～SIEA General Term Meeting Announcement～◆When: June 1, 2019 (Saturday) 13:00~

Vol.22◆Where: Saijo City Hall Main Building 5F Large Conference RoomDetails will be sent along with a postcard for attendance in the mail.
We humbly await the participation of all of our members.
＜SIEA Projects Completed in 2018-2019＞

March 2019◆Public Language Courses (Chinese・Korean・Vietnamese・English）

Contents
SIEA General TermMeeting

1

Project Proposal
Submissions

1◆International Exchange Café (4/ year)◆Industry and Culture Festival (4/29)◆Disaster Prevention Course (6/30)◆Chinese Cooking Class (7/14)◆Saijo and Hue Friendship City International Understanding Lecture (8/19)

H31 (2019-2020) SIEA 1Membership
Recruitment
International Speech 2Contests
Saijo International2
Exchange Volunteer
Association Activities
Vietnamese Ikebana 3(Flower Arrangement)
ClassConversations withthe People ofVietnam

3Dates with Diana

4

Events &Announcements

4◆International Bake Off! (8/22)◆Having Fun Learning about the World (8/26)◆Scottish Culture Lesson (8/29)◆Japanese Cooking Class (9/1)◆Vietnam Mid-Autumn Harvest (9/8)◆Thinking about Cuisine, Japan and the World with 1 Cup of Coffee (9/29)◆International Understanding Lecture (Germany) (10/3)◆Halloween Party (10/27)◆Saijo Industry Fair (11/10.11)◆Vietnamese Ikebana Class (12/9)◆Fair Trade Class (12/15)◆Conversations with the People of Vietnam (1/19)◆Vietnam OSHOGATSU in Saijo (2/16)◆Mini Courses(Let’s Read Together, Translation Team, Reading Club, and Saijo Fan Club Tour Guides)＜2019-2020 SIEA Project Proposal Submissions＞
This year, we will continue to plan activities promoting international exchange.
Have you ever thought “I want to do something like this!” or “A non-Japanese person might be troubled by this”? We look forward to your determination and ideas!
◆Target: SIEA members (organizations・individuals・students）◆Contents: Project proposals for international exchange in Saijo City
◆Application Method: Submit “Saijo City International Exchange Association Project
Proposal” (Please call or email for consultation first)◆Submission Deadline: March 29 (Fri.) ◆Submission Place: SIEA office◆Decision Method: Board of directors will review the applications and make a decision.
【Annual Membership Fee】

International Relations Saijo Individual 1,000円, Student (until high school) 500円,
is a quarterly newsletter

Organization 10,000円

published in Japanese, Eng-

【Membership Period】 April 1, 2019~ March 31, 2020

lish, and Vietnamese by the【Enrollment Method】(Current Members）We will send renewal

Saijo International Ex-guidelines in the mail. Hope you will continue your membership!

change Association (SIEA).
We welcome your comments,(New Applicants) Complete membership form and submit to SIEA office (Saijo City International Affairs Section). (Forms available at city facilities and for download online)＜https://www.city.saijo.ehime.jp/soshiki/somu/kokusaikoryu-boshu.html＞

questions and submissions.

Saijo International Exchange Association 164 Akeyashiki, Saijo City, Ehime Prefecture 〒793-8601
TEL(0897)52-1206 FAX(0897)52-1230 E-mail: kokusai@saijo-city.jp URL: http://www.saijo-iea.jp/

2International Relations Saijo＜Tanbara International Exchange Association Report＞
On December 16, the Tanbara Community Center hosted the International Exchange Speech Contest. Local Japanese and non-Japanese residents gathered to demonstrate the results of their foreign language study.
Enjoying its 19th run, the speech contest evolved from the goal of deepening intercultural understanding.
Non-Japanese residents; elementary, middle, and high school students;and members of the Korean and Chinese Conversation Circles deliveredspeeches. This year, Toni Wibowo won first place. Given in fluent Japanese, his speech, “The River in Our Hometown: Bengawan Solo,” painted apicture of the Indonesian landscape in our minds.

＜English Speech Contest＞
NPO Regional Revitalization・Individualized Medical Care and the Saijo Boy Scouts Association hosted the3rd English Speech Contest at the Saijo Library on January 14. The groups endeavor to discover internationally motivated adolescents and create an environment for their academic cultivation. It was a full house with somany people that guests had to watch while standing. First, there were presentations on the international
study tour to Seattle, USA, language training in New Zealand, and life in the study abroad program at Canterbury University. The organizers even used theinternet to connect to the venue in New Zealandfor a question and answer session. Then, theEnglish speech contest began. The 12 elementary, junior high school and senior high school
students gave their speeches passionately. Afterthe speech contest, a social gathering was held atthe SICS Salon (Saijo Industry & Information
Centre for Support ) in the evening to give theparticipants more time to deepen the exchange.

