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Living Information
General Information on Living in Okayama
Japanese (Language) Classes
Visas and Alien Registration
Advice for Foreign Residents
Tourist Information
Others

Okayama Life Handbook for Foreign Residents

English Version
Chinese Version
Poutuguese Version
Indonesian Version
Korean Version
Vietnamese Version
Spanish Version
General Information on living in Okayama
  On the Okayama Prefecture's web site, you can find useful information on living in Okayama Prefecture in addition to information on tourism and the updates of local events in which you may be interested. Information is available in Japanese, English, Chinese and Korean.
Okayama Prefecture's Web page

You can also obtain Multi-language Living Guide from CLAIR's web page. (in Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish, German, French, Vietnamese, Indonesian, Tagalog, Thai, Russian ) A list of consultation offices with other languages is also available. (The list is written in English.)
* CLAIR: Council of Local Authorities for International Relations
Multi-language Living Guide
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Japanese (Language) Classes
  To develop Japanese language skills is one of the best ways for you to understand the Japanese way of life and way of thinking, as you may learn culture and history and so on. with the language. Even if you cannot afford to enjoy, we advise you to start learning to be able to survive better. We hope you will find a class(es) that may satisfy your requirements.
    OPIEF JAPANESE CLASSES for 2010/04 -2011/03
Japanese classes are available at the Okayama International Center(OIC) from Tuesday to Saturday. Initial registration is necessary at the Information Desk (see the map) before you start. You also need to choose what day(s) of the week you will be coming.. Registration will be accepted on a first come first served basis. For more information, please contact the Information Desk at 086-256-2914. (Mon - Sat)

Class Schedule
Day Time Place
Okayama Int'l Center
Capacity
Levels
Tuesday 10:00`11:40 6F 25 students each Introductory to Intermediate
(Students are divided according to their language levels, and taught in small groups.)
Tuesday 18:30`20:10
Wednesday 10:00`11:40
Wednesday 18:30`20:10
Thursday 10:00`11:40
Friday 10:00`11:40
Saturday 15:10`16:50
 
Teachers are from the following two volunteer groups:

OJC (One Japanese Center) / ONN (Okayama Nihongokyoshi Network)

Lesson Fee

1,000 yen per year (for up to two classses)
Cost of textbooks / photocopies may be required.
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Visas and Alien Registration
    Visas
You may obtain genreal information on visas at the Information Desk, however, any applications should be made at the relevant offices. Please refer to the following:
    Immigration Offices in Okayama Prefecture
Okayama Branch of the Hiroshima Regional Immigration Bureau
11F Okayama Dai-ni Godo-chosha Bldg
1-4-1 Shimoishii, Okayama-shi
TEL: 086-234-3531 FAX: 086-224-9030
Open: 9:00 to 12:00, 13:00-16:00 Mon-Fri (Closed on national holidays)
Immigration Bureau
    Alien Registration
Application can be made at the municipal office of the city, town or village in which you live.
A list of municipal offices in Okayama Pref.
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Advice for Foreign Residents
    Legal Advice
Free Professional Legal Advise for Non-Japanese

The OPIEF offers a monthly (except for April) Free Professional Legal Advice for Non-Japanese residents of Okayama Prefecture. This service is co-sponsored by the Okayama Bar Association. Bookings are a must. Consultation is held in Japanese,English or Chinese. If you wish to have a(n) English/Chinese interpreter, please let us know at the time of booking. Those who do not speak Japanese, English or Chinese, please ask your family or friend(s) to help you with the language. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask us. We would be happy to help you.

Place: Okayama International Center 2-2-1 Hokancho, Okayama City
See the map
Date: 3rd Saturday of the month (except for April )

Time: 10:00 - 11:00, 11:00 -12:00, 12:00 - 13:00
Contact: Information Desk on 086-256-2914 or make booking in person. (English / Japanese)

The Okayama Bar Association Legal Center also has a service where you can speak with a lawyer (in Japanese).

