Beware of Black Bears

Due to the scarcity of food in mountains during summer, bear activity areas will likely expand to around residential areas.
Bears wander around actively during semi-dark hours in the early morning or evening, so please be extra-vigilant. When climbing a mountain or going on a hike, please wear a bell or carry a radio with you.
In the event that you encountered a bear, do not panic, face the bear squarely and slowly step backwards. Please do NOT agitate a bear by throwing an object towards it, shouting out loud, or running. 
Information regarding bear sightings is available on the "Bear Sighting Map" on the official website of the City of Sendai or the official LINE account of the City of Sendai (advance registration is required).
Inquiries： "Environmentally-friendly" Promotion Section TEL: 022-214-0013

Accepting Claims for Free Early Childhood Education and Care

To receive the Free Early Childhood Education and Care subsidy you must submit a claim to the City. Please complete the procedures if you are eligible. 

• Eligibility: Those who have the new class 2 or 3 Childcare Certificate and are using extended childcare services at kindergarten and centers for early childhood education and care, non-certified childcare facilities, temporary childcare services, childcare services for sick children, or Sendai Sukusuku ("Healthy Growth") Support Project.
• Eligible period: April 1, 2023 - June 30, 2023
• Claim submission date: By July 20, 2023
• For further details please see the official website of the City of Sendai or make an inquiry.

Inquiries: Sendai City Free Early Childhood Education and Care Office TEL: 022-214-8978

Basic Health Check will Begin from July

• Examination Period: From July 1(Sat.) to September 30 (Sat.) 2023, and January 4 (Thu.) to January 31 (Wed.) 2024
• Eligibility: Persons aged 35 to 39 years or 75 years and over, etc. and applied to take part in the Basic Health Check run by the City of Sendai
• For those who have not applied, please apply as soon as possible.

Inquiries: Home Health Section of Ward Offices, Public Health and Welfare Section of General Branches

Providing Special Benefit for Child-Rearing Households with Lower Income 

In order to support child-rearing households with lower income which are most affected by facing commodity price inflation, etc., eligible households will receive the special benefit of 50,000 yen per eligible child　as a national system.　Among these households, applications are being accepted for those whose finance has suddenly changed and need to apply.

• Eligibility: households that fulfil any of the following requirements

1. Guardian who is taking care of a child 18 years of age or under (or less than 20 years of age with a certain physical or mental disability) as of February 28, 2023, and is a single parent who did NOT receive the Child-rearing Allowance of March 2023, due to receiving public pensions (There is a limit for income, etc.)
2. Guardian who is taking care of a child 18 years of age or under as of March 31, 2024 (or less than 20 years of age with a certain physical or mental disability as of the application date), and is a single parent who has experienced a sudden dramatic change in finance since January 2023, and as a result, the income has been on the same level as those who are receiving the Child-rearing Allowance. 
3. Guardian who is taking care of a child 18 years of age or under as of March 31, 2024 (or less than 20 years of age with a certain physical or mental disability as of the application date), and is a single parent who has experienced a sudden dramatic change in finance, and as a result, the income since January 2023 has been on the same level as those who are exempted from resident tax (In the case an individual has a spouse, there is a limit for income for the spouse as well)

• Application Deadline ＝ February 29, 2024
• How to Apply ＝ Fill out the Application Form distributed at the Childcare and Benefit Section of the Ward Office near your residence or the Public Health and Welfare Section of General Branches.

Inquiries：Hotline for the Sendai City Special Benefit of Livelihood Support for Child-rearing Households　022-200-2609（Available until August 31 from 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.）

AIDS, Syphilis and Chlamydia Testing

• Anonymous testing available.
• Reservation required.
• How to apply:

Inquiries：Infectious Disease Countermeasures Office 
TEL: 022-214-8029

Notice Regarding COVID-19 Vaccination

Information regarding vaccination is available in easy Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, and Nepali.
Japanese｜Easy Japanese｜English｜Chinese｜Korean｜Vietnamese｜Nepali

Please Don’t Forget to Apply for Exemption of National Pension Payments

If you have difficulty making National Pension payments for financial reasons, you can apply for complete exemption or partial exemption of payments (your income will be audited and you will be assigned to one of four tiers based on your income in the previous year).
Inquiries: National Health Insurance and Pension Section of Ward Offices and Miyagi General Branch, Public Health and Welfare Section of Akiu General Branch