No. 237 February 1, 2017

http://www.city.urayasu.lg.jp

Published by the City of Urayasu1-1-1 Nekozane, Urayasu-shi,

Chiba 279-8501 047-351-1111

Population: 166,551Male: 82,089

Female: 84,462Households: 77,362

Foreign Residents: 3,570(As of December 31, 2016)

Population and No. of Households in Urayasu

Date and time: February 5 (Sun.), 7:40 a.m. to 12 noon Area Regulation Hours

① Road around the hotel Two lanes on one side will be closed to vehicle traffic. 7:40 a.m. to 12 noon② Sports Park to Clean Center Completely closed to vehicle traffic. 7:40 to 11 a.m.③ Sports Park to Tomioka Koban (police box) Two lanes on one side will be closed to vehicle traffic. 8:30 to 11 a.m.④ Tomioka Koban (police box) to Takasu Taiyo-no Oka Park Two lanes on one side will be closed to vehicle traffic. 8:45 to 10:30 a.m.⑤ City Planning Street No. 3.1.7 Completely closed to vehicle traffic. 8:45 to 10 a.m.⑥ Takasu Taiyo-no Oka Park to Urayasu Sogo Park Completely closed to vehicle traffic. 8:45 to 10:30 a.m.

Notes: •Pleaserefrainfromdrivingnearthemarathoncourseonthedayoftheevent. •Pleasedonotparkonthestreetsalongthemarathoncourseonthedayoftheevent. •CitybusesthatpassthroughthecourseareasandtheOsanpoBusMaihamaLinewillrunonirregularscheduleswhiletheraceisbeingheld.

During the Tokyo Bay Urayasu City Marathon, traffic will be regulated near the marathon course. Your cooperation is appreciated.

Announcement concerning Kakutei Shinkoku (Income Tax Returns)

Please file your 2016 income tax return no later than March 15 (Wed.).Inquiries: Ichikawa Tax Office, Tel: 047-335-4101 (Residential Tax Section)　　

• Income Tax Return Completion Corner

You do not need to apply in advance. If you input the required information, your tax amount wil l be calculated automatically. You can print the completed report and submit it by mail. For more information, please visit the National Tax Agency website (http://www.nta.go.jp).

Completing Your Income Tax Return via the Internet

Income Tax Report Deductions for Latter-Term Elderly Medical Insurance Premiums and National Health Insurance Premiums

When repor ting Latter-Term Elderly Medical Insurance premiums and National Health Insurance premiums as a social insurance deduction, you do not need to attach or show a certificate. Simply add the total amount you paid from January 1 through December 31, and report the amount.

If you do not know the amount, please ask the National Health Insurance Section. When you do, please have your health insurance card with you.Inquiries: National Health Insurance Section

Completing Your Income Tax Returns at Urayasu City Shugo Office▽ Free Consultation Service by Licensed Tax

AccountantsDates and times: February 3 (Fri.) through 9 (Thu.) (excluding Saturdays and Sundays), 9:30 a.m. to 12 noon and 1 to 3:30 p.m. Note: Those completing a report for small-scale taxpayers. Consultation services for consumption tax are also available.▽ Income Tax Return Consultation Services

Sponsored by Urayasu CityDates and times: February 16 (Thu.) through March 15 (Wed.) (excluding Saturdays and Sundays), 9:30 a.m. to 12 noon and 1 to 3:30 p.m.

▼ For the abovementioned services:Eligibility: • Those whose income was solely from wages (those

who received a salary from two or more locations, those who have not completed year-end tax adjustments, those who have retired, etc.)

Note: Limited to those who received an annual salary of ¥20 million or less.

• Those whose income was solely from their pension• Those who receive an individual pension from life

insurance or the post office• Those who received a full-term insurance benefit or

a refund for a closed accountWhat to bring

Your tax withholding slip, your personal seal (an unregistered seal is acceptable), various tax exemption certificates and receipts, documentation that indicates your financial account numbers, a calculator, writing instruments, and a copy of your income tax report from the previous yearNote: If you plan to take a deduction for medical expenses, please calculate the total in advance.

