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269,166 (-172)

131,607 (-96)

137,559 (-76)

108,286 (+58)

Major Features: Many Happenings in Nagaoka in 2019 --------------------------------------- 2 Office Hours during the Year-End and the New Year’s Holidays ----- 3 Trash Collection Days during the Year-End and the New Year’s Holidays -------- 3 Seasonal Events ----------------------------------------------------------------------6 Things You Should Keep in Mind during Winter Months -------------- 7 Major Emergency Medical Facilities -----------------------------------------8 A Guide to School Enrollment -------------------------------------------------8

Vol. 343

December 2019

Population and Households As of November 1st, 2019

(compared to the previous month)

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)

Kofukuji Temple

Hoshino Honten (Miso and Shoyu Producer)

Hasegawa Sake Brewery

Settaya Park

Old Mikuni Highway

Koshino Murasaki (Soy Sauce Producer)

Kina Saffron Liqueur Brewery

Asahiya Bakery

Hoshiroku (Miso Producer)

Yoshinogawa Sake Brewery

Gangi Covered Sidewalk

Akiyama Takashi Poster Art Museum

The thick-walled fire-proof earthen building owned by the Kina Saffron Liqueur Brewery in Settaya is elaborately decorated with colorful flowers, birds, and animals. The artwork, called kote-e, is created by applying colorful plaster on white walls with a kote (plasterer’s trowel).

FARM 8

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January 9th Nagaoka-Based Technological Innovation Projects - A Robot Manufacturing Entrepreneur The city’s project to help students launch new businesses has welcomed the birth of the first student- entrepreneur.

April 13th Niigata ALBIREX BB Won Their First Divisional Title In their third year in the B. League, the Niigata ALBIREX team won the divisional championship.

June 30th Mayor ISODA Tatsunobu Addressed the U.S. Conference of Mayors The U.S, Conference of Mayors was held in Honolulu from June 28th to July 1st, 2019. Mayors of approximately 1,400 American cities with a population of over 30,000 belong to the conference. At the commemorative recep-tion held on the USS Missouri Memorial Museum, Mayor Isoda talked to nearly 1,000 attendees about the peace-oriented exchange programs being held between the sister cities of Nagaoka and Honolulu.

July 9th- 16th

A Second Training Camp in Nagaoka Led to “A Medal Rush.” The Australian Swimming Team held a training camp in Nagaoka, their host town, to prepare for the 2019 FINA World Championships. They also offered a special training session to 300 local young swimmers.

August 16th - 18th The RoboCup Japan Open 2019 In the nationwide robot contest, 59 teams consisting of 408 contestants competed with each other using their cutting-edge technology in three events including soccer games played by autonomous robots equipped with an artificial intelligence system. Approximately 32,000 people visited the com-petition site over the three days. The team named Nexis-R from the Nagaoka University of Technolo-gy finished third among the 12 teams in the rescue event.

August 2nd and 3rd Phoenix Fireworks Soared High Celebrating the 15th Anniversary The 2019 Nagaoka Festival Grand Fireworks Show drew a total of approximately 1.08 million specta-tors, an all-time high, for the two-night show. Phoenix Fireworks soared high in a show of appreciation celebrating the 15th anniversary of Phoenix Fireworks, this year’s breathtaking super-wide star mine fireworks display, including some blue phoenixes.

October 13th The Highest Water Level Ever Recorded Typhoon No.19 brought the Shinano River and its many tributaries to the highest water level ever recorded. Unprecedented amounts of rainfall in upstream regions caused a massive rise of the Shinano and its many tributaries due to what’s called the backwater phenomenon.

October 26th Koshiji Momiji no Chaya Opened Maple Leaf Tea House opened to attract more visitors to Momijien (Maple Garden) in the Koshiji district. Visitors can enjoy purchasing special local products at the tea house, while admiring beauti-ful red maple leaves.

October 23rd

The 15th Year Since the Great Chuetsu Earthquake Various memorial events were held in central Nagaoka and the Yamakoshi and Kawaguchi districts. Thanks to citizens’ efforts to restore the disaster-stricken communities and the great support provided by numerous groups and volunteers, we have been able to rebuild Nagaoka into its current state. We will share with future generations the lessons we acquired from our experiences during the catastro-phe.

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Office Hours during the Year-End and the New Year’s Holidays

Offices

Dates Dec. 29 (Sun.) |

Dec. 30 (Mon.) Dec. 31 (Tue.)

| Jan. 3 (Fri.)

Jan. 4 (Sat.)

