FUCHU Multicultural Center DIVE ~ Providing Support to Foreign Residents and Promoting Intercultural Understanding ~

"FUCHU Multicultural Center DIVE," located in the Fuchu City Civic Activity Center PLATZ, was created as a place where citizens and people with foreign roots can interact mutually. In April 2022, the name of the facility was changed from "Fuchu International Exchange Salon DIVE" to the current name. The facility is now trying to expand its activities as a facility that promotes multiculturalism in Fuchu City, including a focus on the support for foreign residents.

A place in front of the station where you can ask for advice at any time.

FUCHU Multicultural Center DIVE (hereafter referred to as DIVE) is located on the 5th floor of a building adjacent to Fuchu Station, in the Fuchu City Civic Activity Center PLATZ. DIVE is the center's nickname, derived from diversity and dive.

Currently, DIVE has three main activities:

Mr. Subaru Sekiya, the coordinator, says, "There are approximately 5,000 foreign residents living in Fuchu City (as of April 2022). As the number of foreign residents is expected to increase in the future, we would like to provide a place where we can always offer consultation and support for the problems foreign residents have in their daily lives." For foreign residents, having a place where they may seek advice at any time provides a sense of security. Moreover, a station front has the great advantage of being easily reachable even for new residents.

Easily Obtain Information from the Official LINE Account

DIVE offers information to foreign residents through its official LINE account. The trigger for them to start using it was the start of the COVID-19 vaccination program. "We were aware of the issue that the information was only available in Japanese. We wanted to make it easier for foreign residents who wanted to be vaccinated, so we started sending out information and offering consultation services through LINE last July. Currently, we have about 200 registered users. We realize that there are many foreigners seeking information," says Mr. Sekiya. In addition to this, DIVE also provides real-time information on their SNSs and website, not only for foreigners living in Japan but also about events and activities organized by DIVE.

There is a great need for consultation services for foreign residents.

The consultation services for foreign residents have just started in April. "We are still in the process of developing our services, however, we have foreign residents visiting us frequently. The nature of the consultations varies from how to apply for public housing, to how to find a job for their wives," said Mr. Keita Sakurai, the manager. Sometimes they have visitors who do not speak Japanese at all. "The other day, we used Google Translate to communicate with a foreigner who wanted to book an appointment for a vaccination. Somehow, we were able to make the reservation, and the person showed us a Japanese translation of his words that said, you were very helpful," Mr. Sakurai says happily.

DIVE has a staff of seven, including part-time workers, and everyone can speak at least one foreign language. Currently, six languages are available: English, Spanish, Italian, Chinese, Korean, and Thai.

Providing Opportunities for Multicultural Experiences in a Variety of Forms

To realize a multicultural society, it is essential for each citizen to have an understanding of different cultures. DIVE provides Japanese residents with various opportunities to experience different cultures, and "Language Café" is one of those opportunities. They hold "English Conversation Café" to enjoy conversations in English with English speakers living in Fuchu City, and "Korean Language Cafe" to enjoy learning Korean with international students from Tokyo University of Foreign Studies. "Korean language cafe is very popular these days. This is probably due to the influence of Korean dramas and K-POP. Most of the participants are women. They all seem to enjoy speaking Korean."

"We believe that letting people know that people from different cultural backgrounds are living nearby as citizens of the same city is necessary as the basis for interculturalsociety," says Mr. Sekiya. An event called "Peek into the World," in which international students - and people who have stayed in various places around the world - introduce the culture of those countries, is also very popular.

"We want to create more opportunities where Japanese and foreign residents interact with each other," Mr. Sakurai says. DIVE would also like to promote a program called "Let's Learn World Cuisine," in which foreign residents would teach cooking.

Firmly Establishing a System to Support Foreign Residents

We asked Mr. Sekiya about DIVE's future plans. "We would like to maintain the content of the information (we provide) as well as the method of distribution so that we will be able to ensure that the aforementioned information is delivered to as many foreign residents as possible. In addition, to function properly as a consultation service, we must increase the number of contacts with whom we can connect regarding the consultations we receive. We also believe it is important to build solid relationships with the people in charge of the connections."

At this time, Fuchu City has decided to provide support for Ukrainian evacuees, and DIVE has been assigned to serve as a consultation service. DIVE is preparing to provide consultation to those who have fled to Fuchu City. So, Mr. Sakurai and other Japanese staff members began learning the Ukrainian language and culture, by taking online classes at the Tokyo University of Foreign Studies, which is located in Fuchu City. DIVE's attitude of establishing warm relationships that transcend language and culture elevates Fuchu City to a more and more multicultural state.

*This article is based on information available at the time of the interview. For the latest information, please contact the organization directly.