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Autumn 2022

102

vol.

Oct 15, 2022

■ Message from Mr. Hirofumi Ichisaka(OFIX Board Member)■A ctivity Report about Cross-Cultural AwarenessEducation Supporters' Classes■G lobal Voices■A nnouncing our new Twitter account!

Official Character

Bora-chan

Keep in mind, 'Be natural
Board Member for the Osaka Foundation of International Exchange
and trust your instincts' in everything!
Hirofumi Ichisaka
Senior Executive Director of International Relations at the Osaka Prefecture,

My name is Ichisaka, I am the Senior Executive Director of International
Relations at the Osaka Prefecture, and a board member for the Osaka
Foundation of International Exchange. Daily, I am a point of contact for
urban diplomacy with the Consulate-Generals in Osaka and Kansai, theembassies of various countries in Tokyo, and other foreign government
agencies. I act as a liaison, coordinating Osaka Prefecture's international
relations measures, such as courtesy visits by foreign dignitaries with thegovernor and exchange projects with friendly exchange partner local
governments.
Previous Directors of International Relations have had a wide range ofbackgrounds, including directors who had experience living overseas,transferred from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, or came from privatecompanies. I have no experience studying or living abroad, but a quick lookback on my work history shows a wealth of international related mattersthat I have been involved with for the prefecture. These matters include
things such as economic and business relations, attracting international
conferences, port promotion, inbound tourism and exchange programswith Osaka’s sister cities. Furthermore, up until last year, I was working
on inviting international participants for the 2025 Japan World Exposition
Association. Through these varied work experiences, I have built many
relationships with people from all over the world.
Every time I have been involved in international work, I have felt theINOFIXOsaka Information Servicefor Foreign Residents
A free consultation service for foreign residents.

importance of language and also having an
understanding of each different country’s
histories and cultures. Also, I think it has
been even more important for me to alwaysdo my best to trust my instincts. For example, I had the followingexperience. When I was in charge of a tourist information center, I
proposed the establishment of a new Chinese language service, butaccording to a performance report, it was not necessary because mostof the visitors used English. Without trusting my instincts, I might
have thought that was a good enough explanation, however I wasn'tconvinced, so I visited the site and asked the director of the center
about it. He said that only English speakers came because they only hadsigns in English. He continued, if we put up Chinese signs, we would beswamped with Chinese speakers. Even things that we are familiar withcan be mixed with invisible biases. Especially between different cultures,
if you don't make an effort to consciously observe, you may not notice
the barriers that lurk beneath. I hope that OFIX and everyone involved inpromoting multicultural coexistence in Osaka Prefecture will be able touse even a part of my experience as an example to learn from. Let's pool
our wisdom and work together. Now, don't be nervous, take the weight
off your shoulders, be natural and trust your instincts!

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】j ouhou-c@ofix.or.jp Second and fourth Sundays of each month: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
(only in Japanese and English)【Professional Consultation】【FAX】06-6966-2401 
Professional consultations and labor consultations with a(only in Japanese and English)
public notary or lawyer【URL】https://www.ofix.or.jp/life/japanese/*Appointment requiredWe dispatched foreign supporters toShijokita Elementary School in Daito City！
On Thursday, September 8, we sent Cross-Cultural Awareness Education
supporters from the United States and Mongolia to Daito Municipal Shijo Kita
Elementary School.

Do you want to try bringing the world toyour classroom? Please try OFIX's CrossCultural Awareness Education Program!
For details,
Please see [About Supporter Activities]
https://www.ofix.or.jp/supporters/

United States of America
アメリカ合衆国

The supporter introduced differences and commonalities
between the working styles and cultures of the UnitedStates and Japan. For example, in the U.S. workplace, therelationships between bosses and employees are not as
strict as those in Japan. However a common point is thatboth countries work too much and take time very seriously.
Besides for talking about work culture, they also shared how
to make and play the classic American game, paper football.

Mongolian Stateモンゴル国
The supporter introduced Mongolian food and animals
for the students. After their presentation they had
the students experience the Mongolian game called"Shagai". The students said that the class wasinteresting and that they were able to learn a lot.

