The Newsletter for Foreign Residents

September 2019 Vol.70<People> Interview････P1
Be fully prepared for disasters!!
････P2,3
Let’s support the Victorina Himeji!
････P4
The 24th Himeji International
Friendship Festival････P5
Announcements & Letter from the Editor ････P6
Himeji Cultural and International Exchange Foundation– newsletter editing volunteers
http://www.himeji-iec.or.jp＜People>Mr. Marcin Drozdowski

Mr. Marcin is from Poland. His hometown is Bialystok, which is north-eastof the capital Warsaw, two hours away by car. There are many lakes andhistorical buildings in the area. He now lives in Japan with his Japanese wife.
Q: Please tell me your story before coming to Japan.
A: I studied philosophy and psychology in a Polish university and got an
accreditation of Library and Information Science. After that, I then worked
as an engineer at an EU facility in Poland.
When I was 24 years old, I moved to England. I worked as an architect and had a talent forpainting. I had some distinguished clients. I met a beautician working in London and married
her eleven years ago.
Q: What are your impressions of Japan?
A: We came to Himeji, my wife’s hometown, this April. When I saw the workers cleaning the cars ina Shinkansen station, I was surprised to find how quickly and efficiently they were exchanging
seat-covers and wiping away the dust in the cars. People also separate the daily household
rubbish very carefully in Japan. I think Japan is a very clean country.
Recently I made a trip to Shikoku and Chugoku districts with my wife. I was very impressed by
the beautiful scape of the small islands in the Setonaikai Sea, where the sea and the sky werecombined to form one great scenery. Everything seemed quite new and pretty to me, but it wasquite natural to my wife because she was born and raised in Japan. The difference between ourimpressions is very interesting.
Q: What are your hobbies?
A: I have many hobbies. I like to watch movies, and to appreciate art. As for music, I like rock music.
In addition to these hobbies, I have been self-studying computer programming.
Q: Please tell me your view for the future.
A: I have been interested in philosophy and psychology, and I have read some books written by Platoand so on. I hope to write books myself in the future.

-1-Be fully prepared for disasters!!
“VIVA! ひ め じ ” repeatedly reports on disaster prevention, but large-scaledisasters frequently occurs. You can never be too prepared ahead of time to save you
and your family’s lives. Let’s check if you are prepared enough for disaster riskmanagement.

1. Understand disaster information.
Japan Metrological Agency and local governments have newly classified disaster alert levels into
5 different categories. Alert level 5 means the disaster is happening already. You should begin
appropriate action before a level 5 disaster is announced.
ActionAlert level
5
Risk

Provided information

Save your life

・Warning of occurring disaster

Evacuate immediately

・避難指示(Hinan Shiji)（緊 急 ）ひ なん しHigh

じきんきゅう-Evacuation order (Urgent)4

ひ なん かんこく・避難勧告(Hinan Kankoku)-Evacuation recommendation
Evacuate

immediatelyforindividuals who require time3

ひ なんじゅん び・避難 準 備(Hinan Junbi)-Preparation for evacuation
・Evacuation recommendation forto evacuate.
Get ready for the Evacuationelder and disabled people2Confirmation of evacuation

・Warning

1

Watch the latest news

・Early stage notice and information※1, 2 announced by Japan Metrological Agency, 3～5 by local governments

2. Prepare emergency suppliesValuables□Cash □Bankbook □Personal seal (Inkan) □Driver’s license□Medical insurance card □Passport □Residence card

Food supplies□Canned foods or instant foods (do not have to cook)

Medical supplies□First aid kit □Household medicines □Special medicines

Daily necessities□Clothing (Underwear, shirts, pants) □Towels □Tissues□Menstrual supplies □Baby supplies (including diapers)

Others□Handheld radio □Flashlight □Batteries□Spare batteries or manual generator □Safety covering □Helmet

3. Check stockpile□Retort□Pregelatinized rice

□Supplements□Tank for drinking water □Paper dishes and cups □Cling film
□Portable gas stove□Dry Shampoo□Toiletries□Tissue papers□Wet tissues□Plastic bags
-2-

□Drinking water(3ℓ per a day/person)□Portable toilet

★It is necessary to prepare food supplies and water for 3 days at least. Stockpile periodically andrefill what has been consumed on a regular basis.

