17th Industry andVol.１5
June 2017

ContentsIndustry and Culture
Fair

1

San Francisco StudyTour

2

Hue Festival Feature

3

2017 SIEA GeneralTerm Meeting andGuest Lecture

4

Events &Announcements

4

April 29, 2017
On April 29, Saijo held the Industry

many more guests this year. Childrenand Culture Fair in the Saijo Shopping

diligently created their very own totem

Arcade. At the SIEA booth, JICA intro-poles while learning about the meaning

duced the lifestyles, food and attire ofbehind Native American totem poles inpeople throughout the world on exhibi-

Diana’s workshop. Many enjoyed thetion panels. JICA members also pre-chapatti, which is similar to nan, andpared and sold East African home cook-soup full of beef and vegetables.

ing, chapatti and beef soup.
Visitors could enjoy international
teas and snacks at the international
café and try traditional ethnic clothing.

We are grateful to all of our volunteers for their support and cooperation.
Thank you!

Diana, Saijo’s CIR, led a totem poleworkshop, while AJET organized aInternational Relations

cookie-decorating station. Guests could

Saijo is a quarterly news-also experience osteopathy under aletter published in Japanese, English, and Vietnamese by the Saijo International Exchange Associ-Frenchpractitioner.

Lastly,Ehime

University exchange students from Indonesia spoke to the community aboutlife and culture in Indonesia.
This year, we had endeavored to hostation (SIEA). We welcome

an event in which everyone – volun-

your comments, questions

teers, staff members, and guests alike –and submissions.

could have a great time. We welcomed

Saijo International Exchange Association 164 Akeyashiki, Saijo City, Ehime Prefecture 〒793-8601
TEL(0897)52-1206 FAX(0897)52-1230 E-mail: kokusai@saijo-city.jp URL: http://www.saijo-iea.jp

2International Relations Saijo

San Francisco
Study Tour

15 Saijo high school students journeyed to San Francisco from March
18~28. As representatives of Saijo, the students did their best to introduce
Saijo’s charm and Japanese culture to students in America. Through thisexperience, the students have matured and grown into individuals capable ofpromoting international exchange and intercultural understanding. （ダ）While I wouldn’t say, “I am great atEnglish!” I am interested in foreigncountries, so I participated in the study
tour. I am so happy I could meet somany people in San Francisco. Rika
TatsunoThough it was difficult to express myintentions in English, I definitely felt asense of accomplishment when I could! Yuria
SatakeAs the customs are different from those in Japan, I
was perplexed at first. However, thanks to the kind
support of my host families, I enjoyed a meaningful
11 days. I am truly grateful to them. Through thisstudy tour, I learned not only about language butalso about culture and cuisine. I endeavor to use thisexperience as fuel for my future. Mayuko Murakami
My host family spoke to me using English that I
too could understand, so I had a lot of fun talking
with them. I am so happy to have had the privilegeof a home stay with such a warm, wonderful hostfamily. Mahiro Nakagawa

As it was my first time traveling abroad, I felt anxious. However, after returning home and looking backon the experience, I feel that the time I spent in San
Francisco was nothing but fun! Akari Okusako
This experience won’t go to waste. Each day we spent
together is an unforgettable treasure. Ayura Soga
I learned so many things in San Francisco, especiallyto cherish our relationships with other people. Kaito
ToyotaHaving made friends with kids in my own generation, I would be excited to collaborate on something
in the future! Misato Kuroda
Observing classes and talking to students, I experienced the atmosphere of an American high school.
Shinto Sogabe
I was impressed that students did not just listen
during classes but actively participated. Haruka
Saiki

My host family was Filipino-American. Until now,
I had never tried Filipino food nor had any interest,
but I found my host family’s cooking delicious!
Myhost family was also pleased that I could enjoy a partof their culture. Hayato Takeda
I met so many people and could feel cultural differences through our conversations. I would like tomake use of everything I learned from my experience in America. Misae Ogura
I had to express our appreciation to our hosts in
English, so I was very nervous. But knowing that I
accomplished something I had never done before in
San Francisco fills me with joy. Maria Satake
I felt the importance of communicating in English
without getting petrified by embarrassment and of challenging myself
and learning through failure. I am
grateful to the American students
who did their best to understand us.
Himeka Ochi

In America, I learned that each location and the lifestyles of each individual can differ completely because
people from various cultural backgrounds live together.
Recently, it is hardly unusual to see foreign tourists
or people coming to work in Japan. With words like“foreigner” or “different ethnicity” coming to mind,most Japanese people’s first instinct is to be wary of“difference.” Many people put up their guards and become passive. I also did not know how to approach people from different countries before I went to America.
However, in America – especially in California wherepeople of many ethnicities live – I noticed that“difference” was not paramount – that everyone is ahuman being. With people from all over the world anddiverse ways of thinking, I find America an attractive
country. I hope to share all that I have gained from thisexperience with many more people. Mayuka Kaneda

Saijo International Exchange Association 164 Akeyashiki, Saijo City, Ehime Prefecture 〒793-8601
TEL(0897)52-1206 FAX(0897)52-1230 E-mail: kokusai@saijo-city.jp URL: http://www.saijo-iea.jp

3Hue Traditional Handicraft Festival 2017！
International Relations Saijo

With disaster preparedness educational support as

theirownwashi

the impetus, Saijo City has participated in interna-cards, using multicol-tional exchange with Hue, Vietnam since 2005. This

ored stamps to createyear, Saijo joined the “Hue Traditional Handicrafts

original designs. FullFestival 2017” from April 28~May 2.

ofsmiles, everyone

About 3,000 Hue citizens and foreign tourists came

who visited our boothto enjoy our exhibition panels of Saijo’s beautiful sea-

enjoyed experiencing

sons, the “Saijo Matsuri”, and creations of washi, tra-Japanese culture.

ditional handmade Japanese paper.

