Volume 15, Number 10 |
Last year, TIS held its first benefit concert in Nova Hall, with about 250 in attendance. The music was really great, with many commenting on how surprised they were at the high quality of the concert. This year's concert promises to be just as good, and will be held in Capio Hall on Friday, Nov. 23 (a national holiday) at 2 pm. While not nearly as large as Nova Hall, Capio is much cosier and is well-suited for the type of music planned.
The main attraction is a relatively new group by the name of Candela. The following is their own PR blurb:
CANDELA
Reese Erlich of Jazz Perspectives on KCSM-FM describes CANDELA as 'a dynamite Latin jazz group that successfully incorporates the shakuhachi, a traditional Japanese instrument, to create a wonderful blend of sounds combining the best of European, Latin and Japanese traditions'. Candela was founded in 1999 by Bruce Huebner, the first non-Japanese to graduate from the prestigious Tokyo University of Fine Arts and Music in Japanese Shakuhachi bamboo flute. Using shakuhachi, French horn, saxophone, flute, bass clarinet, Latin percussion, drums and double bass, this unique quintet performs both original works and arrangements of traditional.E/p>
Candela will perform for the entire first half of the concert, and after a brief intermission, will be followed by an entourage of local talent. The second half will start with a rousing performance on the Taiko drums by the Tokiwa Daiko group. Local violinist Craig Coleman participated in last year's concert as well, and he will be doing both solo numbers and compositions involving pianist Hiroko Yamada and soprano Keiko Shimada. The second half will also include participation by the TIS children in a few of the numbers.
Tickets are available at the school, from TIS parents and volunteers, and other locations as well. If you would be willing to take a few tickets on consignment to try to sell to your friends, that would be most welcome. Please call the school at 47-0330 or Tim Boyle at 55-1907. Ticket prices are Y2500 for general admission, Y1500 for students (high school and under), and a special family discount for Y6000 for up to 5 people. Last year's concert netted over Y300,000 for the school, and it is hoped that this year will even be better.
As the seating capacity of Capio Hall is limited, we are predicting a sell-out crowd. So please buy your tickets early.
Even though this is the November issue, we need to include information on holiday events coming up in early December. More details of the Christmas/New Year's holiday events will, of course, appear in the December issue, but to help in your holiday planning, some of the early events are included here.
Christmas Concerts
On Friday, Nov. 23, there will be a handbell concert presented at Tsuchiura Megumi Church at 2 pm. The combined choirs of the Meiji Gakuin middle and high schools will be performing various Christmas melodies. The following Sunday, Nov. 25 at 5 pm, the annual Messiah concert will also be held at the same venue. For more info, call Megumi Church at 22-2244.
Shimin Christmas
The YMCA Shimin (Citizen's) Christmas will be held at the Tsukuba Gakuen Church (behind the gas station across from Daiei) on Saturday, Dec. 2 from 2 pm. A handbell choir and various vocal choirs will be presenting Christmas favorites, and so even if you can't understand the words, you can still enjoy the program. English translation will, however, be available over earphones if desired.
Christmas Lights and Dinner
The Tsukuba Christian Center/YMCA building and surrounding trees, etc. are decorated during the month of December with thousands of lights and other Christmasy things. For those away from home and who would like a touch of Christmas, there will be a traditional turkey/pot luck dinner at 6:30 pm on Saturday, Dec. 8. As in years past, two large turkeys will be prepared, but those who can bring a covered dish to share with others are encouraged to do so. Singles can bring a drink, bread or something of that sort. For more information, please call Tim at 55-1907. Everyone welcome.
Minnesota: A Cultural Portrait of the American Midwest
Many visitors to the United States venture to places on the East Coast or the West Coast. The middle of the country receives much less attention. I come from the middle of the country, a region called the Midwest. It is a broad area noted chiefly for its wide vistas, its agriculture, and its small towns. The Midwest includes my home state of Minnesota. European Immigrants began to arrive in Minnesota about 400 years ago and came in great numbers from 1820-1920. These immigrants shaped the environment that they encountered and left a legacy that abides to this day. I will discuss this legacy as well as other distinctive aspects of Minnesota's culture. In both history and sentiment, Minnesota firmly remains part of the United States and, thus, felt keenly the tragedy of the recent terrorist attacks. The ramifications of the attacks will become as much a part of life in Minnesota as in other parts of the country.
