Page 4 Start of a New Residency Management System Tsukuba International Strategic Zone English Bulletin TSUKUBA CITY HALL Globalization and Due to the change of Resident Registration Law and Tsukuba, along with 6 other areas in the nation was February 2012 Culture Division Immigration Control Act, the Alien Registration System will be designated as an International Strategic Zone abolished. Foreign residents will be subject to the same resident Based on the Comprehensive Special Zone Law, the Address:〒305-8555 Tsukuba City, Karima 2530-2 (Kenkyugakuen D32-2) Tel: 029-883-1111 Email: [email protected] registration system as Japanese citizens in July 2012. HP: http://www.city.tsukuba.ibaraki.jp/ Editors: Prakash Ronit, Yeow Li Sa What are the main changes from July onwards? prime minister had declared Tsukuba as a 1. A copy of residence certificate (Jyuminhyo) with the Comprehensive Special Zone as a result of the joint The 39th Mount Tsukuba Plum Blossom Festival names of all members in the household stated can now be application by Ibaraki Prefecture and Tsukuba issued. University entitled "Tsukuba International Strategic Date: February 18 – March 20 Transportation Guide the certificate of registered matters will be replaced with a Zone Promoting Life and Green Innovation with Opening Ceremony: 1. By Bus: Take Tsukuba-san Shuttle Bus at Tsukuba residence certificate. In addition, the copy of the residence Integrated Life Science and Technology in Tsukuba". certificate issued will list all the members in the household, Center for 40mins, alight at "Tsukuba-san Jinja entrance" The International Strategic Zone was created for the February 18 (Sat), 11:30 at Tsukuba-san Bairin including households consisted of foreigner and Japanese and walk 5 minutes to Tsukuba-san Bairin. Fare: Adult *Tsukuba-san Jinja if it is a rainy day residents. purpose of developing internationally competitive 700 yen. Children 350 yen. industries as one of the highlights of the government's 2. Issuance of Resident Card (zairyu-card) or Special Perma- Main events: 2. By Car: Parking Fee: car 500yen, 2-wheeled 250yen, nent Resident Certificate (tokubetsu eijyusha shomeisho) growth strategy. From this, not only reduced ･ Ume Tea Service (everyday) large vehicle 2000yen per entrance. regulation but also special measures in tax, banking In place of the Alien Registration Card, mid- to long-term ･ Outdoor Tea ceremony (every Sunday) *Large vehical is prohibited in Parking lot #4. residents will be issued a Resident Card while special and finance system can be taken in an overall manner. permanent residents will receive Special Permanent Resident Tsukuba, along with 6 other areas in the nation had ･ Tsukuba‟s famous Gama no Abura Uri Kojyo 3. By Ume Matsuri Free Tour Bus: Sat, Sun & Holiday, 10:00 – 15:30. Certificate. been designated as a comprehensive special zone. In demonstration (everyday) Bus Route: loops from Bairin → Jinja → Tsutsujigaoka. 3. Change in Notification for Changing Address, State of the near future, a final "Strategic Zone Plan" will be ･ Stage Event (every weekend) Contact: Residence and Period of Stay certified by the Prime Minister after consultation with One year since the Great East Japan Earthquake, this When you change your address to other town, you need to fill in the concerned ministries through national and local charity restoration event (performances of shamisen and ･ Tourism Division a moving-out notification (tenshutsu todoke) to the city hall of conferences. Taiko drum) declares a new start for Tsukuba with ･ Tsukuba Sightseeing Association, Tel: 029-869-8333, your previous residence. After receiving the moving-out blossoms of "smiles". *search "Mount Tsukuba Plum Blossom Festival" for certificate (tenshutsu shomeisho), you are required to send in a The goal of Tsukuba International Strategic Zone is to *events may be cancelled due to bad weather or by homepage. moving-in notification (tennyutodoke) to the city hall of your develop pioneer industries and businesses of the next organizer„s decision. new residence. When you change your status of residence or generation through the integration of world leading period of stay, you will only need to report to the regional science and technology. Being appointed as the Tsukuba City Information about Radiation immigration bureau. International Strategic Zone, necessary improvements Designation as Priority Investigation Area Based on * Depending on the status of residence and length of stay, the will be underway to transform Tsukuba City into an residence certificate (jyuminhyo) may not be issued to current holders Act on Special Measures on the Handling of Radioactive Contamination of alien registration card. international hub capable of organizing national and The Act on Special Measures on the Handling of Radioactive Contamination is now in full force starting January 1 this year, For more details, please visit the homepage of Immigration Bureau international activities. pursuing a long-term goal to keep the additional dose of radiation level below 1 millisievert per year. Based on this law, because and Ministry of Internal Affairs. Contact: the southern part of the city (about 5% of the total city area) has the possibility to have additional radiation exposure of greater Contact: Citizen Services Division Science and Technology Promotion Division