★Three students stay at host family house and experience Japanese cultures and customs. They will spend a time with host family and meet many people in Handa. We are sure they will make many memories.
　

A big earthquake of M7.4 occurred on November 7, 2012 at offshore of Guatemala in central America. Guatemala was a friendship country of Handa at 2005 Aichi Expo as well as Bhutan. Handa International Association set a charity box to help Guatemala. We appreciate your donation. Handa International Association will donate a part of sales of World Cafe and country booths as well.

This is the 10th anniversary of KonnichiWorld festival. We changed the program of the festival from previous ones. this time, the main program of the festival is 'Visit cafes around the world'.

Each country booth such as Sri Lanka, Nepal, Peru, Indonesia, America, Japan, etc. served their featured drink and food. Approx. 400 visitors also enjoyed other activities such as stage performances in the festival.

(Pictures)

Total 39 people from 9 countries (Indonesia, India, Sri Lanka, Korea, China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Japan) went to Iga Ueno and visited several places including 'Ninja' house.

　

We have received 'Yume Support' fund from Chita Sinyou Kinko which assist to promote a local culture. We thank to Chita Sinyou Kinko from the bottom of our heart.

We made a courtesy visit to the mayor of Handa who kindly gave a recommendation. We gave 100 copies of the book to Handa city. We are hoping it is helpfull to an English education in Handa.

A welcome party will be held at Hakusan restaurant on October 5.

They performed an unique drumming, dancing and an Indian flute for the audience. They met Handa citizens in the party after the concert. .

'Tanabata' festival was held from 11 am to 1 pm on August 5 (Sunday). 40 foreigners and around 100 Japanese people came to the festival. In the festival, people enjoyed Japanese foods such as 'Chirashi Sushi', Soumen noodle', shaved ice, etc. They also enjoyed many attractions at the festival including 'Tanabata' decoration,  'Yoyo' picking, Horse shoe throwing, Constellation imitation making, message game, 'Koto' play, 'Bon' dance, etc.

(More Pictures)

（Pictures from students）

The below is the address of Midland City Home page.

http://www.midland-mi.org/government/manager/2012Program.htm

Annual General Assebly was held in Handa Fukushi Bunka Kaikan. A;; proposed items were approved. Mr. Sakakibara, Mayor of Handa and Mr. Horisaki, Member of Aichi Prefecture Congress, came to the assembly and made a speech.

We appreciate your participation and cooperation to this annual assembly.

General Assembly	Greeting by the chairman
	Greeting by Mr. Sakakibara, Mayor of Handa
Greeting by Mr. Horisaki, Member of Aichi Prefecture Congress

The first board meeting for Heisei 24 was held.

Heisei 23 accounting result and Heisei 23 activities were reported in the board meeting along with a partial change of the association articles, partial change of board members, Heisei 24 budget, a plan of Heisei 24 activities, etc. All items were approved.

Sunday Japanese class students went to Kariyado park with Wenxin group members to see cherry blossoms.

We enjoyed  self introduction, "Rensou" game and singing "Furusato" and "Sakura Sakura" with a guitar play by a Japanese class volunteer under 80% bloomed cherry blossoms.

We sang "Furusato" in Chinese, Spanish and English as well as Japanese.

Cherry blossoms almost full bloom
Self introduction
	Members of Wenxin group
Singing "Furusato" in Chinese	Singing "Furusato" in Spanish
Singing "Furusato" in English	Wenxin group members

Everybody enjoyed !

※The purpose of Wenxin meeting is held for Chinese people to support each other. The meeting is held at 1:30 pm on every 4th Sunday of a month in Kariyado hall.

(Contact: Ms. Toyoda, Handa International Association)

Major topics 2011 (April 2011 – March 2012)

Handa International Association published Nankichi picture book of English version to commemorate the centennial of the birth of Nankichi Niimi, an author of children's book, who was born in Handa. This book contains three stories, "Sorrow of a snail", "Red candle" and "Heaven". We hope it will be widely read by the people in foreign countries and foreigners living in Japan. We think it will be useful for English education for Japanese as well.

Mr. Matsuishi, Chirman of Handa International Association made a courtesy visit to Handa City Hall with Ms. Yukiji Hachisuka, the translator of the book, and Ms. Yasuko Ishikawa, Illustrator on March 22 and gave a book to Mr. Sumio Sakakibara, Mayor of Handa. We have donated 100 copies of the book to Primary and middle schools in Handa through Handa education committee as well.

For more details of English version of the book [Click]

Many people came to Annual International Potluck Party and brought many kinds of cooking. 114 people from China, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Brazil, USA, Russia, Philippines, Cambodia, Korea and Japan enjoyed talking and eating various cooking.

