Hiroshima NOW April 2025 (English No. 36)
Informational Newsletter for English Speaking Residents
The latest volume of Hiroshima NOW is here! ➡ PDF [4.86MB]
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 several languages (English, Chinese, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish, Vietnamese, Filipino).
🌸 Table of Contents 🌸
１．Cash benefit to help with the rising cost of living
２．Portal website for online procedures
３．Pre-register notifications of pregnancy with the “Boshimo” app
４．Subscription service for diapers at municipal nursery schools
５．Illegal drug abuse is always illegal
６．Be sure to join National Pension and Health Insurance
７．Report or process your light motor vehicle tax
８．National Pension Premium changes beginning April 1
９．Livelihood Support Centers: Kurashi Sapōto Sentā
10．Hiroshima City Consumer Affairs Centre’s consultation hours are changing
11．Holiday trash collection in April and May
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
1. From the City of Hiroshima: Cash benefit to help with the rising cost of living
s a general measure to help with the cost of living, the City of Hiroshima will provide financial aid for low-income households (those exempt from residents tax) that are particularly impacted by the increase in financial burden due to rising cost of living.
For more information about the benefit, including who is eligible to receive it and how to apply, please visit the Hiroshima City’s official website: https://www.city.hiroshima.lg.jp/site/english/308467.html
Eligible households:
Eligibility: Households with a residence record in Hiroshima City in which all members are exempt from the 2024 kintō wari (flat rate) per capita residents tax as of the reference date (December 13, 2024).
Amount to be provided
30,000 yen per household
Application deadline
June 30 (Monday), 2025 (must be postmarked by this date)
How to apply:
▶ Category A
For households that qualified for and received the previous Cash Benefit to Help with the Rising Costs of Electricity, Gas, and Food:
The City of Hiroshima has sent a notice to you with information such as the bank account the money will be deposited into and the date of deposit. Please be sure to read it carefully. If there are no issues with the information, then you do not need to submit any paperwork for this benefit.
▶ Category B
For households exempt from kintō wari (flat rate) per capita residents tax known to the City of Hiroshima other than Category A
The City of Hiroshima will mail an application to you. Please fill out the paperwork and return them via the stamped and addressed return envelope included in the packet. (Applications have been sent as of January 24, 2025.)
▶ Category C
For households exempt from kintō wari (flat rate) per capita residents tax unknown to the City of Hiroshima
Examples of these households include:
Those without tax information in Hiroshima City (for reasons such as moving to Hiroshima City on or after January 2, 2024) or those who have become exempt from per capita residents tax due to an amended tax return.
In order to receive the benefit, you must submit an application.
▪ Please print the application form (located below), fill in the necessary information, and send them along with additional necessary documents to the City of Hiroshima Office for the Cash Benefit to Help with the Rising Cost of Living.
▪ For more information, please consult with the City of Hiroshima Office for the Cash Benefit to Help with the Rising Costs of Living (Tel: 082-569-4504)
▣ Application form (PDF)
Print the application form (PDF) from the City’s official website (Japanese):
https://www.city.hiroshima.lg.jp/living/fukushi-kaigo/1021239/1032211.html
▣ Where to send applications
〒730-8712
広島中央郵便局私書箱第100号
給付金事務センター
City of Hiroshima Office for the Cash Benefit to Help with the Rising Costs of Living
Hiroshima Central Post Office PO Box 100
730-8712
Additional funds for households with children
If the eligible households listed above have children who meet the criteria, they will be provided with an additional 20,000 yen per child under the age of 18 at the time of the reference date (December 13, 2024).
For details including criteria and how to apply, please inquire to the City of Hiroshima Office for the Cash Benefit to Help with the Rising Costs of Living or go to the City’s official website (Japanese):
https://www.city.hiroshima.lg.jp/living/fukushi-kaigo/1021239/1032211.html
Criteria for children:
● “child” refers to children born on or after April 2, 2006 (eligible until March 31 after the child’s 18th birthday)
● Newborn babies born on or after December 14, 2024, but no later than the application deadline which is June 30, 2025.
Note: Application documents must be submitted by the deadline, June 30, 2025.
● Child is in a different household but is a dependent.
Notes:
◆ There are cases in which those living outside of their legal domicile due to domestic abuse can receive the Benefit. For more information, please inquire at the City’s office for the cash benefit below.