Inquiries:SportsSection

Commemorating the 35th Anniversary of Urayasu City

Traffic Will Be Regulated during the 26th Tokyo Bay Urayasu City Marathon

The hotel areaThe hotel area

Sports Park Sports Park

Tomioka Koban (police box)Tomioka Koban (police box)

City Planning Street No. 3.1.7City Planning Street No. 3.1.7

Takasu Taiyo-no Oka Park Takasu Taiyo-no Oka Park

Sogo ParkSogo Park

①

②

③

④⑤

⑥Completely closed to vehicle traffic.Completely closed to vehicle traffic.

Two lanes on one side will be closed to vehicle traffic.

Two lanes on one side will be closed to vehicle traffic.

Maihama Sta.

Shin Urayasu Sta.

Please Note!At the Urayasu City site, since consultation is

for simple income tax returns, consultation for returns not handled at each consultation site, and consultation for first-time mortgage deduction are not available. If you would like consultation on these issues, please par t icipate in the consultation services sponsored by the Ichikawa Tax Office (see below). In addition, please note that the reception desk may close earlier than the scheduled hours if it becomes too crowded.

▽ Submission of Urayasu City Income Tax Returns

Date and time: February 16 (Thu.) through March 15 (Wed.), 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (excluding Saturdays)Location: Shugo Office 4F Note: If you would like to submit your report before February 15 (Wed.), you can submit it in person or by mail to the Ichikawa Tax Office (1-11-10 Kitakata, Ichikawa City 272-8573).

Income Tax Return Consultation Services Sponsored by the Ichikawa Tax Office

Dates and times: February 10 (Fri.) through March 15 (Wed.), 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (reception is available from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.)Note: Closed on Saturdays, Sundays and national holidays, except for Sundays, February 19 and 26. Location: Colton Hall, Nikke Colton Plaza 2F (1-1-1 Onitaka, Ichikawa City)Note: Free parking is not available.Eligibility: Those who are filing a return for income tax, special recovery tax, gift tax, or individual consumption tax (such as those who would like advice on earthquake-related reports; would like to make a home-loan deduction; made capital gains from land, building, stock, futures trading, or FX; had retirement income; had income from real estate with the Blue Return; had carry-over of loss; or would like advice on gift tax)Note: Since the required documents depend on the content of the tax return, please check with the Ichikawa Tax Office (Tel: 047-335-4101) in advance.

Those who do not have a My Number Card Adocumentthatcanconfirmyourindividualnumber(such

asanotificationcard)andonetoconfirmthattheindividualnumberbelongstoyou(suchasadriver’slicense)isrequired

Important!Your individual number (My Number) must be written on applications and tax reports.Please bring the following documents.

Those who have a My Number Card TheMyNumberCardcanconfirmbothyour

identityandindividualnumber

Hello to all! Hideki Matsuzaki, Mayor of Urayasu

■ Urayasu Scholarship Loan ProgramEligibility: Those who live in Urayasu and who have been accepted to a high school or university but who are having diff iculty continuing with school due to f inancial reasons, and who do not receive other scholarship f inancial assistance (excluding Urayasu benefits) or loans (those who live in a dormitory outside of Urayasu are eligible if their parents live in Urayasu).Loan amount: Please check the Urayasu website or call the number below.Loan period: An entrance preparation fee will be paid upon entrance only, plus tuition for one year. Note: If you would like to continue receiving a loan, you must f ile an application form every year. When applying for a loan, a co-signer is required.Returning the loan: Within 10 years after six months after the standard period for the completion of schooling (interest-free)Application: An entrance preparation fee loan application should be filed no later than March 15 (Wed.). File a scholarship loan application form (available at the Education Administration Section [Urayasu City Hall 7F] or downloadable from the Urayasu website) with the Education Administration Section in person. Note: Tuition loan applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.Inquiries: Education Administration Section, Tel: 712-6712

