Vol.

18
2019. 9Published by The Niigata International Association (NIA)

On the Cover . . .

Images and Messages by
our featured young people about
our multicultural world.

（Top left）

International Student Exchange Club Member, University of Niigata
Prefecture, Jin Yan Pin（Top right） International Student Exchange Club Member, Nagaoka University,
Gombo Solongo（Lower right） International Student Exchange Club Member, Niigata Sangyo University,
Rahman Md Atikur（Lower left） Cross-talk guest, Erika Shinoda

Contents
FeatureCross-Talk: Multicultural Co-existence

Hiroshi Sasaki, Professor, Niigata University of International and Information Studies,
Mutsuko Sato, Secretary General, Joetsu International Network,
Erika Shinoda, Student, University of California at Santa Barbara (UCSB)

2■We’re coming to visit you! Let’s check out a company
Fujii Corporation Co., Ltd. Rajkumar Khumukcham …………………………………………………………………………………………… 5■International Student Exchange Club Member “ Team BEGIN” What we want you to know ………………………… 6■NIA INFO：Report on the Heilongjiang Provincial Speech Contest held in China……………………………………………………… 7

FeatureMulticultural
C o - e x i s t e n c e

Multicultural Co-existence
People with different nationalities or ethnicities
reco g nizin g each other’s dif ferences, andstriving to f orm close relationships and live
together.

（Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications）

As foreign residents increase in Niigata Prefecture, how should the region accept and create an environment that promotes mutual
understanding? We talked to Prof. Sasaki, Ms. Sato, and Ms. Erika Shinoda, all active in international fields, about the key word
"multicultural co-existence" and touched on topics such as cross-cultural understanding and tips on how we can contribute to therealization of a multicultural society in the future.
exchange opportunities such as World Camp and various“Discovering your true
self -identity is the firststep to self-affirmation”

education programs for the people of Joetsu. We also support
foreigners in the city with Japanese language classes andconsultation services. Furthermore, we provide a place for all kindsof people to gather – it is said that this place is for people who are
unique, myself included, to get together.

佐々木
Sasaki

Hiroshi寛

Q：Foreign residents in Niigata are increasing. In 2015, 13,493,
or 0.58% of the population were from overseas. In 2018 that
number rose to 15,810 or 0.7%. In just 3 years, Niigata’s
population has decreased by 2% but the number of foreigners
has grown 14%. Have you felt any changes?

Q：Please share with us your activities and initiatives.
Prof. Sasaki： I teach courses related to international studies towith the theme of "outside of the border". Students are beginningundergraduates at the Niigata University of International andto realize that the international community is something very close

C

Information Studies. I am also involved in the international

to them. Students are taking their own initiative to meet people

CCCCC

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Professor,
Faculty of International Studies,
Niigata University ofInternational and Information
StudiesProf. Sasaki： NIA’s facilitator project has had many workshops※

headed by the NIA. We send college students

and to develop more workshop materials. Slowly but surely the

into elementary, junior and senior high schools to learn together

idea of which has been common in Japan, having a clear line thatfacilitator projectby sharing information. Many questions in international

foreigners are outsiders, is fading. I have also noticed that in theunderstanding studies do not have clear answers, so the college

convenience stores, more and more non-Japanese people are

students become a driving force and use facilitator techniques toworking part time.

explore cultures and exchange views in a fun setting.
Ms. Shinoda： In Minami Uonuma, a place for IT companies to※ S ince 2005, in cooperation with 5 universities in Niigata, NIA
trains students as facilitators for international exchange andunderstanding, and dispatches them to various schools forworkshops on international understanding.

gather was created. People with strong backgrounds in sciences
and IT related companies can come together to collaborate, and it
is very near my home. So now you can see foreigners that are notassociated with IUJ in the area. Often the foreigners in the area

Ms. Shinoda： I just finished my sophomore year at the University

bring their families too, and it is fun to see children from all overof California at Santa Barbara. I was born and raised in Niigata, andthe world playing with each other.

lived in Minami Uonuma city through high school. I am now
studying Communication and Theater at college. My parents work

Prof. Sasaki： It has become commonplace to see at least one non-at IUJ, the International University of Japan, also in Minami

Japanese student in the class where the facilitator projects are run.

