(2015.12.28)Xmas party held by Japanese language class “Ribon”

On the 9th of December, the Japanese Language Class“ Ribon” had　“the Christmas Party”. 55 of Japanese class learners and staffs joined and enjoyed the party.

One of staffs played “Niko”, the Chinese music instrument, then another one performed “Magic show”, and the last one showed us Tai Chi Chuan, and then we enjoyed all programs. The party was really international with singing “Jingle Bells” in various languages such as Japanese, English, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Russian.

It was impressive that all participants form various countries sang a song“Furusato” in Japanese at the end of the party. We spent very good day with everyone's smiles.

(2015.12.25)“Let’s discover Inzai: Fureai-bus and ｗalking around Kioroshi historical area” held

After gathering at Kioroshi station on November 7th, we enjoyed walking around Kioroshi historical area with the students from abroad. We introduced the convenience of Fureai-bus during the walking and then visited Yoshioka-machikado museum and the old house of Musashiya as well as boat tour.

Total 14 students from the USA , Zimbabwe and so on participated and seemed to understand that Kioroshi used to be a river port and supplies were transported through Kioroshi road after seeing and listening to the history. Water birds and the shrines etc. made us fun during boat tour. At the museum and the old house they had a pleasant feeling by contacting Japanese culture.

The students introduced their own countries, home-town and songs in the countries at the friendship party in the afternoon. Some magic also made the party enjoyable.

We, Inzai City International Friendship Association, would like to have this kind of events to create the good relationship between citizen including people from abroad.

(2015.12.25)Held “Japan Day”

Inzai City International Friendship Association held the event “Japan Day” introducing Japanese culture to people from abroad at Chiiki-kouryukan#2 near Chiba new-town station on Sep. 27th. More than 100 people joined the event.

In the morning they enjoyed some Japanese cultures such as calligraphy, tea ceremony and Kimono-dressing. Other events like Iai-nuki practice and Bon-dancing were done at the friendship party in the afternoon. In addition to those, the participants were also amused with conversation over having snacks. They sure felt the event very pleasant.

(2015.11.30)「Held “The class of experiencing KYUDO for people from abroad”

On Nov. 21st, under the mildly fine weather of autumn, Inzai city International Friendship Association held the event jointly with Inzai City Kyudo Association. Total 24people including 9 foreigners-some students of the university and assistant language teacher and so on-joined. After the shooting by the members of Kyudo Association, participants tried to shoot to the larger target, the diameter is 1m, with the confusion since it was the first time for them to touch Japanese bow and arrows. Each participants tried to shoot ten arrows and they radiated their joy with cheering and knocking up their fists in the air every time they could hit a target. And then they were divided into two teams to have a competition by the team, team Red and White. They enjoyed the competition and the White edged out (43points vs 39). As the final program of the class, the three members of Kyudo Association in Kimono practiced ceremonial shooting at one target.

Thereafter, we took a lunch. And we heard about their impression of Kyudo such as: “I felt Kyudo is not only sports but also a taste of Japanese traditional culture” “When my daughter grows up, I will recommend her to play Kyudo” “If there is a chance, I try to play Kyudo again” It is sure that they enjoyed Kyudo very much.

(2015.10.29)Participated in the disaster drill

October 18th, we, Inzai City International Friendship Association, participated in the disaster drill conducted by the City of Inzai at the premises of Takino Elementary School and Takino Junior High School.

At our booth, we displayed exhibit panels which showed the procedures needed to assist the evacuating foreigners who have difficulty in communicating in Japanese, and providing those people with effective assistance, meeting their needs in the time of disaster.

We also exhibited panels showing our various activities to let the attendants know that mutual understanding and respect of culture, habits, etc. through interaction is useful for Japanese citizens to help evacuate the foreigners living in Inzai.

More than 200 5th and 6th graders at Takino Elementary School visited our booth and listened to our presentation with enthusiasm.

We would like to have more serious concern about disaster prevention so that we can carefully assist foreigners in the event of a disaster.

(2015.07.06)Curry Cooking with International Students

Curry Rice Cooking with International Exchange Students was held on June 20th, 2015 at Chuo Ekimae Chiiki Koryukan.

The cook volunteer, one of our Intermediate English class student, led this event. Twenty one participants including four exchange students from Tokyo Christian University joined the event. This event was a request from the exchange students, for they wanted to learn how to cook Japanese ordinary curry rice.

