Cheap digs for those grinding in Tokyo

I am happy to see the Part-Timer, Arbeiter, Freeter and Foreign Worker (PAFF) union step-up and do something for those new to the workforce.

The Mainichi reports: “For young temporary workers, just paying the rent can be a real burden. However, help is on the way with new and cheap apartments in Tokyo’s Yotsuya area.

The 16 apartments, currently under renovation and set to open to residents at the end of the month, are a project of the Part-Timer, Arbeiter, Freeter and Foreign Worker (PAFF) union, an organization devoted to helping secure the lives of temporary workers living on their own. The residences — dubbed the Jiyu to Seizon no Ie, or the Freedom and Survival House — will be available to PAFF union members and young temporary workers who have been laid off for a monthly rental fee of between 35,000 yen and 60,000 yen.

The PAFF apartments will be officially unveiled at a ceremony on May 31 at 1 p.m. PAFF is also conducting a fundraising effort to cover the cost of the apartment renovations. Those wishing to contribute should contact PAFF at 03-3373-0180.” Click here to read the rest of the article.

Japan Newbie: Japanese 101 (Kansai-ben) App

Omedeto gozaimasu to Harvey over at Japan Newbie the JapanPage.com for their iPhone and iPod Touch App. I just purchased the app for my iPhone. I am sure that I will enjoy it, especially since I love manzai, Yoshimoto, Downtown and the Kansai dialect!

Harvey says: “Our iPhone and iPhone Touch Kansai-ben application is finally available in the iTunes Store! The full application name is “Japanese 101: Kansai Dialect.” You can read more about the application here, and also in the iTunes Store.” Click here for more information. 

Japanese Visa Rule Update

This in from the Mutang Frog Travelogue regarding Japanese visas and change in residency status:

Roy Berman writes:  ”According to the Ministry of Justice website, starting April 1, 2010, anyone extending their Japanese visa or changing their residency status will be required to show a valid health insurance card/booklet. The relevant portions are below.

平成２２（２０１０）年４月１日以降申請時に窓口において保険証の提示を求めることとしています。 

８. 社会保険に加入していること
社会保険への加入義務がある場合には，当該義務を履行していることが必要です。
なお，平成２２（２０１０）年４月１日以降は，申請の際に窓口で健康保険証の提示を求めることとなります。”

Click here for the rest of the story. Photo credit: R. Berman, Mutant Frog Travelogue website.