Uonuma, so since I was very young I have been involved withpeople from other countries, and have seen close up how

Ms. Sato： In Joetsu City as well, the same can be said, however

foreigners in this area are living. Currently I am active with an NPO

the trend took a deep drop after the Lehman Shock. Prior to thecalled Ryugaku Fellowship, which gives workshops to junior andLehman Shock we had many foreigners coming as spouses of local

high school students about the possibilities of studying abroad.

people (migration through marriage) and newcomers from Brazil

Ms. Sato： I am the Secretary General of Joetsu International

network and share information about where it is good to live andNetwork, which started out offering Japanese language classes.

work, etc. More recently many are coming in with companies. Withand Peru (arriving after the 1980s). These newcomers have a wide2

The Association used to fall under the prefecture and city

this, areas that are not used to having foreigners near are finding

governments, but became independent 15 years ago, and is now

problems within the schools, neighborhood associations, etc. We

a Public Interest Incorporated Association. We offer cross-cultural

have stories of people seeing foreigners near the garbage stations

and become afraid to take their garbage out, or concerns about“Find strength fromforeign people.
Thanks to them, we canfeel free to express ourown heartfelt opinions.”

foreigners not handling garbage properly themselves. I feel thatthe local people probably have changed more than the newly
arriving foreigners with the increasing presence of foreigners.

Q：Shinoda-san, you had a relatively international upbringing
through high school and are now studying abroad. Has your佐藤

impression about what studying abroad would be like changed

睦子

Sato Mutsuko

from before going and now?

After working as an elementary
school teacher, a junior highschool teacher, an international
exchange volunteer, and aJapanese language volunteer, Ms.

Ms. Shinoda： Looking different in Japan gave me a bit of acomplex, but in the US it is much easier being different. While inJapan, I felt my hair was too curly and too brown. Just because I

Sato is now the Secretary Generalof Joetsu International Network.

can speak English better than others I stood out, and people would
stare at me just because I was shopping with my mom. I thought,
when I was little, that living here is a little uncomfortable. But whenare born and raised here, stay here, and things are consistent. It is

I became a high school student, even the local grocery store

as if we are living in a barrel or an invisible bubble. Some young

starting carrying spices and ingredients from overseas and it

people are diversifying though. While some jump out, others want

started to feel like more and more acceptance for differences wasto stay in the secure bubble. The latter are still more common.

coming. Now, studying overseas, I am seen as a Japanese girl, andThese people are becoming more introverted and shutting out

not as an American. I thought maybe the same thing would

things that are different from themselves. This is a worry point

happen: me being different from others and stand out negatively.

about the Japanese society and young people today.

However, the University of California Santa Barbara, where I am
now a student, has many Japanese Americans, and people of all

Ms. Sato： Good point. Here there seems less of an opportunity tothink about your own path. I wonder if this is a bi-product of anisland nation.

felt this aspect is different than here in Japan. When I was a little
girl, I was seen as a half American kid and told that I was different

Q： Building toward a society of multicultural co-existence isfrom everyone else. Because I heard it a lot, I could not help think

important. But what happens next?
Prof. Sasaki： As Shinoda-san mentioned, there are many layers ofpart of myself away. But when I went to the US I felt “Oh maybe I

who you are inside of yourself. You are not just one identity. For

truly am fully Japanese!” My heart wants to stay with Japan. In theexample, those from the same Niigata prefecture are different if

US, we talk about how your identity is determined – racial

you are from Joetsu or Shibata. For example, I was born in Shikoku,

background, environment you are raised in, etc. But I don’t hearbut I grew up in Kanto and then came to Niigata, and now I

things like that being talked about in Japan.

