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Osaka Global E-mail Newsletter NO.80 February 27， 2026
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Hello， Osaka Global E-mail Newsletter readers! We are sending you 21 topics this time.

Table of Contents
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◆Event Information
* NEW!“Planetary Embassy” Comes to Osaka!
* NEW! Vietnam Festival 2026 Osaka

◆Notice
* NEW! World Tuberculosis Day 2026
* “Osaka e-Collection” Enjoy treasured books from the Osaka Prefectural Library in digital format!
* Recruiting Students for Night School in Osaka!
* Be careful of heat shock when taking baths during the cold season!
* Dai-Tore (The Diamond Trail) Digital Stamp Rally
* [Now accepting reservations!] Enjoy Osaka’s Hands-On Tourism Experiences!
* Visit vibrant ”Nakanoshima Gate， South Pier”!
* Use the ”Osaka-mon Map” and explore Osaka to taste， buy， and experience “Osaka-mon” food and specialties!
* AI Tourist Information Service ’Megrot’ is now available!
* Let’s explore Osaka’s attractive spots with “Bicycle Navitime”!!
* You can visit factories and facilities of small and medium-sized manufacturing companies in Osaka Prefecture!
* Wahha Kamigata， the archive of kamigata comedy and performing arts that is the only of its kind in Japan!
* Need a new passport? Apply early!
* No Drug Abuse! Osaka Prefecture
* Anonymous testing for HIV and other infectious diseases with free interpretation services for foreigners at “chotCAST”
* Information and free advice about daily life in many languages for foreign residents in Osaka!
* Please use the Osaka Labor Consultation Center!
* Let’s support hardworking students! -Osaka Prefecture Global Human Resource Development Fund
* Please consider making a donation to the “Children’s Bright Future Fund”

◆Event Information
===============================================================
* NEW!“Planetary Embassy” Comes to Osaka!
===============================================================
Swissnex in Japan (Consulate of Switzerland in Osaka) launches “Planetary Embassy.”
Collaborating with Ms. Yuko Hasegawa， it explores the relationship between the Earth and life through global youth projects in exhibitions and events.
A lecture event on energy innovation and planetary challenges will be held on March 16.

[Exhibition #12 ”Imagining Planetary Diplomacy”]
- Venue: Consulate of Switzerland in Osaka
- Exhibition Period: Monday， March 2 to Tuesday， March 31， 2026
*Closure: Saturdays and Sundays
- Time: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm (Mornings hours only on Tuesday，March 3 and Friday，March 20 - A national holiday)
- Entry Fee: Free (Advance Reservation Required via Website)

URL：https://forms.zohopublic.eu/Swissnex/form/SwissnexWindow12ImaginingPlanetaryDiplomacy/formperma/ovlZj6XYGeH4TqcZGZzOi4OcqfhNwUvn3J4GQHOlUCU(can select language)

[Lecture Event ”Scaling Planetary Solutions”]
- Venue: Consulate of Switzerland in Osaka
- Date and Time: Monday， March 16， 2026， 6:00 pm - 8:15 pm
- Entry Fee: Free (Advance Reservation Required via Website)

URL: https://swissnex.org/japan/event/scaling-planetary-solutions/(can select language)

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/swissnexjapan
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Swissnex-in-Japan/61576223622755/

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* NEW! Vietnam Festival 2026 Osaka
===============================================================
Vietnam Festival 2026 Osaka showcases the charm of Vietnamese culture， food， music， and people.
You can experience Vietnamese authentic cuisine and stage performances to feel the friendly connection between Japan and Vietnam.

- Date and Time:
Saturday， March 7， from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm， and
Sunday， March 8， from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
*Proceeding in light rain; cancelled in case of severe weather.
- Entry Fee: Free
*Food， beverages， and activity experiences require additional fees.

For detailes， please check the URL.
URL: https://osaka.vietfes.asia/(can select language)

X (former Twitter): https://x.com/vietfes_osaka
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vietfes.osaka/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vietfes.osaka

◆Notice
===============================================================
* NEW! World Tuberculosis Day 2026
===============================================================
March 24th is World Tuberculosis Day.
“Tuberculosis isn’t a Disease of the Past”.

URL: https://www.pref.osaka.lg.jp/o100030/iryo/osakakansensho/tben.html

===============================================================
* “Osaka e-Collection” Enjoy treasured books from the Osaka Prefectural Library in digital format!
===============================================================
“Osaka e-Collection” is a digital archive that allows users to view digital images of treasured books held by Osaka Prefectural Library.
Users can search and view image data and information based on registered categories.

