No. 242 July 1, 2017

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

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

Chiba 279-8501 047-351-1111

Population: 167,685Male: 82,440

Female: 85,245Households: 78,551

Foreign Residents: 3,649(As of May 31, 2017)

Population and No. of Households in Urayasu

The Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (for Tokyo 2020) is conducting the “Tokyo 2020 Medal Project: Towards an Innovative Future for All,” which produces the Tokyo 2020 medals from used small electric household appliances, such as mobile phones.

Urayasu City also approves of this project, and the small electric household appliances collected via special collection boxes at Urayasu City Hall, Clean Center, and Venous Plaza until March 31 (Sun.), 2019 (subject to change) will be reborn as Tokyo 2020 Olympic/Paralympic medals. Inquiries: Garbage-Free Section, Tel: 712-6485

Tokyo 2020 Medal Project: Towards an

Innovative Future for All

Free Bus Operation Period Changed

The actions of each and every person are important to reduce garbage. Urayasu City promotes the 4R program, which adds another “R” (refuse) to the usual 3R (reuse, reduce, recycle) program. Let’s practice the 4Rs in our everyday life, and let’s work toward reducing our garbage by 63 grams (approx. the same as the weight of one egg) per person per day.

Note: Urayasu City has stipulated the goal of “reducing garbage by 63 grams per person per day” in the Urayasu City General Waste-handling Basic Plan.

Do not bring items home that will become garbage. Do your best not to buy items that you do not need. •Alwayscarry your shoppingbagandyourown

chopsticks, and do not accept plastic shopping bags or disposable chopsticks at the store.

•Carrya thermosand try to refrain frombuyingbeverages in bottles, cans, or plastic PET bottles.

Refuse1Reduce garbage. Let’s create a lifestyle

that produces as little garbage as possible.•Chooserefillabledetergentsandshampoos.•Do not buy or make more food than you need.

Reduce2

Use items over and over again. Repair items and choose products that you can use again as much as possible.•Make use of Venous Plaza or

recycle shops for items that you no longer need, such as used clothes.

•Usereusabledinnerwareforevents.

Reuse3Try as much as possible not to throw things away. Sort

recyclable resources and properly dispose of them for recycling.•Dispose of paper beverage cartons and food trays as

recyclable resources, making use of collection boxes at supermarkets, etc.

•Purchaserecycledproductstohelprecycleresources.•Disposeofusedsmall electrichouseholdappliancesas

recyclable resources, making use of the collection boxes at public facilities.

Recycle4

In FY2016, the total amount of garbage from households was 34,328 tons. This means that each person produces about 562 grams (approx. the same as the weight of nine eggs) of garbage per day. Although the amount of garbage is decreasing each year, the annual expense for handling the garbage of Urayasu City is about 2.3 billion yen, or about 14,000 yen per city resident. Urayasu City organizes various programs to reduce garbage, but the cooperation of all residents is needed for garbage reduction. Let’s work together to reduce garbage!

●If you don’t accept plastic shopping bags, a reduction of garbage by 5 to 10 grams per bag can be achieved.

●If you don’t accept disposable chopsticks, a reduction of garbage by 6 grams per pair of chopsticks can be achieved.

● If you choose refillableitems,a reduction of garbage by 60 grams per shampoorefillpack can be achieved.

●If you don’t buy more than you need, a reduction of garbage by 45 grams per natto package and 200 grams of garbage per onion can be achieved.

●If you make use of recycle shops instead of throwing away used clothes, a reduction of garbage by 140 grams per t-shirt can be achieved.

●If you sort recyclable resources and properly dispose of them, a reduction of garbage by 140 grams per one day’s newspaper, 28 grams per 500-ml plastic PET bottle, and 130 grams per mobile phone can be achieved.

Reducing Garbage by 63 Grams per Person per DayReducing Garbage by 63 Grams per Person per Day

With the closing of the Ito Yokado Shin-Urayasu store, the operation of a free bus between Akemi and Hinode areas and Takasu Area has begun, in order to make transportation to commercial facilities for shopping more convenient.

At the same time, Urayasu City requested the owner of the land of the Ito Yokado Shin-Urayasu store to consider transferring the property to a commercial facility operator that handles daily items, such as food, and has discussed the matters with relevant organizations. As a result, it was decided that Ito Yokado Grocery

Store Shin-Urayasu will open at the same location on Wednesday, June 28 and will operate for a designated period of time as a temporary measure, during the course of the redevelopment of the site.

