Alien Times February 2003
Tsukuba International School Benefit Concert
TIS will be holding its 3rd benefit concert on Saturday, Feb. 22nd at 2 pm in Capio Hall. This year there will be a wide variety of music, with the featured performer being Luis Sartor. Luis is the father of a former TIS student and is a member of the Los Tres Amigos who performed in the first TIS concert 2 years ago. Luis will be showcasing his unique skills on the Charango, a small, guitar-like South American instrument and will also lead in a sing along of popular tunes.
Craig Coleman is an American violinist who lives right here in Tsukuba. Craig has been volunteering his time at TIS to teach the children music, and he will be teaming together with Yoshiko Arai on the Japanese koto for a unique blend of sound. Their rendition of "Haru no Umi" (Spring Sea), a beautiful traditional Japanese melody, will be their feature piece.
On a rather different note, the concert will also included some jazz singing. Yoko Kobayashi performs jazz concerts live at various night clubs, and she will be teaming up with Kazumichi Chonan, a professional pianist who performs all over Japan.
And then to round the variety off with a little class, Tokio Ohska (tenor), Keiko Nishimura (mezzo soprano) and Sachie Ushida (soprano) will be singing several well-known arias from operas to the accompaniment of Tomoko Morita.
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 847-0330 or Tim Boyle at 855-1907. Ticket prices are 2500 yen for general admission, 1500 yen for students (high school and under), and a special family discount for 6000 yen for up to 5 people.
As the seating capacity of Capio Hall is limited, we are hoping for a sell-out crowd. So please buy your tickets early.
Japanese Driver's Licenses
In the "good old days" quite a few years ago, it was rather simple for a foreigner with a valid foreign license to apply for and get a Japanese license. For those from a few "lucky" countries, it still seems to be rather easy. But for people from most countries, including the U.S., getting a Japanese license has turned into a major headache.
Many a foreigner working in Japan for a few years decided to simply renew an international license each time they returned home on holiday, and avoid the hassle and expense of getting a Japanese license. Last year, however, the rules were changed so that a newcomer can use an international license only during the first year of residence. It is still possible to re-enter Japan with a new international license, but only if you have been out of Japan for at least 3 months - a rather long "holiday" to be sure.
Recent "horror stories" of foreigners with good driving skills and years of driving experience being flunked on the driving test points to the need for both reform on the Japanese side (don't hold your breath!) but more importantly a thorough understanding by the foreigner on how to maneuver through the system with the least amount of hassle.
If you are one who is facing this daunting task, the Alien Times highly recommends that you log onto the following web site: members.jcom.home.ne.jp/3114511501/l/lindex.htm. [Web editor's note: Since this article was published, the author of that site agreed to let AT host the site. We have appended it below.] Whoever put this site together (known only as MJA on the TAIRA list) is to be highly commended for a great job. In addition to this site, the Alien Times is soliciting information from readers who have recently attempted to get a Japanese driver's license (whether successful or not) as to what they experienced. Reading the experiences of others will help you know what to expect and to prepare yourself for the ordeal. Rarely, it seems, does anyone pass on their first attempt, as the examiners are extremely meticulous. The Japanese driving schools teach their students (who pay something like 300,000 yen for the course!) to do things the "right" way, and this is the standard used in evaluating driving skills. In order to pass the test, foreigners are required to do things the "right" way.
Our advice is to practice what you need to do beforehand, take along a good book or something else to occupy yourself during the long waits, and be patient. Also, start early in the process so that you won't be stuck without a license after your international license expires. Send your experiences to the Alien Times as editor@alientimes.org so that we can put together information that will help others negotiate the hurdle.
Tim Boyle
Getting a Japanese Drivers License in Ibaraki Prefecture
Foreign residents of Ibaraki Prefecture who need to obtain a Japanese Driver's license may apply for the license and, after passing a written and a road test, will be able to get their Japanese licenses. However, there are many requirements to be met and several challenges along the way. Please go through this site and get all the information you need. Please remember that they accept no substitutes for any of their requirements and that they are very strict about their policies.
Requirements --> Getting There --> Caution! --> Written Test --> Driving Test --> Eye Exam --> Costs --> Passing --> Failing --> Application Times --> Further Information
Requirements
If...
- You are a foreigner, AND...
- You are a resident of Ibaraki Prefecture, AND...
- You have a foreign license from your own country or another country, AND...