This month's guest is Mr. Tod Tollefson, the Coordinator of International Relations of the Ibaraki International Association. He likes to travel in many countries by bicycle, and to talk with local persons. In the Coffee Hour, he will introduce the culture of the American Midwest.
Come and join the crowd at the monthly Coffee Hour at the Tsukuba Information Center (3F) on Wed., Nov. 28 from 2 to 4 p.m. Refreshments will be provided.
An English language interdenominational worship service is held once a month normally on the fourth Sunday of every month at 2 pm. at the Tsukuba Gakuen Church near Daiei. The November service in on the 25th. It is followed by an informal fellowship time at the Tsukuba Christian Center next door. The Japanese language congregation meets every Sunday morning at 10:30, and the service is translated into English over headphones. There is also a Bible Study in English every Wednesday evening at 8:30 in the Christian Center. For more information or help with transportation, call Tim Boyle at 55-1907.
The Tsukuba Catholic Church has an English mass at 8:00 am every Sunday and the Japanese masses on Saturday night (6 pm) and Sunday morning (10 am) are accompanied by an summary of the message in English. There is even a Spanish mass on the 3rd Sundays at 3 pm. On the last Sunday of the month, there is a coffee social after the English mass. For information, call the church at 36-1723. The Tsuchiura Catholic Church offers an English mass on the last Sunday of each month at 3 pm (tel. 21-1501). There is also a Portuguese mass on the 3rd Saturday at 7 pm.
The Tsukuba Baptist Church offers an English language Bible study before the Japanese service every Sunday from 10 to 11 am. It is located in Inarimae just east of Nishi Odori on the street closest to the meteorological observation tower. Tel. 58-0655.
The Megumi Church in Tsuchiura (489-1 Kami Takatsu) also offers English translation of their 10:30 Japanese service over ear phones. An English Bible class is held every Sunday morning at 9:00. There is also an International Fellowship group that holds a monthly pot luck dinner usually on the third Saturday. For information on that, call Melissa Ishio at 38-1374. For more information, call the church at 22-2244 or e-mail LDN03144@niftyserve.or.jp (Also see their Tsuchiura Megumi Church Web Page at http://www.bekkoame.ne.jp/ro/tmc/index.html).
The Tokyo International Church, Tsukuba Branch in Amakubo 3-3-5 (across from Tsukuba Univ.) offers a 10:30-noon Chinese (Mandarin) service interpreted into both English and Japanese. There is also an English language Bible study every Sunday evening at 7 pm. For information, call Rev. Huang at 52-6820.
The International Christian Assembly meets every Sunday at their new building just off of Tsuchiura-Gakuen Sen east of Tsukuba (just behind the restaraut with the dragon on the roof) from 10 am for Bible Study and 10:30 for worship. For more information, call Tony Shreffler at 57-9006.
The Nozomi Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tsuchiura (23-27 Komatsu 3-chome) also offers programs in English, including a worship service Saturday evenings at 7:30 pm and a Bible class on Sunday mornings at 9:30. English Bible information courses are available any time. For more information, call Glen Hieb at 0298-21-3578.
The Tsuchiura Christian Church offers an English message translated into Japanese every Sunday morning at 10:30 am. For information, contact Paul Axton at 56-2167.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Tsukuba ward is located at Sakura 2 chome 35-2. Services are translated into English over headphones. The Sacrament Meeting begins at 10 am followed by Sunday School at 11:10 and Priesthood and Relief Society at 12:00. A Gospel Doctrine class in English is also offered. For more information, contact 57-9795.
The Jewish Community of Japan, invites anyone of the Jewish faith in the Tsukuba area to feel welcome at any of their programs in Tokyo. Sabbath services each Friday at 6:30 pm followed by Sabbath dinner; Kosher Kitchen, Saturday morning, 9:30 am. Contact 3-8-8 Hiroo, Shibuya-Ku, Tokyo 150; tel. 03-3400-2559, fax. 03-3400-1827.