We cooked three recipes; the curry rice, Chinese pickled vegetables (Sichuan style Pao Tsuai) and pear in plum syrup. He explained how to cook these recipes in English. After that, we separated into 5 groups for the cooking practice. Each group started cooking. We started with the Pear in Plum Syrup. After cooking, we put into the cooler. Second, the Chinese Pickled Vegetables and the last is the curry rice.

After two hours of cooking, the room smelled delicious and it smelled mostly of curry. While they were having the dishes, they also enjoyed having their conversations in English. One of the exchanged American student said, "Finally, I can cook my favorite curry rice after my return to my home."

Everybody enjoyed the event with good smile on their face.

(2015.03.10)Japanese Class“Ribｂon”,Teachers' Workshop

On Wednesday February the 25th , the staff of the Japanese Class”Ribbon” had a teachers’ workshop at the Eki Mae Chiiki Kouryuukan near Chiba New Town Central Station and invited as a lecturer Mrs. Mannami Eri, a Japanese Language Business Coordinator trusted by the Agency for Cultural Affairs.

Mrs. Mannami, who has been supporting local Japanese learning groups for many years from the viewpoint of “symbiosis of multi cultures”, had a lecture about the theme of “foreigner support as a citizen and the role of the Japanese language volunteer.

“After the lecture, there was a Question & Answer corner in which a lot of views were exchanged between the staff.

This time there were also 5 teachers invited from the Japanese study group in Shiroi and Kamagaya City , so we were able to exchange a lot of information, what made this meeting very meaningful.

Main points

{symbiosis} ＝striving together for a better society while respecting each other’ cultures.

Teaching is not only a teacher⇒student relationship (input) but there must also be opportunities for the students to study and express themselves (output).

This is why it is also important to talk about everyday life topics like child rearing, hobbies, disaster prevention, nursing etc.

The teachers should, according to the interests of their students and the aim of their studies, provide opportunity to the students to express themselves and to have discussions.(Like workshops together with Japanese citizens from the neighborhood. )

By having workshops about a theme the motivation for studying Japanese and communication skills of students can be increased.

Students can take part into society, mutual understanding will be deepened, the area will become easier to live in for foreigners and become a city that is friendly for multi cultures

(2015.02.05)ooking class in English: Tourtieres and maple bread puddings

A cooking event in English was held on January 30, 2015 at Chuo ekimae chiiki koryukan.

Mrs. Marie Yatsuda, a cooking teacher, talked about the recipes’ cultural background and how to make maple syrup. After that, twenty participants baked Tourtieres; French Canadian meat pies, and maple bread puddings with their teacher. They made the tourtieres and puddings in unique different shapes, and both were very delicious. They really enjoyed every minute of this event talking to each other in Japanese and in English with their teacher. According to Mrs. Marie, the participants were all enthusiastic and fast learners. It was also nice to chat and get to know each other while we ate together.

Reporters from local TV Rurban Net came to Cooking Class for shooting, and it will be broadcasted from 12th to 18th February.

(2015.01.12)“Lecture for Understanding Cross-Culture”

Mr. Kawakita; our Director, gave lecture on “Experience through International Cooperation in Thai, Indonesia, Kenya, Zimbabwe for 30 years” at Inzai City Bunka Hall, on 26th November.

Lecture for Understanding Cross-Culture is held once a month by Inzai City. Lectures are formulated by a long-stay foreigner resident or a Japanese lecture having overseas long-stay experience. The title of lecture was “Let’s share cross-culture experience! Thai, Indonesia, Kenya, Zimbabwe for 30 years”. Mr. Kawakita told the experience concerning with the difference between Asia and Africa, cross-culture and international cooperation.

He had participated in overseas technical cooperation for official development aid of Japan from 1980 to 2009, and worked at JICA Zimbabwe Office as resident representative from 2010 to 2013.

(2015.01.12)Participation in 10th Inzai City citizen’s activities Dango Matsuri

10th Inzai City citizen’s activities Dango Matsuri was held at cyuouekimae second building for regional citizen exchange on 29th-30th November, 2014. Inzai City International Friendship Association participated in this event with Talking with Foreigners, photo exhibition, Power-Point showing and a survey by questionnaires.

In talking with foreigners event, overseas students of U.S.A., Iraq and India from Tokyo Christian University and Tokyo Denki University participated. We got 110 answers by questionnaires. A cooking class, a tea party, language classes and tours are popular in activities. The information about overseas study and overseas life arealso concerned as the result.