- Your license has a date of issue on it or you have an official document from your government that clearly shows the date you got your license, AND...
- You can prove that you lived in the country in which the license was issued, after you got your license, for more than 3 months AND...
- You have a valid passport, visa and Alien Registration Card AND...
- You have a translation of your foreign driver's license from JAF or from the embassy AND...
- All of the above documents are valid and are originals...
- And you can meet all of the above requirements...
Then... You may apply for a Japanese Driver's license!
*Note*
Remember that if you are from country "A" and have a license from country "B", then you need to prove that you lived in country "B" for more than 3 months! Your current and or your old expired passports will be able to prove your stay in country"B". Furthermore, even if you and your license are both from the same country, you will still need to prove that you stayed in that country for more than 3 months after your obtained your license.
Depending on the country the license was issued in, you may or may not have to take a written test along with a driving test. For example, holders of Swiss licenses will not be required to take any tests. (Canadians were made exempt from the driving test in February 2003.)
It is recommended that you call the Licensing Office and ask whether or not you are exempt from the tests. Their telephone number is: 0292-93-8811 Extension: 335
Getting There
The licensing office is located at:
Ibaraki Prefectural Police Headquarters
Traffic Department, Driver's license Division
311-3197 Ibaraki Prefecture, Higashi Ibaraki Gun, Ibaraki Machi, Nagaoka 3783-3
Telephone number: 0292-93-8811 Extension: 335
There are 3 ways for you to get there...
Via Route 6
It is very easy to drive there via Route 6. There is a lot of traffic on Route 6 but it is the cheapest way to get there. Drive towards Mito on Route 6 and when you see a Home Centre called D2 on your right (in the Mito area part of Route 6), turn right! Go straight for about 1 minute and you will see the licensing office on your right. Parking is free and there are plenty of spaces avaiable at the back!
Via the Joban Expressway
You can take the highway. Take Joban Highway up to Mito and get off at Mito exit. Go towards Mito and when you get to route 50 turn right and go straight. This will take you straight to Route 6. At Route 6 turn left and you will soon be able to see a Home Centre called D2 on your right. Turn right at D2 and go straight and you will see the licensing office on your right. The highway costs 1,300 yen from Tsuchiura-Sakura to Mito exit.
By Bus
For Tsukuba area residents, it might be more convenient to take the bus from Tsukuba Centre. It costs 1,000 yen and it leaves at around 7:30 in the morning and arrives at around 8:30 in the morning, just in time for you to apply for the license. The returning buses leave the licensing office at about 12:30 pm and also at around 4 or 5 pm. For exact times of the bus, please contact Tsukuba Centre Bus Terminal.
There is a map at www.pref.ibaraki.jp/kenkei/menkyo/centermap.htm, but it is only in Japanese. The center is shown in red.
Caution!
One major requirement for the Japanese Drivers license application is that you must have stayed in the country which issued you a license for at least 3 months, commencing from the date of issue of the license.
CAUTION
If the date of issue on your license is less than 90 days prior to your original date of entry to Japan on your passport, then to the Japanese licensing office it means that you did not reside in the country which issued the license to you for the required 3-month period.
Also, if you renewed your license while you were in Japan or while you were visiting your country on vacation or something (for less than 3 months), and then re-entered Japan ... again, sad to say that your application for a Japanese Drivers License will not be accepted by the licensing office!!!
Solution
To overcome this date of issue problem, you will need to show the licensing office your earliest (or your original) date of issue of your foreign license. To do this, you will have to contact the Ministry of Transportation or the Department of Motor Vehicles, or whatever it may be called in the country where the license was issued to you, and ask for proof of your license's original or earliest date of issue.
CAUTION
Again, if you can't prove that you resided in the country that issued you a license for more than 3 months, or you did not reside in that country for more than 3 months, then you will NOT be able to apply for a Japanese license.
Faxed documents are not accepted by the licensing office. Only original documents are accepted. However, documents other than the foreign license do not need to be translated by JAF or the embassy. They will accept translations done by anyone, including you.
Written Test
Once all of your documents are checked by the officials, and everything is in order, then you will be asked to go into a room after 10am where you will be given a written test.
- This test will be in English. They may have the test in a language other than Japanese or English, but it is better to call and ask them about it.
- There will be a question folder. There is a question or a situation described on each page with a simple black and white drawing. The descriptions are in English and Japanese for the English test.