Accordingly, the operation of the free bus, which was scheduled to occur until March 31, 2018, will be changed to until June 27 (Tue.), 2017. Inquiries: Commerce Industry and Tourism Section, Tel: 712-6295

No. 242 July 1, 2017

●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. 14108)

■ Private Kindergarten SubsidiesSubsidies are available for parents/guardians of children that are enrolled in private kindergartens. The subsidy amount varies according to the income of the parents/guardians and the number of children in the family. If your child is enrolled in a private kindergarten in Urayasu City, application forms are distributed through the kindergarten. If your child is enrolled in a private kindergarten outside of Urayasu City, please call the number below. Eligibility: Parents/guardians of children between 3 and 5 years of age who are enrolled in a publicly authorized private kindergar ten that has not been transferred to the new child-raising support system led by the national government, and who meet all of the following requirements.- The parent/guardian and the child must live

in Urayasu City and have completed resident registration in the city.

- The parent/guardian and the child must live in the same house.

- The parent/guardian (such as the person with parental rights, or the legal representative) actually takes care of the child.

- The parent/guardian has the obligation of paying childcare fees to a private kindergarten.

Inquiries: Nursery Schools and Kindergartens Affairs Section, Tel: 712-6439

■ Municipal Pools to Open○ Higashino Pool Although f loats are permit ted in the pool, br inging glass goggles, using suntan oil , and bringing food and alcoholic beverages are not permitted. In addition, children who are not potty-trained are not allowed in the pool. As the parking lot can become crowded, please try to come by bus as much as possible.Dates open: July 1 (Sat.) through September 3 (Sun.), 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.Note: Admission is until 4 p.m.Fee: ¥240 for adults and ¥80 for junior high school students and younger; up to two hours per person each timeNote: Children who are in third grade at elementary school or younger must be accompanied by a guardian who is 16 years of age or older.

Inquiries: Higashino Pool (during the open period only), Tel: 352-6891○ Outdoor Pool Adjacent to the Sports Park Gymnasium’s Indoor Swimming PoolDates open: July 1 (Sat.) through September 15 (Fri.), 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Fee (for two hours): ¥520 for adults and ¥270 for junior high school students and younger; for each additional 30 minutes, a fee of ¥120 for adults and ¥60 for junior high school students and younger applies. Note: Children who are in the third grade of elementar y school or younger must be accompanied by a guardian who is 18 years of age or older (up to two children per guardian).Inquiries: Indoor Swimming Pool, Tel: 304-0030

■ The Fourth Bon-odori Dance by the Sea Date and time: July 15 (Sat.), 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.Note: In case of inclement weather, the event will be postponed to the following day.Location: Sogo ParkInquiries: Urayasu Local Activities Promotion Council, Tel: 712-6246

■ Summer Vacation Children’s Japanese-language ClassesDate and time: July 22 (Sat.), 2 to 3 p.m.Location: International Center Eligibility: Children who are in the third through sixth grade at elementary school and who need help with the Japanese language; 15 persons on a first-come, first-served basis.Program: Japanese-language classes geared for elementary school children who need help with Japanese (instructor: Japan Overseas Cooperative Association staff)Application: Apply in person or by telephone or send an e-mail to the International Center (Tel: 306-5181, e-mail: uketsuke@urayasu-ic.jp; giving your name, address, telephone number, and age) from July 1 (Sat.) 9 a.m.Inquiries: International Center

■ Yukata Dressing ClassDate and time: July 29 (Sat.), 1:30 to 4 p.m.Location: Youth Center

Eligibility: 20 women from the f if th grade of elementary school up to 22 years of age who live or go to school in Urayasu City, on a first-come, first-served basis (Note: A parent/guardian may observe.)Program: Let’s wear a yukata and go see the fireworks! (NPO Young de Assist)Application: Apply by telephone or in person at the Youth Center from 9 a.m., July 5 (Wed.), Tel: 700-6203Inquiries: Youth Center (closed on Tuesdays)

