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268,667 (-205)

131,337 (-110)

137,330 (-95)

108,285 (-19)

Population and Households As of February 1st, 2020

(compared to the previous month)

Vol. 346

March 2020

URL: http://www.city.nagaoka.niigata.jp/（長岡市ウェブサイト）→

Foreign Language → Nagaoka International Affairs Center Chikyû Hiroba →

Newsletter in English (Konnichiwa! Nagaoka)

Sayonara Konnichiwa Nagaoka

It has been almost 30 years since we began publishing this English version of the city newsletter entitled Konnichiwa Nagaoka in May 1991. Unfortunately, this issue, Vol. 346 for March 2020, will be our last issue. A new multilingual edition of the city newsletter will be put out in Chinese, English, and easy Japanese starting in April 2020. We would like to express our sincerest gratitude to our readers who have encouraged and helped us to provide various information about the city’s projects, events, programs, and many issues over the years. We would appreciate your continued guid-ance and support for the new version of the city newsletter. We wish you all the best with our deepest appreciation.

Editor

It was a great opportunity for children to enjoy making their own radios at the Monozukuri Fair. They immersed themselves in making an electrical radio board. “Nagaoka-Style Innovation” will help the city further develop by creating a new sense of value through inno-vative ideas. The Nagaoka Monozukuri Fair has been recognized as an excellent event in which citizens can feel the city’s potential for the future.

(City Hall Plaza – Aôre Nagaoka February 1st and 2nd)

The Nagaoka Monozukuri (Making Things) Fair

Major Features: Tickets for the 2020 Nagaoka Festival Grand Fireworks Show -- 2 The Tokyo 2020 Olympic Torch Is Coming to Nagaoka! --------- 2 Information from General Service Desks ----------------------------- 2 Seasonal Events ------------------------------------------------------------ 6 Major Emergency Medical Facilities --------------------------------- 8 Warnings against Coronavirus Infection ------------------------------ 8

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Tickets for the 2020 Nagaoka Festival Grand Fireworks Show

April 13 (Mon.) | April 24 (Fri.)

Applications exclusively from citizens of Nagaoka will be accepted via postcard or the Internet and de-cided by lottery.

By May 15 (Fri.) Notices will be sent to winning applicants.

May 10 (Sun.) | May 22 (Fri.)

Applications from the general public including citizens of Nagaoka will be accepted only via the Internet and decided by lottery.

By June 5 (Fri.) Notices will be sent to winning applicants.

June 6 (Sat.) | July 1 (Wed.)

The general public including citizens of Nagaoka can purchase unsold/canceled tickets via the Internet on a first-come, first-served basis.

Aug. 2 (Sun.)

and 3 (Mon.)

Unsold/canceled same-day tickets can be purchased at designated fireworks-viewing sites on a first-come, first-served basis.

Sale Schedule for Tickets for Prepaid Areas (Ticket Center: 0570-082-083)

Some tickets for prepaid areas will be available in advance and exclusively for the citizens of Nagaoka. For detailed information, please refer to the leaflet to be enclosed in the April issue of the Japanese version of the City

Newsletter, Shisei Dayori (市政だより).

For further information:

The Nagaoka Hanabi (長岡花火) Website https://nagaokamatsuri.com/ The Nagaoka Fireworks Foundation (Phone: 0258-39-0823)

The Tokyo 2020 Olympic Torch Is Coming to Nagaoka!

Let’s get ready and liven up the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games by welcoming and joining the torch relay on Saturday, June 6th.

●Torch Relay Support Runners Support runners will be running along with the designated runner for part of the first relay route, covering 150 meters from City Hall Plaza – Aôre Nagaoka to Ote Street.

- Hours: Starting around 9:00 a.m. - Applicants: 20 Elementary School 4th – 6th Graders - Application forms are available at Aôre Nagaoka and the city’s sport gyms

●Torch Relay Security Guard Volunteers To ensure security during the starting ceremony and along the relay route

- Applicants: 290 volunteers who were born on or before April 1st, 2002 (on a first-come, first-served basis) - Application: Via the Niigata Prefectural Office Website by Friday, April 10

For further information: Prefectural Organizing Committee Phone: 025-280-5951 Sport Promotion Division Nagaoka City Office Phone: 0258-32-6117

The torch relay in Nagaoka in October 1964

Your Generous Donations Are Appreciated

A large-scale forest fire broke out in Australia in September 2019. The City of Nagaoka, designated as the host town for the Australian Swimming Team, is very much concerned about the people suffering from the damage caused by the forest fire. We are now collecting donations, which will be sent to some supporting public organizations in Australia via the Japan Australia New Zealand Society, Inc. We would appreciate your generous contribution to the people of Australia as follows: ● Please put your contributions into the donation boxes set

up at City Hall Plaza - Aôre Nagaoka, the Nagaoka Civic Center, Phoenix Ote East, and Saiwai Plaza in Saiwai-cho.

