MIA NEWS 182ed., Jul. (4)Miyakonojo International Association

Miyakonojo International Association
6-21 Himegi-cho, Miyakonojo-shi,Miyazaki-ken, Japan 885-8555
TEL 0986-23-2295
FAX 0986-23-3223
http://miyakonojo-mia.com
E-mail mia@btvm.ne.jp

I LOVE MIYAKONOJO! - Soyolmaa Luimed (Mongolian CIR)
Since coming to Miyakonojo
the rest of my life. As I have children of my own that conCity Hall as a Coordinator oftinue to teach me many things, I find myself being theInternational Relations (CIR),
student while the students are the “teachers”. Beyondit has come time for me tothis, meeting the students that will carry Miyakonojo andwelcome in summer for theJapan into tomorrow and hearing about their thoughts
seventh time. It is thanks toand dreams for the future has been one of the most valuthe gentleness of her people
able learning experiences of my life. To all of our cute,and the general ease of living
good-natured and energetic kids, thank you! There’s one
here that each day in Miyamore addition here that I just HAVE to make: our cutest
konojo has been so thoroughteachers of all, the kindergarteners! One of the special
ly enjoyable. I would like toprivileges of my position is being allowed to play the part
offer my heartfelt gratitude to everyone I have met during of “Santa” for all the kindergarteners. To each and every
my time here.
one of the kids who became my teacher and friend, thankI am the 6th generation of CIR to come from Mongolia; to you!
those who came before me and laid the foundations for
Next, to everyone who I had the opportunity to meet andMongolian CIRs in Miyakonojo City, I am extremely grate- get to know through introducing Mongolia at each reful. As to exactly why Miyakonojo City began to take ingion’s community centre; those lively people who madeCIRs from Mongolia, it is closely related to citizens fromJapan what it is today and hold the power. Each and every
this city who, after visiting friends in Mongolia, returned
word that came from these energetic yet gentle people
home and decided they wanted to “bring light to the nowas a valuable teaching in its own right. I will step forward
mads of Mongolia” by means of wind-power generators
into the future holding precious all of the time we spent(this resulted in a group known as モンゴルに風力発電機 together and connections we made. To everyone I metを贈る会, Mongoru ni Fūryoku Hatsudenki wo Okuru Kai, through our study sessions at community centers, thank
The Delivering Windpower Generators to Mongolia Associ- you very much!
ation). Mr Kawasaki and his counterparts, who were cen- As a CIR, Miyakonojo City citizen, and as a Mongolian,tral to these activities at the time, continue to undertake there is someone that I immediately adored from the movaried activities that ultimately provide support to numer- ment we met. A person who has worked tirelessly tospread Japan’s traditional culture, irrespective of nationalous Mongolian citizens. To Mr Kawasaki and everyone
else who continue to be benefactors for Mongolians both ity or age, to a number of Japanese and international chilin this city and at home through the Miyakonojo-Mongolia dren and adults alike: the master instructor of the Fujima
branch of Japanese traditional dance, Ms Fujima SumimFriendship Association (都城モンゴル友好協会), thankaru. I would like to give my heartfelt thanks to Ms Fujima,you. I hope that this exchange that has brought us together continues to bind Miyakonojo City and Mongolia as one, as well as her disciples in the Sumimaru group. Thismonth, thanks to the assistance of Ms Fujima and everywith ever greater exchange opportunities and projects into
one in the Sumimaru group, the “Japan-Mongolia 50 Yearthe future.
Anniversary of Establishing Diplomatic Relations VideoI’d also like to thank the many students and staff at Miyakonojo’s Elementary, Middle, High and Technical schools. Production ~ Celebrating through Japanese Traditional
Dance! ~”, as developed by local Mongolian residents,In getting to know you all, you bestowed upon me the title
ended in success; this will be spread throughout Mongolia“Teacher of Mongolia”, an honour I will carry with me forusing our official Facebook page, allowing us to let everyone know about more about the charm and beauty ofMiyakonojo City. Miyakonojo City’s head of PR, Bonchikun, made space in his busy schedule to join us as a special guest, and helped us bring Mongolia and Japan, aswell as Miyakonojo and Ulaanbaatar, closer together.
Bonchi-kun, Aigatogashita! (Arigatō gozaimashita, as spoken in Miyakonojo’s dialect).
We also uploaded to YouTube a video on July 1 st about
Japanese Traditional Dance; I’d like to once again thankMs Fujima for her time spent teaching us. When it comesto cultural exchange, it is truly a field without boundaries;
culture imparts the gravity of common ground, exchange
allows us to once more learn what is important to us,each ofTo everyone who has taken the time to read this article,
should you be interested, please take a look at the previ-

MIA NEWS 182ed., Jul. (5)I LOVE MIYAKONOJO! - Soyolmaa Luimed (Mongolian CIR)
ously mentioned video by following the link in the QR
code below!

