OFIX NEWS
OFIX NEWS has been
distributed online andby email since Vol.101!
Use this QR code to register toreceive your copy online!
https://www.ofix.or.jp/english/archive/

Official Character

Bora-chan

May 2023

104

vol.

May 15, 2023

■ Greetings from Executive Director/Secretary General,
Planning and Promotion Section Chief■ 2022 Report for the Osaka Information Service for
Foreign Residents■ Global Voices■ Introduction of the new members atthe Osaka Information Service for Foreign Residents

Inaugural Greetings
I would like to increase the number of people from various countries
who come to Osaka, stay in Osaka, and become fans of Osaka!

Executive Director/Secretary GeneralTakeshi Oba

Hello, my name is Oba. I took office on April 1.
Recently, an article in the Nikkei Newspaper on April 13 caught my eye: “For me (HarukiMurakami), a wall is a barrier that divides our world from another world. Any person who is able
to pass through the wall to the other side and come back is important.” This is my first time to beinvolved in international work and I have learned about the three “walls” of language, institutions, andheart. These are the main challenges in realizing multicultural coexistence.
With the current pandemic and various regions at war, it is becoming increasingly important tobreak down these “walls,” to accept differences in character, culture, and customs, and to promotemutual understanding. With the 2025 World Expo approaching and Osaka receiving the first approvalin Japan for its IR development plan, the question is now how to make Osaka a successful international
city. As a trusted “multicultural hub institution,” OFIX will steadily promote its mid-term management
plan starting from April 2023, and contribute to addressing issues in international relations.
I love the TV show, “World! Nippon Ikitai Hito Ouendan.” The show features people from abroad
who are interested in Japanese culture coming with different goals to fulfill their dreams. In theprocess, they end up loving Japan even more. Like the TV show, I would like to increase the numberof people from various countries who come to Osaka, stay in Osaka, and become fans of Osaka!

Hello everyone, my name is Mukai. I assumed the position of chief of the Planning and Promotion
Section in April. Until now, I have worked in school education and social studies education. In thecourse of that work, I had opportunities to think about support for residents from abroad in Japan andmulticultural coexistence, but it stopped at a surface level.
OFIX has been working hard to fulfill its role as a center promoting multicultural coexistence overthe past five years. Based on what was accomplished during this time, we have formulated a new midterm management plan for the next five years. I think the plan’s three main pillars are the following:“To create a safe and secure environment where no one is left behind.” “To improve our abilities as anorganization that promotes multicultural coexistence by strengthening our partnerships and enhancing
our ability to provide information.” “To have a network of highly specialized staff and management tosupport organizational goals.”
Although I have tried to pick out what I consider to be the focus of the plan, because I’m not fluent
in any foreign languages and I’m an outsider when it comes to the work carefully done by OFIX so far, I
cannot say that I fully understand the weight of these goals. I am studying and working hard every day
so that I can catch up with the knowledge and insight my colleagues possess.
Although I am still working on being able to contribute equally, I am excited to be part of what
OFIX has promoted so far and continues to accomplish with their activities. Activities that support andempower each individual, foster people, and encourage the broadening of horizons.

Planning and Promotion Section Chief

Yukikatsu Mukai

2022 Report for the Osaka Information Service for Foreign Residents
COVID-19-related Consultations (Fig. 1)

���������

number of cases

In 2022, the number of people from abroad living
in Osaka reached a record high. Combined with theimpact of the spread of COVID-19, the number ofconsultations also reached a record high of 2,648
cases. The pandemic entered its third year andthe number of COVID-19-related consultations
increased sharply due to the sixth wave from the endof 2021 to the early spring of 2022. This continued
with the record seventh wave from early summer toautumn. However, the peak of the 8th wave was notas high, and with the decision to shift COVID-19 toa class five disease, COVID-19-related consultations
have now calmed down (Fig. 1).
Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine thatbegan in February 2022, we took consultations
regarding people displaced from Ukraine (Fig. 2).

�th WAVE�th WAVE

�st WAVE■ Medical■ Daily Life

���
���

�nd WAVE���Feb

AprJunAug

�th WAVE�rd WAVE

Oct

Dec

FebApr�th WAVEJunAug

�th WAVE

Oct

Dec

Feb

AprJunAug

Oct

Dec

Feb

Content of Consultation (Fig. 2)

We also began to provide services in Russian andUkrainian, and received many consultations fromcompanies, organizations, and individuals who aresupporting the reception of Ukrainians. We also
received consultations from Ukrainians who had
actually already arrived in Japan.