than 1 mSv/year, Tsukuba is designated as "Priority Investigation Area". With this designation, decontamination plan will be made in consultation with the national government for regions with radiation exposure greater than 0.23 mSv/hour. Prior to that, How about Talking with the Mayor? Tsukuba Citizen Activity Square the city is conducting measurements and contamination level is being investigated at regular intervals. Note that according to the Municipal District Discussion Gathering (Chiku-kon) http://www.facebook.com/tsukuba.hiroba/ The Mayor of Tsukuba will go to each district and explain about national government and experts, the value of 0.23 vSv/hour, which is derived from 1 mSv/year, is the value within the limit of Building a new community with Facebook the current city government and challenges faced, then have a the level of natural radiation which is used as a guide for protective measure to be taken. It is NOT a value indicating the discussion with the citizens. What is Tsukuba Citizen Activity Square (Shimin boundary of safety level. 25th Municipal District Gathering at Katsudo Hiroba)? Sakura Junior High School District Measurements on Radiation Level of Ingredients for School Meals This is a community page that provides information Date & Time: February 25 (Saturday) 14:00 - 15:30 Tsukuba city has started independent radiation level measurements on food products, including ingredients for school meals in about activities in Tsukuba for people who are Place: Sakura Gymnasium Meeting Room public schools, kindergartens and daycare centers since October 27 of last year. As of January 11, none of the ingredients contain interested in volunteering and building new networks Implementation area: Sakura Junior High School District. but do not know how. Find out the activities available, radioactive substance iodine 131, cesium 134,137 with detection threshold 30Bq/Kg. Inspection of an entire meal using the food Eligibility: Anyone and the participation requirements. mixer is being executed from time to time. Also, from January onwards the inspection system will be further enhanced with Content: Discussion about the city government and issues What does it do? additional measuring instruments. For more detailed results, please visit the city homepage. (Comments and remarks can be made by people who live or It provides notice, report of events with photos and work in the implemented area). videos and everyone can write their feedbacks after Contact: Radiation Countermeasure Office *Please come to the venue on the day of the event if you would participation too. like to join in the Chiku-kon. No reservations required. How do you use it? Information about the Great East Japan Earthquake Relief Funds and Consolation Payment In previous discussions, requests such as the following had 1. Go to Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/) and been made! There are relief funds and consolation payments for people who had suffered damages of home property (more than half make an account. destroyed) or injuries due to the Great East Japan Earthquake. Please make inquiries as the guide on relief funds and consolation ･ Parks and facilities which requires entrance fee to be open free 2. Click the “Like” button on 'Tsukuba Citizen of charge several times annually. Activity Square' page. payment differs depending on the degree of damages and injuries inflicted. A part of the consolation payment application due ･ New reservation system for Community Centers. Contact: date is March 31 (Saturday) so please apply soon. Contact: Public Relations Division Tsukuba Community Development Division. Contact: Social Welfare Division Page 2 Page 3 EVENT LIVING INFORMATION Free Library Book Recycle HEALTH

Tsukuba Foothill School of Nature The library will distribute unneeded books to the citizens for free. Garbage Collection Calendar Distribution Year 2012 This event will be held on the following dates until all un-needed Preventative Vaccination Village Life and Culture Learning Course: For Fiscal Year 2012, the garbage collection calendar will be books are distributed. On 25 (Sat) only 60 persons are allowed Water Mill Buckwheat Grinding and Noodle Making distributed to all household door to door. Please check your for a shift of 40 minutes, while for 26 (Sun) 20 persons for a 25 Polio Vaccination Yatabe March 12 Experience grinding Gen Soba (buckwheat) with stone mortar at postbox for the calendar. minutes shift. Both days require entrance tickets (The tickets will Time: 13:30 ~ H.C. a water mill, making and boiling the soba! Distribution Period: March 15 - 19 be distributed until the capacity is reached). The entrance ticket (reception time: 13:00 ~ 14:20) Sakura Feb 16, Date/Time: March 4 (Sunday) 09:30 - 14:30 Contact: Waste Management Division will be distributed at 8:30. Entry is not permitted except on the *No reservation required, vaccination H.C. March 23 Place: Tsukuba Fureai no Sato. session stated at the entrance ticket. given in order of reception. Oho H.C. March 22 Fee: 900yen per person, including lunch and insurance fees. Changes to Foreign Consultation Services Contact: Tsukuba Public Library Tel:029-856-4311 Eligibility: Children between 3 months - 90 months. Capacity: 35 persons (primary school age and above). The consultation service in Thai and Korean languages will be *Children over 1 year old who are yet to get measles and discontinued from April 2012 onwards until further notice. Intended Book Limit/ Application method: After you receive a confirmation number Date Time Venue rubella vaccinations should get them first. Things to bring: Consultation in English, Chinese and Japanese will continue to be for Genre person by phone, send in via post or fax the confirmation number, name, Mother & Child Health Handbook, Polio Vaccination ticket. provided. From April 2012 onwards... 