7 Things you didn’t know about fish in Japan
Methods of preparing fish such as sashimi, frying, steaming and simmering are well known, but have you ever heard of tataki? There are actually two methods with this name. One is to chop raw horse mackerel or tuna into one-centimeter cubes, garnish them with seasonings such as herbs and miso paste, and mix it all together while cutting the fish into even smaller bits with a knife—or minching with two knives together. When dressed with miso, this dish is called namero, and is a traditional meal consumed by fisher folk in Chiba Prefecture, who take a few moments out of their busy day to eat while out on their boats. The other method is to cut a large fish such as bonito into blocks, skewer the blocks and very briefly sear the surface of the meat, then season it with herbs and eat
In the kanji used for fish names, the character for “fish” is used as a radical placed on the left. In Chinese-Japanese character dictionaries, there are actually 678 kanji that use the “fish” radical. Adding “fish” to katai (hard) forms the character for “bonito” (because bonito become very hard when dried). Adding it to yuki (snow) creates the character for “cod” (because cod come into season in the winter). You’ll often find teacups covered in columns of kanji characters that include the “fish” radical at sushi restaurants.
There are many ways to make sushi associated with various regions in Japan. The style of placing sashimi on bite-sized, oblong balls of vinegared rice, the most familiar style overseas, is called Edomae sushi and was developed mainly in Tokyo. In the Kansai region, the general style was oshizushi (pressed sushi), where you place a piece of fish seasoned in vinegar, such as mackerel, on top of vinegared rice, then press it with a wooden mold. Other styles include sasazushi, which involves placing a fish such as salmon on vinegared rice and then wrapping it in bamboo grass, which has antibacterial properties, allowing it to be preserved for two or three days.
Fugu (blowfish) is a lethally dangerous fish. From ancient times the Japanese people have eaten it, but because it is difficult to completely remove the poisons in its organs, many diners ended up dying. During the sixteenth century, in fact, eating blowfish was banned, but among the citizenry it remained a part of food culture. In 1888, Hirobumi Ito, the first prime minister of Japan, dined on blowfish during a visit to the Shunpanro Inn in Shimonoseki City, Yamaguchi Prefecture. He was so awestruck by its delicious flavor that it led to the lifting of the ban. Only licensed chefs with specialized knowledge and skills are allowed to prepare this fish.
During the New Year’s holiday period, Japanese people typically eat a special type of food called osechi. Among the dishes served are herring roe, shrimp, konbu (kelp) and other seafood known to bring good luck. The large number of seasoned herring eggs making up herring roe is said to be a symbol of prosperity for one’s descendants. Shrimp are said to symbolize the hope of living old enough to have a back just as bent and whiskers just as long as those of a shrimp. Konbu sounds phonetically like kobu from the word yorokobu, which means to be happy. All of these items are packed with meanings expressing good luck or hope for progress, and are staples of New Year’s menus
Until the Edo Period, the custom in Japan was for a samurai or scholar to change his name in accordance with the level of social progress or success he attained. In much the same way, some fish are known by different names at each stage in their development as they grow from a fry to an adult. Buri (yellowtail) begin life as wakashi, later become inada, then warasa, and finally buri. Suzuki (perch) begin life as seigo, become fukko, then suzuki, and finally are called otaro. Because they change their names as they grow older, eating these fish is thought to bolster hopes of advancement, so they are favored as dishes at celebratory occasions.
7.The ultimate delicacies for the fish-loving Japanese
The three famous delicacies of Japan are said to be shio-uni (salted sea urchin, using the gonads as a main ingredient), karasumi (bora [striped mullet] ovaries pickled in salt), and konowata (salted sea cucumber intestines). Other unusual dishes include kuchiko (dried sea cucumber ovaries), shuto (the pickled entrails of such fish as tuna, salmon, sea bream and Pacific saury), and uruka (the salted intestines, ovaries and testicles of the ayu [sweetfish]).]
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The building cleaning field, which cleans the inside of a building, is one of the industrial fields for which the status of residence for specific skills has been granted.
