aWa life
令和元年

Awa Shoku:
All the Peas in a Pod

TOPIA Staff
Introductions"I didn't know
TOPIA did that!"

May 2019# 344

1

Awa Life is a Monthly Publication of the Tokushima
Prefectural International Exchange Association

We are so excited to bring you the first Awa Life issue of the Reiwa Era! I hope that Awa Life and
TOPIA will bring "beautiful harmony" to Tokushima between locals and overseas residents as the era
name suggests. What will be instore for TOPIA in this new era? TOPIA has been making some changes
to better serve the needs of overseas residents in Tokushima. Meet our new staff members and geta refresher course on what services we have to offer the international community in this month's Awa
Life.
For all of those who like writing, please feel free to submit an article to us at any point in time aboutbasically anything. There are a few limitations though, such as you can’t write about religion, politics,
commercial activities or businesses or anything that we deem inappropriate. But, other than that, we
would be more than happy to receive articles about anything and everything including but not limited
to concerts, lectures, other events, culture, sports, community group information or anything cool that’s
happening in your local community.
We highly appreciate all of your articles and we love reading them. So if that writing bug of yours isbuzzing about, grab a pen or a computer and write and send away! Please send all submissions to ouremail:

awalife@gmail.com
Your editors,
Daralyn and Nico
Tokushima Prefectural International Exchange Association (TOPIA)
1-61 Terashima Honcho Nishi, Tokushima City 770-0831 JAPAN, Clement Plaza 6F
Tel: 088-656-3303 Fax: 088-652-0616
http://www.topia.ne.jp/
Download a PDF file of awa life or view the online version by going to TOPIA's website!

Editors:
Daralyn Yee and Nico Bohnsack
Contributors This Month:

Miaomiao Liu, Miraku Miyachi, Satoko Saito, Toshiro Taki, Akane Nakao,
Kazue Inoue, Lance Kita, and Kyoko Kamura

Contents
Pg. 2-4:
Pg. 4-5:
Pg. 5:
Pg. 6:
Pg. 7:
Pg. 8-9:

TOPIA Staff Introductions"I didn't know TOPIA did that!"
Letter from SUKETO NAKAYOSHI
Awa Shoku: All the Peas in a Pod
Japanese Lesson
Events and Memoranda

2

TOPIA Staff Introductions
Toshiro TakiI have been appointed to the newposition of Coordinator for Local
Internationalization. As a part ofthis position, I will partner with themultilingual consultation/ tourist
information desk, and with local
governments and prefecturalinternational associations to takesteps towards supporting local
overseas residents.
After graduating from university,
I worked as a staff member of the Tokushima
Prefectural Government until my retirement.
Through the years I was able to take part inwork related to medicine and wellness, local
governments, tourism, disaster prevention,
information technology, and culture and sports. I
hope to use the knowledge and experience that I
have gained in this position.
I have been abroad for work and vacationand studied foreign literature (translated into
Miaomiao Liu
My name is Miaomiao Liu and I have been
appointed as one of Tokushima Prefecture’s
Coordinator for International Relations. I started
working as a Japanese interpreter in the Foreign
Affairs Office of Hunan Province Government in
October 2017.After coming on board to this job, I
have been actively involved in exchange projects
between Hunan Province and Japan. ThroughJapanese) when I was younger. I
believe it is vital to continually develop
my international understanding.
In the midst of a globalizing
economy and culture, there is also
a lot of overseas residents living inTokushima. Most of them are enjoying
their life in Tokushima, improving theirskill and continually working hard
at what they do. On the other hand,
there are also people who are unable
to become accustomed to speaking
Japanese and local customs, andhave concerns in their daily lives.
I will partner with international associations,
government agencies, companies, and volunteersof many perspectives who work with overseas
residents. I hope that I can make a contribution
towards building a Tokushima where Japaneseand overseas residents alike can live in a
coexistent environment that inspires a love for
Tokushima in all.
projects such as the 36th China-Japan Economic
Knowledge Exchange held in Changsha in April
2018, Hunan Province Government Officials
Japan visitation in May, and the 35th anniversaryof relations between Hunan Province and Shiga
Prefecture held in November, I was able toincrease my interpretation and communication
skills and closely experience the charms of a jobin the intercultural exchange field.

