MIM  – March 25, 2019 issue

 1. Start of information distribution to foreign residents through multi-lingual AI chat

　　

 

Around 20,000 foreign nationals live in Minato City from around 140 countries.

We have begun to operate an automated answering service to respond to questions and information requests by foreign residents in a chat format using AI so that these foreign residents can also live safely and securely as members of our society. The more questions users ask, the smarter the AI will become. We hope you will all ask lots of questions to cultivate this AI!

[Eligibility] Anyone *In addition to foreign residents, Japanese residents are also welcome to use it.

[Supported languages] English, simple Japanese

[Question topics supported]

Eight categories: disaster prevention, trash disposal, child rearing / education, international / culture, medical / hospitals, various procedures (taxes, insurance, pension), tourism, and neighborhood associations. In addition, trivia is available on lifestyles and culture unique to Japan.

[How to use]

Users simply input keywords for the information they want to know through Facebook Messenger year-round, 24 hours a day and receive the information they want directly. Facebook Messenger can be used for free.

1. Access the Minato Information Board Facebook page run by the international and cultural office (https://facebook.com/city.minato.mib/（external link）)

2. Click “Send message” to contact.

3. Ask the AI a question.

4. The AI selects the appropriate response from a pre-registered FAQ and answers your question in chat format. Users select whether the response was helpful or not.

* Please access the Minato City International and Cultural Office Facebook Page through the Minato Information Board.

[Contact] Minato City Community Promotion Section, Global Community Planning Subsection (Tel: 03-3578-2565) *Japanese and English

 2.Introduction of shops that collaborated with us on the Commercial District Multilingual Support Improvement Project. [DUMBO Doughnuts and Coffee]

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

This is one shop we supported.　

[DUMBO Doughnuts and Coffee]

All of this restaurant’s doughnuts are handmade, and you can watch them being made with your own eyes. There are a variety of doughnut flavors, from standard cinnamon sugar to unusual ones such as matcha cream cheese, passionfruit, and lemon poppy seed. Enjoy a doughnut that goes well with coffee!

For more details, please see the URL below.

http://www.dumbodc.com/（external link） (Japanese, English)

[Address] Minato City, Azabujuban 2-17-6

[Tel] 03-6435-0176

 3.Seeking part-time teacher for Minato City elementary schools’ international class

 

We are seeking a part-time international class teacher. Details are as follows:

[Eligibility]

< Japanese >

1. Must be able to give English instruction in math and science and have TOEIC score of 850 or higher, have passed level 1 of the Eiken English Proficiency Test, or possess equivalent English proficiency.

2. Must have understanding and passion for the International Understanding Education program of the Minato City elementary schools.

< Foreigners >

1. Must be able to give English instruction in math and science

2. Must have understanding and passion for the International Understanding Education program of the Minato City elementary schools.

* The teacher may be asked to translate and interpret. To find out how much Japanese reading, writing, and listening ability is required, please contact us using the telephone number below.

[Work sites]

Minato City Higashimachi Elementary School, Minato City Nanzan Elementary School

[Contact]

Minato City Board of Education, Education Guidance Section, Guidance Support Subsection

Tel: 03-3578-2756 *Japanese only

* For more details, please see the URL below.

http://www.city.minato.tokyo.jp/shidoushien/kuse/saiyo/gaiyo/hijokin/2019boshu.html (Japanese)

 4. What’s Shodo? workshop to be held

Would you like to try writing Japanese characters with a brush? This workshop will be in English and Japanese. We hope you will come.

[Date & Time] Monday, April 22, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm

[Venue] Toranomon Iki-iki Plaza

[Target audience] Mainly for foreigners over the age of 50 living in Minato City (should be able to speak simple Japanese)

[Capacity] 10 (chosen by lottery)

[Fee] 1,000 JPY (for class materials)

[Application] Please contact Toranomon Iki-iki Plaza directly by telephone by Monday, April 8.

[Contact] Toranomon Iki-iki Plaza, 105-0001 Minato City, Toranomon 1-21-10 (3539-2941)

 5.Protect yourself from fire

Plan ahead and protect yourself from fire.