In the building cleaning industry, labor shortages are pointed out every year, and it is expected that the acceptance of foreigners will improve the hiring situation of companies.
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Đối với lĩnh vực chăm sóc, chỉ có kỹ năng cụ thể 1 được chấp nhận. Không có ứng dụng cho 2.
Do đó, 5 là giới hạn trên đối với người nước ngoài có tình trạng cư trú đối với các kỹ năng cụ thể để làm việc.
Trong lĩnh vực chăm sóc điều dưỡng, cũng như các ngành công nghiệp khác, các điểm 3 sau đây là các điều kiện ứng dụng cơ bản.
By taking advantage of the newly created status of residence “specific skills”, the employment opportunities for foreigners in the hotel and hotel accommodation business have been expanded.
If you pass the exam, you will be able to work for up to 5 years regardless of your academic background or work history, and it is thought that a specific skill visa will have a major impact on the lack of labor in the accommodation industry.
Here, we will explain the points for hiring foreigners with specific skills in the accommodation business and the contents of the Japanese language and skills evaluation exams that foreigners will take.
First, let’s look at the current state of the accommodation industry.
The background to the expansion of foreigners’ acceptance is the demand for accommodation due to the increase in foreigners visiting Japan, and the labor shortage due to the decline in the working population.
The government has set a goal to achieve 2020 visits to foreigners in 4000.
As a matter of fact, the number of foreign tourists visiting Japan has been rising year by year as the tourism demand for the Olympics has risen.
In contrast, according to the government’s estimate, there are already 3 labor shortages in the industry.
This is a situation that is still insufficient even in light of work efficiency, productivity improvement by computerization, and employment promotion efforts of women and elderly people.
In light of the increase in the number of travelers in the future,10Inadequate laborIs expected to occur.
In response to the current situation of the labor shortage, the government has received a certain skill foreigner of 5 from the accommodation industry in the future.210,000 X NUM XPeopleIt was decided.
This number is the 14 largest number in the 7 industry sector that accepts certain skills foreigners.
Acceptance is carried out under the jurisdiction of the Tourism Authority of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.
In the application for status of residence, the contents of work for foreigners areImportant point to decide permission / disapproval.
If you do not fall within the defined business scope, your application may be disapproved, so please check in advance.
Below, we will introduce the scope of the business accepted in the hotel business.
The business of the accommodation business recognized by the status of residence of specific skills is the following business related to the provision of accommodation services.
In addition, sale of souvenirs in hall, check and exchange of hall equipment, etc.Do related work togetherNo problem. However, please be aware that it is not permitted to perform only related tasks.
The benefits that a specific skill visa brings to the accommodation business are:The number of foreigners who can obtain work visas has expandedThat’s the point.
Let’s compare the range of the status of residence that you can work with so far and the specific skills in the table.
【Previous Status of Residence and Scope of Specific Skills Visa】
| Type of status of residence (Visa) | front | Planning and PR | Customer service | Restaurant service | Remarks |
| Specific skills | 〇 | 〇 | 〇 | 〇 | Educational background and work history |
| business Administration | × | × | × | × | Only managerial positions etc. involved in management are possible |
| Technology · Humanities · International work | × | 〇 | × | × | Relevant educational or professional background is required. |
| skill | × | × | × | (I.e. | Foreign food cooks can apply. Senior career. |
Up to now, it is possible to obtain a work visa in the accommodation industry, such as planning, public relations and accounting professionals who have acquired relevant educational background.
Or limited to some, such as foreign cooks with skilled skills.
For specific skill visas,Employment of foreigners is possible with the position of field staff.
This will enable foreigners to respond to foreign visitors, such as having a front desk staff capable of multilingual support.
Even in the same hotel business, the type of inn business “Simple post office sales“”Room salesThose that correspond to “can not hire specific skill foreigners.[1] P3 http://www.mlit.go.jp/common/001284808.pdf
In addition, we can not work in facilities such as love hotel which falls under the Sex Sales Act.