URL: https://da.library.pref.osaka.jp/ (in Japanese only)

===============================================================
* Recruiting Students for Night School in Osaka!
===============================================================
Junior high schools in 8 cities in Osaka Prefecture are accepting new students for night classes.
The program is open to residents who could not graduate from junior high school or who graduated from junior high school without receiving an adequate education.
Available for all ages and nationalities.
For details， please visit the website below.

URL: https://www.pref.osaka.lg.jp/o180080/shochugakko/yakanngakkyuu/yachuannai.html　(can select language)

===============================================================
* Be careful of heat shock when taking baths during the cold season!
===============================================================
Sudden temperature changes， such as moving from a cold dressing room into a hot bath， can be dangerous.
They may cause serious health problems， including heart attacks and strokes.
To prevent heat shock， please use the pouring bucket to warm your body before entering the bath.

URL: https://www.pref.osaka.lg.jp/o100030/iryo/qq/heat.html　(can select language)

===============================================================
* Dai-Tore (The Diamond Trail) Digital Stamp Rally
===============================================================
A digital stamp rally will be held along the Diamond Trail， a long-distance nature trail across the Kongo-Katsuragi mountain range， and at nearby roadside stations， train stations， and tourist spots.
Participants who meet the requirements will have a chance to win nice prizes!
Please check our website for more details.

URL: https://www.pref.osaka.lg.jp/o120170/minamikawachinm/m_index/t_dairore_spot2025.html　(can select language)

===============================================================
* [Now accepting reservations!] Enjoy Osaka’s Hands-On Tourism Experiences!
===============================================================
Osaka has many attractions， including local food， as well as craftsmanship and technology.
Please enjoy experiences unique to Osaka!

For reservations and details， please check the URL.
https://www.diversity-japan.com/OSAKA.html (can select language)

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hyogo_osaka_diversityjapan/

=================================================================
* Visit vibrant ”Nakanoshima Gate， South Pier”!
=================================================================
As a new lively location for Osaka the Aqua Metropolis， “Nakanoshima Gate， South Pier” has opened.
It has a terminal for transfers between ocean and river boats， restaurants， and multi-purpose facilities.

URL: https://nakanoshimagate.jp/(can select language)

===============================================================
* Use the ”Osaka-mon Map” and explore Osaka to taste， buy， and experience “Osaka-mon” food and specialties!
===============================================================
The map shows places where you can eat， buy， and experience ‘Osaka-mon’ food and specialties.’
When you visit Osaka， use this map to explore and enjoy “Osaka-mon” across the region!

URL: https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?ll=34.60328617682174％2C135.42676178660366&z=11&mid=14W3caHHt4s7tWVEaGA_KDEc3XoADjxQ(in Japanese only)

===============================================================
* AI Tourist Information Service ’Megrot’ is now available!
===============================================================
This is an AI tourist information service that suggests personalized sightseeing spots and routes.
The service is jointly launched as a pilot program by six prefectures: Osaka， Ishikawa， Shiga， Nara， Tottori， and Kochi.
For details， please visit the website below.

URL: https://www.pref.osaka.lg.jp/o060020/senryaku_kikaku/r7orden_kouiki/kanko_megrot.html (can select language)

Megrot: https://nospot.new-ordinary.co.jp/maps/orden

=================================================================
* Let’s explore Osaka’s attractive spots with “Bicycle Navitime”!
=================================================================
The smartphone cycling navigation app， ”Bicycle Navitime”， provides cycling routes that are introduced in the cycling map issued by Osaka Prefecture.
Please see Osaka’s spectacular views and attractive spots by bicycle!

URL: https://www.pref.osaka.lg.jp/moyo/o140020/000007.html　(can select language)
Flyer：https://www.pref.osaka.lg.jp/documents/107974/001.pdf

===============================================================
* You can visit factories and facilities of small and medium-sized manufacturing companies in Osaka Prefecture!
===============================================================
Osaka has many manufacturing factories.
To promote their excellent technical capabilities and products to the public， we have established a portal site that covers information about factories offering tours and manufacturing experiences.
Our staff provides individual support for group visitors and business meeting requests.

URL: https://shisaly-pavilion.com/　(can select language)
note: https://note.com/mobio_osaka/n/n1eb921f89080

=================================================================
* Wahha Kamigata， the archive of kamigata comedy and performing arts that is the only of its kind in Japan!
=================================================================
Wahha Kamigata is a Laughter-themed archive that is the only of its kind nationwide.
It was established not only to preserve and promote Kamigata Comedy and the Performing Arts， but also to provide residents of Osaka Prefecture with opportunities where they can get familiar with these things too!
This archive aims to contribute to the development and preservation of Osaka’s culture.
Please come and check it out!

