january
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Developmental disorders are congenital disorders related to brain development. People with developmental disorders often have difficulty with communication or interpersonal relationships, and many of them have difficulties in life. There are several types of developmental disorders and each has its strengths and weaknesses depending on its characteristics. Receiving treatments can promote a child’s development and help them live independently.
Characteristics of Developmental Disorders
Common types of developmental disorders include Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), Learning Disorders (LD), Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorders (ADHD), Tics and Stuttering.
Autism Spectrum Disorders(ASD)
◯Characteristics:
-Have difficulty with communication or interpersonal relationships
-Show interest in something specific, repeat the same action, etc.
◯Difficulties faced by children with ASD:
-Have difficulty making friends
-Do not like sudden schedule changes
Learning Disorders (LD)
◯Characteristics:
-Have difficulty reading
-Have difficulty writing
-Have difficulty calculating
◯Difficulties faced by children with LD:
-Cannot keep up with school classes
-Self-esteem decreases
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorders (ADHD)
◯Characteristics:
-Have trouble paying attention
-Restless
-Act on impulse
◯Difficulties faced by children with ADHD:
-Have difficulty sitting still during class
-Make careless mistakes
Tics
◯Characteristics:
-Make sudden loud verbal sounds
-Repetitive movement like eye blinking and head shaking
◯Difficulties faced by children with tics:
-People around them think they are restless and cause trouble
Stuttering
◯Characteristics:
-Pausing within a word or repetition of a word
◯Difficulties faced by children with stuttering
-People around them laugh at them
-People around them correct their speech
Places to Consult About Children’s Developmental Disorders
Consult with the local government office in your area if you have any concerns about your child:
- Public health center
- Child care support center
- Child consultation center
- Support center for persons with developmental disorders(in Japanese)
- Child development support center
- Mental health and welfare center(in Japanese)
Developmental Support for Children with Developmental Disorders
Treatments (developmental support) are available for children with developmental disorders. The treatments are to help promote a child’s development so that they can live their daily life smoothly. Treatment details vary depending on the characteristics of the child’s symptoms. Public treatment support is available after you consult with the local government in your area and if the treatment is deemed necessary. Here are the procedures to receive the public treatment support:
1.Consultation:
Consult with public institutions and medical institutions
2.Developmental test:
Child undergoes a specific test
3.Selection of a treatment facility:
Select the facility to receive the treatment. Location varies depending on the local government.
4.Application and issuance of developmental support recipient certificate:
Type of certificate varies depending on the selected facility. Medical certificate may be required depending on the area. Check with your local government office.
5.Start using the facility:
Treatments within the specified type and amount on the certificate are available for the child.
Although the causes of developmental disorders are not clearly understood, the cause is not the way parents raised them or their own lack of effort. Consult with support facilities if you notice your child showing signs of developmental disorders or having problems so that they can receive support.
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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, diarrhea, coughing, and asthma. Severe symptoms are called anaphylaxis, which can be life-threatening, and include drop in blood pressure, difficulty breathing, and loss of consciousness. When teaching children with foreign roots, consider differences in customs and be sure to prevent children from coming into contact with allergens at school.
Food Allergies
The human body has an immune system which keeps invaders like germs and viruses out of the body. Food allergies are caused by an overactive immune system responding to allergens (substances that cause allergies, mostly proteins) contained in certain foods. Food allergies are not only caused by oral intake, but can be caused by the allergen entering the body through inhalation, skin contact or injection. Symptoms from any of these cases, are called food allergies.
Food Allergy Testing
Symptoms that could be due to food allergies include severe and stubborn rash on the face or whole body, rash, vomiting, face turning red and difficulty breathing, and itching in the mouth after eating. If you have these symptoms, get tested for allergies at a hospital to identify the cause.
Foods That Cause Allergic Reactions
There are many types of food that can cause allergic reactions. Allergen labeling is required by the food labeling law. Be sure to check food labels if your child has food allergies.
[Specific Raw Materials]
The 8 food items that must be labeled: shrimp, crab, walnut, wheat, buckwheat, egg, milk, and peanut, are the foods most commonly associated with food allergies and severe symptoms.
[Substances equivalent to specified raw materials]
It is recommended, but not required, to label these 20 food items: almond, abalone, squid, salmon roe, orange, cashew nut, kiwi fruit, beef, sesame seed, salmon, mackerel, soybean, chicken, banana, pork, matsutake mushroom, peach, Japanese yam, apple, and gelatin.
