Vol.004 January 2018

4 | Kaleidoscope MEGURO January 2018

Hand Washing and Cough Etiquetteto prevent infection

Filing of Residents Tax (Jumin-zei)
Filing Period: Feb. 16 (Fri.) – Mar. 15 (Thur.)
Residents taxes (municipal residents tax/metropolitan
residents tax) are calculated on the basis of income earnedin the previous year from January to December including
various deductions (for dependents, spouses, social
insurance premiums, etc.).

<Those who are required to file>

As of January 1st, 2018, those who fall into any of thefollowing categories (1-3) are required to file.
1. People who are residents of Meguro City and who
received an income during 2017.
2. People who own an office/place of business/house andlot in Meguro City but had their residential address
outside of Meguro City.
3. People who are residents of Meguro City and who
received no income or an income of ¥350,000 or lessduring 2017, and fall into any of the below:- enrolled or will be enrolled in the National Pension,
National Health Insurance, Long-Term CareInsurance, or Longevity Medical Care System for 75
Years Old or above;- receive or will receive benefits relating to children;- receive or will receive any subsidies, such as school
expense subsidies, grants for telephone expenses,
grant of prosthetic devices, and childcare grant,
from the Meguro City Office;- or need a certificate for taxation (or tax exemption).
A Residents Tax return form will be sent out to those
who are deemed to need filing it in early February.
Those who need a tax return form but have not received
one are requested to contact the Tax Affairs Section.

<Those who do not need to file>-People who will file a final income tax return.
People whose income during 2017 was solely madeup of salary and whose employer will submit reportsof salaries payment to the Meguro City Office.

<Submission method>

During the filing period, please submit or mail thecompleted form to the Tax Affairs Section, 2F Main
Building of Meguro City Office Complex.
* For filing, your Social Security and Tax Number (MyNumber) must be filled in. Also, the presentation of youridentification document or the copy is required.
* In the case of applying for tax deductions fordependents, etc. who reside in foreign countries, it isrequired to present or attach the documents proving
your family relationships with them and those proving
your transfer of money to them; unless such deductions
are already applied and included in the tax withholding
certificate after year-end adjustment.

Influenza (the flu) epidemic occurs in winter. The flu andcolds are contagious not only through the air - it can be
spread by an infected person coughing and sneezing; but
also by personal contact – touching the doorknob or thehandrail used by a person whose hands are contaminatedwith such germs.
The basic preventive measures against theinfection are “hand-washing” and “gargling”
after getting home and before eating eachmeal. Also, mind the “cough etiquette” for not
infecting people around you; all three of which
are equally important.

3. Japanese Class
St. Valentine’s Day
4. Information

Welcome to MIFA Festival

Main Building 1F, Meguro City Office 2-19-15
Kamimeguro Meguro-ku Tokyo
http://www.mifa.jp/mifa2/gaikokujinsodan2/2E.htm

Mt. Fuji viewed from Meguro City
Let us introduce some scenic spots you can easily go.
Meguro Tenku Teien (Meguro sky garden)“Cough etiquette” is to prevent spreading thevirus: specifically, wearing a mask properly (bycovering from the bridge and tip of your nose
to your mouth and chin) and covering yourmouth and nose with a tissue when coughing
or sneezing.
Meanwhile, if you think that you are suffering from nagging
coughs, persistent low fevers and constant fatigue due to acold, such symptoms might be related to tuberculosis (TB).
Tuberculosis is not a disease of the past; it is worth
mentioning that the number of TB patients is larger in Japan
than that in the US and other European countries.
As TB spreads through the air, a person with TB symptoms
can easily transmit the disease to other people. In case of
prolonged symptoms, such as coughing for more than twoweeks, you should definitely consult a medical doctor and,of course, stick to the “cough etiquette.” In addition, it isalso recommended to have a regular medical checkup(chest X-ray examination).

Disaster Prevention Seminar for Foreigners
Meguro City and Meguro Fire Department will hold a disasterprevention seminar for foreigners, providing an opportunity
for them to experience practical training in the event of adisaster. Interpreters of several languages are available.

Date and time:

February 17 (Sat.) 9:30 am – noon

Venue:

Meguro Disaster Prevention Center
1-9-7 Chuo-cho, Meguro-ku

Contact for Application/Inquiry:

Meguro City Culture & Exchange Promotion Section
FAX:03-5722-9378
Email:bunka01@city.meguro.tokyo.jp

Send your application by fax or e-mail, providing your(1) name, (2) nationality, (3) language, (4) address,(5) telephone number and (6) whether you requireinterpretation services or not.

The 13th MIFA Int'l Exchange Festival- Discover, Experience, and Explore the World! –Let’s deepen international friendship andmutual understandings
You can enjoy stage performances,Japanese culture and world cuisine.