30 for address and grade of children (if any) 9:00 - first 360 General, general, Consultation Schedule: 10:00 - 12:00, Tues Wed Feb 25 ARS Hall Contact: Tsukuba Fureai no Sato (〒300-4211, Usui 2090-20), 15:00 citizens Magazine 10 for Measles and Rubella Vaccination 13:00 - 16:45 (except national holidays) English Chinese Tel: 866-1519 (9:00 - 17:00 except Tuesday), Fax: 866-1513. Tel: 029-868-7700 (call accepted only on day Magazine ② - ⑤ vaccination period is until Born in /Age Japanese of consultation) 10 books 2012 March 31. ⑤ is applicable to ① Over age 1 below age 2 85th Tsukuba Human Studies Course 9:00 - 2F Meeting First 240 (5 for Consultation Method: Via phone or in person (for the latter, Feb 26 Children those who are required to go abroad ② 2005 April 2-2006 April 1 Kabuki is Japan’s Operetta! 15:00 Room citizens picture please call for confirmation on the consultation day) *This service on school excursions or school ③ 1998 April 2-1999 April 1 Noh Theatre is Japan’s Opera! books is free of charge, and personal details will be kept confidential) related events. Others may receive ④ 1993 April 2-1994 April 1 2F General, Participants can relieve stress under the guidance of the lecturer! Contact: Globalization and Culture Division 9:30 - 28-Feb Meeting Everyone Magazine, no limit the vaccination during 3rd year of ⑤ 1994 April 2-1995 April 1 Let’s enjoy the fun participatory style Noh performance! 15:00 Date: February 25 (Saturday) Room Children high school. Tax Return Declaration for Income and Residence Tax Contact: Sakura H.C., Tel: 029-857-3931 Time: venue opening: 13:30, starts: 14:00 - 16:00 Declaration period: February 16 (Thurs) - March 15 (Thurs) Library Information Gathering Place: excluding Saturday and Sunday (will be open only on the Sunday Tsukuba Public Library Cervical Cancer Vaccination Tsukuba Science Information Center 3F meeting room. falling on Feb 26) Time of reception: 9:00 - 16:00 (it may end Open : Tues Thurs Fri: 9:30 - 19:00 Lecturer: Hashioka Nobuaki (Noh performer) The initial vaccination had been withheld due to insufficient sooner during peak time) Venue: Tsukuba City Hall 2F, Declaration Weds Sat Sun: 9:30 - 17:00 Capacity: 100, free participation (First come first served) Consultation Venue. There are also library rooms at Yatabe, Tsukuba, Onogawa and supply but now it has been resumed and the vaccine supply Contact: Lifelong Learning Division. Contact: Municipal Tax Division Kukizaki Community Center. (Tue - Sun: 10:00 – 18:00). is assured. If you wish to receive the vaccination, please Library closed on: “Kigaru ni Oshaberi Salon” Due Date for Tax Payment is February 29 (Wednesday) make a reservation at appointed medical centers. Feb 20, 23, 24, 27, Mar 5, 12, 19, 20, 26. “Involvement in Educational Activities for Fire Prevention” Fixed Property and City Planning Tax (4th Installment) When borrowing from the library… Date/Time: March 15 (Thursday) 10:00 - 12:00 Contact: Property Tax Division, Tax Collection Division. Medical Check-up for Babies A “Member’s Card” is needed to borrow books and other National Health Insurance Premium (8th Installment) Irrespective of residential area, babies can receive the Place: Disaster Prevention Conference Room 3, City Hall 2F materials from the city libraries. If you are a resident of Tsukuba, Contact: Health Insurance and Pension Division Guest Speaker: Inagawa Sachiko (Tsukuba Fire Brigade Female you can simply apply at the central library or community center check-ups at Sakura Health Center or Yatabe Health Center. A notification is sent in the month prior to the check-up date. Branch Commander) Hitokoto Nihongo libraries by presenting an ID with your address on it. For those Content: Fire prevention education activities such as short plays Contact the health center or Tsukuba City Hall, In this corner we post daily life Japanese vocabulary and who do not live in Tsukuba, but work or study here, you can and others organized in schools and districts. apply for a card by presenting a work or student ID. Health Division for more information. phrases. Let`s start to master Japanese from today! Doors open to everyone. Registration not required. Reception time: 12:45-13:30; Check-up: 12:45~ 災害 Contact: Gender Equality Division The phrases for February is related to “ (saigai)” or Clinics Open During Sundays and Holidays Contact: Disasters. It has been a year since the Great East Japan Emergency medical institution medical examination hours are Sakura Health Center, 029-857-3931 Hina Matsuri around Ibaraki Prefecture Earthquake. These phrases are frequently used when 9:00 – 17:00. The dates below may change. In case of emergency, Yatabe Health Center, 029-838-1100 Hina Matsuri, Japanese Doll Festival or also referred as earthquakes occur. It’s a little difficult but let’s learn it! call the fire department Tel: 029-851-0119.

