Bequeathing nature-rich Yokohama to the future Fumiko Hayashi Mayor of Yokohama Last autumn, Yokohama was the sole East Asian city to participate in the intercity conference on initiatives to address climate change held by the U.S. Department of State and other parties in preparation for the 21st Conference of Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP 21). This gave us the opportunity to describe the environmental measures Yokohama is taking in approaches together with its citizenry and business community, in areas such as projects to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) and technical assistance for newly emerging economies. These measures were given high ratings by the representatives of various cities around the world. To bequeath finite resources and a rich environment to future generations is a wish shared worldwide. For its fulfillment, it is important for citizens, corporate enterprises, non-profit organizations (NPOs), and public administrative authorities to pull together and tackle the tasks as their own. Yokohama's biggest strength lies in the steady achievement of results through the aggregate effect of efforts by each and every party in both daily-life and business activities. In the phase of high-level economic growth, Yokohama, too, experienced worsening pollution of water and air, and had an environment that was hard for both humans and many other creatures to live in. However, it took steps to fight this pollution under what is now known as the "Yokohama method," and persevered in slow but sure environmental activities such as the tending of its forests and cleaning of its rivers together with all concerned parties. As a result, along some of its rivers, you can even find sweetfish swimming upstream and kingfishers flying around today. In March of next year, we are going to hold the 33rd National Urban Greenery Fair. People who come to this event from inside and outside Japan will see a Yokohama accented with beautiful flowers and greenery. The fair will impress on all the importance of a rich natural environment. Distribution of My Number cards Advance reservations required for picking up cards. Ward offices are mailing out a "distribution notification letter" to residents whose My Number cards are ready to be distributed to them. If you receive this letter, please make an advance reservation, by computer, smartphone, or telephone, to pick up your card, in line with the instructions on this letter. If you cannot use a computer or smartphone, or cannot telephone because of a hearing impairment or other reason, please consult the family registry division of the ward you live in by making a visit to the window or sending a fax. My Number cards will be handed over at the temporary window for distribution. - Open until: December 2016 (tentative) - Open at: conference rooms in all ward offices (inside the Karugamo Meeting Room in front of the ward office in the case of Hodogaya Ward) *The location of the temporary windows may change beginning in July. Please check the location for receiving your My Number card when making a reservation. - Ward office hours: 8:45 a.m.–5:00 p.m. on weekdays, 9:00 a.m.–4:45 p.m. on the second and fourth Saturday of each month * Applications will be accepted up to 15 minutes before the window is closed. It will take some time to hand over your My Number card. There have already been more than 300,000 applications for distribution of My Number cards, and it will take some time to distribute all of them. Your ward office is sending out a distribution notification letter with instructions for receiving your card, in the order of application receipt. Please wait until you receive this letter. Yokohama My Number System Call Center Tel: 0120-045-505 Hours: 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., Monday–Saturday (excluding Sundays, holidays, and the year-end holiday season) Fax: 045-664-5917 Reservations to receive your My Number card can also be made on the city website at the following URL. Website: http://www.city.yokohama.lg.jp/shimin/madoguchi/bango/koufu.html * The toll-free service is not available for IP phones and certain other types of phones. If you have such a phone, telephone 045-367-5272 (for a charge). Note: Please check the telephone number and make sure not to misdial. It may be hard to get through in the morning, when many people call. If the line is busy, wait and try again later. At times outside the business hours of the Yokohama City Call Center (meaning every day from 9:00 p.m. until 8:00 a.m. on the next morning), callers will receive emergency notifications of city disaster-prevention information e-mail by automated voice. Tel: 045-664-2525 Website: http://www.city.yokohama.lg.jp/shimin/kochosodan/call/ Following the voice instructions, press the number of the ward whose information you want to hear. If you are calling through a dial-up circuit, press the number of the ward after pressing buttons marked with an asterisk, hashtag, or other "tone" indication. About the Yokohama City Call Center Contact: Public Hearing and Consultation Division, Civic Affairs Bureau Tel: 045-671-2117 Fax: 045-663-3433 About disaster-prevention information e-mail Contact: Information Technology Division, General Affairs Bureau Tel: 045-671-3454 Fax: 045-641-1677 Yokohama's response to the 2016 earthquakes whose epicenters were in the Kumamoto area of Kumamoto Prefecture We in Yokohama offer our heartfelt condolences to all people who were victimized by the series of earthquakes in Kumamoto, along with our fervent wishes for a return to normality as soon as possible. To provide assistance for the people affected by the earthquakes, Yokohama has thus far taken steps such as the provision of municipal housing and acceptance of children of emergency evacuees into its schools. In