2023

• Intercultural Crosstalk

We are pleased to present a three-part series of round-table discussions with young people who have overseas connections. This time, we asked three young people who became friends in their 20s to speak in a relaxed atmosphere. Although they now live in Japan, they have crossed borders and grown up in a variety of environments. What have they experienced, and how are they feeling now? In the first round, we talked about "language". Let's take a look at the cross-talk between the three as they reflect on their childhoods speaking different languages.

• Close UP

"I want to increase the number of Myanmar's fans." With this thought in her mind, Ms. Yuna Nonaka launched the Yangon Karuta Project. Why did a high school student living in Japan start an organization to help people become interested in Myanmar? We interviewed Ms. Nonaka to learn more about the project, and her thoughts on the project.

• Motto Shiritai Nihongo

The end of the year［年末nenmatsu］means the period when the year comes to an end (around the end of December). In this month’s issue, we introduce words we often use at the end of the year.

• Intercultural Crosstalk

This is a three-part series on work and holidays. In this third part, we talked about holidays and leisure time. The discussion expanded to such enjoyable topics as "What do you do on weekends and long vacations? How do you enjoy your spare time?" The last session of the series was a good opportunity to relax and have a good conversation.

• Close UP

The NPO Nata De Coco plans and operates a "Cultural Exchange Class for Children" to bring cross-cultural experiences to children throughout Japan. The Cultural Exchange Class for Children offers a systematic program based on intercultural communication studies as a place for exchange between elementary school students and foreigners living in Japan.

• Motto Shiritai Nihongo

When you are not at home, you may receive an important letter by mail or a package by courier service.

• Intercultural Crosstalk

In this second session of our three-part series on work and holidays, we talked about the workplace. The topics of discussion expanded rapidly, including what surprised them when they started working, how they spend their lunch breaks, overtime work, benefits, and side jobs. You will also see the differences between each country and Japan.

• Close UP

The General Incorporated Association Pinocchio is working on the theme of “a place for children”. However, since its establishment, the activities have gradually expanded to a wide variety, ranging from a children's cafeteria to an after-school club, a parenting & anyone cafe, a Japanese class, an adult cafeteria “Hokkori-tei”, and a Cinema Club. It is now a gathering place for everyone in the community, including children as well as adults. We interviewed Ms. Hatsuko Kawana, the president of Pinocchio - who realizes projects full of ideas with her light footwork - about Pinocchio's activities, from its foundation to the present.

• Motto Shiritai Nihongo

Trains, subways, and buses are often delayed or do not run on time when there is a natural disaster (typhoon, snow, heavy rain, earthquake), accident, or fire.

• Intercultural Crosstalk

This is a three-part series about work and holidays. We discussed “work” this month. With more and more foreigners living in Japan and working for Japanese companies, what do they feel? The three participants talked about how they came to work in Japan, how they found their jobs, and the difficulties and rewards of working in Japanese society.

• Close UP

NGO: Volunteers Group to Send Wheelchairs to Overseas Children is working to deliver wheelchairs that Japanese children have outgrown, to children overseas. In the 20 years since the organization was established in 2004, they have donated 9,395 wheelchairs to 26 countries (as of June 2023). In 2020, they received the Japan Foundation's Global Citizenship Award, and their activities have garnered much support and empathy. We interviewed Mr. Hirokazu Morita, Chairperson, Mr. Akira Kuwayama, director, and Mr. Takao Akine, director, about their motivation for establishing the organization, and the actual situation of wheelchairs for children.

• Motto Shiritai Nihongo

When going out with your baby, it is a good idea to know where you can feed them and where you can change their diapers.

• Intercultural Crosstalk

This is a three-part series on i-shoku-ju (clothing, food, and shelter). In this final session, we focused on "housing”. It seems that room sizes and layouts are often different between their home countries and Japan. In this edition, we asked the three participants to share their experiences and the many differences between their home countries and Japan.