Experience traditional Japanese crafts firsthand while enjoying an international exchange on a one-day bus tour sponsored by the Tsukuba Cultural Foundation. This tour is back for the ninth time this year by popular demand. The Tsukuba Cultural Foundation is planning a bus tour to promote a deeper understanding of traditional Japanese culture. Participants will be introduced to Japanese folk crafts and will also be taken sites of interest. There will be ample opportunity for international exchange. Please join us and enjoy a nice day!
Destinations:
1. Tsumugi no sato (Yuki-shi, Ibaraki)
You have the choice of trying your hand at traditional weaving or indigo dyeing. Please indicate your preference when you register.
2. Yuki Shuzo (Sake Factory)
The Yuki-Shuzo is located near a temple, and the factory was built about 150 years ago. You will see the place of making and tasting of Sake (rice wine).
Yuki city is located in the western most part of Ibaraki. The city faces on the Kinu river and has long been famous for producing beautiful Yuki Tsumugi fabrics, a form of textile folk art dating back some 1,400 years. It has been designated as an important Japanese cultural asset. The entire process, which begins with the making of thread that is to be woven into fabric, requires a special step-by-step technique.
Date and Time: November 23 (Fri., Holiday) 8:45 to 18:00
Meeting Place: Tsukuba Capio (1-10-1, Takezono, Tsukuba city) at 8:45 a.m.
Capacity: Foreigners 25, Japanese 20
Enrollment: 2000 yen (with lunch) If you want to experience of both at traditional weaving and indigo dyeing, please 1000 yen more. Please pay on the day of the tour.
How to Register: Call the Tsukuba Cultural Foundation at 56-7007 beginning from November 1st. (Closed on Mondays). First come first served.
Amazing displays of chrysanthemum bushes bent and formed into fantastic displays of flowers can be seen through Nov. 25 at the Kasama Chrysanthemum Festival. Every year, incredible floral displays reminiscent of flower covered floats in the Rose Parade are on display. But these are not flowers that have been glued on. They were grown that way! Prizes are awarded for the best, biggest and most beautiful chrysanthemums, and with some individual flowers being 30 cm across, some are really huge.
Kasama is located about an hour's drive north of Tsukuba and is well worth the trip anytime of the year. Famous for its pottery, you can enjoy the pottery theme park just to the east of Kasama while you are there. The best way to go by car is to go over the mountain ridge to Yasato, along what is called the Fruit Line Road, running along the east side of the ridge of mountains just north of Mount Tsukuba. You'll come to another mountain pass to go over on what has now become route 42, which drops down into Kasama. That road dead-ends just after crossing the railroad tracks just to the east of Kasama Station. Turn right and go a few hundred meters to the end of that road. Turning to the right and proceeding east for a kilometer or so will bring you to the Geijutsu no Mori Pottery Park (on the left), while turning to the left and proceeding north for about 1km will take you to the park (on the right) where the chrysanthemums are.
Local Displays
If going to Kasama is a bit far, you can find interesting displays at several places in the Tsukuba area. The Mt. Tsukuba Shrine has always had some very nice chrysanthemum displays during November, and in past years, local flower enthusiasts have shown their works of floral art at Matsumi Park, near the city hall in Yatabe and other such locations.
If you love something, set it free.
If it comes back, it was, and always will be yours.
If it never returns, it was never yours to begin with.
If it just sits in your living room, messes up your stuff, eats your food, uses your telephone, takes your money, and never behaves as if you actually set it free in the first place, you either married it or gave birth to it.
abdicate - to give up all hope of ever having a flat stomach
flabbergasted - appalled over how much weight you have gained
lymph - to walk with a lisp
coffee - a person who is coughed on
semantics - pranks conducted by young men studying for the priesthood, including such things as gluing the pages of the priest's prayer book together just before vespers
balderdash - a rapidly receding hairline
rectitude - the formal, dignified demeanor assumed by a proctologist immediately before he examines you
circumvent - the opening in the front of boxer shorts
frisbatarianism - belief that when you die, your soul goes up on the roof and gets stuck
How many church members does it take to change a light bulb?
Charismatics: Only one. Hands already in the air.