- Do not smoke in bed. Extinguish your cigarette butts in water, and throw out cigarette butts before they accumulate.

- Do not place or dry flammable items such as clothing close to heaters. Turn off you heater when you go to bed or leave home.

- Stay near the stove while cooking. Don’t place anything around your stove that could catch on fire.

- Clean your electrical outlets well, insert plugs fully into outlets, and do not bend cords or run them under furniture.

[Contact] Minato City Disaster Prevention Section, Living Safety Promotion Subsection (03-3578-2270) *Japanese only

 6. Notice about Disaster Prevention Wireless System

<Minato City has a disaster prevention wireless system>

In Minato City, speakers throughout the town will provide disaster information in the event of a disaster, such as an earthquake or tsunami. In order to check whether this equipment works, the song “Yuyake Koyake” is played every day at 5:00 pm. 

<What should I do if I can’t hear the speaker because of heavy rain or traffic noise, or if I miss what it says?>

Please call 03-5401-0742. When you call this number, you can hear an automated recording of the announcement. (Available in English, Chinese and Korean)

We will also post the information on the Minato City Website, Twitter, and Facebook, and through the Disaster Prevention app. (Available in English, Chinese and Korean)

* For more details, please see the URL below.

http://www.city.minato.tokyo.jp/bousai/bosai-anzen/bosai/daishinsai/musen.html

 7.Mita Library Disaster Prevention Center to hold “First steps to disaster prevention volunteering!”

Disaster volunteers are attracting attention in the wake of repeated disasters, such as the Great East Japan Earthquake, the 2016 Kumamoto Earthquake, and the July 2018 heavy rains. If you would like to be of service to people when disaster strikes, this introductory class with lectures and workshops will teach you how. We are looking forward to your participation.

[Date & Time] Sunday, April 21, 2019, 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm (doors open at 1:30 pm)

[Venue] Mita Library (Minato City, Shiba 5-28-4)

[Target audience] Anyone junior high school age and older

[Capacity] 40 (by order of application)

[Application] Please call or come directly to the Mita Library.

[Tel] 03-3452-4951 *Japanese only

* For more details, please see the URL below.

http://www.lib.city.minato.tokyo.jp/j/eventlist.cgi?next=1（external link） (Japanese and English)

 8. Swimmable Odaiba promotional video distributed

　

We have created a promotional video as part of our efforts to achieve a swimmable ocean at Odaiba. In its short run time, it shows the charm of Odaiba, as well as scenes from this year’s Odaiba Plage and the Japan Triathlon.

 We hope you will take this opportunity to watch.

* For more details, please see the URL below.

https://www.city.minato.tokyo.jp/kouhou/kuse/koho/bangumi/18-oyogeru.html (Japanese)

 9.Tokyo Consumer Affairs General Center information

We offer consultation on problems encountered with consumer contracts.

Interpretation service is available in English, Chinese, and Korean.

Telephone inquiries are accepted, so please contact us if you have some trouble.

[Location] Tokyo Consumer Affairs General Center (Shinjuku-ku, Kagurazaka 1-1 Central Plaza 16F)

* Close to Iidabashi station on JR and subway lines.

[Consultation Hours] 9:00 am – 5:00 pm (Monday – Saturday)

* Not available Sundays and national holidays.

[Contact] 03-3235-1155

* For more details, please see the URL below.

https://www.shouhiseikatu.metro.tokyo.jp/center/（external link） (Japanese)

 10.Overview of Facilities in Minato City — Suntory Hall

The first concert hall built in Tokyo, Suntory Hall holds concerts by famous orchestras and soloists from Japan and abroad. It has a large hall and a small hall. The large hall is distinctive for its vineyard style setup where the audience surrounds the stage. (Address: 1-13-1, Akasaka, Minato City)

The Organ Promenade Concert is held once a month during from 12:15 to 12:45 on a weekday for free. For more information, please check the Suntory Hall website.

http://www.suntory.co.jp/suntoryhall/（external link） (Japanese, English)