As for confirmation of such business form, establishments that employ foreignersPermit of hotel and hotel salesIt is determined by whether you are getting
[Business conditions to which the status of residence of specific skills can not be applied][2] https://www.mhlw.go.jp/bunya/kenkou/seikatsu-eisei04/03.html
In addition, as defined in Article 2 Article 3 of the Sex Sales ActReceptionCan not be performed by certain skilled foreigners.[3] P6 http://www.mlit.go.jp/common/001284808.pdf
Acceptance in the accommodation business is only the specific skill 1.
You do not need to have a specific academic background or career, just like any other status of residence you can work with.
The following 3 points are required of foreigners at the time of application:
In addition, although the specific skills 1 can be transferred on the exam exemption for the completion of skills internship 2, there is no acceptance of technical intern in the accommodation industry at the present time of 2019.
In addition, foreigners who are staying in specific activities (internships) must be careful because they can not take the skills evaluation test described below.
We will explain the details of the Japanese exam and the proficiency test that you have to pass when applying for a specific skills visa for foreigners in the lodging business.
Japanese language ability is judged by the following 2 exams.
For foreigners who wish to work in the Japanese accommodation industry, this exam is a test that measures whether they have the necessary knowledge for business from both writing and practical skills.
General incorporated corporation accommodation skill examination centerHosted by
| Subjects | Your Comments | Questions range |
| Department of test | Mark sheet type for 60 | Knowledge and skills pertaining to front desks for accommodation, planning and public relations, customer service, and restaurant services |
| Practical exam | Judgment test by speaking about 5 minutes |
We have established a minimum line for each subject, with X NUM X% or higher as the pass criteria.
[4]https://www.kankokeizai.com/外国人材特定技能、宿泊業のは初試験は4月国内7ヵ
Foreigners who pass the JLPT / Accommodation Skills Measurement Test and have an employment contract with a business operator can apply for a status of residence for specific skills.
| Test name | Implementer | method | Number of times | 场所 |
| Japanese language proficiency test | [Domestic] Independent administrative institution Japan Foundation | mark sheet | Conducted 2 times a year | Each prefecture |
| 【International】 Japan International Education Support Association | 1 times to 2 times | Confirm with the local implementation organization | ||
| The Japan Foundation Japanese Language Foundation Test | Independent administrative agency Japan Foundation | CBT method | About 6 times, only overseas | Confirm with the local implementation organization |
| Accommodation skill measurement test | General corporate judicial person accommodation business skill examination center | Writing, practical skills | [Domestic] Year XNUM times[Outside of country] in preparation | In Japan, it will be implemented in Tokyo, Osaka and other areas |
<Reference:General corporate judicial person accommodation business skill examination center>
In fact, there are points that companies and organizations that are accepting organizations should be aware of when foreigners are hired with specific skills status at a hotel or inn.
I will explain in detail below.
In addition to the requirements of the regular host institution, accommodation companies and organizations that accept specific skilled foreigners need to meet the following:
Businesses that accept foreigners with specific skills for the first time need to join the council within 4 months after entry of the foreigners.
Please contact the following about the meeting.
Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Tourism Industry Division Tourism Human Resources Policy Office
Phone 03-5253-8367
In the lodging industry, the employment of foreigners with specific skills is with hotels and ryokans.Direct contract onlyIt is recognized.
In the case of acceptance by dispatch, you can not use the status of residence of certain skills.
Employment contracts with foreigners who apply for status of residence for specific skills have some points that companies must comply with.
Above all, employment contractCertain skills visas can not be granted without full timePlease note in particular.
As specified working hours, at least 5 days a week 30 hours or more are required.
You can not hire certain skilled foreigners during working hours such as part-time jobs.
The period of stay for certain skills 1 foreigners is limited.
It is possible to hire foreigners who use the specific skills of accommodationUp to 5 years in total.
After employment for 5, the foreigner must either return to his home country or obtain an appropriate status of residence other than specific skills.
In the case of hiring a large number of foreigners, follow the upper limit of 5 of your stay to plan your recruitment.
When hiring specific skills 1 foreigners, the host organization needs to create and implement an appropriate support plan.
The required assistance plans include pre-entry guidance, airport transfers, support for securing a residence, and the provision of information necessary for work and life.
