Chiba Nanohana News (May 2021)

 Index

I. News   II. Charm of Chiba   III. Festivals and Events 

 I. News 

1)Reinforced Preventative Measures against COVID-19 Extended until May 31

The Prefecture has extended the duration for reinforced preventative measures against COVID-19 until May 31.

Duration: April 20, 2021 (Tues) - May 31, 2021 (Mon)

<This is a request for the residents of the Prefecture>

We ask that you continue to take the following precautions in order to prevent the spread of infection.

• Please refrain from nonessential outings. If you need to go out, please avoid crowded places and peak times and keep your group as small as possible. In particular, please refrain from unnecessary travel between prefectures and areas in an emergency state.
• Please don’t talk while eating. If you go out to eat, choose an establishment with thorough COVID-19 countermeasures such as good ventilation, spaced out seating, and acrylic partitions between seats and go in a small group.

• Do not gather with others to drink alcohol on the street, in parks, or at home. Also, if you buy food at a festival or other events, please try as much as possible to take it to-go.

• Wear a mask when using a karaoke booth and while singing.

• Do not go to restaurants after 8:00pm in Chiba City, Ichikawa City, Funabashi City, Matsudo City, Kashiwa City, Urayasu City, Noda City, Nagareyama City, Abiko City, Kamagaya City, Narashino City, Yachiyo City.

• Please continue taking proper safety measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 by wearing a mask, washing your hands, and keeping a safe distance between yourself and others.

2) About the COVID-19 Vaccine

In order to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the Prefecture is working to develop a vaccination system in cooperation with the national government, municipalities, and medical institutions to ensure a smooth vaccination process.  

 

The COVID-19 vaccine will be available free of charge to anyone eligible.

The Government intends to enable the public to be vaccinated free of charge; the costs of vaccination for all eligible residents, including foreign residents, is expected to be covered in full by public funds. Shortly before it is your turn to opt to receive the vaccination, the municipality in which you reside will send you a notice and voucher.

 

There are groups that will receive priority in getting the COVID-19 vaccination.

• 1) Health care professionals and others who provide medical treatment for COVID-19 patients and others directly,
• 2) persons aged 65 or higher, and
• 3) people having underlying conditions or staff who interact directly with users of elderly care facilities.

Vaccination for the general public aged 16 or higher will commence afterwards.

 

Vaccination generally results in some side reactions such as swelling or pain in the area the shot was administered, fever, or headaches. While vaccinations very rarely cause severe reactions which require treatment or leave disabling aftereffects, it is also impossible to eliminate the risk of side reactions arising. (Damage to health caused by vaccinations is subject to remedial measures under the law.)

For vaccines administered in Japan, each vaccine recipient is observed for 15 to 30 minutes after the injection is given, and should anaphylaxis occur, necessary treatment will be provided by medical professionals.

Make your decision after becoming well informed about the vaccine.

 

Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare COVID-19 Call Center

• TEL: 0120-761770
• Hours: See below（includes weekends and holidays）
  Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, Portuguese, and Spanish is available from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm.
  Thai is available from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm.
  Vietnamese is available from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm.

 

Pre-vaccination Screening Questionnaire / Instructions / Notice on COVID-19 Vaccination (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare)

What You Need to Know about COVID-19 Vaccines (English)

Novel Coronavirus Vaccines／Prime Minister of Japan and His Cabinet（English）

II. Charm of Chiba 

1) Chiba’s Loquats

Chiba Prefecture is one of the largest producers of loquats, also called “biwa,” in Japan. In 2018, Chiba Prefecture ranked second in Japan in terms of output, right behind Nagasaki Prefecture!

Loquats from Chiba are characterized by their large size and juiciness, and are cultivated in Minamiboso City, Tateyama City, and Kyonan Town on the west coast near the southern tip of the

Boso Peninsula. Chiba’s loquat season is from around late April to late June. It is a fruit that heralds the beginning of summer. When eating, do not chill the loquat too much; it is best to eat it at room temperature to taste its full flavor.  

 

Since loquats bloom in early winter, it is a battle with the cold to bear fruit. Biwa flowers will freeze and die at -5 degrees Celsius and the fruit at -3 degrees Celsius. Therefore, loquats can only be cultivated in warm regions. The Awa region, which is protected by the Black Current and is mild in winter, is the northern limit of loquat cultivation. Most loquat gardens are located on slopes of mountains facing the south and east, where it is less likely for seasonal winds and cold air to stay during winter.

＜Processed Loquat Products＞

Biwa Club is a third sector organization founded by Tomiura Town (present-day Minamiboso City), the main production area for loquats. Biwa Club works hard to sell processed loquat products so that people can enjoy the fruit year round despite its short harvest period.

There are over 30 kinds of loquat-related products, such as canned loquats, loquat jam, loquat ice cream, and even loquat shampoo, which have been well received by visitors of Boshu.

Roadside Station Tomiura Biwa Club

＜Loquat Cultivars in Chiba＞

1.Open-air Cultivars

Harvest and shipping time for open-air cultivation is generally from late May to late June.

• “Obusa” : Large in size (70-80 grams) and not very sour
• “Tanaka” : Large in size (65-75 grams) with a beautiful exterior

2. Greenhouse Cultivars

Harvest and shipping times for greenhouse cultivation is generally from early April to late May. 

• “Tomifusa”: Large in size (70 grams) with a beautiful exterior and not very sour. This is a Chiba-bred variety.
• “Mizuho”: Enormous in size (75-85 grams), soft flesh and nice flavor
• “Fusahikari”: A Chiba-bred variety
• “Kibo”: A Chiba-bred variety and the world’s first seedless loquat

＜Chiba’s Loquat History＞

It is said that loquat cultivation in Chiba started in 1751 and has a history of about 250 years. Records show that Boshu loquats were shipped to a market in Edo during the middle of the Edo period. Loquats have been actively cultivated since the Meiji period.