identity as someone from Niigata. If you think like that, living with

Prof. Sasaki： In the US, everyone is known as a “something”

kinds of people. If you don’t first recognize that, you will not see

American. Almost everywhere else in the world, it is unusual forthat those around you are different than yourself. So it is importantthe nationality to associate with the roots of their ancestors. That is

to see the diversity within yourself as a first step. Doing so makes

because people are mobile. But still in Japan, people think that you

room for you to not only accept your differences, but also theC

CC C C

that about myself as well. But then I thought about my Mom’s
American roots, and I knew it was important not to just throw that

CCCCC

different heritages. So it didn’t matter where I was from, or what I
looked like, I was able to be seen as an equal from day one. I really“foreigners” is not new, as we already live with lots of different

differences in others and that can lead to multicultural existence.

“Be courageous tocommunicate: Even just asingle word is good.
We want to hear you!”

信田
Shinoda

絵里香

Erika

Born in Minami Uonuma,
Niigata Prefecture, graduatedfrom a local high school, andnow studies at the Universityof California, Santa Barbara, on
a scholarship supported by the
Yanai Tadashi Foundation. Her
mother is from the USA.
(Cover photo · lower left)

This is called “inner internationalization” and that will be ourchallenge going forward. As we talked about earlier, Shinoda-san isstill seen as a special person, but she should just be part of thenorm as our world globalizes. But the deep concern is that not
only in Japan, but across the globe, the tendency is to keep within
our comfort zones, shutting the world out. But as we look at
ourselves, we must acknowledge that we are always changing,
and we must stay open to that and allow our identities to be
recreated now and near future.
Ms. Sato： This is a wonderful idea you shared with us. To be able
to evaluate ourselves, find our self esteem, and see how we aredifferent than when we were young, and to find value in who weare.
（continued on the next page）

3

Prof. Sasaki： Each one of us is a unique person on this earth,

Prof. Sasaki： Yes, we can say people are travelers, or rather

and we cannot fit into any one category. In the future, I believe

unique people, but I want to say that we are all world travelers.

we will live in a society where we will all see each other as a very

Then when we meet each other during our travels and canspecial and unique individuals.

simply greet each other with a hello. It would be nice if we could
come together that smoothly.

Ms. Sato： I wish to get rid of the notion that I am safe if I am thesame as everyone else. Just because you are the same as another,

Q： Please share your message to young people heading into

doesn’t mean everything is OK. I think there are too many people

their future.

who feel they have to go to school, or have to be like thosearound themselves and grow up denying who they really are.

Ms. Sato： Recognize the diversity within you. I want you toexperience many things in many ways. I want you to meet lots of

Ms. Shinoda： The seeds for that are planted from elementary

different kinds of people. Make friends with foreigners. Part ofschool. We have to wear set uniforms, yellow hats, carry themulticultural co-existence is making at least one foreign friend.

designated school bags. And if a friend has a new cute pencil

Then, you will feel that we are the same. Our role is to create abox, everyone else would want that too. When it feels impossible

place for such friendships to be able to grow.

to be different, you want to fit in by having and doing the sameas others. If kids could have the opportunity to choose more

Ms. Shinoda： I think young people now have a bigger problem

freely, this could change. For example, recently kids have morewith communicating than with judging by appearance. A lot of

options to choose the color of their school bag to show some ofJapanese people think they have to be perfect when they talk,※and if they make a mistake with language they will feel ashamed.

food, and a local hot spring inn is caring for religions that cannot

This is a big barrier. It is okay if your English is elementary orshow much skin. I wish that local people could realize that local

middle school level, and it is okay if it is not perfect. Just use theplaces are beginning to accept foreigners, and feel more natural

words you know and try. I am sure the person listening will help

in accepting different cultures coming in. My mother always says

figure out your meaning. Or, just try speaking to them in simple

that asking a foreigner “where are you from?” as the very firstJapanese and it will make the difference. Don’t try for perfection

conversation just makes that person feel like an outsider. It isin communicating, but have the will to want to communicate. I

hard, as you may be curious of their nationality, but it is better tothink if you go to a foreign country to live, you will want people

start the conversation like “it’s a nice day today” or something

to talk to you. Put yourself in the other’s shoes and try to feel howthat you usually talk about with Japanese people. Then, maybe

it would be like to be a foreigner here in Japan. In this way I think

ask their nationality. I hope someday, Niigata prefecture andyou will naturally become aware of what you can do.