■ Family Tree-growing and Woodcrafts EventDate and time: August 5 (Sat.), 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Location: Tokyo Chuo Wood Market (13 Chidori)Eligibility: Children between the third and sixth grade at elementary school and their parents; 50 groups (A lottery will be held if the number of applications exceeds the capacity.) Note: Up to two children (between the third and sixth grade at elementary school) per parent.Program: Family wood-cutting race, woodcrafts, and moreFee: ¥200 per person (for accident insurance)Application: Send a reply-paid postcard to the Crafts Subsection of the Youth Center (1-12-38 Nekozane, 279-0004) giving your address and telephone number, the names and genders of all the participants, and the children’s school name and grade; and on the reply side, write your name and address, no later than July 20 (Thu.; must be received by this date).Inquiries: Youth Center, Tel: 700-6203 (closed on Tuesdays)

■ Change in Jido Center HoursFrom July 21 (Fri.) through August 31 (Thu.), Jido Center hours will be 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Takasu Jido Center will be open until 5 p.m. on Sundays.) Closed: Higashino Jido Center, July 24 (Mon.) and August 11 (Fri., national holidays); Takasu Jido Center, July 31 (Mon.), August 11 (Fri., national holidays), and August 31 (Thu.) Inquiries: Higashino Jido Center, Tel: 355-2736; Takasu Jido Center, Tel: 304-0315

■ Recruiting Tenants for Chiba Prefectural Housing for July 2017To apply: File an application form (available at the Housing Affairs Section [Urayasu City Hall 3F] and city administration offices; on Saturdays, Sundays, and national holidays and during non-business hours, available at the Urayasu City Hall Central Administration Office [Urayasu City Hall 1F]) with the Chiba Prefecture Public Housing Corporation (1-16 Sakaecho, Chuo-ku, Chiba City, 260-0016) by mail by July 15 (Sat.; must be postmarked by this date).Note: For more information, please visit the Chiba Prefecture Public Housing Corporation website (http://www.chiba-kousya.or.jp/).Inquiries: Chiba Prefecture Public Housing Corporation Recruiting Section, Tel: 043-222-9200

■ National Health Insurance ○ Concerning FY2017 National Health Insurance PremiumsNotif icat ions for FY2017 National Heal th Insurance premiums will be mailed on July 12 (Wed.) to the head of the household that is obligated to make the payments. National Health Insurance premiums are a precious source by which insurance members can receive medical treatment. Please be sure to make the payments by the deadline.The rate, ceiling, and designated income for the reduction for the FY2017 National Health Insurance premiums have been determined. For more information, please read the Urayasu City website or call the number below.○ Renewal of National Health Insurance CardsNew health insurance cards will be mailed to those enrolled in National Health Insurance by simple registered mail no later than July 31 (Mon.). Please check the information written on your health insurance card. Please note that the period of validity for the Certificate of Eligibility for Ceiling-Amount Applications is also until July 31 (Mon.). If you currently have the certificate, you must apply for a new one. Please bring your health insurance card to the National Health Insurance & Pension Plan Section on or after July 21 (Fri.).Inquiries: National Health Insurance & Pension Plan Section, Tel: 712-6280

Culture Hall

Chuo Library

Higashi Elementary School

Health Center

Folk Museum

Urayasu Park Construction to Be Conducted

The 39th Urayasu City Fireworks Display: “Urayasu Fireworks— Shining Bright in the Sky and Sea”

Date and time: July 29 (Sat.), 7:30 to 8:30 p.m.Location: Sogo Park and other locations

Note: Traffic will be regulated from 5 p.m. In addition, to p r e v e n t c o n g e s t i o n a n d accidents, entrance to Sogo Park may be restricted from 5 p.m. on the day of the event, depending on the situation. For more information on the range of restriction, please call the special telephone line below or check the official website.

Special telephone line: 050-5548-8686URL: http://www.urayasuhanabi.com/2017/

W ith th e comp let ion o f th e n ew government building and the clearing of the former No. 2 government building, Urayasu Park construction work will be conducted from the current fiscal year for the next three years. We are designing the only large park (about 20,000 square meters) in the Motomachi area, which will feature a spacious plaza that can serve as both an oasis filled with natural greenery and as a crisis management location during a disaster. In addition, by creating spaces where people of all ages can casually enjoy recreation as well as facilities where people can enjoy health maintenance,

we are working toward creating a park where people can get together and be encouraged to have friendly exchanges within the community. During the current fiscal year, construction work is scheduled for upgrading the former No. 2 government building site and the area around the lawn plaza in front of Folk Museum. Furthermore, to ensure safety during the construction period, the area will be off limits. While we can imagine this will cause some inconvenience, we would appreciate your understanding and cooperation in this matter.Inquiries: Parks & Public Areas Section, Tel: 712-6513

Urayasu Park