- You will be given an answer sheet. The answer sheet will have numbers 1 to more than 20 on it. However, only about 10 or 12 numbers are circled. These circled numbers represent page numbers in the question folder. Those circled numbers are the ones that you need to answer.
- You must answer all of the circled questions. If you get 7 or more questions right, then you can pass the test. However, if you make 3 or more mistakes, then you will fail!!!
- Take your time and read the questions at least twice. There is no time limit, but it shouldn't take you more than 15 minutes to do the written test.
- The answer sheet will have two choices for you to choose from for each question. You must choose either "TRUE" or "FALSE".
Driving Test
The road test is the most difficult part of this licensing process. It is not easy to pass it, but very easy to do! Anyone with a few days of driving experience should be able to pass it and yet fail it for an insignificant reason! The test is filled with little details and if you make the smallest mistake, then it is a good excuse for the examiner to fail you. Take this test very seriously and concentrate.
Have a look at the test courses. Note: This file may take a while to open if you have a slow connection to the internet.
Test Course A
Test Course B
How to Pass
Once you pass the written test, you will be instructed to wait in the waiting area by the driving course. In the waiting area, you will find the course maps on the wall. If you have some free time it is a good idea to look at them and have a mental image before the test. Also, if you are not first in line, then you will have a good chance to watch the others take the test and see what and how they do.
Below you will find a lot of things that you need to do in order to pass this simple test. A lot of the things mentioned are just common sense, but they are mentioned here for you since failure to do them or failure to do them correctly WILL result in failing.
This is not a joke!
Before getting into the car...
- Look to your right and left before you approach the car. Look under the car.
- Walk to the front of the car and look under the car.
- Walk to the driver's side of the car and look under the car.
- Walk to the rear of the car and look under the car.
- Walk to the driver's side again and stand by the door.
- Look to your right and left before you open the door.
Once inside the car...
- Open the door and get into the car.
Note: DO NOT mix the order of the following!
- Lock the door.
- Adjust your seat. Move the seat a little, even if it fits. You must show that you are "Checking"!
- Sit up straight and look straight ahead and then adjust your mirrors.
- Put on your seatbelt.
- Make sure the parking brake is applied. If it isn't, then apply it.
- Make sure the car is in Park or in Neutral.
- Press the brake pedal and or the clutch and then start the car.
Driving...
- Signal to your right, check for clearance and drive ahead.
- Stop before you get on the main road. Signal to your left.
- You will be asked to drive upto 40Km/h. Do not go over 40.
- Down the road before a triangular road sign in KANJI, you MUST slow down to LESS than 10Km/h! Driving at 10Km/h at the curves is not acceptable!
- Go very slowly and continue forward.
- Change lanes after the upcoming intersection.
- Pass the road obstruction and GO BACK to the left lane again. The right lane is reserved for passing only!
- Go SLOWLY around the upcoming curve.
- Change lanes again and get ready to turn right!
- Turn into the left-most lane!!!
- You will be asked to turn left. CHECK YOUR LEFT before turning!
- Go halfway up the hill and stop! Then HONK!
- GO down the hill and prepare to turn right.
- This time, turn into the RIGHT-MOST lane (since you will be turning right again very soon).
- Turn right. Go into the left-most lane!
- Continue to go where you are instructed to go by the examiner.
- Remember to go slowly through the "S" and the "ELBOW" curves.
- Don't hit anything in those curves.
- While you are driving in those curves, if you go off the road, you may back up and continue. However, you may be failed!!!
How to Fail
Realistically speaking, EXPECT TO FAIL at least once or twice. However, always have a positive attitude towards the tests and believe in yourself.
Things that may lead to your failing the driving test:
a) Driving over 40Km/h during the test.
b) Driving over 9km/h at the curves on the course!
c) When turning left, failing to check your left.
d) When turning right, going into the right-most lane instead of the left-most lane!!!
e) Going over white or yellow lines on the roads.
f) Failing to signal.
g) Failing to stop long enough at a stop sign! Stop. Look left, right and then left again...then move on!
h) Driving in the right lane!!! The right lane is reserved for PASSING!!! Go back to the left lane as soon as you have finished passing.
i) Making wide left turns. Stay close to the left part of the lane without going over the lines when turning left.
j) Doing the things you have to do before you get into the car in the WRONG ORDER!!!