CC C C

their own individuality. My local store is beginning to sell halal

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Japan becomes a society that does not draw a line between
insiders and outsiders.
※ I n Islamic law, items permitted to be eaten are called halal.
Foods with alcohol, pork or pork-derived ingredients, andthose that have not been processed according to Islamic law
are called halam and are prohibited, so beef or chicken
without a Halal certification cannot be eaten.

Prof. Sasaki： I want to say that the world is bigger than you canimagine. You might think that adults are like this, and the world is
like that, but the world is so so much bigger than that. So breakout of your shell and go see the world. As Shinoda-san said, goout, meet people, talk to them, and you will find yourself andgrow as a person. You will find that a new and exciting life is
waiting for you. You can choose to either hide in your shell, or

Ms. Sato：In Joetsu, there is a phrase “Tabi no Mon” – meaning a

break out of it and explore – it’s one or the other. There is no

traveler. I am from Tochigi Prefecture, so I am a traveler. Indeed, it

middle ground. In order for you to find a happy and rewarding

would be wonderful if we could start a conversation withlife, break out of your shell and toss away your preconceptions,something besides “Where are you from?”

close your eyes and jump into the world and diversity. I just know
you will have a better time.
Ms. Sato： So many different kinds of people are coming fromoverseas, and they are so energetic! We can get power fromthem. It is okay if you feel that when you are with themsomething is a bit different and that you are not the same. For
many Japanese, saying that a person is different is implying anegative image. After I started to work here, I could open myheart and feel comfortable saying that different is okay. You don’t
need to go abroad, but you can try to look at things objectively. It
is great to just get out there, challenge something new. Try a newthing -even a small one- and the world will become bigger for
you!

4

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In this column, we interview foreign nationals employed in companies in Niigata.
We look at the cultural differences in work cultures, how the person is fitting in to

For life in Niigata,
I recommend getting adriver’s license.
I enjoy going on drives on
my days off.

My friends at thecompany call me
Bobo!

Q：Please tell us about your current work.

spend their working days and holidays as they feel engage with multiculturalism.

Introducing

Rajkumar Khumukcham , from India
andhis company Fujii Corporation

my hometown, I entered the University ofDelhi (Japanese Language and Culture
course for 1 year). I visited the JapanFoundation in Delhi and saw a brochure
about the International University of Japan(IUJ) in Minami Uonuma. I applied!
Q：What surprised you about Niigata?

Q：Please give a message to others wanting
to work at a Japanese company, and sharewith us your future goals.

The snow!! I saw snow for the first time in
Niigata. My dorm room on campus was on
the first floor, so the windows werecovered by it. And I love the beauty of
Niigata’s various towns.

The most important thing to work in Japan
is to learn Japanese and about Japaneseculture. In the future, I would like todo an exchange activity between thenortheastern part of India and Niigata.

Q：Tell us about your time at IUJ.
Q：How did you come to Japan?
My grandparents told me that Japan is agood place, and Japanese people are very
smart. So I was interested in Japan from anearly age. As a high school student, I
volunteered as a guide for Japanese
tourists. After graduating from university inhost family from this time. I was interested
in Japanese education system, and theykindly took me to visit an elementary
school.

I was awarded a scholarship by IUJ to
study there, and worked on the weekends.
I read the NIA LETTER all the time! I also
went to a high school in the area andhelped with a cross-cultural studies class. It
was fun to learn about the various parts of
the world with the students. I still meet my

If I have a chance, I’d like to hold a cultural
exchange event with the people of Imphal
in India and Japanese people, with ourhistorical relationship as the background. I
would like for us to grow closer. And moste s p e c i a l l y, I ’ d l i k e t o h e l p w i t h t h edevelopment of our economic relations
going forward.

