Evacuation from Tsunamis―Please Review Your Evacuation Actions―

• Immediate evacuation to a safe location is the top priority. 
  The most important action to protect yourself from an approaching tsunami is to evacuate inland as quickly and as far away from the coast as possible. When you feel a strong shaking or a tsunami warning is issued, please evacuate inland immediately.
  If it is difficult to evacuate inland, move to the nearest elevated area, such as a tsunami evacuation tower, a building, or an evacuation hill.
• When the “Hokkaido—Sanriku Offshore Subsequent Earthquake Advisory” is issued
   If a large earthquake (magnitude 7.0 or greater) occurs off the coast of Hokkaido or Sanriku, there is a possibility of a subsequent major earthquake. In such cases, the “Hokkaido—Sanriku Offshore Subsequent Earthquake Advisory” will be issued for about one week. Once this advisory is announced, continue your daily life while remaining alert and preparing for a major earthquake.

<Examples of preparedness>
- Be ready to evacuate quickly, even while asleep.
- Prepare daily use items and always keep them.
- Ensure access to emergency information.
- Check your disaster preparations regularly.
Inquiries: Disaster Risk Reduction Promotion Section TEL: 022-214-3109

Tax Notifications

Payment Notice for Inhabitant Tax to be Sent Out

The City of Sendai will send out Payment Notices for FY 2026 Inhabitant Tax on June 11 (Thu). Four payment slips are included inside the Payment Notice. Each payment slip has a designated payment period, so please be sure to make payments with the appropriate slips within the specified periods. Please be aware of the correct due date and do not lose your payment slips. You can check your taxation information with the taxation statement on the notice.
Inquiries: Inhabitant Tax Section
[Aoba and Izumi Ward] TEL: 022-214-8637
[Miyagino, Wakabayashi and Taihaku Ward] TEL: 022-214-8638 

Inhabitant Tax Payments are Due on June 30 (Tue).

Please make your first Inhabitant Tax payment for FY 2026 at your nearest financial institution by June 30 (Tue). If you are paying via bank transfer, the transaction will also be made on June 30 (Tue).
Inquiries: Tax Collection and Administration Section TEL: 022-214-1010

Water & Sewerage Fee Reductions and Exemptions for Inhabitant Tax Exempt Households

• Reduction and Exemption Period: From the month following application until June 2027
• Reduction and Exemption Amount: Basic fees for water and basis usage fees for sewerage
• Eligibility: Households in which all members are exempt from inhabitant tax, are currently experiencing significant financial hardship due to low income and are not receiving ongoing financial support from other households. Please note that eligibility may vary depending on the building conditions and water usage.

How to Apply:
[For renewal applications] Use applications mailed by the City of Sendai by mid-June. 
[For new applications] 
・Required documents:

1. FY 2026 Tax Exemption Certificates for all household members 
   (not required for dependents aged 18 or younger)
2. A letter of proxy is required if applying by proxy.
   Please submit the required documents in person or by mail to the Waterworks Bureau (Northern Service Center, Southern Service Center, or City Hall Service Center). 
   New applicants who wish to apply by mail are asked to contact the office in advance.

[Aoba and Izumi Ward] Northern Waterworks Service Center TEL: 022-371-8830
[Miyagino, Wakabayashi and Taihaku Ward] Southern Waterworks Service Center TEL: 022-304-0020）
Inquiries: Southern Waterworks Service Center of Waterworks Bureau TEL: 022-304-0020, 
Operation Section of Construction Bureau TEL: 022-214-8337

Make Use of National Health Insurance Specific Health Checkups and Health Guidance.

• Checkup period: June 1 (Mon) to October 31 (Sat), 2026 / January 4 (Mon) to 30 (Sat), 2027
• Eligibility: Individuals between the ages of 40 to 74 years old who are enrolled in the National Health Insurance Scheme (as of March 31, 2027)
• The City of Sendai sent out Check-up Coupons to eligible residents in late May. Please attend your health checkup at one of the designated medical institutions from the enclosed list.
• After your health checkup, those who are eligible for specific health guidance will be given a voucher at a medical institution. Please take advantage of this service.
• For more information on how to apply, please visit the official website of the City of Sendai.

Inquiries: Home Health Section of ward offices, Public Health and Welfare Section of general branches

Payment Slips for FY 2026 National Health Insurance Premiums to be Sent Out

The City of Sendai will send out payment slips for FY 2026 National Health Insurance premiums on June 15 (Mon). 

• A designated call center will be in operation from June 15 (Mon) to July 3 (Fri). 
  TEL: 022-217-6531 (Weekdays 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.)
• For households in which the head of household turns 75 during FY 2026, National Health Insurance premiums will no longer be deducted from public pension payments (special collection). Instead, payments must be made by payment slip or bank transfer.
• For more information on the FY 2026 insurance rates, please visit the official website of the City of Sendai.