3

I visited Tokushima Prefecture forthe first time last year. The support
offered to small and mid-sizedcompanies from the Tokushima
Industrial Technologies Center, thekindness of the locals, powerful
Naruto Whirlpools, the Awa Odori
danced passionately by the locals,
and the quiet townscapes is whatleft a deep impression on me.
Though I was here for a short periodof time, I felt that Tokushima was aneasy place to live.
After Hunan Province and Tokushima Prefecture
signed a friendship agreement on October 24,
2011 both areas have begun exchanges in
Miraku Miyachi
Hello, my name is LAI MỸ LẠC and I'm from
Hochiminh City, Vietnam (My Japanese nameis Miraku Miyachi). I am now working as theVietnamese multilingual advisor. I have been
living in Japan for six years, and have cherished
Tokushima from long ago. In August 2005, I cameto Tokushima City and Naruto City for a businesstrip and ate delicious food and was shown thewhirlpools. After returning from that business trip,
I just wanted to eat Zaru Udon. Three years afterin 2008, I married a person from Tokushima.

TOPIA Staff Introductions
healthcare, culture, and sports.
Additionally there is potential tocooperate in areas such as citylevel friendship agreements,
economic trade, agriculture, andtourism.
Through this exchange project, I
hope to do my best in this positionin order to learn about advanced
Japanese culture, deepen mutual
understanding between bothareas, and finding possible areasthat both parties can cooperate in. I’m looking
forward to working under your guidance.

Since I have been hired by Tokushima Prefectural
International Association (TOPIA), I would like to
do work that will bring out my best abilities. The
most necessary thing is receiving support andguidance from everyone. If I am able to receive
that, then I can overcome any obstacle.
I will put my best efforts in valuing each encounter
with everyone, including Vietnamese residents. I’mlooking forward to working with everyone.

Through my 15 years of experience in theinternational management field, I’ve been to many
countries and managed to study many languages.
Since observation, judgement, and taking
caution are essential skills to conduct accurate
bookkeeping and management, I was able tomaster these skills while on the job.

Satoko Saito
Hello, everyone. My name is Satoko Saito. I’m ajunior high school English teacher. I just started
working for TOPIA as a work experience trainee
from April 1st. I love eating lots of delicious foodand watching beautiful shows, plays, and movies.
Since I used to be a coach for the kendo clubat school, I think it could also be included as
one of my hobbies and be good exercise, but
unfortunately I ate too much to practice hard andmove quickly.
For about ten years, as an English teacher, I
taught English with ALTs so that students became
interested in communication by using English

TOPIA Staff Introductions
and enjoy talking to people fromother countries. As globalization
rapidly expands in various aspects
here in Japan, I strongly feel that
it is important to both learn otherforeign languages including English
and improve communication skills
in Japanese to give foreigners ahearty welcome.
TOPIA is a place where we havethe chance to help foreigners
study Japanese and support foreign tourists to
get information they need, and by doing so we4

are able to rediscover the charms
o f To k u s h i m a . T h e s e p r e c i o u sexperiences will broaden myperspectives as a teacher and I hope
to become a bridge to connect peopleinterested in Japan and Tokushima.
After finishing this work experienceat TOPIA, I hope to conduct various
activities with my future students
for multi-cultural understanding
and spreading the attractions ofTokushima to people in Japan andaround the world. I hope to see you all and am
looking forward to working with everyone.

