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★Total 70 people of Japanese class students and volunteer teachers went on picnic to Kariyado Park to see cherry blossoms. Cherry blossoms were in 30 % bloom. We ate rice balls with tea. We enjoyed self introduction and singing songs.

☆Cherry blossoms are in bloom. It is April 3 today. After we finished the class, the foreign students and volunteer teachers went on picnic to see cherry blossoms.
This is my second time to go on picnic to see cherry blossoms. But, I had a new feeling. We did many things under cherry trees. It was a very pleasant and nice memory that we, Vietnamese, sang our national anthem in Vietnamese, In Vietnam, we do not have this good custom.
I thank to the staff of the Handa International Association. I want to participate in a next cherry blossom picnic.

TRAN　VAN　SON （Vietnam）

★Ms. K, Yamada who is a popular garden designer gave a lecture for Handa citizens on March 26. Total 68 people including the association members and non association members listened to her lecture. She talked about English gardens and a hint to plant flowers.

☆Ms. K. Yamada is the top English garden designer in Japan. She taught us English culture that English people enjoy their spare time in their home gardens to respect natures and feel seasons.. I think that our life would be richer if we had a peace in our minds. The people very much enjoyed her lecture which had a full of humor and took pictures while she demonstrated how to plant together.
We wondered whether we had a lecture, as it was scheduled right after the giant earthquake happened in Tohoku area. But, now, I think it was good that we held the lecture.

Makoto Sakakibara

★“Tsubasa”, Weekday Japanese Class, is held in the morning and afternoon on Tuesday through Thursday. There are a character class, beginner’s class, a basic class and an examination preparation class. Everybody is welcomed to the class at anytime.

☆Time is passing really fast. It has been two years since I came to Japan. I could not speak Japanese when I came to Japan. But, I can speak Japanese a little now thanks to “Tsubasa” class which is Japanese class of Handa International Association. Besides “Tsubasa”, there are a few other Japanese classes for foreigners to study Japanese. Those classes solve a language problem of foreigners.
I have many impressions on the class. First, I am impressed very much with a passion of teachers. I am specially impressed with Ms. Urase. She is a strict teacher, but has a passion to teach. She also has a rich experience to teach Japanese. So, every student likes her. Although we are living in a foreign country, we feel a warmness as if we were living in our home country. I would like to say “Thank you” to teachers. I hope “Tsubasa” class more prosperous in the future. We believe China and Japan will continue to maintain a strong friendship. Let’s try hard with cheers!

Songxiu Isomura (China)

★Data for Japanese classes (The total number of students in Heisei 22)
Chinese 493
Vietnamese 392
Brazilian 185
Others 726

★How many foreigners are there in Handa?　 2,638 foreigners
★The population in Handa 120,114 people

Total 36 countries
（as of May 1）

The Heisei 23 general assembly of Handa International Association held

★It was held on May 6 at Visual-Audio Room in Handa Fukushi Bunka Kaikan. All proposed agenda were approved in the general assembly. Thank you for your cooperation.

Building a bridge Tomoyuki Matsuishi Chairman of Handa International Association

Handa International Association was originally founded as Handa Sister City Committee in October 1980. It was renamed as Handa International Association in 1994. It was reorganized as non governmental organization in October 2003.
Since then, the association has been working on many activities and projects such as educating Handa citizens on international understanding, assisting foreign residents to settle in Japanese society.

It has been 30 years since the association began. Since then, the association has become more active year by year thanks to volunteer people.
I think that the change of the association has mainly come from the change of the perception of Handa citizens on globalization.
The world is changing very much now. I think we need to ask ourselves what view point we should have to carry out our international culture exchange activities.

