MIM-July 10,2018 issue

 1. How to use the Minato City Consultation Services for Foreign Residents

Minato City provides English information and offers English consultation on government services for foreigners who live, work, and study in Minato City.

[Consultation Days & Times] Monday – Friday (except holidays and December 29 – January 3): 9:00 am – 12:00 noon, 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm

[Contact] Community Promotion Section, Global Community Planning Subsection (Tel: 03-3578-2046, 2524)

 2.Introduction of a restaurant that collaborated with us on the Commercial District Multilingual Support Improvement Project. 【CERVECERIA GRAN VIA】

　　

Minato City works to help restaurants in the city support customers in foreign languages.

This is one shop we supported.

【CERVECERIA GRAN VIA】

This Spanish restaurant offers everything from a light drink to a full meal. This restaurant features an extensive menu, including the restaurant’s top selling Made-in-Akita homemade ham created by the owner, as well as Spanish tapas and paella.

“Cerveceria” means “beer hall” or “brew pub” in Spanish. This restaurant serves 8 varieties of beer so you should try ordering a few and comparing them! The wine collection is also entirely from Spain, and includes a rich selection of over 30 varieties. There are also many other drink menu items, including whiskey, liqueur, sherry, and cocktails made with fresh-squeezed orange juice.

[Address] Akasaka 6-4-15, Minato City

[Tel] 03-6277-8621

For more information, see the website below.

https://loco.yahoo.co.jp/place/g-ekRYWsvjh6U/（external link） (Japanese)

 3.Seeking Students for the Minato International Association Japanese Course

The Minato International Association (MIA) Japanese Courses are starting.

Minato International Association offers beginner Japanese courses to foreigners who live in Minato City and the surrounding area. Students learn the basics of Japanese and the expressions they need to live their daily lives.

The course is divided into three levels.

We hope you will join us.

Step 1: Students who are complete beginners to Japanese study.

Step 2: Students who have taken step 1 or who can read hiragana.

Step 3: Students who have taken step 2 or who can read hiragana and katakana.

[Fee]

Step 1 –

MIA members: 9,000 JPY, non-members: 10,000 JPY

Step 2 –

MIA members: 9,500 JPY, non-members: 12,000 JPY

Step 3 –

MIA members: 9,500 JPY, non-members: 12,000 JPY

* Texts offered at no additional cost.

* Course fee is 50% off for people who live, work, or go to school in Minato City. For more information, please contact MIM.

For information on how to apply and the dates of the course, please see the following URL.

http://www.minato-intl-assn.gr.jp/language/japanese.php（external link）

[Contact] Minato International Association (MIA)

　 Tel.: 03-6440-0233 *Japanese and English support available.

　 E-mail: office@minato-intl-assn.gr.jp

 4.Lobby Concert 

We will hold a flute quartet concert. Anyone is welcome to come to this concert.

We hope you will join us.

[Date & Time] Wednesday, July 25, 2018, 12:15 pm – 12:45 pm

[Venue] Minato City Hall 1F lobby (Minato City Shibakoen 1-5-25)

[Admission] Free

[Application] No application required. Please come to the venue directly.

[Performers] Flute Quartet Torikaru

[Program (Tentative)] Eine Kleine Nachtmusik First Movement, STUDIO GHIBLI Medley, and more

[Contact] Industry and Community Promotion Support Department, Community Promotion Section, Promotion of Art and Culture Subsection, 03-3578-2343 (Japanese only) 

 5.Minato City Mail Magazine "Kiratto☆"

Minato City publishes “Minato City Mail Magazine Kiratto” on the 1st every month, which delivers essays by the Mayor and childrearing-related information. We hope you will check it out.

[Registration URL]
http://www.city.minato.tokyo.jp/kouhou/kuse/koho/mail-magazine/index.html Back issues are available at the Minato City Website.

July1st issue is here.

(English)

http://www.city.minato.tokyo.jp/multilingual/mail-e.html

 (Korean)

http://www.city.minato.tokyo.jp/multilingual/mail-k.html

(Chinese)

http://www.city.minato.tokyo.jp/multilingual/mail-c.html

 

 6. Do you know about the National Pension Premium Exemption System?

There is a premium exemption system for people who have difficulty paying their National Pension premiums for economic reasons, such as low income.

☆ Types of exemptions

- Full exemption

- 3/4 exemption (1/4 payment)

- 1/2 exemption (1/2 payment)

- 1/4 exemption (3/4 payment)

* In addition to this exemption system, there is also a premium payment postponement system for students and people under 50 whose income or whose spouse’s income fell below a certain amount in the previous year. (For students, this is only available if the student’s own income was below the level.) Periods of postponement will not be reflected in the pension amount.

