The Hyogo International Association’s Cultural Exchange Publication

Vol.98Dec
2019

Grassroots exchange with residents of the Khabarovsk Region
To commemorate the 50th anniversary of friendly relations
between Hyogo Prefecture and Khabarovsk Krai in Russia, aHyogo Exchange Delegation of 34 people visited the region for 6
days from August 17th to 22nd.
They participated the ceremony and reception of this 50thanniversary, and also held an exchange meeting with local
students learning Japanese and visited a dacha (farmstead) in theouter suburbs to interact with local people.
This trip was an opportunity for both Hyogo and Khabarovsk to
be able to further mutual relations and to discover the various
charms of Far East Russia.

Attending the Signing Ceremony and Anniversary Reception

Joint statement signing ceremony

OnAugust
20th,
thedelegation leader and deputy
attended the joint statement
signing ceremony as observers
on behalf of the delegation.
They watched as both sides
signed their commitment tocontinuedrelations
andexchange in further various
fields. All delegation members
attended
thefollowing
reception to further exchangewith Khabarovsk’s attendants.

Lunch Cooking with Locals at the Dacha
The delegation visited a dacha
in the outer suburbs ofKhabarovsk City and enjoyedcooking lunch with local
people and eating the cooked
dishes together. The delegation
was able to realize heartfelt
grassroots exchange with thelocal people of Khabarovsk.
Cooking lunch at a dacha

In front of Khabarovsk’s Uspenski Cathderal

Exchange Meeting withJapanese learners
An exchange meeting was held with students
learning Japanese at the Khabarovsk Japan Centerand at university. It was a great opportunity todirectly hear their stories and why they startedlearning Japanese.

Exchange meeting with students studying JapaneseOverseasOffices

Do you know of“Café Noisette”?

Erika Morishita – Paris Office

I have been working in the Paris office since May 2019.
There are a few things I have noticed for the first time since I started living
in Paris, that I never noticed when I traveled to Paris.
People living in Paris love chatting in cafés.
I see them along the cafe terrace. They go to cafés before going to work,
for a short break and after a meal. When I order a “Café” an espresso
comes out, but I recently learned of the “Café Noisette”. “Noisette” meanshazelnut. The drink is espresso plus milk, and its color resembles hazelnuts,
so it is called “Café Noisette”.
The other day I went on a business trip to Italy. At the restaurant, I asked
the waitress to add milk to the espresso. The waitress called the drink"Macchiato"!
I learned that when countries change, people call the same drinks different
names.
This “Café Noisette” may not be listed in the store menu. However, you canorder it anywhere. Depending on the store, how they add the milk isdifferent. Sometimes the milk is added as it is, as foam milk, and sometimes
the milk comes in a separate cup. If you have a chance to come to Paris, try
drinking “Café Noisette”.

Yuan Lei

New CIRs Have
Arrived!!

Michigan, USA

Hello everyone! My name is Yuan Lei, and I’m fromMichigan, USA. I studied Japanese Language and Cultureand Asian Studies in college, and I went on to study abroadin Japan for a year because I wanted to challenge myself
and experience living in different countries. Through thatexperience, I was able to meet a lot of nice people aroundthe world and gain a deeper understanding ofJapanese culture as well.
I decided to come back to Japanas I missed the convenient lifeand food in Japan, and I was
assigned to Hyogo Prefecture. I
liked the Chinatown and the sea
when I traveled to Kobe a longtime ago. I would like to sharewith you the culture of America,
my home country, and while
also getting to know Japaneseculture along the way.

Huieun ChoBusan, South Korea

My name is Huieun Cho, and I have been a Coordinator forInternational Relations in Hyogo from April.
I came from Busan in South Korea, which is known as aport town where exchange with the world has been
thriving from long ago, especially with Japan.
I am very honored to beable to come to Hyogo,
which resembles to Busan
in its exchange with foreigncountries from its earlydays. I would like to visit
and experience various
parts of Hyogo, such as theKitano Ijinkan and the Kyukyoryuuchi (former Foreign
Concession) in Kobe but
also the Tajima, Tanba,
Harima, and Awaji regions.

Native Language
Centers OpenedThree new native language centers have opened forPortuguese, Spanish and Vietnamese.
These native language centers will support nativelanguage education for children and students living in
Hyogo Prefecture. They will also help them learn about their country’s history,
culture and society by functioning as a basefor broadcasting information about theirhome country.
At these centers, users can find materials
for language learning, books about theirhome country and in their native language,
guidebooks, and DVDs and videos alongwith tablet devices.
Thus, when theycome to these
Opening ceremony (CBK Native Language Center)
centers, users canget in touch with their native culture. Everything canbe used free of charge. These facilities are primarily
for preschoolers and elementary school students;
however, anyone can use it if you book in advance.
Please come and check out these facilities!