● Please transfer your contributions to the following bank account.

北越銀行長岡市役所支店ほくえつぎんこうながおかしやくしょしてん

(Hokuetsu Bank Nagaoka City Office Branch)

普通預金ふ つ う よ き ん

(General Account 2038936)

オーストラリア森林火災災害支援金しんりんかさいさいがいしえんきん

(Australia Forest Fire Disaster Contributions)

Information from the City Office General Service Desks at

City Hall Plaza, Aôre Nagaoka

During the weekdays from the middle of March to the beginning of April, the general service desks are usually crowd-ed with many applicants who come to report changes of their residence or some other business.

The service desks are open in the evening and on Saturdays, Sundays, and national holidays. You are recommended to visit the service desks during these less-crowded hours.

Hours of the Service Desks: 8:30 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. Monday - Friday 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Saturdays, Sundays, and National Holidays

For further information: The Citizens’ Affairs Coordination Service Division

(しみん まどぐち サービス か・

市民窓口サービス課)

Phone: 0258-39-7510

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The Niigata Prefecture Mutual Aid Traffic Casualty Insurance Plan

交通災害共済・こうつう さいがい きょうさい

This plan is a mutual insurance system managed by all the municipalities in Niigata Prefecture. The membership fee is ¥500 a year. A compensation payment is provided when a member is injured in a traffic accident. The amount of the payment varies ranging from ¥30,000 to ¥1.5 million depending on the number of days that are required for treatment. The compensation payment can be claimed even when you are injured in a bicycle accident. The application form is available at Aôre Nagaoka, the city’s district branch offices, or most banks. You can also get an English version of the information leaflet at the Nagaoka City International Affairs Center, Chikyû Hiroba in the Nagaoka Civic Center.

Application Period: February 3 (Mon.) – March 31 (Tue.), 2020 (Entry after April 1st is also possible.) For further information: Shimin Katsudô Suishin Ka (Citizens’ Affairs Promotion Division) Phone: 0258-39-2206 http://www.sinsogo.jp/koutu/koutu.html http://www.city.nagaoka.niigata.jp/kurashi/cate15/koutusaigai/kyousai.html

A Light Automobile Tax Notice

Owners (as of April 1st) of motorbikes (mopeds, scooters, and motorcycles), farming vehicles, and light automobiles must pay a light automobile tax. If you receive a light au-tomobile tax notice, please pay the tax by the designated date. If you purchase a new light automobile and register it as of April 1st in 2020, the new tax rate for the 2020 fiscal year will be applied. If you purchase a new light automo-bile and register it on and after April 2nd in 2020, the new

tax rate for the 2021 fiscal year will be applied, which means you do not have to pay your light automobile tax in the 2020 fiscal year. If you have transferred ownership or discarded the vehicle, please notify the Citizens’ Tax Division (Phone: 0258-39-2212) by Tuesday, March 31st, 2020. For further information about the new tax rates, please contact the Citizens’ Tax Division. Phone: 0258-39-2212

Information Regarding Payment of Premiums for Members of the National Health Insurance Policy

The National Health Insurance System is a mutually supporting system in which members share their premiums to cover their medical expenses for injuries or illnesses. The notice regarding your premiums for the 9th term of fiscal 2019 was sent to you in the middle of January 2020. Please be sure to pay your premium for the 9th term by March 31st, 2020. You can pay your premium at con-venience stores throughout Japan, Yûcho Ginkô (the Japan Post Bank) in Niigata Prefecture, or a branch or the head office of any financial institution in Nagaoka City. Detailed information about payment is on the back of the notice.

