Population and Households

As of February 1st, 2017

(compared to the previous month)

Vol. 310 March 2017

Major Features: The Nagaoka Kita Smart IC Will Open--------------------------p. 2

The Downtown Nagaoka Revitalization Project------------------------p. 3

Temporary Welfare Benefits------------------------------------------------p. 3

The National Health Insurance Policy------------------------------------p. 3

Nagaoka, a Multi-Cultural Symbiotic Community--------------------p. 6

The Mutual Aid Traffic Casualty Insurance Plan----------------------p. 7

Major Emergency Medical Facilities---------------------------------------p. 8

Medical Subsidies for Children---------------------------------------------p. 8

Keep Up the Great Work, ALBIREX BB!

The City Hall Plaza - Aôre Nagaoka Arena is home to the Niigata

ALBIREX Basketball Club, a professional Japanese basketball team.

Many home-games and away-games are scheduled to be held during the

season until May 2017. There will be a lot of opportunities for us to

watch games here in Nagaoka. Getting to know more about the team

members may make you feel closer to the players when supporting the

team during games.

You: When going one-on-one, I have perfect confidence that I can score.

The enthusiasm of the Aôre Nagaoka Arena crowd, which sometimes

numbers around 4,000 is second to none in Japan. Their cheers when I

make a shot make me feel most excited and happy. My team members

are all well-motivated, serious, and hardworking players. They always

stay to practice on their own after team practice. I enjoy our team

environment in which each of us tries to find out how we can best

contribute to our team. My childhood dream, since I was an elementary

school 4th grader, was to become a professional basketball player. When

I have free time, I enjoy playing video games on my Play Station 4. I

love Nagaoka because the city is trying to whip up a basketball sensation,

like posting our photos and flags along the walkway from the station to

City Hall Plaza - Aôre Nagaoka. It’s a little embarrassing to see my own

photo there, though.

They Are All Cute and Pretty!

The Hanging Hina Doll Festival is being held at Yawaragiya

in Ryokan no Sato (Home of Ryokan, a Zen priest), the

roadside station in the Washima District, until Sunday, March

26th. Little dolls and other decorations made of traditional

Japanese fabric in various colors are hung on strings,

attracting and amazing many visitors.

ⒸNIIGATA ALBIREX BB

Mr. Tenyoku You (Small Forward)

From: China

(raised in Fukuoka Prefecture)

Date of Birth: October 6, 1988

(28 years old)

Height: 194 centimeters

Weight: 95 kilograms

Transferred from: Kumamoto

Volters

274,804 134,117 140,687 105,725

(-173) (-94) (-79) (-6)

-1-

At 2:00 p.m. on March 25th, 2017, the Nagaoka Kita Smart

IC will open. It is between the Nagaoka JCT and

Nakanoshima-Mitsuke IC on the Hokuriku Expressway. The

Nagaoka Kita Smart IC will be exclusively for ETC

(Electronic Toll Collection)-equipped vehicles on a 24-hour

basis. Approximately 2,300 vehicles per day are expected to

pass through this IC. (refer to Map 2)

In 2020, an approximately 28-hectare industrial area will

Kamegai I.C.

Chosei Bridge

●Lyric Hall

●Nagaoka Institute

of Design

Aôre Nagaoka●

Nagaoka Kita

Smart I.C.

To Zao Bridge

New Industrial

Area

To Teradomari-Yoita

To Kanto-Hokuriku Area

To Niigata City

The Long-Awaited Nagaoka Kita (North) Smart Interchange (IC)

and the Makiyamamachi-Kamegai Line Will Open on March 25th, 2017

be established to the south of Nagaoka Kita Smart IC. This

area is expected to promote the further development of local

industries and to provide additional employment opportunities.

(refer to Map 1)

The Makiyamamachi-Kamegai Line will also open at 2:00

p.m. on March 25th, connecting the Nagaoka Kita Smart IC

and National Route 8. Four major benefits are expected to be

brought about by this development.

(refer to Map 2 and Map 3)

1. Transportation will become

more convenient. Approximately

41,000 additional people will be

able to access expressways within

15 minutes.