■ Urayasu Scholarship Support Program

Urayasu offers a scholarship suppor t benefit, which does not need to be returned, to those who fulfill the conditions below.Eligibility: Students whose parent/guardian lives in Urayasu, who have been registered in the basic resident registrar for one year or longer, who are in high school or university, and who are having difficulty going to school due to financial reasonsScholastic achievement standard: The latest grade point average must be 3.0 or greater in a five-level evaluation system.Income standard: The income for the year before application must be 1.3 times the standard amount or lower for public financial assistance for everyday living (amounts vary depending on the constitution of the family).Benefit amount: High school: ¥5,000 per month; university: ¥15,000 per monthApplication: File an application form (available at the Education Administration Section [Urayasu City Hall 7F] or downloadable from the Urayasu website) with the Education Administration Section (Urayasu City Hall 7F) in person from 8:30 a.m. on April 4 (Tue.).Note: For more information, please visit the Urayasu website or call the number below.Inquiries: Education Administration Section, Tel: 712-6712

■ The 37th Urayasu Children’s Kite-Flying ContestDate and time: February 11 (Sat.), 10 a.m. to 12 noon Location: Sogo Park Program: Prizes will be awarded to those who succeed in flying their kites. Participation prizes will also be awarded. Consommé soup and hot cocoa will be available free of charge. Note: Prizes are for handmade kites only.What to bring: Kite (Bowls, chopsticks, or

On Thursday, November 24, sleet began to fall in Urayasu from before dawn, and by around 8 a.m., it turned to genuine snow. It was reported that this was the first time since 1962 that the first snowfall came in November.

It sends chills up my spine when thinking that the snow could have come one day earlier, as the day before we held our “Marriage Partner Hunting in Urayasu Resort 2016.” Urayasu is playing a role in being a leader among local governments across Japan in sponsoring “marriage matchmaking activities.”

Since February 2011, this was the 11th time that this event has been held. The recent event drew 90 males and 92 females from Chiba Prefecture and the Tokyo metropolitan area, and it began with a nervous air. Thanks to the ef-forts of the staff, which made elaborate plans, 37 matches were made as a re-sult.

The success rate was extremely high again, with 40.7% of participants be-coming a couple. We thus received a lot of positive feedback from the par-ticipants saying, “As the city was the sponsor, I was able to participate with peace of mind.”

Although we started this event with some doubts in our mind, 267 matches have been made to date.

Newlyweds that had their wedding last spring and that will move to To-mioka soon sent me a letter in mid-No-vember saying that they were expecting a baby this April. The letter also stated that “Although we are a little worried, as this is our first baby, we feel re-lieved that the city offers support from pregnancy to childbirth.” Those words made me feel that all the efforts we had poured into child-raising support were really worth it.

At the end of their letter, they said, “When the baby is born, we hope that you will hold the little one in your

arms.” Those words moved me to tears.I am happy that our city fulfilled its

role as Cupid, and hearing this report that a new life was being born made me even happier. I hope that we can continue to be able to watch over such young lives through child-raising sup-port programs.

In Japan, November 22 and 23 are known as “Good Married Couples Day.” On these days, there were 35 couples and 13 couples respectively that filed marriage notifications at Urayasu City Hall.

November 23 is also Labor Thanks-giving Day, a national holiday. I went to Urayasu City Hall before noon and happened to meet two couples filing their respective marriage notifications at the Custodian’s Office. I offered my congratulations, and one couple said, “It’s thanks to you.” As I was in a hur-ry, I did not check, but I later thought that perhaps they met through our mar-riage matchmaking event. That thought made me doubly happy.

Good things seem to happen contin-uously. Nikkei DUAL and Nikkei con-ducted a survey on the “Child-raising Support Programs of Local Govern-ments,” and the results for the “National Ranking of Towns Comfortable for Working Parents” were announced. For the Tokyo edition, the grand prize went to Shinjuku, and for cities other than Tokyo across Japan, the grand prize went to Urayasu.

I attended the 2016 “Companies and Towns Comfortable for Working Couples Ceremony”—also attended by Minister of Health, Labour and Wel-fare Yasuhisa Shiozaki—held at Tokyo Midtown on December 2. Afterward, I appeared as a symposium panelist. I am honored and pleased that these events seem to prove that Urayasu is a model local government in terms of supporting the raising of children.

Aiming to Be a Town That Makes Things Easier:From Meeting New People to Raising a Child

No. 237 February 1, 2017

●Recyclable Waste Disposal Schedule for February

Collection Area Bottles/Cans/PET plastic bottles

Newspapers/Magazines

Nekozane, Kitazakae, Todaijima Every Tue. Every Mon.