If you have been unemployed due to bankruptcy or displacement, your premium may be reduced. In this case, you are required to apply for premium reduction. If it is difficult for you to pay your premium due to some specif-ic reasons, please contact Kokuho Nenkin Ka, the National Health Insurance and Pension Division. For further information, please contact Kokuho Nenkin Ka, the National Health Insurance and Pension Division (Phone: 0258-39-2220) or the Citizens’ Affairs and Service Division of each district branch office.

International Students from Vietnam on Internship at a Local Firm

Sakata Manufacturing Co. Ltd. has welcomed two trainees, Mr. Nguyen Dang Lap and Mr. Ma Tien Manh (students of the Hanoi University of Science and Technology) who are currently studying at the Nagaoka University of Technology. This manufacturer of mounting brackets has offered internships to the Vietnamese students, who have advanced knowledge and skills in CAD, Computer-Aided Design. They are learning how to develop construction-related tools and other technolo-gy.

In July 2019, the city established the Nagaoka Global Human Resource Promotion Council in order to create an environment that offers employment opportunities for in-ternational students to work for local firms. This council has organized seminars and orientation programs to encourage international students to seek job opportunities offered by local firms.

During this internship program, report sessions will be held to review this kind of global-oriented project, which will be beneficial both for international students and local firms.

Learning a joining technique of roofing

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The Nagaoka Civic Center

2-2-6 Ote Street, Nagaoka City (Phone: 0258-39-2763) Hours: Every Day Except for the Year-End and the New Year’s Holidays

Monday – Friday 8:30 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. Saturdays, Sundays, and National Holidays 9:00 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.

Nagaoka City International Affairs Center, Chikyû Hiroba (1st Floor)

Monday – Friday 8:30 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. Saturdays, Sundays, and National Holidays 9:00 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.

Phone: 0258-39-2714 Fax: 0258-39-2715

The 1st term of classes for the 2020 fiscal year will be offered from April 2020 to September 2020. A free trial lesson will be offered. Please call ahead.

Sunday ClassesSunday Classes Basic Level I - Class 1 Minna no Nihongo Basic Level I Vol. I (Lesson 1 – Lesson 12) 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. (120 minutes) Basic Level I - Class 2 Minna no Nihongo Basic Level I Vol. I (Lesson 13 – Lesson 25) 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. (120 minutes)

Basic Level Ⅱ - Class 1 Minna no Nihongo Basic Level I Vol. Ⅱ (Lesson 26 – Lesson 36) 11:45 a.m. – 1:45 p.m. (120 minutes)

Volunteers help international residents learn Japanese at this free program during the following sessions: Sundays 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Mondays 9:15 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. (intermediate level) Tuesdays 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Fridays 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Nihongo Hiroba

Japanese Learning Program

Nihongo Kôza

Weekday Classes Weekday Classes (Tuesdays & Fridays) Basic Level I - Class 1

Minna no Nihongo Basic Level I Vol. I (Lesson 1 – Lesson 12) 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. (60 minutes) Basic Level I - Class 2 Minna no Nihongo Basic Level I Vol. I (Lesson 13 – Lesson 25) 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (60 minutes)

Basic Level I Vol. I Basic Level I Vol. Ⅱ

March 3,6,10,13,17,24,27 ¥1,400 April 3,7,10,14,17,21,24,28 ¥1,600 May 1,8,12,15,19,22,26,29 ¥1,600 June 2,5,9,12,16,19,23,26,30 ¥1,800 July 3,7,10,14,17,21,28,31 ¥1,600 Aug. 4,7,11,18,21,25,28 ¥1,400 Sept. 1,4,8,11,15,18,25,29 ¥1,600

March 1,8,15,22 ¥1,600 April 5,12,19,26 ¥1,600 May 10,17,24,31 ¥1,600 June 7,14,21,28 ¥1,600 July 5,12,19,26 ¥1,600 Aug. 9,23,30 ¥1,200 Sept. 6,13,20,27 ¥1,600

Consultations for International Residents Various services are provided for international residents. The center is a place where international residents can find help and support. No appointment is necessary for consultations. Feel free to stop by if you have any difficulties, wor-ries, or questions.

