Hiroshima NOW May 2025 (English No. 37)
Informational Newsletter for English Speaking Residents
The latest volume of Hiroshima NOW is here! ➡ PDF [4.93MB]
Articles in Hiroshima NOW are excerpts from Hiroshima Shimin to Shisei, a free newspaper produced by the City of Hiroshima. This monthly newsletter is published in English, Chinese, Portuguese, Spanish, Vietnamese and Simplified Japanese.
Hiroshima Shimin to Shisei is available to view on the city’s website. It can also be translated via an automatic translation app into various languages.
🍒 Table of Contents
2. Nursery school service available for non-working parents/guardians
3. Deferred pension payments for students over aged 20
4. Livelihood Support Centers: housing support for those living in poverty
5. Municipal housing applications
6. Telephone consultation on medical services
7. The Specialized Novel Corona Virus Vaccination Desk has closed
8. Holiday trash collection in May
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
1. Vaccinations for children
Vaccination defends against infections, and protects from becoming more serious when they do occur. To protect your child’s health, be sure to follow your child’s vaccination schedule.
Vaccination in children begins at 2 months, and continues even after entering elementary school. As this period draws close, please consult with your regular doctor (a pediatrician or other specialist) and plan: the age at which children start regular vaccinations, the number of doses they receive, the gap between doses, and so on.
Inquires: Children and Youth Support Department (Kodomo Seishōnen Shien Bu) Tel: 082-504-2623
| Vaccine | Protection from | Available from | |
| Rotavirus vaccine ロタウイルス Rotauirusu wakuchin |
Rotavirus | 2 months from birth | |
| Pediatric pneumococcal vaccines 小児用肺炎球菌ワクチン Shōni-yō haien kyūkin wakuchin |
Sepsis, Pneumonia, Others |
2 months from birth | |
| 1st Stage DPT-IPV-Hib vaccine (Combined 5-in-1) 5種混合ワクチン Goshu kongō wakuchin |
Diphtheria, Tetanus, Polio, Hib, Pertussis (Whooping cough) |
2 months from birth | |
| Hepatitis B vaccine B型肝炎ワクチン B gata kan’en wakuchin |
Hepatitis, Liver cirrhosis, Liver cancer, Others | 2 months from birth | |
| BCG (Bacille Calmette-Guérin) Vaccine BCGワクチン BCG wakuchin |
Tuberculosis (TB) | 5 months from birth | |
| Chickenpox vaccine 水痘 / 水ぼうそうワクチン Suitō/mizubōsō wakuchin |
Chickenpox. | 12 months from birth | |
| Measles and rubella vaccine 麻しん・風しんワクチン Mashin fūshin wakuchin |
Measles, Rubella | 1st Stage: 2 months from birth 2nd Stage: One year before starting elementary school |
|
| Japanese encephalitis vaccine 日本脳炎ワクチン Nihon nōen wakuchin |
Japanese encephalitis | 1st Stage: 3 years old 1st Stage (booster): 4 years old 2nd Stage: 9 years old |
|
| 2nd Stage DT (diphtheria, tetanus) vaccine (Combined 2-in-1) 二種混合ワクチン Nishu kongō wakuchin |
Diphtheria, Tetanus | 11 years old | |
| HPV (Human Papillomavirus) vaccine | Cervical cancer | Girls aged from junior high school 1st grade |
|
😊 HPV and the Japanese Encephalitis vaccine (2nd Stage, special case 2nd Stage) will have their vaccination ticket and pre-vaccination screening questionnaire delivered by post to the registered address of citizens who have applied for them. Please bring to a medical institution and receiving vaccines.
▪ HPV is being targeted at junior high school 1st grade and above for end of May.
▪ Japanese encephalitis vaccinations will be rolled out from June in order.
▪ Before the roll out, these will be handed out at your local ward office’s public health center.
⭐For children’s vaccines in general
Information, including the age at which children start regular vaccinations, the number of doses they receive, the gap between doses is available on the City’s official websites:
https://www.city.hiroshima.lg.jp/living/medical/1021221/1021255/1022963.html (in Japanese)
Childcare Support App: Boshimo
Boshimo is a maternal and child health handbook app that provides helpful information on childcare. You can manage your children’s vaccination records with this app. This digital service is available in 12 different languages (Japanese, English, Chinese (traditional and simplified), Korean, Portuguese, Spanish, Tagalog, Thai, Vietnamese, Indonesian, Russian, and Nepali).
If you use the app “Boshimo”, you can receive push notifications to let you know your child’s vaccination date is getting closer, and generally make your vaccination schedule management easier.