2. More tourists from farther locations will

visit Nagaoka. The distance and traveling time

from the Kanto area to Teradomari will be

shortened by about six kilometers and nine

minutes.

3. Business activities will be further

vitalized. Acting as a hub for the nearby

industrial areas, the Nagaoka Kita Smart

IC will make their business management

and commodity distribution more convenient

and efficient. (refer to Map 2)

4. Cooperation with farther

areas will be further improved.

The Sagan Bypass will be extended to

the north and south.

(refer to Map 2 and 3)

Map 1 Map 2

○

JR Nagaoka Station

ETC

Entrance and Exit

ETC

Entrance and Exit

-2-

Map 3

Industrial Areas

◎

Nagaoka Kita

Smart I.C.

-3-

As part of the Downtown Nagaoka Revitalization Project, a

renovation plan for the Otedori Omote-Machi East Area is

underway. The city and the Otedori Omote-Machi East Area

Revitalization Preparation Association discussed the issue with

Hokuetsu Bank, Ltd., encouraging its involvement in the project.

On January 31st, 2017, Hokuetsu Bank expressed their intention

to join the project, which expanded the area to be revitalized to

1.24 hectares.

Previously, only the 0.6-hectare area with the Nagaoka

Chamber of Commerce and Industry building and the Carnation

Plaza was subject to this project. The previously planned 0.6-

hectare area and the newly added 0.64-hectare area including

the bank building and its parking lot make the total 1.24

hectares for the renovation.

The bank building will be reinforced and renovated, allowing

it to be recognized as and function as a new building. This will shorten

construction time and lower costs.

Hokuetsu

Bank

Parking

Lot

Hokuetsu

Bank

Head

Office

Chamber of

Commerce

& Industry

Carnation Plaza

Yukiguni Shokubutsu En

(Snowy Region Botanical Gardens)

March 18 (Sat.) - November 15 (Wed.)

3-chome Miyamoto (Phone: 0258-46-0030)

Hours: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Admission: ¥400 for adults ¥50 for students

http://www.niks.or.jp/syokubut/

Fukujusô Mizubashô Yukiwarisô

Echigo Kyûryô Kôen (Echigo Hillside Park)

Hours: 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. (until the end of March)

9:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (from April)

Closed: March 6 (Mon.) , 13 (Mon.) , 21 (Tues.) , and 27 (Mon.)

Yukiwarisô (a kind of primrose) Festival

March 11 (Sat.) - April 2 (Sun.)

Katakuri (dogtooth violet) Festival

April 1 (Sat.) - 9 (Sun.)

Azalea and Shakunage (rhododendron) on Display

April 1 (Sat.) - 9 (Sun.)

Phone: 0258-47-8001

http://echigo-park.jp/en/

Information Regarding Payment of Premiums for

Members of the National Health Insurance Policy

The National Health Insurance System is a mutually supporting

system in which members share their premiums to cover their

medical expenses for injuries or illnesses.

The notice regarding your premiums for the 9th term of fiscal

2016 was sent to you in the middle of January 2017. Please be

sure to pay your premium for the 9th term by March 31st, 2017.

You can pay your premium at convenience stores throughout

Japan, Yûcho Ginkô (the Japan Post Bank) in Niigata Prefecture,

or a branch or the head office of any financial institution in

Nagaoka City. Detailed information about payment is on the

back of the notice.

If you have been unemployed due to bankruptcy or

displacement, your premium may be reduced. In this case, you

are required to apply for premium reduction. If it is difficult for

you to pay your premium due to some specific reasons, please

contact Kokuho Nenkin Ka, the National Health Insurance and

Pension Division.

For further information, please contact Kokuho Nenkin Ka,

the National Health Insurance and Pension Division (Phone:

0258-39-2220) or the Citizens’ Affairs and Service Division of

each district branch office.

