Non-Japanese people in Wakayama can receive information and advice for free from specialists covering a variety of problems and other needs.

The session, lasting from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. this Sunday, covers issues such as domestic violence, education, immigration, legal matters, Japanese-language classes, labor conditions, medical insurance system and public housing. Translation in Chinese, English, Filipino, Portuguese, Spanish and Thai will be available. No reservations are required.

The session takes place at Wakayama Prefecture International Exchange Center, a 12-minute walk from Miyamae Station on the JR Kinokuni Line.

For more information, go to www.wak-kokusai.jp/upload/entries/76/soudankai_original.pdf (in English). The contact number is 073-435-5240.

Advice session for non-Japanese in Kyoto

Foreign residents in Kyoto can consult for free with experts on a wide range of matters on Dec. 8.

Issues to be covered during the session, running from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., include social insurance, labor conditions, legal matters, mental health, pensions, taxes and visa status. Translation will be provided in Chinese, English, Korean and Spanish. Reservations must be made by calling 075-752-3511.

The venue is Kyoto International Community House kokoka, a six-minute walk from Keage Station on the Tozai subway line.

More details can be found at www.kcif.or.jp/HP/jigyo/sodan/jp/counseling/konnendo/index.html (in English).

School-orientation sessions for foreign children

Non-Japanese children planning to attend a Japanese elementary school next April are welcome to join a series of eight “preschool” sessions from January to March in Osaka.

The kids will learn hiragana, how to count numbers and basic school rules.

The sessions run 10:30 a.m. to noon every Saturday from Jan. 18 to March 15, except Feb. 1. Participation is free.

Registration is required and can be made by calling 06-6773-8989 or online at www.ih-osaka.or.jp/english/news/20131113_2819/ (in English).

The sessions will be held at Osaka International House Foundation, several minutes on foot from Tanimachi 9-chome Station on the Tanimachi and Sennichimae subway lines and Osaka Uehonmachi Station on the Kintetsu line.

Special concerts this weekend at Tokugawaen

Tokugawaen, a Japanese garden in Nagoya, will be hosting performances of shamisen on Nov. 30 and Japanese drums on Dec. 1.

The concerts will start at 7 p.m. on Saturday, and at 3:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. on Sunday. Admission to the garden is ¥300 for high school students and older.

The garden is 10 minutes on foot from Ozone Station on the JR Chuo Line.

For further information, visit www.tokugawaen.city.nagoya.jp/01_event/index.html (in Japanese) or call 052-935-8988.

Seminar for foreigners on business startups

Nagoya International Center and the Aichi Prefecture Gyoseishoshi Association will cohost a free business startup seminar and consultation session for foreigners on Dec. 14 in Nagoya.

The seminar in Japanese with English translation from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. will be followed by the consultation session from 3 p.m. to 5:40 p.m. with translation in Chinese, English, Filipino, Portuguese and Spanish.

Reservations must be made by calling 052-581-0100 or at www.nic-nagoya.or.jp/en/e/archives/10993 (in English).

The center can be accessed by walking seven minutes from Nagoya Station.