Kashiwa City Community Newspaper 2026.04.01

Available to all residents: Kashiwa City Living Support Special Subsidy of 5,000 yen

Inquiry：

Kashiwa City Living Support Special Subsidy Call Center

TEL: 050−3816−4026　FAX 7165−025

（From 9:00am  to 5:00pm,  not on Saturdays, Sundays and National holidays)

In recent years, inflation is prolonging and cost of living including foods and daily necessities is continuously rising. Daily lives of many people are affected immensely. To support the daily lives of all residents affected by the prolonged rise in prices, the city will provide a 5,000-yen benefit to every citizen, regardless of income.　

Eligibility

Those with residency registration in Kashiwa City as of February 1, 2026

Amount of subsidy

5,000 yen per person

How to be paid

Total amount for all the members in a household will be paid into the bank account of the household head.

■Procedures and payment schedule

Eligibility	Household heads with account details matching with the data in residency registration who satisfy any of the following criteria:  ▶Recipients of the support subsidy for childrearing in rising cost of living, or of the support subsidy in rising cost of living scheme by Kashiwa City after January 1, 2024. ▶Those who registered a bank account to receive public fund on Mynaportal.	Others
Notification document	Notifications will be sent out to eligible households on Thursday, April 16.	Confirmation forms will be sent out to eligible household heads on Thursday, May 7.
How to apply	No action required.	Return the confirmation form using the return envelope by Friday, July 31 (postmarked by this date), or scan the QR code on the confirmation form.
Payment date	Starting late May	About a month and a half after the city received your form.

※Please note that in some cases, a separate application must be submitted by Friday, July 31.

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

▼Website of Kashiwa City

Free RSV vaccinations available for expectant mothers

Inquiry: Health Promotion Division

TEL: 7128−8166　FAX: 7164−1263

“RSV infection” is a respiratory infection that can affect anyone, from infants and young children to adults. When an expectant mother receives the vaccine, the antibodies are produced in her body and are passed to the baby through the placenta, which is expected to help prevent severe RSV infection from the day the baby is born. To protect your baby from RSV infection, take this opportunity to get vaccinated.

Routine RSV vaccination begins in April

Please contact the medical institution before visiting. Pre-vaccination questionnaire forms are available at designated medical institutions.

Starting date of vaccination

Wednesday, April 1

Venues

Designated medical institutions in Kashiwa City and cooperating medical institutions for vaccination in Chiba Prefecture.

Eligibility

Those who are between 28 weeks 0 days and 36 weeks 6 days of pregnancy with residency registration in Kashiwa City on the vaccination date.

What to bring

Maternal and Child Handbook and self-identification document

◎ The list of available medical institutions for vaccination can be found on the website of Kashiwa City

▼Website of Kashiwa City

Get vaccinated with partial support payment for the elderly

Inquiry：Health Promotion Division

TEL：7128−8166　FAX 7164−1263

The city provides a partial subsidy for vaccination costs. Get vaccinated to prevent illness and severe complications.

Routine vaccination for shingles

Shingles is a disease caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus due to a weakened immune system or aging. When it develops, the body feels pain, rash and blisters spread in red bands, and the pain may persist for months or years after the disease has healed. Notice will be sent out to the eligible individuals.

Offered periods for vaccination

From April 1 to March 31, 2027

Eligibility

Those with residency registration in Kashiwa City as of the date of vaccination and with no history of shingles vaccination who satisfy any of the following criteria:

▶Individuals turning into 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, or 100 years old between April 2, 2026 and April 1, 2027 ▶Individuals aged 60-64 with immune dysfunction of grade 1 equivalent due to human immunodeficiency virus.

Amount of copayment

▶Live vaccine ＝ 2,500 yen ▶Inactivated vaccine ＝ 7,500 yen（Two doses are required）

What to bring

Self-identification document, Notice postcard

Partial subsidy for voluntary vaccination for those aged 50 to 64

From April 1, a partial subsidy for voluntary vaccination cost will be offered to those aged 50-64. Amount of copayment varies by medical institutions.  Further details on the support amount can be found on the website of Kashiwa City.

Routine pneumococcal vaccination for the elderly

Pneumococcus is a bacterium that enters the throat and nose and causes illnesses such as middle ear infections, bronchitis, and pneumonia.　Notice and pre-vaccination questionnaire will be sent to those who turned into 65 years old. From April 1, amount of copayment will be changed.