Pentecostals: Ten. One to change the bulb, and nine to pray against the spirit of darkness.
Presbyterians: None. Lights will go on and off at predestined times.
Roman Catholic: None. Candles only.
Baptists: At least 15. One to change the light bulb, and three committees to approve the change and decide who brings the potato salad.
Episcopalians: Eight. One to call the electrician, and seven to say how much they liked the old one better.
Mormons: Five. One man to change the bulb, and four wives to tell him how to do it.
Unitarians: We choose not to make a statement either in favor of or against the need for a light bulb. However, if in your own journey you have found that light bulbs work for you, that is fine. You are invited to write a poem or compose a modern dance about your personal relationship with your light bulb, and present it next month at our annual light bulb Sunday service, in which we will explore a number of light bulb traditions, including incandescent, fluorescent, three-way, long-life and tinted, all of which are equally valid paths to luminescence.
Methodists: Undetermined. Whether your light is bright, dull, or completely out, you are loved -- you can be a light bulb, turnip bulb, or tulip bulb. Church-wide lighting service is planned for Sunday, August 19. Bring bulb of your choice and a covered dish.
Nazarene: Six. One woman to replace the bulb while five men review church lighting policy.
Lutherans: None. Lutherans don't believe in change.
Amish: What's a light bulb?
Kids, you just have to love them.....
A teacher was helping one of her kindergarten students put his boots on. He asked for help and she could see why. With her pulling and him pushing, the boots still didn't want to go on. When the second boot was on, she had worked up a sweat.
She almost whimpered when the little boy said, "Teacher, they're on the wrong feet."
She looked, and sure enough, they were. It wasn't any easier pulling the boots off than it was putting them on. She managed to keep her cool as together they worked to get the boots back on, this time on the right feet.
He then announced, "These aren't my boots."
She bit her tongue rather than get right in his face and scream, "Why didn't you say so?" like she wanted to.
Once again she struggled to help him pull the ill-fitting boots off.
He then said, "They're my brother's boots. My Mom made me wear them."
She didn't know if she should laugh or cry. She mustered up the grace to wrestle the boots on his feet again. She said, "Now, where are your mittens?"
He said," I stuffed them in the toes of my boots..."
By Joseph George Robbie
Keri Canyon and Rieko Kubota, the boss's wife, exited the ramen shop and entered Seibu proper. Riding the escalator to the third floor, they proceeded to browse the bookstore. Reiko picked up a copy of her favorite manga, "Love Love Couple", full of illustrated cartoon stories for adults. Keri decided to purchase a hard cover Japanese/English lexicon and a Japanese language study book with CD for beginners. In addition, for her reading pleasure, the latest Sidney Sheldon novel was located and considered.. The list price imprinted on the back cover announced a cost of $12, yet the price in yen equaled almost $20. Shoganai - so she bought it as well.
The buxom Canadian had inexplicably forgotten her watch back in Moose Jaw, so it was on to the jewelry department. What a selection!!! No fake Rolex here. All timepieces were genuine, as reflected by the attached tags. As it turned out, the saleslady spoke passable English and was eager to chat. She inquired as to Keri's situation, then welcomed her sincerely to the country. As they reviewed the array, it came out that Yumiko's boyfriend was a gaijin. In fact, he was manager and head chef at the only German restaurant in town, located on the sixth floor of this very department store. On a whim, she presented each of the girls with a 20% off coupon for the Elbe and suggested they talk to Dieter for a further discount by mentioning her name.
With this kind of hospitality, Keri felt obligated to make a purchase. After much hemming and hawing, she selected a brilliant Seiko for 10,000 yen and attached it to her wrist on the spot. Pleasantries were exchanged all around, then the basement floor's supermarket was the destination.
