Japanese school information service "Kotokoto"（ことこと）
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July
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In a survival float lesson children learn how to swim with their clothes on. This training is to avoid drowning in case children fall into a river or the sea.
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In Japan children clean their classrooms or other facilities every day. At the end of each academic term, they take a longer time to clean their school thoroughly.
News
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2024.3.29
Up to What Age Do Child Fares for Public Transportation Apply?
Fees for public transportation such as trains, buses, and planes are different for adults and children. Up to what age do “child” fares apply? Up …
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2024.3.22
Protecting Children on Their Way To and From School – “IKaNoOSuShi”
Children go to and from school and lessons alone once they enter elementary school. Unfortunately, children sometimes become a victim of crime while on their w…
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2024.3.15
How to Spend Spring Break
In Japan, students have spring break for about 10 days to 2 weeks, from the end of March to the beginning of April. Here are some tips on how to spend spring b…
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2024.3.8
Support Available to Children With Foreign Roots Entering Elementary School
Children’s school lives at elementary school are very different from kindergarten or nursery school. Parents roles also change; Although they do not need…
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2024.2.23
Multicultural Coexistence Support Organizations in Tokyo
Multicultural Coexistence means that people of different nationalities and ethnicities recognize each other’s cultural differences, and live together as …
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2024.2.16
Food Pantries – A Place Where Free Food Is Distributed to Anyone in Need
In Japan, various organizations run food pantry programs which offer food to those in need. Their food is donated by companies, organizations, etc. It is inten…
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2024.2.9
Elementary School Transfer Procedures
There are certain procedures that need to be followed when transferring from one public elementary school to another school due to moving. School transfer, &ld…
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2024.2.2
Things You Can Do if Your Child Refuses to Go to School
School refusal is a situation where children refuse to go to school and miss school more than 30 days a year for reasons other than illness or economic reasons…
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2024.1.26
Childhood Developmental Disorders and Treatments
Developmental disorders are congenital disorders related to brain development. People with developmental disorders often have difficulty with communication or …
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2024.1.19
Food Allergies in Children
A food allergy is an allergy that occurs when you eat a certain food. Symptoms include body itching, hives, swelling of lips, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhe…
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We celebrate tanabata festival on 7th July every year. This festival originates from a story, saying that an orihime princess and a hikoboshi prince meet up in the milky way. Nowadays we decorate strips of fancy paper on sasa bamboo grasses.
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Ochugen is a gift given to people who have taken care of you. It has been done in Japan for a long time. Usually, you send off the gifts from the end of June to the mid of July. There are people who still preserve this custom and there are some who don’t.
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At a closing ceremony, children and their teachers get together and some teachers and/or children give a talk. It takes places at the end of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd term.
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At a parent teacher conference, parents and the class teacher of their child discuss the matters concerning the child and/or the school. You will be able to ask some questions raised from the daily school life.
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In summer between the 1st and 2nd term schools have summer holiday, usually around from 20th July to 31st August. Children are supposed to take everything from school to home. A large amount of homework is assigned. Children can be taken care of by the child day care at school. Please inquire for details.
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You can enjoy fireworks in the sky at a fireworks festival. You can also visit stalls (where you can get some food or toys) near by the venue.
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There are summer festivals all over in Japan. There are some festivals in shinto shrine. Sometimes mikoshi is carried. There are some stalls. There are various ways to hold a festival, depending on the location.
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In Japan, elementary school classes include Kokugo (Japanese Language) , Mathematics , Science , Social Studies , Social-environmental Studies , Music , Arts and Crafts , Home Economics , Physical Education , Moral Education , Foreign Language Activities , Hours for Comprehensive Studies , and Special Activities .
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There are some other activities besides usual lessons at a primary school in Japan. A weekly plan varies depending on each grade each week. Please ask school staff if you have any questions.
Arrival and departure from school
Meeting
Classes
Recess timeActivities
Teacher Activities
Parent activities
Other
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In Japan, some children’s medical expenses are refundable. If your child does not have the “medical certificate issued under children’s medical expenses subsidy system, maru-nyu, maru-ko, or maru-a-o”, apply for it before claiming a refund.