The volunteer stu-

Taking commemorative photographs while wearing

dents not only helped

yukata was particularly popular among guests. As

man the exhibition but also helped us prepare andthe average age of Vietnamese citizens is in the 20s,

clean up. Their bright smiles reassured us throughout

many young girls came to the Saijo booth to take pho-

the five days.

tographs in colorful yukata!

As we will continue this cultural exchange in the

Furthermore, while looking at the Japanese charac-

future, we sincerely hope that the friendship between

ters for “Hope, dream, and love” etc., guests madeour two cities will deepen.

Commemorative Photos with Saijo
Cherry Blossom Backdrop (^^♪

Participants Enjoying Making Cards

Original Cards Made with TraditionalJapanese Paper！

※ Many thanks to the city hall personnel and SIEA members who participated and helped set up Saijo’s
exhibition booth for this year’s festival. We are in your debt!
Hue students skilled inJapanese provided reassuring support. We carried out a deeply heartwarming exchange.
Thank you! (Ms. Fujita)
I could sense warmth fromthe Vietnamese people. Vietnam is a country that I
would like to visit again andagain. I hope to deepen ourties in the future. (Mr. Ando)My second visit to Vietnam! I like it evenmore. As I introduced
Saijo to women from HoChi Minh, they gave metheir business cards andinvited me to their store♪(Mr. Teramachi)

The youth could enjoy
the international exchange trying onyukata. If I get theopportunity, I’d like toexperience more ofVietnamese culture
and lifestyle. (Ms. Aoi)

While in Vietnam, I could
sense the spiritedness of thepeople in the cities and theserenity of the countryside.
What a meaningful visit!
(Mr. Teraoka)※Using the URL below, you can view a video of the Hue Festival (Vietnamese).
http://www.trt.com.vn/TRTOnline/tabid/65/Default.aspx?CategoryId=66&ItemId=4111
Saijo International Exchange Association 164 Akeyashiki, Saijo City, Ehime Prefecture 〒793-8601
TEL(0897)52-1206 FAX(0897)52-1230 E-mail: kokusai@saijo-city.jp URL: http://www.saijo-iea.jp

4International Relations Saijo

SIEA General Term Meeting ・Guest Lecture
On May 28, SIEA held the general term meeting for2017 in the 5th-floor large conference room in Saijo
City Hall. During the meeting, we selected the newchairperson and officers, gave a report of the 2016
projects and financial statement, and discussed theplans for the 2017 projects and budget.
After the term meeting, we welcomed our lecturer,Ms. Ikuko Morikawa. Ms. Morikawa presented herlecture with this theme: “The Livelihood and Lifestyles of the Mongoli-and Mongolia. During her lecture, she introduced

antheMongolian culture and eating habits. Easy to under-

Japanese ‘Who Have’

Nomadsstand and full of humor, Ms. Morikawa’s presentationand the Mongolians

helped listeners feel more familiarity with Mongolia.

‘Who Do Not Have.’”Thank you to all the organizers and participants.

Along with her hus-This year, SIEA once again asks for everyone’s sup-bandport as we endeavor to promote international ex-who~serves

JICA, Ms. Morikawa
has lived in Nepal,
Bangladesh, Jordan,change and understanding.
(Above) SIEA’s new chairperson, Mr. Kunio Sekino(Left) Guest lecturer Ms. Ikuno Morikawa

Events & Announcements「The Aloha State: Introducing Hawaii」
University of Hawaii students, Kara and Courtney, areresiding in Ehime Prefecture this summer. They will
introduce Hawaiian culture through hula and other fun
activities! ※The event will take place in Japanese.
【Date & Time】 July 15 (Sat.) 14:00~15:30【Location】
Saijo Public Welfare Center
Kenkyushitsu 2 (3F)
【Capacity】
60 people (1st come 1st serve)【Application Period】 July 3 ~12 (Mon.~ Wed.)【Contact Person】
SIEA【Contact Number】℡ 0897-52-1206

English Course Announcement
Translation TeamDo you want to study English and improve your skills?
Join the translation team! Let’s share Saijo’s charmwith more foreign tourists and residents by translating
Saijo’s wealth of sightseeing information!
Reading Club
Striving for international exchange and cultural understanding, members of the Reading Club will read aboutand discuss the perspectives of various Americans toincrease understanding of the multicultural nation.
Courses will start mid-Sept.
(Application period: early Sept.)

International Exchange Café Opening!
The International Café is a place where Japanese and non-Japanese residents can gather and talk casually in anylanguage. Please come freely as there is no need to apply
in advance!
【Date & Time】 June 28 (Wed.) 18:00～20:00【Location】
Sangyō Jōhō Shien Center (SICS)
Kōryū Salon (1F)【Participation Fee】 300 \ (Ordinary), 200 \ (Members)【Contact Person】
SIEA
EditorNotes○This will be my last issue with the Saijo Inter-national NEWS editorial staff. I have been so happy to meet so many people and learn new things
through SIEA. Thank you! (今)○After changing departments, I have joined the Saijo International NEWS staff. I can only speak Shū-sō Ben, but I will
do my best! Nice to meet everyone! (寺)International Relations Saijo Staff
Yuki Teraoka (寺）Miho Ishimura (石）
Read in fullTruong Dinh Le （レ）Diana Marie Linton (ダ）color！
(English Translation)
Mamiko Imai (今）Saijo International Exchange Association 164 Akeyashiki, Saijo City, Ehime Prefecture 〒793-8601
TEL(0897)52-1206 FAX(0897)52-1230 E-mail: kokusai@saijo-city.jp URL: http://www.saijo-iea.jp