National Health Insurance for Fiscal Year 2018

The National Health Insurance (NHI) (Kokumin Kenko Hoken) premium for fiscal year 2018 has been decided and the payment notice and leaflet will be sent to applicable residents of Hiroshima City on June 11.

The NHI is one of the health insurance programs available in Japan. It is supported by insurance premiums paid by NHI members and, in turn, pays for a portion of members’ medical treatments. Residents of Hiroshima City are required to join the NHI unless they are Long-Term Care Insurance System members or receive health insurance from their employers. The head of household is responsible for the payment of the premiums, which are calculated every year based on household income and the number of household members. For further inquiries on premium calculations, please contact the following information center: Kokumin Kenko Hokenryo Otoiawase Center (National Health Insurance Premium Call Center) Tel. 545-0265. Available between Monday, June 4 and Friday, June 29, only in Japanese. Open from 8:30 am to 5:15 pm, Monday to Friday.

INQUIRIES:

Hoken Nenkin Ka (National Insurance & Pension Division), Tel. 504-2159 Fax. 504-2135

Food Poisoning Warning

The most common case of food poisoning in this season is the Campylobacter bacteria. As this is the best season to enjoy barbeques outside, the risk of food poisoning is increases. The bacteria can even be present in fresh meat. Learn about this bacteria and avoid food poisoning caused by it.

Even fresh meat can be dangerous

Campylobacter bacteria normally inhabit the intestinal tract of animals such as chickens, pigs and cattle. The bacteria are frequently detected in foods derived from these animals, which are contaminated during processing. Raw and undercooked meat has a high-risk of causing food poisoning.

Even small amounts of the bacteria cause food poisoning. Symptoms such as diarrhea, fever and/or abdominal pain usually occur one to seven days after infection. Children and seniors whose immune systems are weak need to be especially careful.

Tips to prevent food poisoning caused by Campylobacter bacteria

• Cook meat well until the color of the meat has thoroughly changed.
• Do NOT eat any raw or undercooked meat.
• Wash thoroughly and sterilize your hands and cooking utensils, such as chopping boards and kitchen knives that were used to prepare raw meat. When cooking, make sure to keep your cooking utensils for raw meat and eating cutlery separate and do not mix them up.
• Keep any meat separate from greens and other food items that you eat raw.

INQUIRIES:

Shokuhin Hoken Ka (Foods & Public Health Division),

Tel. 241-7434 Fax. 241-2567

Medical Allowance for Single Parent Families

WHO:

Those who are residents of Hiroshima City, covered by health insurance, and fulfill any of the conditions below:

• A child who is 18 years old or younger (allowance provided until March 31 following the child’s 18th birthday) whose parent is single and holds custody of the child.
• A child who is not in the care of a biological parent, and whose guardian is single.
• Any others who are in similar situations.

There are further conditions which need to be fulfilled. Please inquire for further information.

SUBSIDY FOR:

Medical expenses (excludes hospitalization expenses for meals and bed).

APPLICATION:

Apply at your local ward office’s Hoken Fukushi Ka (Health & Welfare Division) or Fukushi Ka (Welfare Division) with your health insurance card and inkan (personal seal).

INQUIRIES:

Hoken Fukushi Ka (Health & Welfare Division), local Ward Offices

Fukushi Ka (Welfare Division), Higashi Ward Office

Temporary Closures of Hiroshima City Hospitals’ Emergency Rooms

The following Hiroshima City hospitals’ emergency rooms will be temporarily closed due to renewal of the electronic medical record system:

Hiroshima Citizens Hospital

CLOSED:

Saturday, June 16, 7:30 am – 2:00 pm

INQUIRIES:

Tel. 221-2291 Fax. 223-5514

Asa Citizens Hospital

CLOSED:

Sunday, June 24, 0:00 am – 6:00 am

INQUIRIES:

Tel. 815-5211 Fax. 814-1791

Child Care Service during School Summer Holidays Available

WHO:

Elementary school students who are residents of Hiroshima City (Please note that there are further conditions which need to be fulfilled.)