They selected a basketless shopping cart and added a plastic basket. Thus equipped, they began their foray. Keri needed all the basics, so they hit each aisle with gusto. Soon the basket was full and they rearmed. With two carts in tow, they continued the quest for sustenance. The young teacher felt herself bombarded by boom boxes and live vendors loudly announcing their bargains. The din was overwhelming. She loved serious cheese, but found the offering here underwhelming. Pasteurized processed cheese product seemed to be all the rage. The snack aisle included countless unidentifiable treats. Next Keri added to the cart two cans of tuna fish. Rieko bashfully informed her that pets were not allowed in the company apartment. Initially confused, the newcomer eventually realized that the cans were cat food and replaced them. The produce department was a veritable magical mystery tour. Fruits and veggies she'd never seen before abounded. Apples she cherished, yet individually packaged at $2 Canadian struck her as excessive. Don't even ask about the melons.
Just as she began to feel that the place was a total rip-off, she noticed the many employees stationed about offering free samples. So she tried sausage, gyoza, pasta, shellfish, salad, cake, and juice, as well as three small cups of beer on the vendor's insistence. Hoping to buy a gallon of milk, Keri found it only available in one-liter cartons, so she bought four.
Finally, they proceeded to the checkout counter. The tally for the two baskets was 17,000 yen. Keri was nearly broke after paying. Adding insult to injury, she had to bag the groceries herself.
Loaded down with the bounty, the young ladies schlepped their bags toward the elevators. Adjacent to the lifts was an extensive array of vending machines. Keri set down her burden to review what was on offer here. Quite a unique variety of goods was available for purchase. Many products surprised the Canuck; some shocked her. Among the more unusual items to be had were: live beetles, fortunes, beer, soiled panties, blood-type specific condoms, disposable cameras and horse race tip sheets. She decided to buy a fortune for 100 yen. Rieko translated it for her. Keri liked the part about upcoming romance, but was disappointed to learn of looming future financial difficulties. She laughed off the message as just another gimmick with no logical validity. But was it really?
After loading the groceries onto the back seat of the Suzuki, they drove down the winding ramp to the exit of the parking structure. Rieko handed her validated parking ticket to the lad at the gate and was awarded passage. Then she noticed the gas gauge glowing red and pointing to "E". Time to fill her up.
They cruised for a few blocks to a large, new-looking gas station. Standing near the entrance by the street stood three uniformed young people bowing to them as they pulled in. One of the workers motioned them to follow him to a pump, shouting, beckoning and finally guiding them into perfect position.
Keri offered to get out and pump the gas. Rieko just chuckled and explained that no one pumps their own petrol in Japan. Sure enough, as the window was lowered, the attendant stood there awaiting command. He was told to fill it up and was handed a credit card specific to that chain of stations. In the meantime, a 20-something girl proceeded to wash all of the windows and exterior mirrors, while yet another attendant took their garbage and also emptied and wiped clean the car's ashtray.
Keri knew that this country was renowned for good service, but she was still immensely impressed. Rieko got back her card and receipt, and followed a guide to the exit as the others bowed and chorused words of thanks and well wishes. The experience wasn't over yet. At the exit, the guide held up a hand, indicating "stop", as traffic was coming down the street. When there was no break in the stream after a minute or so, he stepped into the street and halted the flow so that the girls could safely exit. He offered a final bow, then they were on their way.
It had been an interesting and enlightening, albeit expensive, day for Keri. As Rieko dropped her off at home, the fresh gaijin was looking forward to a nap, as she was feeling a bit jet lagged. Then in the evening, she began to plan for tomorrow, her first day on the new job as an Ibaraki English teacher.
To be continued...
Stephen Marshall
If the rules of arithmetic are universal, then we might expect aliens to use similar counting systems to those used on Earth, albeit adjusted to local anatomy and brain capacity. For example, we could imagine that alien centipedes would count in base 100 (assuming they each have exactly 100 legs to count on). The centipede would have the advantage of requiring fewer brain cells per leg to rack up large numbers.
However, we have to ask if base 100 would be a useful number system in practice, relative to the probability distribution of numbers actually encountered.
That is, of all numbers ever used, the smaller numbers will be encountered most frequently, at least, in the rational galaxies. The number one will be the most numerous number, followed by two, then three, and so on decaying in a curve, so that very large numbers (such as 1,233,367,564,455,489) are rarely if ever used for anything. This tendency is likely to be a pretty universal trait, though it will be overlain, or punctuated, by other more local considerations: on Earth, in base ten, multiples or powers of 10 form local peaks in probability -- the number 20 will be encountered more often than 19 or 21, and there is another local peak at 100. The peaks will not all be regular, but could cluster around locally culturally specific features, such as dates (peaking around the 1900s and 2000s).
