Life in Fukuoka "English"

【Asparagus】

Well, to start us off today, I've got a little bit about asparagus. Asparagus, you say? It may seem like a random topic but actually, May June and July are the prime season for asparagus in Japan.

I guess most of you know what vegetable I'm talking about, it's that long, thin green looking stalk type vegetable with small shoots on the end of it. It was actually first introduced to Japan during the Edo period by the Dutch but was only grown as an ornamental plant, rather than as food! It wasn't until the 1970's that it was widely cultivated as something to be eaten here.

And it is a great vegetable to eat. It's full of vitamins and minerals.

If you've ever prepared asparagus, you'll know that there are differing levels of hardness in the asparagus stalk and how the heat gets through when cooking can also vary. So, if you are planning on cooking some, first, remove the harder parts toward the bottom of the stem. You can actually just just snap it off, it's pretty simple.  Don't throw them away though, asparagus is not that cheap here!

You might want to boil those harder parts to soften them up.  As the bottom of the stalk is often quite a bit thicker than the rest of the vegetable, you can peel  the skin off before boiling to make it easier to soften them up.

In Fukuoka Prefecture, the brand grown locally is called Hakata Asparagus and you can usually find them in the supermarket.

If you do pick some asparagus up but aren't going to eat them right away, wrap them in cling film and keep them in the fridge but try to eat them at max, one or two days later. Or you could boil them, and then wrap them and keep them in the freezer to have ready anytime. They're fairly versatile and can be used in salads, stir-fries, grilled and more. I like to sautee them with a bit of butter, bacon, onion and garlic and give them a splash of lemon.

【Information From Fukuoka City】

Foreign Student Taught Language Classes

This time, it's information from the Fukuoka International Foundation about the available language classes taught by international exchange students. At the Fukuoka International Foundation, this program “The Foreign Student Taught Language Classes” is where international students hold classes and teach the language of their countries. This year, 10 languages are available with 12 classes being held from July to February of next year. It's a great chance to learn not only a new language, but also experience a different culture and cuisine.

In addition to these language classes, the Fukuoka International Foundation also provides other opportunities for international students to play an active role in various activities, such as acting as management staff for events held by the foundation. Currently, the foundation is working on a email system to get information out to international exchange students who want to participate in various activities so that all of you can enjoy exchange with the local community in Fukuoka City .

Administrative Lawyer Consultations

Is there anything you don't understand about residency status and term of stay regulations? If there is, the Fukuoka City International Foundation provides free consultation on these matters to the international residents of Fukuoka City.

Consultations are held every second Sunday of the month. They are offered from 1:00 to 4:00 PM, but you must register by 3:30 PM. A gyousei-shoshi, or administrative lawyer will answer your questions and offer consultation. There are English and Chinese interpreters present, and so, consultation in English, Chinese and Japanese does not require a reservation. For other languages, please consult with the foundation at least one week in advance. Confidentiality is guaranteed. Please feel at ease to make use of this service, no matter how simple a question you may have.

For more information, please call 0120-66-1799. Again that number is 0120-66-1799. Phone calls will be accepted between 9am and 6pm on weekdays.

And to prevent the spread of Covid-19, measures are being taken so please wear a mask and disinfect your hands when you come for a consultation.

【Cleaning Out The Fridge】

Well, rain is definitely on the mind, basically because June more or less equals rainy season. And after this season comes summer in all it's blazing glory..in a sense. It's definitely hot, not sure that it's glorious. But with this hot weather comes something that we need to be careful about and that's actually food poisoning. Yikes...

So, to make sure that you don't do that to yourself, you should clean out your fridge on a regular basis and of course, check expiration dates.

You'll also want to make sure you're cleaning your cutting boards, sponges, around the sink and the counter well, because this hot season is a time when bacteria can really multiply.

For cleaning the inside of your fridge, use a weak alkaline solution like water with baking soda dissolved in it, and wipe down your shelves and walls. Then, spray everything down with kitchen alcohol to kill the bacteria. For your sponges and cutting boards, you can soak them in a bleach and water solution or pour boiling water at 90 degrees Celsius on them to kill bacteria.

