June 1^st Announcements

There Will Be a Festival in Akashi Park (Time Week 2023)

June 10^th is the “Time Anniversary Day.”  This day marks the anniversary of the first time a clock was made in Japan and people were told the time.  The time standard for the entire world is based on the Prime Meridian in London, England.  Akashi’s location on the globe is exactly 9 hours ahead of this point.  For this reason, all of Japan uses the time in Akashi as its standard time.  That is why Akashi is called the “City of Time.”  The festival “Time Week 2023” is an event run by Akashi to help as many people as possible learn more about the city.  You can have a great time at the festival with your family or friends, so please pay a visit!

Date and Time:  Sunday, June 11^th from 10:00 am until 4:00 pm.  The event will be cancelled if there is heavy rain.

Place: Akashi Park, Lawn Open Space

• There will be various performances on the stages, such as dances or taiko drum concerts.
• There will be many stalls at the event where you can buy different food and drinks.
• Various vehicles from the police and fire departments will be there, so you can take pictures of them.
• At noon, they will fire off a special old historical gun to signal the time.  It will be pretty loud!

If you have any questions about this article, please contact the “Time Week 2023 Executive Committee”.  Their phone number is 090-3973-8000.  Their fax number is 078-787-5786.

Bicycle Thefts Are Increasing

In Akashi City, there are an increasing number of bicycles and motorcycles being stolen.  In particular, the number of bicycle thefts has increased greatly.  As of March of this year, there have been 97 cases of bicycle theft.  Of those bicycles, 70% of them were not locked. 

To avoid having your bicycle or motorcycle stolen, please follow the following precautions:

• Even if you will only be away from your bicycle for a short time, please be sure to lock it.
• Even when your bicycle is parked at your own home, please be sure to lock it.
• Please don’t leave your bicycle or motorcycle on the street.
• Please use the Bicycle Theft Prevention Registration.   If you register for this, then it will be possible to prove that your bicycle belongs to you.  Please go to a bicycle shop in your area and fill out the paper for the Bicycle Theft Prevention Registration.

If you have any questions about this article, please contact the General Safety Planning Office.  Their phone number is 078-918-5069.  Their fax number is 078-918-5140.

 During the Month of June, Let’s Think About the Environment

June is Environment Month in Japan.  It’s a month to think about the environment and the world around us.

The people of Akashi City will be cleaning up their nearby roads, rivers, and the ocean.  For all the foreign residents reading this, let’s think about what we can do to help out!  For example:

• Help keep the paths and roads near your home clean.
• Try to reduce the amount of garbage that you need to throw out.
• Don’t buy too much food.  Try to avoid having to throw away uneaten food.
• Don’t buy drinks in plastic bottles.  Instead, carry a water bottle with you when you go out.
• Don’t use too much electricity.  Turn off any lights that you aren’t currently using.
• Try to use public transportation like buses and trains as much as possible, instead of your car.

If you have any questions about this article, please contact the Akashi City Environmental Affairs Division.  Their phone number is 078-918-5029.  Their fax number is 078-918-5586.

Notifications About Events at the Akashi Planetarium in June and July

Here is information about events that will be held at the Akashi Planetarium in June and July.

•  Learning About Tanabata (the Star Festival) and Tanabata Decorations.

Tanabata is a star festival that usually takes place on July 7^th.  In some regions of Japan, however, it takes place at the beginning of August.  The planetarium will teach visitors about old folk stories related to Tanabata, as well as about different kinds of Tanabata decorations in Akashi and the nearby area.  This event will take place from Saturday, June 17^th until Monday, July 17^th.

•  The planetarium will be doing a presentation called “The Southern Polar Star.”

The Southern Polar Star (the star closest to the South Pole) is not actually visible from Japan.  However, you will be able to see it at the Akashi Planetarium!  The planetarium will be doing a presentation displaying the Southern Polar Star.  This presentation will last until June 30^th.

Admission to the Akashi Planetarium costs 700 yen for adults.  For children up to high school age, admission is free.

If you have any questions about this article, please contact the Akashi Planetarium.  Their phone number is 078-919-5000.  Their fax number is 078-919-6000.