It should be no coincidence that the local base ten peaks have unique labels attached to them (one hundred, one million -- even an ichi man here or there). It works both ways: they are named because they are useful milestones (in base ten), and they are used more all the more frequently because they have handy - named - numeric handles. Handy, at least, if you have ten digits to count with.
But what of our intelligent alien centipede? With base 100, it would be lumbered with having to devise 100 numerals, one for each leg. Most of those numbers wouldn't be used very much. Yet, to accommodate all the necessary numerals, a complicated system of symbols would have to be devised. (At least, for the smart centipede, the most commonly used numbers could be allocated the simplest symbols). But also, think of the size of keyboard an alien centipede's typewriter would have to be (presumably a linear device, set in banks of two, one key per leg) -- and think how little used some of the keys would be (unless they were also used as letters....). This would not be an efficient use of material or mental resources.
Thinking of the clumsiness of having 100 symbols, our intelligent alien centipede might go to the other extreme, opting not for base 100, but binary. Here, the number of numerals is minimised. Here, 0 and 1 could be represented by the right legs and the left legs, and so the whole centipede can store numbers up to 2 to the power of 50 (that is, 1,125,899,906,842,624)! It might need to be a pretty smart centipede to juggle in its head the numbers it held in its body.
Of course, binary has its own disadvantages: it needs relatively long strings of digits to represent modest numbers. Unless you happen to be a centipede, this may be a problem. In binary, the number 70 has to be represented by 7 digits (1000110, or 7 pairs of legs) compared with decimal's two, or base 100's one (leg no. 70). In fact, there must be a trade-off between the number of 'digits' required and the number of numbers that actually need representing -- given the observed decay in frequency of numbers as they get larger. You could theoretically calculate a number base that optimised the number of numeric symbols required and the number of digits required to represent typical numbers -- all normalised to local anatomy.
For many life forms, base 10 may turn out to be a handy compromise; handy if you have 10 fingers, also workable if you have 100 legs. So, if you should come across a race of intelligent alien centipedes, you should not be surprised if they knew the ten times table like the back of your hand.
The author welcomes any refutation of the above arguments. s.marshall@asahi.email.ne.jp
Going through pregnancy and giving birth is difficult enough in one's own country, and so going through that in a foreign country makes it all that much more difficult. The following is a brief description of what you need to do and what to expect if you are going to produce progeny here in Japan.
Once a doctor has confirmed your pregnancy, you must register your pregnancy at your nearest health center. Take your Alien Registration (AR) Card and fill out a form with your name and address, giving the name of the doctor and the name and address of the medical institution he or she is affiliated with. The center will give you a Mother-Child Book (boshi techo), in which will be recorded the course of your pregnancy and the birth, as well as your baby's growth and immunization records. Be sure to take it to each prenatal visit and, of course, to the birth. You can choose to have bilingual copies. Tsukuba city has the following: English/Japanese, Korean/Japanese, Chinese/Japanese, Tai/Japanese, Portuguese/Japanese and Tagalog/Japanese
Included in the "boshi techo" is a packet containing local information and immunization schedules. Also included are two coupons that are for health check ups, one in early and one in late pregnancy. There is also a form that will give you a Y1300 reduction on the HIV test (recommended for all pregnant women).
After registration your pregnancy, you will need to think about what kind of birth you want or need and where and how you are going to have it. In choosing the place of birth, you will need some idea of what kind of birth you want or need considering your physical condition, Japanese language ability, financial situation, etc. In Japan, fathers are not always permitted at the birth. At some facilities, fathers are allowed only into the delivery room, but not the labor room. At others he can only wait in the waiting room. Some places though, encourage fathers to participate and sometimes, if you have communication problems, they might even allow you to bring a friend who can interpret and assist you. Always ask for such information. Developing realistic expectations and making adequate preparations will help you to have a safe and satisfying experience.
For foreigners in Tsukuba, there are several places to choose from. I will here only comment on the ones I know personally. There might be others that are good as well. If you have any information please write to the Alien Times.
