The Beginning of the "Tsuyu" Rainy Season(2005.05)
This is a collection of our articles published in the monthly column “Living in Miyazaki” on Miyanichinichi Newspaper, providing useful tips and information for foreigners about daily life in Miyazaki.
The Beginning of the "Tsuyu" Rainy Season
| The rainy season in Japan, called "tsuyu" in Japanese, begins in early June and continues through the middle of July. Miyazaki is one of the rainiest places in Japan, so you should take precautions to preserve your health and property. This month we offer you some suggestions for staying comfortable through the rainy season. |
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・Take care to prevent food poisoning
In Japan, food poisoning is most likely to occur from the start of the rainy season to September. Food poisoning is a common ailment, so please take care. The following measures will help prevent food poisoning.
1.Don't introduce bacteria into your food：
Wash your hands with soap before cooking and eating．Washing hands is essential
to food hygine because our hands touch many surfaces throughout the day and may pick up harmful bacteria(S.aureus etc.),
which can be transferred to the food you touch while cooking and eating.
2.Don't allow bacteria to multiply in your food：
Even if you introduce harmful bacteria into food, it won't
necessarily pose an immediate threat. With the exception of some bacteria, like E.coli O-157, food poisoning
is much more likely to occur once the bacteria have multiplied. Bacteria multiply rapidly between 25℃～37℃,
so please take the following precautions to prevent food poisoning: (1)Eat food soon after it is cooked.(2) Leftovers and perishable
ingredients, like eggs and meat, should be refrigerated and eaten up as soon as possible.
3.Eliminate bacteria：
The third important precaution is to kill bacteria. Foods that need to be
heated, such as hamburger, should be cooked completely. Even if harmful bacteria are present in the ingredients,
with sufficient heating you can prevent food poisoning. Most bacteria die out when subjected to temperatures above 75℃for
1 minute, but it is most important to heat food evenly all the way through. It's unwise to eat meat that is burnt on the
outside and raw in the middle. Furthermore, you should sterilize kitchen utinels that are likely to carry bacteria, such as c
utting boards and dishcloths at least once a week. To sterilize kitchen items first wash them thoroughly with soap, then rinse
them with boiling water (not just hot water) before or after using them. Please take care not to burn yourself.
In addition to bacteria, you also need to take care to prevent mold in this season. If you leave bread on the dining table for a few days, it may get moldly. If you can't eat up bread in a few days, you'd better put it in freezer.
・Tips for staying comfortable during the rainy season
Air circulation and reducing humidity
Open your doors, windows, closets, etc. to let fresh air in when the weather is sunny.
When it rains for several days in a row and you don't have an opportunity to air out your living space, use an air-conditioner or dehumidifier to reduce humidity.
Futon and closets
On sunny days, you should air out your futon in the sun. (Bring it inside by 3 or 4 p.m., because if you leave your futon out until
late evening it will absorb humidity.) Closets are likely to trap humidity, so leave closets open all day long. In addition, air out
the inside of closets with an electric fan when the weather is nice. By storing your bedding on top of a wooden platform, called sunoko,
which allows ventilation, you can reduce the amount of moisture it absorbs.
As always, if you have any questions, comments, or
suggestions, please contact the Miyazaki Prefecture International Foundation at (Tel) 0985-32-8457, (Fax) 0985-32-8512, or (email) miyainfo@mif.or.jp. Thank you.