Place: The Okayama Bar Association Legal Center
1-8-29 Minamigata, Okayama City
Time: Monday to Friday, 10:00 - 16:10
Cost: 5,000 yen per session (approx. 40 min.)
Contact: 086-223-4401 for information/bookings (Japanese)

Others: Some municipalities offer free legal advice (in Japanese) to the residents. We advise you to contact the municipal office in your area or contact us for more information.
A list of municipal offices in Okayama Pref.
    Free VISA Consultation for Non-Japanese
The consultation service is offered by qualified members from the Japan Visa Service Center. Consultation is held in Japanese on a first come first served basis.

Place: Okayama International Center, 1st Floor
See the map
Time: 1st and 3rd Saturdays of each month, 10:00-12:00
(No cousultation is availabel for May 3, 2008 / Jan. 3, 2009)

Place: Nishigawa Ai Plaza, 4th Floor 10-16 Saiwai-cho, Okayama City 700-0903
Time: 2nd and 4th Wednesdays, 10:00 - 12:00 @


For reservations / more information, please contact the following:

Name: Japan Visa Service Center
Address: 2-7-19 Tanimannari, Okayama City 700-0071
TEL: 086-261-2512 FAX: 086-254-6722

If you cannot make it to either of the above, please contact 090-1359-4408.
(For Reservations Only!)
    Advice for Foreign Workers at Okayama Labour Bureau
The labour related laws/regulations, such as the Labour Standards Law, Minimum Wages Law, and etc. are applied to non-Japanese workers too. If you would like to inquire about your work conditions and other work-related matters in English, please contact the Bureau.

Place: The Inspection Devision, Labour Standard Department, Okayama Labour Bureau 1F, Okayama No2 Joint Government Office (Dai-ni Goudou Chousha)
(Same building as Immigration)
1-4-1 Shimoishii, Okayama City
See the map

TEL: 086-225-2015
Time: 9:30 - 16:00 Mondays (Portuguese is available) and Wednesdays (English is available) except for the 5th Mondays and Wednesdays.
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Tourist Information
  Please visit Okayama Prefecture's web site for information on tourist attractions and local events in the prefecture.
Okayama Prefectural Government

Nationwide tourist information is available on the JNTO (Japan National Tourist Organization) web site. There, you will find almost any type of information you may need.
(English, Chinese, Korean, French, German, Italian, Spanish)
JNTO

If you are looking for inexpensive accommodation in country areas in the prefecture, reservations for guestrooms in Okayama International Villas can be made with us. For more information, please visit
Okayama International Villa homepage.
    Airport
Kansai International Airport
Narita International Airport official homepage
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Others
  Hospitals and Clinics
Many of the larger hospitals have doctors that can speak a foreign language (of those English is the most common, whilst some others may speak Chinese or German etc). However a majority of administrative staff, nurses etc. is unlikely to have satisfactory proficiency in a foreign language, making it difficult for foreign residents to actually get to see a doctor. We can help you with the location of hospitals/clinics, and other information regarding the procedure, but we strongly recommend that you give serious thought to preparing yourself for the contingency of being ill and familiarizing yourself with the procedures necessary to see a doctor.

See the booklist of the guidebooks available at the Okayama International Center Library.

See Questions & Answers (between patient and doctor/hospital or clinic staff) pages on Kanagawa International Association web site. Translation in Indonesian, English, Korean, Spanish, Thai, Tagalog, Chinese, Persian, Portuguese, Lao and Russian can be viewed. As the first page is written in Japanese, we advise you to ask your friend or family to read it if you cannot read Japanese, then jump to the page you need. You can download, print out and use it, if necessary.

The AMDA International Medical Information Center is here.

For information on postal service in Japan, please visit here.
Japan Post Service

We have a lot more information to provide at the Information Desk. Please feel free to visit us in person at Okayama International Center or contact us by phone, fax or e-mail.
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© 2007 Okayama Prefectural International Exchange Foundation