General Information Desks 1st Floor, East Wing

City Hall Plaza – Aôre Nagaoka 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Closed 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

West Service Center (Riverside Senshu)

10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Closed 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. East Service Center

(Across Plaza Nagaoka)

Nagaoka Civic Center 9:00 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. Closed

Trash Collection Days during the Year-End and the New Year’s Holidays

December 28 (Sat.) – January 6 (Mon.) The types of trash to be collected are different from the usual schedule. Please check Gomi Karenda, the Calendar of Trash Collection Days. Copies of the multi-lingual Cal-endar of Trash Collection Days for different areas are available at the Nagaoka City International Affairs Center, Chikyû Hiroba in the Nagaoka Civic Center on Ote Street. December 31 (Tues.) – January 3 (Fri.) Trash will not be collected. Trash cannot be put out during this period.

January and February Twigs, leaves, and grass will not be collected. January, February, and March Used clothing and pieces of cloth will not be collected. Please note that trash can be put out only on the designat-ed days for your neighborhood.

Please note that the trash collection schedule during the Year-End and the New Year’s Holidays is different from the usual schedule.

Keep Safety in Mind When Using Kerosene Heaters

・Be sure to ventilate your room. ・Turn off kerosene heaters when refilling their kerosene tanks. ・Do not place any flammable objects around space heaters. ・Do not dry your laundry using space heaters. ・Do not move space heaters while they are on. ・Do not place the heater near doors or curtains.

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The 2nd term of classes for the 2019 fiscal year is being offered from October 2019 to March 2020. A free trial lesson will be offered. Please call ahead.

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.

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

Basic Level Ⅱ - Class 2 Minna no Nihongo Basic Level I Vol. Ⅱ (Lesson 37 – Lesson 50) 11:45 a.m. – 1:45 p.m. (120 minutes)

Nihongo Hiroba

Japanese Learning Program

Nihongo Kôza

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

Dec. 3, 6, 10, 13, 17, 20, 24, 27 ¥1,600

Jan. 7, 10, 14, 17, 21, 24, 28, 31 ¥1,600

Feb. 4, 7, 14, 18, 21, 25, 28 ¥1,400

March 3, 6, 10, 13, 17, 24, 27 ¥1,400 Dec. 1, 15, 22 ¥1,200 Jan. 5, 12, 19, 26 ¥1,600 Feb. 2, 9, 16 ¥1,200 March 1, 8, 15, 22 ¥1,600

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

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

E-mail: kouryu-c@city.nagaoka.lg.jp

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: 9:00 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. Every Day Consultations in Vietnamese: 10:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. 1st and 3rd Sundays of Every Month

Saturday, January 25 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Nagaoka Kioku Mirai, 2F Phoenix Ote East, Ote Street Admission: Free Participants: 70 on a first-come, first-served basis Reservations are required. Programs:

・Hands-on Experience of Rice Cake Pounding and Tasting

・Many Other Fun Programs Registration Period: Dec. 9 (Mon.) – Jan. 11 (Sat.) Please sign up with your name, phone number, and nationality at Chikyû Hiroba. http://www.city.nagaoka.niigata.jp/kurashi/cate13/chikyuhiroba_en/index.html January 25, 2019

Cross-Cultural New Year Get-Together International residents and Nagaokans are welcome to enjoy many fun programs. Come and join us!

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Winter Illumination ・Saturdays and Sundays Dec. 1 – Dec. 22 ・Dec. 23 (Mon.), Dec. 24 (Tues.), and Dec. 25 (Wed.)

Hours: 4:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. For further information: Echigo Hillside Park Phone: 0258-47-8001

Seasonal Events

Echigo Kyûryô Kôen (Hillside Park)

Safety Tips for Snowy Months

Warning against Traffic Accidents for Drivers

Driving between December and March in Nagaoka requires special precautions because snow-packed roads are 4-5 times as slippery as dry pavement. Here are some preparations and precautions to take:

Replace regular tires with studless snow tires. However, neither chains nor snow tires make it safe for you to drive on icy or snow-covered roadways at normal speeds.

Keep a safe distance. The space needed between your car and the cars in front of and behind you is much greater when driving on ice and packed snow than on dry pavement.

Be watchful for pedestrians. Drive at an appropriate speed and start slowing down long before you come to an intersection or before you turn.

Try not to splash the water flowing out of the snow- melting devices called “shôsetsu paipu” while you are driving.

If you keep a shovel in your vehicle, it will be helpful in case your vehicle gets stuck in the snow.

Warnings against Fires

People seem to become busier especially during the Year-End and New Year’s Holiday season and pay less attention to preventing fires. Here are some helpful tips to protect your life and property from fires.

Do not leave flammable materials near space heaters.

Do not leave a cooking stove unattended while it is on.

Do not smoke in bed.

In Nagaoka, we have a lot of snow in winter. To move accumulated snow with a scoop or a shovel to other areas is called yukikaki. Before starting yukikaki, you are advised to warm up first. When doing yukikaki, please take it easy and do not work too hard. Take a break from time to time. Please do not dump snow

on roads. Snow accumulated around your house should not be dumped to other neighboring areas.

