The Nagoya International Center has provided information to foreign residents since its establishment in 1984, and responds to over 40,000 inquiries annually. Below are answers to some of the most frequently asked
questions about living in Nagoya. For a more in depth look, please take a look at our extensive Daily Living Guide.
Drivers beware! As of April special parking spaces aimed exclusively for the elderly, pregnant, and handicapped have been introduced across the country. The special parking zones are located in regular no-parking zones and without an eagle eye and knowledge of kanji
are hard to distinguish from regular roadside parking spaces.
The central government will be providing a monthly allowance of 13,000 Yen for every child of middle school age or younger (regardless of nationality) in Japan during the 2010 / 11 fiscal year.
- Dial 119 - Calling the Emergency Services - How to perform CPR
- How to use an AED
- Other Useful First Aid Treatment ? fractures, burns, bleeding, & heatstroke
- Emergency Medical Information
The benefits are simple - If your bicycle is stolen it is more likely to be found and being caught riding a bicycle that is not registered in your name can land you in hot water.
If you live in an apartment in the middle of the City growing a garden on a small balcony offers different challenges to a regular backyard but you can still enjoy the wonders of gardening, create a little bit more privacy, and amaze yourself with your own
home-grown vegetables.
Parking your bicycle was once easy. Now leave your bicycle in a restricted zone it will probably be taken away by the authorities. bicycle parking zones and have been converting their bicycle parking areas to "paid parking" facilities.
From April 1, 2010 the Nagoya City city tax offices will be restructuring. Inquiries and processing of city tax (shizei市税) will only be accepted at the 3 main offices and 3 branch offices listed here.
On January 16, 2010 the NIC held a free seminar and information session for the foreign familes of children who will be starting school in April. The seminar guide is now available in
ENGLISH on our
website in a PDF format.
Which month of the year sees the most traffic accidents? The answer is off course December. It is probably no coincidence that this monthly blip in accidents comes at a the time of year that many people out there will be flouting the drink & drive laws.
In November 2009, two schemes were launched - one national, one local - both with the aim of encouraging consumers to get into the habit of recycling electrical goods that previously were regarded as useless garbage as soon as they became defunct.
Lost & Found - Back home and lose your keys, wallet, passport, mobile, or umbrella, and they would be gone forever. But in Japan these items and thousands usually find their way to a
lost and found center.
Eco Points
As part of the government's economic stimulus package, the government has launched an Eco-points plan to encourage purchases of energy-efficient home electronics.
Metabolic Syndrome & Health Checks
- ever had a health check in Japan, got the results, and but couldn't get your head around Japanese medical terminology?
Learning from the Past: Typhoons
2009 marks the 50th anniversary of Ise Wan Typhoon - the strongest typhoon to hit Japan in recorded history.
Elementary School Enrollments
Were you aware that children of foreign nationality can enroll in public elementary schools?
If you live in Nagoya City and would like your child to attend a Nagoya City public elementary school from April 2010, you can apply at your local ward office.
Air Conditioners & Dehumidifiers
As you may know, Japan can be dreadfully hot and humid in the summer. Depending on where you have come from, you may or may not be equipped with the knowledge to deal with such high levels of humidity. Following are some ideas to help you survive
the hot summer months.
Dealing with Heat Stroke
Many foreign visitors to Japan, particularly those from cooler climates, are unused to high temperatures and do not cope well with intense heat.
Left untreated, heat exhaustion can develop into potentially lethal heat stroke, so it's important to be aware of the signs
Finding Employment
Finding work in Japan can be difficult if you don't know where to look. Foreign language teaching jobs, particularly English, as well as IT related positions or technical related positions are always in high demand.
■Meitetsu & JR Monthly Commuter Passes Ever wondered why every commuter except you has a special monthly pass? If you commute daily between 2 stations - by JR or Meitetsu - it may be well worth your while.
■Drive Across Japan for a 1000Yen!
From March 28, 2009, the maximum toll for passenger cars on regional expressways across most of Japan will be reduced to 1000 Yen for unlimited distance on weekends and national holidays.
■Digital Broadcast TV!
Digital broadcasting areas are being gradually expanded to more rural and remote areas of the country. Current analogue broadcasts will be discontinued after July 24, 2011.
Have you switched over?
■International Food Shops Wondering where you can buy those groceries you crave for and other stuff from home? Here are a couple of shops that might help you solve that craving!
My company advised me to get an inkan. Tell me what I should know.
■English-speaking Gynecologists in Nagoya Most major city hospitals have a combinedObstetrics and Gynecology Department and there are several
specialist clinics in and around Nagoya that have services in English
The Nagoya International Center deals with thousands inquiries each year from foreign residents encountering problems with their daily lives. Nic writes a regular advice column in the
Nagoya Calendar magazine
and its sister mail magazine. Advice printed in previous issues is archived here.
