When you need help immediately (Emergencies)

■110(Police)
Dial “110” to connect to the police in case of a traffi c accident or if you are the victim of a crime.
The police offi cer will ask whether there has been an incident or an accident.
Answer the police offi cer’s questions and give as many details as possible.

■119(Fire / Ambulance)
Dial “119” to connect with the fi re department in case of a fi re or sudden illness.
※Using an ambulance is free in Japan.
※Free interpretation services are also available.
・ For injuries: Say, “KEGA DESU,” and give your address, name and phone number.
・ For illness: Say, “BYOKI DESU,” and give your address, name and phone number.
・ For fi res: Say, “KAJI DESU,” and give your address, name and phone number.
When in trouble, call out “TASUKETE KUDASAI” in a large voice so that those nearby can help you.
Your name:
Your address:

 

Traffic Safety

■ On roads in Japan, automobiles, motorcycles, and bicycles drive on the left, while pedestrians walk on the right.
■Pay attention to traffic lights.
■Pedestrians
・Walk on the sidewalks.
・Use crosswalks and footbridges.
・When crossing a street, look “right, left, right.”
・Wear bright clothes when walking at night.
Use refl ective materials.
・Push this button to change the light to green at traffic lights.

■ Bicycles
・Ride alone.
・Riding a bicycle while intoxicated is against the law.
・Do not use cell phones, ear phones, or umbrellas while riding a bicycle.
・Use lights at night.

 

Community Safety

■ Be aware of scams.
・Some websites send bills just for looking at them.
Do not pay any bills that you are not aware of. Do not phone them.
You may ignore such, but if you have any worries, please call the police.

■ Be aware of thieves.
・Be sure to lock your home whenever you go out.

■ PIKAPO MAIL
・Register to receive information on scams and suspicious persons from police. Send an empty e-mail to pikapo@seian.pref.iwate.jp to register.

■ Children’s Safety
・This sign indicates a car on patrol to ensure the safety of children. Both children and adults can appeal to the driver for help in case of emergency. The driver will call police for help.
・Cars with rotating blue lights are also on patrol for the safety of the community. You can also ask for help from these cars when in danger.
・This flag indicates that the home or business is cooperating to promote safety of children. Both children and adults can appeal to the owner for help in case of emergency.

 

Earthquakes

It is important to remain calm during an earthquake.
①Open windows and doors so that you can escape.
②Do not get close to fences made of cement blocks.
③Turn off any heat related appliances such as heaters or stoves.

・Be aware of emergency shelters near your house (places to evacuate).
・Keep items you may need when evacuating close at hand.
(Water, food, fl ashlights, radio, bankbooks, seals, passport, etc.)

 

Gas / Electricity / Waterworks

Gas and electricity may be turned off for lack of payment.
In addition, check with your gas company.
If you are having troubles, please consult with City Hall or the International Relations Association.

■Electricity Tohoku Electric(TEL.0120-175-466)

■Waterworks
Water pipes may freeze during winter. Remove water from pipes on cold days.
If pipes freeze, cover the faucet with a towel and apply hot water.
You may need to apply hot water several times even after frozen pipes are thawed.
When having problems with waterworks, call the Customer Center for the Oshu City Waterworks Department.
Oshu City Waterworks Department, Customer Center: Maple West, 2nd Floor (95-1 Yokomachi, Mizusawa TEL.0197-25-6700)

■Toilets that collect human waste
Non-flush type toilets that require emptying will be emptied from time to time.
Please inquire with City Hall (Environmental Protection Division)
・Oshu City Hall (Mizusawa) 1-1 Ote-machi, Mizusawa TEL.0197-24-2111
・Oshu International Relations Association (ASUPIA) 38-3 Kichikoji, Mizusawa TEL.0197-22-6111 e-mail: yisasupia@catv-mic.ne.jp

 

Garbage

Separate your home’s refuse into “Burnable” and “Non-burnable” garbage and use the city’s designated garbage bags.
You can buy designated garbage bags at supermarkets, home centers, and other stores.
Place your garbage on the designated days and locations for the community where you live. Collection is free.
Recyclables should be disposed of on designated days at designated locations.
To learn more about dates for collection, please contact City Hall (Environmental Protection Division) or your neighbors.
A fee is charged for disposing bulk garbage.
Please contact City Hall (Environmental Protection Division) for details.
・Burnable: Raw garbage, waste paper, plastics, clothing, wood, etc.
・Unburnable: Metal, pots and pans, pottery, glass, etc.
・Bulk garbage: Large sized garbage that does not fi t into garbage bags
・Recyclable: Bottles, cans, plastic bottles, milk cartons, newspaper, magazines, cardboard boxes, etc.
~Take recyclable items to a recycling station~ In particular, bottles and cans are not to be sent as garbage.

