Chiba Nanohana News (July 2021)

 Index

I. News   II. Festivals and Events  

 I. News

1) Change in Areas under the Reinforced Preventative Measures against COVID-19

As of July 19, Kamagaya City and Yachiyo City have been added to the list of areas under the reinforced preventative measures against COVID-19. Please continue taking proper safety measures to prevent the spread of infection.

• Duration: April 20, 2021 (Tues) - August 22, 2021 (Sun)
• Areas: Chiba City, Ichikawa City, Funabashi City, Matsudo City, Narashino City, Narita City, Ichihara City, Kashiwa City, Urayasu City, Kamagaya City, Yachiyo City

 

2) Be Aware of Heat Illness

“Heat illness” refers to a state where the balance of water and salt in a person’s body is gradually broken, thermoregulation fails to function properly, and heat is accumulated in the body due to being in a high-temperature and high-humidity environment for a long time. It can occur not only when you are outdoors, but also when staying indoors not doing any exercise or work. Heat illness victims may be taken to the hospital by ambulance and in some cases, die from it.

In order to prevent health problems caused by heat illness, each individual should have a correct understanding of what heat illness is, be aware of changes in their physical condition, and look out for those around them.

◆ Heat Illness Symptoms

Dizziness, giddiness, numbness in limbs, muscle cramps, feeling unwell, headache, nausea, vomiting, dullness, despondency, feeling different than usual

◆ Preventing Heat Illness

When indoors or outdoors, regularly intake water and salt or drink an oral rehydration solution* even when you do not feel thirsty

* Water with salt and glucose dissolved into it

 

WBGT value: An index calculated based on the temperature, humidity, and radiant heat
Reference values are provided according to the level of exercise or work.
Observed values and predicted values are indicated on the Ministry of the Environment’s website (Heat Illness Prevention Information website).

Heat Illness Alert: In the case the WBGT index is predicted to reach 33 or higher, a “Heat Illness Alert” will be issued by the Ministry of the Environment and Japan Meteorological Agency.

 

Heat Illness Prevention Information provided by MoE

 

3) Preparations for Typhoons/Heavy Rains

The rainy season has arrived. Around the end of the rainy season, torrential downpours of rain often occur. Floods and mudslides are expected to cause large damage. The typhoon season is also approaching. Typhoons bring heavy rains and strong winds which cause great damage every year. Please pay attention to information published by the Japan Meteorological Agency and your local municipality and make appropriate preparations.

Despite COVID-19 still being present, please evacuate appropriately in the event of a natural disaster. Be aware that you are responsible for your own life and act appropriately.

* There may not be enough masks, disinfectants, and thermometers for everyone. If possible, bring your own when evacuating.

＜Early Evacuation＞

1. Please confirm what dangers are present in or around your home, school, or workplace.　

• Read hazard maps and disaster prevention plans made by your local municipality and be aware of what kind of dangers are present at your home, school or workplace, such as what sort of floods are expected nearby rivers or if there are any areas prone to mudslides near you.
• Confirm evacuation centers designated by your local municipality and plan a route and means of getting there.　

2. Confirm evacuation information announced by your local municipality.

Be aware of how to gain access to said information through the municipality website or other sources. Evacuation timing will be announced based on the warning level. Evacuate immediately in the event of a warning level 3 or 4. Do not wait for Level 5 to evacuate.

• 〔Warning Level 1〕 Confirm your disaster preparations.
• 〔Warning Level 2〕 Confirm the location of your nearest evacuation center and roads.
• 〔Warning Level 3〕 Evacuate elderly persons, disabled persons, infants, or others whom need extra time to evacuate. Your municipality will publish evacuation preparation information. People other than those listed above prepare to evacuate.
• 〔Warning Level 4〕  Everyone evacuates. Your municipality will publish an evacuation orders.
• 〔Warning Level 5〕  A disaster has struck. Make sure to ensure your safety.

3. Make preparations just in case.

Below are some possible scenarios. Please think of how you would respond ahead of time.

• Example 1：Due to heavy rains, your usual route to the evacuation center has been deemed dangerous. Find a way to get to a safe building such as a building which would not flood up to its top floor or a building not close to a river.
• Example 2：It has been deemed dangerous to go outside. Find a safe place within the building you are currently in (a room on the highest floor, a room far away from mountains, hills, etc.)

 

Chiba Prefecture Disaster Prevention Portal

Japan Meteorological Agency

“Multilingual EMERGENCY Updates” (NHK WORLD-JAPAN)

 

II. Festivals and Events

1) Tokyo 2020 Olympics to Finally Commence!  

The Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games will finally begin on Friday, July 23 and will run until Sunday, August 8! There are four Olympic events that will be take place in Chiba Prefecture. Fencing, taekwondo, and wrestling will be held at Makuhari Messe (Chiba City), and surfing will be held for the first time in Olympic history at Tsurigasaki Surfing Beach (Ichinomiya). In addition, the Prefecture and municipalities will host pre-Olympic training camps in preparation for the Games.

＜Introduction of Games to be Held in Chiba Prefecture＞

Fencing 7/24 (Sat) - 8/1 (Sun) / Makuhari Messe Hall B

In collaboration with Japan Fencing Federation, JFE

A sport where two competitors face off on a rectangular game field called a piste and attack or defend with weapons (swords). Electrical circuits are embedded in the swords and protective gear used, and lamps light up when an attack is successful. There are three events: foil, epee, and sabre.

Surfing 7/25 (Sun) - 7/28 (Wed) / Tsurigasaki Surfing Beach

Multiple competitors compete at the same time within a time limit to determine the winner. Competitors can earn high scores by identifying good waves and performing difficult turns and aerials (techniques that take the surfboard into the air).

Taekwondo 7/24 (Sat) - 7/27 (Tues) / Makuhari Messe Haｌｌ A

 

Photo provided by All Japan Taekwondo Association, AJTA

Taekwondo has been held as an Olympic sport since the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games. Athletes can attack using their hands and feet, but the event is characterized by attacks with the feet. Whether an attack is valid or invalid is determined mechanically by the electronic sensors attached to the competitors' protectors.

Wrestling 8/1 (Sun) - 8/7 (Sat) Makuhari Messe Hall A

This is a sport in which two competitors battle with their bare hands in a 9m diameter circle on the mat. Both competitors defend and attack with tackles and throwing techniques in a low position. "Greco-Roman style" is a battle using only the upper body, while "Freestyle" allows competitors to attack any part of the body.

 

Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 Information / Chiba Prefecture

＜Training Camps Scheduled to be Held in the Prefecture (as of July 7, 2021)＞

◆Chiba Prefecture

Netherlands:

• Aquatics (Swimming, Women’s Water Polo, Artistic Swimming) 7/11 - 7/26, Chiba International General Swimming Center
• Athletics 7/16 - 8/2, Chiba Prefectural General Sports Center

USA:

• Aquatics (Women’s Water Polo) 7/14 - 7/21, Chiba International General Swimming Center

◆Ichikawa City

Bulgaria:

• Rhythmic Gymnastics, early August, Konodai Civic Gymnasium

◆Funabashi City

USA:

• Men’s Gymnastics 7/16 - 7/25, Funabashi Municipal High School

◆Tateyama City

Netherlands:

• Triathlon 7/20 - 7/29, Public roads in the Tateyama/Minamiboso Area, Tateyama Shiei 50m Pool
• Marathon Swimming 7/20 - 7/29 Tateyama Shiei 50m Pool, Tateyama Bay

◆Kisarazu City

Nigeria:

• Canoe 7/7 - 7/28, Obitsugawa River
• Boat 7/7 - 7/18, Obitsugawa River
• Table Tennis 7/10 - 7/18, Kaneda Regional Exchange Center
• Athletics 7/13 - 7/25, Egawa Sports Park Athletics Ground
• Taekwondo 7/14 - 7/18, Civic Gymnasium, Kendo Hall
• Wrestling 7/14 - 7/27, Civic Gymnasium, Judo Hall

◆Matsudo City

Romania:

• Athletics 7/17 - 8/1, Matsudo Athletic Park Track Field, Kakinokidai Park Gymnasium  

Dominican Republic:

• Taekwondo 7/15 - 7/19, Kakinokidai Park Gymnasium  

◆ Narita City

Canada:

• Women’s Soccer 7/8 - 7/15, Nakadai Sports Park Athletic Stadium

Netherlands:

• Men’s Basketball 3x3 7/16 - 7/25, Nakadai Sports Park Gymnasium

Australia:

• Athletics 7/19 - 7/26, Nakadai Sports Park Athletic Stadium

Slovenia:

• Athletics 7/22 - 7/27, Nakadai Sports Park Athletic Stadium 

◆Sakura City

Germany:

• Wrestling 7/22 - 7/26, Civic Gymnasium

◆Ichihara City

Australia:

• Men’s Soccer 7/8 - 7/17, Ichihara Suporeku Park, ZA Oripuri Stadium

Israel:

• Athletics & Rhythmic Gymnastics

◆Nagareyama City

Netherlands:

• Women’s Handball 7/13 - 7/21, Kikkoman Arena
• Badminton 7/13 - 7/19, Kikkoman Arena
• Table Tennis 7/11 - 7/20, Kikkoman Arena

◆Abiko City

Slovenia:

• Judo 7/14 - 7/20, Abiko Civic Gymnasium Martial Arts Hall
• Taekwondo 7/17 - 7/22, Abiko Civic Gymnasium Martial Arts Hall

◆Kamogawa City

Netherlands:

• Women’s Soccer 7/7 - 7/17, Kamogawa City General Sports Facility

◆Urayasu City

Netherlands:

• Archery, mid-July, Urayasu Sports Park Archery Ground

Slovakia:

• Athletics, mid-July - early August, Meikai University Urayasu Campus

◆Inzai City

USA:

• Women’s Gymnastics 7/14 - 7/26, Juntendo University Sakura Campus

Netherlands:

• Gymnastics 7/12 - 7/26, Juntendo University Sakura Campus

Ireland:

• Men’s Gymnastics 7/13 - 7/17, Juntendo University Sakura Campus

◆Katori City

Slovakia:

• Canoe Sprint 7/12 - 7/30, Omigawa Boat Park

 

Status of training camp agreements in Chiba Prefecture

2) Online Virtual Tours by City Cast Chiba

The Chiba Prefectural Government will provide virtual tours arranged by city volunteers called “City Cast Chiba” in August and September. The tours are designed to help people, who had planned to enjoy local tours or excursions in areas around the Olympic and Paralympic venues, enjoy alternative experiences. Details of the programs are available in English, Chinese, and Spanish and will be posted on the following website on July 17. Those who would like to participate are required to apply through the website after choosing their preferred programs.

*Application will open on July 23.

*Participants will be chosen on a first-come-first-served basis.

More details: Online Virtual Tours by City Cast Chiba during Tokyo 2020 Games

3) “Anata no LOVE❤CHIBA Oshiete” Campaign Season 10 has Started!

Chiba Prefecture is awarding luxurious prizes to 20 winners every month during the “Anata no LOVE❤CHIBA Oshiete (Tell us about your love for Chiba)” campaign! To enter, participants must submit photos taken with their smartphone or digital camera of sightseeing spots, food, scenery, lodging, specialty products, experiences, events, or anything else that captures their love for Chiba. These photos are submitted via the campaign’s official website or Instagram. We are waiting to see your photos that show how much you love the Prefecture, so apply now! The submission period will end on Thursday, March 31, 2022.

<Prizes>

• 4 winners of “Chiba the Beef” every month (2 website, 2 Instagram)
• 4 winners of Choshi tsurikinme shabu-shabu every month (2 website, 2 Instagram)
• 4 winners of a box of seasonal vegetables chosen by a sommelier of nutrition education, and Chiba-grown rice (2 website, 2 Instagram)
• 4 winners of Soft cream made from Boshu loquats and milk produced in Chiba (pack of 8) every month (2 website, 2 Instagram)
• 1 winner of a subsidized lodging voucher valued at 10,000 yen every month (website only)
• 2 winners of a CHI-BA+KUN water bottle (not for sale) each month (website only)
• 1 winner of a CHI-BA+KUN bag (not for sale) every month (Instagram only)

<Where to apply>

1. Campaign official website
2. Campaign official Instagram: @love.love.chiba

You can browse through all the photos and Comments submitted to this Campaign on the official website and Instagram, and these photos can be searched by areas, municipalities or keywords. These photos are a great way to discover new tourist spots, gourmet, and beautiful views in Chiba Prefecture! Please use it for your future travels around the Prefecture!  

<Distribution of Complimentary Services>

There are about 170 tourist facilities and shops participating in this campaign. If you show the “Special Treatment Card” from the campaign website using your smartphone or tablet to these establishments, you can receive discounts and complimentary goods! You can see the list of participating facilities on the campaign website.

<Examples of Complimentary Services>

• 50 yen discount for Biwa soft cream at Michi no Eki Tomiura Biwa Kurabu
• Admission discounts at Mother Farm (1,500 yen to 1,400 yen)
• 500 yen coupon for your next visit to Chiba Cows Park.

<Limited Time Offer: “Love Chiba Appreciation Award”>

The applicants who submitted photos to the campaign website by Saturday, July 31, 2021 have another chance to win a set of Chiba’s specialty products, or signed goods by Chiba Lotte Marines’ players! Fifteen winners will be chosen via lottery.

 

Inquiries: Chiba Prefecture Tourism Promotion Division TEL 043-223-2412

 

I. News   II. Festivals and Events