“I didn’t know TOPIA did that!”
By: Daralyn Yee

Wweeks. Be sure to stop by
hen I am out insoon!
the international
community, there are a lot
Japanese Speech Contest
of times when I talk about
These words may seem
my work at TOPIA. During
daunting, but you neverthese conversations, people
know until you try, right?
often tell me something
The Japanese Speech
along the lines of “I didn’t
Contest isn’t only aboutknow TOPIA does that!” Youmaking a speech, it is about
may just think of us as thesharing your message withplace that sends out Awa
our international community
Life every month, but we
Come and visit our friendly staff at TOPIA!
and also a great chanceoffer more than that. Hereare a few services that I would like to highlight for for international exchange. People from many
countries participate in this event, making it aour readers.
great opportunity to meet new people as well.
Foreign Language Library
Are you an avid bookworm that needs to get Tourist Information Counter
their hands on a physical book? Stop on by to Not sure how to get to the Iya Vine Bridges bycheck out our library, made up of books donated train? Need some information on starting thefrom our international community. It has a nice pilgrimage? Ask one of our knowledgeable staff
collection of Japanese literature translated into members! We are more than willing to help you
English, Japanese textbooks and reference with any of your prefectural travel needs.
books, novels, and non-fiction. You need a librarycard to borrow these books. It is easy to make Arasowaren Special Dance Team
one, just ask one of our kind staff members for an If you want to learn how to dance the Awa
application and show a form of identification that Odori and be one of the front line dancers oflists your address. Seven books can be checked Arasowaren on August 14, join the Arasowaren
out at a time and books can be borrowed for two Special Dance Team. The team will be entering in5

to its 3rd year this summer. In addition to dancing
during the festival, we also gather throughout theyear to continue practicing Awa Odori and also
dance at various events. Keep an eye out for anannouncement about our Special Dance Team.
Vietnamese Speaking Staff
In response to the increase of Vietnamese
technical interns, TOPIA has hired Vietnamese
staff members to serve the Vietnamese
community of Tokushima. Here is a message for
our Vietnamese friends:
Tại Trung Tâm Giao Lưu Quốc Tế (TOPIA), chúng
tôi hiện đang hỗ trợ cho người nước ngoài đang“I didn’t know TOPIA did that!”sống tại tỉnh Tokushima, khách đến du lịch hay
mục đích khác các tư vấn liên quan đến nhiềulĩnh vực trong sinh hoạt cuộc sống (như giáo dục,lao động, y tế, phòng tránh thiên tai...), thông tin
du lịch hay làm cầu nối liên kết với các cơ quanchuyên ngành khi cần thiết. Mời quý vị đừng ngầnngại ghé qua chỗ chúng tôi để được tư vấn.
Tư vấn Việt ngữ (mở cửa mỗi ngày, trừ các ngàyđầu năm cuối năm)Thời gian:từ 10 sáng đến 2 giờ chiều (thứ hai đến thứ sáu)từ 10 sáng đến 6 giờ tối(thứ bảy, chủ nhật và ngày lễ)

Letter from SUKETO NAKAYOSHI

By Kazue Inoue (Center for Early Childhood Education and Care SUKETO NAKAYOSHI)
When infants grow, we begin to move them frombreast milk to solids. Depending on the baby,
there are mothers who become worried because
their children may not want to consume solids,
and it is not uncommon for infants to reject them.
This is something that all infants go through, so it
is important to not panic and find the cause andreason in order to find a solution.
Reasoning and Solutions Depending on Stage
Beginning Stage: They may be surprised by thetaste and texture, and reluctant to eat. Don’t pushthem to eat solids. Take a break, and try again later.
Middle Stage: If they don’t want to eat solids after getting used to it, there is a possibility that they
are rejecting it because it is difficult to eat. It may
be difficult to eat due to its form or firmness, ordoesn’t taste pleasant. For example, it is difficult
to make a smooth paste made from vegetables
such as cabbage and spinach due to the fiber,
making it difficult for children to consume. Thus,
it is best to change the ingredients or preparation
method. Adding a thickener can make foods easier to consume.
Last Stage: They want to eat with their hands,

hold a spoon, or don’t want to be fed. This may becaused by a developed sense of independence.
Allow them to eat the way they want in order to
get them to eat.
Additional ways of getting your child to eat include
creating an enjoyable eating environment; andchanging the location, scenery, or environment of
the meal. In order to have your child feel hungry
and eat normally, it is recommended to take yourchild for a walk or give them a bath.
＊＊＊
Koinobori (Flying Carps)
1) Fold a paper plate in half, and cover both sides
with colored paper. (On one side of the coloredpaper, cut out the shape of a tail as shown in the
picture.)2) Draw the eyes and design of the koinobori withcrayons or markers (Stickers can be used for children who are still unable to draw.)Awa Shoku: All the Peas in a Pod

By Lance Kita
pring brings a rush of new green growth,and no vegetable expresses that more thanpeas and beans. We’re eating young seeds, fullof nutrients and carbohydrates and natural fiber.
Year-round, we can always enjoy the ubiquitous
edamame 枝豆 (green soybeans) at any izakaya
居酒屋 , but April and May has a narrow window
for a bunch of fresh beans and peas that are awelcome addition to your spring meals.