I think that the disaster of the giant earthquake in East Japan has changed our value of the rapid economic growth after World War II. This disaster did ring an alarm to all people on the earth who had an illusion that a material richness was the happiness. We even thought that we conquered a nature. Our modern life have been dependent on an excessive amount of energy including nuclear power generation.
However, Japanese have been respecting a nature and getting along with natures as farming people. We, Japanese, have a spirit which is symbolized by “diligence”, “harmony” and Japanese word of “Mottainai”. Now I think it is the time for us to tell this spirit to foreign countries.
 
I think the relationship between a nature and men is the same as the relationship with foreigners at international culture exchange.
We can not get a nature to obey us, nor conquer a nature. To build a international relationship, we first need to know each other’s culture and tradition and respect each other. To do so, I think it is important for us to understand Japanese people and country and build a bridge with foreigners.
I would like to encourage you to give us your opinions. We will set a future direction of Handa International Association based on your opinions.
　

Difference A positive element Sumio Sakakibara Mayor of Handa city

At present, almost 2,600 foreigners are living in Handa. The foreign population has been increased by nearly 1,000, comparing with those in 10 years ago.
When I was a child, it was very rare to meet foreigners. I was very nervous to meet foreigners.
But, it has been changed. The world distance has been shrunk thanks to the development of communication technologies and airplanes. It is not unusual to meet foreigners.
After the disaster of the giant earthquake which happened in March this year, many foreign countries dispatched rescue teams and provided aids to Japan. It makes me aware again that we are the member of the world society and are supporting each other.

It is said that Japanese like sameness and are not good to accept difference. But, I think
That difference is even a positive element to create diverse power.
Handa international Association are conducting many culture diversification activities including Japanese classes. In addition to that, it plays a big role to provide a consultation to foreign residents It does bring a big mental relief to them.
I wish Handa International Association more prosperous in the future. We will continue to work with Handa International Association to make Handa city such a place where everybody respects each other in a daily life.

Directors of Handa International Association in Heisei 23

Honorable Chairman Sumio Sakakibara
Chairman Tomoyuki Matsuishi
Vice Chairman (Operation board member) Muneo Nakamura
Vice Chairman (Operation board member) Makoto Sakakibara
Vice Chairman (Operation board member) Nobuo Ohashi
Vice Chairman (Operation board member) Hajime Sakakibara
Executive director and Administration chief Tosisada Takagi
Director Koji Ito (Chiita Japan-China Friendship Association)
Director Masazumi Aoi (Handa Rotary Club)
Director Koji Suzuki (Handa South Rotary Club)
Director Hiroshi Kumagai (Handa Lions Club)
Director Masataka Suzuki (Handa Youth Chamber of Commerce)
Director Masanobu Iwasaki (Handa Chamber of Commerce, Youth Department)
Director Kazuhiro Hiraoka (Handa Junior Brass Band)
Director Hiroyuki Banno (Handa High School Principal Association)
Director Masanori Suzuki (Handa Elementary & Middle School Principal Association)
Director Shin’ichi Honmi (Handa Culture Association)
Director Kazuhisa Houjou (Handa Sports Association)
Director Tomohiro Shinoda (Dow Chemical Kinu Ura Plant)
Director Takashi Mizuno (Handa City Office)
Director Atsunobu Kasai (Handa City Office)
Auditor Norihito Fujimoto (Vice Mayor of Handa)
Auditor Masakatsu Mase (Handa Chamber of Commerce)

Major events

★June: Event for Japanese class students
June 19 (Sunday) Visit Tita Power Generation Plant
Students go to Tita Power Generation Plant to learn electric energy.

★July: Tanabata festival (Citizens welcome!)
July 24 (Sunday) Tanabata festival
Please come to Tanabata festival. You can write your wishes on “Tanzaku” paper with foreigners and enjoy games. You can touch Japanese traditional cultures such as folk toys, Yukata wearing, “Koto” play, etc.

★September: Event for citizens (under planning)

★October: Event for Japanese class students
October 23 (Sunday) Bus tour to Nara
Students go to Nara to to observe the history and culture in Nara.