4. Download applications for preventing disasters.
<National evacuation guide>〇You can look up the nearest shelters and evacuation areas or places〇Push notifications for evacuation recommendation, evacuation orders’information, earthquake information, Tsunami information andAndroid

national support guidance, etc.
〇You can register and confirm your safety from your current locationand check the safety situation of the others.

iOS〇Displays the distance and routes to evacuation places.
〇Displays hazard map and active faults〇Updates on Twitter and translated in various languages (English, Chinese and Korean)<Hyogo Disaster Prevention Network>
Provides information on disaster preparation or evacuation
announced by Hyogo Prefecture and the local governments inAndroid

Hyogo. The information is also available in 13 languages(English, Chinese, Spanish, Portuguese, Vietnamese and others)<Hazard map>
Displays various risks for disasters including floods, landslides,
high tides and Tsunamis. Be sure to confirm the risks on the route
you usually take (i.e. your home, evacuation shelter, office, schoolsor shops)

iOSHyogo pref.
Hazard map
Himeji citysite

There is the booklet of the words used in evacuation shelters with the translation in 13 languages
at each evacuation site. Make use of them.
We should remember to “Save your life by yourself”. Work with your neighbors in daily life toprepare for an urgent situation. More information can be found by referring to special topics in“VIVA! ひめじ” vol. 50/51 published in October, 2014. You can browse VIVA back numbers on websiteof Himeji Cultural and International Exchange Foundation.
(http://www.himeji-iec.or.jp/viva_himeji.html)
Himeji Bousai PLAZA (located 1F at Himeji City Bousai Center) provides
simulated disasters experience and resources on preparation measures for free. Itis recommended to visit once.
(http://www.city.himeji.lg.jp/syoubou/plaza.html)-3-

Let’s support the Victorina Himeji!
Japan’s

professional

volleyballleague,the“V.

LEAGUE 2019-20”, is scheduled to start in October. The
Victorina Himeji won the V2 league last season, so thisseason they are going to play in the V1 league for thefirst time.
We interviewed with Ms. Sakie Takahashi, the newcaptain of the Victorina Himeji.

Q. What is the team like?
Our team is very lively and energetic. Most of our members are young andunique. When they score a point in the match, they cheer to encourage
the team.

Q. What is the goal of this season?
Our goal is to win the V1 league. Therefore, we are going to make every
effort to improve the level of both individuals and the team before theseason starts. We would like to show our gratitude for those who help

Sakie Takahashi

and support us by successfully as a professional team.

Position: LiberoQ. Could we have any message to foreign residents?
I am interested in foreign cultures and their volleyball. People from other countries are very goodat expressing themselves, and I respect them for that. Foreign players do not just listen to others
but also have their own opinions, which makes them strong. Even within the same sports, theplaying styles are very different in Japan when compared to other countries. We play volleyballwhile always thinking how a team with short players can beat overseas team with tall players.
Home games of the Victorina Himeji will be held in Himeji in November and December. So pleasecome to see our games at the venue and support us!
◎ Home games held at Wink Gymnasium（Himeji City Central Gymnasium）
DateStart Time

VS.

Nov. 16 (Sat)2:00 p.m.

Hisamitsu Springs

Dec. 28 (Sat)

1:00 p.m.

NEC Red Rockets

Dec. 29 (Sun)1:00 p.m.

Okayama Seagulls※Tickets can be purchased at the official website of the Victorina Himeji.
Please check the official website (https://victorina-vc.jp) to see player stats and othergame schedules. You can access from the QR code on the right.

-4-The 24th Himeji International Friendship Festival
The Himeji International Friendship Festival, which
is a familiar autumn event in Himeji, will also be held
this year. Let’s travel the world through foods andculture in Otemae Park.
Date: October 27, 2019 (Sun) / 10 a.m. ～ 3 p.m.
※The event will go ahead even if it rains.
Place: Otemae Park
(10mins walk toward north from Himeji Station)

🍴Eat “World Cuisines”
Enjoy 15 different kinds of dishes from 12 countries. French crepes and Bangladeshi curry are
new dishes this year. 1 plate is 200 yen. Tickets will be on sale from 11 a.m. The booth will close
when the tickets are sold out.
French Crepes

Bangladeshi Curry

The authentic taste ofSmooth-spicy curry.

