The 34th Fireworks Display

No. 182 July 1, 2012

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

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

Chiba 279-8501 047-351-1111

Population: 162,756

Male: 81,088

Female: 81,668

Households: 72,308

Foreign Residents: 3,200

(As of May 31, 2012)

Population and No. of Households in Urayasu

The 34th Fireworks Display

▶Date and Time: July 28 (Sat.), 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Note: In case of inclement weather, the fireworks display will be postponed until July 29 (Sun.). The decision to postpone or go on with the display will be made at 11 a.m. on the day of the event.

▶Location: Hinode area (See map.)

▶Number of Fireworks: Approximately 6,500

▶Bicycle Parking Lots: Akemi Minami Elementary School grounds, Hinode Junior High School grounds, and Sogo Park parking lots Note: Bicycles will not be permitted into the venue.

▶Regulated Traffic: 5 to 9:30 p.m. (from 8 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. near the launching site) Note: There is no parking available near or at the site. When coming to the event, please use either the free shuttle bus or the public bus.

▶Free Shuttle Bus: There will be buses operating between the site and bus stops near Urayasu Station on the Tokyo Metro Tozai Line (see map) and Shin-Urayasu Station on the JR Keiyo Line. (Hours buses leave the stations for the event site: 5 to 8 p.m.; hours buses leave the site for the stations: 8:30 to 10 p.m.)

▶Inquiries: Urayasu Local Activities Promotion Council, inside the Local Network Section

Imagawa-bashi Bridge

Irifune-bashi Bridge

Sakaigawa River

Takasu-bashi Bridge

Akemi-bashi Bridge

Symbol Road

Shin-Urayasu Sta.

Hinode JuinorHigh School

Memorial Park

Bicycle Parking Lot

Restricted Area

Viewing Site

Shin-Urayasu Sta. Rotary Courtesy Bus Service

Courtesy Bus Service

Sogo Park

Vehicles Prohibited

8 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.

5 to 9:30 p.m.

Vehicles Prohibited Other than Designated Vehicles

Launching Site

Akemi MinamiElementary School

The fireworks display, which is produced by Souke Hanabi Kagiya (a pyrotechnic company), consists of seven themes. The vivid fireworks will change

with each theme, and a collaboration of lights and sound dramatized with announcements and background music will color the summer night sky. For more information, s u c h a s d e t a i l s about the program, please either visit the Urayasu City website or call the office below.

Municipal Swimming Pools OpenIn public pools, the use of inner tubes is permitted, but all other toys, glass goggles, suntan oil,

alcoholic beverages, and food are not allowed. Children who are not toilet-trained are not allowed to use the pool. Because the parking lot is expected to be crowded, please come to the pool using public transportation, such as buses.

●Higashino PoolThere are a total of four pools, including a 170-meter long flowing pool, two 50-cm deep pools

for children, and a 25-meter pool. Date and Time: July 14 (Sat.) to September 2 (Sun.), 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (admission until 4 p.m.; up to two hours per person per session) Fees: ¥150 for adults and ¥50 for junior high school students and younger Note: Children in the 3rd grade of elementary school and younger must be accompanied by an adult (16 years of age or older). Inquiries: Higashino Pool, Tel: 352-6891 (July 14–September 2 only)

●Sports Park Indoor and Outdoor Swimming Pools Date and Time: July 1 (Sun.) to September 15 (Sat.), 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Fees: ¥510 for adults, ¥260 for junior high school students and younger (Fees are for a two-hour use. After two hours, there is an additional fee of ¥120 for adults and ¥60 for children for each additional 30 minutes.) Note: Children in the 3rd grade of elementary school and younger must be accompanied by an adult (18 years of age or older). Up to two children can be accompanied by one adult. Inquiries: Indoor Swimming Pool, Tel: 304-0030

It’s Summer!Let’s Play at the Outdoor Pool!

Date and Time: July 23 through 27 (except July 25), 9:10 to 10:10 a.m. (total of four times)Eligibility: 30 elementary and junior high school students Program: Athletic underwater games at the outdoor pool Fee: ¥1,300 (including admission and insurance)Application: Apply in person or send a reply-paid postcard (on the sending side, write the course name and your child’s name [with furigana], gender, age, and school grade along with your address and telephone number and on the return side, write your name and return address) to the Indoor Swimming Pool (2-27 Maihama 279-0031) no later than July 9 (Mon.; must arrive by this date).Note: One postcard should be used per person. A lottery will be held if the number of applicants exceeds the capacity. If you apply in person, please bring a self-addressed postcard.Inquiries: Indoor Swimming Pool, Tel: 304-0030

Outdoor Swimming Pool Event

Yanagi-dori Ave.

