No. 430 November 2023

Niigata English Journal
Edited & Issued by the Niigata City International Exchange Foundation
Mail magazine: Email us to receive this newsletter every month★★ Subscribe to stay up to date! ★★

Fun Japanese Class Social

Free Legal Consultation for Foreign Residents

Come and watch foreign students show off their Japaneseskills with speeches and presentations! There will also be
traditional music and dance performances, as well as
prizes.
Date: Nov. 4th (Sat) 13:30–15:00
Place: CrossPal 5th floor Exchange Hall
Fee: Free!
Spots available: 50 people
For more info/sign up: 025-225-2727 orkyokai@nief.or.jp

Get free consultation on work issues, contracts,financial compensation, marriage or divorce trouble,and more! If you need an interpreter, please let us know
and one will be provided for free.
Date: December 16th (Sat) 13:00 – 16:40
Location: CrossPal 2nd floor
Spots: 5 time slots (40 minutes per person)
Fee: Free!
Sign up: Call 025-225-2727 or email kyokai@nief.or.jp

Let’s Read and Play in French and Korean!

NVC (Niigata International Volunteer Center) will behosting a bazaar and festa for charity. Fair trade goods
such as clothing, household goods, and accessories will
be sold and the proceeds will benefit children withdisabilities in Vietnam, Vietnamese students in Niigata,and more.
Date: Nov. 5th (Sun) 10:00 – 17:00
Location: Pia Bandai (Pia Terrace)
Contact: NVC, TEL: 025-211-4067

Salon Exhibit: Japanese Manga & Anime in theUSA + Showa Era Japanese Anime & Manga

In honor of Culture Day (Friday, Nov. 3),
admission to 15 museums and historicalfacilities in Niigata City will be free on thisday. Some facilities have gardens whereyou can enjoy the fall foliage, so don’t missthis opportunity to learn new things andadmire some leaves (for free)!
Please visit the Niigata City website for information
on participating facilities. (Available in Japaneseonly)

The French and Korean CIRs will be reading a bookaloud in French and Korean. The Japanese version will
also be read, so don’t worry! Additionally, the CIRs willteach and play games from the France and Korea.
Date: Dec. 9th (Sat) 11:00 – 11:40
Location: Ikutopia (kodomo sozo center)
Age range: Ages 3 – 18
Fee: Free!
Sign up: No need to sign up!
Contact: Ikutopia 025-281-3715

NVC Ai no Kakehashi Bazaar and Festa

Free Admission to Museums!

This exhibit features slides from the August lecture,
as well as manga and figures from the Showa era.
Come and learn about how Japanese manga and anime
was introduced to the USA and check out the items ondisplay!
Date: Sep. 16th (Sat) – Nov. 16th (Thu) 9:00 – 17:00
Closed: Sundays, holidays, and Nov. 27th (Mon)
Location: CrossPal 2nd floor

Fall Leaf Viewing Spots in Niigata City

Here are a few locations where you can enjoy the fall colors within the city! More spots can be foundon the Niigata Prefectural Tourist Association website, as well as the current fall color status at eachlocation. (Available in Japanese only)
The Niigata Saito Villa
576 Nishi-ohatacho, Chuo Ward
Hours: 9:30 – 17:00
Fee: ¥300 adults, ¥100 children

Hakusan Park
Ichibanbori-doricho, Chuo Ward
Hours: Open 24/7
Fee: Free!

Nakano House Art Museum/
Sekiyu no Sato Park598 Kanazu, Akiha Ward
Hours: Check website for details
Fee: ¥1,000(HS students and under are free)

Mt. KakudaNishikan Ward
Hours: Open 24/7
Fee: Free!

Niigata English Journal

November 2023

Page 2

Classes
Japanese Courses offered by the Niigata City International Exchange Foundation
Beginner throughIntermediate 2-Classes of varying difficulties are available at different times throughout the week.
-Pricing info & the schedule for the current session are available on the NIEF
website: https://www.nief.or.jp/Ms. Kiyoko Tanaka
Tel: (025) 225-2727

Japanese Study Support Group for Children & Students: NicoPal Club (Free of charge)
Day of the Week & Hours
Every Wed 9:30 – 11:30*Please register beforehandEvery Sat 10:00 – 11:30*except 11/4
*Please register beforehand

RoomNo.