Eligibility

Those with residency registration in Kashiwa City as of the date of vaccination and with no history of pneumococcal vaccination who satisfy any of the following criteria.▶Individuals of 65 years old ▶Individuals of 60 to 64 years old with immune dysfunction of grade 1 equivalent due to cardiac, kidney, and respiratory function and human immunodeficiency virus.

Amount of copayment after the change

4,000 yen

What to bring

Self-identification document, pre-vaccination questionnaire

Points apply to both

Venues

Designated medical institutions in Kashiwa City and cooperating medical institutions for vaccination in Chiba Prefecture.

Procedures

Contact the designated medical institution before visiting.

Others

Households receiving public assistance are exempt from the copayment. Please bring your public assistance recipient certificate.

◎The list of available medical institutions for vaccination can be found on the website of Kashiwa City.

▼Website of Kashiwa City

Make sure your child gets all their vaccinations

Inquiry：Health Promotion Division 

TEL: 7128－8166

Some of the illnesses that children are prone to can be prevented with vaccines. Please schedule the vaccinations following the list in the Vaccination Logbook, which you receive by the time your child reaches 2 months old. For vaccinations to be received after starting school, you will be receiving a notice letter and a pre-vaccination questionnaire based on the scheduled timing.

Types	Eligible Age group	Frequency	Suggested age for vaccination
Japanese Encephalitis (2nd vaccination)	9-12 years old	Once each vaccination	9 years old
DT (Diphtheria and Tetanus)	11-12 years old		11 years old
HPV Vaccine (Human Papilloma virus)	Female of equivalent to sixth grade in elementary school to first year in senior high school	2 doses if the first dose is given before 15; 3 doses if started at the age of 15 or older	Equivalent to first year in junior high school

What to bring

Maternal and Child Handbook, self-identification document, and pre-vaccination questionnaire

◎Further details on the venues and vaccination schedules can be found on the website of Kashiwa City, or you can contact the division directly.

▼Website of Kashiwa City

 

Adding "AEON Pay" as a payment method for insurance premiums

Inquiry:

National Health Insurance Premiums and Latter Stage Elderly Medical Treatment Premiums

     ＝Health Insurance and Pension Division    TEL: 7191－2594

Nursing Care Insurance Premiums

     ＝Senior Citizens’ Support Division    TEL: 7167－1022

Payment of Insurance Premiums by AEON Pay, a smartphone payment app, will be available from Wednesday, April 1. You can make payments even if your payment slip does not have AEON Pay listed on the back. Download the app and complete user registration to start using the service.

Applicable insurance premiums

National Health Insurance Premiums, Latter Stage Elderly Medical Treatment Premiums, and Nursing Care Insurance Premiums

Others

The Following payment slips are not applicable. ▶Payment for more than 300,000 yen ▶No barcode ▶Expired barcode.

Accepting applications for Subsidy for Schooling and Education Expense at all times

Inquiry：School and Education Division

TEL: 7191－7367

For the household in financially challenged situation with children attending a municipal elementary or junior high school in Kashiwa city, we offer the subsidy for schooling and education expenses. Once admitted, the school lunch expense will be waived, and the cost of school supplies and school excursion trip expenses will be partially supported in addition.

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

Masuo Kinrin (Community) Center will be closed temporarily due to renovation

Inquiry: Local Community Promotion Division

TEL: 7167−1126　FAX 7167−6644

The Masuo Kinrin Center has been in operation for 45 years. To respond to facility deterioration and changing community needs, renovation work is scheduled.

During the renovation work, its meeting rooms and the use as an emergency evacuation shelter will be unavailable. However, branch office administrative services will continue as usual. Details regarding future operations - including the evacuation shelter and the Masuo Branch Library - will be announced on the city website as soon as they are finalized. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation during this time.

Closure period

From September 2026 to April 2028

Spring Traffic Safety Campaign: April 6–15

Inquiry: Disaster Prevention and Safety Division

TEL: 7168－1605

At this time of year, when the new school year starts, traffic accidents involving children increase. Drivers should be reminded that pedestrians have priority, and pedestrians should follow the traffic signals and avoid crossing the street immediately before or after a moving vehicle.

Key objectives

▶Secure the safety of pedestrians on school routes and residential roads. ▶Stop the “drink and drive” and the use of smartphones while driving, and promote the safe driving awareness. ▶Enhance the compliance of the traffic regulation by bicycle riders and promotion of helmet use.

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.