S

6

mix are sunappu-endo スナップえんどう (sugar
snap peas, snap peas), which are plumper witha thicker, crisper pod that’s also eaten whole.
These also should have the ends snapped off
and any stringy fibers pulled. To retain the crisp
texture and to prevent the color from turning gray,just blanch them in salted boiling water for 30-45
seconds and chill them quickly in cold/ice water.
Read the May 2018 Awa Shoku article for a snap
pea aemono 和 え 物(dressed salad) recipe.

I really look forward to
fresh green peas
Saving the biggest for
グリーンピース the most.
last, soramame そ ら 豆Canned green peas are(broad beans) are giant
g r a y a n d s o g g y, a n dinedible pods with threefrozen ones are fine, butor four large thumb-size
there is nothing like thebeans inside. Early in theal dente texture of lightly
season, the beans will
blanched green peas. In
be tender, but as time
the supermarkets, you canpasses, the membranefind them in the pods earlysurrounding each beanin the season (and you
gets tough, and shouldhave to shell them), andbe peeled off before
small trays of pre-shelledeating the sweet, starchypeas as the season(clockwise from top left) Soramame,
center. Most izakaya will
progresses. Japanese
green peas, kinusaya, sunappu-endou
grill the whole pods andpeople will usually eat
green peas in two ways. One is mame-gohan serve them split open with salt. Soramame are
豆 ご は ん , where the green peas are cooked great additions to any barbecue. I like to shell
together with rice. It’s a simple dish with an the beans and use them in pepperoncino pasta
unpretentious flavor that complements other (olive oil, garlic, dried chili, a little pasta water).
lightly-flavored spring dishes and also stands The beans add a nice textural accent to the dishup to salted grilled fish and other naturally oily and the natural sweetness stands out among thefoods. The other way to enjoy green peas is in a garlic and chili. The shelled beans also work wellsimmered dish with scrambled eggs and koya- in tempura, often mixed with shrimp/squid anddofu 高野豆腐 (freeze-dried tofu). Look for this at onions and fried in clumps called kakiage かき揚げ.
supermarkets in the prepared foods section.
Peas can also be eaten pod and all as kinusaya
絹サヤ or sayaendo サヤエンドウ (snow peas).
These flat pods are tender with a slight green
flavor. You usually find them as accents in
Chinese stir-fries, and they can also be cookedwith eggs the same way as green peas. When
you cook them, be sure to snap the ends and pull
off and tough strings that lie along the edge of the
pods.
Speaking of “snap,” another recent addition to the

So explore your neighborhood farmer’s market or
supermarket and add some fresh peas and beans
to your spring cooking. Not only are they hearty
and healthy, they add great texture and bodyto dishes that tend to be lighter in this season.
Happy cooking!

7

Japanese Lesson

By: Kyoko Kamura「～んです」

This month we will study about the suffix「～んです」that is commonly used in daily conversation.
ゆうの①夕べ飲みすぎました。
ゆうの②夕べ飲みすぎたんです。
ゆうのBoth sentences one and two are saying「夕べ飲みすぎた」, but there is a large difference between
the two. Sentence one is stating the obvious, while sentence two implies that the speaker wants toゆうのcommunicate「夕べ飲みすぎました。だから～」to the listener. For example, when you are invited togo drinking after work, but want to say that “Yesterday, I drank too much. So, I can’t go/don’t want to go
ゆう

の

す

drinking today.”, you would say「夕べ飲み過ぎたんです。
」. Furthermore, when you want to tell your
ゆう

