Newsletter

• Intercultural Crosstalk

The three participants came to Japan, the country of their roots, with their own thoughts and feelings. In round 2, we asked them about their impressions of Japan, their feelings upon arriving in Japan, and how their thoughts on identity have changed.

• Close UP

Soteria Firm, which sells handmade muffins and rusks with a gentle taste, under the theme of "mental and physical health," is a social firm where people from diverse cultures and backgrounds come together to work. This is also a place where many staff members with foreign roots are actively working. We interviewed Ms. Sayaka Tsukamoto, a member of the incorporated NPO Soteria Tokyo office, who supports the store as management, about her thoughts on the activities of Soteria Firm.

• Motto Shiritai Nihongo

In June, it rains a lot in Japan. Weather forecasts use a variety of words related to rain, so knowing the words for rain will help you better understand the information.

• Intercultural Crosstalk

We will be presenting a three-part series of round table discussions with "people who have come to Japan, the country of their roots." There are many people living overseas who have roots in Japan. In this series, we will hear from 3 people who were born and raised overseas but chose to come to Japan, the country of their roots, of their own volition. They will talk about their reasons for making that decision, the countries where they grew up, and their thoughts on their identity.

• Close UP

"Taito Tabunka Kyosei Machizukuri no Kai" is a group of foreigners and Japanese people living in Taito City who think about community development together as community members, through activities such as neighborhood clean-ups and opening stalls at morning markets. We interviewed Ms. Hiroko Yamafuji, the Multicultural Coordinator and Regional Japanese Language Education Coordinator - who launched "Taito Tabunka Kyosei Machizukuri no Kai" together with local foreign residents - about the activities of the group.

• Motto Shiritai Nihongo

In June, it rains a lot in Japan. Weather forecasts use a variety of words related to rain, so knowing the words for rain will help you better understand the information.

• Intercultural Crosstalk

We asked 3 caregivers working in the field to talk about the future of the care-giving profession, the rewards of working in the field, and whether they want to continue working in the field.

• Close UP

The Japan Myanmar Culture Center (JMCC), an NPO headed by Myanmar national Ms. Ma Hay Mar, is an encouraging support for Myanmar people in Japan. The JMCC is based in Takadanobaba, Tokyo, and receives many inquiries from Japan and Myanmar. We spoke with Ms. Ma Hay Mar, Director, and Mr. Kiyoshi Ochiai, Chairman of the Board, about the activities of JMCC.

• Motto Shiritai Nihongo

Here is this season's phrase: Tanngo no sekku. May 5th is the day of Tango no Sekku, a Japanese tradition to celebrate the growth of boys. Today, May 5th, is Children's Day, a day to wish for good health and happiness for both boys and girls.

• Intercultural Crosstalk

Caregivers work shifts, so the time they start work varies from day to day. How do they manage their health and what kind of life do they lead? How do they spend their days off? We also asked them about the difficulties they face in continuing to work in a field that is said to be short of staff.

• Close UP

The NPO Tsunagarou Kai Multicultural Japan, which began its activities in 2022, is based in Hachioji. Tsunagarou Kai aims to help create an inclusive society where people accept and acknowledge their differences and support each other regardless of gender, age, nationality or disability. We spoke with the organization’s founder and representative, Ms. Marcia Chikaraishi.

• Motto Shiritai Nihongo

Cherry blossoms bloom in spring. They are the most famous of all spring flowers in Japan. There are many places in Tokyo known for their cherry blossoms. In Tokyo, cherry blossoms bloom from the end of March to around April. Everyone is looking forward to the cherry blossoms blooming. Here are some words used during the cherry blossom season.

• Intercultural Crosstalk

We will be delivering a 3-part series of round-table discussions with caregivers from abroad. The number of foreign residents working in the elderly care industry is increasing year by year. Amidst the current shortage of care workers, we spoke to 3 people who are actually working hard in the care industry about how they got into it, what their jobs entail, and their thoughts on the work.

• Close UP

NPO Bosai Community Network is an organization that aims to form communities connected by disaster preparedness (bosai) - a common issue for Tokyo’s residents - while developing educational and community projects related to disaster preparedness in various areas in Tokyo. NPO Bosai Community Network conducts disaster preparedness activities that can be participated in "casually, easily, and happily" in various regions, such as community cleanup programs that adopt a disaster preparedness perspective, city walks, and a children’s cafeteria that uses emergency rations. We interviewed Mr. Takahiro Uto, one of the founders of the organization.

