2024

• 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.

• Intercultural Crosstalk

Over the next 3 months, from this month until November, we will be bringing you a 3-part series of roundtable discussions on the topic of “Community-based Japanese Language Classes and Support”. The 3 participants in this discussion have experience of attending community Japanese language classes or Japanese language classes at school. In the first round, they talked about their first encounter with a community-based Japanese language class.

• Close UP

CWS Japan supports people affected by natural disasters, poverty, and conflicts in Japan as well as overseas. One of their activities is the Multicultural x Disaster Risk Reduction Project.

• Motto Shiritai Nihongo

When you send a letter, you buy a stamp, stick it on the envelope, and post it. The size and weight of the envelope containing your letter make a difference in the cost of the stamps. The following are some useful words you should know when sending a letter. There are many rules and regulations for sending letters, in Japan. If you are not sure, ask at the post office.

• 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 NPO Hoshi no Hikari was established in 2023 in Shinjuku City, with holds Japan’s largest number of foreign residents. Hoshi no Hikari offers picture book readings in Chinese and Japanese, and holds picture book talk events; primarily for Chinese parents and their children.

• Motto Shiritai Nihongo

You can use an application or call by phone to get a taxi. You can also stop a taxi on the street and get in. When catching a taxi on the street, look at the signs in their windshields.

• 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 Nonprofit Corporation WELgee(hereafter: WELgee) offers employment-focused programs to help people who have fled their home countries and arrived in Japan (here after "internationals*") not only to wait for their refugee status to be recognized but also to rebuild their lives. We interviewed Ms. Mao Narita, a WELgee's Training Program Division Project coordinator.

• Motto Shiritai Nihongo

Bank ATMs are located in various places, such as near train stations, which is very convenient. If you understand the words for using ATMs, you will be able to use ATMs more conveniently and securely.

• Intercultural Crosstalk

We are pleased to present a 3 part series of round-table discussions among 3 people who continue to engage in "work and activities that connect their home countries with Japan". The 3 are living in Japan and are working and conducting activities that bridge their home countries and Japan in a variety of ways.

• Close UP

RMJ (Relaxing Place for All Moms in Japan) is active mainly in Katsushika City, Tokyo, to help relieve the loneliness of as many moms as possible. Their activities range from running a childcare support center that offers online consultation, to organizing social gatherings.

• Motto Shiritai Nihongo

Here are some special words that are used when attending a wedding. They will help you to be prepared.

• Intercultural Crosstalk

In the final session of our three-part series of round-table discussions with foreign restaurant owners, we asked them to talk about the "daily life of a foreign restaurant owner". They probably spend most of the day in the restaurant, since there are many tasks such as preparing food before opening and cleaning up after closing. The COVID-19 pandemic must have caused some changes in their lives as well. We asked the 3 participants, who are always busy working, to talk about their restaurant's business days and how they spend their days off.

• Close UP

TheNPO Adovo consists of high school and university students. Adovo's activities are centered on "Japanese language classes," "mingling and workshops," and, "public relations and awareness activities"; to make the lives of foreigners of the same generation who are working (or will work) as technical intern trainees in Japan, more enjoyable. The NPO Adovo has more than 120 members and has expanded its activities to include charters in the Kanto, Chubu, and Kansai regions.

• Motto Shiritai Nihongo

Credit cards offer a variety of ways to make payments and are very convenient. Here are four ways to pay when you use a credit card. *The way you use your credit card depends on your credit card company. Please read the rules of each company carefully.

• Intercultural Crosstalk

We are pleased to present a 3-part series of roundtable discussions with foreigners that are restaurant owners. The second discussion is on "Preparations for Opening a Restaurant”. The 3 of them decided to open their first restaurant in Japan. In the beginning, there were some areas they had to figure out by experimenting. They had to prepare for many things before opening the restaurant, such as what kind of restaurant to open and how to get many people to come to the restaurant. We asked the 3 to look back and talk about their experiences.

• Close UP

In 2022, the Fuchu JSL Learning Support Group was established. Later, in 2024, it changed its name to Fuchu JSL Learning Support Association and made a new start as a corporation. They support children with foreign roots and their parents or guardians by helping them learn Japanese and other subjects, so that they may live their school life without anxiety. We spoke with Ms. Sonoko Ueda, the representative, and Ms. Akane Ishibashi, a Japanese language learning supporter.

• Motto Shiritai Nihongo

If you see a car with these stickers, please be careful when driving around it. Avoid driving too close to them or cutting in front of them. If you drive dangerously around a car with these stickers, you may have to pay a fine (a fee you pay if you are not following the law). If you see those cars, please drive with a gentle heart, so that drivers of cars with those stickers may drive safely.

• Intercultural Crosstalk

We are pleased to present a three-part series of roundtable discussions with foreign residents of culinary establishments. In Tokyo, you can eat food from all over the world. It is very difficult for Japanese people to own their own restaurant, but it is a different kind of hardship for foreigners living in Japan to open and manage a restaurant. In this first issue, we will talk about opening a restaurant in Tokyo. They talked about how they came to open a restaurant in Japan, how they prepared for it, and the challenges they faced.

• Close UP

ABOT KAMAY is a volunteer group formed by people from the Philippines. All of them work as caregivers and stay active in Japanese society by helping to interpret at international events and performing dances at local festivals and welfare facilities, as well as in their communities. We interviewed the leader, Ms. Herminia Hikishima, and members, Ms. Linda Tokiwa, Ms. Mai Nishida, and Ms. Mercedes Egawa, about how ABOT KAMAY was founded, its activities, and their caregiving work.

• Motto Shiritai Nihongo

In April, many people are moving because they are entering a school or starting a new job. What kind of space do you want to live in? Here are some words to use when looking for a place to live.