NPO CenterConsumer Advisory Center

Urayasu-Ichikawa Bypass

Miyamae-dori A

ve.Tokyo Metro Tozai Line

Urayasu Sta. Courtesy Bus Service

Urayasu Sta.

Sakaigawa River

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Hello to all! Hideki Matsuzaki, Mayor of Urayasu

No. 182 July 1, 2012

●Recyclable Waste Disposal Schedule for July

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. 1665)

Urayasu Foreign Residents Association (UFRA) Culture Day: 60th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations between India and Japan

To commemorate the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and Japan, the history of exchanges between India and Japan and the culture of India will be spotlighted through lectures and songs (the lectures will be in English only).Date and Time: July 7 (Sat.), 6:30 to 8 p.m.Location: Shimin Plaza middle hallCapacity: 80 people on a first-come, first-served basisLecturer: Representative from the Embassy of India and othersApplication/Inquiries: Call the UFRA Office (inside the Local Network Section)

International Center ExhibitionDate and Time: July 1 (Sun.) through 29 (Sun.) Location: International Center (inside Shin-Urayasu Il Mare)Program: Exhibition of photographs of children’s educational programs conducted by the Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers, and ethnic clothes and crafts of SyriaInquiries: International Center, Tel: 306-5181

Urayasu International Friendship Association (UIFA) English CaféDate and Time: July 8 (Sun.), 2 to 4 p.m.Location: International Center (inside Shin-Urayasu Il Mare)Eligibility: 30 people who are high school students or older, on a first-come, first-served basis (those with reservations will receive first priority)Program: Enjoy conversing only in English with native English speakers.Fee: ¥500 (with tea and confections)Application: Call the UIFA Office, Tel: 381-5931 (weekdays, 10 a.m. to 12 noon, and 1 to 4 p.m.).Inquiries: UIFA Office

Seeking a Thousand Cranes to Be Donated to Hiroshima and Nagasaki

Urayasu City issued a peace city antinuclear proclamation in March 1985 and is currently work ing on var ious antinuclear peace programs. One such program being carried out again this year is the solicitation of origami cranes, which will be donated to Hiroshima and Nagasaki.How to Submit Your Donation: Bring a string of 50 origami cranes directly to the Local Network Section (Urayasu City Hall Main Bldg. 4F) between July 2 and 27. Note: Name

Invitation to Japanese Language ProgramUrayasu International Friendship Association (UIFA) provides a Japanese language

program. It’s a once-a-week, 90-minute private lesson for beginners. Tuition for one term of six months (April to September or October to March) is ¥1,800 paid in advance at the time of application. A new registrant who wants to start in the middle of the term should pay a monthly-calculated tuition (¥300 a month). Application forms are available at the Local Network Section on the fourth floor of the Urayasu City Hall. Current vacancies are shown below. Sign-ups are on a first-come, first-served basis.

For up-to-date information, please look at the UIFA homepage or contact the City Hall.

Classes and Vacancies (as of June 15, 2012)Class Location Time Vacancy

Monday night Tomioka Kominkan (Public Hall) 7:00–8:30 p.m. 1

Note: Urayasu International Center is located on the second floor of Shin-Urayasu Il Mare.

tags are not necessary. All donations will be marked “Donated by Urayasu City.” Inquiries: Local Network Section

Welfare Center for the Aged (U Center) Summer Festival

As a program open to the community, a summer festival will be held in which welfare center users and everyone in the community can participate. Come join the fun!Date and Time: July 14 (Sat.), 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.Location: U Center Program: Festival vendors, a bounce house, children’s games, origami classes, Hawaiian band and other music performances, Jido Center Happy Theater Group performance, bon-odori dancing, and moreNote: Please refrain from coming by car. Please use the bus or some other form of public transportation.Inquiries: U Center, Tel: 351-2096

Yukata Dressing ClassDate and Time: July 21 (Sat.), 1 to 3 p.m.Location: Youth Center Eligibility: 20 ladies from the fifth grade of elementary school up to 22 years of age, on a first-come, first-served basis Note: Families can participate together.Program: Learn how to wear yukata (summer kimono).Instructors: NPO Young de Assist What to Bring: A matching yukata and obi, a towel, and a tank topApplication: Apply by telephone or in person at the Youth Center from 9 a.m., July 2 (Mon.), Tel: 700-6203Inquiries: Youth Center (Closed on Tuesdays)