These support plans areEmploying company is obligedIt must be done.
Lastly, we will introduce the case that is expected in the hotel business, under which circumstances it is possible to utilize the status of residence for specific skills.
With the start of the Olympic Games in 2020, the demand for multilingual support is increasing at tourist destinations.
Not only English, but also the ability to support languages in countries with many foreigners visiting Japan, such as Spanish, Chinese, and Korean, is a great advantage for accommodation.
At a hotel or inn you want to hire foreigners who are fluent in language for the front desk staff, you can use the status of residence for specific skills.
Specific skills visas can also be used to bring in foreigners from abroad.
I would like to hire staff working at overseas group hotels of group companies at Japanese hotels for several years. For training, I want to call for a certain period.
Even in this situation, specific skill visas are available.
Employment of marketing staff, such as public relations and planning, can also use specific skill visas.
When attracting foreigners from overseas, if there are foreigners who are familiar with the local circumstances, it is possible to plan more attractive package tours and devise advertising methods.
The status of residence of specific skills can be used within the scope of work for which a workable visa could not be obtained so far, and it has a great advantage for businesses engaged in the accommodation business.
In order to prepare for the increasing number of foreigners visiting Japan, I would like to employ staff capable of multilingual support.
I would like to employ part-time international students who work in the field as full-time employees.
I would like to hire a staff who is familiar with the locality to attract customers from overseas.
In these cases, specific skills can be leveraged. However, when hiring certain skills foreigners, it is important to remember the obligations required of the company that is the host organization.
Understand the contents of the employment contract and the implementation of the support plan before hiring.
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Demand for nursing care is increasing year by year due to the declining birth rate and the aging of the population.
Until now, there were 3 residence statuses that allow foreigners to work in the field of care. However, it is worth noting that sufficient manpower has been secured, and since 2019, “specific skills” are newly added as a residence status that can work in the field of nursing care.
Here, we will introduce the permitted work contents, necessary examinations, application conditions, etc. when hiring foreigners using visas with specific skills in the field of nursing care.
The status of residence of specific skills allows foreigners to work only in the industrial sector of 14 where there is a shortage of human resources. Above all, the care sector is a serious seller market.
While the average job opening rate for 2017 is 1.54 times the national average, nursing care results are higher than 3.64 times and 2 points.
The government estimates and estimates that about 2020 additional personnel are claimed by the end of 26.
With such a lack of labor,Let’s take 5 up to 6 specific skilled foreignersIs assumed.
As of 2019, the number of foreigners working in the field of nursing care is approximately 4, 300.
This includes people who stay using the existing EPA (Economic Partnership Agreement), residence status “care”, and technical training system.
There is no doubt that the creation of specific skills will increase the number of foreigners who can work in the care field.
Please know the conditions for applying for the status of residence for specific skills and the conditions required for business establishments, and use them for employment appropriately.
In the field of nursing care, foreigners who have obtained a status of residence for a particular skillPhysical careAnd itAssociated support workYou can do.
In particular,User’s bathing, meal, assistance such as excretion, ま た はConduct of recreation in facilityIt is included.
However,Visit system services such as visit careIs not covered.
In a project where a home-care worker (home helper) visits the user’s home directly and helps with physical care and cleaning, foreigners can not be hired using the status of residence for certain skills. Please be careful.
As for the field of care, only the specific skill 1 is accepted. There is no application for 2.
Therefore, 5 is the upper limit for foreigners with status of residence for specific skills to work.
In the field of nursing care, as with other industries, the following 3 points are the basic application conditions.
Also, in nursing care, in addition to the usual Japanese language proficiency test, it is necessary to pass the Japanese language examination unique to the nursing care field.
The details are explained below.
The contents of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test and Skills Assessment Test established in the field of care are as follows.
<Source: Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare “a href = “https://www.mhlw.go.jp/content/12000000/000491496.pdf”> About accepting special skills foreign personnel in the nursing care field]>
In the field of nursing care, you have to pass the following Japanese exams to get a status of residence.
In addition to the above
The “Japanese Language Proficiency Test” or the “National Foundation Japan Basic Japanese Language Test” will check whether you can have some daily conversation and have a sufficient level of Japanese language skills.