Life in Tokyo

Site for Foreign Residents of Tokyo
https://www.lifein.tokyo.jp/en/

Published by Culture & Exchange Promotion Section, Meguro City Office
Edited by Edit Group in MIFA
Meguro City Office Annex 5F 2-19-15 Kamimeguro, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-0051
TEL 03-3715-4671 FAX 03-3715-4672 E-mail:info@mifa.jp URL:http://www.mifa.jp
The bimonthly newsletter Kaleidoscope MEGURO is intended to make a multi-cultural society embracing and diversity.

On top of Ohashi highway junction Mt. Fuji is seen
westward from the observation deck of the upper partof the Meguro sky garden. This park has been open
since 2013, and you can enjoy walking about
400m along oval shaped slope watching trees,grasses, and flowers in different seasons.
Open: from 7am to 9pm every day
Address: 1-9-2 Ohashi
5 min walk from Tokyu Denentoshi line Ikejiriohashi station

Date: 10:00-16:00 on February 11 (Sun.), 2018Venues:
Main Hall at Meguro
Persimmon Hall

1-1-1, Yakumo, Meguro-ku

Program:- Sale/Display of Foodand Products byEmbassies, etc.
- Music/Songs/Dances ofthe World- Japanese Culture
Ikebana/GO/
Tea Ceremony/
Calligraphy/Kimono

Meguro Togo Teien (Meguro Togo garden)
Meguro Kumin Campus
Park1-1-12, Yakumo, Meguro-ku- Drink Corner, Disaster
Awareness, Writing
System, JapaneseConversation, Stamp
Rally, Amusement forChildren, Taiwanese
Tea Ceremony- Introduction to Int’l
Cooperation/FriendshipGroupsOrganized by
Meguro International Friendship Association (MIFA)
Co-organized by
Meguro City, Eco-life Meguro Promotion Association
Managed by
The 12th MIFA International Exchange Festival Committee

Viewing Mt. Fuji in Meguro City
Foreign Residents Information DeskCONTENTS
1. MIFA Festival
Mt. Fuji
2. Culture and Life

Mt. Fuji is one of the popular sights in Japan good forclimbing and viewing from distance. It was registeredon the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2013. Although
there is about 100km distance between Mt. Fuji andTokyo, you can see extremely beautiful Mt. Fuji in themorning and evening of a dry and sunny day inwinter. Furthermore, there is a ‘miniature Mt. Fuji’you can climb in Meguro City.

On the rooftop of theMeguro City Hall building
Mt. Fuji is seen westward
from the rooftop garden.
The garden is wellmaintained, and is an
excellent example ofrooftop greening. Why don’t you visit there when you
come to the City Hall?
Open: from 9am to 4:30pm Monday through Friday, closed on
rainy days.
Address: 2-19-15 Kamimeguro
7 min walk from Tokyu Toyoko line Nakameguro station‘Miniature Mt. Fuji’ you can climb in Meguro City
Mt. Fuji has long been an object of worship by many
Japanese. In Edo (former name of Tokyo) era in
17C~19C, a lot of miniature Mt. Fuji’s were made inTokyo for ordinary people who never had a chance toclimb real Mt. Fuji. In the 21st century, a miniature
Mt. Fuji is inherited andreproduced in Ohashi
Hikawa shrine in MeguroCity. You can climb itfrom the first station,and reach the summit in
two minutes following
the signboards.
Address: 2-16-21 Ohashi
5 min walk from Tokyu Denentoshi line Ikejiriohashi station

2 | Kaleidoscope MEGURO January 2018

Hinamatsuri (Doll Festival)
It is a festival held on March 3rd to pray for girls’
health and happiness, and is also called Momo noSekku (Peach Festival).
Hina ningyo (Hina Dolls)
A set of dolls representing the emperor, empress,attendants and musicians in ancient court dress, andpieces of furniture are displayed on the tiered
platforms together with, hishimochi (diamond shaped
rice cake), and peach blossoms.
The display differs
according to the district.

Kaleidoscope MEGURO January 2018 | 3
Mamemaki (Bean scattering practice )Beans, usually soybeans, are oblation to the springgods on the eve of setsubun, grilled beans arescattered inside and outside
the house, and people say“oni wa soto, fukuwa uchi”(Out with demons! Got ingood luck!) three times eachat each room of the house.
When mamemaki is finished,
it is customary for family
members to eat the same number of beans as theirage, and to pray for happiness throughout the year.
You might like to experience mamemaki, which isheld at Meguro Fudo Ryusenji on February 3rd.

Japanese Language Classes
in Meguro City
If you are to learn Japanese from scratch, or to brushup your communication skills in Japanese, please beaware that there are nine Japanese language classes
run by volunteer-based organizations in Meguro. And
they all are the registered members of Meguro
International Friendship Association (MIFA).

