November2026

Aoba Ward Office is Conducting a Pilot Test of an AI Avatar Information Service.

Aoba Ward Office has been running a pilot test of an AI avatar information service, “AICO”, since September 14, 2026. AICO is installed on the first floor of the ward office and provides information, in both text and audio form, about the appropriate service counters and required documents or items. 
AICO supports seven languages, including Japanese. 
This service is also available on the Aoba Ward website, allowing users to check which counter they need to visit and what documents and items to bring before coming to the ward office. 
This pilot test is scheduled to continue until January 29, 2027.

Nationwide J-ALERT Information Transmission Test

To prepare for emergencies such as earthquakes, tsunamis, and armed attacks, a nationwide transmission test using J-ALERT (National Warning Instant System) will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, November 11.
On the day of the test, test messages will be posted on the Sendai City website, the City’s official LINE account, and the X (formerly Twitter) account of the Sendai City Crisis Management Bureau. Test announcements will be broadcast through outdoor loudspeakers installed in the eastern area of Sendai City. Please note that emergency alert emails or other alerts will not be sent to mobile phones as part of this test. 
This test may be cancelled or postponed due to disasters or other circumstances. 
Inquiries: Crisis Management Section TEL: 022-214-8519

Financial Assistance for High School Education Loans

The City provides a subsidy for interest paid on the Japan Finance Corporation’s General Education Loans (National Education Loan) during students’ enrollment in high school or other eligible educational institutions.

• Application deadline: December 4 (Fri)
• Eligibility: Parents and guardians of students attending high schools or other eligible educational institutions who reside in Sendai City
• Other requirements: Applicants must not have any overdue inhabitant taxes and must meet additional eligibility requirements.

Inquiries：School Affairs Section TEL: 022-214-8861

School Enrollment Assistance Grants (New School Supplies Grants) Available Before Elementary School Entry

• Eligibility: Parents and guardians of children who are scheduled to enter an elementary school in April 2027 and meet all the following requirements.　

1. Will be registered as a resident of Sendai City as of February 1, 2027, and do not plan to move out of the city by March 31, 2027.　
2. Have not received a New School Supplies Grant from another municipality.
3. Are not receiving public assistance (livelihood protection) as of February 2027.　
4. Will have not newly acquired a home between April 1, 2026 and March 31, 2027.
5. Meet the eligibility requirements for school enrollment assistance, such as:
   - Having a household income below a specified level; or 
   - Receiving Child-Rearing Allowance.

• Subsidy amount: 64,300 yen
• How to apply: Apply through the Sendai City website by December 28, 2026. Applications may also be submitted using the application form available for download from the Sendai City website.

 Inquiries: School Affairs Section TEL: 022-214-8861

Consultations for Starting a Business

(1) Consultations for matters related to starting a business
Date and time: November 18 (Wed) 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. 
Aimed at: Those who are considering starting a business in Miyagi Prefecture or have just started a business. (Limited to the first 30 applicants.) 
(2) Consultations for foreign entrepreneurs
Date and time: November 19 (Thu) 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Aimed at: Foreign residents, including international students, who are interested in starting a business in Sendai City or have been running a business for approximately 5 years or less. (Limited to the first 10 applicants.)

• Venue: AER Building 7F
• Contents: 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 November 6. Applications for item (1) are also accepted by phone or email (Please include any relevant information and details related to your case).

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

HIV/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. and 4 p.m. on weekdays, starting two weeks before the testing date until the day before. You can also make a reservation through the Sendai City website.