INOFIXOsaka Information Servicefor Foreign Residents
A free consultation service for foreign residents.

TEL

06-6941-2297【Consultation Hours】【Languages available】
Monday and Friday: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. (excluding holidays)
English, Chinese, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish, Vietnamese,
Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday: 9 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Filipino, Thai, Indonesian, Nepali, Japanese, Russian, Ukrainian(excluding holidays)【E-mail】jouhou-c@ofix.or.jp Second and fourth Sundays of each month: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
(only in Japanese and English)【Specialist Consultation】【FAX】06-6966-2401 
Lawyer, Bureaucratic Specialist, Labor Div. Official,(only in Japanese and English)
Immigration Officer【URL】https://www.ofix.or.jp/life/english/*Appointment required

Please subscribe to our channel!

AEVideos introducing our CC
ble!
supporters are now availa

Official Character

Bora-chanan?
nts from abroad living in Jap
What is life like for reside
eos about their reasonsvidryctooduintrownd their
OFIX supporters have create
ir life in Japan.
for coming to Japan and thePlease take a look!
OFIX YouTube Channel

https://www.youtube.com/@ofix_jp

NameCheng Shiyin

Global Voices
VoicesHome Country

China
Hello everyone! My name is Cheng Shiyin, and I am fromChina. This is my fifth year in Japan. I am currently studying ata Japanese university. My hobbies are cooking and traveling.

Why did you decide to come to Japan?
Japan is a country with especially beautiful scenery, whether it

Were there any problems you faced when
you came to Osaka?

is the cherry blossoms in spring or the autumn leaves in fall. I

One of the problems in Osaka is that the streets are narrow. In

longed to live in such a beautiful country.

many places, there is only one lane for pedestrians and bikes, soWas there anything that surprised you when
you came to Osaka?

you have to ride very carefully.

How do you feel about being a supporter?

What surprised me the most when I came to Osaka was how

Becoming a supporter has given me a deeper sense of thewarm the people are. I was worried about whether I would bevalue of culture and self-worth. I was worried that the children

able to make Japanese friends, as Japanese people are often

might not be interested in Chinese culture and that I would

said to be distant. However, when I arrived in Osaka, I had many

not be able to convey what I wanted to say to them in my poor

good experiences with Osakajin. My classmates always naturally

Japanese at first. However, I was encouraged by the children’s

started talking to me and even though we had just met, they

reactions at every school I visited. They actively asked questions

would invite me to do things together. When I go to izakaya,and participated in the class, and in the feedback written by

the owners always talk to me with friendly smiles. Once, when

the children after the class, they said things like “I became

I was eating at a restaurant, a guy next to me told me about his

interested in China from this class,” “Shiyin-san’s Japanese isexperiences in China, and we ended up taking pictures together.

easy to understand, and the class is fun,” etc. Receiving such

I consider it an amazing experience to have lived in Osaka andwords, I became more and more confident that my culture wasmet and made friends with so many interesting people.

recognized by many different people.

Ingredients:• 3 eggs• 2 medium tomatoes• 1 clove of garlic• A few chopped green onions• 1 g salt
• 2 g sugar• A little oyster sauce• A little cooking oil

Shiyin’s recommended:

Tomato and Egg Stir-fry
Tomato and egg stir-fry is a traditional
home-style dish in China, much like Nikujyaga
in Japan. Its simple preparation and sweetand sour taste is so perfect served withnoodles and rice. This makes it a popular
dish in all regions of China.

Recipe:❶	Wash tomatoes, peel and de-stem in freshly boiling water, slice and set aside.
❷	Beat the eggs in a bowl with a bit of salt and stir well with chopsticks for
30 seconds.
❸	Heat oil in a frying pan over high heat, quickly pour the egg mixture into
the pan and stir gently, then scramble the eggs and place it on a plate.
❹	Heat more oil, fry the tomatoes, add a little garlic and fry for a few moreminutes, add the eggs from ❸ and fry for a bit longer.
❺	After mixing the eggs with the tomato, add salt, sugar and a little oyster sauce.
Finally, fry just a little more lightly to finish. Sprinkle with chopped green
onions before serving!