The most popular clinic is probably the Shoji Clinic in Yatabe. Dr Shoji and his wife, who is the pediatrician, have lived in the U.S. and both speak English well. Dr. Shoji and his staff are used to foreigners and they always try their best to accommodate each person's special needs. The name is Shoji Sanfujinka Clinic and is located at Yatabe 1562. The tel. no. is 36-0405. It is closed Monday, Thursday, 1st, 3rd & 5th Sunday and National Holidays.
Then there are two hospitals that are seeing a lot of foreign women -- the Tsukuba Gakuen Hospital and the Tsukuba University Hospital. The Gakuen hospital is popular maybe because there is a female doctor, Dr. Takeuchi to go to for checkups. She sees patients on Monday and Friday mornings. You do not know, however, whether she will be available at the time of your delivery. If not, you will just have to do with the doctor who is on duty. The Tsukuba Gakuen Hospital is located at Kami Yokoba 2573-1,
tel 36-1355. The Tsukuba University Hospital is located at Amakubo 2-1-2. You need to call 53-3570 for an appointment (or go to the appointment counter 8:30-11am.)
The Tsukuba University Hospital is often the place to go to if you are in need of special care or if there are complications during your pregnancy. It is also the cheapest of all hospitals, although the cost difference between clinics and hospital isn't that much. The total cost depends on your situation, the time of delivery (night &weekend are more expensive than "office hours") how many days you stay after delivery, whether it is a private room or not, etc. At the present, you can not keep the baby with you in your room (rooming-in) at either the T.G. Hospital or T.U. Hospital.
Another option is a midwife clinic. There is one in Ina City (about 20 min. from Tsukuba) that accepts foreigners. It is called Baby Healthy Mirai and its address is Ina-Machi, Minami Ohta 500-1; tel 0297-58-3708. It is closed on Fridays.
Typically, a prenatal visit costs between Y3,500 and Y10,000 depending on the place and how many tests are performed. At some facilities, ultra sound is routine and included in the fee. Other places might do them only once or twice and charge extra. Other tests, such as amniocentesis, can raise the fee as well. The average cost of a normal delivery and a 5-7 day stay is currently Y350,000-Y450,000.
For the pregnant foreigner, it can be of advantage to join the National Health Insurance Scheme. It provides some special benefits for pregnant women. Depending on your taxable income, you may qualify for this help. For a couple with no kids, the income limit is Y4,010,000/year. For each additional dependent, add Y300,000.
Some of the most common benefits are free medical care for pregnant women and assistance for childbirth expenses given to the woman after the birth (in Tsukuba currently Y300,000). You need to apply for this aid at the city office.
So what do you need to do after the baby has come? First, before the birth, you should contact your embassy and find out the procedure for obtaining a passport for the baby. A couple of days after the birth, the hospital will give you a birth certificate. The left side of the document will already have been filled in by the hospital and you need to fill-in the right side and submit it to the city office. The document has to be written in Japanese and the person at the city office is forbidden to do it for you. So you need to find someone who can help you write it.
You take this document, both parent's passports and Alien Registration cards, the Mother-Child book and go to the Sakura branch of the City office. Your child will be registered and an A.R. card will be issued.
If you have the National Health Insurance, you also need to enter your child's name on to the insurance card, and depending on your income, you can apply for "marufuku," which is free medical care for infants.
You can also apply for the "bunben hiyo haraimodoshi" which is the assistance for child birth expenses. Bring your bankbook with you (not just your cash card (ATM card)) and if you use a "hanko" seal, don't forget to bring that too.
There is also child benefit called "jidouteate" for low income families. It is Y5000 per month, (Y10,000 per month from the 3rd child.) Ask at the child welfare counter.
All of these procedures can be done in one visit to the city office if you bring all the necessary documents. The city office, however, will not give you any official copies of the birth certificate on the same day that you apply for it.
For some reason you have to wait at least one day. An official copy of the birth certificate costs Y400. Remember to ask your embassy how many they require.
The hospital may also, at your request, write a document in English stating that "Ms xxx had a baby girl on month/day". This document has no legal meaning in Japan and the father's name is not included, so make sure you get official copies of the Japanese version since that is the only legal document concerning your child's birth.