In addition, the “Care Japanese Language Evaluation Test” assesses whether the level required for business use at the care site has been reached.
This is a computer based testing (CBT) test.
It will be conducted in the language of the country of examination.
[With care skills evaluation test]
| Department of test | 40 Q: Basics of care, mechanisms of mind and body, communication technology, life support technology |
| Practical exam | Question 5: Life support technology (exhibits photographs and tests to make decisions and judgments about the correct care procedure) |
The exam pass results are valid for the 10 year from the exam date.
2019 Year 5 month, results of nursing care evaluation test results were announced in the Philippines, and 84 people passed. The exam pass rate is 74.3%.
Foreigners who have cleared both the Japanese Language Examination and Skills Evaluation Examination will apply for the status of residence of specific skills in foreign countries and domestically one after another.
The following foreigners can apply for the status of residence of the specified skills 1, exempt from the Japanese language exam and the skills evaluation exam.
About EPA care worker candidate, it is condition that there is score more than XNUM% of pass reference point in notification letter of last care worker national examination, and there is score in all examination subjects.
Detailed procedureclick herePlease confirm.
When hiring a foreigner with a status of residence for a specific skill, care establishments should be aware of the following 3 points.
There is a limit to the human resources that can be hired with specific status of residence status.
The total number of full-time care staff such as Japanese is the upper limit in establishments.
The following people correspond to “full-time care staff such as Japanese”.
The application for status of residence exceeding the upper limit is not permitted.
Also, be aware that only full-time staff can be hired.
▼ In addition, please refer to the following about employment conditions of specific skill foreigners.
What is the receiving organization for specific skills? Standards and obligations to hire foreigners on specific skills visas
Business establishments that accept foreigners with a status of residence of specific skills are required to participate in the meetings organized by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare and to perform necessary cooperation.
The procedure for joining the council will be carried out within 4 months from the day when you first accept a specific skilled foreigner.
Foreigners with status of residence for specific skills are considered to have the same ability as human resources who have completed 3 in technical training.
for that reason,It is possible to employ immediately without training etc. and include in the placement standard.
However, in the framework of specific skills, the receiving establishment is obliged to implement an appropriate support plan for foreigners.
Japanese language support and professional and life orientation are among the obligations of the host organization.
▼ The details about support plan are this
What is a registration support organization? | Necessary requirements for registration and support plan contents for specific skills 1
In the field of nursing care, there are currently 4 workable residence statuses.
<Source:a href = “https://www.mhlw.go.jp/content/12000000/000510709.pdf”> The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare ‘]>
Among them, although there is a rule of residence for technical training and specific skills, there is no rule for EPA carers and residence status “care”.
Therefore, if foreigners working in these countries obtain these 2 status of residence status, they can continue to employ them at their place of business.
Those who meet certain conditions can apply for another status of residence. We introduce the relationship with specific skills.
If a foreigner who has entered as a technical intern in the field of nursing care has completed 3 work in the 2 year, it is possible to apply for a specific skill 1 with Japanese language skills assessment exam exemption.
If you receive a technical interns care worker at your site, you can hire for a longer period of time by switching to a specific skill 1 from the middle.
Specific skills are divided into 1 and 2.
2 has no fixed period of residence. However, since the nursing care field applies only to the 1 issue, 1 years are the upper limit for the employment of foreigners as a specific skill 5 issue.
If the foreigner passes the national examination of the care worker after having worked for 1 year as a specific skill 3, it is possible to work with the status of residence “care” without the upper limit of the stay period.
In addition, it will also be possible to work with “visit-based services” that are not recognized in specific skills.
As introduced, visas with certain skills make it easier to hire foreigners, as compared to the status of residence for working in other nursing care. Therefore, it will be a good hiring tool for companies suffering from labor shortages.
However, the employment of specific skilled foreigners is defined in detail, such as the employment conditions to be followed by the receiving company and the support to be provided. Employment will lead to appropriate employment after the company has put in place a system for acceptance.