To download the “Boshimo” app, or for more detailed information, please visit the City of Hiroshima’s website (in Japanese):
https://www.city.hiroshima.lg.jp/living/kosodate/1021253/1025911/1003514.html
Inquiries: Public Health Center (Hoken Sentā) of your local ward office
| Ward | Telephone | Ward | Telephone |
| Naka | 082-504-2528 | Asaminami | 082-831-4942 |
| Higashi | 082-568-7729 | Asakita | 082-819-0586 |
| Minami | 082-250-4108 | Aki | 082-821-2809 |
| Nishi | 082-294-6235 | Saeki | 082-943-9731 |
2. Nursery school service available for non-working parents/guardians
Even if parents or guardians are not working, they can use nursery school services for up to 10 hours per month. The service is available in 1-hour units.
For more information including nursery schools offering this service, please visit the Hiroshima City official website (in Japanese):
https://www.city.hiroshima.lg/living/kosodate/1021251/1025852/1023624.html
Eligibility:
Children aged between 6 months and 3 years who reside in Hiroshima City and have not yet been enrolled in any nursery school or kindergarten
Service fee:
300 yen per hour
Note: If you are experiencing financial trouble, you may be eligible for reduction or exemption of the service fee. Please consult with the relevant office.
How to apply: Applications are accepted online (in Japanese):
https://hiroshima-daretsu.form.kintoneapp.com/public/shinki
Process flowchart:
1. Registration
2. 3 weeks after the registration, you will have an interview with the nursery school you apply for.
3. After the interview, a reservation will be accepted and you can start using the service.
Inquiries: Kindergarten & Nursery School Benefits Division (Yōho Kyūfu Ka) Tel. 082-504-2154
3. Deferred pension payments for students over aged 20
Everyone living in Japan aged 20 to 59 must enroll in National Pension (国民年金 // Kokumin Nenkin) and make pension payments, including students. For students who have difficulty paying due to financial issues, etc., deferred pension payment support (payments deferred until graduation) is available.
Who is eligible?
Undergraduates, postgraduates, junior college students, high schoolers, technical college students, and others
Note: Your income from the previous year must have been below a certain threshold. If you have no dependents (family, etc.),
this threshold is 1.28 million yen.
How to apply
Apply at the National Insurance and Pension Division of your local ward office.
Bring your Basic Pension Number Notice (基礎年金番号通知書// Kiso nenkin bangō tūchisho) and student ID.
Inquiries: National Insurance & Pension Division (Hoken Nenkin Ka)
| Ward | Telephone | Hours |
| Naka | 082-504-2556 | Monday to Friday 8:30 am-5:15 pm Closed: National holidays, August 6, Dec. 29-Jan. 3 |
| Higashi | 082-568-7712 | |
| Minami | 082-250-8944 | |
| Nishi | 082-532-0935 | |
| Asaminami | 082-831-4931 | |
| Asakita | 082-819-3910 | |
| Aki | 082-821-4910 | |
| Saeki | 082-943-9713 |
4. Livelihood Support Centers: housing support for those living in poverty
Hiroshima city’s Livelihood Support Centers began offering support regarding housing from April. Those struggling with economic troubles and housing issues, please consult with them freely.
Newly offered support
🔸Financial support for those moving home
For those having to better their household economy after salary shortcomings, moving home to reduce rent is sometimes necessary. For those people, we now are newly offering financial support based on moving fees.
There is an upper limit on financial support. Additionally, there are conditions surrounding this financial support. For details please visit the City of Hiroshima’s official website, or contact the Livelihood Support Center of your local ward.
Note:
Those receiving public welfare (Seikatsu Hogo) should contact the local ward office’s Family and Health Services Division (Seikatsu Ka) that is in charge of their welfare payments.
🔸The Livelihood Support Center is utilizing “Housing Consultation Support Staff”
Each ward’s Livelihood Support Center now has a Housing Consultation Support Staff Member, who you can consult regarding moving and other housing concerns.
You can still continue to use previously offered support services
Those who have quit their jobs and thereby lost their housing, or fear losing their housing, may be able to receive financial support matching rent for a fixed time, while they are searching for a new job.
There is an upper limit on financial support. Additionally, there are conditions surrounding this financial support. For details please visit the City of Hiroshima’s website, or contact the Livelihood Support Center of your local ward.
Note:
Those receiving public welfare (Seikatsu Hogo) should contact the local ward office’s Family and Health Services Division (Seikatsu Ka) that is in charge of their welfare payments.