After you have obtain a passport from your embassy, you have to go to the immigration office in Tokyo (not Hitachi) and get a visa. Then you go back to the Sakura branch again and they will write the new information on your child's A.R. card.
After all of this, you are finished with the "paper work" and can concentrate on the parenting, but that is another story, Good Luck!!
At the city office there are English-speaking staff that can help you. You can also call Anna Hamakoji at 53-8250 if there is something you don't understand.
Our aim is to give everybody a chance to experience the natural beauty of Japan, with walks for beginners as well as experienced hikers.
Below you can find our schedule of activities for the winter season. If you have any more questions about our club or this schedule, please e-mail me, the club secretary and/or have a look at our home page: eve.bk.tsukuba.ac.jp/twmc
Nov. 23-24, Fri.-Sat.: Tanzawa (Kanagawa-ken), 2 days (Tadashi)
Rising abruptly from the Kanto Plain, the Tanzawa Mountains are the nearest peaks over 1,000 metres to the sprawling conurbation of Tokyo and Yokohama. With its fine mountain scenery, Tanzawa offers the possibility of year-round walking, and magnificent views of Fuji-san during the colder months. A good place for novice walkers, but some routes offer a challenge even to the more experienced. Difficulty: ***.
Dec. 8, Sat.: Christmas Party; Tsukuba-san walk (Victor); Party (Iulia)
Traditionally, the Christmas party consists of two parts - a walk up and down the 876 m high Tsukuba-san (organized by Victor) and the party itself (this year at Iulia's place). The walk is very easy and suitable for everybody, and will start at Tsukuba-san shrine (known for the god of matchmaking!), and will take about 90 minutes up, and the same down, including breaks. If the weather is clear, and in winter it very often is, there may be spectacular views as far as the skyscrapers of Shinjuku, Fuji-san to the south, and the mountains around Nikko to the north. We will go to an onsen after the walk.
Jan. 19, Sat.: Kaba-san (Ibaraki-ken), 1 day (Terry)
Kaba-san (709 m), located just "behind" Tsukuba-san, is famous for its religious status and is known as a place for monks to practice asceticism. On this trip, you can enjoy a relatively easy walk, seeing several miniature shrines along the ridges.
Feb. 2-3: Cross Country Ski Trip, 2 days (Luc or Victor)
Destination to be decided. There may also be the possibility of snowshoeing and downhill skiing on this trip
Feb. 16-17: Downhill Ski Trip (Inawashiro area, Fukushima-ken), 2 days (Terry)
There are many skiing resorts near the Bandai-san area. We will visit one or two skiing resorts (Inawashiro etc.) which have slopes to suit all so that everybody from beginners to experts can enjoy downhill skiing and/or snow boarding.
Mar. 10, Sun.: Takao-san (Tokyo-to), 1 day (Paul)
This range of low mountains, with peaks below 1,000 meters, offers year-round walking to Tokyo's millions. With its well laid out paths, it is an excellent area to get a first taste of walking in Japan, or for more experienced walkers to keep fit. The walk will coincide with the fire-walking ceremony (Hiwatari Matsuri) at Yakuou Temple, situated near the Summit of Takao-san (600 m). Difficulty: *.
Mar. 23-24: Izu Peninsula (Shizuoka-ken), 2 days (Bjoern)
Izu is the peninsula to the west of Tokyo and roughly south of Fuji-san. It is characterized by a mild winter climate, numerous onsens and a special variety of sakura (cherry) trees. The first day will take us to the highest part of Izu. The plan is to walk the not overly undulating ridge encompassing Mansaburou-dake (1,406m) and Manjirou-dake (1,300m). If the weather plays along there should be very nice views of Fuji-san. The second day will see an easy stroll along the seashore at the southernmost tip of Izu. This area should be the most remote part of the peninsula, with nice views of the shore. We will visit onsens on both days. Difficulty: **
E-mail: bjoern.klotz@nies.go.jp, bjoern.klotz@mad.scientist.com
Homepage: eve.bk.tsukuba.ac.jp/twmc