Vol. 9
December 2015

Contents
SIEA autumn event
report1

A Vietnamese author 2
visits Saijo Library
Upcoming cookingclasses

2

Coming Soon: the 4th 2International Café
Volunteer opportunities 2with SIEA
Essay by an exchange 3
student from Germany
Vietnam Note: Military 3
service and education
Eigo de Go!

4Events &Announcements

4International Relations
Saijo is a quarterly
newsletter published inJapanese and English by
the Saijo International
Exchange Association(SIEA). We welcome yourcomments, questions andsubmissions.

Halloween Party
Halloween has arrived in Saijo!
Working with the Saijo Machi-dukuriConvention, the Saijo International
Exchange Association (SIEA) hosted aHalloween Party on Saturday Oct. 31
at the shopping arcade (shotengai).
“Let’s use international exchange toenergize Saijo!” was the rallying cry ofparticipants. Organizations included
ELIS, who organized a Halloween
event for almost 20 years. With thehelp of many groups, this year was
the largest Halloween event in thecity’s history. About 1000 participants
enjoyed games, a costume contest,trick-or-treating, balloon art andmore. Children and adults alikecame in costume, and the shopping
arcade had a magical Halloweenatmosphere.

↑Costume contest←Mummy game

58th Saijo

World Cafe ＠ Industry Fair
SIEA held a World Café at the 58th
Saijo Industry Fair from Nov. 14-15 at
Saijo Agricultural High School.
Volunteers from the International Exchange Promotion Association worked
together with JICA members to organize
the café. Fresh-grilled Vietnamese tsukune (nem lui) were on sale outside, andinside the café visitors could try snacks
from around the world, wear ethnic costumes, play games and listen to music.
The nem lui were very popular, sellingout all 300 by noon each day. Visitors
enjoyed snacks and tea at the café while↑World Cafetalking to JICA members and ALTs
←Vietnamese
about many international topics. Ittsukune （Nem lui） was a lively atmosphere.

Saijo International Exchange Association 〒793-8601 164 Akeyashiki, Saijo City, Ehime Prefecture
TEL(0897)52-1206 FAX(0897)52-1200 E-mail: kokusai@saijo-city.jp URL: http://www.city.saijo.ehime.jp

2International Relations Saijo
Vietnamese kamishibai (picturestory show) author visits Saijo
Did you know that Japanese-style picture story

shows are known in Vietnam as “kamishibai,”
their Japanese name? These stories are popularwith children in both countries.
On Oct. 27 kamishibai author Bui Lien and hiswife visited Saijo.
Mr. Lien first discovered Japanese kamishibai
about 20 years ago. He wanted to introduce thesewonderful stories to children in Vietnam. He
honed his skills in storytelling, performance, andart, promoting kamishibai across his home.
After touring Saijo Library, Mr. Lien performed
his stories “Taisetsu na uchiwa” (The PreciousFan) and “Zouge no kushi” (The Ivory Comb). The
latter is set during the Vietnam War and is aprayer for peace.
The two stories were donated to the library andcan be viewed in the children’s corner.（か）Upcoming Cooking Classes◆Afternoon Tea◆
An instructor from England will teach about thehistory and method of traditional afternoon tea.
【Date】 January 23 (Sat.) 2:00~4:00 p.m.
【Place】 Atelier Beurre Noisetto
123 Akeyashiki, Saijo【Instructor】 Richard Westrop (ALT)【Cost】 2,000 yen (SIEA members 1,500 yen)
【Max】 10 (reservation req., high school and older)
Participants bring their own teacup and saucer.
【Application deadline】 Jan. 15 (Fri.)◆Handmade Udon Lesson◆
Learn how to make Japanese udon noodles. Everyone is welcome! For Japanese participants, practiceexplaining Japanese food to non-Japanese friends.
【Date】 Jan. 31 (Sun.) 9:00 a.m.~1:00 p.m.
【Place】 Kanbai Community Center kitchen【Cost】 800 yen (SIEA members 500 yen)
【Max】 12 (reservations required)
Participants bring their own apron, bandana, hand towel,
and Tupperware to take udon home (appox. 2500cc)【Application deadline】 Jan. 22 (Fri)◇◆Apply To◆◇ Saijo International Exchange
Association ℡：0897-52-1206

4th International Cafe

Lien (right) and his teacher Hideya Miyano (center)

Recruiting

Join our bimonthly international café andspeak with Saijo residents in any language about anysubject. Enjoy tea, Vietnamese coffee, snacks andmore.
【Date】 Feb. 3 (Wed.) 6:00~8:00 p.m.
【Place】 Saijo Sangyō Jōhō Shien Center (SICS)
The 3rd International Café (Dec. 2 at TanbaraCommunity Center) attracted over 30 participants.