Saijo International Exchange Volunteer Association Activities＜Inquiries＞【TEL】
Mr. Ochi 090-7571-7333
Mr. Suto 090-2787-6996【E-mail】 yuezhi5danjiri●gmail.com※Change the ● to @ when emailing.

Every Saturday night, we hold “Japanese Class” throughwhich Japanese and non-Japanese residents enjoy a fun cultural exchange.
We divide into several groups during our class. For example, there is a group preparing for the Japanese Proficiency
Exam with a textbook, one studying work-related Japanese,and one for light conversation.
We will be approaching our 23rd year of activity, and we currently have members from many countries, including Vietnam, Indonesia, the Philippines, South Korea, etc., andfrom various fields of work.
Japanese residents, non-Japanese residents, how about
joining us Saturday night for a relaxing session of intercultural exchange? Even if it’s just once, please join us! We also
host ohanami (flower viewing) get-togethers, barbeques,cooking classes, and various other events!
【When】 Saturday 19:30~21:00【Where】 Saijo Sogo Fukushi Center 3F（324-2 Kanbai-kou,Saijo） ※Depending on availability, session may be at another venue or cancelled, so please make an inquiry beforehand.
【Annual Fee】 Non-Japanese resident
300円
Japanese resident・Adult
2,000円Japanese resident・Below Senior HS500円【Facebook】https://www.facebook.com/skv1995saijo/

Saijo International Exchange Association 164 Akeyashiki, Saijo City, Ehime Prefecture 〒793-8601
TEL(0897)52-1206 FAX(0897)52-1230 E-mail: kokusai@saijo-city.jp URL: http://www.saijo-iea.jp/

3International Relations Saijo

Introduction to Vietnamese Ikebana
On December 9 (Sun.), Ms. Thuy, a trainee from Vietnam,
introduced Vietnamese ikebana. We would like to express
our heartfelt thanks to the director of Ono Farm, where Ms.
Thuy currently works, and his wife who keep updated on
SIEA events and took part in this class.
Although the term “Ikebana” is not used in Vietnam, wedeliberately say “ikebana” instead of “flower arrangement” toconvey the cultural practice to a Japanese audience.
The Vietnamese people consider flowers special, and there are many opportunities to give them as presents. October 20 is a particularly special day for Vietnamese people; it is called “Vietnam Women’s Day.” Like the Japanese WhiteDay custom, Vietnamese men give flowers to women at the office or at home.
According to Ms. Thuy’s explanation, even if Vietnam and flowers are divided orcut, relationships do not sever. It is said that Japanese ikebana values the beauty of blank space and maintains the vitality of nature, while Vietnamese ikebana
seems to fill the blank space.
Many local residents collaborated with us to make this event a success. We are
grateful to the participants who provided pine from their gardens and to Ms.
Thuy’s neighbors who provided various leaves.
Lastly, we would like to include a few words from Ms. Thuy about her experience, as they leave a deep impression.
“Before I came to Japan, I experienced grave personal strife, so coming to Japan was especially meaningfulfor me. Although it is important to earn money while I am here, I have received so much generosity fromthose at Ono Farm, my place of work, that, as a trainee, I feel that I have gained so much more than just anincome and knowledge of Japan’s advanced technical skills. As I have experienced intercultural exchangewith the local people and absorbed so much kindness, I feel nothing but sincere gratitude for the meaningful
livelihood I have been able to cultivate here. I will continue to give my best effort.” (Ms. Thuy)☆ Conversations with the People of Vietnam ☆
On Jan. 19, we held a session for local residents to speak with Vietnamese residents at the Fukushi Center.
First, Mr. Kyozo Termachi gave a presentation on his experience of the 2015 and 2017 Hue Traditional Crafts
Festival, so many participants seemed interested in attending the next festival. City personnel also explainedplans for the 2019 festival and details regarding SIEA members’ ability to apply for a grant assisting exchange
between our friendship cities. Contact the SIEA office if you are interested in the Hue Festival.
Afterwards, 3 Vietnamese residents in Saijo, Phung Thi Nhuong, Nguyen Van Tuan and Khong Thi Thuy,
gave speeches in Japanese. They talked about working in Saijo while living apart from their families, differences between their expectations and the reality of making a living in Japan, their initial inability to communicate in Japanese, and the differences between Vietnam and Japan. Though they have faced many difficulties,
they tackled them head-on. Meeting kind-hearted Japanese people has been a great source of support for them.
Although Ms. Nhuong and Mr. Tuan will be returning to Vietnam soon, they intend to make use of their experiences in Japan in their future careers. Ms. Thuy will be here for another year and a half so she intends to enjoy
more cultural exchange opportunities by improving upon her Japanese language skills. Through this exchange,
the Vietnamese residents could impart some of their feelings to the local Japanese people, so we hope to carryout more cultural exchange opportunities with the community so that we can develop more intercultural understanding.
Many of the participants areinterested in the Hue Festival.