Reimbursement can be claimed when your child goes to see a doctor outside the area where you live, or when you pay the co-payment for health insurance treatment without presenting your child’s medical certificate. Whether standard meal cost for hospitalization is eligible for a refund or not varies by local government.
Examples of Medical Expenses That Can Be Refunded (Claimed for Refund)
1. If you visit a medical institution outside Tokyo, and pay the co-payment for health insurance treatment
2. If you visit a medical institution that does not handle medical certificates, and pay the co-payment for health insurance treatment
3. If you visit a doctor without a medical certificate, and pay the co-payment for health insurance treatment
4. If your child’s registration for National Health Insurance/National Health Insurance Association is outside Tokyo, and you pay the co-payment for health insurance treatment
5. If you visit a doctor without your child’s health insurance card, and there is coverage from the health insurance
6. If you purchase an assistive device (glasses for pediatric amblyopia, corset, insoles/sole braces, etc.), and there is coverage from the health insurance
7. If you receive treatment abroad, and there is coverage from the health insurance
Eligible medical expenses are the co-payment amount for health insurance treatment. Medical treatment not covered by health insurance (free medical treatment) is not subsidized.
Examples of Non-eligible Medical Expenses
Some medical expenses are not covered by the subsidy.
-Expenses for dietary treatment for inpatients (for maru-nyu)
-Expenses not covered by health insurance
(vaccination, health check, extra bed charge, medicine container fee, first visit fee for large hospitals without a referral letter from another medical institution, etc.)
-Expenses for treatment covered by Japan Sport Council Injury and Accident Mutual Aid Benefit System
-High-cost medical expenses and additional benefits, paid by health insurance
-Medical expenses in case of injury due to the actions of a third party, such as a traffic accident
-Medical expenses applicable to the other publicly-funded subsidies
What You Need for Your Application
When applying for medical expense subsidies, you will need the following materials:
-Child medical subsidy payment application form
-Receipt (original)
* with patient’s name, insurance score, date of medical treatment, medical institution name, receipt amount (if these items are not listed, have it filled out at the medical institution where you had a medical examination). You can also apply with a copy of the receipt, only if the original was submitted for health insurance procedures.
-Copy of identity verification documents with a photo of the guardian listed on the medical certificate (driver’s license, my number card, etc.)
-Copy of child health insurance card
* when applying for the first time or when there are changes from previous applications.
-Copy of passbook or cash card of your banking facility
* when applying for the first time or when there are changes from previous applications.
** parent’s name listed on the medical certificate. Payment will not be made to an account other than the parent’s account listed on the medical certificate.
-Payment decision notice from health insurance (only those who are applicable to item 5, 6 or 7 above. Original required if applicable)
-Copy of credit limit certificate (if applicable)
-Copy of recipient certificate for pediatric chronic specified disease medical expenses subsidy/monthly management slip (if applicable)
There may be other items required if you fall under 5, 6 or 7 of “Example of Medical Expenses That Can Be Refunded (Claimed for Refund)”. Check with your local government office.
High-cost medical expenses payment decision notice is only required for those who are members of the National Health Insurance or National Health Insurance Association, and have a receipt corresponding to high-cost medical expenses. High-cost medical expenses complies with regulations when medical expenses for National Health Insurance benefits become high (High-cost medical care benefit payment decision notification is not required, if you are a member of a social insurance/mutual aid association)
A qualified recipient can make a refund claim for multiple receipts, which may include receipts from different medical facilities or receipts for different months.
Note that claims for more than one child need to be made separately. Claim deadline is 5 years from the day after the day of medical payment.
Claim Application Location and Refund Money Transfer
Applications should be made at the local government office in the area where you live. If there are no defects in the application, the refund will be made to the designated account. Although the procedure may seem time consuming, be sure to apply if you are eligible.
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There are many art galleries, museums and libraries run by Japanese local governments. These places can help enrich children’s spirits, and we recommend that you take advantage of them.
What are the Art Galleries and Museums Like?