【Information From Fukuoka City】

Child Support Allowance

Now, I have some information from Fukuoka City for you.

In Fukuoka City, families raising children can receive a support allowance up until each child finishes junior high school.

The amount per child varies from 5000 yen to 15,000 yen depending on the age of the

child and the household income. The allowance is paid three times in four month installments, once in June, then October and again in February.

The child allowance system has had some changes made to it that will go into effect after the October payment. An income limit will be set in regards to benefits and depending on the amount of a household's income, the allowance may no longer be paid. In principle, it is also no longer necessary to submit an annual status report. However, if your marital status changes, you do need to send in a document to update your status.

A letter outlining the changes to the child support allowance was sent out on May 10th to those who receive the allowance, so make sure you take a look at that notice.

Taxes

If you live in Fukuoka City, and have earned more than 1 million yen the previous year, from

January 1st to December 31st, you may need to pay taxes. You will receive a tax payment notification around the 15th of June. Please make sure you open that envelope, it has information on when you need to pay and how much will be due. You can pay at convenience stores, the bank or even the post office. If you are a regular company employee, these taxes may be taken out from your salary by your company.

If you do not pay your taxes, you may risk facing difficulty when it comes time to renew your residence status or risk being subject to seizure of property.

If there is anything you don't understand, or if you may have difficulty making payments, please consult with your local ward office. You can also consult by phone in 18 different languages. This phone number is 092-753-6113. Again, this phone number is 092-753-6113. This phone number will connect you to the ward office after you speak with an interpreter. Please tell the interpreter which ward you live in and that you are calling about taxes.

【Umbrella Day】

So it seems that June 11^th is “Umbrella Day” or Kasa no Hi in Japan. It seems to be a reminder that June is when most of the country is hit by rainy season, so before it gets too wet, makes sure you've got a sturdy umbrella ready to handle the weather!

If you've got a good umbrella at home, do you know the right way to take care of it to make sure it lasts a good few years?

It's pretty simple for the most part. If you have to use your umbrella, after you get home, you should wipe it down to get most of the moisture off and then leave it open to dry in an area where you get some air flow. Although in the US, we have a superstition that it's bad luck to open an umbrella inside, it might actually be bad luck if you don't. The metal joints in the umbrella will rust if they stay wet and your umbrella won't last as long as it should.

I'm sure quite a few people have the clear umbrellas they sell at convenience stores, but as they all look exactly alike, it's pretty easy to accidentally take someone else's or have yours taken. To prevent that, put a sticker or some kind of charm on it. It's a pretty easy solution for a common problem.

By the way, if your umbrella does break, make sure you throw them out in the blue garbage bag. If the handle sticks out of the bag, it's fine. It's also okay if the cloth or vinyl is still on the frame when you throw it out.

If you get suddenly get caught in the rain without an umbrella, fear not, there's an umbrella share service in the city called I-KASA and you can get more information about that and how to sign up if you check out their website www.i-kasa.com. Good luck staying dry this rainy season.

【Information from Fukuoka City】

Covid-19 Vaccinations
Now, I have some information for you from Fukuoka City about Covid-19 vaccinations.
Fukuoka City has been working toward making sure everyone who hopes to be vaccinated can do so with peace of mind.
In Fukuoka City, inoculation tickets for the third and fourth doses of the vaccine are being sent out. Residents who have received the previous two or three inoculations will receive the vaccination coupon for the next dose in the mail, roughly 5 months after their last dose.
Vaccination coupons for the fourth dose will be sent to people over the age of 60 who have had three previous doses, and to people between the ages of 18 to 59 who have underlying illnesses.
When the inoculation coupon arrives, please visit the reservation site or call the vaccine call center to make a reservation. Please wait until that coupon does arrive.
If you haven't received that coupon, please phone the call center.
You can also phone that call center to register if you have an underlying illness.
Vaccinations for children between the ages of 5 and 11 have also begun.
For questions regarding vaccinations or to make a reservation, you can call 092-260-8405. Again, that number is 092-260-8405. Calls will be taken between 8:30 am and 5:30pm every day. 7 languages are available at that number, including English.

