Tsunagarou Kai Multicultural Japan ～Connecting People and Thoughts Through Teamwork Utilizing the Perspectives of Participants with Foreign Roots～

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.

 

Starting Volunteer Activities in Japan After experiencing the Great Hanshin Earthquake

Ms. Marcia Chikaraishi, a second-generation Japanese-Brazilian, came to Japan in 1994, to pursue graduate studies at Kobe University. The following year, the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake struck, and she witnessed panic and confusion among foreign residents. Despite facing some difficulties (water and gas had been cut off, and there was only electricity), Marcia san participated in volunteer activities and translated Japanese news. During her volunteer work, she realized that even when assistance is provided, the information does not reach foreigners who need it, due to language barriers. The tragedy triggered Marcia san's volunteer activities in Japan.

 

Marcia san also realized that even though support organizations had the desire to help foreigners in need, there was a gap between them. "I felt that because the roles of 'supporters' and 'supported' were fixed, preconceptions and misunderstandings caused discrepancies between the support provided and foreign residents' real needs. As I could understand both sides, I realized that including the perspective of all people concerned, I could help and connect both sides, so I founded the organization," says Marcia san. Currently, people of all different ages, from their 30s to 80s, and with diverse roots ranging from Brazil, Guatemala, Germany, Indonesia, China and Japan, participate in the NPO's activities.

 

Publishing Information in Multiple Languages on Facebook to Reach Those Who Need It

 

The name of the organization, Tsunagarou Kai (tsunagarou = let's get connected), is an implicit call to all wishing to connect. "Multicultural Japan" has been added to the organization's name so that people who do not understand Japanese can feel they are welcome too.
Tsunagarou Kai provides information in multiple languages, mainly on Facebook, to support foreigners. Tsunagarou Kai also provides various information necessary for foreign residents, such as notification of place of residence, how to proceed with residence procedures and information on the Foreign Language Human Rights Consultation Dial in plain Japanese, English, Spanish, Portuguese and, whenever possible, in other languages as well.

 

Many people who have seen Tsunagarou Kai on Facebook or learned about them through word of mouth have called the organization for various consultations.
"We consulted more than 260 cases in FY2024. People come to us for counseling on poverty, child-rearing, loneliness and isolation, and also human rights issues such as discrimination; not only from foreigners but also from Japanese nationals," says Marcia san. Tsunagarou Kai utilizes the network it has built through its volunteer activities to introduce public agencies, other organizations, and facilities.
"When we are not able to help, we try our best to connect (people) to organizations that we can trust. I feel that the consultations and issues we receive are not simple and are becoming more complex. So, a network is extremely important," says Marcia san.

 

Getting to Know Each Other's Culture at International Exchange Events

Tsunagarou Kai collaborates with various organizations to hold international exchange events that provide an opportunity for everyone, including foreigners, to join the local community.
They held a cooking class of Brazilian cuisine using vegetables grown in Hachioji and conducted international exchanges at a children's cafeteria and a facility for people with disabilities.
In the course of their activities, the members realized that it is important not only to introduce foreign cultures, but at the same time to make foreigners familiarize themselves with Japanese culture. "Knowing each other's cultures changes the way we see things a little bit and breaks down some of the barriers each of us has," says Marcia san.

 

Surprisingly, many of the participants in the event to learn about Japanese culture and cuisine in a fun way, were Japanese, who inquired if they could join an event. The events were attended by people of many nationalities, including Japanese. "At first, I thought only foreigners would come, but I was surprised to see so many Japanese people come as well. We now have many repeat attendees" says Marcia san.

Creating Places Where a Diverse Range of People can Comfortably Participate

Once a month, Tsunagarou Kai holds "Sekai to Tsunagaroukai?! (Let's connect with the world)" at "Oyako Tsudoino Hiroba Azumacho Kurichan Hiroba" for children aged 0 to 3, and their parents.
The program includes learning foreign language greetings, reading picture books in multiple languages, experiencing Brazilian musical instruments, drawing, and singing fingerplay songs in foreign languages. Participants play together with their children and then feel free to talk about parenting after that. "We would be happy if mothers could chat with a diverse group of people and enjoy raising their children without worrying about it alone," says Marcia san.

In addition, "Exchange Meetings" are held to discuss child-rearing and education, as well as to conduct cultural exchange meetings. Foreign Language Chat Time allows participants to experience English, Spanish, Portuguese, and other languages for a fee of 500 yen. In addition to those with foreign roots, the Foreign Language Chat Time is attended by Japanese people who have lived abroad, as well as students and those raising children. There have been requests from people with foreign roots to create a Japanese-language chatting group, and Tsunagarou Kai is currently considering holding one.

 

Understanding Each Other and Creating a Positive Society

Tsunagarou Kai is developing various activities based on the three pillars of "support," "awareness," and "interaction," in order to realize an inclusive society. All activities are run by volunteers.
Although they originally started with a small number of members, the circle has gradually expanded and currently has more than 20 members involved in its activities. Members constantly share their ideas and opinions about future activities.
"(Our activities are operated by) volunteers, so those who can, do what they can, do whenever they can. We believe that society will gradually change if people with the same thoughts and ideas as ours participate in our activities like ours. We would be happy if our members found our activities meaningful and continue to work with us."

Marcia san continues: "I myself have suffered from cultural differences, discrimination, and hardships. In Japan, there is a unique way of communication, and it is difficult to read between the lines. We believe that by creating opportunities to understand each other, we can move closer to an inclusive and positive society. I hope to expand this circle of inclusion a little bit further each year."

The warm and positive power of Tsunagarou Kai is spreading beyond Hachioji, involving a diverse range of people.

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