★November World Festival
November 6 (Sunday) World Festival
There are around 12 country booths where they display and sell their country products. Those who want to touch world cultures, please come to the festival.

We want
-Foreigners who want to introduce their own countries
-Foreigners who want to perform on a stage
-Volunteers to support the festival

★January Event for Japanese class students
Perform a special calligraphy for the New Year.
Let’s write your favorite Japanese words.

★March Event for citizens
International Potluck Party
Potluck party is a party that all participants bring one dish and enjoy sharing.
People enjoy eating home cooking of various countries. People also enjoy self introduction and introduction of countries in Potluck Party.

★For more details, please check HP! http://www.handakokusai.ecnet.jp

E-mail：hia@poplar.ocn.ne.jp
If you have a question on Japanese classes, events and volunteer, please contact the office shown below.
Handa International Association
Handa Fukushi Bunka Kaikan
1-22-1 Kariyado-cho, Handa-shi
Tel: 0569-26-18929 Fax:0569-26-1992
E-mail: hia@poplar.ocn.ne.jp

Report by volunteers

★Before I visited Handa International Association, I thought volunteer work was not not an easy job and required a lot of effort and dedication. So, it took a long time for me to join the association as a volunteer. But, after I began to work as a volunteer, I wonder why I was so anxious about a volunteer and even think I should have begun a volunteer work earlier.
I can meet not only with foreigners, but with people of various ages including children. Previously, I did not have much chance to talk those people. Volunteer work which is a little bit different world for me is really a fun.

★When I visited Handa International Association aimlessly, I was asked to work as a Japanese class volunteer. They said there would be no problem to work as a volunteer if I could speak Japanese. Since then, one year has passed. Now, I realize it is difficult, but enjoyable to teach Japanese.
I am manly teaching “Hiragana” and “Katakana” (Japanese alphabet). Foreigners ask me many straightforward questions; Often, I need to study Japanese to answer their questions..
I want to continue to enjoy working as a volunteer with Japanese class students.

Youichiro Toyoma　（rigｈｔ)

★It has been 4 years since Chinese Wenshin Meeting began. In the meeting, Chinese who are living in Japan talk their problems and issues and help each other to solve them. We occasionally feel lonely as we are living far from our families and friends. At the same time, we want to be well recognized by Japanese families. We also want to be well recognized a Japanese societies through work.

Although Japan and China are neighboring countries, cultures and life style are very different. But, it is said “When in Rome, do as Romans do”. We should not blame others and surroundings. We should change. As we determined to live in Japan, I think we should work hard to learn Japanese and fit into Japanese cultures and traditions. When we encounter various problems happened in a daily life, Japanese friends and neighbors give kind advices to us. We keep challenging to talk in Japanese and promote mutual understanding.
In the meeting, we have been dealing with various problems which Chinese residents have. I think I have grown up as I have had many experiences. I will continue to work actively in this meeting.

He Xiao (center-back)

★Masatomo Ohashi
 
I invited foreigners to “Koto” music performance 7 years ago. After the performance, they said they wanted to play “Koto”. That’s why “Koto” class began. I hope they can enjoy the feeling of progressing and appreciate the excitement to make a performance at a concert.
One Japanese Brazilian said to me with tears in her eyes, “My mother in my home country is really pleased”. Some people took pictures which showed they wore beautiful Japanese “Kimono” and sent them to their families in their home countries. I am very happy as my class is making a contribution to international culture exchange.
There is one more great thing. I got friends who help running “Koto” class with me. It might be the most valuable gift for me in my volunteer work.

Masatomo Ohashi (right-back )

Total Japanese class students in 2010　 1,237

We want volunteers!

Those who want to make a social contribution through international culture exchange activities in Handa International Association such as Japanese class, events, etc., please come to the association.
You can join anytime.

※ Note: You do not need to be an association member.

If you do not have a time to work as a volunteer, you can make a contribution by joining the association as a member.
Please join the association as a member.