addition, it has sent many municipal personnel to the affected areas for purposes such as support for the operation of evacuation sites, resumption of water service, examination of sewerage pipes, and health consultation services for the people there. It is also furnishing material support in forms including supply of water and portable toilet packs. Please visit the website noted below for more information on our approaches at present. Providing assistance in Kumamoto City of Yokohama collection of donations in response to the Kumamoto earthquakes We ask for your warm support of our collection of donations. By June 30 (Thurs.) - Special account: "Yokohama Kumamoto Earthquake Donation Collection" Bank: Bank of Yokohama Branch: Yokohama City Hall Branch Account number: Ordinary, 6037606 Account name: 横浜市熊本地震募金（ヨコハマシクマモトジシンボキン） * There is no handling fee for transfers made through counters at the main branch or other branches of the Bank of Yokohama. (A handling fee will be charged for transfers from ATMs.) - Sites of boxes for collection of donations There are boxes for collection of donations at Yokohama City Hall, ward offices, administrative service counters, and the Yokohama City Municipal Disaster Prevention Center, as well as community halls/centers, sports centers, and other facilities for the use of city residents. Contact: Crisis Management Division, General Affairs Bureau Tel: 045-671-2171 Fax: 045-641-1677 Website: http://www.city.yokohama.lg.jp/somu/org/kikikanri/h2804kumamoto/ For safety in the event of torrential rains Contact: Crisis Management Division, General Affairs Bureau Tel: 045-671-4351 Fax: 045-641-1677 Before it starts to rain - Check the locations of hazardous places and evacuation sites on the various hazard maps. - Clean gutters and stormwater inlets so they will not get blocked. - Confirm ways of collecting information. On the website noted below, you can: 1) collect meteorological information, 2) register for e-mail receipt of all sorts of disaster-prevention information, and 3) check various hazard maps. Website: http://www.city.yokohama.lg.jp/somu/org/kikikanri/information.html Once it starts to rain - Collect meteorological and other information through TV, radio, the Internet, etc. - Immediately take refuge in an evacuation site if you see signs of landslides or flooding, or otherwise sense imminent danger, or if you are advised to evacuate by the authorities. * Even if an advisory call for evacuation has not been issued, it is vital to take evacuation action early based on your own judgment if you feel in personal danger. Notice from Yokohama City National Health Insurance A notice about premium amounts determined under the National Health Insurance Program for fiscal 2016 will be sent to all residents insured under this program in mid June. - FY2016 insurance premium rates The fiscal 2016 insurance premium rates have been determined. You can make trial calculations of your premium at the website noted below. Income-based premium rate (multiplication of standard gross income by this rate) Per-capita premium rate (amount) (amount for one insured) Medical care category Assistance category Nursing care category 6.43% (6.29%) 2.02% (2.09%) 2.03% (2.11%) 31,740 yen (31,040 yen) 10,170 yen (10,270 yen) 12,170 yen (12,440 yen) Note: Figures in parentheses indicate corresponding rates in fiscal 2015. For more details, please contact the Health Insurance and Pension Division at the office of the ward in which you live. For information on matters such as the changes in the National Health Insurance Program, please call using the special lines noted below. Tel: 045-330-2210 Fax: 045-330-1635 Hours: 8:30 a.m.–7:00 p.m., June 15–August 5 * It may not be possible to furnish a reply in some cases. Website: http://www.city.yokohama.lg.jp/kenko/kokuho/ The changes in the program in fiscal 2016 are as follows. - Revision of insurance levy limits (ceiling amounts) Due to amendment of the pertinent national ordinance, the limits on levies (ceiling amounts) in the medical care and assistance categories were each raised by 20,000 yen. Limits (ceiling amounts) on insurance levies in fiscal 2016 Medical care category Assistance category Nursing care category Total 540,000 yen (520,000 yen) 190,000 yen (170,000 yen) 160,000 yen (160,000 yen) 890,000 yen (850,000 yen) Note: Figures in parentheses indicate corresponding amounts in fiscal 2015. - Expansion of households eligible for reduced per-capita premium amounts The per-capita premium amount is reduced for households whose income falls below the standard determined by law. The income standard was revised in fiscal 2016, and the scope of households eligible for the reduction has expanded. - Income standard for a 50% reduction (total household income) 330,000 yen + 265,000 yen (FY2015: 260,000 yen) × number of insured in the household - Income standard for a 20% reduction (total household income) 330,000 yen + 480,000 yen (FY2015: 470,000 yen) × number of insured in the household * There has been no change in the standard for a 70% reduction - Because a reduction cannot be given if the income situation is unclear, even people with absolutely no income must file a municipal and prefectural tax statement. - Special collection from pensions The notice about premium amounts determined under the National Health Insurance Program sent out in mid June will provide information for "ordinary collection" (payment by bank transfer or payment slip) to all household heads. Households whose payments will be made through special collection from pensions will receive an additional notice of national health insurance premiums in mid July. This additional notice will not be sent out to households that are not covered by special collection. These households are asked to continue payment by ordinary collection.