ContentFor more info.

202

To help students get the Japanese language skills needed to go to school in Japan.

201

This Japanese study circle offers support to children in the international
community who are struggling with Japanese and other school studies.

Ms. Kiyoko Tanaka
Tel: (025) 225-2727

International Cooking Class

Volunteer JapaneseClasses

When: Nov. 18th (Sat), Nov. 19th (Sun), Nov. 20th (Mon)
11:00-14:00
Fee: Foreign residents, students: ¥1,800
Japanese citizens ¥3,800
Menu: Christmas Party!
Roasted chicken and vegetables, hors d’oeuvres that pair well with alcohol, fisherman-style paella, panna
cotta with orange syrup, and more!

https://www.nief.or.jp/en/jcvg

Where: Ms. Ueno’s residence (3-4-16 Ogijima, Akiha Ward)
For more info/sign-up: TEL: 0250-24-6859 (Ms. Ueno) – Please sign up at least three days before class

Notices

Minimum Wage Increase!

Free Legal Consultation

Houterasu is now offering free law consultation at theMultilingual Consultation Center of Niigata. With this additionalservice, foreign residents will now be able to receive free legal
consultation every month, instead of every other month.
Appointments must be made at least 5 days in advance. Please see
the “Consultation Services” table below for more details.

As of October 1, 2023, the minimum wage
has increased from ¥890 per hour to ¥931
per hour, for a total increase of ¥41 per hour.
Contact: Niigata Labor Bureau or local
Labor Standards Inspection OfficeNiigata Sake Fair

Come and try alcoholic beverages from all around the prefecture! Featuring Japanese sake, beer, wineand more! Food vendors will also be present, so you can enjoy food along with your drinks!
Date: Nov. 3rd (Fri) 10:00 – 19:00
Location: Furumachi Mall 7, Chuo Ward
Fee: Free to attend, ¥2500 for cup, pamphlet, and tickets for sake; ¥500 for additional samples
Consultation Services
Niigata Help Association

Everyday 10:00 – 23:00
English, Spanish, Korean, Chinese, Filipino, Thai, etc.

TEL: 025-228-2212

Niigata International Association TEL: 025-241-1881
Email: nia21c@niigata-ia.or.jp URL: https://www.niigata-ia.or.jp/

Weekdays 10:00 – 17:00
English, Russian, Chinese, Filipino, Thai, Vietnamese, Spanish,Portuguese

Helpline for Foreigners

Press 2 after the Japanese guidance

TEL: 0120-279-338 (toll-free)

Niigata Medical Care Information Network

URL: http://qq.niigata-iyaku.jp/

Hello Work, Foreigner Advisory Service TEL: 025-280-8609
Niigata Misaki Godo Chosha #2 (1-2-1 Misaki-cho, Chuo Ward, Niigata City)

English, Chinese, Korean
1st – 4th Wed 13:00 – 16:00
English & Chinese

Immigration Bureau Consultation

2nd Tue. of the month (11/14) 13:00–17:00
Thai, Vietnamese, Russian

Gyoseishoshi Association of Niigata Consultation

4th Wed. of the month (11/22) 10:00–17:00
Chinese, Russian

Make a reservation by phone or email in advance.

3rd Thur. of odd numbered months (11/16)
English, Spanish, Portuguese, RussianPlace: Multilingual Consultation Center of Niigata(formerly Foreign Resident Consultation Center)(2nd floor of Toki Messe)

Free Legal Consultation for Foreign Residents
Length of Consultation: 40 minutes per person

Houterasu Free Legal Consultation for Foreign
Residents Length of Consultation: 40 minutes per person

3rd Mon. of even numbered months (12/18)
13:00 – 17:00
English, Filipino

Education Consultation

Every Tue.
13:00–17:00 English,Chinese, Thai, Vietnamese, RussianContact: TEL: 025-241-1881
Email: nia10@niigata-ia.or.jp

Edited and Issued by the Niigata City International Exchange Foundation
3-2086 Ishizuecho-dori, Chuo Ward, Niigata City 951-8055
Homepage: https://www.nief.or.jp/
Tel: (025) 225-2727
E-mail: kyokai@nief.or.jp(Written and edited by Alyssa Williams & Ayako Homma)

CrossPal will beclosed Nov. 27th