The art galleries are places where various types of artwork, such as paintings and sculptures, are exhibited. At the museums, you will see many types of items related to history, culture, nature and industries of the region that have been collected for exhibition. There are different types of art galleries and museums, including galleries that display artwork created by an artist with some connection to the region, and museums with exhibits related to the nature and industries specific to the region. Some places offer workshops and study sessions in addition to exhibits. Check their website for information. An entrance fee is usually required to visit any art galleries and museums.
What are the Libraries Like?
At the libraries, you can find various types of informational materials, such as books, magazines, DVD’s, and CD’s. Children’s books and picture books are also available. You can also check out these materials by following necessary procedure. Some libraries offer story time for children. The public libraries are usually free of charge.
Use the Facilities in Your Region
Places like art galleries, museums and libraries stimulate children’s intellectual curiosity. Visiting these places is also an opportunity for children to get to know the area they live in. Consider visiting the facilities in your area with your children.
Chiyoda-ku Museums and art Galleries Library
Chuou-ku Museums and art Galleries Library
Minato-ku Museums and art Galleries Library
Shinjyuku-ku Museums and art Galleries Library
Bunkyo-ku Museums and art Galleries Library
Taito-ku Museums and art Galleries Library
Sumida-ku Museums and art Galleries Library
Koutou-ku Museums and art Galleries Library
Shinagawa-ku Museums and art Galleries Library
Meguro-ku Museums and art Galleries Library
Ota-ku Museums and art Galleries Library
Setagaya-ku Museums and art Galleries Library
Shibuya-ku Museums and art Galleries Library
Nakano-ku Museums and art Galleries Library
Suginami-ku Museums and art Galleries Library
Toshima-ku Museums and art Galleries Library
Kita-ku Museums and art Galleries Library
Arakawa-ku Museums and art Galleries Library
Itabashi-ku Museums and art Galleries Library
Nerima-ku Museums and art Galleries Library
Adachi-ku Museums and art Galleries Library
Katsushika-ku Museums and art Galleries Library
Edogawa-ku Museums and art Galleries Library
Hachiouji-shi Museums and art Galleries Library
Tachikawa-shi Museums and art Galleries Library
Musahino-shi Museums and art Galleries Library
Mitaka-shi Museums and art Galleries Library
Oume-shi Museums and art Galleries Library
Fucyu-shi Museums and art Galleries Library
Akishima-shi Museums and art Galleries Library
Chofu-shi Museums and art Galleries Library
Machida-shi Museums and art Galleries Library
Koganei-shi Museums and art Galleries Library
Kodaira-shi Museums and art Galleries Library
Hino-shi Museums and art Galleries Library
Higashimurayama-shi Museums and art Galleries Library
Kokubunji-shi Museums and art Galleries Library
Kunitachi-shi Museums and art Galleries Library
Fussa-shi Museums and art Galleries Library
Komae-shi Museums and art Galleries Library
Higashiyamamto-shi Museums and art Galleries Library
Kiyose-shi Museums and art Galleries Library
Higashikurume-shi Museums and art Galleries Library
Musashimurayama-shi Museums and art Galleries Library
Tama-shi Museums and art Galleries Library
Inagi-shi Museums and art Galleries Library
Hamura-shi Museums and art Galleries Library
Akiruno-shi Museums and art Galleries Library
Nishitokyo-shi Museums and art Galleries Library
Mizuho-machi Museums and art Galleries Library
Hinode-machi Museums and art Galleries Library
Hinohara-mura Museums and art Galleries Library
Okutama-machi Museums and art Galleries Library
Oshima-machi Museums and art Galleries Library
Toshima-mura Museums and art Galleries Library
Niijima-mura Museums and art Galleries Library
Kouzushima-mura Museums and art Galleries Library
Miyake-mura Museums and art Galleries Library
Mikurajima-mura Museums and art Galleries Library
Hachijyo-machi Museums and art Galleries Library
Aogashima-mura Museums and art Galleries Library
Ogasawara-mura Museums and art Galleries Library1 Library2 -
You may receive a portion of the money needed to raise your child from the state or town. Each has certain rules, so please check them.
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You can borrow a part of the money you need to raise your child from your country or town. Each has certain rules, so please check them.
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