Kashiwa City Community Newspaper 2026.10.01

Damages caused by the torrential rain in August 2026

Disaster Support Information

Support system, procedures and consultation desk for those who were affected by the damages such inundation　can be found on the website of Kashiwa City.

▼Website of Kashiwa City

Lessons from the torrential rain in Chiba in August 2026.  Hidden dangers and spots behind the heavy rain

Once torrential rain starts falling, where we go　out and about without being alarmed turn into the dangerous and hazardous areas all at once. It is vital to be aware of the possible everyday risks for staying safe on your daily routes and when out and about.

With the awareness of the danger, check and confirm the detour route

Do not let your guard down based upon your assumption of safety only because you know the area. Even though the water level appears shallow, you may miss the step and fall into the drainage ditch, or your car may be inoperative due to the deep water.   You must visualize any dangers not only in the area around where you live, your family’s work area, and your family’s school area but also where you and your family are out and about.

Danger of cars submersed in under-paths and bowl-shaped roads

Water rushes in all at once into the areas that are lower than the surrounding ground and causes the deep flooding instantly.  This will trap you in the water, or trap you inside the car.

Danger of falling and drifting away with the flow into drainage ditch, manhole, and waterway

When flooding occurs, the cover of the manhole may come off. This may trap you and you may fall and drift away with the flow.

Danger of being crushed in the collapsed slops and block walls

The heavy rain loosens the ground and you may be caught up and crushed in the collapse of earthen slopes or old block walls.

Danger of being trapped with the water rushed down the stairs to the underground and exit doors.

Once the flooding occurs above the ground, water runs down the stairs like waterfalls to the underground. When it happens, doors cannot be opened due to the water pressure and you will be trapped in.

Danger of inundation in short time in area lower than the riverbank

Once water levels of rivers go up, it is no longer possible to drain rainwater from the town into the river causing the flooding all over the town and flooding spread to wider area in very short time.

Going to the designated evacuation facility is not the only way of evacuation 

You can choose your home as evacuation spot if your residing space is high enough not to be inundated and stocked up with enough foods and water. But if the area is in any danger of landslide, when evacuation is ordered, you must evacuate regardless. You can list your relatives and friends’ places in the safe area as possible evacuation destination.

▼Website of Kashiwa City

Make the best use of City’s emergency tools

In addition to “your own eyes and instinct” to notice any hazardous spots in town, utilizing city’s emergency tools is helpful to assess when to evacuate. Here is two tools which you can utilize in daily life to be aware of the risks and real-time situation of rain.    　

Study in advance the risks of inundation and evacuation action on the hazard map 

On the Hazard map, you can check the risks of inundation of your living area, work area and your frequent visiting areas. There are several kinds of maps for flooding, inundations, landslides and others.  You are recommended to check each hazard maps to understand the risks in advance.

▼Web Version of  Hazard map of Kashiwa City

Check the rain clouds and risk of inundation on RisKma

Inquiry: Sewerage Engineering Division　       TEL: 7167−1429　FAX 7167−1165

While the heavy rain is falling, “RisKma” (Risk mapping system for floods), Pipeline water level observation system, is very useful monitoring system to grasp the real-time dangers.   On the smartphone and PC, you can check the forecasts of rain clouds, water-level of rivers and sewerage, forecast of inundation area on the map.

▼RisKma

Please set up the access to retrieve the disaster information

To retrieve the heavy rain alerts and evacuation information wherever you are, you are recommended to add Kashiwa City Official LINE to your friend list and download Disaster Alert app. 

▼Kashiwa City Official LINE

▼Yahoo！Disaster Alert app

Support payment for Influenza and COVID-19 vaccinations for Senior citizens

Inquiry: Health Promotion Division      TEL: 7128−8166　FAX 7164−1263

The cost of Influenza and COVID-19 vaccinations for senior citizens is supported partially by the city.

Vaccination period

▶Vaccination for Influenza＝From Thursday, October 1 to Sunday, January 31,2027

▶Vaccination for COVID-19＝From Thursday, October 1 to Wednesday, March 31,2027

Venues

Designated medical institutions in Kashiwa city, and cooperating medical institutions in Chiba Prefecture

Applicable vaccinations and copayment

Vaccination for Influenza＝1,500 yen,

Vaccination for COVID-19＝5,500 yen　

※Only once in a fiscal year (it applies to both vaccinations)

Points apply to both

Eligibility

Those who are registered residents in Kashiwa city at the time of vaccination and meet any of the following conditions.