Girls' Day, is held on March 3. It is when families pray for Feb 19 Okano Seikei Geka Naika Clinic, Check-up for 18-months-old Babies Born in: 震源(Shingen)- epicenter of the earthquake. Nishi Ohhashi 192, Tel 856-2300 the happiness and prosperity of their daughters and to July 2010: Sakura H.C., Feb 22,29. Yatabe H.C, Feb 15. 余震(Yoshin) - aftershock of a big earthquake. Shibuya Clinic, Konda 2029-1, Tel: 863-5252 ensure that they grow up healthy and beautiful. But well Aug 2010: Sakura H.C., Mar 13,14. Yatabe H.C, Mar 7. before that, starting early February, steps-like platforms 注意報(Chuuihou) - a warning notice for possible disaster Feb 26 Ogura Naika (Higashi), Higashi 2-4-14, Tel: 852-0777 covered with red carpet displaying a set of ornamental occurrence. Minami Ohdori Clinic, Takezono 2-16-24, Tel: 851-3697 dolls called “Hina-Ningyo” can be seen in living room of 警戒(Keikai) - to be prepared for disaster or danger and Mar 4 Kawai Clinic, Higashi Hiratsuka 715-1, Tel: 854-1881 Check-up for 3-year-old Babies Born in: Namiki Naika Clinic, Namiki 4-4-2-203, Tel:869-6969 households and also hotel lobbies. be cautious beforehand. Jan 2009: Sakura H.C., Feb 23,28. Mar 11 Shoji Sanfujinka Shonika Iin, Yatabe 1562, Tel: 836-0405 This year, there are many places to go to for viewing the 安否(Anpi) - to make sure of one’s safety Watanabe Naika Clinic, Namiki 3-11-9, Tel: 851-5901 Feb 2009: Sakura H.C., Mar 6,27. Yatabe H.C. Mar 8. Hina Matsuri, and whats more, many of them are within 避難所(hinanjyo) - a temporary shelter for people whose Mar 18 Komatsu Naika Clinic, Kamiyokoba 1178, Tel: 838-2400 Ibaraki Prefecture! houses are in unsafe areas. Tsukuba Center Clinic, Fertility Medical Treatment Subsidy 避難準備情報(Hinan Jyunbi Jyouhou) - To get ready for You can visit the famous Makabe Hina Matsuri in Sakura- Takezono 1-6-1 Tsukuba Mitsui Building 4F, Tel: 851-9001 Tsukuba City provides partial subsidy for citizens who are evacuate at anytime. If you think its dangerous, evacuate gawa City, or go visit other equally fascinating Hina Matsuri Mar 20 Togo Iin, Tateno 636, Tel: 837-1785 receiving In Vitro Fertilization or Micro insemination without waiting for the “避難勧告” (hinan kankoku). in Tsuchiura City, Ishioka City, Ushiku City and also Toride Namiki Naika Clinic, Namiki 4-4-2-203, Tel:869-6969 treatment. The 5 years subsidy provides coverage for 2 避難勧告( ) City. Hinan kankoku - Advisory for evacuation. Mar 25 Jinai Naika Iin, Onozaki 785-1, Tel: 855-4577 treatments annually, each with a limit of 50,000yen 避難指示( ) For more Information (in Japanese) please visit this page: Hinan shiji - Order to evacuate immediately. Minami Ohdori Clinic, Takezono 2-16-24, Tel: 851-3697 respectively. http://www.joyoliving.co.jp/special/girlsfestival/index.html (higher urgency than evacuation advisory). Tsukuba Byoin, Sasagi 1761, Tel: 857-0777 Contact: Health Promotion Division.