What to Do When Allergic Symptoms Occur
If a child develops allergic symptoms, follow the guidance and take appropriate measures.
Food allergy emergency measures guidance:
Extra attention is required if anaphylaxis occurs. The signs of anaphylaxis include rash and hives spreading over the whole body, redness on the face, swelling of the lips or eyelids, as well as drop of blood pressure, difficulty breathing, fainting, abdominal pain, and vomiting. Reactions such as drop in blood pressure and disturbances in consciousness are called anaphylaxis shock, which is a severe reaction that occurs suddenly and can worsen quickly, and is potentially life-threatening. If you suspect someone is in anaphylaxis shock, call an ambulance (119) and use an EpiPen according to the instructions.
Points to Note When Working With Children With Foreign Roots
Children may come into contact with allergens other than school lunches while they are at school. There are some Japan-specific school events and classes that may include unexpected situations for children and parents with foreign roots. Talk with them about how to deal with the events and classes ahead of time.
-School events and cooking classes:
For Setsubun event, make sure to check that the beans for throwing do not include nuts other than soybeans. For cooking classes, be careful when handling wheat and buckwheat flour, as inhaling the powder may cause allergic symptoms. Caution is also required when students are bringing ingredients from home.
-Art and craft classes:
Wheat clay can cause allergic symptoms by coming into contact with skin. Empty milk cartons, egg cartons, plastic bottles, cans and snack containers used for crafts may contain allergens.
-Sports day, field trips, extracurricular classes and overnight trips:
Make sure to check about allergens in advance when planning a factory tour, etc. For overnight trips, be sure to consult and confirm with the accommodation facility and parents ahead of time.
There are some cultures and customs different from other countries that children may experience at Japanese schools. Check thoroughly about food allergies for children with foreign roots and take measures to keep them safe.
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What should you do if your house was damaged or you lost your passport/driver’s license because of a disaster like an earthquake or typhoon? You can receive relief money or have necessary documents reissued by following the required procedures.
Necessary Procedures if the House You Live in Is Destroyed or Burnt Down
Obtain a “Disaster Victim Certificate” at your local government office, which proves that your house was damaged due to a disaster. The disaster victim certificate can be obtained at a fire station if your house was burnt down because of a fire. A disaster victim certificate may be needed for various procedures, including application for reissuance of certificates, fire insurance claim and tax exemption. Only one disaster victim certificate will be issued per household. Make sure to keep it in a safe place.
What to Do if You Lose Your Passport, Visa or Alien Registration Card
For passport reissuance, you need to go through certain procedures at your country’s embassy. Contact the embassy for documents required for the procedures.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan; List of Embassies and Consulates in Japan:
If your visa has expired, follow the visa renewal procedures at an Immigration Bureau’s office. Contact (visit, call or email) the Immigration Information Center for details:
TEL:0570-013904
(IP, PHS, International call: 03-5796-7112)
Hours: Weekdays 8:30 am – 5:15 pm
Supported Languages: Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, Spanish, Portuguese, Vietnamese, Filipino, Nepali, Indonesian, Thai, Khmer (Cambodian), Burmese, Mongolian, French, Sinhalese, Urdu
For Alien Registration Card reissuance, follow the procedures at your local government office. Go to a police station for driver’s license reissuances. Both procedures require your personal identification such as passport, alien registration card, driver’s license, insurance card, photo proof, student ID. Ask for advice at the service desk if you lost all your identification due to the disaster.
How to Receive Relief Money
Those who are registered as a resident (holding alien registration), are applicable to receive the relief money. Take your identification certificate to the local government office and follow necessary procedures.
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Japan is prone to earthquakes. Large earthquakes may occur. Typhoons and tsunamis may occur as well. Natural disasters, like earthquakes and typhoons, are called “saigai” in Japanese. Where should you evacuate if a natural disaster occurs?
The First Place to Evacuate to in the Event of a Disaster
Evacuation when a disaster occurs is called “hinan” in Japanese, and an evacuation site, a place to escape to, is called “hinan-basho”. Evacuation sites are normally large areas like parks and schools. Evacuate to an evacuation site near your home or workplace, following the instructions of people at the town hall, police officers, and firefighters. If children are at school when a disaster occurs, they will be kept safe at school.
What Do You Do if You Are Told That Tsunami Is Coming?
Japan is surrounded by ocean. In some areas, large tsunamis may occur after an earthquake. Run to a higher place without hesitation if you are told that Tsunami is coming. It is recommended that you always check the hazard map in your area. If the area you live in could get hit by a tsunami, make sure to check the location of your evacuation site.
