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Mimitaro
Engllish Version No.38
Feb/2003 |
ssued by: Shiga Intercultural Association
Volunteer Group “Mimitaro”
Piazza Ohmi 2F 1-1-20 Nionohama, Otsu
city
℡：077－523－5646 Fax：077－510－0601
E-mail：mimitaro@s-i-a.or.jp
URL:http://www.s-i-a.or.jp
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As a tie between Taiwan and Japan
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Dr. Kazuhiro Ota |
Taiwan, located near the southern end of Japan, is an island which was called “Formosa” (i.e. beautiful) by Portuguese in 16th century. However, Taiwan has a history of rule by foreign countries. It was ruled by Holland in the 16th century and then by China. From 1895, Taiwan was under the rule of Japan for 50 years. Then, after the World War II, Taiwan was returned to China. However, a pro-democracy movement occurred in 1980s and now Taiwan is ruled by Taiwanese. The government of the People's Republic of China has expressed its stance that Taiwan is a part of the territory and Japan has expressed its respect for the stance of China.
Mimitaro interviewed Dr. Kazuhiro Ota, an obstetrician and gynecologist
from Taiwan.
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| Why did you come to Shiga Prefecture? |
After I worked as a doctor in Taiwan, I thought I would study in the United States. However,
I met my wife, Taiwanese born in Japan. I therefore changed the destination abroad and came to Japan in 1978. After I studied in Kyoto
University, obtained a medical license, and then completed an internship, I started a medical practice in the place where I am now,
because Shiga has a lake and mountains, of which landscape is similar to that of my hometown. |
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Did you have
difficulties in overcoming language handicaps and becoming a doctor in Japan?
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Because Taiwan was in Japanese territory until 1945, my parents, who
are 90 years old now, were Japanese until they became 33 years old. However,
a rule by the Kuomin Party and education in Mandarin Chinese was started.
Although my parents speak Japanese, I had never studied Japanese until
I came to Japan when I was 31 years old. Because I could write kanji
characters used in both Chinese and Japanese, I could obtain a medical license.
When I first examined outpatients as an intern doctor, however, I was helped a
lot by Japanese doctors. Even if I live in a foreign country, I think I would
be valued more highly by improving my skill and behaving in good faith. |
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Which language do
you use when you talk with your family?
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I talk with my parents in Taiwanese. When I talk with my wife, we use
Mandarin Chinese, Taiwanese, and Japanese. I talk with my children in Japanese. |
| After you came to
Japan, was there any change in your idea about Japan and your mother country? |
When I was young, I felt a gap between what my parents talked about Japanese
and the anti-Japanese education at school. Therefore, I thought I wanted
to know true Japan. After I actually came to Japan, I met lots of kind
Japanese. In addition, I could get information about my motherland that
I could not get as long as I was there. I could learn the history of my
country again. Although Taiwan has not been recognized as a country by
the international society and been in a difficult position, Japan and Taiwan
are just like my parents. I would like to do my best so that both countries
can get along with each other. Because I have my own medical practice as
an obstetrician and gynecologist, I cannot leave here, but I am assisting
my mother country as much as I can and pouring my efforts into private-level
diplomacy. For example, I am holding a lecture by a VIP from Taiwan and
conducting a signature-gathering campaign for realizing a visit of the
former President of Taiwan, Lee Teng-hui, to Japan. Taiwanese think a great
deal of human relations and are warmhearted. They are pro-Japanese. That’s
why I want people all over the world including Japanese to know about Taiwan
more. |
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February
1 is Chinese New Year!
Currently, both
the “solar calendar” (Western calendar) and “old calendar” are used in Taiwan. The old calendar was made
based on the revolution of the moon, which has been used for centuries. In the
Taiwanese year-end, every family is busy with preparation for a new year as in December
in Japan.Here is an introduction of year-end events in Taiwan.
★“Boege” (Year-end party, December 16 [January 18 in the solar calendar]):
Tradespeople hold a big party called “boege” in the year-end and give
a feast to their employees. At this time, if the employer wants to fire
someone, s/he turns the head of a whole cooked chicken to the employee,
which means “you are fired.” If the employer does not want to fire anyone,
s/he turns the head of the chicken to himself/herself, and gives the employees
his/her regards for the next year.