の

す

coworker who is worried about you “I’m not sick, so I’m okay”, you would say「夕べ飲み過ぎたんです。
.
」
Before using「～んです」, there must be an underlying premise that was heard or seen, and it is used
when the speaker has the intentions of communicating that feeling.
Additionally, this suffix is used when an explanation is requested, or a reason is asked for.
せつぞく

かたち

接続の形

どう し

けいよう しふ つうけい＜動詞 / い形容詞＞普通形＋んです
けいよう しめい し＜な形容詞 / 名詞＞～だ →～な＋んです
Practice
1. A：その T シャツ、かっこいいですね。
（I want to know where the shirt is soldか

→ どこで買いましたか。
・・・
おおさか

)

か

B：大阪で買いました。
2. B who is always on time is late
A：（I want to know the reason why he is late
ち こく→どうして遅刻しましたか。
・・・
でんしゃ

）

おく

B：電車が遅れました。
3. Seeing your neighbor take out their burnable garbage
も

きょ う

だ

A：
（I want to confirm→ 燃えるごみは今日出しますか。
・・・)

B：はい、そうです。
4. Watching a foreigner speak Japaneseに ほん ごじょう ず

A：日本語が上手ですね。
（I’m surprised by the fact that you can speak Japanese sowell, and I want to know the reason why
べんきょう→ どのくらい勉強しましたか。
・・・

）

ねん

B：1 年くらいです。

すか。4. どのくらい勉強したんですか。
Answers:

べんきょう

1. どこで買ったんですか。
か

2. どうして遅刻したんですか。3. 燃えるごみは今日出すんで
ち こく

も

きょ う

だ

8
Events & Memoranda
DATE & PLACE		

Tokushima Prefecture 2019Japanese Speech Contest - Apply Now!

July 21st, 2019 (Sunday), 13:30 - 16:30
Awagin Hall (Tokushima Prefecture Kyodo Bunka Kaikan), Small Hall (5F)

ELIGIBILITY		

Only foreign residents whose native language is not Japanese are eligible to apply.
(However, foreign residents who have had over three years of compulsory
education in Japan and those who have previously won the Grand Prize or theTokushima Prefectural Assembly's Chairman of the Federation of International
Exchange Assembly Members Award are not eligible to apply.)

SELECTION

Application will be open to all foreign residents of Tokushima Prefecture that fulfil
the eligibility requirements. We will ask all applicants to submit an outline of theirspeech (about 800 characters), and after reviewing all of the applications, roughly
10 or so applicants will be chosen to proceed to the final contest.

THEME

The topic is left to your discretion, but it should relate to the event's purpose of
fostering cross-cultural understanding and multiculturalism.

LENGTH

Speeches should be no more than 6 minutes in length.

HOW TO APPLY

Submit your application form by mail or fax. Alternatively, you may submit yourapplication in person.

DEADLINE
		WHERE TO APPLYMay 27th, 2019 (Monday)
Applications must be turned in by 17:00.
Tokushima Prefectural International Exchange Association (TOPIA)〒 770-0831 1-61 Terashima Honcho Nishi, Tokushima City, Clement Plaza 6F
TEL: 088-656-3303 FAX: 088-652-0616*For more information, see TOPIA's homepage (https://www.topia.ne.jp/)

HIROBA International International Understanding Lecture
国際交流懇話会 HIROBA 国際理解 英語講演会
Afganistan’s Past, Present, and Future「アフガニスタンの過去、現在、未来」
Tw o g r a d u a t e s t u d e n t s f r o m A f g h a n i s t a n （日本語通訳付き）
employed by the Ministry of Education in their 鳴門教育大の大学院修士課程で学んでいる二人のcountry will speak about various aspects such アフガニスタン学生（本国では文部省勤務）に、
as daily life, culture, religion, and women’s rights 生活、文化、宗教、教育、女性問題など様々な側
issues. It is important to know and recognize 面から、お話しいただきます。今後、海外から日
each other ’s differences in order to live in 本を訪れたり、日本に滞在する方々がますます増えてきます。異なった文化や習慣の方々を受け入
harmony with those of different cultures and
れ共生していくには、お互いの違いを知り、認め
traditions.
あうことが大切です。ぜひご参加ください。
When: June 9 (Sun) 13:00-16:00
Where: TOPIA (Tokushima Prefectural 		International Exchange Association, 		Clement Plaza 6th Floor)
Registration: HIROBA International (Ms. Yamada)E-mail: welcometotokushima@yahoo.co.jp
TEL: 090-2787-3597 FAX:088-652-4846

