Announcements in the   February 1５st Issue

Now is the Best Time of Year to Eat Akashi Nori

“Nori” is the Japanese name for edible seaweed.  Japanese people like to eat it in many different ways.  For instance, they wrap it around rice or put pieces of it in their bowls of ramen.

The nori in Akashi is famous for being especially delicious.  Right now is the season when nori is harvested, so you can eat it at its freshest and most delicious.  You can appreciate the flavor even more by trying to eat Akashi nori in a variety of different ways.  Before nori can be served as food, there are various different harvesting and production steps that must be taken.  Watch the video below to see some of the different steps that are involved both out in the ocean and inside the factory.  

If you have any questions about this article, please ask the “Akashi City Hall, Newsletter Division.”  Their phone number is 078-918-5001.  Their fax number is 078-918-5101.

Digital Gift Certificates Will Be on Sale for a 2nd Time

Digital Gift Certificates are special certificates that you can buy, then use with your smartphone to make purchases when you are shopping.

If you’re interested in buying these certificates, please apply on the website.

Resident of Akashi who did not apply for the tickets the 1st time they were on sale can apply for these tickets.

The certificates will be sold on a “first come, first served” basis.  The sale will finish once the supply of tickets runs out.

One set of tickets costs 5,000 yen.  With this set of tickets, you can purchase 6,500 yen worth of goods.

One person can buy up to six sets of tickets.

There is no age restriction on who can buy the tickets.  However, the person who purchases the tickets needs to have their own smartphone e-mail address and smartphone telephone number.

This is an announcement for those people who were allowed to purchase paper tickets but were unable to do so before the deadline.  If you go to the 5th floor of the Akashi City Hall and visit the “Citizen Support Department”, you can buy the tickets there.  Please bring the necessary documents to get the tickets (Akashi City has sent you these documents earlier) and go there by February 28th.  Please purchase the tickets using cash, and please bring the exact amount so that no change will be required.

If you have any questions, please contact the “30% Bonus!  Akashi Special Gift Certificates Call Center.” 

Their phone number is 078-918-5334.  Their fax number is 078-918-5136.  They are available to call on Monday to Friday, from 10:00 am until 5:00 pm.

Take Precautions to Avoid Starting Fires

Winter is the season when fires at home are very common.  Please be careful and alert to make sure that you don’t start a fire.

Here are 4 habits you can remember to keep yourself safe:

Don’t smoke when you are in bed.

Don’t put anything flammable near the room heater.

When you’re away from the gas stove, turn off the flame.

Clean off any dust on your electrical outlets.  When you are not using an electrical appliance, unplug it.

Here are 6 things you can prepare to keep yourself safe:

Use a heater or stove that has a safety device or lock.  When the safety device detects something unusual or wrong with your heater or stove, it will automatically turn off the heat or gas.

Please inspect the smoke detectors in your house occasionally.  These alarms will make a loud noise if a fire happens in your home.  They are usually located in the bedroom or up somewhere above the stairs.  Every 10 years or so, you should replace your smoke detector with a new one.

When buying curtains or bedding, try to buy things that are made from flame-resistant materials.

Put a fire extinguisher in your kitchen and any rooms that use a room heater.  A fire extinguisher can put out a small fire before it gets any bigger.  Please thoroughly check over the instructions for how to use the fire extinguisher.

Please make a plan for how to escape in case there is a fire in your home.

If the area where you live has a fire drill (an event where people practice how to avoid and protect themselves from fire), you should try to participate.

If you have any questions about this article, please contact the “Fire Prevention Division.”  Their phone number is 078-918-5272.  Their fax number is 078-918-5983.

Notifications About the Coronavirus Vaccine

1. The Omicron vaccine
   (１)The following people are eligible to receive the Omicron vaccine:
   ・Anyone who is 12 years old or older, received the 1^st and 2^nd vaccinations, and had their last vaccination over 3 months ago can receive the Omicron vaccination.
   　*You can only receive the Omicron vaccination one time.

（２）Where to get vaccinated
　　You can receive the vaccination at 110 hospitals and clinics all over Akashi.  You can also receive it at
the Akashi Book Mark Square or the Akashi Public Health Center.  Check this site to see where you can
be vaccinated.

（３）How to make a reservation
Please call 0120-227-710 to make a vaccination reservation.  You can also make a reservation on their
website.

（４）Ticket to receive vaccination
・Please use the ticket that you have now.
・If you have not yet received the Omicron vaccination and you have no ticket, please call 0120-712-160 and
apply to receive a ticket.

２．For Those Who Are Over 12 Years Old and Haven’t Gotten Their 1^st or 2^nd Vaccinations

• You can receive the 1^st and 2^nd vaccinations at the Akashi Public Health Center on Sunday, February 26^th, or at Akashi Book Mark Square on Sunday, March 5^th.
• You must call and make a reservation in advance for your vaccination.  The phone number to make a reservation is 0120-712-160.

３.Vaccinations for Infants and Children

• Children from 6 months to 11 years old are eligible to receive the vaccine.
• You must call 0120-712-160 and apply for a vaccination ticket first.
• Please call a hospital or clinic that gives Coronavirus vaccinations and make a reservation.  If you check this site, then you will be able to see which hospitals and clinics can give Coronavirus vaccinations:　　

• In order to be vaccinated, children need permission from their parent or guardian.  In addition, a parent or guardian must be present when they receive the vaccination.

• Akashi Coronavirus Vaccine Telephone Number

The number to call to reserve a Coronavirus vaccination in Akashi is 0120-227-710.  You can also make a reservation over the internet.

To apply for a vaccination ticket, please call 0120-712-160.  If you can’t talk over the phone, then you can send a fax instead.  Their fax number is 0120-655-695.