imprisonment up to one year or a fine up to JPY500,000. Also, if you fail to carry the Jibaiseki Hoken policy, you are subject to a fine of up to JPY300,000. It will also deduct 6.0 points from your driver’s license, resulting in an immediate suspension on it. Voluntary insurance covers the liability that is not covered by Jibaiseki Hoken. In case of serious accidents causing injury or death, the Jibaiseki Hoken will not be able to cover the entire compensation amount because Jibaiseki Hoken does not cover property damages. In order to cover these property damages, you need to purchase voluntary car insurance. Insurance companies offer a line of insurance policies that are known as automobile insurance or voluntary insurance. The Gunma Guide – Nov. /Dec. 2012

Ebisuko Festivals in Gunma! (Winter festivals) The 21st Ota International Fureai Party

When: December 2 Kiryu Ebisuko Where: Marriyell Ota When: November 19th (Mon.) ~ 20th (Tues.) Contact: Ota International Exchange Association Where: Nishinomiya Jinja/Miwa Jinja in Kiryu (0276) 48-1001 (Temple) The 22nd Maebashi International Takasaki Ebisuko th th Exchange Party When: November 24 (Sat.) ~ 25 (Sun.) When: December 9th 14:00 ~ 16:00 Where: Downtown Takasaki and around Takasaki Where: Genki Plaza 21 Shrine Contact: Maebashi International Association (027) 243-7788 Numata Ebisuko When: November 10th (Sat.) ~ 11th (Sun.) Where: Downtown Numata

Illumination Spots in Gunma Hatsuhinode Spots (the first sunrise of the NewYear) Illumination Matsuri in Flower Park When: November 3rd ~ December 30th st Takasaki City Hall, 21 Floor Observation Deck Where: Gunma Flower Park When: January 1st from 5:30 A.M. ~ 7:30 A.M. Where: Takasaki City Hall, 21st Floor Observation Deck Ota Illumination 2012 35-1 Takamatsu-cho, Takasaki-shi When: November 7th ~ January 6th Where: Ota-shi Hokubu Undo Koen nd Gunma Kencho, 32 Floor Observation Deck When: January 1st from 6:00 A.M. ~ Illumination Festa on Lake Haruna Where: Gunma Kencho 32nd Floor Observation Deck 2012 th th 1-1-1 Ote-machi, Maebashi-shi When: December 9 ~ 27 Where: Visitor Center and the lakeside area in Lake Haruna Takasaki Byakui Daikannon When: January 1st

Takasaki Street Light Pageant Where: 2710 Ishihara-machi, Takasaki When: Early December ~ Early January Where: Streets near JR Takasaki Station, The Tsutsujigaoka Park in Tatebayashi (Prefectural City Hall, and downtown shopping area Azalea Park) When: January 1st Where: 3278 Hanayama-cho, Tatebayashi Watarase Keikoku Rail Transport Illuminations New Year in Gunma When: December 1st ~ Where: Stations on the Watarase Keikoku The New Year Ekiden takes place on January 1 every year Rail Transport: Omama, Kami-kanbai, and has now become a signature New Year’s Day event of Motojuku, Mizunuma, Hanawa, Godo, Gunma. The race features some of the fastest runners in Sori, Haramuko, Tsudo, Ashio and Mato Japan. The race is full of strategies and tactics. Different spectators look forward to different things in the Hashie Kankyo Fureai Koen race. When: Early December ~ Where: Hashie-machi, -shi When: January 1, 2012 Starts from the prefectural government building at 9:10