Livelihood Support Centers (Kurashi Sapōto Sentā)
| Ward | Address | Telephone |
| Naka | Ote-machi Heiwa Building 5F (1-1 Ote-machi 4-chome, Naka-ku) |
082-545-8388 |
| Higashi | Higashi-ku Sōgō Fukushi Sentā 4F (9-34 Higashi-kaniya-cho, Higashi-ku) |
082-568-6887 |
| Minami | Minami Ward Office’s annex 3F (4-46 Minami-machi 1-chome, Minami-ku) |
082-250-5677 |
| Nishi | Nishi-ku Chiiki Fukushi Sentā 4F (24-1 Fukushima-cho 2-chome, Nishi-ku) |
082-235-3566 |
| Asaminami | Asaminami-ku Sōgō Fukushi Sentā 5F (38-13 Nakasu 1-chome, Asaminami-ku) |
082-831-1209 |
| Asakita | Asakita-ku Sōgō Fukushi Sentā 4F (19-22 Kabe 3-chome, Asakita-ku) |
082-815-1124 |
| Aki | Aki-ku Sōgō Fukushi Sentā 3F (2-16 Funakoshi-minami 3-chome, Aki-ku) |
082-821-5662 |
| Saeki | Saeki Ward office’s annex 5F (4-5 Kairoen 1-chome, Saeki-ku) |
082-943-8797 |
You can consult by email at the below address. Email: kurasapo@shakyohiroshima-city.or.jp
Inquiries: Assistance and Self-Support Division (Hogo Jiritsu Shien Ka) Tel. 082-504-2799
5. Municipal housing applications
Municipal housing is available for residents who are registered with the city, currently living within city limits, and meet the requirements, including the number of family members, as well as income limit. For more details, including eligibility and application procedures, please contact the relevant office or check the City’s official website:
Official City of Hiroshima website (in Japanese):
https://www.city.hiroshima.lg.jp/site/jyuutaku/6265.html
Municipal Housing Applications in FY 2025 (April 2025 – May 2026)
| Selection Month | Application Forms Available Beginning | Application Period | ||
| Online | Post | In-person | ||
| May 2025 | May 1 (Thu) | 5/1 (Thu) – 5/9 (Fri) | 5/7 (Wed) – 5/9 (Fri) | |
| August 2025 | August 1 (Fri) | 8/1 (Fri) – 8/8 (Fri) | 8/5 (Tue) – 8/8 (Fri) | |
| November 2025 | November 4 (Tue) | 11/4 (Tue) –11/12 (Wed) | 11/10 (Mon) – 11/12 (Wed) | |
| February 2026 | February 2 (Mon) | 2/2 (Mon) – 2/12 (Thu) | 2/9 (Mon) – 2/12 (Thu) | |
◍ Couples with Partnership Certificates/Cards can apply for municipal housing that is located in the city or town where the Partnership Certificates/Cards have been issued.
◍ For individuals who wish to apply for housing outside of the above mentioned submission schedule, applications will be accepted once there are openings. For more information, please check the City’s official website (Japanese):
https://www.city.hiroshima.lg.jp/site/jyuutaku/6267.html
Applications
Where to find applications:
▨ City of Hiroshima Housing Policy Division (Jūtaku Seisaku Ka) (Address: City Hall Main Building, 5F), Architecture Division (Kenchiku Ka) of ward office, various wards’ branch offices
Hours: 8:30 am-5:15 pm (Monday – Friday)
Closed: National/public holidays, December 29-January 3
▨ City Hall Service Corner (Waterworks Bureau Moto-machi Office Building 1F)
Hours: 8:30 am-6:30 pm (Mon-Fri)
9:00 am-6:30 pm (Saturdays, Sundays, national/public holidays, and August 6)
Closed: December 29-January 3
Notes:
▪ Please check with either the Hiroshima Prefecture Government Office’s Reception Desk (1F), or Housing Division (5F).
▪The lists, application guidelines, and forms can also be found on the official City of Hiroshima website: Municipal Housing page mentioned below.
Information Regarding Available Municipal Housing
For information regarding the types of housing available, please refer to housing applications or the city website. You can check the location using the Hiroshima City Municipal Housing Map feature.
Municipal Housing page (Japanese only) :https://www.city.hiroshima.lg.jp/site/jyuutaku/6265.html
Municipal Housing map (Japanese only): https://www.midori-gr.com/hiroshima-shiei/info/map.html
Application process
1. Choose a residence from the Municipal Housing Selection List
2. Fill out the required information on the application form
3. Submit your application to your nearest ward office’s Architecture Division (Kenchiku Ka) via one of the following:
Notes:
▪ If you apply via post, please send your application to the Architecture Division of the ward office where the housing you apply for is located.
▪ A copy of your Resident Record (住民票の写し//Jūminhyō no utsushi) and certificate of income (収入証明書//Shūnyū shōmeisho) are not required at the time of application. Only those who are selected as a candidate for municipal housing residents will be requested to submit these documents at the second screening process.
▶ Apply online
You can apply online on the website that is available only during the application period.
Note:
▪ On the first day when the application forms are released on public, applications will be accepted from 8:30 am.
