Masked Men... and Women: The Influenza Virus in Japanese Public Schools

Two Wednesdays ago, I was puzzled why it seems almost all the teachers have surgical masks. In the classrooms, almost all the students also have masks. I actually felt left out for not wearing one. I found out later that day that there's an influenza epidemic all throughout Japan. Even U.S. and Korea are also on high alert for the epidemic. And this happens almost every winter time. Winter season is flu season.

photo credit: http://vanfullofcandy.wordpress.com/category/end-of-the-world/

Schools closely monitor the spread of virus much in the same way how the Philippines monitor dengue. Students are highly-encouraged to wear masks. Because almost everyone has a mask, I don't need one. A teacher is also assigned to monitor students who are absent because of flu. There's a graph in the teacher's room that charts the number of influenza victims. Then there's rubbing alcohol in all classrooms. Rubbing alcohol is not common in Japan so I was surprised that rubbing alcohol seems to be just everywhere in the school. In some extreme cases when there are too many influenza victims, a class, a grade level or even a whole school can will be suspended for a week or two. This is to stop the spread of virus. 

(How to use the National Health Card, here)

Interestingly, most students and teachers in my school do not have flu shots. I've asked almost all the teachers and just about 2 out of 40+ teachers got flu shots. The vice-principal said that flu shots are too expensive. I had one before I came to Japan so I guess it's keeping me healthy. Also, they are not fond of taking Vitamin C's. No wonder the virus spreads rapidly. 

I would have also worn a mask for protection. But with almost all the people around me wearing one, I don't think I need to. 

Mandatory Bills in Japan

I can't wait for salary day. After the incurring large expenses during the winter break, I am barely getting by. This situation gave me the idea to share some of the incredible bills here in Japan.

1. National and Local Taxes

Unlike in the Philippines, people working in Japan pay two types of taxes- one for the national government and one for the city they are residing. Also, it is impossible to evade taxes in Japan even if you are a foreigner. A Jamaican friend has two part-time jobs. She did not file her taxes in one of her jobs. The government ordered her company to deduct the unpaid taxes from her last salary. I also heard some stories of foreigners being held up in the airport until they pay their dues. 

2. National Health Insurance

National Health Card
photo credit: http://dental-japan.blogspot.jp/

Everyone in Japan should be enrolled in National Health Insurance even if you are a foreigner. Companies should enroll their employees to the national health insurance and pay half of the amount. To evade this, some companies (mine included) will only require their workers to work for 29.5 hours in a week. This is skirting the law which mandates companies to enroll employees working for at least 30 hours a week. In short, I have to pay the full amount of my insurance. Worse, the insurance amount doubles by the second year. And what I hate most is that I can't even find a hospital or clinic catering to foreigners. 

(How to Use the National Health Card, click here.)

3. National Pension

Japan Pension Book
photo credit: http://hoofin.wordpress.com/tag/japan-national-pension/

This is my bill that I hate the most because I know I'm just wasting my money here. For Japanese, this is great since it will ensure a comfortable life in their old age. But for foreigners like me who just plan to stay for 3 to 5 years, this national pension is irrational. ALT's in their second year will be paying as much as 20,000 Yen monthly for this pension. 20,000 Yen is not a small amount. Furthermore, I am also paying a similar thing in my country. Some countries have bilateral agreements with Japan that exempt their citizens from this. Sadly, my country doesn't have it. 

(For more on Getting Old in Japan, click here.)

4. NHK TV Broadcast Contract

NHK is Japan's National Broadcasting Company. Residents, foreigners or not, who own a TV must pay them a certain amount. For a foreigner like me, this is an unnecessary burden since I don't watch TV. It just so happens that my apartment has a TV since it was furnished when I moved in. 

When I first came here, I was puzzled why a lot of foreigners stay only for a year up to 3 years. Japan is clean and safe. Salary is okay. After several months now and lots of foreigners met, the unending bills is one of the most common reasons. I can perfectly understand why. See, how could I pay these bills when just a few additional expenses left me almost broke. 

To be fair, I understand why I have to pay taxes so I am okay with paying No. 1. But I hope that: 

1. the Japanese government can do something about companies like mine who find ways to cut their share in the health insurance

2. foreigners who only has one year visas should not be obliged to join the National Pension 

3. furnishing TV sets in apartments be optional. 

Beware of NHK's Sales People

A guy from NHK came to my apartment last night. Since I have a TV, I thought that he's going to check something about it. I only know little Japanese, I let him in. When I pointed the TV, he took my name and asked me to sign a form. I was about to complete filling the application form when he mentioned that I have to pay 2400 Yen. Internet and water utilities are included in my monthly rent so I got puzzled why I have to pay for a TV channel. I seldom watch TV shows because I cannot understand them.

photo credit: www.tailoringforwomen.com

When I asked him why do I have to pay, he said that people in Japan pay NHK. At least, this is what I've understood from what he was saying. I asked if other people in the apartment complex also pay and he said yes. He insisted that I should pay. And although he was smiling, I started being annoyed with him. He wanted me finish the form and pay him.

Unsure of what I am doing, I told him that I will go first to my company the following day and have them explain to me this NHK payment. He said I have to do it now. I slightly raise my voice and told him that I don't understand Japanese and I don't know why I have to pay. I asked him to just come back the following day. In my mind, I was shoving him out of my door. Still smiling in his annoying way, he hand me a brochure and went his way.

(See more articles on technology, here.)

The next day, (today) I asked a Japanese teacher what the brochure meant. She said that it was an optional service of NHK. I DON'T HAVE to PAY if I don't want to avail their service. I feel relieved for not completing the form and giving money to that man. The Japanese teacher even said that NHK sales people can be annoying because they just buzz randomly on people's houses and offer their products. She said that it is good that I asked first because there are some salesperson who take advantage of foreigners because they cannot understand them.

So good luck to that NHK salesman, I will not open my doors for him again.