Community "Nihongo Kyoshitsu" Activities Report, vol.17

This article, written by university student O who participated in the Japanese Language Class Coverage Project, is featured in the Community Nihongo Kyoshitsu Activities Report.

 

In our seventeenth report, we are introducing YWCA of Tokyo “Ichigo no Heya (Strawberry Room)” in Musashino-city!

About Musashino-city

Musashino City is located near the center of Tokyo and serves as a core area connecting the 23 wards and the Tama region.

Population (as of October 1st, 2025):  148,211

                                   Foreign population:  4,322

 

YWCA of Tokyo “Ichigo no Heya (Strawberry Room)”

Ichigo no Heya is operated as part of the YWCA of Tokyo's Japanese language and learning support for children with foreign roots. It is located at the YWCA of Tokyo Musashino Office, a 15-minute walk from Kichijoji Station.

Started in 2009, it currently operates three times a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.

Each child is supported by one or two volunteers who help with school homework and Japanese language study.
Support is also provided to parents who are not native Japanese speakers.

 

 

Internal and External Collaboration

After each support session at Ichigo no Heya, volunteers hold a review session.

During this time, volunteers share information about the children they supported, creating a system where the entire Ichigo no Heya team watches over the children together.

The program also actively collaborates with external organizations such as the Musashino City Board of Education and the Musashino International Association, providing community-wide integrated support.

 

 

 

Support as Companions

According to Ms. Koretsune, a staff member at the YWCA of Tokyo, the support emphasizes “giving children choices” and “doing things together rather than teaching,” and this philosophy is shared with all volunteers.

During my visit, I saw volunteers asking children, “What would you like to do today?” This demonstrated that support is tailored to each child.

 

 

 

 

Thoughts on our visit…

I witnessed children not just studying but also playing games with volunteers, like tiddlywinks and card games.

Combined with the cozy atmosphere of the facility, it felt like an after-school care center.
The warm atmosphere made it clear that this is a comfortable classroom for both learners and volunteers.

 

 

 

by Japanese Language Class Coverage Project Participant, University Student O