• Motto Shiritai Nihongo

Here are some words you might see when you check the schedule of shops, stores, and restaurants.

• Intercultural Crosstalk

The research environment and school systems differ from country to country. What are the differences between Japan and your home country? We asked the participants to talk about the differences they have noticed in their research, and the good things about doing research in Japan.

• Close UP

"Multicultural Exchange with Everyone in Koto" is an organization active in the Ojima area of Koto City, Tokyo, where members of diverse nationalities of all ages enjoy exchanging cultural activities and work together to build their community. In Ojima, Koto City, the proportion of elderly Japanese residents and young foreign residents has been increasing among those living in apartment complexes and other areas, in recent years.

• Motto Shiritai Nihongo

There are various types of train cars and seats. If you know how to choose a train, it will be more convenient.

• Intercultural Crosstalk

We asked 3 researchers living in Japan about how they spend time in their daily lives. As their research topics and environments differ, it seems that the time they spend on research and how they spend their days also differ. We also asked them about the things they do to take a break from their research and the things they enjoy about their lives.

• Close UP

General Incorporated Association Choiceful is an organization working on the issue of child poverty, in Adachi ward.

• Motto Shiritai Nihongo

Chounaikai・choukai・jichikai is an organization of local people who work together to make a local community a safe and comfortable place in which to live. It means "neighborhood association" in English. Depending on the community you live in, neighborhood associations have different names, such as chounaikai, choukai, or jichikai, and your community has one of those.

• Intercultural Crosstalk

We will be bringing you a 3 part series of round-table discussions with researchers from abroad. There are people in Japan researching in a variety of fields. Many foreigners also come to Japan to research. What kind of research are they doing? And what kind of life are they living? We asked them about the reasons for their research and why they chose Japan as their place of research.

• Close UP

The Cross-Cultural Club "DANRO" is a gathering of parents, including those with foreign roots, in Machida City, who enjoy raising children together in the community. The members of DANRO are engaged in a variety of activities that leverage their respective cultures and capabilities. They say that while expanding the circle of multicultural coexistence in Machida, they aim to create a considerate and warm community where everyone feels "glad to live in Machida". We spoke with Ms. Mami Nishida, Ms. Lucy Kosugi, and Ms. Yu Onuki about DANRO, where mothers and fathers are working actively and energetically.

• Motto Shiritai Nihongo

We use many different words and phrases in the workplace (shokuba). Here are some that will help you as you start your work.

• Intercultural Crosstalk

We wondered how the things they learned at the community Japanese language classes were useful in their current lives. The topics of discussion ranged from how long they had been taking the classes to what they thought was good about it. They also shared their ideas of what kind of Japanese language classes they would like to see in the future.

• Close UP

Bookstart is an initiative by local municipal administrations and citizens to offer "picture books" and the "experience" of reading picture books to families and children, at group health check-ups for babies under one-year-old; as well as on other occasions. These activities began in the UK in 1992 and have been implemented throughout Japan since April 2001. Bookstart Japan supports the Bookstart program in each municipality to provide a fun and exciting time for all babies to experience picture books. Bookstart Japan is also expanding the program's multilingual availability. We spoke with Ms. Tomomi Otsu and Ms. Ayako Mikami of Bookstart Japan, which supports local municipalities working on the Bookstart program.

• Motto Shiritai Nihongo

Let us introduce you to words for when you do laundry②. When you do laundry, you need to choose the right detergent and washing method for the item you want to wash. There are various detergents and washing methods that are useful for you to know about.

• Intercultural Crosstalk

We are pleased to present a 3 part series of round-table discussions on "work and activities that connect their home countries with Japan". In this second session, we will be discussing their work and activities. What kind of reactions do their family and friends have to their work and activities? They also talked about how their own lives and the environment around them had changed as a result of continuing with their work and activities.

• Close UP

The YMCA was established in London in 1844. In 1880, the first YMCA in Japan, the Tokyo YMCA, was formed. The Tokyo YMCA has developed various programs, including language education, childcare, and international exchange programs.

• Motto Shiritai Nihongo

Let us introduce you to words for when you do laundry. The words for washing clothes① are displayed on the washing machine’s buttons. When you want to change the washing cycle, knowing the meaning of the buttons on the control panel is useful.