I N T E RV I E W

I joined the company in 2017 and work as
a Sales Engineer in the Business Unit tolearn about Fujii’s special machines. At firstit was very hard to work in a Japanese
language setting. I had to learn thespecialized kanji used in machine
maintenance and routine checks. I worked
on my own or on a small team. The senior
employees helped me when I founddifficulty. When I was a student, I studied
IT, Chemistry and International Relations,so I found the work very enjoyable withthe machines right in front of me.

the company and the community as an individual, and see their hard work in action.
As multicultural adaptation is the theme for this issue, we learn about how theyThank you for your kindness
We appreciate the support for this article provided by Fujii Corporation employees Mr. Kazuo Shimizu,
General Affairs Division Senior Adviser, and Rie Morita, Public Relations, System Management.
Fujii Corporation manufactures snowplows and specialized machines to allow workers to work at
considerable heights. The machines are exported to 18 countries. At company events, the foreign employees
often cook dishes from their home countries. The first foreign employee was from Bangladesh, andnaturalized about 2 years ago. Now, the company employs three employees from overseas. Mr. Shimizu
stated “We would like to hire people in accordancewith our HR needs, without considering nationality.”
Photo Top left:	A sign at the entrance to the head
office, pointing to export destinations
around the world
Photo Lower left:	Exterior of the head office in Tsubame
City, Niigata Prefecture
Photo right:	From left Mr. Shimizu, Mr. Rajkumar,
Ms. Morita

5International Student Exchange Club Member“Team BEGIN” ～ What We Want You to Know ～International Student Exchange Club Members who have left their hometowns to live their student life in Niigata

Learn moreshould have daily opportunities to experience "multicultural co-existence." In this issue, three of International
Student Exchange Club Members on the NIA LETTER editorial team, share their experiences.

Bangladesh

Mongolia
Gombo Solongo

Rahman Md Atikur

Junior at Nagaoka University,
Faculty of Economics and Business
Administration, Econ Management(Cover photo: top right)

Senior at Niigata Sangyo University,
Faculty of Economics(Cover photo: bottom right)

A friend living in Bangladesh talked
about university life. It seemed to bebusy and fun. University club activities
include sports clubs, culture clubs,
computer clubs, pharmacy clubs, andTe a m B E G I N

debate clubs. After school on days when
there are no club activities, they playsports such as cricket with friends andwatch movies. Cricket is the mostpopular sport in Bangladesh. There arealso students who work part-time at theuniversity as tutors. Some participate in

Team
BEGIN
The Tree of us have been thinking：We
want to take on a new challenge for theCommittee and the people of Niigata.
We want to take that first step with you.

festivals with their classmates. They seemto have a fun student life.

China
Jin Yan Pin

Sophomore at University of Niigata
Prefecture, International Area
Department(Cover photo: top left)

6

Mongolian universities start their newsemester in September, which is different
from Japanese schools. The first semester isfrom September 1 to the end of December.
January is winter vacation. The second
semester starts around February 5th, after
the Tsagaan Sar holiday, which is like
Japan’s New Year holiday – it marks the
Lunar New Year. Classes are scheduled tostart after that. Summer vacation is for twomonths, July and August. Some Mongolian
university students study in the library,while others are found in the cafeteria
poring over a thick textbook while eating.
Others go to grassy areas and slowly readtheir books during their free time. Not only
Mongolian students but also the foreign
students study hard as well.

Chinese students seem to be living a very free university life. WhenI talked to friends studying there, they tell me that because they get
pocket money from their parents, very few of them have part-timejobs like here in Japan. In recent years, the number of people who
go to graduate school after graduation is gradually increasing. There
are days when you are forced to study hard for exams, but there arealso days when you can escape from studies and have fun withfriends. Everyone seems to be living a fulfilling university life.

Question 1

Question 2

Question 3

What do you like
about your university?

What word in Japanese
do you use a lot?

What kind of things
have you recently talked
about with your friends?

I am enjoying golfing. My first
exposure to it made me really
happy. Each season is so beautiful
and unique: I am always taking
photos.

When I talk with my friends I
use the words “Maji?” “Usojan!“and “Yaba!” a lot.