* You can apply for a retroactive exemption up to 2 years and 1 month in the past.

☆ Income standards

The applicant, their spouse, or their head of household must have an income below a specified amount, which varies by sizes of household. There are certain exceptions for reasons such as unemployment or natural disaster.

☆ Period of exemption approval

Includes receipt period for Elderly, Disability, and Basic Survivors’ Pensions.

☆ Calculation of Basic Pension for the Elderly

The pension amount will change to reflect the approved category and period of the exemption.

Note that periods of premium non-payment during approved partial exemptions will not be reflected in the pension amount.

☆ Supplementary premium payment

You can supplement exempted premium payments for up to 10 years after an exemption period. (Additional charges apply)

* Apply at the Pension Office or the municipal office where you live.

[Contact] (Japanese only)

National Health Insurance and Pension Section, National Pension Subsection: 03-3578-2663

Minato City Pension Office: 03-5401-3211

 7.Take care to prevent heat stroke!

Heat stroke causes you to become fatigued and dizzy or get a headache due to an increased body temperature. In severe cases, it can lead to loss of consciousness, and even be life-threatening. Seniors, infants, and people weakened by illness need to take special care to avoid heat stroke.

[How to Prevent Heat Stroke]

- Heat stroke can often occur, even indoors. When the temperature exceeds 28°C with over 70% humidity, you need to cool the room with air conditioning. Especially when it is warmer than your body temperature, using a fan can be counterproductive. In those cases, use the air conditioner.

- Try to avoid high temperatures and high humidity, and stay hydrated. If you sweat a lot, replenish your water and salt (electrolytes) by drinking sports drinks or slightly salted water. If you have a chronic disease, consult your primary care physician.

[Treating symptoms]

Symptoms come on quickly for heat stroke. If you do not have the stamina to drink water or if your symptoms do not improve, go immediately to a medical institution and get examined. If you do not have the stamina to get examined, immediately call an ambulance (If you are not sure whether you should call an ambulance, dial #7119).

[References]

◇ Meteorological Agency Website:
http://www.jma.go.jp/jma/indexe.html（external link） (Japanese and English)

◇ AMDA International Medical Information Center:
http://amda-imic.com/ (Available in multiple languages)

We will introduce medical institutions and medical welfare systems in multiple languages.

- Consultation dates and times

English, Chinese, Korean, Thai, and Spanish: Every day from 9:00 am – 8:00 pm
Portuguese: Monday, Wednesday, Friday from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Tagalog: Wednesday from 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Vietnamese: Thursday from 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm
- Tel: 03-5285-8088

 8.How to ride the Minato City Community Chii Bus

There are 8 bus routes on the Minato City Community Chii Bus. (Shiba, Akasaka, Tamachi, Azabu-Higashi, Azabu-Nishi, Aoyama, Takanawa, and Shibaura-konan Routes)

The fare is a flat 100 JPY per ride for everyone, elementary school students and older. For information on the routes, time tables, and more, see the Chii Bus informational flier available at Minato City municipal facilities and on buses (available in Japanese and English). For more information, see the website below.

http://www.city.minato.tokyo.jp/kankyo-machi/kotsu/bus/community.html

[Contact] Fuji-Express Co., Ltd.: 03-3455-2213 (Japanese only)

 

 9.Minato City Cultural Partnership Program — Full Day of Museum for Children!

On a day when the Suntory Museum of Art is closed, it will be opened up as a children’s art museum. It features a variety of programs to make looking at art fun, even though Japanese art museums can seem difficult for children.

For more information, see the Suntory Museum of Art website below.

http://suntory.jp/SMA/（external link）

[Target audience]

Elementary school students and their parents/guardians

[Date]

Tuesday, August 28

[Time]

10:00 am – 5:00 pm (Last entry: 4:30 pm)

[Venue]

Suntory Museum of Art

[Address] Tokyo Midtown Galleria 3F, Akasaka 9-7-4, Minato City 107-8643

[Admission fee]

Free (some programs available for a fee)

[Contact]

Suntory Museum of Art: 3479-8600 (Japanese and English)

Minato City Community Promotion Section, Promotion of Art and Culture Subsection (Tel: 3578-2538, Japanese only)

 10.Graffiti survey to be conducted

Minato City graffiti surveyors

Minato City graffiti surveyors will go around Minato City taking pictures of graffiti in the city and recording information such as the owners and managers of the buildings where graffiti is found.

* The surveyors will be contracted and will wear armbands and carry identification.

* The graffiti that is found will be removed as it is discovered through graffiti removal in cooperation with local organizations.