In addition, 1 can not be hired with a specific skill 5. Depending on the person’s will, let them know the possibility of transition to other work visas and consider their careers.
Agriculture
Foreign nationals who accept No. 1 specified skills in the field of agriculture are required to engage in work requiring skills that require considerable knowledge or experience as specified in the Specified Skills Standards Ministry Ordinance Article 1 ( item 1) By the way, the business practices described in this Schedule Annex requiring skills confirmed by passing the tests listed in this Schedule Annex 1 General farming (cultivation management, collection and shipment of agricultural products, sorting etc.) or 2 livestock farming in general They must be mainly engaged in feeding management, collection and shipping of livestock products, etc.), and should be included in the duties of cultivation management or feeding management.
In the field of agriculture, it is decided to accept people engaged in general farming (cultivation management, collection and shipping of agricultural products, sorting, etc.) or livestock farming in general (feeding management, collection, shipping, sorting of livestock products, etc.) , It is necessary to engage in a wide range of work using these abilities proven in exams etc.
【Related work】
In addition, as described in the operation guidelines according to fields, it is acceptable for them to be engaged in related work in which Japanese people who are engaged in the work are usually engaged.
In addition, for example, the following are assumed to be related tasks that Japanese people who usually engage in farming farming or livestock farming duties at a specific skill affiliation organization will be engaged.
(Note) It is not permitted to engage exclusively in related business.
1 Work of production or processing that uses agricultural and livestock products produced by a specific skill affiliation organization (in the case of worker dispatching type, dispatched company) as raw material or part of the material
2 Production or processing that uses byproducts (rice straw, livestock excrement, etc.) associated with the production of agricultural and livestock products by a designated skill affiliation organization (a dispatching company in the case of worker dispatching type) as a raw material or part of the material Work
3 Work of transportation, display or sale of agricultural and livestock products (limited to cases where agricultural and livestock products produced by an organization belonging to a specific skill group (in the case of a worker dispatch type, a dispatched company) are included)
4 Agricultural and livestock products produced by or processed from agricultural and livestock products as raw materials or materials (in the case of a specific technology affiliation organization (in the case of a worker dispatching type dispatching company) the agricultural and livestock products as raw materials or materials) Work on transport, display or sale of items that have been used, manufactured or processed.
(5) Products manufactured or processed as by-products from the production of agricultural and livestock products as raw materials or materials (by-products from the production of agricultural and livestock products by a designated technical affiliation organization (in the case of a worker dispatch type organization) Work of transportation, display or sale of the material (limited to the case where it is used, manufactured, or processed as a raw material or part of a material (fertilizer such as manure, feed, etc.)
6 Other specified skills The work that Japanese people engaged in agricultural farming or livestock farming duties are usually engaged in the organization (in the case of worker dispatching type dispatching company), combined management of livestock farming and farming farming If there is a specific skill foreigner who has the skills of livestock farming at a specific skill affiliation organization (in the case of a worker dispatching type organization) who is engaged in the work of cultivating farming, or if it is engaged in snow removal work in the winter season) etc
http://www.moj.go.jp/content/001289222.pdf
Japan Heritage: Telling the Tales Behind Historical Sites
Since 2015, the Agency for Cultural Affairs has been recognizing Japan Heritage stories, responding to applications from municipal and prefectural governments across Japan. This project recognizes local community efforts to introduce their culture and traditions through the unique historical elements and cultural properties they prize, including sites, architectural structures, industries and customs.
Only communities that meet certain criteria receive the Japan Heritage treatment and recognition. In May 2018, the Agency for Cultural Affairs recognized an additional thirteen regional stories, including a joint application from four cities in Okayama Prefecture entitled “Okayama, the Birthplace of the Legend of Momotaro—Ancient Kibi Heritage Conveying Tales of Demon Slaying” and another from Fukuyama City in Hiroshima Prefecture, which put forward “Japan’s Leading Port Town of Early-Modern Times -Tomonoura,with its Sepia Tones Enveloped in the Evening Calm of the Seto Inland Sea.” Sixty-seven Japan Heritage stories have been recognized so far.
