Selected news topics by Fukuoka Now from Fukuoka’s Shisei Dayori.
Subsidies to Reduce Flood Damage
Rainwater tanks and infiltration systems can help reduce flood damage by preventing the sudden inflow of rain into rivers and canals during storms. They can also facilitate efficient lawn watering. City Hall offers subsidies to land and building owners and users within the city equivalent to 50% of purchase costs for tanks and ¥50,000~100,000 per site for infiltration system construction costs. For details, call the Drainage & River Management Section (092-711-4534).
Join a Farm Experience Tour
Kanatake no Sato Park is accepting applications for farm experience tours. You can plant and harvest around 20 crops under the guidance of experts. The Park also offers regular seminars, and you can take home what you harvest. The Park will provide all seeds and fertilizers. ●Period: 9/1/2013~3/31/2014● Fee: 18,000 ● Plots available: 109 (30m2; plots cannot be selected in advance) ● To apply, send a self-addressed return post card with your group leader’s name, age, address and phone number and the names and ages of all group members by 7/1. Address: 1357 Kanatake, Nishi-ku, 819-00357.
Fukuoka Airport Upgrade
Takeoffs and landings at Fukuoka Airport reached record highs last year. To reduce congestion and prepare for future demand, the government of Japan has decided to begin discussions on building a new runway in light of surveys conducted jointly by the city, prefectural and national governments through FY2008. Procedures have already been initiated for an environmental impact assessment, and there are plans to build a parking garage next to Domestic Terminal 3 this year in preparation for the addition of another parallel taxiway.
Message from Mayor Soichiro Takashima
Fukuoka aims to be a leading city in Asia, balancing people and city functions with the environment; a livable city with a robust economy and rich in nature. By promoting renewable energy and reducing waste, we aim to be a recycling-based low impact city. To do this, the continued efforts of every citizen are important. Let’s start with the little things we can do every day.
City to Install Second Mega Solar Plant
The City will install a one megawatt solar power plant on the site of the former Busetsugaura Landfill (Kamata, Higashi-ku) and plans to bring it online within the fiscal year. Fukuoka was the first designated city to become a mega solar power provider when it opened the Ohara Mega Solar Plant in Imazu (Nishi-ku) this February. The new plant will be about the same size and will generate 1.16 kW of power annually—enough to power 220 households for one year. Inquiries: Energy Policy Section (092-711-4926)
Yipee! For FREE!
Big Cleanup
The 22nd annual Love Earth Cleanup will be held at various locations around the city on 6/16 (Sun) from 9:00. Citizens, companies and government workers will join forces to clean the city’s beaches, rivers and parks. No application required. Bring your own work gloves. Details: http://www.city.fukuoka.lg.jp/kankyo/keikaku/opinion/1.html
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 (fn174, June 2013)