Katakuri

The Downtown Nagaoka Revitalization Project for the Otedori Omote-Machi East Area

The Area for the Otedori Omote-Machi East Area Revitalization Project

Temporary Welfare Benefits

Rinji Fukushi Kyûfukin

りんじ ふくし きゅうふきん ・ 臨時福祉給付金

In order to alleviate the impact of the increase in the

consumption tax rate to 8% enforced in April 2014, the

national government will provide low-income earners with

Temporary Welfare Benefits. The amount of this benefit for

each eligible person is ¥15,000. An eligible person should:

• be a registered resident in Nagaoka City as of January 1, 2016

• be exempt from the 2016 residential tax (except for a person

who is a dependent of a residential tax payer)

• not be eligible for the livelihood protection system

The city will send application forms to households with

members who may be eligible. Please submit your application

form to the city office by using the enclosed return envelope by

Wednesday, May 31st.

You can check the Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare

website for further information about eligibility requirements

and necessary documents for the Temporary Welfare Benefits.

For further information:

Fukushi Sômu Ka (Social Welfare General Affairs Division)

Phone: 0258-39-2992 http://www.city.nagaoka.niigata.jp/fukushi/cate04/rinji-keizai.html

Ote Street

Omote-machi

West Area

Nagaoka

Machiguchi

Gomon

Previously planned

0.6-hectare area

Newly added

0.64-hectare area

⇒Total: 1.24 hectares

Nagaoka Station⇒ Ote Street ←Ote Ohashi Bridge

The Nagaoka Civic Center 2-2-6 Ote Street, Nagaoka City (Phone: 0258-39-2763)

Hours: Every Day Except for the Year-End and the New Year’s Holidays

Monday – Friday 8:30 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. Saturdays, Sundays, and National Holidays 9:00 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.

Nagaoka City International Affairs Center (Chikyû Hiroba) (1st Floor)

Nihongo Kôza A free trial lesson is being offered. Please call ahead. The 1st term of

classes for the 2017 fiscal year is being offered from April 2017 to

September 2017.

Weekday Classes (Tuesdays & Fridays)

Class I

(Lesson 1 – Lesson 12 of Minna no Nihongo)

9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. (60 minutes)

Class II (Lesson 13 – Lesson 25 of Minna no Nihongo)

11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (60 minutes)

Sunday Classes

Class I (Lesson 1 – Lesson 12 of Minna no Nihongo)

9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. (120 minutes)

Class II (Lesson 13 – Lesson 25 of Minna no Nihongo)

2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. (120 minutes)

Nihongo Hiroba Volunteers help international residents learn Japanese at this

free program during the following sessions: • Sundays 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

• Mondays 9:15 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.

(intermediate level)

• Tuesdays 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

• Fridays 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Monday – Friday 8:30 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Saturdays, Sundays, and National Holidays 9:00 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.

Phone: 0258-39-2714 Fax: 0258-39-2715

E-mail: kouryu-c@city.nagaoka.lg.jp

Consultations Offered for International Residents

Various services are provided for international residents. The center is a place where international residents can find help and

support. The staff are ready to respond to you either in English or easy Japanese. No appointment is necessary for consultations.

Feel free to stop by if you have any difficulties, worries, or questions.

March 3, 7, 10, 14, 17, 21, 24, 28 ¥1,600

April 4, 7, 11, 14, 18, 21, 25, 28 ¥1,600

May 2, 9, 12, 16, 19, 23, 26, 30 ¥1,600

June 2, 6, 9, 13, 16, 20, 23, 27, 30 ¥1,800

July 4, 7, 11, 14, 18, 21, 25, 28 ¥1,600

Aug. 4, 8, 18, 22, 25, 29 ¥1,200

Sept. 1, 5, 8, 12, 15, 19, 22, 26, 29 ¥1,800

March 5, 12, 19 ¥1,200 July 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 ¥2,000

April 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 ¥2,000 Aug. 6, 20, 27 ¥1,200

May 7, 14, 21, 28 ¥1,600 Sept. 3, 10, 17 ¥1,200

June 4, 11, 18, 25 ¥1,600

Japanese Learning Programs Chikyû Hiroba Celebrates

its 15th Anniversary!

Chikyû Hiroba is a place where international residents and

Nagaokans can meet, interact, and work together. Providing a

place where people from various cultural backgrounds can

come together, we aim to develop a community where

everyone can live harmoniously through mutual understanding.