This Month’s Useful Japanese Expressions

Yukikaki and Shôsetsu paipu （ゆきかき・しょうせつパイプ / 雪かき・消雪パイプ）

In this section you can get some useful information and learn Japanese expressions useful for your daily life in Nagaoka.

Shôsetsu paipu are sprinklers for melting snow, which spray groundwater from little holes in circular plates in-stalled in the center of many of the city’s roads. It is said that this snow-melting system originated in Nagaoka.

Uonuma International Snowball Fight Feb. 9 (Sun.) 8:45 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Yuki no Koroshiamu in Koide

* 1-minute drive from Kan-Etsu Expressway Koide IC to Hibiki no Mori Kôen Yuki no Koroshiamu (Colosseum)

* Shuttle bus services from JR Koide Station Information: Tourism Division, Uonuma City Office Phone: 025-792-9754 http://seinenbu.uonumakoide.com/yuki/index.html (Applications are available at this site until Dec. 20 (Fri.))

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Things You Should Keep in Mind during Winter Months

（Fuyu no Seikatsu de Ki o Tsukerukoto/冬ふゆ

の生活せいかつ

で気き

をつけること In Nagaoka, it gets very chilly and cold usually from the beginning of December to the end of March.

We will also have a lot of snow. Here is some advice to keep in mind during snowy months.

Keep a shovel and a brush in your car to

remove any snow accumulated on or around

your car before starting to drive.

When it gets very cold and icy, the rubber

parts of your windshield wipers may adhere

to the windshield and they are likely to be

torn apart. It may be a good idea to keep

your windshield wipers up when your car is

parked.

Make sure your winter tires have enough

treads. These grooves help prevent skidding.

You are advised to leave your emergency

brake off because it may freeze during winter

months.

Drive carefully by accelerating, braking, and steering slowly.

Do not ride a bicycle when it snows. Icy

and snow-packed roads are very slippery.

Waterproof and skid-proof boots or shoes

are recommended because snow in Nagaoka

is heavy and wet. In addition, the city’s

roads are mostly wet all the time during

snowy months because of water from snow-

melting pipes.

Wear shoes with skid-proof soles and keep

your hands out of your pockets when walk-

ing, which will help to prevent you from

falling down.

Be careful not to fall into roadside snow- dumping ditches or gutters as they can be very hazardous. When we have a lot of snow, watch out for lumps of snow sliding down from roofs.

Three Hazards in Winter Months

すべります

（滑ります） Suberimasu.

The pavement is slippery.

せまくなります

（狭くなります） Semaku narimasu.

Roads become narrower.

みえなくなります

（見えなくなります） Mienaku narimasu.

You cannot see well.

Preventing Tap Water from Freezing

・Wrap water pipes with thermal insulation and wrap that with plastic tape. It is also helpful to cover pipes with cardboard.

・Drain water out of household water-heaters when it gets extremely cold at night.

・It also helps to keep water dripping from a faucet in a thin flow.

・When water does not run because it is frozen, cover the faucet with a towel and pour warm water slowly over it. Do not use extremely hot or boiling water, which is not safe because you might get burned if it splashes on you or the water pipe may crack.

・If water pipes break, close the stopcock installed near the water gauge box and contact the city’s designated water supply installation service providers (construction companies), which are listed on the following webpage. http://www.city.nagaoka.niigata.jp/kurashi/cate05/jyousui/gyousha_1.html

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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

Emergency Treatment From Dec. 31 (Tues.) to Jan. 3 (Fri.) at the Civic Health Center (Saiwai Plaza – 1F)

Departments Hours Internal Medicine Pediatrics & Surgery Dec. 31 (Tues.) – Jan. 3 (Fri.) 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Dentistry Dec. 31 (Tues.) – Jan. 3 (Fri.) 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

http://www.city.nagaoka.niigata.jp/fukushi/cate01/isya.html

A Guide to School Enrollment

Enrollment in elementary school and junior high school is compulsory in the Japanese educational system. While school enrollment for children of foreign nationals is not compulsory in Japan, they are welcome to apply for it. A guardian whose child was born during the following period can apply for the child’s first-year school enroll-ment which will start in April, 2020. Elementary School For a child born between April 2, 2013 and April 1, 2014 Junior High School For a child born between April 2, 2007 and April 1, 2008 A guardian whose child has enrolled in a Nagaoka City public elementary school will receive a Notice of Admission to a city junior high school in the mid-December.

Enrollment in elementary schools and junior high schools is free of charge. Guardians are responsible for paying for school supplies (except for textbooks, school trips, school lunch, and other necessary things.) The School Attendance Support System provides sub-sidies for elementary and junior high school students from households whose total income for the previous year is lower than the standardized amount. For further information: Gakumu Ka (School Affairs Division) Phone: 0258-39-2239 If you need any language assistance, please contact the staff at the Nagaoka International Affairs Center, Chikyû Hiroba in the Nagaoka Civic Center on Ote Street. (refer to p.4)