◆ The following households are not eligible to receive the benefit:
– If there is a member(s) who is taxed for residents tax in your household
– If all members of the household are dependents of a sustainer who is not residents tax exempt
◆ Those who are exempted from residents tax because your home country is part of the Income Tax Convention with Japan are not eligible for this benefit.
Support centers
🌞 If you have any questions or concerns about the benefit (for example, you have not received it even though you are exempt from residents tax, or how to tell if you are qualified, how to apply, etc.), please call the following number:
City of Hiroshima Office for the Cash Benefit to Help with the Rising Cost of Living
Telephone: 082-569-4504
Hours of operation: Monday to Friday 9 am-5:15 pm
Closed: Saturdays, Sundays, and public/national holidays
🌞 If you are not confident in your Japanese, please contact the office below:
Hiroshima City & Aki County International Resident Consultation Service
Telephone: 082-241-5010
Hours of operation: Monday to Friday 9 am-4 pm
Closed: Saturdays, Sundays, public/national holidays, August 6 and December 29-January 3
Available languages: Japanese, English, Chinese, Spanish, Portuguese, Vietnamese, Filipino
Note: Filipino is available on Fridays and the 1st and 3rd Thursdays.
2. Please use the portal website for online procedures
There are an increasing number of Hiroshima City Hall procedures including various registrations available online. On the “The City of Hiroshima Online Procedures Portal Website” you can search for online procedures that can be performed on smartphones and other internet capable devices.
Examples of procedures you can work through using the “The City of Hiroshima Online Procedure Portal Website”
🔸Applications to borrow from city libraries or issue a library card
🔸Receipt of notifications for the setup and cancellation of water utilities, as well as applications for direct debiting of water and/or sewage bills
🔸Applications for collection of large garbage
🔸Applications for Certificates of Residence, copies of family registrations, or of personal licences
Et cetera
How to use
1. Access the “The City of Hiroshima Online Procedure Portal Website”
https://apply.e-tumo.jp/city-hiroshima-u/offer/offerList_initDisplayTop
2. Input required information into the search form
3. Select the application procedure you would like to perform
4. Confirm the contents, and apply
Inquiries: Information Systems Division Tel. 082-504-2019
3. Pre-register notifications of pregnancy with the “Boshimo” app
The Hiroshima child rearing support app, “Boshimo,” can be used from April onward to pre-register Notifications of Pregnancy.
The “Boshimo” app supports women all the way from pregnancy through child rearing. There are systems to track and manage health records during pregnancy, and maturation records of the foetus/child.
In April it is newly adding the ability to pre-register Notifications of Pregnancy using the application. After pre-registration, please collect a Maternal and Child Health Handbook (Boshi Kenkō Techō) from your local ward office.
Introducing convenient functions of “Boshimo”!
★ Pre-registering your Notification of Pregnancy will speed up the process at the actual ward office window.
★ The app can automatically calculate dates for and schedule vaccinations. When the date draws near, it can alert you by push notifications.
★ It can give advice tailored to the age of your child or week of pregnancy, as well as distributing information about child rearing-related events and notifications regarding various welfare benefits related to your child rearing.
To download the app or for more detailed information, please visit the Hiroshima City Hall website:
https://www.city.hiroshima.lg.jp/living/kosodate/1021253/1025911/1003514.html
Inquiries: Children and Adolescents’ Support Department Tel. 082-504-2623
4. Starting Subscription Service for diapers at municipal nursery schools
A flat-rate service starting from April offers unlimited diapers at municipal nursery schools and similar institutions. Using this system will mean there is no more need to bring additional diapers to your child’s nursery school. For more details, please inquire at the below telephone number.
Target
Guardians of children under the age of 1 attending municipal nursery schools (保育園//Hoikuen) and certified child care centers (認定こども園//Nintei-kodomo-en)
Available from
April 1, 2025
Fee
2,180 yen per month
Applications
Please apply through the BABY JOB website: https://baby-job.co.jp/niko-niko-touen/
Inquiries: BABY JOB Tel. 0120-02-8841（Toll Free）
5. Illegal drug abuse is always illegal
The impetus for drug use often comes from someone close to you. When invited to partake, firmly refuse. If it is hard to refuse, get out of there.