Consultations in Chinese, English, or easy Japanese: Monday – Friday 8:30 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. Saturdays, Sundays, and National Holidays 9:00 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. Consultations in Vietnamese: 10:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. 1st and 3rd Sundays of Every Month

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Seasonal Events

The 36th

Annual Mishima Nishiyama Mountain Range Marathon Race

Date: May 24 (Sun.) 9:30 a.m. There will be 17 different events for various age and gender groups, including 2-km, 3-km, 11-km, and half-marathon (21.0975km) courses. Registration Deadline: March 27 (Fri.) Fee: ¥3,800 for adults and pairs ¥1,500 for junior high school students and elementary school children Flyers with application forms are available at the city’s each district branch office and sports facilities or apply via website (http://runnet.jp). For further information: Mishima Branch Office Phone: 0258-42-2242

Echigo Kyûryô Kôen (Echigo Hillside Park) Hours: 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. (until the end of March) 9:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (from April) Closed: March 2 (Mon.), 9 (Mon.), 16 (Mon.), 23 (Mon.), and 25 (Mon.)

Yukiwarisô (a kind of primrose) Festival March 14 (Sat.) - April 19 (Sun.) Katakuri (dogtooth violet) Festival April 4 (Sat.) - 12 (Sun.)

For further information: Echigo Hillside Park Management Center Phone: 0258-47-8001 http://echigo-park.jp/en/

Yukiguni Shokubutsu En

(Snowy Region Botanical Gardens) March 14 (Sat.) - November 15 (Fri.) 3-chome Miyamoto Hours: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Admission: ¥400 for adults ¥50 for students For further information: Y ukiguni Shokubutsuen Phone: 0258-46-0030 http://www.niks.or.jp/syokubut/

Fitness Classes at Shinmin Taiikukan City Gym

1-2-1 Gakko-cho Phone: 0258-34-2700 April - June

The city gym will offer various classes such as yoga, lower backache prevention exercises, Pilates exercises, pelvic exercises, hula dance, healthy calisthenics, shape-up boxing, aerobics, hip-hop dancing, taichi, rhythm exercises, etc. Sign up with an application form at City Gym. For further information and registration, please contact the staff of the Nagaoka International Affairs Center in the Nagaoka Civic Center on Ote Street. (refer to p.4)

Yukiwarisô

Katakuri

Homecoming Concerts by Yuki Koyama, a Flutist from Nagaoka

Mr. Yuki Koyama, a graduate of Nagaoka High School, is the first chair flutist of the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra. He began playing the flute at the age of five and won a number of champion-ships at various competitions since his childhood. After graduating from the Faculty of Science and Technology, Keio University, he studied at Musik-Akademie der Stadt Basel in Switzerland. As the finale of the Finnish Radio Symphony

Orchestra’s Japan tour, Koyama is looking forward to playing with the orchestra in Nagaoka follow-ing his duo concert with Sivan Magen, a harpist.

● Koyama Yuki & Sivan Magen Duo Concert Nagaoka Lyric Hall Saturday, April 11, 2020 3:00 p.m. Admission: ¥3,000 ¥1,000 for students

● The Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra Concert Nagaoka Municipal Auditorium Saturday, May 30, 2020 3:00 p.m. Admission: ¥12,000 for S Seats ¥9,000 for A Seats

Multilingual Broadcast on FM Nagaoka (80.7 MHz)

6:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Wednesdays

Chinese and Easy Japanese: 1st and 3rd Wednesdays English and Easy Japanese: 2nd and 4th Wednesdays

The Nagaoka City International Affairs Center, Chikyû Hiroba, provides a multilingual broadcast on FM Nagaoka at 80.7 MHz. Some useful information on daily living and seasonal events in Nagaoka is provided for international residents in Chinese, English, and easy Japanese. Also Enjoy listening to interesting talks pre-sented by international residents living in Nagaoka.

(Unfortunately, however, this concert was canceled as of March 3rd due to the spread of the new coronavirus.)

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Free shuttle bus services between the park (Hyotan Pond) and the parking lot of the Municipal Ski Area are available from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on April 11th (Sat.), 12th (Sun.), 18th (Sat.), and 19st (Sun.).

Nozumi Riverbank Park (with a view of the Sea of Japan and cherry blossoms)

Cherry Blossom Row along the Kaki River

Imamiya Park (with about 100 cherry blossom trees)

Kuriyamazawa Cherry Blossom Park (with a famous weeping cherry blossom tree)

Tomoegaoka (with 150-year-old cherry blossom trees)

Green Riverside Tachibana Park (with about 380 cherry blossom trees) Yoita-machi, Yoita Cherry blossoms color the park equipped with many playground toys including a popular dinosaur slide.