France that makes

There is hidden flavor

everyone smile.

in the accompanyingyogurt.

🎵 Watch “Stage Performances”
On the stage, grade school students with Vietnamese roots will perform “Mua Lan”. Folk dancesand Music from around the world, as well as performances such as fruit carving of Thailand, will
also be performed. Foreign residents will also introduce their own culture.

🌏Play / Experience “Cross-cultural Experience”〇 Try on & be photographed in international clothing (300 yen, Parent-child pair 500 yen).
Hawaiian “Muu muu”, Japanese “Yukata”, etc.
〇 Aboriginal Art, Face Painting (150 yen each)〇 Language Courses (about 10mins)(150 yen each)
Mini lessons of Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, and English.
〇 Japanese Tea Ceremony (300 yen)🎤Interact “Multicultural Space”
We will hold workshops to deepen our international cultural understanding through games andother materials – Ice-Breaking and “Hyoutanjima Mondai” will be used as the teaching materials.
Anyone is welcome.

-5-

☆Announcements from the Himeji Cultural and International Exchange Foundation■Recruitment of Lecturers for International Understanding Delivery Course
The Himeji Cultural and International Exchange Foundation has provided “lectures forinternational understanding” to deepen the knowledge and understanding of overseas lives andforeign cultures. We have programs to dispatch foreign residents and Japanese residents who had
lived overseas for more than a year to elementary, junior and high schools, public halls, etc., in order
to introduce foreign life, cultures, games and simple greetings. The lecture time will be one and ahalf hours at most.
Do you want Himeji citizens to learn about your country through these courses? If you areinterested, please contact us using the information below.

◇◆◇Letter from the Editor◆◇◆It's almost the end of a hot summer. Did you know that the Rugby World Cup, held once every fouryears, have been held in Japan this year? Intense battles will take place at 12 venues nationwide
have started this September 20. I would like to enthusiastically support the rugby players, and I am
hoping to see exciting games like the one the Japan team played last World Cup in the South Africa.
Let's get excited again this fall!

Disaster Prevention Vocabulary of This Issue
ひ なん避難Hinan：Evacuation
ひ なんじょEx) 避 難 所

Hinan-jo：Evacuation Shelter

Translators and Proofreaders
English：Masahisa Tominaga, Megumi Itani, Satoko Takimoto, Rosie Okabe,Toshinori Toda, Nicole Collins
Chinese：Hong Yuying, Mika Tsuda, Yuka Fukunaga, Eigun Hashimoto, Han Feili, Zeng Ning
Spanish：Joshua Maldonado, Kenichiro Shimizu, Lucrecia Hashizumi
Portuguese：Nelson S. Nishimura, Yu Yamamoto, Misaki Nagao, Rose Ichii, Seidi Osato
Vietnamese：Pham Thi Minh Xuan, Hoang Nam Phuong, Misa Kayama, Le Van Hao
Dang Van Lam, Pham Thi Thu Trang
These names are used with the contributors’ permission.
Their assistance is much appreciated.
You can read back issues of “VIVA! ひめじ” on the website of the Himeji Cultural and International
Exchange Foundation (International Exchange Section) (http://www.himeji-iec.or.jp/).
The next issue of “VIVA! ひめじ” will be available in December. Don’t miss it! We welcome yourcomments and suggestions.
We are always looking for translators and native speakers to assist us with translating andproofreading upcoming editions of “VIVA! ひめじ”. If you are interested, please contact us at thefollowing address.
Contact Information
Himeji Cultural and International Exchange Foundation
3rd floor, Egret Himeji, 68-290 Honmachi,Himeji City, Hyogo 670-0012
TEL : 079-282-8950 FAX : 079-282-8955
Email: info@himeji-iec.or.jp-6-