Horie, Higashino, Fujimi, Maihama Every Wed. Every Sat.

Kairaku, Mihama, Irifune, Hinode, Akemi Every Thu. Every Mon.

Tomioka, Imagawa, Benten, Tekkodori, Takasu, Minato, Chidori Every Fri. Every Sat.

* Please put out your garbage between 7 a.m. and 8 a.m. It is against the rules to put it out earlier or later than this designated time as it could become a nuisance in your neighborhood.

* Bulky items will be collected separately on request by phone. Call the Bulky Items Reception Center, 305-4000. For inquiries, contact the Garbage-Free Section.

(ext. 14108)

cups are not necessary.)Application: No application is necessary; simply come to the site on the day of the event.Caution: Will be cancelled in the case of rain or snow, or if the ground conditions are not good; parking is available for a restricted number of cars.Inquiries: Urayasu City Children’s Kite-Flying Event Executive Committee Office (within Youth Section), Tel: 712-6450

■ UFRA Spring Festival CelebrationDate and time: February 12 (Sun.), 5:30 to 8 p.m.Location: International CenterEligibility: 60 persons, on a first-come, first-served basis No babysitting services are available.Program: Celebrate lunar New Year—which is celebrated in Asian countries such as China and South Korea—while enjoying Taiwanese songs and listening to an explanation on the origin of the vernal equinox. Fee: As this event is a potluck dinner, each person should bring one dish. If you cannot prepare a dish, the fee is ¥1,000 (¥500 for junior high schoolers and younger).Applications: Apply to UFRA Off ice by telephone, Tel: 712-6247Inquiries: UFRA (Urayasu Foreign Residents Associat ion) Of f ice (within the Local Network Section)

■ Asian and Russian CaféDate and time: February 12 (Sun.), 10 a.m. to 12 noon (you may enter and exit freely during the event)Location: International Center Program: An introduction to the six lectures conducted by the Urayasu International Fr iendship Associat ion (UIFA) on the language and culture of Russia and four countries in Asia (Vietnam, South Korea, China, and Indonesia); enjoy teas produced in each country while experiencing their respective languages and culture with native lecturers and students.Application: No application is necessary; simply come to the site on the day of the event.Inquiries: Urayasu International Friendship Association (UIFA), Tel: 381-5931

■ Hina Matsuri Doll FestivalDate and time: February 26 (Sun.), 2 to 2:30 p.m.Location: Folk Museum Capacity: 100 people, on a first-come, first-served basisProgram: Explanation of this traditional event, a performance by gonin bayashi (five musicians) and the distribution of arare confectionNote: Arare will be distributed after the performance.Inquiries: Folk Museum, Tel: 305-4300

■ Temporary Childcare Starting Up at Poppins Nursery School Urayasu

Star ting from April 3 (Mon.), Poppins Nursery School Urayasu will offer temporary childcare services.Childcare hours:One-day use: Monday to Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; half-day use: Monday to Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 1 to 5 p.m. Note: 8:30 a.m. to 12 noon on Saturdays for

either use.Location: Poppins Nursery School Urayasu Eligibility: Preschool children four months of age and olderFee: Under three years of age: ¥2,200 per day; three years of age and older: ¥1,000 per day (Half-day use is half-price. If you would like to use the meal service, the price is ¥200 per meal.)Application: Apply by telephone with Poppins Nursery School Urayasu (Tel: 711-4229) between the first day of the previous month before the desired date of use (if the 1st falls on a Saturday, then from the next day the nursery school is open) and the actual day of desired use (as a rule, no later than the day before the desired day of use for first-time users).Inquiries: Poppins Nursery School Urayasu

(Nursery Schools and Kindergartens Affairs Section)

■ Ukrainian Instrument Bandura PerformanceDate and time: February 18 (Sat.), 2 to 4 p.m.Location: International Center Capacity: 50 people, on a first-come, first-served basisPerformed by: Ms. Kateryna (Bandura performer)Fee: ¥500 (includes refreshments)Application: Apply with the International Center (Tel: 306-5181; e-mail: uketsuke@urayasu-ic.jp) in person or by telephone or e-mail (giving the event name, your name, and telephone number). Inquiries: International Center (Local Network Section)