Language volunteers organized Japanese

learning programs in which a total of

nearly 1,700 participants have enjoyed

a variety of events from April 2016 to

January 2017.

Speaking in English, international students

and Nagaokans enjoy sharing each

other’s traditions, cultures, and other

interesting topics. The sessions in

March are scheduled for March 11th

(Sat.) and 24th (Fri.)

A group of four students and a chaperone

from Kaiser High School in Honolulu,

Nagaoka’s sister city, got together with

20 Nagaoka junior and senior high

school students.

Clean (France, U.K., and Canada 2004)

March 28 (Tues.) 2:00 p.m. - 3:55 p.m.

Chizuru (Japan 2011)

April 1 (Sat.) 2:00 p.m. - 3:19 p.m.

Roman Holiday (U.S.A., Italy 1953)

April 18 (Tues.) 2:00 p.m. - 3:58 p.m.

Si può fare ( Italy 2008 )

May 10 (Wed.) 2:00 p.m. - 3:51 p.m.

Admission: Free

Nagaoka Central Library, 2nd Floor

Gakko-cho (Phone: 0258-32-0658)

Movies

-4-

Nihongo Hiroba

World Cafe

Interactions

(February 7)

(February 3)

(February 18)

Kosodate no Eki, Gun Gun Nagaoka Civic Disaster Prevention Center, 1st Floor 1-3-85 Senzai

Phone: 0258-30-1025 Hours: 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Every Day Except for Tuesdays

(Open on Tuesday if it is a national holiday)

* Fureai Time 10:45 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Every Day * Picture Storybook Reading Time 3:00 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. Every Day * Spot Time 10:45 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. Every Monday Helpful Tips for Times of Disaster March 13 (Mon.) Let’s Enjoy the Arrival of Spring March 20 (Mon.) Gun Gun English Time March 27 (Mon.) Smiley Concert: Singing with Asako-san 10:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. April 3 (Mon.) Helpful Tips for Times of Disaster 10:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. April 10 (Mon.)

* Smiley Concert

11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. March 15 (Wed.) * Child-Rearing Salon: Let’s Have a Good Time with Cute Little Infants 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. March 16 (Thurs.) * Happy Birthday Party 10:45 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. March 17 (Fri.) Free Child-Rearing Counseling 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. March 8 (Wed.) Child-Rearing Advisor

Kids’ Plaza (Chibikko Hiroba) Phoenix Ote West 2nd Floor and 3rd Floor 2-5 Ote Street

Phone: 0258-39-2775 Hours: 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Every Day

* Story Telling Time 11:00 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. Every Day Kamishibai (Large Picture-Card Story) March 24 (Fri.) * Birthday Party 11:00 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. March 29 (Wed.) * Let’s Play with Grandmothers 11:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. March 13 (Mon.)

* Making Your Own Picture Storybook (Ehon no Tane)

11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. March 14 (Tues.)

* Let’s Play to the Rhythms

11:00 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. March 15 (Wed.)

* “If Chibikko Hiroba were outside,”

March 17 (Fri.) – 26 (Sun.)

* Chatting Time for Expecting Mothers

2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. March 24 (Fri.) * Mothers’ Chat Cafe 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. March 27 (Mon.)

* Baby Clover Club Get-Together

10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. March 28 (Tues.)

* Wai Wai Chatting

11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. March 28 (Tues.)

Temporary Day-Care for Preschool-Aged Children: ¥300/hour

Kosodate no Eki, Senshu (Teku Teku) 1-99-6 Senshu Phone: 0258-21-3860

Hours: 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Every Day Except for Wednesdays (Open on Wednesday if it is a national holiday)

Closed: March 30 (Thurs.)