6. Meguro UNESCO Japanese ClassGroup lessons organized three terms a year fordifferent fluency levels
http://www.unesco.or.jp/meguro/
Email: meguro@unesco.or.jp
Tel & Fax:
03-5430-5952 (Fujisaki), 03-3717-7418 (Yoshitake)7. “Let’s Speak Japanese”
Small group lessons and cultural events

http://speak-jp.jugem.jp/
You could either choose a class from time and location
Email: nihongonet.meguro@gmail.com
that are good for you, or what your objective oflearning Japanese is. Here is a list of those classes
8. Midorigaoka Japanese Chatwith brief description for your reference:
Person-to-person conversation and culturalevents

For celebration people
drink shirozake (madewith rice malt and sake).

http://midorigaoka-chat.jimdo.com/
Email: nanaosy385@yahoo.co.jp

The details of each class can be found in
MIFA’s Web site:

You can see thetraditional seven tiered
hina ningyo display in thehouse of formerly owned
by Kuriyama family. It islocated in Suzume noOyado Park in Himonya.

http://www.mifa.jp/mifa2/nihongo2/
nihongo2.htmⓒ 厄除け・厄祓い神社どっとこむ
Tel: 03-3714-4882
Address: Himonya 3-11-22
just near the Himonya 3-chome bus stop,
5 min walk from Himonya Hachimangu Shrine.

Setsubun
Setsubun (The day before the first day of spring)
The term setsubun was originally referred to as adivision (bun) of season (setsu), and later widelyinterpreted as the day before the first day of spring(risshun). As it was near the New Year’s Day of theancient lunar calendar, it became a representative
spring event.
In the evening of setsubun, people welcome thegods that bring in spring, and wish for rich harvestand safety for rice farmers.
Onioi (The practice of dispeling demons)
Onioi and yakuotoshi are the traditional ceremonies
to dispel demons when people invite in the gods.
They were observed at first in the imperial court andgradually spread to local shrines and temples.
Yaikagashi (Sprigs of Holly and grilled heads of sardine)
Yaikagashi is a traditional rite to drive away demons,
where people hang leaves and heads of sardine at
the front door of the house wishing for good fortune
and health of the family.
This is a Kyoto tradition
dating back to the Heianperiod. Sharp and smelly
things were thought todrive demons away fromentering the house.

Meguro Fudo Ryusenji
Tel: 03-3712-7549- 15 min walk from Megurofudomae station of Tokyu Meguroline- taking a bus from JR Gotanda station #72 Shibuya, toMegurofudo-keidai bus stop

Let’s go for the Discount Sale!
In Japan, most department stores, shopping malls,
electronics discount stores and other retail storeshave large-scale discount called “bargain sale” or“clearance sale” in January and July.
The winter bargain held in January and February canbe called the final sale following the Christmas, end ofyear and new year sale. When this sale ends, stores
will replace winter goods with spring ones.

uritsukushi

You may expect a huge price reduction of
the winter wears. In February, anotherdiscount sale called uritsukushi will beapplied to the remaining merchandise.

As cold days continue in January and February, youwill still need a coat and a heavy jacket. You might belucky enough to find a real bargain of rather
expensive winter wears,
if you go to the saleduring this time of theyear.

1. International Communication NetworkKomaba Japanese Language Class
Small group lessons meant for int'l students
residing in Todai lodge or TiTech dorm
Email: midorino@nifty.com

2. Aruku-kai
Small group lessons by the certified teachers
http://aruku-kai.jimdo.com
Email: arukukai_nihongo@yahoo.co.jp

3. Japanese Conversation Salon by MIFADAY TIME / NIGHT TIME
Person-to-person conversation to support nonJapanese residents
http://www.mifa.jp
Email: info@mifa.jp

4. Japanese Language Group “DONGURI”
Person-to-person lessons open to student’s
requesthttps://sites.google.com/site/megurodonguri/home
Email: dongurinewentry@googlegroups.com

5. Japanese Language Group “CRAYONS”
Children allowed
Person-to-person or small group lessons andcultural events
http://www006.upp.so-net.ne.jp/crayons/
Email: nihongo_crayons@yahoo.co.jp

St. Valentine’s Day in Japan
Nowadays there are noones who don’t know
about St.Valentine’s Day
on the February 14th. InJapan, it’s said thatwomen will confess theirfeelings to the person
they like with chocolates.
The chocolate presented with such feeling is called
Honmei choco and men look forward to them.
In Japan we also have the custom which women givechocolates to those who have always been helpful tothem. For example Giri choco to male friends, Tomo
choco to female friends, Sewa choco to all of those
who have been very helpful. Men might be nervous
about what kind of chocolate they would receive,
however every chocolate is full of gratitude, so please
accept the chocolate regardless of its type andappreciate it.
Perhaps it is a good opportunity
for women to give their thanks
to someone whom they’re in
debt with. February could be
defined as the coldest month of
the year and it is wonderful foreveryone to be able to feel thewarmth thanks to the
chocolates which are filled withgratitude.