Selected news topics by Fukuoka Now from Fukuoka’s Shisei Dayori.
City Bicycle Safety Ordinance
The Fukuoka City Bicycle Safety Ordinance went into effect on Apr. 1, 2013. The main feature of the law is the designation of a 400m portion of the sidewalk on the western side of Watanabe-dori Ave. in Tenjin as a “Push Your Bicycle Zone”. Please remember to get off and push your bicycle when passing through this zone. On a related note, the Road Traffic Act was revised last Dec. and now prohibits the riding of bicycles on the right shoulder against the flow of traffic; fines for offending cyclists have also been stiffened. Help keep Fukuoka’s roads safe by obeying cycling etiquette.
National Health Insurance Card Renewals
Heads of households who will remain enrolled in the National Health Insurance program in the upcoming fiscal year will receive cards for every member of the household by the end of March. No paperwork is necessary. If you have failed to pay your premiums, you may need to pick up your new cards at your local Ward Office. For more information, contact the Health Insurance & Pension Section.
Permission for Outdoor Ads Required
To maintain scenic landscapes and ensure the safety of the community, Fukuoka City has issued an outdoor advertising ordinance that stipulates rules for ad signage.
(Details: http://www.city.fukuoka.lg.jp/jutaku-toshi/toshikeikan/machi/okugai/adver.html) Persons who want to install outdoor advertising must apply for permission in advance, except for private signs of less than 10m2 on one’s own property. The new law also prohibits the posting of commercial signs and posters on utility poles, trees, signal poles and light posts. Inquiries: City Design Section (092-711-4395)
Cable TV Analog-Digital Conversion Service to End
After March 2015, you will no longer be able to watch analog broadcasts on analog TVs without a terrestrial digital tuner. You will need to (1) buy a new digital TV set, (2) buy a digital tuner to connect to your analog TV, or (3) pay to subscribe to cable TV and have a special tuner installed. Inquiries: Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications DTV Call Center (0570-07-0101)
NPO Volunteer Festival 2014
A festival will be held to showcase the activities of Fukuoka-based NPOs and volunteer organizations as well as companies and universities engaged in community outreach. The event will feature workshops, seminars, presentations by various organizations and display booths. When: 2/15 (Sat.)~21(Fri.) Where: City Hall, 1F Admission: Free Inquiries: NPO/Volunteer Center (‘Asumin’) (092-724-4801)
Yipee! For FREE!
Exhibition of Indonesian and Japanese Contemporary Art
The AQA Project, a group of students studying art and art history at Kyushu University, has organized an exhibition of Indonesian and Japanese contemporary art entitled Mapping the Unmapped. When: 2/14 (Fri)~25 (Tue), 10:00~20:00 (Open until 18:00 on 2/25; closed on 2/19) Where: Fukuoka Asian Art Museum (Hakata Riverain, 8F)
For more Information
Fukuoka City Bulletin
Fukuoka Shisei Dayori is City Hall’s official magazine published bi-weekly on 1st and 15th of each month 23 times per year. It’s available in Japanese online too. Consider using it for Japanese study! ふくおか市政だより Website: www.city.fukuoka.lg.jp/shisei/kouhou-hodo/shiseidayori/
Originally published in Fukuoka Now Magazine (fn182, Feb. 2014)