Cannabis abuse amongst young people is on the rise
70% of those arrested under cannabis charges are under the age of 30. The internet is full of misinformation regarding cannabis – such as that it has no ill effects on the body, or that it does not cause dependence. On the contrary, cannabis has been proven to have various effects on the human brain.
Drug abuse related brain damage
Drug abuse has been connected to brain damage, memory loss, and reduction in emotional regulation, as well as various other ill effects. In particular, brains still in development (as in those of younger people) are more susceptible to these ill effects than fully developed, older brains. As far as addiction goes, just because you think you can stop, does not mean that you actually could.
Be wary of pharmaceuticals! Overdoses are still dangerous drug use!
Overdoses on over-the-counter medications such as cold medicines are becoming more prevalent, particularly amongst young people. Just because the medications are easily accessed, does not mean that overdoses are not dangerous. Please carefully read instructions, and follow dosage amounts and methods closely.
When in doubt, get in touch
🔷 Hiroshima Mental Health and Welfare Center Tel. 082-245-7731
🔷 Public Welfare Centers by ward
| Ward | Telephone | Ward | Telephone |
| Naka | 082-504-2109 | Asaminami | 082-831-4944 |
| Higashi | 082-568-7735 | Asakita | 082-819-0616 |
| Minami | 082-250-4133 | Aki | 082-821-2820 |
| Nishi | 082-294-6384 | Saeki | 082-943-9733 |
6. No longer employed? Be sure to join National Pension and Health Insurance
🔶 National Pension (Kokumin Nenkin)
If you are aged 20 to 59 and have withdrawn from Employee Pension Insurance (Kōsei Nenkin Hoken), you must enroll in National Pension (Kokumin Nenkin). If your spouse is aged 20 to 59 and they are your dependent, they must also be enrolled in National Pension. In order to receive pension, including Pension for the Elderly (Rōrei Nenkin) in the future, you must be enrolled.
Inquiries: National Insurance and Pension Division (Hoken Nenkin Ka) of your ward office
| Ward | Telephone | Ward | Telephone |
| Naka | 082-504-2556 | Asaminami | 082-831-4931 |
| Higashi | 082-568-7712 | Asakita | 082-819-3910 |
| Minami | 082-250-8944 | Aki | 082-821-4910 |
| Nishi | 082-532-0935 | Saeki | 082-943-9713 |
🔶 Medical Insurance
As a general rule, all Japanese citizens must have medical insurance: National Health Insurance (Kokumin Kenkō Hoken), Late-Stage Elderly Medical Care (Kōki Kōreisha Iryō-seido), or Health Insurance (Kenkō Hoken). International residents who will be in Japan for more than three months should also enroll into one of the three insurance systems.
If you no longer have medical insurance because you have left your job, it is necessary to enroll in a new plan. In general, you have three options:
➀ Keep your previous insurance
➁ Join a family member’s medical insurance as a dependent family member (note that this cannot be done with National Health Insurance (Kokumin Kenkō Hoken))
➂ Enroll in National Health Insurance
How to apply depends on what type of insurance you want to apply for. If you choose ➀ or ➁, talk to your employer before you leave your job. If you choose ➂, talk to the National Insurance and Pension Division (Hoken Nenkin Ka) at your local ward office (below).
Inquiries: National Insurance and Pension Division (Hoken Nenkin Ka) of your ward office
| Ward | Telephone | Ward | Telephone |
| Naka | 082-504-2555 | Asaminami | 082-831-4929 |
| Higashi | 082-568-7711 | Asakita | 082-819-3909 |
| Minami | 082-250-8941 | Aki | 082-821-4910 |
| Nishi | 082-532-0933 | Saeki | 082-943-9712 |
7. Please report or process your light motor vehicle tax
If the following applies to you, please report your light motor vehicle tax before the deadline.
🔷 Those who have a vehicle classified as a light vehicle, or those who have moved their registered parking lot from outside of Hiroshima city to within Hiroshima city, should process or report this within 15 days.
🔷 Those with unregistered vehicles or for vehicles which are currently transferring ownership, those who have stopped owning a light vehicle, or those who have moved their registered parking lot from Hiroshima city to outside of Hiroshima city, should process or report this within 30 days.
