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Season's Greetings!
It feels like just a week ago I was arriving in Sakai into one of the most intense summers I've ever experienced. I don't know where the time went, but now it's suddenly almost winter and the year is winding to a close. Many of you will be used to Christmas and winter coming hand in hand, but for Antipodeans like myself, it feels decidedly backwards.
Nevertheless, I'm already hopelessly attached to the idea of a white Christmas, even though I'm told it's unlikely to snow here.
This edition is packed full of useful info for the holiday season - from fun events to important notices.
I wish you all the merriest of Christmases, and look forward to seeing you in the New Year!
-Nathan
The Child Allowance scheme has changed. Registered foreign and Japanese residents of Sakai City with children up to the age of finishing junior high school (until March 31 following their 15th birthday) are eligible to receive Child Allowance payments at the following monthly rates per child:
| Under 3yo | 3 years old — Elementary Yr 6 | Middle School | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st/2nd Child | ¥15000 | ¥10000 | ¥10000 |
| 3rd or more Children | ¥15000 | ¥15000 | ¥10000 |
To continue receiving Child Allowance payments it will be necessary for ALL parents to reapply. It is also necessary to make an application if you became eligible because of the recent changes to the criteria.
In late October, Sakai City sent out Child Allowance Authorization Application Forms [Nintei Seikyu Sho] to all families that were receiving the allowance at the end of September. Please be sure to complete the application process by the end of March 2012.
Upon the birth of a child, or moving to Sakai with a child, you have 15 days to apply for the allowance. Also, if you are already receiving the Child Allowance, and your number of eligible children increases, please fill out an Increase Application Form [Zogaku Seikyu]
Please direct any queries to the Welfare Department of your local ward office (Child Welfare room in Minami and Kita Wards)
One New Year's tradition you might already know is Osoji - the big clean! In preparation for the New Year, Japanese people often have a big clean out. After all, it's nice to start the year off fresh, right? However, there are also changes to the garbage collection schedule over the break, so make sure you check out the table below if you're planning on doing any spring (winter?) cleaning!
| Collection Ends | Collection Resumes | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Household garbage | All areas | Collection as normal until December 31 (Saturday) * Please be aware that the time of collection might change slightly. |
Collection as normal from January 4 (Wednesday) * Please be aware that the time of collection might change slightly. |
| Cans, bottles | |||
| Plastic containers and packaging | |||
| PET bottles | |||
| Small metal goods | |||
| Paper | Mihara Ward only | ||
| Large garbage | Large Garbage Collection Reception Center (Tel: 0120-00-8400 or 06-6485-5048 from a cellphone) | For collection before the new year, please request pick up by December 23 (Friday) Reception is open until December 28 (Wednesday) but requests made after the 23rd can not be collected until next year | |
| Irregular garbage (Fee applies) |
Garbage from moving house etc. | Collection as normal from January 9 (Monday) |
|
| Dirty mud/sludge | |||
| Regular collection (Fee applies) |
Daily collection | December 31(Saturday) | |
| Sewage | Collection until December 29 (Thursday) 12pm | Collection as normal from January 4 (Wednesday) |
|
| For drainage of septic tanks etc. before the New Year, please apply by December 22 (Thursday) After the 22nd, it will be impossible to arrange collection until after the New Year's Break. Also, please be aware that collection times might change slightly. |
|||
| (Enquiries) Environmental Affairs Division (TEL:228-7429 [228-7428 for sewage] FAX:229-4454) - Japanese only | |||
| Collection Ends | Collection Resumes | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Taking large garbage to a recycling center yourself | Reception times:8.30-16.30 | Until December 31 (Saturday) | From January 4 (Wednesday) |
| Please bring your garbage in as early as possible, as the center becomes very busy over the New | |||
| (Enquiries) Clean Center Management Division (TEL 252-0815 FAX 251-9646). | |||
I really hope it doesn't end up being relevant to anyone, but in case a loved pet does pass away over the holidays the usual phone reception line for collection will run until noon on December 31 (Saturday), and resume again on January 4 (Wednesday). During this time, you can bring your pet's remains to the Sakai City Hall between 8am and 8pm for collection
(8am-9am/5.30pm-8pm: main building east entrance, 9am-5.30pm: west entrance)
Environmental Affairs Division (TEL: 228-7429 FAX 229-4454) Japanese only.