What Do You Do if You Can No Longer Live at Home?
You can temporarily live in a shelter if your house collapses or is at risk of collapsing due to a disaster. Evacuation centers are usually nearby elementary and junior high schools, and community centers. At the evacuation center, you can receive necessities such as food, drinks, blankets, sanitary napkins, diapers, etc. Check with the person in charge of the evacuation center about rules to live there. Prepare disaster prevention goods needed when living in an evacuation center in advance
Is Disaster Information Available in Foreign Languages?
NHK news is available in both English and Japanese on TV. On radio, NHK Radio 2 (Tokyo, 693kHz 500kw) provides information on earthquakes with a seismic intensity of low 6 or higher, tsunami advisory, tsunami warnings, and emergency warnings in English, Korean, Chinese and Portuguese. AFN (American Forces Network Tokyo 810kHz) also broadcasts in English.You can listen to the radio from your mobile phone.
An application that allows you to listen to radio programs radiko
(Reference) “Q&A Manual to Support Foreigners in Case of Disasters” by Tokyo International Communication Committee:
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In Japan, omisoka, which means “New Year’s Eve”, is considered to be an important day to get ready to welcome the new year. Here is some information on how people spend New Year’s Eve in Japan.
When Is Omisoka?
Omisoka means New Year’s Eve. The word “misoka” is originally written as “三十日” in kanji, which means 30th day of the month. December 31st is called “omisoka”, which is written as “大晦日” in kanji (30 days with the word “dai – 大”), and it means the last day of the year.
What Do People Do on Omisoka?
On New Year’s Eve, people do some deep cleaning to welcome the new year comfortably. It is the tradition to clean your home and heart to welcome kami, which is the Shinto god of the new year. After finishing cleaning, people eat Toshikoshi soba; the long soba noodles represent a long and healthy life. Later in the evening, people also go to the temple to ring the New Year’s Eve bell, to get rid of the year’s troubles and welcome the new year feeling refreshed.
Enjoy the last day of the year and have a happy new year!
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Children’s cafeteria, (“kodomo-shokudou” in Japanese), are places that children can visit on their own to eat. Their meals are provided for free or at a low price.
What Are Kodomo-Shokudou Like?
Kodomo-shokudou are led by local volunteers and/or local governments and provide free or inexpensive meals to children in the community. Children can use this service on their own. The purpose of kodomo-shokudou is to help all children to get enough nutrition through their meals, as well as to provide a place where they can be supported by their community instead of staying home alone. In some communities, kodomo-shokudou also provide services that support families with foreign roots, including Japanese language classes.
Who Can Use Kodomo-Shokudou?
Kodomo-shokudou are available to children living in the community and their guardians. Some kodomo-shokudou may have different fees for children and adults. There are also some communities that offer the services for adults living in the community even if they have no children.
Where Are Kodomo-Shokudou Located?
Kodomo-shokudou are located in many different locations. Check your local government’s website to find the information. There is also a website where you can search for a kodomo-shokudou in your area:
Gaccom x Musubie Kodomo-Shokudou MAP
Kodomo-shokudou are also places where children can get to know people in their community. It may be a good idea to try using the service with your children if there is one in the community where you live.
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"Kotokoto", the information support service for families with foreign roots, now has accounts on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Follow us:
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Libraries are places where a lot of resources are kept, including books, newspapers, magazines, CD’s and DVD’s. Most areas in Japan have a library that anyone can use for free. You can do research with the resources you find. There are many events held at the library, such as story time for children, and study sessions for adults.
How Do You Use The Library?
Public libraries can be used by anyone, and most resources can be checked out. However, the ability to check out books is limited to those who live, go to school, or work in that area. To be able to check out books, you need a library card, which you can get at the front desk. Some form of identification that shows your address will be required to apply for a library card.
When Is the Library Open?
In most cases, public libraries are open 10:00 – 18:00, Tuesday through Sunday. You might be able to return the book you checked out by dropping it off at the dedicated return window, even if the library is closed. Check with the library to see if such a system exists. Libraries are closed on Mondays and New Year’s holidays.
How Can You Find the Book You Want to Read?
If there is a book you would like to read, you can search for it on the library’s website or by using the dedicated device in the library. You can also put a book on hold online. In addition, some libraries give book recommendations according to the season and theme.
Libraries also have children’s books and picture-story materials available. It may be fun to visit a library with your child.
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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