▶ Apply via post
Place the completed application form and designated application notice postcard in the designated envelope and send in them to the Architecture Division of the ward office where the housing you apply for is located. Don’t forget to put a samp (110 yen) on your envelope.
Notes:
▪ The application form, designated envelope, and postcard are included in the Application Guideline packet.
▪ The application deadline is the last day of the application period. Applications must be postmarked by this date.
▶ Apply in-person
You can bring your application to the Architecture Division of your nearest ward office between 9 am to 5 pm on weekdays during the application period.
From application to move-in
① First-screening
Examine submitted applications. If the applications are incomplete, you will be asked to fix the applications. If you cannot submit complete application by the designated deadline, you will lose your eligibility.
② Public lottery
A public lottery will be held at the end of each application month.
Notes:
▪All applicants will be notified of the results by mail.
▪Those who are selected as a candidate for municipal housing residents will be requested to submit an application form, a copy of your Resident Record (住民票の写し//Jūminhyō no utsushi) and certificate of income (収入証明書//Shūnyū shōmeisho) at the second screening process.
③ Second-screening
In the end of the month following the application month, a second-screening will be held at Architecture Division (Kenchiku Ka) of the ward office where the housing you apply for is located.
Notes:
▪ If you do not meet the requirements or do not attend the second-screening without notice, you will be ineligible.
▪ Those who are selected as a municipal housing residents will be requested to prepare documents needed in order to moving-in.
④ Moving-in formalities and briefing
The moving-in formalities and briefing will be held two months after the month you apply. Detailed schedule will be notified by the Architecture Division of ward office.
⑤ Moving-in
Two months after the month you apply
Application Submission and Questions
Please contact the Architecture Division (Kenchiku Ka) of your nearest ward office with any questions or concerns.
| Ward | Telephone | Ward | Telephone |
| Naka | 082-504-2578 | Asaminami | 082-831-4954 |
| Higashi | 082-568-7744 | Asakita | 082-819-3937 |
| Minami | 082-250-8959 | Aki | 082-821-4928 |
| Nishi | 082-532-0949 | Saeki | 082-943-9744 |
6. Telephone consultation on medical services
If you are not sure whether you should see a doctor or call an ambulance immediately, consult with the Kyūkyū Sōdan Sentā (Emergency Medical Services Consultation Center). An operator and consultant (nurse) are available to take individuals calls and give advice based on their situation.
For Hiroshima Regional Urban Area and Bingo Region
Emergency Medical Services Consultation Center (Kyūkyū Sōdan Sentā)
Call #7119
✤ Telephone lines open 24 hours/day.
✤ Consultation is free, but you will be charged for the call.
✤ Please note these services are in Japanese.
✤ If you are unable to get through #7119, please use this number: 082-246-2000
🚑 Don’t wait to see a doctor
The situations, such as followings are ALWAYS a medical emergency! Call 119 immediately.
◍ Slurred speech
◍ Sudden numbness, weakness in the arms or legs on one side of the body
Inquiries: Medical Services Policy Division (Iryō Seisaku Ka) Tel: 082-504-2178
7. The Specialized Novel Corona Virus Vaccination Desk has closed
As of March 31, 2025, the City of Hiroshima specialized novel corona virus vaccination desk
(Tel. 082-504-2957) has closed. From April 1 onward, please contact the below services instead regarding novel corona virus vaccinations.
Inquiries: Mutual Community Support Division (Chi’iki Sasaeai Ka)
| Ward | Telephone | Ward | Telephone |
| Naka | 082-504-2528 | Asaminami | 082-831-4942 |
| Higashi | 082-568-7729 | Asakita | 082-819-0586 |
| Minami | 082-250-4108 | Aki | 082-821-2809 |
| Nishi | 082-294-6235 | Saeki | 082-943-9731 |
Health Advancement Division Tel. 082-504-2882
Hiroshima Prefecture Medical Side Effect Consultation Corner Tel. 082-513-2847
8. Holiday trash collection in May
○・・・Garbage collected ✖・・・Garbage is NOT collected
Inquiries: Your nearest Japanese Pension Service Branch Office (Nenkin Jimusho)
| National Holiday | Burnable Trash / Plastic Bottles / Recyclable Plastics in your local ward |
Recyclable & Harmful Waste/ Non-combustible / Other in your local ward |
| May 5 (Monday) Children’s Day |
✖ | ○ |
| May 6 (Tuesday) Substitute holiday for Greenery Day |
✖ | ○ |
🖐For more information about waste disposal guidelines, please visit the City of Hiroshima’s official website (English)
https://www.city.hiroshima.lg.jp/english/everyday/1029813/index.html
Inquiries: City Office Environmental Bureau, Operation Division I (Kankyō Kyoku Gyōmu Dai-ichi Ka) Tel: 082-504-2220