Mitsunobu Nakajima from the cultural resources utilization division at the Agency for Cultural Affairs explains that the Japan Heritage project was created to recognize the value of cultural properties in local communities in greater historical and geographical contexts rather than independently.
“Learning the historical and cultural background of fine arts and crafts allows us to appreciate them on a deeper level,” he explains. “For instance, the knowledge that another piece of art in a distant region affected the creation of an Important Cultural Property creates a new dimension for enjoying the object. Japan Heritage calls this contextualization ‘stories of Japanese cultures and traditions.’ The key criteria for recognition include the appropriateness of the story—whether the tale is built upon traditions and customs rooted in the community’s history and climate—and whether the story’s theme clearly addresses the whole community’s unique characteristics.”
Nakajima says that creating and presenting these framed narratives makes it easier to strategically and effectively promote the area, both within and outside Japan. For example, the story of Misasa Town in Tottori Prefecture, which was recognized as Japan Heritage in 2015, “A Site for Purifying the Six Roots of Perception and Healing the Six Senses—Japan’s Most Dangerous National Treasure and a World-Famous Radon Hot Spring,” integrated the arduous mountain paths and steep slopes up to Nageiredo, a small Buddhist temple designated as a National Treasure, into the tale. Spreading the story overseas on social media with the help of the town’s international residents boosted the number of tourists from abroad in 2017 by 2.7 times that of 2014, before the Japan Heritage recognition.
The story of Kurashiki City in Okayama Prefecture, “From a Single Cotton Plant—A Textile Town Weaving Together Japan and the West” is based on its history of reclaiming land from the sea four centuries ago and raising cotton. The story shows how this textile town grew and became renowned for the quality of its products and pretty whitewashed houses, which many visitors now come to see. The city constantly promotes its local identity by suggesting model routes that showcase the town’s many interesting spots.
Municipalities with stories recognized as Japan Heritage receive financial support for three years and assistance from expert advisors. The Agency for Cultural Affairs also lists Japan Heritage stories in domestic and international promotion activities. Given those merits, more municipalities are expected to clamor for this recognition.
“Japan Heritage aims to revitalize local communities by linking cultural properties that aren’t currently connected, so the recognition process also looks at how the applicants plan to promote themselves after recognition,” Nakajima says. “Tsuwano Town in Shimane Prefecture was recognized in 2015 for their story ‘Tsuwano Then and Now: Exploring the Town of Tsuwano through the One Hundred Landscapes of Tsuwano.’ They established a guidance center to explain the story with images and panels, and offered new ways to explore the town. As a result, compared to 2014 the number of international visitors staying in Tsuwano in 2016 grew by 1.6 times.”
Japan Heritage sites allow you to see the links between history and culture rooted in the communities, and find new ways to experience Japan.
By Takayoshi Yamabe
https://www.gov-online.go.jp/eng/publicity/book/hlj/html/201902/201902_09_en.html
The Little Robot Still Enchanting Fans Worldwide
Nobita Nobi is a boy who struggles with everything from schoolwork to sports and friendships. Naturally this is a source of frustration for his mother, who scolds Nobita daily. But one day Doraemon—an earless robot cat traveling back in a time machine from the twenty-second century—jumps out of Nobita’s desk drawer and changes his life.
A science-fiction manga series for children, Doraemon is the representative work of Japanese manga artist Fujiko F Fujio (the pen name of Hiroshi Fujimoto). The manga storyline follows Nobita and his friends, who overcome challenges in their everyday lives aided by the amazing futuristic gadgets that Doraemon pulls out of his “four-dimensional pocket.” Since it was first published in 1970, the series has been adapted into an anime series as well as films. Over the past five decades, Doraemon has gained numerous fans both within and outside Japan. The series has been translated into twelve different languages and published in seventeen countries, and the anime series has been broadcast in fifty-five countries.