Let’s meet the new members at the Osaka Information Servicefor Foreign Residents!

Atsuko Kawata

Asuya Nanami

Nobuko Hayashi

My name is Atsuko Kawata and I have been working
as a consultant since February. I experienced beinga student, working, and having a baby in the UK. It
wasn’t all fun and games while I was living abroad,but I was helped by many people. Friends, teachers,employers, colleagues, neighbors, officials fromgovernment and medical institutions, and evenjust people passing by helped me during hardtimes. I am very honored to have been given theopportunity to work here, as I have always wanted
to support residents from abroad in Japan. I will do
my best to be of help to everyone!

I have been working as a consultant since theend of last year. My name is Asuya Nanami.
My name has the meaning that I have crossed
seven seas in my life. Before this job, I worked
for a Japanese manufacturer in the overseas
operations department and was involved inwork in various countries mainly in Asia. I also
had the opportunity to work on the immigrationside of Kansai International Airport, which gave
me valuable experience in helping people frommany countries. In the midst of the great needto create a society that overcomes cultural andlanguage differences, I am committed to makeuse of my experience and multilingual skills toprovide useful information and consultation tosolve various problems for foreign residents inOsaka Prefecture.

Hello, I am Nobuko Hayashi. I have been working asa consultant at OFIX’s Foreigner Information Corner
since August 2022. When I was a child, my family
took me to a foreign country that I knew nothing
about, and I only then returned to Japan when I had
already forgotten Japanese. Even though I was very
young, I experienced firsthand how unreasonable
society can be. However what I remember the mostwas how happy I was when I was treated kindly
while being abroad. I feel that what I felt at thattime is still the driving force for my life now, morethan half a century later. Now that I am getting
involved in this counseling service for foreigners, I
hope that I can help people in Osaka even a little bit
to live bright and successful lives. It has only been ashort time since I started working as a consultant,but I am happy with the many encounters I have
had and things I have learned, and I am striving
hard to make society a little better every day.

We are looking for supporting members!

AccessAnnual membership: 50,000 yen for corporate members,
3,000 yen for individual members
https://www.ofix.or.jp/donate/◆ Provision of OFIX’s printed materials, reports and otherpublications free of charge or on a priority basis

5Japanese page: 11,000 JPY banner/month12〒

Naka OePark
Osaka Chamberof Commerceand Industry

Tanimachi Line

Want your banner to shine on our page?

Hanshin Expressway

Donations to public interest foundations are eligible for tax benefits

SakaiSuji Ave.

Sakaisuji Line◆ 50% off banner advertisements (for corporate memberswith two or more accounts)

Naka Oe
4ElementarySchool

Tanimachi Ave.

◆ OFIX News (quarterly) and Report (yearly) containing
information on OFIX’s activities and international exchange

Tosabori St.
Keihan LineTemmabashi〒Sta.
Matsuyamachi
Ave.

Kitahama
Sta.

4〒Hommachi
St.
FirePolice
City Plaza Osaka station 3station1
Chuo odori St. Tanimachi
4-chomeSakaisuji Hommachi Sta. Chuo Line Sta.

https://www.ofix.or.jp/banners/

English page: 5,500 JPY banner/monthhttps://www.ofix.or.jp/english/banners/

For comments and suggestions, go to▶info@ofix.or.jp

Osaka Foundation of International Exchange (OFIX)
JICA Osaka Desk @OFIX
TEL: 06 - 6966 -2400
E-mail: jicadpd-desk-osakafu@jica.go.jp

公益財団法人

大阪府国際交流財団

Osaka Foundation of International Exchange

5th Floor, MyDome Osaka, 2-5 Hommachibashi,Chuo-ku, Osaka 540-0029
TEL: 06-6966-2400 FAX: 06-6966-2401
E-mail: info@ofix.or.jp Website: https://www.ofix.or.jp/english/▶ OFIX News Back Numbers

https://www.ofix.or.jp/english/archive/▶ OFIX Twitter

https://twitter.com/OFIX_JP▶ OFIX Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/osakafoundation▶ OFIX YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/@ofix_jp