Kashiwa City Community Newspaper 2026.05.01

Accepting applications for subsidies toward zero-carbon city promotion

Inquiry：Zero-carbon City Promotion Division

TEL: 7168−0703　FAX　7163−3728

　The city supports initiatives to reduce carbon dioxide in order to aim for a decarbonized society.

For households

 Partial subsidies for the costs of solar power system installation

We offer subsidies to cover a portion of the costs for installing solar power generation system equipment in your home.

Eligibility

Resident of Kashiwa with no municipal tax arrears

※FIT (“Feed-in Tariff” system) users are not eligible.

Applicable equipment

Solar power generation system equipment

Subsidy amount

70,000 yen per kW of system capacity

※Maximum is set to 350,000 yen

Procedures

By Monday, December 28, complete the application form available at the Zero Carbon City Promotion Division (4th floor of City Hall Main Building), attach the required documents, and mail them to: Zero Carbon City Promotion Division, Kashiwa City Hall, 277-8505 (must arrive by the closing date), or email to <info-zc@city.kashiwa.chiba.jp>. You may also submit the application in person.

※Applications will close when the budget is reached. Application forms can be downloaded from the city website.

Others

Apply for the scheme before signing the contract for equipment installation.

▼Website of Kashiwa City

Partial subsidies for the costs of window insulation renovation, etc.

We offer partial subsidies for the costs of window insulation renovation and related work.

Eligibility

Resident of Kashiwa satisfying all the following criteria: ▶ Have no municipal tax arrears ▶ Installation work is performed on or after April 1, 2026

Applicable equipment

Window insulation renovation, home fuel cell systems (Ene-Farm), stationary lithium-ion storage systems, electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid vehicles, V2H charging and discharging equipment, and charging equipment for apartment complexes

Application period

From Friday, May 1 to Friday, February 26, 2027

※Applications will close when the budget is reached

◎ Further details on procedures and subsidy amount can be found on the website of Kashiwa City.

▼Website of Kashiwa City

Community welfare commissioners begin outreach visits

Inquiries: Community Comprehensive Support Division

TEL: 7167-2318   FAX 7167-8381

　To help senior residents live with reassurance, the city has community welfare commissioners visit their homes to listen to their concerns about daily life and provide information on services for seniors.

Visiting period

From Friday, May 15 to Tuesday, June 30

Target residents

Those aged 75 and older residing in the city as of April 1, 2026.

 ※As part of our monitoring activities, the staff may visit residents who do not meet the above criteria.

Reducing the fees of school lunches at municipal elementary and junior high schools for 2026 school year

Inquiry: School Lunch Division

TEL: 7191−7376　FAX 7191−1212

  School lunches provide essential support for children’s healthy growth. Furthermore, the experience of eating meals with classmates helps children learn how to interact with others.

   However, the expense for these important school lunches can be a burden to childrearing households. As a municipal support in addition to the national scheme of reduction in school lunch fees starting in April,  Kashiwa city will support the school lunch fees for municipal elementary and junior high schools by making the use of the rising cost of living grant for FY2026. For one year from April to March 2027, the school lunches are free for all children at municipal elementary schools, and half of the school lunch fees at municipal junior high schools are supported by the city.  No formalities are required.

■Amount of copayment by guardians for 2026 school year (per-meal rate)

	Lunch Supply System	Original Lunch Fees	Copayment by Guardians
Elementary School	On-site Kitchen	342 yen	０yen（Free）
	Lunch Center	335 yen
Junior High School	On-site Kitchen	429 yen	215 yen（50% copayment）
	Lunch Center	405 yen	203 yen (50% copayment）

◎ Further details can be found on the website of Kashiwa City.

▼Website of Kashiwa City

Make your automobile tax payment by the deadline

Automobile tax

Inquiry: Kashiwa Prefectural Tax Office

TEL: 7147-1231

  Tax payment notices will be sent out on Friday, May 1.  Payment can be made at financial institutions, convenience stores, and at the Prefectural Tax office as well as by credit card, internet banking, and various smartphone payment apps.

◎For further details, please refer to the information enclosed with your tax notice.

Light Motor Vehicle Tax for entire terms

Inquiry:

On contents of the tax notice = Municipal Tax Division

　TEL: 7168－1612

On payment = Tax Collection and Management Division

　TEL: 7167－1122

Tax payment notice will be sent out on Friday, May 1. Please be sure to pay by the due date.  If you pay by direct debit, please check your account balance.

Information applies to both

The payment deadline is Monday,  June 1.

Temporary closure of Shikoda and Takayanagi Jido (Children) Centers

Inquiry: Shikoda Jido (Children) Center

 TEL: 7145－2522

　Due to renovation work on the air-conditioning system, some child centers will be closed.

Closure period

▶Shikoda Children Center

＝From Tuesday, June 2 to Sunday, June 28

▶Takayanagi Children Center

＝From Thursday, June 4 to Sunday, June 28 

 ※Dates may change.

Others

Takayanagi Kinrin (Community) Center will be available as an alternative facility for Takayanagi Children Center.

◎ For details on the availability of  alternative facilities, please visit the city website.

Extended operating hours for sports facilities during the summer season

Inquiry: Sport Activity Administration Division

　TEL: 7167−1133　FAX 7167−6644　

  To ensure safe and comfortable summer sports activities for residents, the operating hours for some sports facilities will be extended.

Applicable period

From July to September

Applicable facilities

Tomise Sports Ground, Sakasai Sports Ground, Kashiwanoha Tennis Courts, Shintoyofuta Dai-ichi Park Multi-purpose Square, Shintoyofuta Dai-ni Park Tennis Courts, and Tone Sports Ground

◎For details on operation hours and facilities, please visit the city website.

▼Kashiwa City website

Cross-cultural Events

Inquiry: Kashiwa Cross-cultural Center

　TEL: 7157－0281

Lecture: Knowing  Japan and Rediscovering France

Date and time

From 2:00pm to 3:30 pm, Saturday, May 16

Venue

Palette Kashiwa

Topic

What a French person living in Japan finds and feels about the cultures and customs through the experience of living in both countries.

Cost

400 yen

World BBQ Party

Date and time

From 11:00am to 1:00pm, Saturday, May 30

Venue

Mizushiro Orchard Garden（Nagareyama City）　

Program

Enjoy the international BBQ and the interaction with people from foreign countries.

Cost

1,500 yen ※500 yen for elementary school children and younger

Information applies to both

Capacity

First 50 people for each event

Procedures

Starting at 9:00am on Friday, May 1, please register in person at the Kashiwa Cross-cultural Center (Palette Kashiwa), or  email to <boshu-1@kira-kira.jp>.

Free legal consultation for residents of foreign language

Inquiry: Kashiwa Cross-cultural Center (KCC)    Tel: 7157-0281

Schedule

4th Wednesday of every month (1:00pm-5:00pm)

Location

Kashiwa Cross-cultural Center (KCC)    (Palette Kashiwa)

Reminder

Appointment necessary.