• Close UP

In May 2023, the 3rd Refugee and Migrant Festival was held at Heisei Tsutsuji Park in Nerima. The charity-style festival, where people from refugee and migrant backgrounds brought their specialties in cooking, handicrafts, songs, and performances, attracted approximately 3,600 people in one day. And, participants enjoyed interacting with each other. We spoke with Ms. Maki Kanai, a writer, and illustrator, who is the founder of the festival and also a member of the executive committee.

• Motto Shiritai Nihongo

There is a period called Bon (or Obon using the honorific “o”) in August, which is one of the biggest Buddhist events. At this time of year, the spirits of departed family members and ancestors return to their homes. People prepare food and drinks for the souls of the dead and decorate paper lanterns.

• Intercultural Crosstalk

This is a three-part series on i-shoku-ju (clothing, food, and shelter). Living in Japan, which do you cook more, Japanese food or food from your home country? Food was the topic of much conversation!

• Close UP

NPO Japan-Peru for Integration (hereafter referred to as AJAPE) helps people of Peruvian and other Latin American origin and their children to adapt to and co-exist with Japanese society while protecting their individuality.

• Motto Shiritai Nihongo

Heat Stroke［necchusho］is a sickness that causes physical problems on hot days. If you are in a hot, humid place, you are more likely to get heat stroke. The cause of heat stroke is unable to regulate body temperature properly. You can get heat stroke when you are outside, and even when you are inside your home. You could die of heat stroke, so please be careful.

• Close UP

Hachioji City is home to approximately 14,000 foreign residents (as of December 2022). The number of foreign students is substantial, and the population of foreign residents is increasing year by year. To make Hachioji a city where both Japanese and foreigners may live comfortably, the "kokohana Yasashii Nihongo de Tsunagaru Hachioji no Kai" (hereafter: kokohana), is engaged in various activities, including the promotion of Plain Japanese. We interviewed the two core persons of the organization, Ms. Akane Miyatake, a representative, and Ms. Kumiko Matsubara, a staff member.

• Intercultural Crosstalk

This is a three-part series on i-shoku-ju (clothing, food, and shelter). This month we will talk about clothing. Clothing differs in each country depending on climatic conditions, such as countries with different seasons and countries where it is hot all year round. What are the differences in the clothing, such as the number of layers of clothes, color preferences, and so on?

• Motto Shiritai Nihongo

Summer and winter are the times of the year when we use electricity the most in Japan. So, even if power plants produce a lot of electricity, there would soon not be enough to go around. When we have to use electricity carefully, we often use words like sho-ene and setsuden.

• Close UP

The Organization for Technical Intern Trainee Life Support (hereinafter referred to as TITL), located in Edogawa ward, conducts daily-life support activities to enrich the lives of foreign technical intern trainees in Japan, during their limited period of stay.

• Intercultural Crosstalk

This is a three-part series on child-rearing. We asked three first-time parents in Japan to talk about their concerns leading up to the birth of their children and the differences between Japan and their home countries.

• Motto Shiritai Nihongo

In Japan, years begin in April, at schools and companies. Many people may be changing their living environments, such as entering a new school or finding a new job. In this country, there is a long holiday called Golden Week from the end of April to the beginning of May.

• Tokyo Life

Useful Japanese words when you "apply（申し込みmoshikomi）"When you are applying for an event or giveaway, here are a few word...

• Intercultural Crosstalk

In the final session, they talked about kindergartens and schools as their children are growing up. The participants said that there are many things that are different from those in their home countries.

• Close UP

Ms. Shuko Ebihara, the representative director of kuriya, a general incorporated association, stands in front of some yo...

• Tokyo Life

When you rent an apartment or other lodgings, you will need to pay rent (money paid monthly by the renter) as well as va...

• Close UP

Every Sunday, many people gather at Restaurant Ruby: including Professor Shin Matsuo of Tokyo Woman's Christian Universi...

• Intercultural Crosstalk

In this session, in the midst of child-rearing, the participants talked about what puzzled them about the differences from their home countries and what they pay special attention to in raising their children.