Eye Exam
Once you have passed the written and the driving tests, you will be asked to take an eye exam. It is a very simple procedure. You will be asked to look into an "eye tester" and then you must tell the examiner what colour lights you see, where you see them and or which way they point. Once that is done you will be asked to wait again.
Costs
Each time you take a written test it will cost you 2,400 yen. If you happen to fail the written test, you will need to purchase 2,400 yen worth of revenue stamps again. They conveniently sell them in the same building.
If you should happen to pass the written test and then fail the driving test, you will need to pay another 2,400 yen the next time you try for the driving test.
If you are very lucky, and happen to pass the driving test as well as the written test, you will be asked to pay another 1,500 yen or so for the actual license and the picture.
Passing
If you should happen to pass the written test, you can take the driving test on that same day.
If you happen to pass the driving test as well, then you will be asked to wait in the eye exam area. If you happen to pass the driving test at 11:30 am, for example, then you can get your license after your eye exam and go home by around noon.
However, if you happen to pass the driving test at 1:30 pm, then you will have to wait until the examiner finishes with all of the other applicants. Then he will come and give you an eye exam. So you will be waiting until around 4 pm.
After the eye exam, your picture will be taken and your license, your passport, your Alien Registration card and your foreign license will be returned to you.
A word of advice... be patient.
Failing
If you fail the written part of the test, you may try again the next day. You will have to pay again, however.
If you pass the written test and move on to the driving test and then fail the driving test, then you MAY NOT try again the next day.
Once you fail the driving test the examiner will return your papers to you and will ask you to go to counter (window) 12 and make an appointment. Appointments are usually a month away.
You will need to pay the 2,400 yen fee again the next time you return for the driving test.
Application Times
Applications are accepted ONLY during the following hours:
Mondays to Fridays from 9 am to 10 am (excluding national holidays) at Window #14
The licensing office's signs and information sheets will tell you that they start accepting applications from 9:30 to 10 am only. It is not true, however.
If you are there at 10:01 you will most probably be turned away. If you get there by around 8:30 am, you will have a good chance of being first in line. However, it doesn't mean that you will be the first to take the driving test. There are many others ahead of you with appointments. These people are the ones who have failed the driving test before and are allowed to make appointments.
Further Information
Information from Embassies
Canada
www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/ni-ka/Japanese_driver_license-en.asp [E]
United Kingdom
www.uknow.or.jp/be_e/consular/life/life02.htm [E]
United States
usembassy.state.gov/tokyo/wwwhdrive.html [E]
Articles from Newspapers
October 11, 2002. Japan Times. Rich Freeman.
Motorists Driven Round the Bend by License Laws: Regular license renewal is a real trial
www.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/getarticle.pl5?fl20021011zg.htm [E]
August 24, 2002. Japan Times. Hiroshi Matsubara.
Cops Cashing in on Driver Licenses: Lawsuit. Renewal fees said used to keep retired officers employed at affiliates
www.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/getarticle.pl5?nn20020824c1.htm [E]
May 12, 2000. Japan Times.
Panel Wants Driver License Rules Relaxed
www.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/getarticle.pl5?nn20000512a4.htm [E]
March 3, 1999. Japan Times. Jean Pearce.
Sorry About That
www.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/getarticle.pl5?fl19990303j [E]
Links
Ibaraki Licensing Center
www.pref.ibaraki.jp/kenkei/menkyo/ [J]
Japan Drivers License.com
www.japandriverslicense.com/ [E]
Livetalk Tsukuba FAQ: Cars
www.alientimes.org/groups/livetalktsukuba/archive/FAQs-cars.htm [E]
Alvin Alami
Library Closing for a Week
Tsukuba Public Library will be closed from February 25th to 28th for annual maintenance. Regular service will resume on March 1.
The schedule for returning books and AV materials will be affected by the closure. Books borrowed between February 12 and 23 must be returned in 3 weeks (rather than 2). AV materials borrowed between February 18 and 23 must be returned in 2 weeks (rather than 1).
The drop box will be available during the closure, but should only be used for books. (AV materials get damaged in the drop box.)
