Changes to Service Counter Hours at Ward Offices and Other Facilities Starting September 1

From September 1, 2026, service counter hours at ward offices and other facilities will change to 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

• Affected offices: 
  Sendai City Hall (Main building and other buildings), Ward Offices and General Branch Offices, Certificate Issuance Centers, Sendai City Comprehensive Support Center for Persons with Disabilities, Sendai City North and South Development Counseling and Assistance Center, Public Health Institute, Animal Control Center, Children and Young People Counseling and Assistance Center, Collection Offices, Water Quality Control Center, Fire Bureau, Waterworks Bureau, and Gas Bureau
• Some counters at Waterworks Bureau and Gas Bureau are excluded.
• The change will apply to Disabled and Senior Citizens Welfare Sections at ward offices and general branch offices starting from October.
• The Sendai Station Service Center will remain open from 9:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on weekdays.
• Facilities for public use, such as city libraries and civic centers, as well as subway station counters, commuter pass sales offices, and Sendai City Hospital are not subject to these changes.
• The telephone inquiries remain unchanged, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (except at some counters). 
• A transition period will be in place until January 31, 2027. Counter services will continue to be provided for those who visit without being aware of the new hours.

Inquiries: Personnel Section of General Affairs Bureau TEL: 022-214-1217

Reduction of Water Supply Basic Charges and Sewerage Basic Usage Fees for Two Months

To help address rinsing prices, the City of Sendai will waive two months of water supply basic charges and sewerage basic usage fees (for meter readings in August and September 2026), using government subsidies. 

• Eligibility: Individuals and businesses within Sendai City that are contracted with the Waterworks Bureau (including those using only well water or septic tank and registered with the Construction Bureau)
• No application is required.
• For details including the amount of reduction, please visit the Waterworks Bureau website.

Inquiries: Customer Service Section of Waterworks Bureau TEL: 022-304-0017
Operation Section of Construction Bureau TEL: 022-214-8337 

Support for Newly Married Young Couples

The City of Sendai provides subsidies for housing-related expenses paid on or after April 2026, such as rent or moving costs, up to maximum of 600,000 yen.

• Application start date: July 13 (Mon)
• Eligibility: Married couples who meet all of the following requirements:

1. Married between January 1, 2026, and December 31, 2026, and both spouses are 39 years of age or younger at the time of marriage
2. Combined annual income of the couple for FY2025 is less than 5,000,000 yen.
3. Completion of a course designated by the City of Sendai
4. Other requirements apply

• Applications will be accepted until the budget limit is reached.
• For details on eligibility and how to apply, please visit the official website of the City of Sendai.

Inquiries: Children and Young People Policy Section TEL: 022-214-8442

Beware of Black Bears

In summer, food becomes scarce in the mountains, and bears may venture out near residential neighborhoods. Bears are especially active during early morning and evening hours when it is dim, so please be particularly cautious. When going mountain climbing or hiking, carry bear bells or a radio to scare bears away. If you encounter a bear, do not panic. Face the bear without making eye contact and slowly back away. Never take actions that may provoke the bear, such as throwing objects, shouting loudly, or running away.
Information on bear sightings are available on the “Bear Sighting Map” on the official website of the City of Sendai and through the City’s official LINE account (registration required).
Inquiries： "Environmentally-friendly" Promotion Section TEL: 022-214-0013

Consultations for Starting a Business

(1) Consultations for matters related to starting a business
Date and time: July 15 (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: July 23 (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 or less years. (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 through the Sendai City Entrepreneurship Support Center website from 9:00 a.m. on July 6. Applications for item (1) are also accepted by phone or email (Please include any relevant information and details related to your inquiry).

Inquiries: Sendai City Industrial Promotion Organization 
TEL: 022-724-1124 / Email: assista@siip.city.sendai.jp

Notice on National Health Insurance

The City of Sendai will send an “Eligibility Certificate” or a “Notice of Eligibility Information” to insured persons in July. 
(1)For those who do not have a Myna Health Insurance Card:

• An “Eligibility Certificate” which can be used in place of a health insurance card will be sent. The validity period is one year, from August 1, 2026, until July 31, 2027.
• By presenting the Eligibility Certificate at medical institutions, you can receive medical treatment as usual.
• For those aged 70 or older, the Eligibility Certificate will indicate the co-payment rate (20% or 30%). 

(2)For those who have a Myna Health Insurance Card:

• A “Notice of Eligibility Information” (A4-size) will be sent. This document must be presented together with the Myna Health Insurance Card when visiting medical institutions without a card reader. Please note that this notice alone cannot be used to receive medical services.
• If you wish to use an Eligibility Certificae instead, you will need to cancel the registration of your Myna Health Insurance Card. For details, please contact your local 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

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

If you have difficulty paying national pension contributions due to financial hardship, you may apply for a full or partial exemption. If approved, all or part of your contributions will be exempted. (Eligibility is determined based on income, and there are four levels of exemption depending on your income during the previous year.)
Applications can also be submitted online through the Myna portal. For details, please refer to 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

Basic Health Checks Begin.

• Checkup period: July 1 (Wed) - October 31 (Sat) 2026, and January 4 (Mon) - January 30 (Sat) 2027
• Eligibility: Individuals aged 35 to 39 years and those 75 years or older who applied for the basic health check conducted by the City of Sendai
• If you have not yet applied, please do so as soon as possible.
• For details, 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

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 - June 30, 2026
• Claim deadline: July 17, 2026 (Fri)
• For further details, please see the official website of the City of Sendai. 

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

HPV Vaccination is Available as a Routine Vaccination.

The City of Sendai provides HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccinations to help prevent infection that can cause cervical cancer. The HPV vaccine requires multiple doses given at specified intervals. If you wish to receive the vaccination, please contact a medical institution as soon as possible. 

• Eligibility: Girls who are registered as living in Sendai City and between the ages equivalent to sixth year of elementary school and first year of high school (born between April 2, 2010 and April 1, 2015).
• Number of doses: 
  - Two doses for those who receive their first dose before turning 15
  - Three doses for those who receive their first dose at age 15 or older
• Vaccination locations: Registered medical institutions providing HPV vaccination 
  (Please contact each institution directly regarding appointments.)
• This program also applies to evacuees from the 13 municipalities in Fukushima Prefecture designated under the Act on Special Measures for Nuclear Disaster Evacuees.
• To complete vaccination with public funding, girls in the equivalent of the first year of high school (born between April 2, 2010 and April 1, 2011) must receive their first does by September. 
• For details, including what to bring to your appointment, 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

Free Childcare for Second and Subsequent Children in September

Starting in September, childcare fees for the second and subsequent children in a household will be free of charge, regardless of the age of siblings or their use of childcare facilities. (Some restrictions may apply.) 

• Eligible children: Children aged 0 to 2 who live in Sendai City and meet the criteria for childcare
• Eligible facilities and programs: Facilities and programs covered by the free early childhood education and childcare system
• The way children are counted for meal cost exemption or subsidies will also change.
• For details, please visit the official website of the City of Sendai.

 Inquiries: Childcare Approval and Subsidy Section TEL: 022-214-8655