▶65 years old and older

▶60-64 years old with a heart, kidney, or respiratory impairment severely limiting daily life, or with an immune system disorder making daily life nearly impossible (a copy of disability certificate or physicians diagnose is required)

Procedures

Contact the medical institution of your choice beforehand, and visit the institution with your ID.

Others

Members of households on welfare are exempt from the copayment. Bring your Public Assistance Recipient Certificate.

◎ The list of medical institutions offering vaccinations can be found on the website of Kashiwa City.

▼Website of Kashiwa City

Partial support for the cost of Influenza vaccination for Children

Inquiry: Health Promotion Division　   TEL: 7128－8166

Partial support for the cost of Influenza vaccination for Kids is offered. 　

Vaccination period

From Thursday, October 1 to Sunday, January 31, 2027

Eligibility

Infants of six months old and older up to children in elementary school with the registration in Kashiwa City at the time of vaccination.

Amount of support payment

Maximum 1,500 yen ※The difference is at your own expense. Up to two doses in a fiscal year.

◎The list of medical institutions offering vaccinations and procedures can be found on the website of Kashiwa City.

Joint briefing session of Licensed Nursery Schools and Certified Children’s Centers

Inquiry: Yoshida Baby House　　TEL: 7136－2283

Nursery School Administration Division        TEL: 7128－5517

Schedules and Nursery Schools at each briefing session

Tuesday, October 27

▶From 10:00am to noon＝nursery schools in North, South and East areas

▶From 1:30pm to 3:30pm＝nursery schools in central area

Venue

Amuser Kashiwa

Procedures

Please drop in the site on the day

◎Further details can be found on the website of Kashiwa City Private Licensed Nursery Schools Association

 

Childcare exemption scheme for National Pension premiums is starting

Inquiry: National Pension Office          TEL: 7167-1130

 

From October and onward, for category 1 in insured person under the National Pension scheme who is raising infant aged 0(zero), premiums for the National Pension scheme will be exempted.

Applicable period

Up to the month preceding the infant’s first birthday

Others

Member of Employees’ Pension scheme and a person who is a dependent of their spouse are not eligible.

◎Further details on procedures can be found on the website of Kashiwa City or please contact the division.

Accepting applications for disability tax deduction certification for the senior citizen

Inquiry: Senior Citizens’ Support Division         TEL: 7167-1134

 

The city starts to accept applications for certification of a disability tax deduction recipient, which enables tax deductions on the final tax return.　

Eligibility

Those who satisfy all the following conditions.

▶65 years old and older

▶Officially certified for long-term care services

▶Not holding a disability certificate

▶Either the individual or their dependents are not exempt from resident tax.

Where to obtain the application forms

Senior citizens’ Support Division (City Hall Annex, 2nd Floor), Shonan Branch Office (Shonan Building, 1st Floor), Community-based Integrated Support Centers

※Application forms are available to download on website of Kashiwa City.

Procedures

Complete the application form and mail it to the following address;　 〒277－8505柏市役所高齢者支援課(The Senior Citizens’ Support Division, Kashiwa City Hall, 277－8505, or submit it directly at any distribution locations.

Others

Even with a long-term care certification, the deductibility may not be approved in some cases.

Cross-culture event

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

Kashiwa de Cross-culture Festival

Date

Sunday, October 18

From 11:00am to 3:00pm

Venue

Howdy Mall, Kashiwa station East exit

Events

Introduction of sister and friendship cities, Worldwide music and dance performances, and shops of goods and foods and drinks.

Procedures

Visit the site directly on the day

▼Website of KCC(Kashiwa Cross-cultural Center)

Foreign residents contestants wanted for Japanese speech contest

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

 

Date

Sunday, February 21, 2027

From 2:00pm to 4:30pm, 

Venue

Amuser Kashiwa

Eligibility

12 contestants meeting all the following criteria.

▶Reside, work, or study in the Higashi-Katsushika area

▶Non-native speakers of Japanese

▶Both parents are foreign nationals

Application closing date

Friday, December 25   

◎Further details on application can be found on the website of KCC.

 

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.