URL: http://wahha-kamigata.jp (can select language)

X (former Twitter): https://twitter.com/WKamigata
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wahha.kamigata
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wahha_kamigata

=================================================================
* Need a new passport? Apply early!
=================================================================
Starting from applications submitted on March 24， the current type of passport was replaced by the “2025-type passport” to protect against counterfeiting and alteration.
The National Printing Bureau produces passports centrally and delivers them to each prefecture.
Consequently， the days required from application to issuance are extended to 10 business days (previously 6 business days) at the Osaka Prefectural Passport Center and 14 business days (previously 10 business days) at city and town offices in the prefecture.
If you are planning to travel abroad， please apply early.

URL: https://www.pref.osaka.lg.jp/o070140/passport/top/index.html (can select language)
X (former Twitter): https://x.com/osakaprefpr/status/1895066351745769611?s=46
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/100064859641507/posts/1041797711325541/?mibextid=rS40aB7S9Ucbzw6v

===============================================================
* No Drug Abuse! Osaka Prefecture
===============================================================
In Japan， cannabis is regulated as a narcotic drug.It has harmful effects on your mind and body.
Once you’re addicted， it’s too late.
No drug abuse!

URL: https://www.pref.osaka.lg.jp/o100100/yakumu/yakubutu/taimabousi.html(can select language)
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLus_hs9GUbi8hNDqTFjOgw/about

=================================================================
* Anonymous testing for HIV and other infectious diseases with free interpretation services for foreigners at “chotCAST”
=================================================================
Testing for infectious diseases including HIV and syphilis is conducted on the first Sunday (Second Sunday in January and May) of each month.
Interpretation services for Chinese and Vietnamese are available.

URL: http://www.smartlifeclinic.com/?page_id=1788 (can select language)

=================================================================
* Information and free advice about daily life in many languages for foreign residents in Osaka!
=================================================================
In order to support foreign residents’ ability to have safe and secure lives in Japan， the Osaka Foundation of International Exchange (OFIX) offers information and advice on a wide range of issues including daily-life-related matters in many languages (11 including Japanese).

URL: https://www.ofix.or.jp/life/japanese/(can select language)
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/osakafoundation

=================================================================
* Please use the Osaka Labor Consultation Center!
=================================================================
Free consultation is available about your worries， problems， and troubles.
Interpretation service is also available (Advance reservation is required).
Please feel free to seek support via phone， online， through face-to-face counseling， or with a chatbot!

URL: https://roudou-soudan-center.pref.osaka.lg.jp/ (can select language)
Chatbot: https://embed.chatbot.digital.ricoh.com/shokorodo/app/index.html

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* Let’s support hardworking students! -Osaka Prefecture Global Human Resource Development Fund-
=================================================================
There is a new promotional video for the Osaka Prefecture Global Human Resource Development Fund.
The Fund supports students， especially those going above and beyond to improve their English and those wishing to study abroad!
Your donation to the Fund would be highly appreciated.

URL: https://www.pref.osaka.lg.jp/kanko/kifu/index.html(can select language)
YouTube: https://youtu.be/27vH6zP6gOs

===============================================================
* Please consider making a donation to the “Children’s Bright Future Fund!”
===============================================================
Osaka Prefecture provides support for children’s learning and various activities through the ”Children’s Bright Future Fund” to ensure that all children can start from the same starting line and move toward a bright future.
Your warm support is greatly appreciated.

URL: https://www.pref.osaka.lg.jp/o090120/kosodateshien/kodomo-mirai/index.html(can select language)

=================================================================
Related links
* Osaka Prefectural Government:
http://www.pref.osaka.lg.jp.e.agb.hp.transer.com/jp/introduction/index.html
* facebook（International Affairs Division， Osaka Prefectural Government)：
https://ja-jp.facebook.com/osakaglobal
* Instagram（International Affairs Division， Osaka Prefectural Government)：
https://www.instagram.com/osakaglobal/
* Osaka Foundation of International Exchange:
http://www.ofix.or.jp/english/index.html

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___________________________________________________________________
Published by:
International Affairs Division
Department of Civic and Cultural Affairs
Osaka Prefectural Government
kokusai@sbox.pref.osaka.lg.jp