【（koromo-gae）Changing out the Wardrobe】
Koromo-gae is “the changing of the clothes” or “changing out the wardrobe” in English and it's the custom of changing your wardrobe from winter clothes to summer clothes around the 1st of June. So why did koromo-gae start in the first place here?
Well, it was a practice apparently introduced from China during the Heian period. In the palace, it became an event of sorts and wardrobes were changed out twice a year. From the Edo period, the samurai society changed out their wardrobes 4 times a year to suit the seasons as the variety of kimonos increased. The custom then spread to the general public. In the Meiji period, western clothes were becoming the fashion and since officials and military personnel typically wore uniforms, the change in wardrobe once again happened twice a year, once for summer clothes and once for winter clothes. This was also influenced by the change in the use of calendars when Japan adopted the Gregorian calendar in order to adopt western systems modeled around western calendar days.
The custom became pervasive throughout Japan and you can see it's influence in schools and their uniforms and in regular family homes even today.
It's a good custom as there's usually not enough space in the closet or drawers to keep all of the winter and summer clothes together. Also, at least in my case, if I don't change out my wardrobe, my drawers get kind of messy, and when I'm looking for a t-shirt, I pull out a wool turtleneck, which is just somehow a terrible feeling even on the hands on a hot day! I have yet to change things out though, when I do, I think I'll also do a big clear out of things I haven't worn in a while!

【Information From Fukuoka City】

Easy Japanese Radio

Now I have some information from Fukuoka City about Easy Japanese Radio. From June, a new program, Yasashi Nihongo Rajio Kouza or the Easy Japanese Radio Course will start airing. This program is for international residents who are still working on their Japanese skills and is a chance to listen to easy Japanese spoken at an easy pace. Information international residents will find useful in regards to living in Fukuoka will be shared.

The program will be on every Friday from 11:50 am and the first program will be aired on June 3rd. If you can't understand everything, or miss what what was said, don't worry! You will be able to see the script for the program on Love FM's website and also listen to the podcast as many times as you want. It's a great chance to practice not only your listening skill but also pick up some new, useful vocabulary. So, tune in on June 3rd !

HIV Testing Week

Alright, I have some more important information to share with you here. June 1st to the 7th is HIV testing week.
Just last year, medical institutions in Fukuoka City reported 21 new HIV infections and 18 AIDS patients.

To prevent the spread of HIV, the earlier it is discovered, the faster it can be treated.

Even if someone is infected with HIV, few symptoms appear, which is why testing is necessary to know if someone is actually infected.
Free, anonymous HIV screenings will be held at the health and welfare centers of each ward.
Screenings are on a specified day, so please visit the homepage of your local health and welfare center before you go.

If an HIV diagnosis is made in the early stages, with proper health management and treatment, the onset of AIDS can be delayed. So if you think you may be at risk, please get checked as soon as possible.

【DJ Recommendations for Rainy Season and Summer Prep】

As the weather continues to heat up, you can really feel that we're heading into the summer months. We're very nearly into June now, just a week or so left of May. However, before we get into the full heat of summer, we have rainy season first....

Japanese Summer and Its Rainy Season

If you've been here for a while, you'll know that one big characteristic of summer in Japan is its mugginess. It is hot and humid here. And June is when Tsuyu, or rainy season, shows up bringing in lots of clouds and lots and lots of rain. In Japanese, the beginning of rainy season is referred to as “tsuyu-iri” and the end is “tsuyu-ake.” I'm not sure there's really a good translation for that other than entering rainy season and the lifting or clearing of rainy season...if you have a better word for it, let me know. In Fukuoka, the end of rainy season is typically around the middle of July, but it really depends on the area and that year. And once it does end, we get “mousho”, which is very very hot, or extreme heat, and means hot days with temperatures often from 35 degrees and above. So, as we move into June, make sure you prepare so that you are completely ready for summer.

