Selected news topics by Fukuoka Now from Fukuoka’s Shisei Dayori.
New! Kego Park Public Safety Center
A new facility called the Kego Park Public Safety Center opened inside Kego Park on Dec. 25. Local community safety groups can use the meeting space free of charge (reservations required), and there is a consultation window for local residents. Located next to the Tenjin-Keibu Koban, the facility will serve as a hub for safety-oriented community development in collaboration with local neighborhoods, the police and City Hall. Inquiries: Civic Safety Section (092-711-4054)
International Exchange Subsidies
The Yokatopia Foundation will provide subsidies for international exchange events conducted by private organizations in the metro Fukuoka area from April 2014 to March 2015. The funding limits are ¥300,000 for general grants and ¥100,000 for challenge grants. Inquiries: Yokatopia Foundation (092-733-5630). To apply, pick up an application form from the Foundation (City Hall North Annex 5F, 1-10-1 Tenjin) and submit it in person Jan. 6~31, 2014.
Holiday Closures
City Hall: 12/28 (Sat)~1/5 (Sun), Fukuoka City Museum/Art Museum/Public Library: 12/28 (Sat.)~1/4 (Sat.), Asian Art Museum: 12/26 (Thu.)~1/1 (Wed.), Robosquare: 12/31 (Tue.)~1/2 (Thu.), Hakatamachiya Furusatokan 12/29 (Sun.)~12/31 (Tue.), Trash drop-off reservation service: 1/1 (Wed.)~1/3 (Fri.), Fukuoka Tower/Hakata Port Tower/Forest City Aburayama: Open year-round
PM2.5 Automated Phone Service Begins
Although the City makes PM2.5 forecasts available on the internet, it will also trial an automated telephone service for forecast information through May 31, 2014. 1) Call 050-3000-2500 (charges apply), 2) Listen to the automated announcement (Japanese only), 3) Press 0 to hear the forecast. You can also press 1~9 to receive the latest measurements from the different monitoring stations (updated hourly). Inquiries: Environmental Conservation Section (092-733-5386)
Fukuoka Prefecture Minimum Wage Revisions
On Oct. 18, Fukuoka Prefecture raised the minimum wage to ¥712/hour, and minimum wages for certain industries were revised on Dec. 10. For details, visit this URL (http://fukuoka-roudoukyoku.jsite.mhlw.go.jp/jirei_toukei/chingin_kanairoudou/toukei/saitei_chingin/chingin09_22.html) or contact the Wage Section of the Fukuoka Labor Bureau (092-411-4578).
Yipee! For FREE!
Annual Firefighters’ New Year’s Parade
The annual Firefighters’ New Year’s Parade will be held at Marine Messe Fukuoka (7-1 Okihamamachi, Hakata-ku) on Jan. 11 from 10:00 to 16:00. Festivities will kick off at 10:00 with traditional ladder stunts. At 12:30, visitors can enjoy fire truck and ambulance rides and try their hand at hose spraying. Inquiries: Fire Prevention Bureau, General Affairs Section (092-725-6511)
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 (fn181, Jan. 2014)