APPLICATION:

Apply at your local Jido Kan (Child Center) or Hokago Jido Club (After School Club) before Friday, June 15. Prior appointment is required. For details, please check on Hiroshima City’s official website. If the number of applicants exceeds the limits, a selection will take place.

INQUIRIES:

Hokago Taisaku Ka (After School Child Care Division), Board of Education, Tel. 242-2014 Fax. 242-2018

Subsidy for Cultural Activities

WHO:

Groups or individuals who will hold cultural activities in Hiroshima City between October 2018 and March 2019 and make a public presentation about them. Applicant screening will be held.

SUBSIDY AMOUNT:

Half of project cost (up to 200,000yen)

APPLICATION:

Send a prescribed application form postmarked by Saturday, June 30 to Bunka Zaidan, Jigyo Ka (Hiroshima City Culture Foundation, Business Division). Applications are available at the office (4-17 Kako-machi, Naka-ku) and online at Hiroshima City’s official website.

INQUIRIES:

Bunka Zaidan (Hiroshima City Culture Foundation), Tel. 244-0750 Fax. 245-0246

Temporary Closures　

Koiki Koen Tennis Court Tel. 848-9540

CLOSED:

Thursday, June 7

Asa Manga Library Tel. 830-3675 Fax. 830-3676

CLOSED:

Thursday, June 7 - Wednesday, June 13

Saeki Ward Library Tel. 921-7560 Fax. 924-0742

CLOSED:

Thursday, June 14 - Wednesday, June 20

(Return box service is NOT available on Tuesday, June 19 and Wednesday, June 20.)

Enjoy The Riversides of Hiroshima City, The City of Water!

Hiroshima City is well known as The City of Water as it is surrounded by 6 rivers. The City has promoted riverside activities by attracting businesses, maintaining green space by the riversides and controlling river traffic, thereby the beautiful riversides are much loved as a relaxing area by local people and tourists alike. It is always nice to enjoy the changing seasons from the riverside. A river cruise is one option to enjoy the beautiful landscape. You can also enjoy good food and drink at riverside restaurants.

Riverside Restaurants

• Kaoriya (Japanese noodle):11 Kyobashi-machi, Minami-ku (Tel. 262-1000)
• Caffè Ponte (Italian):1-9-21 Otemachi, Naka-ku (Tel. 247-7471)
• Ristorante Fontana (Italian): the ground floor of Hotel JAL City Hiroshima, 7-14 Kaminobori-cho, Naka-ku (Tel. 223-2580)
• 43 quarante-trois (coffee): the ground floor of Hotel FLEX, 7-1 Kaminobori-cho, Naka-ku (Tel. 511-7370)
• il vento (coffee, lunch): the ground floor of RCC Culture Center, 5-11 Hashimoto-cho, Naka-ku (Tel. 222-2277)
• Tea Garden Pul-Pul (tea, cakes): Kyobashi R-Win,11 Hashimoto-cho, Naka-ku (Tel. 227-3666)
• cafe REGALO (lunch, coffee, dinner): Kyobashi R-Win, 11 Hashimoto-cho, Naka-ku (Tel. 224-6303)
• Oyster Conclave Kakitei (oysters): Kyobashi R-Win, 11 Hashimoto-cho, Naka-ku (Tel. 221-8990)
• MUSIMPANEN (cakes) : the ground floor of Wako Kanayama Residence, 1-16 Kanayama-cho, Naka-ku (Tel. 246-0399)
• PHIISWA (Thai): 8 Inari-machi, Minami-ku (Tel. 261-5554)

Water Transportation

• Water Taxi (River taxis operated from Hiroshima Station to Shukkeien and Peace Park): River Sea Cruise Tel. 258-3188
• Hiroshima Castle Pleasure Boat Cruise: Clean DC Club Tel. 080-4551-7171
• World Heritage River Cruise: Aqua Net Hiroshima Tel. 240-5955

Riverside Concerts

DATE & TIME:

Sundays, June 3, 9, 17, 24 and Saturday, June 23 / Noon – 4:00 pm

PLACE:

Shinsui Terrace, the riverside opposite the A-bomb Dome

INQUIRIES:

Kanko Seisaku Bu (Tourism Business Department) Tel.504-2676 Fax. 504-2253