(Pictures)

The subject is "Japan which is loved by foreigners - I LOVE JAPAN.". A party took place after his lecture. 86 people came to the lecture.

	Greeting by the president of Handa International Association
Audience waited for a lecture.	Greeting by Mr. Horisaki, a member of Aichi prefecture congress
Mr. Chris Glenn	Audience listened eagerly
Japanese people should be more proud of themselves	Handa "Dashi" is No. 1 in Japan !
Chris is tall !	I enjoy listening to your DJ.
Photo of all people. Thank you, Chris !

A special  calligraphy for the New year took place at the first Sakura class of 2012. The students challenged writing with a brush which they are not used. They wished that this year would be a good year to them.
　

Everybody did a good job.

We have received the essays from three Midland exchange students who came to Handa last summer. The essays are in web page now.

Please take a look. [Ｃｌｉｃｋ]
　

Many country booths of Cambodia, USA, Germany, China, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Peru, Philippines,  Bhutan and Brazil were open in the festival. Booths of Chita SGG (Translation Volunteer Group), JTB and Dow Chemical　were open as well. DDM Company dance started at 10:30 on the stage. Visitors enjoyed other stage performances and plays in various countries.

(Pictures)

The people concerned rain in Nara. But, when we arrived in Nara, it was a hot nice day. We went to "Toudai-ji" temple, World Heritage. There were full of visitors such as children on a school trip. It was the first time for most Japanese class students to visit Nara. They took many pictures in every sightseeing spot. The staff were busy-working to guide them.

On the way to and from Nara, the people learned the history of Nara and enjoyed a quiz, a game and self-introduction.

(Pictures)

Pictures of Step-up course of Japanese class for daily life/10/21/2011（Pictures)

Dumpling, 「pidan ｄoufu 」and fried tomato and egg by Chinese students. Bean curry and dessert by Sri Lankan. Dashimaki egg, Miso soup and rice cooking by Japanese. Total 24 people including 10 students, 8 Japanese, 5 staff and one guest. When cooking was done, the people tasted them. 
　

Pictures of Step-up course of Japanese class for daily life

Foreigners are from China, Vietnam, Peru, Philippines, Nepal, Sri Lanka, USA and Brazil.

(Pictures)

　Pictures of Midland Exchange students [Click …update7/29]

　Pictures of Midland Exchange students [Click]

(Pictures)(Photos of Bhutanese students and teacher in Handa)

Most students had never been to a power plant before. They were very interested in a power plant. The power plant staff explained the system of a thermal power generation plant. Most Japanese class volunteers had never been to a power plant, either. It was a good outdoor class.

Total 37 people from Indonesia, Philippines, China, Cambodia, Sri Lanka and Nepal as well as Japan participated. Handa city office provided their bus for transportation and we could see power generation windmills on the bus. Thank you very much.

Total 70 people participated. The people have 12 different nationalities including Indonesia, Peru, Brazil, Thailand, USA, Australia, Cambodia, Nepal, Philippines, Vietnam, China, Japan.

Major topics 2010 (April 2010 – March 2011)

Annual International Potluck Party was crowded with 170 people including children. The people met each other through a culture of food.

84 foreigners and 86 Japanese people brought foods. They were divided into ten tables. At each table, they enjoyed self-introduction and stage performances such as Peruvian dance, music plays of "Koto" and "Shamisen", Chorus, music performance by a band and World cooking card game, while they were eating food.

It was the 6th International Potluck party. We hope it promotes a mutual understanding among different cultures and contributes to solve issues and problems in a daily life.

(More Pictures) Hope you enjoyed a party.er"> We thank to volunteers who worked hard for the party.

Japanese class for a daily life invited Mr. Sakakibara to hold a meeting with foreign residents. Foreign residents were from 5 countries, Australia, Brazil, China, Sri Lankan and Korea. The meeting was held in a relaxed atmosphere. The chairman of Handa International Association also attended.

Mr. Sakakibara said that Handa would review those honest opinions given by foreign residents and study what they can do for those opinions. Foreign residents were pleased as they never had the opportunity to talk their opinions directly to the mayor before.

Foreign residents also demanded Handa International Association to continue Japanese class and various events. The chairman of Handa International Association said that the association would like to meet those demands with the support from Handa city.

Note: Although the meeting time was only an one hour, it was a valuable meeting. We thank to the people in Handa city office.

Second session of Chinese Class and Second session of English Conversation Class started on January 13 and on January 15, respectively. Each class lasts 10 weeks. Total 34 people participate the classes. 

