On Feb. 28, Fukuoka City held a seminar at Chuo Ward Office for outdoor food stall operators to enhance compliance with its Yatai Guidelines. In the seminar, city officials outlined plans to strengthen rules by passing a “Yatai Ordinance”—a law that would strip violators of their operating permits—in the upcoming fiscal year. These seminars are held every year, but this year, a total of six regional sessions were held year to provide detailed explanations. The session at Chuo Ward Office was the last session of fiscal 2012. In a survey conducted last year, the City found that Nagahama ranked worst among 12 districts for compliance with the 22-item Guidelines. “Most of you will lose your licenses if this situation does not improve,” warned Hidekazu Nakamura, the Director of Planning and Coordination at City Hall. In response, Shigeharu Sawano, head of the Nagahama Food Stall Operators’ Association said, “The Association has a keen awareness of the issue and plans to take appropriate action.” Source: Nishinippon Shimbun, Mar. 1