★“Sangsin” (December 24 [January 26 in the solar calendar]):
According to a common folklore, on this day, the god of kitchen makes an annual report on good and evil or merits and demerits in the human world to the emperor in the heaven. Because the emperor decides fortune and misfortune of each family in the coming year according to this report, every family gives the god an offering from the morning to have a good report made. Then, after sending the god off to the heaven, they clean their household altar and house.
★“Koe-ni-am” (New Year’s Eve, December 31 [January 31 in the solar
calendar]):
In the New Year’s Eve, family members come home from afar and sit in
the table enjoying each other’s company. They enjoy their dinner, receive
New Year’s gifts, have a pleasant chat till dawn, and exchange New Year’s
greetings with each other.
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Data on Taiwan
Size: About 36,000 square km
(Slightly smaller than Kyushu)
Population: About 22.14 million
People: Han people and indigenous people
Currency:NT dollar
(1 NT dollar= about 4 yen)
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New year’s greetings in Taiwanse!!
Sinni Kionghi！
Happy New Year.
Kionghi hoat chai！
Happy New Year. I wish we could make a lot of money.
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Ms. Hui-Mei Lin
She came to
Japan one and a-half years ago. She is an international student. “Japanese
fashion and comics are now very popular among the young in Taiwan.”
Ms. Miyoko Okumura
She is from Atayals, indigenous people in Taiwan. She first
met her Japanese husband in Taiwan. She has
lived in Japan for 15
years. She has 3 children at the age of 15, 14, and 5. After she lost her
husband 5 years ago, she has brought up her 3 children by herself. She is now
most concerned about her children’s study. She is working hard in anticipation
of visiting her old home together with her children.
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Recipe of New Year’s rice cake in Taiwan.
Taiwanese radish rice cake chhaithaukoe
★Ingredients:
1. Native or Thai rice 600g
2. Radish 1800g
3. Dried shrimp 38g
4. Dried shiitake mushroom 6 pcs.
5. Bacon 1/2 cup
6. 3 cups of water
7. Cooking sheet, 1 sheet
★Seasoning:
a. 3 teaspoons of salt
b. 1 teaspoon of pepper
c. 1 teaspoon of sugar
d. 1.5 teaspoons of Aji-no-moto
e. 4 tablespoons of salad oil
★Recipe:
(1)Wash rice and
soak them in water overnight.
(2)>Drain water from rice in (1). Add 3 cups of water to rice and turn
them into puree with a liquidizer. (Divide into twice or three times depending
on the amount.)
(3)Cut radish into
strips.
(4)Soak dried shrimps
and mushrooms in lukewarm water and cut them and bacon into small pieces.
(5)Put salad oil
(e) into a Chinese frying pan, and fry the ingredients in (4) and then radish
in (3). Add seasoning. Add (2) and mix them enough.
(6)Spread a cooking
sheet into a steamer basket and put (5) on it.
(7)Boil water in a
steamer pot. After water comes to a boil, put (6) on the pot. Steam for about
an hour over a strong fire. Now radish rice cake is done.
You can eat them on their own. If you slice them and cook with oil in
a frying pan, you can enjoy the taste more.
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The Post office offers convenient
services.Here are some of them.
Domestic mail
１．Certified/Insured mail:
Best way to send valuables - Cash certified, certified, economy certified are available.Mail is tracked, and insured within the claimable amount in case the content is broken or not delivered.
２．Express mail:
Delivered faster than a regular mail - Indicate “Express (Sokutatsu)”
in red on the top area of the mail.
３．Letax:
Telegram service ? This is convenient when sending a card at the condolence, etc.
International mail
１．International speed mail (EMS):
Fastest way to send a letter or a package internationally ? offers a tracking
system and insurance service.
<Size>Length-1.5m Max, Length + around of width-3m Max, Weight-39kg
Max
２．Printed matter:
Mailing printed matters such as periodicals, books, catalogs, DM, documents,
etc.