First of all, the teachers arekind and they can teach in aneasy-to-understand manner
even when foreign students
are having difficulty. I also likehaving a training room. I think
help for keeping fit is good forstudents and faculty alike.

Recently, my professor says

My favorite word is “Ganbarimasu”

I talk about wanting to travel
in Japan since I am lucky to beliving here, and that is why I
work so hard at my part-time
job . . . things like that.

“Ganbatte” to graduate on time.
My boss tells me “Ganbatte”
for my job hunt. I enjoy replying“HAI, GANBARIMASU” to them.

Exams are coming soon, so wetalk about how to study forthem. After that, I talk about
my boyfriend 2019「Niigata Cup」Japanese Speech Contest in
Jiamusi, Heilong jiang
Time, Place and Participants＜ First Place Winners ＞○ Date:2019 / 6 / 24 (Mon.) 13：20 ～ 17：00○ Place:	Jiamusi University Conference Room（Jiamusi, Heilongjiang）○ Participants:	13 university students in Heilongjiang
studying English○ Viewers:

Approx. 150（Speech Topic 1’s Main Contents）

Ms. Xu Yao ／ Heilongjiang Foreign Languages Institute, 3rd Year, Pictured

second from the left

“My recommendation is the pickled Chinese cabbage. Every household
makes a lot of it before the winter, and through the whole winter it comesto the table tasting just like it did at home.”

Mr. Xiong Qi ／ Harbin University of Science and Technology, 2nd Year,
Pictured on the rightSpeech Topics and Judges’ Results①「The Beauty of Heilongjiang We Wish to Share with thePeople of Niigata」②「Things I Am Immersed in Now」
Based on the judge’s results, the three highest scores took firstplace. The three winners were offered given a travel voucher asa prize, and Niigata has invited them to visit this fall.

“We're both snow country, and Heilongjiang has delicious rice (Wuchangrice) like the kind that is made in Uonuma. Harbin had two new
Shinkansen lines added last year, and its developing more and more.”

Mr. Zhang Ji Tong ／ Heilongjiang University, 4th year, Pictured on the left
“I would like to tell Niigata about the passion and humanity of the people
in my hometown. An older man who made shoreimen in the night market
near the college spoke kindly to me.”International Understanding Presentation Contest 2019
Accepting applications from junior high and high school students!
We are holding a contest for presentations about study or activities related to cultural
understanding in your school or area.
Please create a presentation as a team of 3 to 5 about a global issue, intercultural living,problems in relationships between Japan and other countries, or some other issue, as well as
what your thoughts and actions you would like to take. The team with the best presentation ineach category will be sent on an overseas study tour. We look forward to your application andplease do your best.

N I A I N F OR M AT I O NContest Overview
This was the first time this speech contest was held in Jiamusi. Jiamusi is about
300km northeast of Harbin, the capital of the Heilongjiang province. It is the frontlineof development on the Sanjiang Plain, which began about 40 years ago. Jiamusi has
had a long relationship with Niigata, starting with Mr. Tozaburo Sano who worked in
the development of the plains. Approximately 150 people gathered to view thecontest, primarily students, and their interest for learning Japanese could be felt. The
passion of youth connected to the thoughts of those who had built the relationshipbetween Heilongjiang and Niigata before them, and will surely continue to nurture
goodwill in the future.

Date and Time: 2019 / 12 / 21 (Sat.) 12：00 ～ 17：00（Tentative）※ Rehearsals in the morning
Place: TOKI MESSE, International Conference Hall, Marine Hall
Categories: Junior high school, High School
A team is composed of 3 to 5 students and one or more adult as an instructor
Application method: Please downloaded the guidelines and application from our website, fill in
the necessary information and mail in to the address below.
Application deadline: All applications must be received by 2019 / 9 / 30 (Mon.)● The following items have changed since last year. Please
read the guidelines and FAQ section on the website as
shown on the bottom right before applying.
① We will be accepting up to 20 teams total (combined forboth categories), so if there are a high number ofapplicants we will select participants via applications.
② A team must be composed of three to five students.
③ Videos and recordings used in the presentation must be
under one minute.