27 people gathered in the party. The people enjoyed quiz game, Bingo game, singing songs, etc. in a relaxing atmosphere.

We appreciate your hard work in 2010.

We wish you the best in 2011.
　

An official of  the tax section in Handa city office explained  a tax system including income tax and residential tax to the students.

A "Japanese Kimono" instructor gave a lecture on "Japanese Kimono" to the students. After that, all students wore "Japanese Kimono".

	They wore "Japanese Kimono"

It was held in Handa Sports Park on November 14 (Sunday) jointly with Handa Industry Festival. The festival was crowded with many visitors. The following booths were open in the festival. USA, Australia, Bhutan, Vietnam, Brazil, Peru, Sri Lanka, China, Nepal, Indonesia, Thailand, Turkey, Chita Peninsula SGG, Dow Chemical and JTB, the staff of Handa International Association

We thank to Tokai TV International Association Fund, Dow Chemical and JTB Handa to provide the sponsorship.

We also thank to Mizkan to give the prize of Stamp Rally.

(Pictures)
　

Total 115 people including Japanese class students (Japanese class for daily life, Sakura claas, Tsubasa class) and Japanese class volunteers participated the trip. The chairman of Handa International Association also participated.

The students are foreign residents in Handa area. Their nationalities are Germany, Mexico, Sri Lanka, USA, Brazil, Philippines, Turkey, Vietnam, Korea, China, Peru, Nepal, Cambodia and Indonesia.

A typhoon which we had worried about was gone. But, we had a rain a little before noon. Though we had to take a walk with umbrella, the students enjoyed eating Kyoto cooking at Arashiyama. It was the first time for many students to visit Kyoto. Then, we went to Uzumasa movie park to see old Japan and learn Japanese history. In a bus to/from Kyoto, we enjoyed self introduction, history quiz, singing songs, bingo game, etc.

The chairman of Handa International Association was pleased to see a successful bus trip to Kyoto. He said "They enjoyed speaking their local language with the friends from the same country. But, they spoke Japanese to us. It was an enjoyable day today."

	More pictures are under preparation. Please wait.

It was a long day.

The class began since October 9. The class lasts 10 weeks. The teacher of the class is Ms. Yuriko Nakanishi. The students enjoy speaking English to each other in a friendly atmosphere in the class.

They went to Fire department to learn about 119 call and ambulance service and observed a fire department offices including a control room. They also participated an extinguisher handling training and experienced an earthquake simulator.

Introduction of Fire department	Life saving (AED)
Control room for ambulance	Extinguisher handling training
	Experienced rank 7 earthquake

The students were pleased to see Fire department.

We are grateful to Fire department people.

The instructor of the class is Ms. Wang Yin, the same as the basic course. There are 19 students. They are learning a basic conversation.

Ms. Wang Yin

The policemen of Handa Police Department talked an outline of Japanese police department, "Kouban" system, traffic safety and natural disasters. 

(This same class had been held on August 22.)

We thank to the policemen of Handa Police Department for their valuable lectures.

The students in Japanese class for daily life are studying a number of important issues for daily life such as trash handling, hospital visit, insurances, etc. as well as police department.

Anyone can join the class at anytime. The class is no charge.

During the stay in Midland, they received a warm welcome from host families, the members of the sister city committee and many Midland citizens.

We really appreciate their warm hospitality.
　

I am sure that they never forget the enjoyable memories of home stay life in Midland. Picture: Three exchange students enjoyed a boat riding at Sanford Lake.

I look forward to listening to their report of Midland life. (Home page administrator)

(Pictures)

The 6th "Tanabata" party was held. The party was crowded with 120 participants. The people wrote their wishes on "Tanzaku" paper and hang on bamboo trees. There were 25 Chinese, 5 Filipino, 8 Vietnamese, 3 Brazilian, 1 Peruvian, 3 Colombian, 1 Mexican, 1 American and 70 Japanese.

The participants enjoyed eating "Chirasi" sushi, playing games such as "Himo-hiki", "Shateki", "Kendama" experiencing green tea, experiencing to make cotton candy, experiencing to wear "Yukata", etc.

(Pictures)
　

Each student went to his/her host family house. How is the experience living in a host family house in Bhutan? I hope they can enjoy.

Topics of Handa-Bhutan Youth Friendship Association

Handa-Bhutan Youth friendship Association -Topics [Click]

I hope they can experience many new things.

Three students safely arrived in Midland city.

From Midland [Click]

Good luck!