Indoor Swimming Pool Will Be Temporarily Unavailable for Individual Use

Due to the city residents’ swimming meet to be held on July 8 (Sun.) from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Indoor Swimming Pool will not be available. General admission will resume from 1 p.m.Inquiries: Indoor Swimming Pool, Tel: 304-0030

Special Suspension of City Hall Services on Sunday, July 8

Urayasu City Hall will suspend services on July 8 to modify its systems to prepare for the revisions made to the Basic Resident Registration Act. While we imagine this may cause you some inconvenience, we would appreciate your understanding and cooperation.Inquiries: General Affairs Section

Celestial ShowOn Monday, May 21, I woke up filled

with hope and expectation. I imagine I was not the only one who was disap-pointed with the unfortunate cloudy sky that blocked our view of the sun. The disappointment was even greater because it was the first time in 932 years that the day’s celestial show could be seen over such a widespread area.

When I woke up before 6 a.m. on that day, the clouds were so thick that I gave up hope. As time went on, however, I could find rays of sunlight between the clouds, and I was able to see the eclipse with my own eyes, using the eclipse glasses that I had prepared. At the peak of the eclipse at 7:34 a.m., even without the eclipse glasses, I was able to see the beautiful ring of the sun through the wispy clouds, and I enjoyed the annular eclipse to my heart’s content for the first time since my elementary school days.

This was the second time this year I was able to enjoy a celestial show. The

first occasion was on the night of Chil-dren’s Day, when a friend of my wife called her on her cell phone and asked her, “Are you watching the moon now?” Without understanding what the friend meant, we opened the window and looked up at the sky. We were amazed by a full moon that was more beautiful than any we had seen before. The next day, we learned from the newspaper that what we saw was a “super moon”—a full moon that was larger and clearer than usual. Apparently, it was seen around the world this year on May 5 and 6. According to the National Aeronau-tics and Space Administration (NASA) of the United States, when the full moon is closest to the earth, it looks 14 percent larger and 30 percent brighter than when it is at its farthest.

I was able to look up at the sky and enjoy the awesomeness of the heavens twice during May. For me, it felt like the first time in a long time since the great earthquake of last year that I was able to enjoy such things.

The three important points for preventing food poisoning all pertain to the bacteria that cause food poisoning: do not touch them, do not allow them to grow, and eliminate them. Let’s learn specific ways that we can protect ourselves from and prevent food poisoning.

● Do not touch bacteria (keep things clean and disinfected)・ Before cooking or eating, or after touching your pet, be sure to wash your hands.・ To handle raw meat, use a separate pair of chopsticks from those that you use for eating.

● Do not allow bacteria to grow (handle food quickly and keep it cool)・ Keep your refrigerator at 10°C or lower.・ Avoid keeping foods at room temperature for a long period of time.

● Eliminate bacteria (heat and sterilize)・ Make sure you cook meat and fish thoroughly all the way to the center.・ Sterilize utensils with boiling hot water after you handle meat, fish, or other raw food.

If you suspect that you may have food poisoning, or if you have symptoms such as frequent diarrhea or repeated vomiting, make a note of when the symptoms started, what kind of symptoms you have, and what you ate, and get examined by a doctor. Inquiries: Health Promotion Section

Beware of Food Poisoning

○Those who are self-employed, work part-time, etc. (regular collec-tion [individual payment])　Please pay your taxes in four installments during the year by taking the payment slip enclosed with the city/prefectural resident’s tax notification, which was mailed June 11, to your local financial institution, Japan Post Bank, or post office. You can also choose to pay the entire amount within the first term.Payment Deadlines for FY20121st term: July 2 (Mon.); 2nd term: August 31 (Fri.); 3rd term: October 31 (Wed.); 4th term: January 31 (Thu.), 2013 Note: You can also choose to have your taxes debited from your financial account. Please call for more information.

○Those who are full-time employ-ees and are paid a salary (special collection [payment through the em-ployer])　The amount written on the notif ication

of special collection of city/prefectural resident’s tax, which was mailed by Urayasu City Hall to your employer on May 7, is deducted from your salary each month.

○Those who are 65 years of age or older as of April 1, are pension recipients, and are subject to city/prefectural taxes (special collection [payment by pension deduction])　Taxes are deducted from the pension six times per year when the pension is paid. The deduction amount is written on the city/prefectural resident’s tax notif ication, which was mailed on June 11.

○Cautionary Note to Those Who Have Changed Jobs or Retired　If taxes cannot be deducted from your salary, you must pay the taxes through regular collection. If you have changed jobs, please consult your new employer as to how you can make your payments.

Payment of City and Prefectural Taxes (Resident’s Tax)

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