Spring Flower Season Gets Underway With Plum Blossom Festival
While the cherry blossoms, azaleas and tulips (along with the hay fever sneezing!) are still sometime off, the first of spring's flower spectacles begins in February with the "ume", or Japanese plum tree. Ibaraki is blessed with several good viewing points, including the nationally famous "Kairakuen" in Mito, which is one of the traditional "big three" gardens in all of Japan. The weather will affect when the "ume" are at their peak, but typically it is during the first or second week of March, though in recent years, it has tended to be significantly earlier than "usual".
If Mito is a bit far for you to go, Tsukuba has several nice displays of "ume" as well. Top on the list are the "bairin" (plum orchard) on Mt. Tsukuba, which has about 3000 trees in some 30 varieties. If you drive up the main road leading up to the resort town halfway up the mountain, several hectares of plum trees are located on the left side of the road a few hundred meters before you reach the town. There is a nice sized parking lot that is free, and it is a short walk up the path from there to the trees. There are also buses from the bus center going up to the Tsukuba San Jinja (Shrine). For details on the buses, see the city's Tsukuba Newsletter.
Mt. Tsukuba hosts the "Ume Matsuri" from Feb. 13 through March 23, with special events on weekends. The following is a list of events scheduled for Mt. Tsukuba on 2/16, 2/23, 3/2, 3/9, 3/16, and 3/23. On these days, free sweet "sake" (rice wine) and plum tea samples are offered, along with "ohanashi" talks and outdoor tea ceremonies, festival music, monkey shows, etc.
In town, you will find some nice plum trees on the small island in Matsumi Park that are worth a visit. Also, on the grounds of the traditional farmhouse next to the Expo Center are a couple of nice trees that bloom early, usually about mid-February. They are on your left (west side) as you face the planetarium at Expo Park. The farm house display is open every day except Mondays, and is worth a visit anytime just to sip a cup of traditional Japanese tea and see how rural Japanese lived a couple hundred years ago.
Mt. Tsukuba Shrine Festival
The Shinto shrine on Mt. Tsukuba will be celebrating the "Chinese New Year" (according to the old lunar calendar) on Feb. 10 and 11. The big events of the day begin at 2 pm on the 10th and 3 pm on the 11th, with various traditional events. For instance, men who have been chosen for the privilege throw beans our over the crowd as a symbol of spreading blessings. It is very similar to the "Setsubun" festival and its "oni wa soto, fuku wa uchi" ("devils out and blessings in") ceremony. If you haven't seen these ancient rituals, this would be a good time to take a trip up to see things.
One Gigantic Icicle
If you're looking for an interesting outing on a cold winter's day, the Fukoroda Falls in northern Ibaraki is quite a sight to behold. At 120 meters tall and 20 to 30 meters wide, Fukoroda Falls is considered one of the premier waterfalls in all of Japan.
Since the waterfall faces more or less to the north, it receives little direct sunlight, and thus even in Ibaraki's comparatively mild winters, subfreezing temperatures are enough to cause ice to build up and stay. Likewise, the fact that the water is cascading over a wide, flat surface at a depth of only a few centimeters makes for ideal ice-forming conditions.
Late January and early February is when the ice is at its peak, but even later on in February, after any cold snap, there'll be a lot of ice. In fact, on particularly cold days, when the ice is deemed stable enough, you can often watch ice climbers scale the shimmering wall of ice. Even with no climbers in sight, the sheer magnitude of this enormous icicle makes this trip well worth the effort. And if you happen to get there when it's warming up, you might be lucky enough to see great chunks come crashing down.
A new feature added to the waterfall is the installment of spotlights to light up the entire "icicle" at night. The falls are lit up from 5 to 8 pm every night, and so going there in late afternoon to see it in daylight first and hanging around until the lights come on is a good way to go.
To get there by car, go up the Joban Expressway to the Naka Interchange and exit back towards Tsukuba. Turn right at the first main road and then again right on Route 118 a couple of km up from there. Continue up 118 through Omiya for about 35 km. The falls are to the right just shortly before you get to Daigo Machi.
You can also get there fairly easily by train. You simply take the Joban line to Mito and then change over to the line connecting Mito and Koriyama (Fukushima) -- the Suigun sen. You then get off at the Fukuroda Station. It's about 2 km up to the falls, and you can either take a bus, a taxi or a nice hike.
Tsukuba Mothers' Network: Iranian Home Cooking
Winter has passed its peak and spring is approaching. This month we will cook home-made dishes of Iran, such as a hot stew, an omelet spiced with herbs, and a dessert. It's a rare opportunity to learn about time-honored Iranian cuisine.