You can receive a calendar for garbage collection and a poster of recyclable items at City Hall (Environmental Protection Division).
You can also see the calendar for garbage collection on the Oshu City home page.
Please contact City Hall (Environmental Protection Division) or the International Relations Association if you have any questions.
・Oshu City Hall
(Mizusawa) 1-1 Ote-machi, Mizusawa TEL.0197-24-2111
(Esashi) 1-8 Odori, Esashi TEL.0197-35-2111
(Isawa) 270 Kagayachi, Natsuda, Isawa TEL.0197-46-2111
(Maesawa) 71 Nanoka-machi-ura, Maesawa TEL.0197-56-2111
(Koromogawa) 64-4 Furudo, Koromogawa TEL.0197-52-3111
・Oshu International Relations Association (ASUPIA) 38-3 Kichikoji, Mizusawa TEL.0197-22-6111 e-mail: yisasupia@catv-mic.ne.jp
Days when your burnable garbage is collected
Days for unburnable garbage
Days for recyclable items

 

Moving

■When moving to Oshu City
Go to the Citizen Services Division / Community Environment Division at City Hall within 14 days after moving.
Contact electric, gas, waterworks, and internet companies before moving.

■When moving from Oshu City
Go to the Citizen Services Division / Community Environment Division at City Hall before moving.
Contact electric, gas, waterworks, and internet companies before moving.
After moving to your new location, go to the city hall of the new city.

 

Raising Children

■ When you become pregnant
Go to the Health Center / City Hall and receive a Mother and Child Health Record Book and a General Pregnancy Medical Examination Form.
・Mizusawa Health Center (3-2 Ote-machi, Mizusawa TEL.0197-23-4511)
・Health Improvement Plaza YUYUKAN (50 Daimochi, Natsuda, Isawa TEL.0197-46-2977)
・Oshu City Hall
(Esashi) Health and Welfare Division (1-8 Odori, Esashi TEL.0197-35-2111)
(Maesawa) Health and Welfare Division (71 Nanoka-machi-ura, Maesawa TEL.0197-56-2111)
(Koromogawa) Health and Welfare Division (64-4 Furudo, Koromogawa TEL.0197-52-3111)

■ When your baby is born
Submit a Birth Certifi cate to the Citizen Services Division at City Hall.

■ Foreign Mothers Circle
This group is for foreign mothers and expecting mothers.
You can study Japanese and ask questions concerning raising children.
Childcare is also available.
・Place: Child Raising General Support Center “KOKKORO” (67 Takoji, Mizusawa TEL.0197-24-6405)
・Times: The fi rst Tuesday each month, 10:00 ~ 11:45
・Inquiries: Mizusawa Health Center (3-2 Ote-machi, Mizusawa TEL.0197-23-4511)
Oshu International Relations Association (ASUPIA)
(38-3 Kichikoji, Mizusawa TEL.0197-22-6111 e-mail: yisasupia@catv-mic.ne.jp)

 

Interpretation

■Medical Interpretation
The Oshu International Relations Association sends medical interpretation volunteers to hospitals.
・Cost: ¥0 (Free) (As of 1 April 2019)
・Languages: English, Chinese, Korean, Tagalog
・Method:
①Make a request for a medical interpreter to hospital staff .
②The hospital will contact the International Relations Association.
③The Oshu International Relations Association will send a volunteer medical interpreter.
・Hospitals where medical interpretation services are available (as of 1 April 2019)
Mizusawa General Hospital (Oshu Municipal Hospital)
(3-1 Ote-machi, Mizusawa, Oshu TEL.0197-25-3833)
Iwate Prefectural Isawa Hospital
(61 Ryugababa, Mizusawa, Oshu TEL.0197-24-4121)
Iwate Prefectural Esashi Hospital
(5-23 Nishi-Odori, Esashi, Oshu TEL.0197-35-2181)
Iwate Prefectural Iwai Hospital
(17 Odaira, Kozenji, Ichinoseki TEL.0191-23-3452)
Iwate Prefectural Chubu Hospital
(17-10 Murasakino, Kitakami TEL.0197-71-1511)
Iwate Prefectural Tono Hospital
(14-74 Shiraiwa, Matsuzaki-cho, Tono TEL.0198-62-2222)