Seseragi Park (with about 100 cherry blossom trees) Oguni-machi, Hozaka The vivid contrast of the greenery of Mt. Hachikoku & Mt. Kurohime to the cherry blossoms amaze many visitors.

Myohoji Temple (a temple with cherry blossoms)

Mambon Cherry Blossom Avenue (with about 1,000 cherry blossom trees) Eastern Riverbank of the Shinano The 6-kilometer-long lane of Someiyoshino (a popular kind of cherry blossom) is a wondrous spectacle along the route from Yoita Bridge to the Okozu Diversion Chanel.

Fukushimae Canal (with about 400 cherry blossom trees)

Yukyuzan Park (with about 2,500 cherry blossom trees) Oyama-machi The park is home to the largest number of cherry blossom trees in the city including Someiyoshino and yaezakura (double-petaled blossoms).

The City’s 12 Best Cherry Blossom Viewing Sites

Koshiji Riverbank Park (with about 300 cherry blossom trees)

Teradomari

Yoita

Tochio

Koshiji

Oguni

Nagaoka

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●Nagaoka Chûô Sôgô Byôin

Major General Hospitals

Nagaoka Chûô Sôgô Byôin (Central General Hospital) 0258-35-3700 Nagaoka Sekijûji Byôin (Red Cross Hospital) 0258-28-3600 Tachikawa Sôgô Byôin (General Hospital) 0258-33-3111 Civic Health Center (Saiwai Plaza) 0258-39-7508 Information about clinics in charge of specific Sundays or holidays: ・Clinic for Sundays, Holidays, and Nights (in Saiwai Plaza) 0258-37-1199

・Nagaoka Medical Society 0258-22-5600

・Nagaoka Fire Department Headquarters 0258-36-0119

Civic Health Center (Saiwai Plaza – 1F)

Facilities Departments Hours

Clinic for Sundays, Holidays, and Nights

(0258-37-1199)

Internal Medicine (Naika)

(Monday – Friday) 6:45 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.

(Sundays and Holidays) 9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. 1:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Pediatrics (Shônika)

(Sundays and Holidays) 9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. 1:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Surgery (Geka)

(Sundays and Holidays) 9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. 1:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Dental Clinic for Sundays and Holidays (0258-33-9644)

Dentistry (Shika)

(Sundays and Holidays) 9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. 1:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Chuetsu Center for Children’s Emergency Treatment

(0258-86-5099)

Pediatrics (Shônika)

(Monday – Saturday) 6:45 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.

For obstetrics and gynecology (san fujin ka), the staff at this facility will give information about clinics in charge of specific Sundays or holidays.

Major Emergency Medical Facilities

Warnings against Coronavirus Infection

There have been reports of patients infected with the new type of corona-virus in many parts of the world including Japan. In order to protect the citi-zens of Nagaoka from this coronavirus infection, the city set up a coordination

conference on February 3rd in collaboration with the Nagaoka Public Health Center, the Nagaoka Medical Society, and Nagaoka Red-Cross Hospital.

They confirmed necessary countermeasures, a coor-dination system, and the roles of each organization. A Citizens’ Consultation Desk has been set up at the Health Division of the Nagaoka City Office.

Here are some helpful tips for protecting yourself from and preventing the spread of the coronavirus:

・Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and gargle.

・Sufficient sleep and nutrition will help you resist the disease.

・Be aware of your health conditions and take care of yourself.

・When you cough or sneeze,

- Wear a face mask.

- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue, a hand-kerchief, or your sleeve if you do not have a face mask.

- Do not cover your mouth with your hands.

If you feel the following symptoms, do not hesitate to consult citizens’ consultation desks.

☑Cold symptoms or a fever of 37.5℃ or higher that continue for four days or more (including when you take fever medicine)

☑Severe fatigue or difficulty breathing

☑Elderly people or people with underlying conditions should consult if these conditions continue for two days or so.

Citizens’ Consultation Desks

・The Health Division of the Nagaoka City Office Phone: 0258-39-7508 (8:30 a.m. – 5:15 p.m.)

・Nagaoka Public Health Center Phone: 0258-33-4932 (8:30 a.m. – 5:15 p.m.) 0258-38-2501 (night and holidays)