Mr. Kyozo Teramachi
provides information on theHue Festival.

Ms. Nhuong who loves
the city of Saijo

Mr. Tuan who climbed
Mt. Ishizuchi

Ms. Thuy experiencing
Japanese culture first-hand in
Saijo City.

Saijo International Exchange Association 164 Akeyashiki, Saijo City, Ehime Prefecture 〒793-8601TEL(0897)52-1206 FAX(0897)52-1230 E-mail: kokusai@saijo-city.jp URL: http://www.saijo-iea.jp/

4International Relations Saijo
Dates with DianaOn Jan. 25 (Fri.), Saijo City Hall Regional Promotion Division collaborated with the Saijo branch of Kuraray Co., Ltd. to host an international exchange gathering. At present, foreign nationals comprise about 1/3of the Kuraray staff in and out of Japan, and having
come from different cultural backgrounds, their common language is English. Members of the Kuraraystaff are proactively creating opportunities for English
conversation, so that Japanese staff members may
gain confidence and overcome current language barriers. With this goal as an incentive, the first international exchange gathering was held the other day.
From this point forward, Saijo City Hall and Kurarayhope to create more opportunities for international ex-change that are inclusive of the greater population offoreign nationals in Saijo, so that we may increase intercultural understanding and improve upon English
conversational skills.
This opportunity for cultural exchange happens toinclude the chance to use English, but I know there aremany people who don’t feel comfortable communicating in English. With globalization, English language abilities are definitely a useful tool, but it isessential that we deepen intercultural understanding.
Language barriers only amount to one of the obstacles
in encounters with people from different nations.
There are many other hurdles to overcome, for example, cultural differences, mutual prejudices, and thetendency to oversimplify tensions between foreign nationals as “differences in culture.” After all, tensions
can arise from personal differences between people ofdifferent nations just as they can between people of thesame nation.
When misunderstandings arise, it can be difficult toascertain the source of the problem; however, if you
can consider this a part of what makes intercultural
exchange interesting, then you will be able to braveencounters with people from all over the world withoutfear, while increasing your capacity for effective communication. Whether you can or cannot speak English,
anyone who makes a conscious effort toward intercultural understanding is a Coordinator for International
Exchange.

Events & Announcements
ELIS Saijo English Volunteers
International Understanding Lecture
Theme： “Scotland and Japan’s Influence”○Course Term: June 2019~March 2020
◆When: March 16, 13：30～15：00◆Chinese（Saturday・20 classes per level）◆Where: Saijo Sogo Fukushi Center
Intermediate 13:30～15:00/ Beginner 15:30～17:00 ◆Lecturer: Megan Hammersly◆Korean（Sunday・20 classes per level）◆No reservations necessary
ATTENTION! Class times have changed this year!
This is the final publication for the fiscal year. We
Intermediate 9:15～10:45/ Beginner 10:55～12:25
Editor owe a great debt to all our members. In 2018, the○Eligibility: Able to attend over 70% of the course,Notes scope of the SIEA activities expanded tenfold. At thefalling under these stipulations:
office, I sensed that the number of students interest①Residing or commuting to the city
ed in our activities increased as well. Through the interna②Member of SIEA
tional exchange events over the year, we welcomed more
○Capacity: 20 people per course
student volunteers and made a step forward in the revitalization of the region. We hope that we will be able to expand○Location: Saijo Sogo Fukushi Center
upon our international endeavors with the support of our○Course Fee: 6,000円 (SIEA Members: 5,000円)
members during the upcoming fiscal year. （石）○Application Period: May 7 (Tue.) ~ May 21 (Tue.)
International Relations Saijo Staff○Applications & Inquiries: SIEA Office
Yuki Teraoka （寺）TEL:0897-52-1206※Courses are not taught by specialists.
※English・Vietnamese courses are scheduled to
begin in November.

Miho Ishimura (石）
Emi Sasaki (佐)Diana Marie Linton (ダ）(English Translation)
Nguyen Bui Anh Thy (ア）Read in fullcolor！

Saijo International Exchange Association 164 Akeyashiki, Saijo City, Ehime Prefecture 〒793-8601
TEL(0897)52-1206 FAX(0897)52-1230 E-mail: kokusai@saijo-city.jp URL: http://www.saijo-iea.jp/