The student exchange program started when Handa and Midland signed a sister city relationship treaty. It is the 15th time this year to send the exchange students to Midland. Three students who are chosen as the exchange students (Haruka Takeuchim Kento Takeuchi and Yuki Sumiya) live in three different host family home in one week at a time for three weeks. They will experience many things and meet many people. (July 21 to August 12)

Ms. Takahashi who is living in Midland has been contributing a lot to various culture exchange activities between Handa and Midland for 30 years as a volunteer since a sister city relationship between Handa and Midland began.

We respect her for her great support on various culture exchange activities.

She has been a excellent bridge between Handa and Midland. If we did not have her excellent work, we would never be able to execute the student exchange program thus smoothly. Handa International Association is grateful to her.!

This class is sponsored by Aichi prefecture. The class is held for 8 months starting on July 1. The class teaches social rules, Japanese cultures and traditions, etc. to foreigners living in Japan to make their daily life easier.

The chairman of Handa International Association came to the class to cheer the students.	Orientation given by the staff
The lesson starts.	Introduce herself in Japanese. Nice try.

In the class, there will be many pleasant events such as outdoor class, special lectures, cooking class, etc. The class will solve problems which the students encounter in daily life in Japan Please do not miss this opportunity. You can join the class at any time.

Please see the homepage of Japanese class for more details. [Click]

Japanese class students went to Sake museum and Vinegar museum with volunteers to know more about Handa after a Japanese class.

They took a rest at the 2nd floor in Handa Tourist Association office which is located at "Oguri" house. "Oguri" house was built 140 years ago and is registered as a national culture heritage. Then, they went to Sake museum. 39 people participated.

Let's start!	Walked in a light rain.

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This class is held from 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm on every Thursday. The class has 10 sessions. "Waku-Waku" Chinese Basic Master is used as a text book.

The general assembly of Handa International Association for Heisei 22nd was held. Ms. Kanthi Gajanayake from Sri Lanka and Ms. Edyna Kurota from Hungary talked about a Japanese life for the commemoration speech.

General assembly	The chairman of the association
Ms. Kanthi  Gajanayake
Ms. Edina Kurota	Greeting by a guest (Vice mayor of Handa)

Anyone can join the class with no fees.

This class is sponsored by Handa city office and is conducted by Handa International Association.

Please contact us for more details.

The students of Weekday Japanese class (Tsubasa) which started on August 3, 2009 made presentations in Japanese.

16 students from Brazil, China, Samoa and Korea made a speech in Japanese. The students who could not speak Japanese at the beginning of the class can communicate in Japanese now. It was confirmed that the class was very helpful for foreigners to learn Japanese.

Greeting by the city office
With a certificate of completion	Ms. Urase, the teacher of the class was very much impressed with the speeches of the students.

We hope the students continue to learn Japanese and are well adapted themselves to Japanese culture.
　

Cherry blossom hunting

After Sunday Japanese class, some 70 people of foreign students and Japanese volunteers went to Kariyado park to see cherry blossoms. We went there one week earlier than we had scheduled, since cherry blossoms bloomed earlier comparing with a normal year. Though cherry blossoms started to bloom earlier, they did not reach full bloom due to a recent unusual cold weather.
But, the people enjoyed self introduction, playing “Janken” game and singing the songs of their home countries under cherry trees.

(More Pictures)

International Potluck Party

International Potluck Party was held at the auditorium in Handa Fukushi Bunka Kaikan.
Total 121 people including 54 foreigners from 11 countries (Indonesia, China, Sri Lanka, Philippines, Canada, USA, Vietnam, Mexico, Ｂｒａｚｉｌ) participated. They enjoyed eating foods which were brought by participants and developed the mutual understanding of cultures through foods.

During the party, several performances such as “Koto” play, singing, “Nankin Tama Sudare” by volunteers were made. The people were divided into several groups at an international quiz and competed with each other group.

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Japanese class for foreign children began.

Japanese class for foreign children began on February 6. Several volunteers teach the class. The class is held from 2 pm to 4 pm every Saturday to assist foreign children to learn not only Japanese but other subjects. The class is held at the administration office of Handa International Association.

The event of the calligraphy for the New Year was held at the first Japanese class for 2010.

Japanese class students wrote their dreams of the year.

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Year End Party of Handa International Association

23 people gathered at the party and enjoyed in a casual atmosphere.

The association thanks to volunteers for their contributions in this year. We would like them to continue to work in the association in next year.

Wish you a Happy New Year!

December 6 &13 & 20

Training session for the volunteers who teach Japanese to foreign children.

The training sessions were conducted jointly bu the office of Learning Japanese Assistance Fund and Handa International Association. The sessions utilized Learning Japanese Assistance Fund. 32 volunteers participated.  

