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, 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. 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

• 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, 2025 - June 30, 2025
• Claim submission date: By July 18, 2025 (Fri.)
• 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 022-214-8978

Basic Health Check will Begin in July

• Examination Period: From July 1(Tue) to September 30 (Tue) 2025, and January 5 (Mon) to January 31 (Sat) 2026
• Eligibility: Persons aged 35 to 39 years or 75 years and over, etc. who 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

Notice for National Health Insurance Premiums

The City of Sendai will send an “Eligibility Certificate” or a “Notice of Eligibility Information” to those who are applicable in July. 

• For those who do not have an Individual Number Card registered as a health insurance card (Myna Health Insurance Card):
  ・The “Eligibility Certificate” which can be used instead of a National Health Insurance card will be sent out by post. The valid period of the certificate is one year, starting from August 1, 2025, until July 31, 2026.
  ・Presenting the Eligibility Certificate at medical institutions will allow the individual to continue accessing medical services same as before. 
• For those who have a Myna Health Insurance Card:
  ・Current users of health insurance cards will be required to use their Myna health insurance card instead in the future. (Starting date will be from August 1 for individuals aged 70 or older, and from October 1, 2025, for those who are under 70.)
  ・A “Notice of Eligibility Information” will be sent by post. This is an A4-size document which will allow the individuals to access medical services by presenting it alongside their Myna health insurance card at medical institutions that have not yet installed a Myna card reader. Presenting the notice alone is not acceptable.
  ・Those who wish to use the Eligibility Certificate need to cancel user registration on their Myna Health Insurance Card. For further information, please inquire at your ward office or general branch.

Inquiries: National Health Insurance and Pension Section of Ward Offices and Miyagi General Branch, Public Health and Welfare Section of Akiu General Branch

AIDS and Syphillis Rapid Testing 

• Reservation required
• How to apply:
  Reservations can be made by calling the dedicated reservation line (TEL: 090-4478-4641), between 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays, from two weeks before the testing date up until the day before the testing, or from the official website of the City of Sendai.

1. Night-time Rapid Testing of AIDS and Syphilis: 
   Date and time: July 25 (Fri) and August 8 (Fri), 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Venue: 6F of AER  
2. Holiday Rapid Testing of AIDS and Syphilis 
   Date and time: August 2 (Sat), 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. Venue: Health Consultation Office of Koseikan (1-1-5, Miyamachi, Aoba-ku)

Capacity: approximately 30 people each（first-come first-served）
The test taker will be directly informed of the results about one hour after blood samples have been taken. (In the case of indeterminate results, the test taker will be notified of the results at a later date.)

Inquiries：Infectious Disease Countermeasure Section　022-214-8029

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

If you have difficulty making National Pension payments because of 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

Consultations for Starting a Business

（1）Consultations for matters related to starting a business
Date and time: July 16 (Wed) 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Who it is for: Those who are considering starting a business or have just started a business. Limited to the first 30 applicants. 

（2）Consultation for Foreign Entrepreneurs
Date and time: July 24 (Thu) 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Who it is for: Foreign residents, including international students, who are interested in starting a business or have been operating a business for approximately 5 years or less. Limited to the first 10 applicants.

• Venue: AER Building 7F
• Content: Individual consultations with relevant experts on starting/running a business.
• How to apply: Apply via the website of the Sendai City Entrepreneurship Support Center starting from 9:00 a.m. on July 7. Application for 1 by phone is also accepted. 

Inquiries: Sendai City Industrial Promotion Organization TEL: 022-724-1124