Contact the SIEA Office!

”Weekend Saijo Trip” translation group project
The comprehensive tourism pamphlet “Weekend SaijoTrip” (週末西条とりっぷ） will be translated into multiple languages as a resource for non-Japanese visitors to our city.
Those with language experience, those studying a foreign
language, and non-Japanese residents are encouraged to apply. Learn more about your home town through this project.
＜Languages: English, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, etc.＞

16th Industry Culture Festival ideas wanted
SIEA will host a booth at the 16th Industry
Culture Festival and we would like your help!
We are looking for booth activities including
clothing, food, dance, games that visitors willenjoy. Introduce your “world” to Saijo.
◆Date: April 29 (Fri., holiday) 9 a.m.~4 p.m.
◆Place: Saijo Shopping Arcade (empty shopspace)◆Wanted: Ideas for events and activities.

Saijo International Exchange Association 〒793-8601 164
TEL(0897)52-1206 FAX(0897)52-1200 E-mail: kokusai@saijo-city.jp URL: http://www.city.saijo.ehime.jp

International Relations Saijo

3International Relations in Saijo～A German Student’s Experiences～

Hello, I’m Stefan Trautrim from Germany. I’m herein Japan for an exchange from March 2015 to January
2016. My homestay is in Saijo while my school isNiihama West High School. Until now I’ve learned a
lot about Japanese culture, for example, family lifeand school lifestyle. Every day there are interesting
and funny situations because of my many friends inclass and the choir club I joined.
However, at the beginning of October a friend of
my host mother asked me if I wanted to volunteer at a
Halloween party. It sounded like a lot of fun and so I
started volunteering for the Saijo International Exchange Association.
And so, on the day of Halloween we taught together
with many non-Japanese this foreign culture, playing
games with the Japanese children on the shopping
street (shotengai) of Saijo. For example, in the“mummy game,” Japanese children turned us into
mummies using toilet paper. I have to say that I’ve
never celebrated Halloween by myself in Germany, so
it was a lot of fun to
run around as a zombie.
Then in November,there was anotherevent. This time Japa-Vietnam Note: Mandatory MilitaryService and University Education
Since coming to Japan, I am often asked “Does Vietnam
have mandatory military service?” The answer is yes.
While service was naturally required until the end of theVietnam War in 1975, the mandatory service system wasmaintained even in peacetime and continues today. It isbelieved that entering the military to protect the country is theresponsibility of citizens.
Until this year, a draft has been held twice a year. The firstdraft was in February/March (after the Lunar New Year), and thesecond took place in August/September. The service period was
18 months and, while service was only mandatory for youngmen, women were also able to enlist. Service took place between
the ages of 18 and 25—in other words fundamentally all men inthis age range must serve at least once. However, men who failed
a physical exam or were studying at university were exempt fromservice. Studies were given priority.
However, a revised Military Service Law was passed
mandating that from 2016 the draft will be held once a year
in February/March. Military service will be given priority
over education. All people 18 and older who receive an

Halloween Party volunteers (author is the leftmost zombie)

nese taught us non-Japanese a part of Japanese culture: mochi-tsuki. Making mochi with the others andthen eating it together was very interesting and delicious. The members of the Saijo International Exchange Association are all very kind and have very
good ideas for events.
Now I don’t want to go back to Germany. I want todo other various things together.
Thank you very much.
(Note: This article was translated into English bythe author.)

