The Newsletter for Foreign Residents
March 2023, Vol.84

Preparing to Enter School andSchool Life･･･P1

We Can Chip in for SDGs
～Ever Thought of “ethical consumption”?

･･･P2,3

Would You Like to Grow Vegetables?

･･･P4

People －Interview－･･･P5

Save on Utility Bills/Letter from the Editor ･･･P6
Himeji Cultural and International Exchange Foundation
Letter from the Editor – newsletter editing volunteers･･･P6

Preparing to Enter School and School Life
April is the beginning of the school year and here is an introduction of how the Japanese preparefor school life.
Clothing for School Entrance Ceremony
Both children and their guardians should choose clothes that are not too casual, such as suits anddresses. For women, the preferable attire are clothes that cover their knees and elbows.
Preparing to Enter School
Textbooks are free in elementary and junior high school.
Things to purchase before entering school:
Uniform, school bag, additional school bag, cap, indoor shoes, gym clothes andany additional supplies the school may request.
*If you are unsure of what to purchase, make sure to ask the school beforehand.
Things to purchase after entering school:
Arithmetic set, painting set, calligraphy set, sewing kit, keyboard harmonica, recorder, swimsuit,etc.
◆Other things to keep in mind during school・Expenses such as school lunch will be collected during each month or semester. You will need abank account of a bank that the school uses.
・There is no school lunch on Sports Day or field trips, so you will need to pack your own lunch.
School event information will be written in the school newsletter or on their website.
・Please write your name on all of your child’s belongings (including each pencil). Name stickers willbe quite useful.
・Students clean the classrooms by themselves so they will need a cleaning cloth known as a Zokin.
・If you bring your water bottle, please only fill it with water or tea.
・If you receive a school apron from the school, please wash and iron it
after your child’s final use and return it.
・Students will head to school in groups, be sure to confirm the place andtime of pickup for your child. In addition, guardians take turns to help
guide the children at crosswalks to before and after school. This is called “Hata-toban”.
-1-

We Can Chip in for SDGs～Ever Thought of “ethical consumption”?～
The term “ethical consumption” refers to environmentally-friendly consumption (includinghumans). Chances are that our attitudes toward daily shopping result in an unfair society. For
example, we see some cases of illegal labor and environmental destruction happening in theprocesses for the sake of producing various products such as food. Some examples of ethicalconsumption include usings reusable bags and bottles, as well as conserving energy; however,there must be some other things that we can do, for example…
〇Purchasing “fair-trade” products“Fair-trade” products have a label attached on them. It is aninternational trademark possessed and licensed by Fairtrade
International Organization. Among the products which are offeredat low prices are those which are produced in developing countries
where the cost of materials and labor is low. On some occasions,workers are not duly paid for the prices to remain low. The purposeof fair-trade is to improve the working environment and living

The FAIRTRADE Markconditions of the workers by purchasing their products atappropriate prices.
〇Consuming locally grown products
Consumers can purchase fresh farm produce at reasonable prices in their own communities.
It does not require a large transport cost which makes it environmentally friendly and it gives
profit to the local producers.
〇Select organic products
Organic products are good to eat, do not cause skin irritation and are freeof chemicals. “Yuuki” is the Japanese word for “organic.” These products
help protect the Earth’s ecosystems.
Listed below are some more examples of “ethical consumption.”・ Purchasing products made of recycled materials and energy efficient (environmentallyfriendly) products.
・Purchasing products made from disaster-stricken areas. (Devastated area support)
・Purchasing products made at welfare institutions. (Self-independence support for the disabled)
・Purchasing goods which provide donations to the communities who make them.

-2-

Certification marks will help you to choose ethical products. Take notice of the marks listed
below and you can join in the movement to be more environmentally conscious.
Eco Mark
This mark guarantees that the product does little harm to the environment
through the entire process from production to disposal, and therefore, helps topreserve the environment.
“Recycled Milk Carton” MarkThis mark is put on products which use recycled milk cartons as materials.
Green MarkIn principle, this mark shows that over 40% of the products materials come fromrecycled paper waste. (As for toilet paper, 100%, and over 50% for newspapermaterial and printing paper)
Recyclable MarkWhen you dispose of products with the below-mentioned marks, use them to proper separate
your garbage.

Let’s get to know SDGs’ Goals!
11. Sustainable Cities and Communities
Livable circumstances which allow every inhabitant easy access to a decent
and appropriately priced house, and proper public services. The realization ofthe community that every individual can participate without prejudice.
12. Responsible Consumption and Production
Producing and consuming only the required amount of the needed item. This
helps to minimize the negative impact on the environment in the wholeprocess of material-procurement, production of goods, and disposal of them.