Municipal and Prefectural income taxes are paid in quarterly installments in the year after they are earned. The fourth payment is due by 31 January 2012. You can pay at financial institutions, post offices, most convenience stores or at any ward city tax office. Please check your bank balance first if you wish to pay by automatic transfer.
| Sakai Ward City Tax Office | TEL 072 228 7411 | FAX 072 228 7766 |
|---|---|---|
| Naka Ward City Tax Office | TEL 072 270 8187 | FAX 072 270 8102 |
| Higashi Ward City Tax Office | TEL 072 287 8106 | FAX 072 287 8115 |
| Nishi Ward City Tax Office | TEL 072 275 1907 | FAX 072 275 1917 |
| Minami Ward City Tax Office | TEL 072 290 1806 | FAX 072 290 1816 |
| Kita Ward City Tax Office | TEL 072 258 6724 | FAX 072 258 6822 |
| Mihara Ward City Tax Office | TEL 072 363 9318 | FAX 072 361 1889 |
| Tax Collection Division (Main Office) | TEL 072 228 7434 | FAX 072 228 7618 |
| Sun | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thur | Fri | Sat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 ★☆ |
||||
| 4 ☆ JLPT |
5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 ★☆ |
| 11 ☆ |
12 | 13 | 14 Yassai Hossai |
15 | 16 | 17 ★☆ |
| 18 ☆ Mini Ikebana |
19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 ★☆ Emperor's Birthday |
24 ★☆ Christmas Fireworks Fantasy |
| 25 ★☆ |
26 | 27 | 28 | 29 City Hall Closed |
30 City Hall Closed |
31 City Hall Closed |
☆Animal Santa Christmas Party
★Winter Illumination Night
| Sun | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thur | Fri | Sat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 City Hall Closed New Year’s Day |
2 City Hall Closed Substitute Holiday |
3 City Hall Closed |
4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
| 8 | 9 Coming of Age Day |
10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 |
| 15 International Understanding Seminar |
16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 |
| 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 |
| 29 | 30 | 31 Tax Payment Due |
5F Minamiguchi Bldg., 1-4-24 Nakakawara-machi, Sakai-ku,Nearest Station: Sakai Higashi Stn. Nankai Koya Line
Need help figuring out the garbage-sorting procedures? Don't know how to enroll your kids in school? Never Fear!
The Sakai International Plaza is now running a multilingual advice counter for foreigners living in Sakai to offer advice and/or referrals for any problems they might encounter in everyday life in Japan.
Location: Sakai International Plaza
Time: Mon/Thurs/Fri 9am-12pm, 1pm-4pm
Languages: Japanese, English.
(Korean, Chinese, Spanish, and Portuguese are also available through a phone interpreting system—please enquire for details)
Sakai International Plaza also offers a free consultation with an administrative specialist specifically for those who seek advice on naturalization, visa and permanent residency applications and procedures.
An appointment is necessary for these consultations, as there's a maximum of three individuals/groups per day. Also if you require an interpreter, please be sure to give at least one week's notice.
Appointments: 072-228-7499
Location: Sakai International Plaza
Time: 3rd Wednesday of every month 2pm - 5pm.
Please remember the ban on smoking and littering on the street in Sakai. Especially the areas in front of Sakai and Sakai Higashi Stations, on Oshoji Street and around Sakai City Hall are patrolled, and you could be fined ¥1000. This includes while riding your bike or motorcycle. Let's keep Sakai beautiful and pleasant for all of us! Please call 228-7429 if you have any questions.
The objective of City Life is to provide non-Japanese residents and visitors with information about daily life and events in Sakai. Published by the International Division, Sakai City Government, 3-1 Minamikawara-machi, Sakai-ku, Sakai, Osaka 590-0078
Tel:072-222-7343
Fax:072-228-7900
This issue was compiled by Nathan Cooper, Coordinator for International Relations. Published on the 1st of every second month.
Pick up your next copy of City Life from:
Foreigners living in Sakai are eligible for free delivery. Please email us with your name and address.
Japanese persons need to send a self addressed stamped envelope (12x24cm)
If you would like to give feedback or contribute something to City Life (event information, hints for living in Japan, recipes etc.) please contact Nathan at:
kokusai@city.sakai.lg.jp