"I want to do something for the children and students in Osaka!""I want to practice and use my Japanese!" and "I want many people to know my country and people!"Why don't you introduce your country to the children of Osaka?

OFIX International Understanding Education
Foreign Supporters Wanted!
Official Character Bora-chan

Would you like to introduce your country's history, culture and share your traditional clothing, musicalinstruments or games with the students of Osaka and contribute to making multicultural coexistance areality in Japan? We are always looking for more OFIX Cross-Cultural Awareness Education Supporters!

Who can become a Cross-Cultural AwarenessEducation Supporter?
1. F oreign nationals or those with roots abroad, living, studying, or working in the Kansai region
2. Those who want to introduce their country at schools in Osaka Prefecture
3. Those who have Japanese ability to present in Japanese (N3)* Permission to engage in activities outside your status of residence might be required depending on your status of residence.
* We will give you an honorarium of 6,000 yen (including transportation and tax) per school visit.

For details, please refer to "Supporter Activities"
https://www.ofix.or.jp/supporters/

Osaka Foundation of International Exchange (OFIX)
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

Global Voices

Name:

Caleb Boivin
Nationality:

AmericanSelf-introduction:

Why did you decide to come to Japan?
I never felt like I belonged in America. However, when I first

My home state is Georgia. I enjoy weightliftingand exploring new cities to find cool coffee
shops. I am also a Pastor at Hope Osaka Christian
Church in Imazato.

visited Japan I felt that I had found the right place for me.

Was there anything that surprised you when
you came to Osaka?

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

I am from a really small country town. So when I came toYes. Filling out all of the paperwork for the government andOsaka it took me some time to adjust to living in a giant city

city hall is very difficult for foreigners. Especially because

like Osaka. However, now I love it! I never want to live in thewhen I first moved here I did not know any Japanese.

countryside again.

How do you feel about being a supporter?
I love being a supporter because I am jealous that I did not
get to grow up in Japan. So I enjoy getting insight to what
it’s like for people who do get to grow up here.

Recipe:Caleb's recommended:Fried Okra

Fresh okra is sliced and coated inseasoned cornmeal, then fried until
golden and crispy in this simple recipe!

Ingredients:• Okra• Egg• cornmeal/flour• Oil (to fry with)• S easonings for flavor(Salt, Black Pepper, Cayene Pepper/Red Chili for spice)

1. Cut the okra into bite-sized pieces and soak them in abeaten egg.
2. Meanwhile, combine the cornmeal/flour and seasonings
in a small bowl.
3. Coat the egg-soaked okra in the cornmeal/flour mix,
coating completely.
Make sure to fullycoat the okra before
frying it!

4. Heat the oil over medium-highheat. Place the coated okra inthe oil and fry the okra whilestirring continuously. Reducethe heat when it starts tobrown.
5. Cook until golden and drain on
paper towels.
6. Serve on a plate.

We startedntuoccarett
ia Twer!
in Septemb

We have opened an official OFIX Twitter account!
We'll post the latest information and notifications
about OFIX, so if you're interested, follow us!
Account Name: OFIX Osaka Foundation of International Exchange
username: @OFIX_JP

OFIX Osaka Foundation of International Exchange@OFIX_JP

この度、OFIX公式のTwitterアカウントを開設しました！
OFIXに関する最新の情報、イベント通知等もお届けしますので、よろしくお願いいたします！
Official Character

午後2:46 · 2022年9月21日

Bora-channalInternatioFriendshipFestivalOn November 23 (Wednesday, National Holiday), the "International Friendship Festival" will
be held at the Kansai International Center!
There will be various events organized by the southern regional international exchange
associations and organizations! You can interact with people from different countries whoare staying and training at the Kansai International Center. If you are interested, please join!
Date & Time: Nov. 23 (Wed.) 13:00~16:00
Venue: Kansai International Center *Details will be posted on OFIX's website at a later date.

We are looking for supporting members!

AccessAnnual membership: 50,000 yen for corporate members,
3,000 yen for individual members
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Osaka Foundation of International Exchange

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Chuo-ku, Osaka 540-0029
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