Where to submit your documents
🌟For ②, ③ and ④ you will also need to process (within 15 days) a change in statement content such as of the automobile inspection certificate. For more details please inquire.
① Motorized bicycles (Under 125cc or under1.0kw) // Small special purpose vehicles (agricultural tractors, forklifts, etc)
Document Submission
🔸For Acquisition: Your closest municipal tax office (Shizei Jimusho), or tax room (Zeimu Shitsu)
🔸For Deregistration: Your closest municipal tax office, tax room, or branch office
Inquiries
Municipal Tax Offices
Chuo: 082-504-2558 // Higashi: 082-568-7715 // Nishi: 082-532-0937 // Kita: 082-831-4932
Tax Rooms
Minami: 082-250-8946 // Aki: 082-821-4913 // Saeki: 082-943-9716 // Asakita: 082-819-3913
② Two-wheeled vehicles（Over 125cc and under 250cc）
Document Submission & Inquiries
Chugoku Transport & Tourism Bureau,
Hiroshima Branch Office (4- 13-13-2 Kanon-shinmachi, Nishi-ku)
Tel. 050-5540-2068 *Automatic Voice Guidance
③ Two-wheeled vehicles (Over 250cc)
Document Submission & Inquiries
Chugoku Transport & Tourism Bureau,
Hiroshima Branch Office (4- 13-13-2 Kanon-shinmachi, Nishi-ku)
Tel. 050-5540-2068 *Automatic Voice Guidance
④ Light motor vehicles
Document Submission & Inquiries
Light Motor Vehicle Inspection Organization
Hiroshima Management Office (4-13-13-4 Kanon-shinmachi, Nishi-ku)
Tel. 050-3816-3080 *Automatic Voice Guidance
The light motor vehicle tax is collected every year from those who o wn a light motor vehicle and mainly park it in Hiroshima city as of April 1. Even if you deregister a vehicle after April 2, you must still pay the full amount for that year.
8. National Pension Premium Changes Beginning April 1
From April 2025 to March 2026, the monthly National Pension premium will be 17,510 yen (increase of 530 yen from the previous year). To pay via bank transfer or card, you must apply in advance.
Inquiries: Your nearest Japanese Pension Service Branch Office (Nenkin Jimusho)
| Pension Service Branch Office | Telephone |
| Hiroshima Higashi | 082-228-3131 |
| Hiroshima Nishi | 082-535-1505 |
| Hiroshima Minami | 082-253-7710 |
9. Livelihood Support Centers: Kurashi Sapōto Sentā
To help those facing financial difficulties, each of the City’s eight wards have devoted help centers (Kurashi Sapōto Sentā) where individuals can receive guidance to get them back on track.
Consultation services are available to residents who live within city limits and are experiencing financial difficulties (For individuals who are currently receiving public welfare, known as seikatsu hogo, please seek advice from your local ward office Family & Health Services Division (Seikatsu Ka)).
Support is offered to both individuals or family members and is conducted on a personal level to fit the needs of each person.
For further information, please check their website (Japanese):
https://shakyo-hiroshima.jp/kurashi/kurasap.html
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 |
10. The Hiroshima City Consumer Affairs Center’s consultation hours are changing
From April 1, 2025, the Hiroshima City Consumer Affairs Center will be open different days and times.
🔶 Hiroshima City Consumer Affairs Center (6-27 Moto-machi, Naka-ku, AQ’A Hiroshima Center 8th Floor)
Opening hours: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday 10 am – 6 pm
Closed: Tuesdays, Sundays, national/public holidays, December 29 – January 3
🔶 Please use ”Consumer Affairs Agency Hotline” Tel. 188
If you want to consult with the consumer affairs center on a day they are closed or otherwise unavailable, calling the “Consumer Affairs Agency Hotline” will connect you to either the National Consumer Affairs Center, or the nearby local consumer affairs consultation service. Please do utilize this service.
Additionally, you can consult via email by using the City of Hiroshima’s official website (Japanese).
https://www.city.hiroshima.lg.jp/living/shouhi/1021181/1006685.html
Inquiries: Hiroshima City Consumer Affairs Center Tel. 082-225-3329
11. Holiday trash collection in April and 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 |
| April 29 (Tuesday) Showa Day |
○ | ✖ |
| 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