３．Small packet:
Economical to send a packet compared to EMS or International parcel
<Size>Weight-2kg Max
４．International parcel
You can choose by cost or price (3 types; Air mail-fastest,
Surface mail-most economical, SAL-combination of Air and Surface).Discount of 10~20% can be applied depending
on the number of packages. Max weight is
20kg. Insurance is available. Pick up service is available.
| Type |
Days for delivery |
| Air Mail |
App. 1 week |
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Economy Air
Mail
（SAL） |
1 week + days taken for Air mail. |
| Surface Mail |
1～2 months |
＊ Economy Air Mail (SAL)
Uses Air Mail
system between 2 countries and uses Surface mail system within each country.
Overseas Transfer
You can transfer money to other countries from a post office
which deals with money orders.
There are 2 ways to transfer money: send it to the receiver’s
address or the receiver’s bank account.
Currency：
Currency depends on the country transferring money.At the time of requesting
a transfer in the post office, you pay the transfer amount calculated in
Yen and the transfer service charge.
Bring your passport or foreign resident registration card as
identification.
①Address specified transfer:
After you pay the transfer amount and service charge, the money order goes directly to the receiver’s address.The receiver exchanges it with money at the local post office or the bank.
* In the United
States case, you can
transfer money to yourself (You can be both sender and receiver.).
②Account specified transfer:
After you pay the transfer amount and service charge, the money order is deposited to the receiver’s bank/post office account.Please check with the post office official for countries excluded in this service.
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Remember your Income Tax
(Kakuteishinkoku)！ February 17th ? March 17th
Income tax (Kakuteishinkoku) is to calculate your taxable income between
1/1 and 12/31 (1 year) and submit it to the Revenue office.If you already
paid in a certain tax, subtract that amount from your calculation.(If you
paid more tax than required, you will receive a refund.)
* You can find Tax Forms at the Revenue offices (Zeimusho).
| Revenue office |
TEL |
Jurisdiction |
| Otsu office |
077-524-1111 |
Otsu-city, Shiga county |
| Kusatsu office |
077-562-1315 |
Kusatsu-city, Moriyama-city, Ritto-city, Yasu county |
| Minakuchi office |
0748-62-0314 |
Koka county |
| Omihachiman office |
0748-33-3141 |
Omihachiman-city, Yokaichi-city, Gamo county, Kanzaki
county |
| Hikone office |
0749-22-7640 |
Hikone-city, Echi county, Inukami county |
| Nagahama office |
0749-62-6144 |
Nagahama-city, Sakata county, Higashiazai county, Ika
county |
| Imazu office |
0740-22-2561 |
Takashima county |
Automobile Tax
Automobile tax is imposed on the owner who owns a vehicle as of April
1st.If you hand over your vehicle to someone else
or the vehicle is not in use anymore, contact the Motor Vehicle Division(Kinki
Rikuun Shikyoku) to change the title or discard the vehicle.If the registration is not changed, taxes
will be continuously imposed on you every year.
| Contacting office |
Automobile Registration |
Kinki Motor Vehicle Division Shiga Branch |
077-585-7251 |
| Automotive Tax |
Shiga Automobile Tax Office |
077-585-7288 |
| Light Car Tax |
City/Town/Village Revenue Dept. |
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Revised Medical Insurance System will effective on 4/15/03
* Coverage of Medical Insurance in some areas will change from
80% to 70%. Insured person at the age of
69 or younger will be covered 70% of the cost for both doctor visit and
hospitalization. Hospitalization
coverage for family members of the insured will be decreased from 80% to
70%. This means that a doctor visit and
hospitalization for both the insured and the family members will be the same,
30% out of pocket. Coverage for babies
at the age of 2 or less will stay at 80%.
*
Increase of Medical Insurance Fee will be applied to all types of
remunerations. Calculation for Medical
Insurance contribution will include annual bonus payment (Rate is the same as
monthly salary.).
* Partial
payment contribution towards over the counter medication will be abolished.
* Continued
benefit will be abolished after losing the qualification as an insured for
Medical Insurance.
MEDICOF Shiga
Free Medical Consultation in your own language
Date：3/9/03 (Sunday)
1:00pm - 3:00pm
Location：Otsu Citizen’s Hospital
（5min. walking distance from JR Zeze station, along Route1）
TEL 090-3822-9996
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Hinamatsuri
(Doll Festival)
March 3rd is the Dolls’ Festival.
Families with daughters set out Hina dolls
wishing for children’s well growth and happiness. People give Hishimochi as an offering,
decorate the room with peach flowers, and enjoy drinking white sake. |
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