december
-
In preparation
-
In Japan, the period from the end of December through the first three days of January is called the Year-End and New Year holidays, and many companies will be closed during this period. Cultural facilities and government offices will be closed as well as commercial facilities such as department stores and restaurants. Children also have winter break from around Christmas until around January 7th.
When Is the New Year Holiday?
Most companies will be closed for the New Year Holiday for 6 days from December 29th to January 3rd. If a holiday happens to precede or proceed the weekend (depending on the year), the number of holidays will increase. December 28th is usually the last day of work for the year which is called “shigoto-osame”, and the first day of work for the new year is called “shigoto-hajime”.
Are All Facilities Closed on New Year’s Day?
Most commercial facilities like department stores and restaurants are open through December 31st and some of them will be closed for New Year’s up to around January 3rd. Check their business schedule in advance if you plan to visit these places during the holidays as the schedule varies depending on the facility. Be sure to check the winter holidays of the facilities you often visit, such as supermarkets and drugstores. Public facilities including libraries and city halls will be closed during the Year-End and New Year holidays.
Customer service counters at post offices and banks will also be closed from December 31st through January 3rd. Plan ahead if you need cash as ATM may not be available for money withdrawal during this period.
Places to Visit During New Year’s Holidays
In Japan, some people go to visit a temple on New Year’s Eve and ring the New Year’s Eve bell. When the new year begins, there is a custom of going to shrines to pray for health and safety for the coming year. Therefore, temples and shrines from New Year’s Eve to New Year’s Day can often be visited throughout the day.
It may be a good idea to check what you need and prepare ahead of time, so that you can spend the Year-End and New Year’s holidays without any troubles.
-
There are services where you can consult about children’s bullying. If you have concerns about your child’s condition, talk to a specialist about it instead of trying to deal with it on your own.
What Is Bullying?
Bullying includes physically hurting someone by hitting or kicking them, or mentally hurting someone by doing something that they are uncomfortable with, such as saying mean things about them or ignoring them. Making someone feel embarrassed or taking money from them is also considered bullying.
Bullying can occur not only one-on-one, but also in groups. “Nakama-hazure” which means leaving someone out, includes ignoring them, not talking to them, and not playing with them. Recently there is also a type of bullying called “net-ijime; cyberbullying” which is harassment that takes place online and it is difficult for teachers and parents to notice.
What to Do if You Want to Know if Your Child Is Involved in Bullying
Children who are bullied are often distressed but unable to talk about it to their teachers or parents. They can become reluctant to go to school, become quiet, or lose their appetite. Children who are bullying can start talking rough. In either case, you may start to notice unusual behavior. When in doubt, use the following check sheet to help you be aware of your child’s situation:
Bullying Checklist (Ministry of Education)
What to Do When Your Child Is Being Bullied
If you find out that your child is being bullied or is bullying, listen to your child carefully first, then talk to their teachers and ask for their advice.
Where Can You Talk About Bullying?
There are some consultation services outside of schools, where children or their parents can talk about bullying. There are also places where children can directly talk about bullying. Do not hesitate to use these services if it is difficult for parents/children to talk to the teachers.
-24-hour children SOS helpline TEL:0120-0-78310
Telephone counseling available from anywhere in the country, 24 hours a day, when you are in trouble due to bullying or when you are worried about your safety or the safety of your friends. Dialing this number will connect you to the counseling service organization at the board of education in your area.
https://www.mext.go.jp/ijime/index.htm
-Children’s rights hotline TEL:0120-007-110
Toll-free and dedicated telephone counseling for children with human rights problems including bullying and abuse. Parents/guardians can use this service as well as children.
https://www.moj.go.jp/JINKEN/jinken112.html
-Human rights hotline TEL:0570-003-110
Telephone counseling of various human rights problems including discrimination, abuse and harassment, provided by legal affairs bureaus nationwide.
https://www.moj.go.jp/JINKEN/jinken20.html
-LINE (SNS) human rights counseling
Counseling available via SNS (LINE).
https://www.moj.go.jp/JINKEN/jinken03_00034.html
-Children’s rights SOS e-mail
Counseling available for elementary and junior high school aged children via email or phone.
-
If your child becomes unwell on holidays or at night, you can seek advice via phone. Pediatricians or nurses are available to help you decide whether or not to go to a hospital.
What to Do if Your Child Suddenly Becomes Unwell on Holidays or at Night?
Children’s health phone consultation services are available even on holidays and at night. Pediatricians or nurses are available to answer questions such as how to deal with your child’s condition and which hospital to visit. Call the following number if you have trouble making decisions about your child’s sudden illness:
Children’s Health Phone Consultation: #8000 (from push-button land lines and cell phones)
Tokyo: 03-5285-8898 (from all phones including dial lines and IP phones)
Operating hours:
- Monday through Friday (other than national holidays, and year-end and New Year’s holidays): 6:00 pm to 8:00 am
- Saturday, Sunday, national holidays, year-end and New Year holidays: 8:00 am to 8:00 am on the following day
Daytime Consultations About Your Child
Consultation services are available at health centers in your local ward/city, if you have any concerns about your child’s growth or health but you do not think it requires a hospital visit. Childcare consultation is available on a fixed date. Phone consultations and home visit consultations are also available. Check with each health center for their operating dates and hours.
-Tokyo Health Center
Special Ward Public Healthcare Center
-
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.
-
"Kotokoto", the information support service for families with foreign roots, now has accounts on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Follow us:
-
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.
-
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.
-
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 -
Japanese schools have school counselors. School counselors are professionals that work with students and their parents to deal with any issues that they may be facing. People can talk to counselors about various issues relating to the student, such as their school life, relationships with their friends, and parenting.
Roles of School Counselors
School counselors are there to help improve students’ and their parents’ mental healthcare. Students and their parents can tell their school counselors about any situation surrounding the student, including refusing to go to school, bullying, mistreatment, and issues learning. The counselors are there to collect the information they need before they can offer advice and assistance to the student and their family.
How To Meet With the School Counselor
Seeing a counselor is different at each school. You may have a regular schedule for counseling sessions, or you may go to the counseling office only as needed. Check with your school office for information on how to see your counselor.
Do Not Hesitate to See the Counselor Even on Minor Issues
Problems surrounding children can sometimes be difficult to talk about. You may also feel that the issue is too small to matter. Yet, small things can sometimes help solve big problems. Feel free to talk to your school counselor if you have any concerns or anxieties.