FOR FOREIGN RESIDENTS--ENGLISH

The Guide for Living in Japan - Written for Foreign Residents

To Foreign Residents

Consultation and Information

If you have something that you need help with, and you don't know where you should go or do, if you are able to speak Japanese, please go to Seikatsu anzen-ka who is located in your local City Hall Office.
However, if you do not speak Japanese, and you do not know a person who can interpret for you, there is a place you may contact that can introduce you to someone from our International Affairs Office who can interpret in your language.

Community Advancement Division - Resident Consultant TEL 6489-6400
International Affairs Division TEL 6489-6017
Amagasaki-shi Higashi Nanamatsu-cho 1-Chome 23-1

Also, the Hyogo Prefecture International Affairs Cooperative Headquarters also consults in matters relating to the concerns of foreigners living in Hyogo Prefecture. You may contact the office at the address and phone number below.

Hyogo Prefecture Foreign Resident Information Center TEL (078) 382-2052
Kobe City Chuo-ku Higashi Kawasaki-cho 1-Chome 1-3 Kobe Crystal Tower 6th Floor

F.M. Amagasaki (Frequency 82.0MHz / Name:FM AiAi)
	The "Amagasaki Town Guide" is broadcasted in 6 languages: English, Chinese, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish, and Vietnamese. The program broadcasts announcements from Amagasaki City. For more information contact the City Hall Public Information Division TEL 6489-6021 *To be able to contact the office, if you are not able to speak in Japanese, please have someone there who can interpret for you.

FM Amagasaki

Monday	Chinese	7:00p.m. - 7:20p.m.
Tuesday	Korean
Wednesday	Portuguese
Thursday	Spanish
Friday	Vietnamese
Saturday	English

Alien Registration

Whenever one enters or is born in Japan, it is not only necessary to make a new registration of living location with your local city hall or prefectural office, but it is also necessary for an already registered foreign resident to register every change of living location or other change of registration status with the city hall or prefectural office in that location. Furthermore, in the case of new and changed residence registration, and also proceedings pertaining to visa extension permits, general permanent residency, issues relating to the Family Registration Law, and the creation of a Certificate of Alien Registration, please contact the address or phone number provided below.
*To be able to contact the office, if you are not able to speak in Japanese, please have someone there who can interpret for you.

For matters relating to Alien Registration call: (City Hall Resident's Division TEL 6489-6414)

For any questions about application for the Alien Registration and the publication of the Alien Registration Card please contact the City Hall Resident's Office.

The necessary materials to register for the creation or new registration of any Alien Registration Card are a passport and 2 4.5x3.5 cm passport photos. (Necessary for any foreign resident 16 and over.)

For more information about the items mentioned related to the Alien Registration Card, please call:(City Hall Resident's Office TEL 6489-6414)

There are other offices that are able to answer your questions about applying, however, the applicant must be present, or with his parent(s) with whom he lives, or a guardian(s) who can prove legal authority over the aforementioned applicant.

For different issues relating to family registration because of marriage, birth, and so on, also call: (City Hall Resident's Office TEL 6489-6410)
For issues relating to the entry into elementary school or junior high school and transfer students, please call: (City Hall Educational Office TEL 6489-6736)
For issues relating to the renewal of residency in Japan or general permanent residency, please call: (Osaka Immigration Office -Kobe TEL (078)391-6377)
*Kobe Chuo-Ku Kaigan-doori(Located inside the Kobe Area Office)

Emergencies and Fires

In an emergency
In the case of sudden illness, major injury, or a fire, please call the Fire Department (Emergency number: 119). Both ambulances and fire trucks are without charge. However, if the injury is minor, please call a taxi, drive your own vehicle (if possible) or ride in a friend's vehicle to your local hospital.
- How to call 119 (Fire and Ambulance)
  1. Dial the correct number (there is no charge).
  2. Say either "kah-ji" (fire) or "Q, Q" (emergency).
  3. State the city, approximate address, and your name, and some landmarks around where you are, if possible. (To locate the approximate address, find the plastic placard on the corner of buildings that states the area, the chome [street number], and the number. Most of the placards are located at the intersections of roads and have English written on the bottom.
  4. When you hear the word "wakarimashita," hang up and wait for help to arrive.
  *If you cannot speak Japanese well, try to call someone to help you talk to the operator and explain the situation for you.
- Medical Care Center (Nights and Holidays are EMERGENCY CARE ONLY) Mizudo-cho 3-Chome 15-20 TEL 6436-8701
During holidays and nights, medical care institutions are usually closed, however in the case of sudden illness and the like, the aforementioned medical care center is able to diagnose any emergency. Please remember to bring your National Insurance Booklet.

Medical Care Center (Nights and Holidays are EMERGENCY CARE ONLY)
Medical Division	Examination Times
Internal Medicine Pediatrics	Monday to Friday - 9pm until 6am of the next day Saturdays - 4pm until 6am of the next day Sundays/Holidays - 9am until 6am of the next day
Ear, Nose, and Throat	Sundays/Holidays - 9am until 4pm
Ophthalmology (Eyes)	Sundays/Holidays -9am until 4pm
During the New Year's Holidays ? 9am until 6am the next day

*If you cannot speak Japanese, please try to bring someone who can interpret for you.

Police

When you encounter a crime or a traffic accident, please inform the police (Emergency number: 110). Dial this number correctly, and then inform the operator of the city, location and landmarks where you are located, and your name. Do not interfere with or disturb the accident or crime scene, and follow the police's directions after they arrive.
*If you cannot speak English well, try to call someone to help you talk to the operator and explain the situation for you.

Disaster

Typhoon/Torrential Rain

From June until September, Japan sometimes experiences torrential rains or typhoons. Please listen or watch for TV or radio weather broadcasts and warnings in case bad weather or typhoons approach.
- Precautions in case of bad weather...
1. Make sure your residence is prepared for the storm.
2. Prepare for loss of electricity(Flashlights/Candles/Transistor Radio)
3. Check around your residence and remove anything that might impede water flow.
4. Make sure you know your local evacuation center (Elementary/Junior/High School/etc...)
- If a typhoon approaches...
  1. Watch or listen for weather forecasts, updates, and warnings from TV or radio.
  2. Apply plastic tape to windows to prevent them from breaking and being blown into rooms.
  3. Prepare for water outage by having food and water ready.

Earthquakes

Earthquakes are impossible to predict. To reduce the damage caused by earthquakes to the minimal extent, it is important to prepare ahead of time for them.
- Precautions for earthquakes...
1. Be careful to check all of the stone and concrete structures of your residence (including supports and foundation).
2. Fix all furniture or heavy appliances that are likely to fall to the walls or the floor, and do not place heavy objects in a high place.
3. Check your fire alarm(s) and fire extinguisher(s).
- When an earthquake occurs...
  1. Turn off all of the gas plugs in your residence, turn off any heaters, and extinguish any fires (if they occur).
  2. Hide yourself under any sturdy piece of furniture or structure, be ready to exit your residence via an emergency exit, and check if others around you are safe.
  3. Listen to or watch for any emergency service (be it TV, radio, or your local authorities), and in case of evacuation, proceed to your local designated evacuation area.
Preparation of an emergency evacuation bag

Prepare a bag in case it is necessary for you (and your family) to evacuate, so that you are able to sustain and treat yourselves.

The example contents of an emergency evacuation bag (Picture file - 27KB)

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