A royal offering of loquats to the Imperial family was started in 1909 by Kanekichi Kimura of Awa District’s Tomiura Town (present-day Tomiura-cho, Minamiboso City) and is still continued to this day.  

 

Loquats / Reference book / Chiba Prefecture Distribution and Marketing Division

III.Festivals and Events

1) Chiba Wakuwaku Festa 2021

June 15th is “Chiba Kenmin no Hi” (Chiba Prefectural Citizens’ Day).

In 1984, “Kenmin no Hi” (Chiba Prefectural Citizens’ Day) was established as a day for residents of Chiba Prefecture to learn about Chiba, love Chiba, and help make Chiba Prefecture into a place for the next generation to be proud of. June 15 commemorates June 15, 1873, when the Kisarazu and Imba Prefectures merged to form the present-day Chiba Prefecture.

 

To commemorate this day, the Chiba Wakuwaku Festa 2021 will be held online on May 23 (Sun) to encourage everyone in the Prefecture to rediscover Chiba’s charm while having fun.

※　In order to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the event will be held without spectators. Stage content and introductions of municipalities will be broadcasted online. 

 

Date and time of the online broadcast: Sunday, May 23, 2021 from 10:30 - 16:50

Please visit the event website!

[Contents and Live Streaming Schedule]

<Opening 10:30-10:35>

<CHIBA×Children & Youth Stage  10:35-11:20>

Dance performance by Kashiwa Golden Hawks

Performance by Matsudo Unicycle Club MIC

Performance by Kashiwa Municipal High School Brass Band Club

Performance by Chiba Prefectural Makuhari Sohgoh High School Symphonic Orchestra Club

<Event Ceremony 11:20-11:40>

<Chiba Citizen’s Music Festival PR Concert 12:20-12:55>

Harmony between Chiba Symphony Orchestra and Chiba Prefectural Nagareyama School for Special Needs Education Music Club’s chorus

<All-Chiba Hospitality Group Talk Show and Mini Live 13:15-13:50>

Performers: Airi Suzuki & Robin Shoko Okada

<CHI-BA+KUN Character Show 14:00-14:15>

Chiba Prefecture’s widely popular mascot character, CHI-BA+KUN will perform on stage!

<Traditional Performing Arts Stage  14:30-14:45>

Choshi Hane Daiko, which has been selected as a  “Chiba Cultural Asset,” will give a traditional arts performance!

<Bayfm MUSIC FESTA  15:45-16:45>

• Live show by May J.
• Open mic by Jungle Pocket
• Performance by BOYS AND MEN

<Ending 16:45-16:50>

 

< PR Corner for Municipalities>

The event plans to broadcast videos made by municipalities to promote tourism, culture etc. in each region.

 

• Inquiries: Chiba Prefecture Cultural Promotion and Citizen’s Life Affairs Division
• TEL: 043-223-2408

2) Fair Trade Festa Chiba 2021

※ An event scheduled to be held on May 23^rd at Qiball has been canceled due to COVID-19. (The online event is ongoing.)

May is World Fair Trade Month. Fair Trade Festa Chiba 2021 will be held at Qiball in Chiba City on May 23, and online on the special website from May 1-30.

 

Fair trade is a trade structure that aims to improve the lives and independence of producers and workers in developing countries who are in a weaker position by continuously purchasing raw materials and products from developing countries at fair prices. In order for producers to continue to make quality products, it is important to create a sustainable cycle of trade where the working environment and living standards of producers are guaranteed, and where consideration is given the natural environment. 

 

This event aims to deepen intercultural understanding in a fun way for all people living in Chiba, and to foster an attitude of active social participation to solve world poverty and environmental problems through their daily consumption behavior. Local businesses, civic groups, and educational organizations will collaborate to introduce the activities of international and domestic fair trade organizations and fair trade products.

 

<Main Contents>

1) Introduction of the Fair Trade Organization’s Activities / Introduction of Fair Trade Products

Each organization’s activities and fair trade products will be introduced online and at Qiball on May 23.

You can shop for fair trade products.

The money earned from the sale of fair trade products will be used to improve the lives of people around the world who are economically and socially disadvantaged.

2）Fair Trade Quiz

Elementary school students and up can learn about fair trade in a fun way by taking an online quiz on the special website! There are also prizes!

Multiple fair trade lectures are being planned during the event’s duration.

 

＜Participating/Cooperating Organizations＞

• PRIYO Handicrafts: Expand opportunities for environmentally and culturally sensitive handiwork through interacting with Bangladeshi villagers.

• Radhika JAPAN: Improve the quality of life and educational support through interaction with people from Nepal.

• Halo Halo: An exhibit of bags made from scrap wood of the Philippines, small knick-knacks and miscellaneous goods, and accessories made from natural materials of Cebu.

• NPO Harmony: A welfare work center which helps create job opportunities for those with disabilities.

• Co-op Mirai: Through the purchase of products, Co-op Mirai promotes international support, which leads to the improvement of production and living conditions in the production areas.

• and others

 

• Sponsor: Fair Trade Chiba
• Date and Venue:
  1) May 23, 2021 (Mon) 10:00-16:00
      Qiball / 4-5-1 Chuo, Chuo-ku, Chiba City (10 min. walk from Chiba Chuo station on the Keisei Line)
  2) May 1, 2021 (Sat) - May 30, 2021 Online
      Fair Trade Festa Chiba 2021 Website

 

 

I. News   II. Charm of Chiba   III. Festivals and Events