Friends ofHyogo

NPO Coorperation※ Please contact the managing
organization and make a booking
before utilizing the centers

Mann-Maru Akashi—Making a place to belong under the slogan“Let’s learn together for a brighter future!”—“Hello!” At 5 p.m., energetic elementary school students walk into the classroom one after another. It is the“Mirai no Kyoshitsu (Class for the Future)”, a class held by NPO Corporation Multi-cultural Center Mann-Maru
Akashi, where they provide support for children in Japanese language and school subject study.
Miwa Kubo, who serves as the Representative of the organization, decided to hold aJapanese and learning support class for children with volunteers in response tovoices heard from foreign mothers that “I can’t go to Japanese classes because I havea little child” and “I can’t help my child with his homework because I don’tunderstand Japanese” while she was working for an international exchange relatedorganization. The volunteer group organization subsequently became a non-profit
corporation in 2016. The “Kodomo Kurasu (Children Class)” for children which used
to be held weekly is now held three days a week, and an “Oyako Kurasu (Parent andChildren Class)” for mothers has also been added.
The classroom, decorated with pictures drawn by children, and filled with toys, hasa very at-home atmosphere. “Some children just want you to listen to them.
Children need a place where they can go to and from by themselves”, says the vicedirector, Shigeki Sakurae. Some children even come from far away by car as there isno such classroom in their neighborhood. Meanwhile, the Oyako Kurasu is very wellreceived because parents can bring preschoolers. It also helps mothers build a
network as talk can also talk about child-rearing.
The “Mirai no Kyoshitsu (Class for the Future)” is also a place where everyone canbelong. It will be there waiting with a warm heart to help the future of children andfamilies who have roots in foreign countries.
NPO Coorperation Multi-cultural Center Mann-Maru Akashi

Ph: 078-915-8747

E: info@manmaru-akashi.com

Recently atHIA

Let’s Enjoy Picture Book Story-telling in French!
On Thursday August 22nd, story-telling with French picture books wasorganized at the Hyogo International Plaza’s International Exchange Gallery.
Kelly and Alexandre, Hyogo Overseas Trainees from Seine-et-Marne inFrance, were in charge of the French language parts. French words in thebook such as “Bonjour” and “Merci” were introduced and spoken out withparticipants. The Japanese version of the same book was then presented tofind the differences in expression with French version.
After the Story-telling, children participated in French flag coloring andmobile-making using a paper cut Eiffel tower. Although it was in French,n in their daily life, it gave them a good opportunity to experience foreign
a language which children don’t hear oftenlanguage.

Introducing the Charms of Moldova; Pictures and Ink
Painting
From September 4th to 25th, the Hyogo International Plaza’s International
Exchange Gallery hosted the “Moldova Gallery; Pictures and Ink Painting”
exhibit. It displayed around 50 works taken by photo artist Mr. Kosei Miya,and Ms. Yuka Takeda, an ink painter who received the Prime Minister’sAward. These works showcased the natural beauty, traditional culture,and life in Moldova.
On Tuesday September 10th, an ink painting workshop was organized taught by Ms. Takeda, and on Tuesday
September 24th, a seminar on Moldova was held with Mr. Masaaki Kutsusawa, the President of the Japan Moldova
Friendship Association as the guest lecturer; both events were attended by many participants.

Upcoming Events
Note: These events are subject to change. Please check our website ornewsletter for any updates

JanEvents•
Volunteer Translator/Interpreter Disaster Training
Gallery Exhibit•
Hyogo UNICEF Exhibit
HIA Library Display•
Disaster Prevention in JapanFebMarEvents
Events• Salon Carnivale•
HIA Friendship Party
Gallery Exhibit
HIA Library Display•Picture Books from Africa •Special Feature: UK
HIA Library Display•
Special Feature: Africa

Enquiries:

Special Thanks
We would like to thank the following HIA Volunteer
Translators for their assistance with this volume’s
publication; we would not have been able to produce itwithout their help.

Ms. Keiko Iteya
Ms. Nami Tanaka
Ms. Mahoko Sakonju Ms. Yuki Tatsumi

Hyogo International AssociationPh(078)230-3260

FAX(078)230-3280

E-mail hia-info@net.hyogo-ip.or.jp

HIA Website:
http://www.hyogo-ip.or.jp/

Hyogo International Association 2Fl. IHD Center, 5-1, 1-Chome, Wakinohamakaigan-dori, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo 651-0073