-3-

Would You Like to Grow Vegetables?
In March, it is finally the return of spring in Japan. The warm days continue, animals and plantsthat have been dormant in the soil until now will resurface. It's a great season to plant vegetables
and flowers. You can also grow your own pesticide-free vegetables so that you can eat your favorite
vegetables safely. Let's have an enriching life by watching the daily growth and enjoying the harvest.
Various ways of raising and enjoying vegetables
・ You can buy vegetable seeds and seedlings at home centers and grownthem in pots or planters. Vegetables such as green onions, mini
tomatoes, green peppers, etc. are all great choices.
・ By planting vines of vegetables with vines such as bitter gourd, loofah,and cucumber on the window sill, it is possible to reduce the increase
your room temperature in summer. Refreshing to the eyes and you
can relax in a cooler room.
・ You can also grow potatoes, radishes, etc., in a sturdy and durable bag.
If you want to start farming more seriously…
There are community gardens and recreation farms where you can experience farming throughout
the year. In Himeji, there are 3 community gardens: each have parking lots, toilets and a watersupply. They also hold exchange meetings and cultivation seminars. There are about 50 recreationalfarms as well.

community gardens

recreation farms

If you want a simple harvest experience...
There are many tourist farms in Himeji city where you can experience harvesting seasonal
vegetables and fruits (strawberries, potatoes, sweet potatoes, etc.).

-4-

Ms. Celeste Plak (Netherlands）
Ms. Plak is a Dutch national women's volleyball player.
She helped her team finish fourth at the Rio de Janeiro
Olympics. Since 2021, she has been based in Himeji City as
an outside hitter for "Victorina Himeji" in the V League 1stDivision.

Q What was your childhood like?
A I grew up in Tuitjenhorn, a town about 40km away from the capital city of Amsterdam. It is avery calm and nice town near the sea with thriving agriculture and livestock. As I was a child,
I used to pick flowers in the tulip fields. If you remove the flower stalks soon after they bloom,
you get good bulbs. I have also ridden on the back of a tractor and helped harvest cabbage.
Q Why did you become a volleyball player?
A All my family have a background in sports. My father was a Muay Thai World Champion. I
started learning Judo when I was 6 years old, and then I started playing volleyball. When I wasa student, I was also interested in soccer, but eventually decided to play volleyball. It is an indoor
sport, also it felt that volleyball is a sport where all the team work together even more.
Q What is your impression of Himeji?
A In Netherlands, Japan is famous for "Pokemon, Sushi and Ninja". I used to watch Japanese
anime on TV. I was interested in cultures and customs that differed from those of the West. I
came to Japan without researching much. When I came to Himeji, I thought that Himeji Castle
and other traditional architecture and crafts were wonderful. Also, there are many young people,
and they are full of energy, which makes me feel great as well.

Q What are some of your goals and would you like to give a message to your young fans?
A My current goal now is to contribute more to my team's victory. I want to study Japanese moreand communicate better with my teammates. Also, I would like to be a role model for thechildren watching. Everyone, never give up on your dreams. I am glad that I did not give up onmine. Believe in yourself and follow your heart.

-5-

Save on Utility Bills
Rising utility bills expenses like your electricity fee can put a dent in household budgets.
Reviewing your contract’s amperage and energy contract content could help you lower yourpayments. You can take advantage of special discount plans by receiving multiple services fromthe same provider, such as electricity and gas set discounts as well as electricity and smartphone
set discounts.
On the other hand, water rates have not increased in Himeji City since 2020. That charge,along with your sewer bill is paid every two months.

Disaster Prevention Vocabularyof This Issue

Letter fromthe Editor

しん ど

震度 (shindo) Seismic intensity: the degree of shaking causedby an earthquake at a certain point.

けい ちつ“啓蟄 （ Keichitsu ）” is a wordthat symbolizes spring. This is

マグニチュード Magnitude: the scale of earthquake itself

when the animals awake fromEx) Shindo is 1, Magnitude is 2.
Even earthquakes with a small scale of “magnitude” can havethe larger “seismic intensity”. It is because that the closer thedistance from the epicenter, the stronger the ground shakes.

hibernation for the warmerweather. Why don’t you gocherry blossom viewing andhiking?

People Who Cooperated in Creating This Newsletter
Japanese: MIYAMOTO Mika, KUNIMITSU Minako, HONJO Masako, SHIGETA Fusako,
MOCHIZUKI Toshiharu,
English: MORITA Chika, FUKUI Kenzo, TOKURA Wakana, MUKHYOPADHYAY Maitreya,
WADA Suzuka, LYN Yannick
These names are used with the contributors’ permission. Their assistance is much appreciated.

You can read previous issues of “VIVA! ひめじ” on the websiteof Himeji Cultural and International Exchange Foundation
International Exchange Section.

Contact Information
Himeji Cultural and International
Exchange Foundation

The next issue will be available in June, 2023.

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