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?
list=PLglb6_tntawDPYf7uDcFTVxXP1miYg
O2Y
Next, I’d like to thank the fire department, Rotary Clubs,
the local library, and the numerous other groups that represent the local government and the citizens of Miyakonojo, for all the times that they have called on myself
and the other CIRs to join them for study sessions andother events. I am extremely happy to have been able tojointly engage in so many wonderful events; I’ve learnedso much from it all.
To all of the people who greet me with warmth and asmile on the way from my home to work, everyone wholets me know “I heard you on the radio”, and everyone towhom I am indebted through club activities and regional
meetings; to all of my superiors who have shared withmyself and my fellow CIRs all that our city has to offer(including some home-made pesticide-free vegetables!),
all the city hall staff that exemplify polite hospitality
through their greetings and warm reception, and the staff
that manage our public service vehicles; to everyone thathas supported international exchange through the Miyakonojo International Association, including all of its members and staff; to all of you, I am truly grateful! It is thanks
to all of the wonderful CIR supervisors and Internationalisation Promotion Office staff that have led us to the present moment, that while learning about the need for fulfilling public service through daily tasks, I have been able
to obtain a plethora of invaluable experiences as a person
and as a CIR. Маш их баярлалаа! (Mash ikh bayarlalaa,thank you so much!)
While I personally love the fresh water, clean air andabundant greenery that Miyakonojo offers, I feel that oneof the most attractive parts of this city is in fact its ease ofliving, as well as its enriching public services. Additionally,
the development of International Exchange continues tohold an important position within the city’s administration, and this exchange is continuing across a number ofcountries. Being able to work at the number one City Hallin Japan has been an honour, and I personally hope that I
can continue to use Miyakonojo City Hall as a case study.
I am incredibly grateful for all of the wonderful people I
have had the chance to meet and make connections with,but even those people who I’ve yet to meet, I cherish theopportunities given to me through MIA NEWS, the City’s
PR magazine, and our local radio shows, through which
I’ve been able to share experiences with you all.
To the other CIRs who have been with me each and every
day, working hard and supporting each other; I’m so happy to have become close enough to understand each other, even without speaking a word! To all of the friends
from countries around the world that I’ve made both in
Miyakonojo City and across the prefecture, thank you all!
Through becoming friends with you, I feel as if I’ve travelled a bit of each of your home countries, a luxury thatI’m glad to have been able to experience.
As of this month, I will be graduating from my position asa Coordinator of International Relations, but I will strive tocontinue to contribute to the deepening of ties between
Japan and Mongolia, as well between Miyakonojo City andUlaanbaatar City. To that extent, I hope that you don’t
mind having me for a while longer yet!

MIA NEWS 182ed., Jul. (6)Miyakonojo International Association

Miyakonojo International Association
6-21 Himegi-cho, Miyakonojo-shi,
Miyazaki-ken, Japan 885-8555
TEL 0986-23-2295
FAX 0986-23-3223
http://miyakonojo-mia.com
E-mail mia@btvm.ne.jp

Aussie Bites! (A Trip to Australia, MIA Member Shigeo Yonemura)
I went to Australia roughly 10years ago, in January 2011.
With plans to go and see theOpera house, as well as hug akoala, my wife and I joined atour group.
Our first destination was theSpringbrook National Park,
where they care for and manThe following day, as the weather was clear, the Operaage Koalas and Kangaroos.
House looked beautiful as it shined and sparkled in theThere, we took a photo while
daylight.
hugging a koala. We also gave
The next day was once again clear skies, so we madesome feed to the kangaroos.
our way out to the natural expanse known as the BlueAs a large number of them kept coming over to us, as Mountains (in particular, the Three Sisters). We heard
much as I told myself to not step on their tails, I ended from our tour guide that due to the evaporation of Euup treading on them a few times.
calyptus oil in the trees, the air shimmers a shade of
Following the National
blue! It was an amazing sight to behold.
Park, we made our way Finally, on our last night, we were guided to an observato a dance show held by tion point offering a wonderAustralia’s traditional
ful nighttime view of the Sydinhabitants, the Aborigi- ney Harbour Bridge; truly anal people (I wonder ifromantic sight.
this show is still going?). Make sure you travel to AusTheir entire performance tralia at least once in yourfelt very powerful.
life! It’s a wonderful country.

Information & Notices◇ Results of the 2022-23 AGM Vote on Agenda Items
With regards to the yearly agenda as sent out by post
to members (excluding international residents and students), as a majority has been achieved, the agenda
has been passed. Thank you for your cooperation.
◇ Currently Planned Events
June 26th (Sun): Community Safety Workshop (held)
September 10th (Sat): World Beer & Trivia Night
January 15th (Sun) 2023: World Festa
Weekly (Fri) & Bi-weekly (Sun): Japanese Practice Sessions
Other planned events:
Chinese & Mongolian Language courses, TALK & TALK,
Chinese Talk session 「飯局」, Cooking Adventures, Japanese Volunteer Skill-up Sessions.

Movies info

◇ Daily Life Consultations for Foreign Residents inMiyakonojo
Native language consultations concerning everyday
difficulties will be available in Miyakonojo.
Date & Time: July 15th (Fri), 1PM - 3:30PM
Venue: Miyakonoj Community Center 2F (Washitsu 3)
How to Apply: E-mail or FAX MIF in advance with thefollowing information: ①Name ②Phone Number③Your concern (a brief description) ④Your language*Sessions are 30 minutes per person. Be sure to makean appointment in advance
Inquiries & Application: Miyazaki Support Center for Foreign Residents
TEL: 0985-41-5901, FAX: 0985-415902
E-mail: support@mif.or.jp

C-Plaza Cine-port (Tel: 0986-24-2571)

17-9 Nakamachi, Miyakonojo, Miyazaki Map-Code (GPS): 117 488 540*55●Elvis (Japanese Sub)
●Fullmetal Alchemist: The Final Chapter – Scar the Avenger(Japanese)●Shin Ultraman (Japanese)●Dragon Ball Super: SUPER HERO (Japanese)●Top Gun: Maverick (Japanese Sub)
●Meitantei Conan: Halloween Bride (Japanese)●Tsuyukusa (Japanese)●Buzz Lightyear (Japanese Dub)
*The 1st of every month is ¥1,100 for everyone.
*Every Wednesday is ‘Ladies’ Day’, all ladies ¥1,100.
*The cinema is closed every Tuesday.
*For session times visit: http://movie.walkerplus.com/th286/
schedule.html (Japanese)