I remember when I first came to Japan and experienced my first rainy season, I was shocked at how wet I got even with an umbrella. The rain was falling so hard it was bouncing back up off the ground and splashing me. Just an umbrella won't cut it during rainy season. I now have a good pair of rain boots, an assortment of raincoats and ponchos, depending on how heavy the rain is, and of course, several sturdy umbrellas. I cycle to most places so one of my rain coats is extra long and has a expandable back so that I can carry my backpack underneath it. Once the rainy season is over and the heat of summer hits, I'm alright. Michigan isn't known for such hot summers at all, and summer isn't all that long either, but I can handle the hot weather and I love going to the beach. However, I always have a handkerchief with me, as the summer is pretty sweaty, and never leave the house without water and a hat of sorts, which leads me into our next topic today, ways to avoid heat stroke and sunburns.

Measures to Prevent Heatstroke and Sunburns

You'll often hear the word “Necchushou”, in Japanese, come summer. This means heatstroke and it's Japan's biggest climate illness. Symptoms of heatstroke include dizziness, nausea, sluggishness and headaches and may result from spending a long time outdoors, under the sun, or doing physical activities in the summer heat. You can actually get heatstroke, not only from being outdoors but also indoors, so be careful as you deal with the heat of summer.

So, make sure you avoid being under direct sunlight when you can, and try to stay in shaded areas or in cool rooms.

When you go out, wear a hat or carry a parasol to block some of that sunlight, and try to avoid strenuous physical activities.

Keep a cool towel on your neck, or make use of the many products out there on the market to help prevent heatstroke!

And of course, be sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day.

Right now, we are still wearing masks to help prevent the spread of Covid-19, so it's sometimes harder to recognize when we are feeling thirsty, so make it a point to drink water at regular intervals.

Increase in Natural Disasters in Recent Years During Rainy Season and the Summer

From the beginning of rainy season, all the way to autumn, Japan experiences typhoons, heavy rains, flooding, fierce winds and storm surges.

And, in recent years, heavy rains have caused a series of disasters in Kyushu. To be prepared for this, check your area's disaster prevention map to know what actions to take in case of a disaster and to where you should evacuate. Knowing this information beforehand could make all the difference. You can check the website  https://www.city.fukuoka.lg.jp/bousai/bousaiforeigner.html or look up Fukuoka City Disaster Prevention to find the information you need on the internet.

【Cherries】

Among the mountains of Fukuoka you'll find an area full of a number of different fruits that are famous throughout Japan. Of these, May heralds the arrival of cherries, as these delicious fruits come into season. And throughout orchards in Fukuoka Prefecture, cherry picking is a fun tourist activity for couples, families and friends alike.

These fruits can only be eaten for about 2-3 days after being picked if they aren't treated, so being able to eat them freshly picked is a delicious treat.

If you're planning on going cherry picking, here are a few tips for how to find the most delicious ones. First, you want to look for big, fat ones with no damage to the skin and make sure the stem doesn't look dried out.

If you are planning on keeping them for a few days, you can put them in the fridge but instead of the fridge, it's better to keep them in a cool room. If you want to chill them before you eat them, then put them in the fridge about two hours before you plan on eating them for the best flavor.  I don't know if you know this, but my home state of Michigan is actually famous for its cherries. If you look in the stores here, you'll find Michigan Cherries, they're often quite tart but they are great for pies and other pastries. I made a Black Forest Cake in my patisserie class the other week and was pleased to see Michigan Cherries being used. A little taste of home, I guess!

【Information From Fukuoka City】
Light Vehicle Tax
Now I have some information from Fukuoka City about the Light Vehicle Tax.
People who are in possession of a motorized bike or a light vehicle, as of April 1st, must pay a light vehicle tax.
If you do have a motorized bike or light vehicle, you will receive a tax payment notification in the post, so make sure you take a look inside. Payment is due by the 31st of May and you can make your payment at a convenience store, bank or post office.

If you do not pay your taxes, like the light vehicle taxes, you may run into difficulties when it comes time to renew your residency visa and you may face having your assets seized.