Translated Doraemon manga are particularly popular in Asia. “In particular, Vietnamese fans’ love of Doraemon is unprecedented,” says Mitsuru Saito, chief producer of international media at publisher house Shogakukan. Even before Shogakukan and their counterpart in Vietnam concluded the official licensing contract, Doraemon was already famous in Vietnam due to unauthorized copies. Fujio opted not to receive royalties accrued from this official licensing, requesting instead that the money be spent on promoting education for children who wish to learn. The Doraemon Scholarship Fund, founded to honor Fujio’s wishes, has allowed over ten thousand Vietnamese children to pursue their education.
When Doraemon—now a traffic safety mascot throughout Vietnam—appears at schools, children welcome him enthusiastically. The Doraemon series occupies a third of the manga section in local bookstores.
“The Doraemon manga series was originally created for magazines that Shogakukan used to publish for school-aged children, so the character is like a friend to young readers,” says Saito, explaining the reason for the character’s celebrity and popularity. “The simple and easy-to-understand artwork, the fun plots where Doraemon makes children’s innocent wishes and dreams come true using his gadgets, and the gentle and encouraging worldview that encompasses the characters are universally appreciated, going beyond generations and national borders.”
As the publisher responsible for preserving the original artwork from the manga series, “it is Shogakukan’s wish to preserve the manga’s form and value as it is, and continue to pass it on to future generations,” Saito says. However, they continue to improve the quality of their publication. For instance, in pursuit of better picture quality, they renewed the printing films for the original volumes of the series.
“We’ll keep sharing Doraemon manga with the world,” Saito says. “While it may have a long history, we want to continue to emphasize the appeal of this wonderful, timeless work.” Thanks to the efforts of the publisher that took over Fujio’s creative philosophy, through the pages of manga Doraemon will continue to be a trusted friend to children for generations while staying true to himself.
By Tamaki Kawasaki
https://www.gov-online.go.jp/eng/publicity/book/hlj/html/201902/201902_07_en.html
The Pillow Book and the Japanese Mindset
“The charm of The Pillow Book derives from beautiful depictions of the four seasons by Lady Sei Shonagon, who wrote over a thousand years ago in the Heian Period (794-1185),” explains professor Etsuko Akama of Jumonji University. “Starting with the famous opening line, ‘In spring, the dawn—when the slowly paling mountain rim is tinged with red…’ she incorporates seasonality by showcasing the highlights of each season, which are carefully depicted and blended in her prose.”
Duty of tax payment
Foreigners with status of residence generally have an address in Japan, and if they are eligible for work they will earn income in Japan.
In such cases, you will be required to pay income tax according to the income tax law, and you will also have to pay the resident tax to the local government with the address.
In addition, there is an obligation to pay various social insurance premiums (National / Employment Pension, Health Insurance, Long-term Care Insurance, etc.).
Since there is no nationality requirement for these tax payments and social insurance premiums, they are treated the same as Japanese.
Instead, you can enjoy the same administrative services and social security as Japanese.
Carrying obligation of alien registration card
Foreigners living in Japan are obliged to register as a foreigner at a local government with an address, and must always carry a “Certificate of Foreigner Registration” issued at that time and present it as necessary. It is supposed to be a must.
This is an effective means to check if you are staying illegally.
In addition, due to the change of residence system, the “Certificate of Alien Registration” is abolished, and in the future, it will switch to the obligation to carry a “Resident Card”.
However, as a transitional measure, until the status of residence status renewal etc. is newly distributed, it is possible to use the current foreign resident registration card as a substitute.
Application obligation at the time of departure
Foreigners staying in Japan with a status of residence are required to obtain the permission of the Immigration Bureau whenever they leave Japan, even temporarily.
If you leave Japan without permission, your status of residence, which had been permitted until then, will be lost.
The excuse “I just left” does not apply. . .
The reason is that the legal basis of the status of residence is no longer a “foreigner staying in Japan” when he goes out of the country because he is entitled to “foreigner staying in Japan”. It will end up. . .
Therefore, it is necessary to apply in advance and obtain permission in order to maintain that position.
As a practical matter, if you leave Japan without any application, you can not judge whether it is temporary or permanent. Storing data carefully for the life expectancy of people who intend to leave permanently will put a considerable burden on administrative costs.
Of course, if you leave the country without your permission, you will need to start with obtaining your status of residence when you enter the country
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