日時：６月９日 ( 日） 午後１時～４時
場所：TOPIA（徳島県国際交流協会、
			
クレメントビル６階）
問い合わせ・申し込み先 :国際交流懇話会 HIROBA 山田まで
メール：welcometotokushima@yahoo.co.jp
電話： 090-2787-3597 FAX:088-652-4846

9Events & Memoranda
Machi ★ Asobi Vol. 22
マチ★アソビ vol.22

After the first Machi Asobi anime event in 2009, 2009 年秋の第 1 回開催以来、徳島市の中心市街
many anime fans from all over the country 地周遊型アニメイベントとして全国から多くの
became attracted by this event held in the heart
アニメファンを呼び込んでいる「マチ★アソビ」。
of Tokushima City, giving people the chance totour the center of the town at the same time. 有名声優によるトークショーや、色とりどりの衣There will be famous voice-over artists hosting 装が印象的なコスプレショーなど、徳島の街がアtalk shows and cosplay performances featuring ニメ一色に彩られます！詳しいイベントの情報はcolorful outfits, filling the whole city with the 「マチ★アソビ」HP にて随時発表されますのでごspirit of anime. For more details visit the official
覧ください。
homepage.
When: May 4th (Sat) – 6th (Mon)
Where: Tokushima City Center and Aibahama
Park
Info: Tokushima Town Livelihood Division
Tel: 088-621-2309
URL:http://www.machiasobi.com/

日時： 5 月 4 日（土・祝）～ 6 日（月・祝））場所： 徳島市内中心部および藍場浜公園
問い合わせ：徳島県にぎわいづくり課
TEL: 088-621-2309
URL:http://www.machiasobi.com/

Awa Open Gardens
阿波オープンガーデン
This limited time event opens up private homes
with extraordinarily beautiful gardens for the
public. It is one of the big events in Awa City, withover 5000 visitors every year.
Parking is provided as well with the option ofriding a shuttle bus (500 yen for junior high school
students and up). The starting point will be thegeneral information center, with a West route andan East route.

丹 誠 込 め て 作 っ た 個 人 宅 の お 庭 を、 期
間 限 定 で 開 放 す る イ ベ ン ト で す ♪
毎年約 5,000 人以上の人々が訪れる阿波市の一大イベントになっております！
☆巡回バス運行付き駐車場が設置されます。
（ 交 通 整 理 料： 中 学 生 以 上 500 円 ）イ ベ ン ト 期 間 中、 総 合 案 内 所 を 起 点 に 西
ル ー ト と 東 ル ー ト で 巡 回 さ れ る 予 定 で す。
詳細発表は 3 月下旬予定。

When: May 11th (Sat), 12th (Sun)10:00 – 16:00
Where: Gardens located in Awa-cho (Awa City)
Info: Awa City Tourism Association
Tel: 0883-35-4211
URL:https://www.awa-kankou.jp/

日時：5 月 11 日（土）、12 日（日）10：00 ～ 16：00
場所： 阿波市阿波町各ガーデン
問い合わせ：阿波市観光協会
TEL: 0883-35-4211
URL:https://www.awa-kankou.jp/

Counselling Service at TOPIA・トピアの相談窓口
TOPIA provides consultation on everyday life, education, labor, medical institutions, and disasterprevention; and information on sightseeing spots to overseas residents and visitors. When necessary,
we will refer you to the appropriate organization that can assist with your needs.Counselling is available
in English, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Japanese. Please note that although every effort will be made,we may not be able to deal with all cases.
Everyday, 10:00 - 18:00 (closed during the New Year's holidays)
Tel: 088-656-3303 or 088-656-3320 (allows three-way conversations with an interpreter)