If there is anything you don't understand or if you are finding it difficult to pay your tax, please contact your ward office for consultation. If you contact them by phone for consultation, 18 different languages are supported. That phone number is 092-753-6113. Again, that number is 092-753-6113. This phone number will connect to the Multilingual Interpretation Center. After registering with them, you will be connected to your ward office. When you call, make sure that you tell them which language you need to use, the ward in which you live and that you are calling in regards to paying your taxes.

【International Family Day】

May 15^th, just under a week from now is International Day of Families. Have you heard of it?

In 1993, the United Nations General Assembly decided in a resolution that 15 May of every year should be observed as The International Day of Families. This day provides an opportunity to promote awareness of issues relating to families and to increase the knowledge of the social, economic and demographic processes affecting families.

For many of us who live here in Japan, it can be hard to get back to our home countries on a regular basis. Fortunately, these days we have the internet, and with instant messaging and video calls it is a lot easier to keep in touch with our families than it was in the past. After all, our most formative years are spent with our families and those people are likely the most important people in our lives, so they should be celebrated. Family can also be the people that are around you now, that you have chosen to let into your family unit. So let's spend time finding ways to strengthen the relationships with those people that we love, working out the difficulties that sometimes come up and taking time to talk with those in our families.

【Information From Fukuoka City】

Some important information from the Fukuoka City International Foundation to share with you.

A Free Dial Phone Service
A brand new, toll free or free dial phone service has been started. This service will connect you to the Fukuoka City Consultation Support Center for Foreign Residents for any advice and help that you need. The number for this is 0120-66-1799. Again, that number is 0120-66-1799. A number of foreign languages are supported on this line, so feel free to call when you need some help.

The Start of the Official Line Account
The Fukuoka City Consultation Support Center for Foreign Residents has also set up an official Line account. Information about events at the Foundation as well as information to help you out with your daily life will be sent out via this account.
You can even use Line Call to ring the center for advice on life here as well as to make reservations for the free professional consultation services that the Foundation provides. Interpretation over the phone for a number of languages is available. However, you cannot send messages through the chat function. If you want to send a message regarding getting advice, then please look up the Fukuoka City International Foundation's homepage on the internet and fill out the help request form on their website.
To add this Line Account to your friends' list, look up ID @111dhfna. Again, that is ID @111dhfna.

Introducing the Tutor Program
Now I have some information about the Tutor Program. This will be useful for those of you who are struggling with the Japanese language and daily life, dealing with things like letters from school, or trying to explain in Japanese why you want to return something that you bought online .

The “Tutor Program” is a one on one service that will match you with a tutor, registered with the Foundation, that you can contact online. You'll be able to ask this tutor to give you simple translations or ask them for advice on daily living.
If you are a foreign resident of Fukuoka City and think you will be able to communicate with a tutor online, then you are eligible for the program. The program is free to you.
For more information and details on the program, please visit the Fukuoka City International Foundation's website or call the Foundation. The number to call is 0120-66-1799. Again that number is 0120-66-1799. Phone calls will be accepted from 9am to 6pm
on weekdays. Definitely check it out!

【Fish Restaurants】

Although Fukuoka is a big metropolitan city, the sea and mountains are right in our backyard. We're pretty lucky to have them, especially as they provide so many delicious ingredients. Fukuoka is famous nationally for its ramen and udon. You've had some, right?

However, I think even more than those two dishes, Fukuoka City has some amazing fish.

It seems the number of fish restaurants per 100,000 people in Fukuoka City is the highest percentage in the nation.

In Fukuoka, you'll find the Nagahama Fish Market where fish caught locally are sent all across Japan. At this market, there are also some restaurants, including sushi and tempura shops where you can enjoy what we could call “Japanese Cuisine”. If you don't like the raw fish of sashimi dishes, then definitely check out the tempura places. I've mentioned it before, but I love goma saba. If you can still get it, definitely eat it! As for tempura, I have to say one of my favorite fish to have as tempura is Kisu or Japanese Whiting. They're so light and easy to eat, if I were any good at fishing or making tempura, I'd probably stuff myself silly with them. I guess it's a blessing in disguise that I'm not good at either.