* Wai Wai Chatting 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

March 23 (Thurs.) * Children’s Songs Every Monday 10:45 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. March 6, 13, 20, and 27 * Let’s Enjoy Drawing Pictures 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. March 13 (Mon.) * Nakayoshi Time 10:45 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. March 17 (Fri.), 24 (Fri.), and 31(Fri.) * Toy Box Sunday 10:45 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. March 19 (Sun.) * Let’s Get Together for the Arrival of Spring! 10:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. March 21 (Tues.) * Let’s Play at the Kids’ Land 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. March 28 (Tues.) * Playing Games from the Old Days 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. April 8 (Sat.) Free Child-Rearing Counseling 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. March 21 (Tues.) Child-Rearing Advisor Temporary Day-Care for Preschool-Aged Children: ¥300/hour

Kosodate no Eki, Tochio (Suku Suku) Tochio Sangyô Kôryû Center, 2nd Floor 1765 Miyazawa, Tochio

Phone: 0258-51-1022 Hours: 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays

* Suku Suku Tea Time 11:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

March 15 (Wed.) and April 7 (Fri.)

* Baby Massage 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. March 14 (Tues.)

* Let’s Learn about Emergency First Aid

10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. March 15 (Wed.)

* Birthday Party

11:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. March 22 (Wed.)

* Recreational Program in the Temari Hall

10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. March 24 (Fri.)

Free Child-Rearing Counseling 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

March 17 (Fri.) Public Health Nurse

April 5 (Wed.) Maternity Nurse

-5-

You are welcome to visit the multi-lingual Child-Rearing

Support Website, “Kosodate Navi,” where you can find useful

information about child-rearing anytime, anywhere. It is quite

simple and easy to find the following contents at this Website.

http://nagaoka-city.mamafre.jp/

Contents:

•Various administrative services regarding pregnancy,

childbirth, and child-rearing

•Maps for locating Kosodate no Eki (Child-Rearing Support

Facilities) and other interesting places to visit with your family

•Guides to various programs and events held at Kosodate no

Eki (Child-Rearing Support Facilities)

•Organizations and facilities that can help in case of emergency

and for any other troubles or difficulties

Teradomari Shoku no Jin

April 9 (Sun.) 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Teradomari Taiikukan (Gym)

- Cuisine booths full of regional specialties

- Sales of Local Products

For further information:

Teradomari Tourism Association

Phone: 0258-75-3363

http://www.niigata-inet.or.jp/teradomari/

Featuring interviewees who participated in a special program

for the multilingual broadcast on FM Nagaoka, the contents of

the interviews will be on display along with photos of

interviewees.

The posters of the events held at the Nagaoka City

International Affairs Center, Chikyû Hiroba, in the 2016 fiscal

year will also be on display. Please come visit the Citizen

Gallery to see the smiles of our friends from around the world.

A panel display entitled “Smile Project”

will be held at the Citizen Gallery on the

first floor of the Nagaoka Civic Center on

Ote Street from Wednesday, March 15th to

Friday, March 31st.

“Smile Project”

Visit “Kosodate Navi,” Child-Rearing Support Website!

Workshops to Develop Nagaoka into

a Multi-Cultural Symbiotic Community

On February 2nd, the 6th workshop to discuss how to develop

Nagaoka into a multi-cultural symbiotic community was held.

The participants included international residents, Japanese

language volunteers, as well as the staff from the Nagaoka

International Affairs Division and the Nagaoka City International

Affairs Center (Chikyû Hiroba). The workshops have been held

since November 2016, sharing ideas about how international

residents and Nagaokans can come together to make Nagaoka

a safe and comfortable place to live. During each session,

participants have brought up various issues in the areas of

education, medicine and healthcare, welfare services, employment,

and tourism.

As of January 31st, 2017, there are 2,122 international residents

living in Nagaoka, among which there are 421 international

students.

International Residents

Living in Nagaoka

As of January 31st, 2017

Nationality Resident

China 785

Philippines 367

Vietnam 270

South Korea 124

North Korea

Brazil 103

Other 473

Exchange Programs between

the Nagaoka Institute of Design and the University of Hawaii

In August 2015, the Nagaoka Institute of Design (NID) and

the University of Hawaii at Manoa School of Architecture

signed an agreement to promote friendship and exchange

programs.

From February 13th to 17th, a group of six students and one

faculty member visited NID for their first joint workshop and

discussed how to establish a “Peace Memorial Project.”

