Bulletin [ Konnichiwa-rudo] No.34
(4/2/2010)

 Japanese

Schedule of activities in Heisei 22

(A) Volunteer training for culture diversity in Heisei 22

1 Training course for Japanese instructors

Date & Time: 13:30 – 15:00
Every other Sunday starting from May 9
10 sessions
Place: Handa Fujushi Bunka Kaikan
Instructor: Ms. Natsuko Urase
Fee for training course: 5,000yen for 10 sessions – Member of the association
7,000yeb for 0 sessions including an annual association membership fee – Others

2 Chinese Class for Beginners

Date & Time: 19:30 – 21:00
Every Thursday starting from June 10
10 sessions
Place: Handa Fukushi Bunka Kaikan
Instructor: Ms. Wang Ing

(B) Japanese class for foreigners

1 Tsubasa – Weekday Japanese Class
The new class begins from April 1.
No fees for all classes.

-Beginner’s class
Date & Time: 10:00 – 12:00
Every Monday and Wednesday
Instructor: Ms. Ritsuko Ina

-Junior class 1
Date & Time: 10:00 – 12:00
Every Tuesday and Friday
Instructor: Ms. Natsuko Urase
-Junior class 2
Date & Time: 10:00 – 12:00
Every Thursday
Instructor: Ms. Natsuko Urase

2 Sakura - Sunday Japanese class
Sunday Japanese class continues to be held.
No fees for the class.

Date & Time: 10:00 – 12:00
Every Sunday
Instructor: Japanese volunteers

Note: You can join the above classes anytime.

Interview the mayor of Handa

We interviewed the mayor of Handa. The interview focused on an international culture exchange. He has several hobbies including reading books, listening music, a tennis. He is a Dragons fan. He loves a cooking of his wife.

Q: What experience do you have with foreigners?

Mayor: I joined a foreign company just after I graduated from an university. It was a global company with multiple cultures. But, I did not have a personal relation with foreigners. I am thinking to take care of a foreign student at my home when I have a time.

Q: What good thing did you learn from foreigners?

Mayor: American people work hard and take a vacation to enjoy a life. They have a good balance of work and life. I learned an American way to work.

Q: Have you been to foreign countries?

Mayor: I went to the west coast of USA for my honey moon trip. I went to Europe on my official business trip. During that trip, I learned several things. For examples, English people had a different view on waste treatment. The tax for luxurious goods was very high in Sweden. I saw the society of high welfare and high burden society. But, I thought that it was difficult for a welfare system only to satisfy the people’s need at their mental aspect.

Q: There are many issues such as language and customs in primary schools and middle schools where many foreign children are studying. What countermeasures does the city government plan?

Mayor: We are currently increasing the number of Portuguese interpreters. If Japanese industries can not be run without foreign labors, we need foreign labors; I think it is necessary for Japan central government to subsidize local governments to support foreign residents.


Q: What do think about foreign residents living in Handa city?

Mayor: I sometimes receive complaints from the residents in city housing complex that foreigners do not keep rules. As we have our own customs and social rules in Japan, foreigners have their own cultures. We can not deny those customs. But, I think it is necessary for both Japanese and foreigners to understand each other and harmonize.
I hope Japan central government to tell foreigners “You should be able to understand simple Japanese when you come to Japan”.



Q: What do you expect from Handa International Association in the future?

Mayor: Handa International Association is very active. I would like the association to continue to carry out various activities and programs which can be done by non-governmental organization. I think it is desirable for us to develop a friendship at citizen level more. I think it is important for Handa International Association and the city office to talk. I think it is good for Handa International Association to aggressively carry out its own programs where the government should not be involved. There are many cases which the government should not interfere. I will review case by case whether the government should be involved or not.

Q: Would you give a message to Handa International Association?

Mayor: I think the people in Chita peninsula area should have more international sense. For example, the local government should provide more daily life support and welfare to those foreigners who come to this area to work so that they feel happy to live in Handa. I would like Handa International Association to continue to help us with its expertise and knowledge on an international culture exchange activity. Let’s work together.

Q&A about Handa International Association

Mission of Handa International Association

Handa International Association promotes an international culture exchange at a citizen level with the association members. The association assists Handa citizens to understand more about cultures, histories and customs of foreign countries. The association promotes a friendship between Handa and foreign countries.


Q: Where is Handa International Association?

A: The office of Handa International Association is located on the first floor in Handa Fukushi Bunka Kaikan (Kariyado Hall) which is located at the west of Chita Handa station of Meitetsu line.

Q: How can I join the association?

A: You need fill out an application form and pay a membership fee. The annual membership fee is 2,000 Yen. The annual membership fee for a corporation/group is 5000 Yen or more depending on the size of a company/group.

Q: What kind of people are the members?

A: Both men and women with a broad range of age, 15 years old to around 80 years old, are the members.

Q: What kind of activities are volunteers doing in Handa International Association?

A: Sunday Japanese class has the biggest number of volunteers among the activities of Handa International Association to teach Japanese to foreigners. Besides Sunday Japanese class, volunteers are working on several annual regular events, for example, KonnichiWorld festival, International Potluck party, cooking class. Volunteers are also working on translation/interpretation, home stay program, public relation, etc.

Q: What are the nationalities of foreigners who participate in the activities?

A: They are Chinese, Brazilian, Filipino, Vietnamese, Indonesian, Canadian, Peruvian, Sri Lankan, Korean, etc.

Q: I am not good at foreign languages. Can I participate in activities as a volunteer?

A: You do not have to have a foreign language skill. Anyone can work as a volunteer.

Q: When I join Handa International Association, I want to contact with more foreigners. Is it possible?

A: Yes, you will contact foreigners from many countries in Sunday Japanese class. We also have outdoor activities with foreigners several times a year. Please come to the office of Handa International Association.

The general assembly of Handa International Association for Heisei 22

Date : April 24, 2010 (Saturday)

Schedule:
1 General Assembly: 6:30 pm
2 Lecture sessions: 7:00 pm
3 Party

The agenda of lectures: My life in Japan
A lecturer for the first session: カーンティ・ガジャナヤカ from Sri Lanka
A lecturer for the second session: Ms. Edina Kuroda from Australia

Place: The training room in Handa Fukushi Bunka Kaikan

Topics (4)

1.Year End Party
December 26 (Saturday)
　

An annual year end party for the association members was held. The participants had a nice time at the end of the year. While we ate a dinner and delicious strawberries which were sent by someone, we enjoyed talking and appreciated each other for the contributions to the association activities. We had a big fun at a bingo game and a game to answer a country name..

2.Training program for volunteers to teach Japanese to foreign children

Fund for Assistance of Learning Japanese and Handa International Association jointly held three day training session on December 6, 13 and 20. The sponsor of the training program is Fund for Assistance of Learning Japanese.

Hnada International Association started Japanese class for foreign children in February.
　

3.The event of special calligraphy
for the New Year

The event was held for Japanese class students on January 10, 2010.

Comments from students
- I wrote “元気、幸”. I enjoyed it. I wanted to write more. (Maria)
- It was difficult, but I enjoyed it. I want to do it again. (Gia)
- It was difficult for me to write Chinese letters. (Furukawa)

4.The 6th International Potluck Party
was held.

The annual International Potluck Party was held on March 7, 2010 (Sunday) at the auditorium in Handa Fukushi Bunka Kaikan. 121 people including both Japanese and foreigners from 11 countries joined the party. The people enjoyed meeting the foreign residents and eating various ethnic foods.

Pictures

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