(2025.12.17)　Multicultural Understanding Workshop Held at Kobayashi Kita Elementary School

　On December 11, a multicultural understanding workshop was held at Kobayashi Kita Elementary School, and four Ribbon learners served as instructors, introducing their home countries to the fifth graders. They, from Pakistan, Australia, the Philippines, and South Korea, presented materials covering each country's climate, geography, language, schools, and year-end events.

　The students showed particular interest in school life. Hearing about no school lunches—instead bringing packed lunches or buying from the school store—studying subjects in English, early morning attending times, and the habit of studying late into the night, some exclaimed “That's cool!” while others remarked “That sounds tough.” They were surprised by the differences from Japan. Some children enthusiastically practiced greetings in each language they had just learned.

　The number of children with foreign roots is also increasing in Inzai City. We hope such a workshop will help children in the city deepen mutual understanding and exchange.

(2025.12.08)　Please join us for our Friendship Cafe Special Presentation:
“World Ad Showcase” on December 18th

Advertising is like a mirror of culture. What is normal for people in one country might feel strange or different to people from other cultures. This is also true for international business.

Mr. Toru Talahashi, our guest speaker, is a university professor who used to work at an advertising agency. We will watch various TV commercials from around the world that are not shown in Japan. He will explain the cultural reasons behind these advertisements.

The theme is "Sports." Inspired by the success of Shohei Ohtani in the MLB, we will focus on commercials featuring famous top athletes. Let's enjoy watching them and think about the relationship between sports and advertising together.

The presentation will generally be conducted in Japanese, but we will accommodate English as appropriate based on the participants' circumstances. We look forward to welcoming you!

(2025.12.02)　Cross-Cultural Understanding Workshop at Motono Elementary School

On Monday, December 1st, a cross-cultural understanding workshop was held for fifth and sixth graders at Motono Elementary School, with Ribbon learners participating as presenters.

This time, each of four presenters from Thailand, Australia, the Philippines, and China prepared photos and descriptions of their respective cultures, geography, climate, food, and language. They sent these materials to the students' tablets while explaining in Japanese.

The presentation was held simultaneously at four locations within the gymnasium. Consequently, each presenter delivered approximately 10 minutes of explanation at all four stations.

The presenters practiced repeatedly, feeling nervous until the presentation began. However, once it started, they were able to explain while smiling and making eye contact with the students.

Teachers who attended the lectures alongside the students remarked, “I was surprised at how well everyone speaks Japanese.” For the 17 participating students, much of the information was new, making it a valuable opportunity to learn about other countries.

(2025.10.27)Inzai Eco Slow Marathon 2026

(2025.07.25)The July Friendship Cafe was Held

On July 24, the Friendship Café was held in a lively atmosphere.

This time, Mika Saito, originally from the Philippines, gave a talk titled “Welcome to the Philippines,” sharing insights into her homeland's culture, people, tourist attractions, so and so. Participants asked various questions, leading to an interactive and enjoyable exchange. Additionally, two volunteers who applied for the summer vacation volunteer program at the Civic Activity Support Center participated in the event, assisting with venue setup.

(2025.07.07)Our Interpretation and Translation Services

(2025.07.07)The "Gathering of Foreign Cuisines: Let's Cook Mexican Home Cooking" event was held!

Our association holds a foreign cuisine experience event every year to promote cross-cultural understanding.

In response to a request from our members, we decided to focus on Mexican cuisine this year. The "Gathering of Foreign Cuisines: Let's Cook Mexican Home Cooking" event took place on June 17. With the guidance of Marisol Villegas from Mexico, about 30 participants made three types of tacos, a salad, and a chocolate pudding.

After cooking, it was time to taste the dishes. Participants enjoyed listening to Ms. Villegas' stories about Mexican culture and cuisine while having a good time.

(2025.05.29) Kids IIFA

(2025.01.29)“Inzai World Fest 2025” Held

　On January 25, “Inzai World Fest 2025” was held at the Chuo Community Center with about 100 participants, including foreign residents of the city. The participants enjoyed various performances such as Karate, Japanese drums, musical ensembles, Japanese dance, Uyghur dance, and an old Indian song in Sanskrit performed by an exchange student from India. During the exchange time over zoni and kinako (soybean flour) rice cakes, conversations blossomed everywhere and many smiles were seen.

Children and adults alike participated in the experience of mochi pounding and taiko drumming, and the hall was filled with the sound of happy voices. The event was closed with the “Inzai Ondo” dance. Everyone danced in a big circle with happy smiles.

(2025.01.21) Special Contribution by Hisao Yoshihara, Former Chairperson

Reunion with my Godson Yoshio

　On November 21, 2024, I met again with Yoshio, my Godson, at Senso-ji Temple in Tokyo for the first time in six years for dinner and shopping.
In mid-November, Hon. Romeo Salda, Municipal Mayor, La Trinidad, Benguet Province, Republic of the Philippines and his delegation of 15 people came to Japan to participate in the “10th Anniversary of Exchange Ceremony” held in Minamimaki Village, Minamisaku-gun, Nagano Prefecture. Yoshio, one of the delegates, is Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer in La Trinidad office. Six years ago, by taking another opportunity to come to Japan for JICA's “Disaster Management Safety Training”, he visited our home to meet my family.

Mayor and company at Senso-ji Temple (Nov. 2024)

With Yoshio (Nov. 2024)

As a volunteer agricultural corps member, I was dispatched to the Philippines

　In March 1972, I joined the JOCV(1) of JICA(2) and was dispatched to the MSAC(3) in La Trinidad as an agricultural corps member. My mission was to introduce and teach “Pomology on Temperate fruits trees” which is the science and practice of temperate fruit trees culture to the hi-land people there.
I made research and collected temperate fruit trees in the province, developed Experimental orchards. I introduced superior breeds of seedlings of mandarin oranges, summer oranges, apples, and peaches from Japan.

JOCV(1) Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers,
JICA(2) Japan International Cooperation Agency,
MSAC(3) Mountain State Agricultural College, Benguet State University at present,

Map of Northern Luzon

Map of Benguet Province

At MSAC's orchard（1973）

MSAC Graduation Ceremony（1973）

I became the Godfather!

　One evening, when I went to the government building where the truck driver Mr. Alfred Labi and his family lived to confirm our schedule for the next day, I saw a baby crawling around. I asked him what his name was and he said, “I haven't named him yet, soon or later I will baptize him in church and give him a name, Yoshi-san, will you be his Godfather, oh yeah, the name should be YOSHIO”. I immediately replied OK. One Sunday morning in September, I went to a Catholic church near the college and attended the baptism. It was my first holy experience. After the baptism, I returned to the government building where his relatives, neighbors, and colleagues gathered for cannao (feasts).

About my host family, the Cabato's

　At that time, I was taken care of for two and a half years by a nice family in Baguio City.
They were the husband, Mr. Fernando Cabato (Attorney, Professor and Judge passed away in 2000) and his wife, Julie (a medical doctor). Julie is 88 years old now and is doing very well. I learned many things from them as “Lesson 1” of living in a foreign country, such as the country, people, history, culture, customs, English language, family life. Mr. and Mrs. Cabato were also very understanding of our cooperative missions and supported my duties. My successor, Mr. Shigeki Koyama, was also taken care of by Mr. and Mrs. Cabato. To date, they have taken care of about 100 Japanese cooperative members and so on. My relationship with the Cabato’s continues to this day. On the occasion of Yoshio's return to Baguio, I asked Yoshio to convey a Christmas card and Japanese sweets for Julie.

Yoshio at our home (July 2018)

Yoshio with Dra. Julie (Nov. 2024）