Join us and take advantage of it! Please let us know if you would like to attend and if you need a ride by February 7. (We will take turns in watching the children in the nursery space so that they won't be put in any danger in the kitchen.)
Date: February 10, Monday, 9:45AM - 1:00 PM
Place: Onogawa Public Hall
Fee: 200 yen
What to Bring: Apron, Drink and snacks for your kids
Inquiry: Taniguchi (phone 029-856-6163 nat@beige.ocn.ne.jp)
Japanese Language Classes - Spring 2003
The Tsukuba Information Center is currently enrolling students in its Japanese Language Classes. The classes will focus on the functional aspects of the language. You can hear and learn vivid Japanese.
Eligibility: Applicants must be foreign residents living in or near Tsukuba whose schedule allows them to attend class regularly for 6 months.
Levels: The Introductory Class is designed for those students learning Japanese for the first time (25 students). The Beginner I Class is for those students who can read HIRAGANA and KATAKANA, and who can engage in elementary conversation (15 students). The Beginner II Class is for those students who have studied Japanese for more than 6 months using hiragana and katakana (10 students).
Schedule: The classes meet every Tuesday from 9:30am to 11:30am (April 8 to September 16 -- 17 classes in total) at the Tsukuba Information Center (1-10-1 Azuma Tsukuba). Students will pay 1,500 yen to cover the cost of teaching materials (for the entire 6 months!).
Registration: Please come to the Tsukuba Information Center on February 25 between 1pm and 3pm to fill in the application form and to have a short interview with an instructor. (First come, first served -- limited spaces.)
For More Information
Please contact CHIKAKO or YOSHIKO at Tsukuba Information Center.
TEL: 029-852-6789 (10:00 to 17:00)
FAX: 029-855-8294
E-mail: www@info-tsukuba.org
Sponsored by the Ibaraki International Association Tsukuba Office
Coffee Hour: India
A glimpse of Indian culture and heritage
Stretching back in an unbroken sweep of over 5000 years, India's culture has been enriched by successive waves of migration which were absorbed into the Indian way of life. India's heritage is like a rainbow comprised of multiple facets such as; performing arts, crafts, religion, customs, traditions, beliefs, philosophy, history, health, medicine, travel, cuisine, monuments, literature, painting and languages. It is this variety of all things that is a special hallmark of India. Each one of these heritages of India reflects the influence of the prevailing cultures.
One of the most enduring achievements of Indian civilization is its architecture. The artistic and architectural heritages of India are almost five millennia old. The splendid sculpture and lovely frescoes adorning caves make them one of the most glorious monuments of India's past. The temples are famous for their architectural splendor and exuberance. Many of the monuments have become the symbol of modern India. Additionally, the traditional health and medical systems of India not only aimed at curing people from different diseases, they were also aimed at cleansing your body and mind. Yoga is essentially a mind-body therapy, involving a variety of exercises and meditation, which is gradually being recognized as a potent alternative branch of medicine all over the world.
This month's guest speaker, Ms. Kalaivani Thangamani, from India, is living in Tsukuba. She will present a glimpse of Indian festivals, rituals, artifacts, monuments, costumes, music and dance, language and literature. Come and discover a little more of India's culture and heritage.
Date/Time: February 26 (Wed.)14:00-16:00
Guest: Ms. Kalaivani Thangamani (India)
Place: Tsukuba Information Center
Religious Activities in English
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 February service will be on the 23rd and will be 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 earphones. 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 029-855-1907.
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 also 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 029-836-1723.
The Tsuchiura Catholic Church offers an English mass on the last Sunday of each month at 3 pm (tel. 029-821-1501). 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. 029-858-0655.
The Megumi Church in Tsuchiura (489-1 Kami Takatsu) also offers English translation of their 10:30 Japanese service over earphones. 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 838-1374. For more information, call the church at 029-822-2244 or e-mail LDN03144@niftyserve.or.jp (Also see their Tsuchiura Megumi Church Web Page at 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 852-6820.
The International Christian Assembly meets every Sunday at their church just off of Tsuchiura-Gakuen Sen east of Tsukuba (just behind the restaurant with the dragon on the roof) from 10 am for Bible Study and 10:30 for worship. For more information, call Richard Swan at 029-857-9006.