1. Evening HIV/AIDS and Syphilis Testing: 
   Date: November 27 (Fri) / December 11 (Fri)
   Time: 5:00-7:00 p.m.
   Venue: AER Building 6F
2. HIV/AIDS and Syphilis Testing Event: 
   Date and time: November 28 (Sat) 10:00-11:00 a.m. / 2:00-3:30 p.m.  
   Venue: Aoba Ward Office
3. Weekend HIV/AIDS and Syphilis Testing: 
   Date and time: December 5 (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-served).
Test results will be available about one hour after the blood sample is taken.
(If the results are unclear, you will be notified later.)
Inquiries: Infectious Disease Countermeasure Section TEL: 022-214-8029

National Health Insurance Premiums Reduction Program for Involuntary Unemployed Persons

A reduction program is available for the National Health Insurance premiums of individuals who have lost their jobs due to bankruptcy, dismissal, non-renewal of employment contracts or other involuntary reasons.

• Reduction period: 
  From the month containing the day after the date of unemployment through the end of the following fiscal year
• Application required: 
  An application must be submitted to receive the reduction.
• Required documents: 
  Employment Insurance Benefits Eligibility Certificate or Notice of Employment Insurance Eligibility (For electronically issued documents, please present them on a smartphone or other device.)
• Not eligible:
  Individuals who hold a Special Recipient Qualification Certification or the Elderly Recipient Qualification Certification are not eligible for this reduction.

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

Don't Forget Your City Health Checkups

The application deadline for the City Health Checkup programs, including stomach cancer screening, uterine cervical cancer screening, breast cancer screening, and colon cancer screening is Monday, November 30 (Applications must arrive by this date.) (Applications for lung cancer screening, tuberculosis screening, and prostate cancer screening have already closed.)
Applications can be submitted through the Sendai City website or by using the application guide available at ward offices, general branches, and other locations. For details, please contact the appropriate office. 
If you have already received a screening voucher, please remember to attend your health checkup or screening.
Inquiries: Home Health Section of ward offices, Public Health and Welfare Section of general branches

Beware of Norovirus

Winter is the season when norovirus-related illnesses are most common. Help prevent infection by washing your hands before preparing food and thoroughly cooking food before eating.
Pamphlets on norovirus prevention and measures to take at home are available at the Administration Section or Public Health and Sanitation Section of the Public Health and Welfare Center of ward offices.
Inquiries: Administration Section or Public Health and Sanitation Section of the Public Health and Welfare Center of ward offices

Welcome to SENDAI: Sendai City Shimin Library Tour 

Library staff will guide participants through the Sendai City Shimin Library using “Easy Japanese” (simple Japanese designed to be easy for non-native speakers to understand). 

• Date and time: November 22 (Sun) 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. 
• Venue: Sendai City Shimin Library
• Eligibility: Foreign residents living in Sendai (approximately 10 participants; first come, first served) 
• How to apply: Apply through the Sendai City Shimin Library website starting at 10 a.m. on November 6.

Inquiries: Sendai City Shimin Library TEL: 022-261-1585

Applications Open for Children's Club Registration for FY 2027

Children’s Clubs provide a safe place for elementary school children to play and spend time after school when their parents and guardians (including relatives under 65 years old living in the same household) are unavailable due to work or other reasons. 

• Eligible children: 
  Students in Grades 1 through 6 attending school in Sendai City who are able to travel to and from the Children’s Club independently and manage their daily activities on their own.
• Fee: 3,000 yen per month (fee reduction program available) 
   An additional 1,000 yen per month is required for extended hours (6:00 p.m. to 7:15 p.m.).
   Additional fees for snacks and special events may apply.
• Application period: November 16 to December 5 (excluding Sundays and national holidays) 
  9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturdays) 
• How to apply: Submit the application form in person to the Children's Center where you wish to register.

1. Application forms are available at each Children's Center and can also be downloaded from the Sendai City website.
2. If you wish to use the Children’s Club only during the long vacations (such as summer vacation), please still apply during the application period. 
3. Documents such as proof of employment for a parent or guardian are required when applying. 
4. In some cases, Children's Club activities may be held at locations other than Children's Centers. 
5. Applications will continue to be accepted after the application period, subject to availability. 

For details, please visit the Sendai City website.