 

Japanese Language Classes

The Oshu International Relations Association off ers the following Japanese language classes.
・Dates / Times:
Every Tuesday, 7:00 ~ 9:00pm
Every Thursday, 1:00 ~ 3:00pm
・Place: Mizusawa Regional Exchange Hall ASUPIA
(38-3 Kichikoji, Mizusawa TEL.0197-22-6111)
・Cost: ¥500 (¥300 for students and technical interns)
・Inquiries: Oshu International Relations Association (ASUPIA)
(38-3 Kichikoji, Mizusawa TEL.0197-22-6111 e-mail:yisasupia@catv-mic.ne.jp)

We can also introduce you to professional Japanese language teachers.

 

Consultations

■Free consultations with an administrative scrivener
Procedures for visas, lifestyle concerns, marriage / divorce, and procedures for creating a company, etc.

■Free consultations with a certifi ed tax accountant
Taxes, tax returns, inheritance, real estate, company management, etc.

・Cost: ¥0 (Free)
※There may be fees when requesting certain procedures or for preparing documents.

Contact ASUPIA when you wish to hold consultations.
Oshu International Relations Association (ASUPIA)
38-3 Kichikoji, Mizusawa TEL.0197-22-6111 e-mail:yisasupia@catv-mic.ne.jp

 

Helpful Facilities / Phone Numbers / Websites / Multilingual Information

■Oshu International Relations Association (ASUPIA)
38-3 Kichikoji, Mizusawa TEL.0197-22-6111
e-mail:yisasupia@catv-mic.ne.jp
http://oshu-ira.com/

Please contact us when you want to have consultations or need information.
Various international exchange events are also held.

■Oshu City Hall
(Mizusawa) 1-1 Ote-machi, Mizusawa TEL.0197-24-2111
(Esashi) 1-8 Odori, Esashi TEL.0197-35-2111
(Isawa) 270 Kagayachi, Natsuda, Isawa TEL.0197-46-2111
(Maesawa) 71 Nanoka-machi-ura, Maesawa TEL.0197-56-2111
(Koromogawa) 64-4 Furudo, Koro

■Multilingual Communication and Information (radio)
This radio show is presented in simple Japanese and foreign languages every Monday through Friday afternoon (around 4:30).

Oshu FM: 77.8MHz
Monday: Simple Japanese
Tuesday: Chinese
Wednesday: English
Thursday: Korean
Friday: Tagalog

■Multilingual Information Newsletter (KOHO)
Information from “Oshu KOHO” is issued in simple Japanese, English, and Chinese (simplifi ed Chinese characters)
You can request issues from the Citizen Services Department and the ILC Promotion Room at City Hall.
It can also be read on Oshu City’s home page.
Oshu City Hall (Mizusawa) 1-1 Ote-machi, Mizusawa TEL.0197-24-2111
https://www.city.oshu.iwate.jp/soshiki/3/

■You can view “Lifestyle Information” on Oshu City’s home page.(English)
https://www.city.oshu.iwate.jp/soshiki/3/

■You can view “Lifestyle Information” on the Oshu International Relations Association’s home page. (English, Chinese, Korean, Tagalog)
http://oshu-ira.com/

■You can consult in foreign languages at the Iwate International Association (Morioka, Aiina 5F)
Iwate International Association
(1-7-1 Morioka-eki Nishi-dori, Morioka TEL.019-654-8900
https://iwate-ia.or.jp/)

■You can receive “Multilingual Lifestyle Information” on the home page for the Council of Local Authorities for International Relations (CLAIR).
http://www.clair.or.jp/tagengo/index.html

■Morioka Regional Legal Aff airs Bureau, Mizusawa Branch (TEL.0197-24-0511)

■Mizusawa Summary Court (TEL.0197-24-7181)

 

Connecting with Your Neighbors and Others

To live in Japanese society, it is important to meet and get along with your nextdoor and other nearby neighbors.
For example, when you move into a new neighborhood, you should meet and introduce yourself to your next-door and other nearby neighbors.
Community associations and children’s associations are also available.

・Community Associations
These are available to make life a little bit better.
Notifi cations are circulated and there are various events. There are also times when neighbors gather to clean the neighborhood.
Membership fees are required. (Usually several hundred yen per month.)

・Children’s Associations
Various events are held for elementary school children (from around age 7 to 12) for families with children.