A student from Kami-Kawanishi

Elementary School presenting a

story entitled “100 Cherry Trees and

101 Dogwood Trees” using a DVD

that was created by the elementary

school children and whose package

was designed by NID students

The delegation visiting the Nagaoka

War Damage Exhibit Hall

American and Japanese students

discussing a plan to build peace-

oriented monuments

For further information: The Child and Family Affairs Division

Phone: 0258-39-2300

If you need any language assistance for how to use the

“Kosodate Navi” Child-Rearing Support Website, please

contact the Nagaoka City International Affairs Center, Chikyû

Hiroba in the Nagaoka Civic Center on Ote Street.

Phone: 0258-39-2714

Click here for multi-lingual versions.

(Chinese, English, and Korean)

-6-

(Please be aware that these are automatic computer translations

and therefore, imperfect.)

May 28 (Sun.)

Courses:

There will be 17 different events for various age and gender

groups, including 2-km, 3-km, 11-km, and half-marathon

(21.0975km) courses.

Registration: By March 31 (Fri.)

Fee: ¥3,300 for adults

¥1,500 for junior high school students and elementary

school children

Flyers with application forms are available at the city’s each

district branch office and sports facilities.

For further information: Mishima Branch Office

Phone: 0258-42-2242

http://runnet.jp

Special Lecture

The Landscape of the Shinano River that Nurtured

Kaen Doki (Ancient Flame-Style Pottery)

Lecturer: Dr. Dave Bescoby (Archeologist)

Honorary Lecturer of the University of East Anglia (U.K.)

Date and Time: March 26 (Sun.) 1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Venue: Umataka Jômon-Kan Museum

1-chome, Sekihara-machi

Phone: 0258-46-0601

Fax: 0258-46-0603

Admission: Free

Participants: 50

Registration: From March 10 (Fri.)

On a first-come, first-served basis

Owners (as of April 1st) of motorbikes (mopeds, scooters,

and motorcycles), farming vehicles, and light automobiles

must pay a light automobile tax. If you receive a light

automobile tax notice, please pay the tax by the designated

date.

If you purchase a new light automobile and register it as of

April 1st in 2017, the new tax rate for the 2017 fiscal year

will be applied. If you purchase a new light automobile and

register it on and after April 2nd in 2017, the new tax rate for

the 2018 fiscal year will be applied, which means you do not

have to pay your light automobile tax in the 2017 fiscal year.

If you have transferred ownership or discarded the vehicle,

please notify the Citizens’ Tax Division (Phone: 0258-39-

2212) by Friday, March 31st, 2017.

For further information about the new tax rates, please

contact the Citizens’ Tax Division.

Phone: 0258-39-2212

A Light Automobile Tax Notice

This plan is a mutual insurance system managed by all the

municipalities in Niigata Prefecture. The membership fee is

¥500 a year. A compensation payment is provided when a

member is injured in a traffic accident.

The amount of the payment varies ranging from ¥30,000

to ¥1.5 million depending on the number of days that are

required for treatment. The compensation payment can be

claimed even when you are injured in a bicycle accident.

The application form is available at Aôre Nagaoka, the

city’s district branch offices, or most banks. You can also

get an English version of the information leaflet at the

Nagaoka City International Affairs Center, Chikyû Hiroba in

the Nagaoka Civic Center.

Application Period:

February 1 (Wed.) – March 31 (Fri.), 2017

(Entry after April 1st is also possible.)

For further information:

Shimin Katsudô Suishin Ka

(Citizens’ Affairs Promotion Division)

Phone: 0258-39-2206

http://www.sinsogo.jp/koutu/koutu.html

http://www.city.nagaoka.niigata.jp/kurashi/cate15/koutusaigai/kyousai.html

The Niigata Prefecture Mutual Aid Traffic Casualty Insurance Plan 交通災害共済・こうつう さいがい きょうさい

The city gym will offer various classes such as pelvic exercises, Pilates exercises, technical hula, yoga, healthy calisthenics,

aerobics, shape-up boxing, hip-hop dancing, lower backache prevention exercises, taichi, rhythm exercises, etc. Sign up by March

10th (Fri.) by sending a postage-paid return postcard with your name, address, phone number, and class name to City Gym.