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

Recipients of Child Allowance: Please Check if Submission of a Notification of Present Conditions Is Required.

Submission of the Notification of Present Conditions is not necessary in principle. However, for those who are required to submit a Notification of Present Conditions due to their child-rearing circumstances, the City will send the necessary forms in mid-June. If received, please submit the form by June 30 (Tue), 2026. 
You may submit the form by mail using the enclosed return envelope, or online through the Myna Portal. In-person submission at service counters will also be available from June 1 (Mon). 
Inquiries: Childcare and Benefit Section at ward offices, and Public Health and Welfare Section at general branches

Changes to Rules on Child-rearing after Divorce Due to Amendments to the Civil Code

• Clarification of Parental Responsibilities
  The amended Civil Code clearly states that both parents share responsibility and obligation to raise their children, regardless of parental authority or marital status.
• Review of Rules on Parental Authority
  In addition to the previous system of solo custody, in which only one parent has parental authority, parents can now choose joint custody, allowing both parents to retain parental authority after divorce. 
• Measures to Ensure Child Support Payments
  A new system has been introduced that allows the parent living with the child to claim child support of 20,000 yen per month for each child from the other parent, while a dispute is ongoing, even if no agreement was made at the time of divorce; this applies until a formal agreement is reached and is applicable to divorces on and after April 1, 2026.
• Reviews of Arrangement for Safe and Secure Parent-Child Contact
  Rules regarding parent-child contact and contact with relatives other than parents have been revised.
• Changes to Divorce Notification Form Due to Amendments to the Civil Code
  *: For details, please refer to the official website of the City of Sendai.

Inquires: 
[For changes related to child-rearing after divorce] Children's Health and Welfare Section TEL: 022-214-8180
[For divorce notification form] Family and Resident Registration Section TEL: 022-214-6126

AIDS and Syphilis 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, starting two weeks before the testing date until the day before. You can also make a reservation through the official website of the City of Sendai.
  (1) Night-time Rapid Testing of AIDS and Syphilis: 
  Date and time: June 26 (Fri) 5:00-7:00 p.m.
  Venue: Health Consultation Office of Koseikan (1-1-5, Miyamachi, Aoba-ku)
  Date and time: July 10 (Fri) 5:00-7:00 p.m.
  Venue: AER Building 6F 
  (2) Holiday Rapid Testing of AIDS and Syphilis 
  Date and time: July 4 (Sat) 1:30-3:00 p.m. 
  Venue: Health Consultation Office of Koseikan (1-1-5, Miyamachi, Aoba-ku)
  The capacity is around 30 people per session (first-come, first-serve).
  Test results will be provided about one hour after the blood draw.
  (If the results are unclear, you will be notified later.)

Inquiries: Infectious Disease Countermeasure Section TEL: 022-214-8029

Currently Accepting Applications for Municipal Housing
―Applications Open Until June 16 (Tue)―

Applicants are evaluated using a point system based on their level of housing need, including living conditions and housing cost burden. Applicants with higher scores are given priority for admission.

• The "Application Guide for Sendai City Municipal Housing" will be available from June 5 (Fri) at the following locations: 
  - Application Section of the Sendai City Construction Public Corporation (Sendai City Hall Kokubuncho Building, 2nd Floor)
  - Information desks at ward offices
• How to apply:
  Fill out the application form attached to the Application Guide and mail it together with the declaration form using the provided envelope by June 16 (Tue).
• Earliest move in date: October 1 (Thu), 2026 (tentative)
• Eligibility: Individuals who are currently in need of housing.
  For details, please refer to the Application Guide.

Application requirements may differ depending on your circumstances. This includes those who previously lived in areas under evacuation orders due to the nuclear disaster, evacuees from designated support areas under the Children and Victims Support Act, and victims of domestic violence or crime. Please contact the office for details.

Inquiries: Application Section of the Sendai City Construction Public Corporation
TEL: 022-399-7413

Consultations for Starting a Business

(1) Consultations for matters related to starting a business
Date and time: June 17 (Wed) 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. 
Who it is for: Those who are considering starting a business in Miyagi Prefecture or have just started a business. (Limited to the first 30 applicants.) 
(2) Consultation for Foreign Entrepreneurs
Date and time: June 25 (Thu) 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Who it is for: Foreign residents, including international students, who are interested in starting a business in Sendai City 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 on the Sendai City Entrepreneurship Support Center website from 9:00 a.m. on June 8. Application for (1) by phone is also accepted. 

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