MIM – March 10, 2020 issue

1. Information about the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)

The number of people infected with the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is increasing.

As is the case with when aiming to prevent the spread of colds and influenza, it is important to implement usual measures against spreading infectious diseases such as coughing etiquette and hand washing.

・Along with frequent hand washing, let’s make efforts to disinfect our hands with alcohol.

・Please make sure to practice cough etiquette by covering your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough, and wearing a surgical mask. Also try to avoid crowded places.

* For more details, see the website below.

https://www.city.minato.tokyo.jp/hokenyobou/yasanichi.html (Japanese)

2. There is a help center for foreign residents!

English-speaking staff members help foreign residents solve any trouble they might encounter. 　

There are also interpreters at the ward office. Those who speak a language other than English or Japanese can use a tablet or videophone to receive interpretation services.

Everybody is welcome to attend. *Telephone support is in Japanese and English

Please feel free to contact us.

[Days on which consulting services are available] Monday-Friday *closed on Sat, Sun, and Holidays

[Time] 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. (*no reservations needed)

[Venue] Minato City Hall, 3rd floor, Counter 304

Tel: 03-3578-2524/2046 (*Japanese and English)

3.Minato Call (Minato City Call Center) hours of operation will be changed.

The Minato Call (Minato City Call Center) hours of operation will be changed on April 1.

Minato Call is a service that provides information, in Japanese and English, regarding official procedures and facilities in Minato City.

Even when the city offices are not open, we can respond to inquiries about facility operating hours and directions open 365 days per year.

We hope you will take advantage of this service!

[Hours of Operation]

Until Tuesday, March 31 from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.

From Wednesday, April 1, 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

[Minato Call]

(03-5472-3710) (*Japanese and English, open 365 days per year)

[Contact]

Office of the Mayor, Opinion Hearing Subsection (03-3578-2051) (*Japanese only)

4. We are distributing the Waste Sorting App.

　　

　【Android】　【iPhone】

We also offer the “Tokyo Minato City Waste Sorting App” with useful features for your smartphone including a search function for resources, recyclables, waste sorting, and collection days, as well as an alarm to help you remember to put out your waste.

This useful app lets you easily look up a variety of information related to resources, recyclables, and trash.

Main functions

・Calendar function - you can search resources, waste collection, and collection days.

・Waste Collection Alarm - a push notification can be set for the day of collection or the day prior.

・Waste sorting dictionary - by entering the name of the item, you can confirm the item’s waste classification and precautions necessary when disposing of the item.

・FAQ - You can look up frequently asked questions in a Q&A format.

・Notifications - We will send notifications about resources, recyclables and waste, and events related to cleaning and recycling.

・Map - Displays maps showing principal collection points, large-sized waste ticket disposal sites (fee required), and shops which provide eco-friendly products. 

・Games - You can learn about recyclables, resources and waste sorting while you play.

*The videos are available from the links below.

Click here for iOS devices (compatible with iOS5.1.1 or later)

https://itunes.apple.com/jp/app/minato-city-tokyo-garbage/id1178891043?mt=8（external link） (Japanese)

Click here for Android devices (compatible with AndroidOS 2.3 or later)

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=jp.gomisuke.app.Gomisuke0061ML（external link） (Japanese)

iOS

https://itunes.apple.com/jp/app/minato-city-tokyo-garbage/id1178891043?mt=8（external link） (English)

Android

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=jp.gomisuke.app.Gomisuke0061ML（external link） (English)

* For more details, please see the URL below.

https://www.city.minato.tokyo.jp/unei/201805gomibunbetuapuri.html (Japanese)

5. Would you like to try our multilingual AI chat?

We offer an automated answering service that uses AI in a chat format to respond to inquiries for government information and lifestyle questions that foreign residents need in their daily lives.

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 can get the information they need directly through the Facebook Messenger app (free) 24 hours a day, open 365 days per year just by entering relevant keywords.

—Directions for Use—

1. Access the Minato Information Board Facebook page (https://facebook.com/city.minato.mib/（external link）).

2. Click “Send message”.

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