The Nozomi Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tsuchiura (23-27 Komatsu 3-chome) also offers programs in English, including a worship service most Sunday evenings at 7:30 pm (please call ahead to confirm). English Bible information courses are available any time. For more information, call Glen Hieb at 029-821-3578.
The Tsuchiura Christian Church offers an English message translated into Japanese every Sunday morning at 10:30 am. For information, contact Paul Axton at 029-856-2167.
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 029-857-9795.
For the Muslim community, there is a mosque near the Building Research Institute. Call Ahmed Nabawy at Tel. 090-9318-5075 or e-mail: mamounpcp@hotmail.com for information.
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.
A Message With a Moral: How We Treat the Disadvantaged
At a fundraising dinner for a school that serves learning-disabled children, the father of one of the school's students delivered a speech that would never be forgotten by all who attended. After extolling the school and its dedicated staff, he offered a question. "Everything God does is done with perfection. Yet, my son, Shay, cannot learn things as other children do. He cannot understand things as other children do. Where is God's plan reflected in my son?"
The audience was stilled by the query. The father continued. "I believe," the father answered, "that when God brings a child like Shay into the world, an opportunity to realize the Divine Plan presents itself. And it comes in the way people treat that child."
Then, he told the following story: Shay and his father had walked past a park where some boys Shay knew were playing baseball. Shay asked, "Do you think they will let me play?" Shay's father knew that most boys would not want him on their team. But the father understood that if his son were allowed to play it would give him a much-needed sense of belonging.
Shay's father approached one of the boys on the field and asked if Shay could play. The boy looked around for guidance from his teammates. Getting none, he took matters into his own hands and said, "We are losing by six runs, and the game is in the eighth inning. I guess he can be on our team and we'll try to put him up to bat in the ninth inning."
In the bottom of the eighth inning, Shay's team scored a few runs but was still behind by three. At the top of the ninth inning, Shay put on a glove and played in the outfield. Although no hits came his way, he was obviously ecstatic just to be on the field, grinning from ear to ear as his father waved to him from the stands.
In the bottom of the ninth inning, Shay's team scored again. Now, with two outs and bases loaded, the potential winning run was on base. Shay was scheduled to be the next at-bat. Would the team actually let Shay bat at this juncture and give away their chance to win the game? Surprisingly, Shay was given the bat. Everyone knew that a hit was all but impossible because Shay didn't even know how to hold the bat properly, much less connect with the ball. However, as Shay stepped up to the plate, the pitcher moved a few steps to lob the ball in softly so Shay could at least be able to make contact. The first pitch came and Shay swung clumsily and missed.
The pitcher again took a few steps forward to toss the ball softly toward Shay. As the pitch came in, Shay swung at the ball and hit a slow ground ball to the pitcher. The pitcher picked up the soft grounder and could easily have thrown the ball to the first baseman. Shay would have been out and that would have ended the game.
Instead, the pitcher took the ball and threw it on a high arc to right field, far beyond reach of the first baseman. Everyone started yelling, "Shay, run to first. Run to first." Never in his life had Shay ever made it to first base. He scampered down the baseline, wide-eyed and startled. Everyone yelled "Run to second, run to second!"
By the time Shay was rounding first base, the right fielder had the ball. He could have thrown the ball to the second baseman for a tag. But the right fielder understood what the pitcher's intentions had been, so he threw the ball high and far over the third baseman's head. Shay ran towards second base as the runners ahead of him deliriously circled the bases towards home.
As Shay reached second base, the opposing shortstop ran to him, turned him in the direction of third base, and shouted, "Run to third!" As Shay rounded third, the boys from both teams were screaming, "Shay! Run home!" Shay ran home, stepped on home plate and was cheered as the hero, for hitting a "grand slam" and winning the game for his team. "That day," said the father softly with tears now rolling down his face, "the boys from both teams helped bring a piece of the Divine Plan into this world."
Tsukuba Walking and Mountaineering Club
Meetings every Wednesday night at Hot Stuff from 9pm. Future walks and information at eve.bk.tsukuba.ac.jp/twmc. Please contact Tadashi Takemori at takemori@eve.bk.tsukuba.ac.jp.
Ibaraki Hash House Harriers
Join the Ibaraki Hash House Harriers, the international drinking club with a running problem. Check our homepage at ibarakih3.infoseek.ne.jp and join the mailing list at groups.yahoo.com/group/IH3.