【For Applications and Inquiries】

Niigata International Assoication〒 950-0078 N
 iigata-shi, Chuo-ku, Bandaijima 5-1
Bandaijima Bldg. 2F
TEL : 025-290-5650 FAX : 025-249-8122
E-mail : nia21c@niigata-ia.or.jp【International Understanding Education Presentation
Contest Home Page】
http://www.niigata-ia.or.jp/jp/ct/000_precon/index.html

Niigata International Association（NIA） Facebook▶

7

International Understanding Seminar「Get to Know Asia！」2019―Learn the beauty of Asia near you!
＼ All lectures are free to attend! ／Date and Time

Speaker and Topic

Location

Mr. Hiroyuki Oba, Asia Craft Link, Manager

９/15（Sun.） 「Modern Myanmar andContact Information

Niigata University Satellite Campus

the People who Live There」 Tokimate Lecture Hall A

13:30 ～ 15:00

Dr. Hiroyuki Seto, Niigata University of International and９/22（Sun.） Information Studies, Associate Professor
13:30 ～ 15:00「War and Peace in Laos」

９/29（Sun.）
13:30 ～ 15:00

Dr. Eiko Tomiyama, Graduate Institute for Entrepreneurial
Studies,
Regional / International Vice President,
Graduate School of Entrepreneurial Studies Professor「Learn the countries of Asia
through SDGs!」
Mr. Peter Iori Kobayashi, Niigata University of International

10/27（Sun.） and Information Studies, Lecturer, Faculty of International
Studies

13:30 ～ 15:00「More! Taiwan」

10/18（Fri.）
19:00 ～ 20:30

11/ １（Fri.）
18:30 ～ 20:00

Ms. Zhan Xiujuan, Niigata Sangyo University, Honorary
Professor「Recent Events in Taiwans」

Mr. Kishichiro Amae, former consultant to the Ministry ofForeign Affairs

Dr. Yutaka Nakai, Niigata Agro-Food University, Vice

「DiscoverVietnam’s Varied Food Culture」
Mr. Fei Mingyu, Northeast Normal University, Art School

11/16（Sat.） Professor「Changes in Modern China,
as seen from Changchun」

10:00 ～ 11:30

Niigata International
Association

Toki Messe Small Conference Room
203・204℡ 025-290-5650

Niigata University Satellite Campus
Tokimate Lecture Hall A
Kashiwazaki Shimin Plaza, Study Room
201･202

Kashiwazaki Area
International Association℡ 0257-32-1477

International Universityof Japan Research InstituteInternational University of Japan「East Asia’s International Relations:
MLIC Hall, 3F
Comparing Cultures and Histories」

11/ ２（Sat.） President, Department President
14:00 ～ 15:30

Toki Messe Small Conference Room
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A foreign exchange student introduces one of their experiences during their life in Japan through manga ♪

That'sright

Japan Animation & Manga College (JAM)
Manga Illustration Master Course Pen name: Kohane (Malaysia)【Matsutake 】– Matsutake Mushrooms –Vol.3

I havealwayswanted totry thosemushrooms.

But
what
about
the
price!

What!
It is
THAT
expensive?

1＊ Matsutake
Mushroom soup

I thought forsure that I
would get to try
Matsutakemushrooms
since I get to
be in Japan
during the fallseason...

MatsutakeMushrooms!!

If you thinkof Japan in
the fall, you
think ofdelicious fall
foods!
If you thinkof fall foods
you think
of...

Wait!
Is
that
one
?!!??!

Oh
wow!
Delicious!

3

2■ Published by the Niigata International Association（NIA）

Bandaijima Bldg.(Toki Messe) 2F, 5-1 Bandaijima, Chuo-ku, Niigata City 950-0078
8

Phone: 025-290-5650

Fax: 025-249-8122

E-mail: nia21c@niigata-ia.or.jp

Website: http://www.niigata-ia.or.jp

4
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Website