enlistment notice, regardless of
their enrollment status, will berequired to serve. Once theirservice requirement is over, they will
be able to return to university or theirformer jobs. Furthermore, the service
age will be expanded to 27, and theperiod will be 24 months.
Even outside of the military, alluniversity students are obligated toUniversity students
take a military training course.
Normally this course is held for all new students in December
with no division by gender. Students enter “military school”
and undergo rigorous training for a month. They study manythings such as the use of weapons and how to move. School
starts at 5 a.m. and continues until lights out at 10 p.m. Those
who violate school rules are punished severely according toreal military regulation.
Though only a month, this experience is rigorous andchallenging for students. But students may feel themselves
growing up. They may become more independent andstronger. They are able to become close with people in theirgroups with whom they normally would not speak. This is
why some believe it is a valuable experience. (レ）Saijo International Exchange Association 〒793-8601 164 Akeyashiki, Saijo City, Ehime Prefecture
TEL(0897)52-1206 FAX(0897)52-1200 E-mail: kokusai@saijo-city.jp URL: http://www.city.saijo.ehime.jp

4International Relations Saijo

英語でGO!

you know that a friend celebrates Christ-Merry Happy Christmas?
--An Introduction to Holiday Greetings--

The traditional harvest festival in America is called
Thanksgiving. It is celebrated on the fourth Thursdaymas, then you should not hesitate to say“Merry Christmas” to them. “Happy Hanukkah” and “Happy New Year” are thestandard greetings for those holidays.

of November. (Thanksgiving in Canada is on the sec-

Fans of the Harry Potter series might have noticed

ond Monday of October.) The day after Thanksgiving

this, but in England the Christmas greeting is “Happyis called Black Friday. Black Friday is a shopping dayChristmas.” Merry and happy mean the same thing.

and marks the start of the “holiday season.” The word

Sometimes I see “Merry Happy Christmas” on store“black” means “profit” in this case and refers to thedisplays in Japan. This is strange English.

money that stores make on Black Friday.

By the way, eating fried chicken on Christmas isIn the West, the “holiday season” refers to all winterapparently a Japanese tradition. Since coming to Sai-holidays including Christmas, New Year’s, Boxing Day

jo, I have also eaten fried chicken on Dec. 25. The(England),movement and evolution of traditions is interesting.

Hanukkah(aJewishholiday),andKwanzaa (African heritage). It is a heartwarming

While there are many holiday greetings, as long as

month when families get together, people send Christ-

you use them warmly and sincerely, you shouldn’t hes-mas cards to friends, and everyone exchanges pre-itate to say them. Happy Holidays! (J)sents. As there are many holidays, there are also many
A Christmas card thatmy parents sent tofriends and relatives.
As it is common to include news from thepast year, makingcards can take a lot oftime.

appropriate greetings. I will introduce a few of them.
Christmas (Dec. 25) is a Christian holiday, but as inJapan, many non-Christians in the West celebrate it.
However, there are also many who do not observe
Christmas at all, so the broad “Happy Holidays” isseen as more thoughtful than “Merry Christmas.” If

Events & Announcements【FUN FUN English Let’s Play in English! 】
Play games in English with non-Japanese guests!
◆Date: March 6 (Sun.) 2-4 p.m.
◆Place: Komatsu Community Center◆Participants: Saijo elementary school students※Children entering elementary
school in 2016 also eligible◆Max participants: 80 (reservations are first come)◆Application period: Feb. 10 (Wed.) to Feb. 18(Thurs.) 5 p.m.
◆Organizer: ELIS (English Language Intercultural
Communication in Saijo)◇◆Inquiries・Applications◆◇
Saijo City International Exchange Association
office (City Office General Affairs Division)℡: 0897-52-1206
Email: kokusai@saijo-city.jp

Saijo International Exchange Association~Email Newsletter Service~
SIEA distributes an email newsletter.
To receive the latest news and event info for
Saijo City and Ehime Prefecture, send your nameand address to kokusai@saijo-city.jp with the subject line “Email newsletter registration”
Note: not all content is published in English.

編集
後記

In the United States, many people write New
Year’s Resolutions. I will think about how we
can expand international activities in Saijo
next year. I hope that you will join me in thisreflection. Happy New Year from SIEA! （J）

International Relations Saijo Staff:
Sachi Kawaguchi（か）Truong Dinh Le（レ）John Wheeler（J） (English translation)
Mamiko Imai（今）Saijo International Exchange Association 〒793-8601 164 Akeyashiki, Saijo City, Ehime PrefectureTEL(0897)52-1206 FAX(0897)52-1200 E-mail: kokusai@saijo-city.jp URL: http://www.city.saijo.ehime.jp