【Information from Fukuoka City】

Covid-19 Vaccinations
Alright, moving on to some important information from Fukuoka City.
Fukuoka City has been working toward making sure everyone who hopes to be vaccinated can do so with peace of mind.
In Fukuoka City, inoculations for the third dose of the vaccine have begun. Residents who are over the age of 12 and have received the previous two inoculations will receive the vaccination coupon for the third dose in the mail.
When the inoculation coupon arrives, please visit the reservation site or call the vaccine call center to make a reservation. Please wait until that coupon does arrive.
If you haven't received that coupon roughly 6 months after your second dose, please phone the call center. Vaccinations for children between the ages of 5 and 11 have also begun.
For questions regarding vaccinations or to make a reservation, you can call 092-260-8405. Again, that number is 092-260-8405. Calls will be taken between 8:30 am and 5:30pm every day. 7 languages are available at that number, including English.

Temporary Special Benefits
Due to the prolonged effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the government has put
together a temporary special benefit to give support to households which are
exempt from levy of the resident tax. The support benefit is 100,000 yen per household.
Eligible households will be sent a letter explaining the benefits and the request to confirm some details. You do need to follow a procedure to receive the benefits so please read the letter, fill in the necessary details and send that information back within three months of the letter’s date of issue.
If you need any help with these temporary special benefits, please contact the call center where they can help you. The phone number is 0120-018-092. Again, that number is 0120-018-092. Calls will be accepted from 9am to 6pm on weekdays and a number of foreign languages are supported, including English, Spanish, Portuguese and others.

【What are Your Golden Week Plans?】

Well, Golden Week, as they call this set of holidays coming up, will begin at the end of this week, the last week of April and go into the first week of May. If you were able to get next Monday and Friday off, then it'll be quite a long Golden Week for you!

Golden Week
So, do you know what the holidays are that make up this holiday time? It starts with Shōwa Day on April 29, Constitution Day on May 3, Greenery Day on May 4, and Children’s Day on May 5. And depending on how the timing works out and if you can get the non-holiday days off, this week can go from 7 to 10 days. Any idea why it's called Golden Week? There are quite a few theories as to where the name came from, but the most popular origin is that it came from Japanese radio lingo. Golden Time was an expression used in the radio industry to denote the period with the highest listener ratings. As there were many holidays concentrated in the week from the end of April to early May, many leisure-based industries experienced a spike in sales, including the film industry which prompted the managing director of one film company to dub the week "Golden Week" based on that radio lingo.
So what is your plan for this year's Golden Week? I'll start mine early, in a sense. I do still have to go to work but before the Golden Week rush begins, I plan on going to the Kawachi Fuji Park in Kitakyushu to enjoy the wisteria there. I have dinner plans with some friends that I haven't seen in a while and I'll also catch a bit of wrestling at Yahoo Dome at Dontaku Wrestling! It'll be a busy Golden Week for sure, but I want to make the most of it this year.

Places to Go in Fukuoka Over Golden Week
If you haven't made any plans yet, don't worry, there are lots of things to do here in Fukuoka City! Especially this year, after three long years, the Hakata Dontaku Minato Matsuri, a festival with over 800 years of history, will be held again!
The Hakata Dontaku Minato Matsuri is a parade in which men and women of all ages wear costumes of their choosing and parade through town while keeping beat on a shamoji. The festival is held on May 3 and 4 every year and there are stages and spaces around town where dance performances are also held. It's a wonderful event that makes the town even livelier.
And, if you want to do some shopping while on holiday, from today, April 25th, the new shopping complex LaLaPort Fukuoka is open. However, it's not just about shopping, there are also restaurants, a movie theater, sports facilities and loads of fun for those who have kids.

Fukuoka's East and West Coasts

Alright, for those of you who want to be outside, I would recommend cycling and a few other outdoor sports. Along the coast of Fukuoka there is tons to do and you've got both the east and west coasts, each with their own charms.

