【National Census – Please respond by Wednesday, October 8!　Shisei Dayori October (1)】

There are three ways to respond:

1. Online
   Respond using a smartphone, computer, or tablet.
2. By mail
   Fill out the mark sheet and send it using the provided return envelope.
3. Collection by census staff
   Fill out the mark sheet, and a census staff member will visit your home to collect it.

【October is Food Loss Reduction Month!　Shisei Dayori October (2)】

Current Situation of Food Loss
In Japan, about 4.64 million tons of food loss occur annually, leading to an estimated economic loss of 4 trillion yen each year. This is equivalent to each person throwing away one rice ball every day, resulting in a yearly loss of over 30,000 yen per person. Please cooperate in reducing food loss.

What You Can Do to Reduce Food Loss

1. Order and purchase only what you can finish eating.
2. If you plan to eat soon, choose items from the front (“temae-dori”).
3. Use shops and restaurants that support zero food loss initiatives.

【Applications Open for FY2026 (Reiwa 8) School Enrollment Assistance　Shisei Dayori October(3)】

Details
Financial support will be provided for school entrance preparation costs.

1. Amount per child
• New elementary 1st graders: 57,060 yen
• New junior high 1st graders: 63,000 yen
2. Payment schedule
• Early February next year
• Early March next year
3. Eligibility
   New 1st graders in elementary or junior high school from households exempt from residence tax or otherwise recognized as having financial difficulty in attending school.
4. How to apply
   Submit the application form and required documents by December 5 or January 23 next year.
• For new elementary 1st graders: to the elementary school you plan to enter.
• For new junior high 1st graders: to your current elementary school or to the School Affairs Support Division.

[ Applications Open for Kumamoto City High School Entrance Support Fund Shisei Dayori October (4)]

Details
Financial support for school entrance preparation.

Eligibility
Residents of Kumamoto City entering high school (or equivalent) in FY2026 who are either receiving public assistance or from households exempt from the residence tax income levy.

Amount
40,000 yen (flat amount)

Application period
November 4 – December 1
Submit by hand or by mail to the School Affairs Support Division.

[ Applications Open for Admission to Nursery Schools, Certified Childcare Centers, and Community-Based Childcare Facilities Starting April Next Year Shisei Dayori October (5)]

Application period

• First round: October 1 (Wed) – October 21 (Tue)
• Second round: January 6 (Tue) – January 19 (Mon)

Eligibility
Children who require childcare.

How to apply
After visiting your desired facility, complete the application form, and submit it with the required documents to your preferred facility or the Child and Health Division of your ward office.

Notification of results

• First round: Late December
• Second round: End of February next year