★Ms. Itiko Matsumoto, a part time lecturer at Aichi Shukutoku University and Aichi Education Universiyt, talked "the current status and issue of foreign school children" on December 6.

★On December 13, Ms. Yasuyo Okada, a foreign school children assistance resource adviser, gave advices for volunteers to teach Japanese to foreign children.

★Ms. Yachiko Kawamura, the leader of Volunteer Group Frontier Toyohashi, and Ms. Miho Imura, the president of Kodomonokuni NPO, lectured the examples of local Japanese class for foreign children on December 20.

We learned the present status of foreign children at this trainign session. We would like to improve to teach Japanese to foreign children.

　

The 7th KonnichiWorld Festival was held.

The festival was held with Handa Industrial festival. and was crowded with many people.

There were 12 country booths of Indonesia, China, Brazil, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam, USA, Canada, Nepal, Turkey and Peru and other booths including Chita SGG club, JTB and Dow Chemical.

The guests were served foreign cooking such as Thai curry and Vietnamese noodle. At the stage, the people enjoyed belly dance, Sri Lankan dance, street performance performed by the students of Nihon Fukushi University, "Kendama" performance by the "Kendama" champion and South America music performance by Asiandina. In each country booth. the staff introduced their country and their special products to the visitors. The people also enjoyed hand crafts and stamp rally.

We thank to Tokai TV International Fund, Mizkan Biztech, Dow Chemical Japan and JTB Handa Branch Office for their co-sponsorship.

(Pictures)

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They are Mr. Nan Jianping, Director of Sports department, Mr. Miao Lin, Mr. Yang Youjun and Ms. Song Lili. They made a coutesy visit to the mayor of Handa and met with the people of Handa Sports Association. They came to Handa international Association and met several people including the chairman and the director of the association.

Sri Lanka cooking part-II class was held, as many people wanted Sri Lanka cooking class one more time.

	Menu 1 Curry with pork and Hiyoko beans 2 Naan 3 Goya salad 4 Dessert 5 Ginger tea
Completed.....

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Japanese class volunteers and Activity volunteers had a meeting to discuss various issues. 27 volunteers participated.

 10 members of Chita Peninsula SGG talked their opinions on interpretation activity. They worked as interpreters when Koalas Orchestra came to Handa and Bhutanese students and Midland exchange students stayed in Handa. We got many valuable opinions which are very helpful for our future activities.

Thank you for joining the meeting.
　

The class is free of charge to students. A student can join the class at any time. Those who want to study Japanese, please come to the class.

In spite of a rain, many people attended a festival. The people wrote their wishes on a special piece of paper and hang it on a bamboo tree. They enjoyed several activities including wearing a Japanese "Yukata", making a cotton candy, making a "Macha" tea, playing "Kendama" (a Japanese traditional toy), etc.

The people sang "Tanabata-sama" with a "Koto" music play by volunteers. All people were united.

(More Pictures)

Everybody enjoyed talking/singing/playing a game in a relaxed atmosphere.

 ★7/28/2009 update　 (Pictures)　

★Three students stay at a host family house and experience Japanese cultures and customs. They will spend a time with a host family and meet many people in Handa. We are sure they will make many memories

(Pictures)

The Bhutanese teacher and children finished said “Good-by” with tears in their eyes in the farewell party held on July 13th and left Centrair airport for Bhutan on July 14th. While they stayed in Handa for 11 days, they experienced/observed many things.

Click here !

[Click]

The teacher plans to visit a primary school, a middle school, a nursery school and a high school in Handa.

半田ブータン青少年交流協会主催の半田ブータン青少年交流事業として、第1回ブータンより青少年の受入が始まりました。

7月3日、中学生3名と先生1人がはるか遠くブータン王国より来半。7月14日まで、半田市内にホームステイをしながら、小中学校及び半田近郊を視察、半田市民との交流を深めます。

[Click]

The schedule of the activities for the fiscal year of Heisei 21

The people look forward to seeing each other again in near future. In the evening of April 25.

It was a nice weather for a picnic. We appreciate the people who went to the park earlier to reserve the place.

Unzia group is set up for Chinese residents in Handa area. The group meets regularly to talk daily problems and questions and hopefully get rid of some of anxieties on daily life.

We had a nice time under cherry trees.

Handa International Association and JICA have jointly set up weekday Japanese class for 5 months period starting on March 2. The class is held from 10 am to noon on Monday through Friday every week until the end of July 2009.

The primary purpose of the class is to assist those foreigners who have lost their job in recent recession and look for a new job. The class is free of charge. The class is also available to any foreign residents.

Currently, about 40 students are learning Japanese in the class.

If you have any questions, please contact the office of Handa International Association.

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