Looking to the East, there are beautiful blue seas all around and you can feel the history in the air if you visit Shikanoshima. The symbol of the island is Shika-umi Shrine located on a small mountain on the island. As you walk along the main path to the shrine, you can also sample fresh seafood and get some shopping in at shops along the way. The circumference of Shikanoshima is only 12 kilometers and it's an easy 1 hour cycle around.
There are paths for both beginners and more experienced cyclists.
You can take a boat from Bayside Place Hakata to the island and you can even bring your bicycle with you. If you don't have a bicycle, not to fear, you can rent one on the island or even one from Uminonakamichi, if you are out that way.

Now, to the West. There in the Kitazaki area, you'll find beautiful coastal roads and some great photo spots, along with stylish cafes. From Tenjin, it takes just about an hour to get to the Kitazaki area, but it's a real escape because you can go fishing, glamping, hit up some of those popular cafes I just mentioned and get lots of photos to post and share with friends.
If you go to the Itoshima Hanto, or Itoshima Peninsula, there are bicycles available to rent and also Stand Up Paddleboard, good fun for even beginners.
If you think you might head to the Kitazaki area, you can take the subway and JR Chikuhi line. Get off at Kyudai Gakkentoshi Eki Station and transfer to a Showa Bus.
You can find more information about all of this if you go to the Fukuoka City Tourist Information site, YokaNavi and search for Fukuoka East and West Coast.
And of course, when you do go out, make sure that you continue to practice basic infection prevention measures such as washing your hands, avoiding the 3 C's and wearing a mask. If you don't remember what those 3 C's are, they are avoiding closed spaces, crowds and close conversation.

【Earth Day】

To start us off, today's topic is Earth Day which falls on April 22^nd, that's a Friday this year. Earth Day is a day to say thank you to nature and all of its beauty as well as encourage each of us to recall how the Earth provides life and sustenance and think about the environment we live in.  Earth Day was first established in 1969 at a Unesco meeting and the following year, the first Earth Day began with Senator Nelson of the United States calling for a debate on environmental issues on April 22^nd. Earth Day was first observed by Japan in 1990 and since then, a number of events and projects have taken place all across the nation.

In recent years, SDGs or Sustainable Development Goals have become a hot topic across the globe, with countries working on achieving each of these goals. However, it's not just governments that need to work toward them, we should, as individuals, also do our best to try and help achieve these goals and consider what we can do to help and protect the environment on a daily basis. Some easy things to do include turning off the lights when we aren't in a room, considering our daily meals and not wasting food and reducing the amount of garbage that we produce.

【Information from Fukuoka City】

Rules about putting out the garbage

Speaking of garbage, I've got some information to share with you about that very topic from Fukuoka City.

There are a lot of people who are starting a new chapter in their lives this month and that does typically mean buying new things or getting rid of old things. Which brings us to garbage.

In Fukuoka City, garbage is separated into three types. There is burnable, nonburnable and plastic pet bottles and glass garbage. You can buy the bags for each type of garbage at convenience stores and supermarkets.

The red bag is for burnable garbage. This is used for garbage like paper waste, food scraps, clothes and plastics.

The blue bag is for nonburnable garbage which includes things like empty cans and glass or ceramics.

And the yellow bag is for plastic pet bottles and glass bottles.

The day on which garbage is picked up is specific to your neighborhood. Burnable garbage is picked up twice a week and nonburnable and glass bottles and plastic pet bottles are picked up once a month.

Garbage is picked up late at night so garbage should be put out between sunset and midnight on your collection day in the designated location.

If you need to find out when garbage is picked up in your neighborhood, you can do so by adding the official Fukuoka City LINE account to your friend's list. Set your location when you add the account and you will get notifications for the pickup day.

And, if you type in the name of the garbage you want to throw out, the account will tell you which bag you should put it in, so it's a pretty handy service.

If you can't fit something you want to throw out in one bag because it is too big, it is considered over-sized garbage and needs to be thrown out through a different process. For over-sized garbage, pick-up can be arranged if you contact the Fukuoka City Oversized Garbage center, or Sodai Gomi Uketsuke in Japanese, by phone, on the internet or through LINE. They will tell you how much it will cost to throw away the item, where to put it and on what day and time they will pick it up.

If you decide to call the Oversized Garbage Center, you can call 092-731-1153, again that is 092-731-1153. And they have support for 18 different languages.