For further information and registration, please contact the staff of the Nagaoka International Affairs Center in the Nagaoka

Civic Center on Ote Street. (refer to p. 4)

Fitness Classes at Shimin Taiikukan City Gym 1-2-1 Gakko-cho Phone: 0258-34-2700

April – June

The 33rd Annual Mishima

Nishiyama Mountain Range Marathon Race

Flame-style pottery

(national important cultural properties)

unearthed at the Umataka Historic Site

-7-

The city has a system to provide subsidies for childbirth

and children’s in-and out-patient treatment.

Out-Patient Treatment

• Households with one or two children

Subsidies are available for children until they graduate

from elementary school.

• Households with three or more children

Subsidies are available for children until they graduate

from junior high school.

In-Patient Treatment

Regardless of the number of children in a household,

subsidies are available for children until they graduate

from junior high school.

Eligible recipients must complete certain procedures to

receive these subsidies.

For further information: Fukushi Ka (Welfare Division)

Phone: 0258-39-2319 http://www.city.nagaoka.niigata.jp/kosodate/cate01/nyuyouji.html

If you need any language assistance, please contact the

Nagaoka City International Affairs Center, Chikyû

Hiroba.

Phone: 0258-39-2714

“Nadare” means avalanche, a phenomenon in which

snow slides down hillsides. Avalanches happen when

there is a heavy snowfall or the temperature suddenly

rises. When skiing or mountain climbing, keep an eye on

the different kinds of snowfall and pay due attention to

temperature changes. You are also advised to be careful

when driving along slopes with accumulated snow.

If a lot of snow starts falling and accumulating, weather

forecasts often announce “nadare chûihô” meaning avalanche

watch. Avalanches may happen even on clear days

without any snowfall.

You are advised to check the areas in your neighborhood

where avalanches are likely to happen. The disaster

prevention map on the Niigata Prefecture Disaster

Website shows locations where possible “nadare,” or

avalanches, are likely to happen. You can also access the

map via your smartphone. You are advised to check for

any hazardous areas around you with this map.

Medical Subsidies for Children

(Revised as of October 2016)

This Month’s Useful Japanese Expressions Nadare なだれ・雪崩 (avalanche)

Nadare Chûihô なだれちゅういほう・雪崩注意報 (avalanche watch)

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Major Emergency Medical Facilities

Major General Hospitals

Nagaoka Chûô Sôgô Byôin (Central General Hospital) 0258-35-3700

Nagaoka Sekijûji Byôin (Red Cross Hospital) 0258-28-3600

Tachikawa Sôgô Byôin (General Hospital) 0258-33-3111

Civic Health Center (Saiwai Plaza) 0258-39-7508

Information about clinics in charge of specific Sundays or holidays:

・Clinic for Sundays, Holidays, and Nights (Phone: 0258-37-1199)

(in Saiwai Plaza)

・Nagaoka Medical Society (Phone: 0258-22-5600)

・Nagaoka Fire Department Headquarters (Phone: 0258-36-0119)

Civic Health Center (Saiwai Plaza – 1F)

Facilities Departments Hours

Clinic for Sundays, Holidays, and Nights

(0258-37-1199)

Internal Medicine

(Naika)

(Monday – Friday) 6:45 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.

(Sundays and Holidays) 9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

1:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Pediatrics

(Shônika)

(Sundays and Holidays) 9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

1:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Surgery

(Geka)

(Sundays and Holidays) 9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

1:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Dental Clinic for Sundays and Holidays

(0258-33-9644)

Dentistry

(Shika)

(Sundays and Holidays) 9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

1:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Chuetsu Center

for Children’s Emergency Treatment

(0258-86-5099)

Pediatrics

(Shônika) (Monday – Friday) 6:45 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.

For obstetric and gynecology (san fujin ka),

the staff at this facility will give information

about clinics in charge of specific Sundays

or holidays.