Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2004

LIFELINES

By ANGELA JEFFS

Immigration update

Tony writes regarding a recent Lifelines column which instructed foreign residents with immigration issues living in the metropolitan area and surrounding prefectures to head for the Tokyo Regional Immigration Bureau at 5-5-30 Konan, Minato-ku, Tokyo (03-5796 7112 -- Web site: www.moj.go.jp/ENGLISH/IB/ib-18.html )

"I know for certain there is still a regional immigration office in Saitama -- as well as Kanagawa, which you mentioned," writes Tony.

Those reading Japanese can find a full list of regional addresses at www.immi-moj.go.jp/soshiki/kikou/address/03.html

Make sure you need to make the trek to Shinagawa by first calling the bureau's Immigration Information Centre.

Coppersmith required

MW needs to find a coppersmith in the Tokyo area. "I have a number of items which need to be re-tinned, as well as some restoration and repair work which needs to be carried out."

MW contacted a Kyoto coppersmith who suggested the copper section in Takashimaya Department Store. No luck there. Now she thinks the ideal person would be a craftsman working alone or someone with a family-related business. "Any suggestions?"

Information like this comes best word-of-mouth. So if any readers have experience let us know. In the meantime, I suggest MW calls the Traditional Craft Centre in Tokyo on (03) 5954 6066.

The privately run Handicraft Centre in Kyoto (075-761 8001), which not only has English-speaking staff but has a book that lists craftspeople in the area. It's in Japanese, and not for sale, but staff will be happy to help.

Let us know if you have better luck.

Organic flax seed

RZ is looking for a place to buy organic flax seed, which has lots of Omega-3 and Omega-6.

Chinese medicine ("kampo") shops stock flax seed ("amani" in Japanese) but not necessarily organic. Since Rainer lives on the Yokosuka line, maybe he could try one of the kampo stores in Yokohama's Chinatown.

Another route is to check out www.naturalhealingcenter.com , which has a section listing vegetarian shops and stores selling organic products.

Or call nutritionist and practitioner of Eastern medicine Daniel Babu on (03) 3950-0503. Having prescribed me flax seed a few years ago, I obtained a regular supply from the Chinese medicine shop close to Tokyo's Takadanobaba Station on the JR Yamanote line.

Daniel will be talking about the importance of good nutrition Saturday next from 2-6 p.m. at RBR, The New Center for Creative Arts, in Moto-azabu. Call (03) 5475-6171 or check RBR's web site at www.rbr-art.com for details.

He will also be teaching health-related cooking -- for example, thyme aids digestion; fresh coriander leaves help remove toxic metals like mercury; oatmeal lowers cholesterol and regulates blood sugar.

Good to know, right?

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