Yokohama Current Events & Activities

This is a financial support system for students whose last year’s income was less than the amount set by the city.
You may be exempted from payment of National Pension premiums, if you submit an application. Even if you have been getting this exemption since last year, if you would like to continue receiving this exemption, you need to apply again this year.
Application: If you received an application post card, fill in the card and submit or mail it to the Japan Pension service. To apply for the first time, go to your local ward office’s National Pension Plan Section (Kokumin Nenkin Kakari). Please bring your student ID card (a photocopy is acceptable), your pension book (Nenkin Techo), and your personal seal (inkan). If you sign the application yourself, your personal seal (inkan) is not required.
Inquiries: (045) 671-2418 (*J) Fax (045) 664-0403

Subsidies are provided for healthy dogs and cats living in Yokohama.
A \2,000 subsidy per implant can be received from the city.
Application Period: Jun.3, 2013 to Feb.28, 2014
Limit: Up to 1,000 pets *First-come basis.
Eligibility: Applicants must be Yokohama citizens.
Cats and dogs should be healthy. Dogs must be registered and should be inoculated for rabies in 2013.
To Apply: Please contact a veterinarian who is participating in this campaign (a vet who are a member of the Yokohama Veterinary Medical Association) and make an appointment.
Please apply before micro chipping your pet. (You will not be eligible for the subsidy if you apply after getting your pet micro chipped.)
You will need to bring an ID such as a driver’s license, and your personal seal (inkan).
Inquiries: (045) 471-2111 (*J) Fax (045) 471-2133

The city of Yokohama provides financial assistance to Yokohama citizens who wish to have their cats spayed or neutered. The amount of subsidy is \6,000.
Application Period: Jun.3 to Sep.30, 2013
Eligibility: Yokohama citizens who are over 20 yrs old. Eligible cats must be living in Yokohama and be judged to be healthy by a veterinarian.
Limit: Up to 2,000 cats *First-come basis.
*There will be a second campaign for 4,000 cats in October.
To Apply: Please go to the Health Sanitation Division (Seikatsu Eisei-ka) at The Health and Welfare Center (Fukushi Hoken Center) of your local ward office.
You can apply for up to two cats at one time. Proxy application is only accepted for one cat.
When you apply, please bring an ID such as your driver’s license.
Inquiries: (045) 471-2111 (*J) Fax (045) 471-2133

Subsidies can be provided for those who are purchasing compost bins (first 600 people) and electrical garbage disposal units (first 250 people).
Please contact Shigen Junkankyoku Gyomuka (Resource and Waste Recycling Bureau), or refer to their website.
Eligibility: Applicants must be living in Yokohama and have never applied for this subsidy before.
Inquiries: (045) 671-2553 (*J) Fax (045) 663-8199
URL: http://www.city.yokohama.lg.jp/shigen/sub-shimin/nama-eda (*J)

Subsidies were increased to support people who are earthquake-proofing their residence.
(1) For wooden frame houses:
The application period is extended untill December of this year. Maximum subsidy is \2,250,000/household (\3,000,000 for tax-exempt household).
If you apply after January, 2014, the maximum subsidy is \1,500,000/household (\2,250,000 for tax-exempt household)
(2) For condominiums:
The application period is until March 2014. The subsidy is two-thirds of the cost of quake resistance testing.
Eligibility: (1)(2) Wooden frame houses or condominium which was built before May, 1981.
Contact the Housing and Architecture Bureau, Planning Division for details.
Inquiries: (045) 671-2943 (*J) Fax (045) 641-2756

ENEFARM is a residential hot water supply and hot water space heating system that can also generate electricity. It produces electricity by extracting hydrogen from LP gas or city gas for use in a chemical reaction with oxygen in the air and utilizes heat produced during power generation for hot water supply and/or space heating. Since ENEFARM can produce energy at home, it is an environment-friendly system that makes possible waste-free, efficient energy use.
Financial assistance of \50,000 is available for 100 individuals who will newly set up an ENEFARM unit.
Limit: 100 sets *Chosen by lottery.
To Apply: Please send a RPP to 〒231-0017 Naka-ku, Mimato-cho 1-1, Kankyo Sozokyoku Kankyo Energy-ka (Environmental Planning Bureau, Environmental Energy Division).
Check their website for more details.
URL: http://www.city.yokohama.lg.jp/kankyo/ondan/nenryou/
Application Period: Apr.15-May 14 (first term), 2013
Inquiries: (045) 671-4225 (*J) Fax (045) 641-3490

Financial assistance is provided for homes who would like to install a solar power system or solar thermal system. Please refer to the Environmental Planning Bureau website for details.
Application Period: Apr.4 (Thu), 2013 to Jan.31 (Fri), 2014
Inquiries: (045) 671-4225 (*J) fax (045) 641-3490
URL: http://www.city.yokohama.lg.jp/kankyo/ondan/solar/

Lottery registration will be accepted for those wishing to be on the family unit waiting list.
Income restrictions apply. Financial aid is available for those who are eligible.
As for units that are currently available, applications are accepted on a first-come basis.
Application Period: May16 to May30 *Entries must be postmarked by May30.
To Apply: Fill out an application form available at any Ward Office, Public Relations Section (Koho Sodan Kakari) or at Administrative Service Corners (Gyosei Service Corner), and mail it to JA Amenity House.
Inquiries: JA Amenity House (045) 321-2468 (*J) or Housing and Architecture Bureau, Housing Improvement Division (045) 671-4121 (*J)

Insurance is available for accidents that happen during citizens activities such as volunteer work.
Prior application or registration is not necessary.
As for the types of activities covered by this insurance, please refer to the Yokohama city website or the leaflet, which is available from each ward office’s Somu-ka.
URL: http://www.city.yokohama.lg.jp/shimin/tishin/shiminkatsudou/hoken/
Inquiries: (045) 671-3625 (*J) Fax (045) 664-0734

Spring is when queen bees start making a beehive.
Watch out for beehives when you do gardening. There are cases of people who are not aware of beehives and get stung.
Until worker bees hatch out in early summer, you may be able to get rid of a beehive rather safely.
Places to check for beehives:
under the floor, in hedges, inside hollows in trees, and under the ceiling or eaves.
Beehive types often seen:
(1) Long-legged wasp: upside down bowl shape and many holes
Rather tame. You may be able to get rid of it yourself.
(2) Wasp: Marbled look, ball shaped, and one gateway
Aggressive and dangerous. Extermination by a specialist is recommended.
* Ward offices do not exterminate beehives but may refer you to specialists or lend out goods for extermination.
What to do if stung:
Wash the affected part and cool it with an ice-bag, etc. See a doctor immediately if you have any of the following symptoms: Swelling or bad pain, dizziness or difficulty breathing, or face turning pale.
Inquiries: Contact the Kankyo Eisei Kakari (Environmental Sanitation Section) of your local ward office.