阿波ライフ

261

AWA LIFE

A monthly newsletter for the international residents of Tokushima Prefecture, produced
by TOPIA, the Tokushima Prefectural International Exchange Association.

Wander-ful tabi:

April

Toppy says: “Get out andsee dem cherry trees.”

The Last Daimyo's Cherry Tree

Lance Kita

Tucked in a
residential area,
off Route 55
just south of
Awa Tomida
Station, sits the
only remaining
samurai residence(buke-yashiki
武家屋敷 ) in
Tokushima City.

This Hachisuka-zakura tree originally stood on the castle grounds before being
moved here in the Meiji Period

A large cherry tree stands
sentinel in the south garden.
The large tiled roof andhedges belie a curious history
spanning a century and a half.

Myodo prefecture (once Awa
Province, now Tokushima
Prefecture). The house was
relocated to its present locationin 1882 at great cost.

As the Meiji government
dissolved all feudal domains,
daimyo 大名 and samurai were
stripped of their social status andprivileges. The last clan leader
in Awa Province, Hachisuka
Mochiaki, abandoned his castle.
He gifted a samurai residence
to Harada Ippei, a high-ranking
official in the newly-formed

Along with the house, he also
entrusted his favorite cherrytree, originally growing on
the castle grounds. This tree
is believed to be a hybrid of anative Yamato-zakura ヤマト
桜 and an Okinawan Kanhizakura 寒緋桜 variety, andbears the name of the daimyo.
Blooming almost a monthearlier, the Hachisuka-zakura 蜂
須賀桜 also sports a deeper hue ofpink than the ubiquitous Someiyoshino 染井吉野 variety.
I recently got a guided tour ofthe house and garden by one ofthe descendants of the Haradafamily. True to its samurai nature,
innovative features like a hidden
second floor and secret hallways
behind the main reception room
allowed the occupants to escapeor ambush invaders, including
a staircase concealed behind acloset door and an exit under the

Wander-ful Tabi: The Last Daimyo's Cherry Tree ...continued on page 3

261
April

awa life

Toppy says: “Get out andsee dem cherry trees’.”This month in Awa Life
1

Wander-ful Tabi: The Last
Daimyo's Cherry Tree
Lance Kita

4

Immigration Changes in
Review
Sarah Nelson

6Musical Photos

7

Irene's Recipe Corner

8

Japanese Lesson

9

Letter from Suketo Hoikuen

Hideki Tohara and Anna Peat

Irene Wachuga

Yoko Aoki

Kazue Inoue

10 News & Events
12 Memoranda

editor's page
Howdy Tokers,
Welp, it’s spring time, and for somethat means school holidays, while therest of us...still have work, but at least
there’s less of it. Fall and winter seemto bring no end of projects, but when it starts towarm up people seem to take it easy for a while. If
I’m wrong, maybe you should take it easy!
For instance, take some time to sit back and read
Lance’s tale of a badass, ancient samurai house andits former master, and after that maybe acquaintyourself with the upcoming changes to Japan’s
immigration system, which I have borrowed from theever helpful CLAIR.
Also in the mix are some photos from the musicallast month, and our usual recipe, Japanese, andchildcare columns. Eat your heart out!
Best,
Sarah

awa life

is a monthly publication of the Tokushima Prefectural
International Exchange Association (TOPIA).
Tokushima Prefectural International
Exchange Association (TOPIA)〒 770-0831
Tokushima City, Terashima Honcho Nishi 1-61
Clement Plaza 6F
Tel
088-656-3303
Fax 088-652-0616
Email topia@topia.ne.jp
HP www.topia.ne.jp
An electronic version of Awa Life is also available fordownload from the TOPIA homepage.

2

TOPIA

Wander-ful Tabi: The Last Daimyo's Cherry Tree ...continued from page 1

NPO has donatedHachisukasakura saplings
all over Japanand as far away
as Mongolia andthe Vatican.

“True to its
samurai nature,
innovative
features like ahidden second
floor and secrethallways behindthe main reception
room allowed
the occupants toescape or ambush
invaders.”

If you can't
make the open
house, take astroll along theSuketo Riverbehind thetennis courts of
the Tokushima
Castle Park in
information and event info.
late February
Thanks to Mr. Hayashi and theor early March.
Hachisuka-zakura and Samurai
House Assocation 蜂須賀桜と武Hachisuka-zakura cherry tree seen from the “blossom viewing A line ofHachisuka-sakura 家屋敷の会 for their cooperationroom” of the house
house through the tokonoma 床
trees await your audience, theand information.
noble blossoms an early harbingerの間 (the decorative alcove that
displays flowers or calligraphy)!
of the seasonof sakura yet
Miraculously, this building wasto come.
untouched by the American air
raids on July 4, 1945 that turned the NOTE:
surrounding neighborhood and city Hachisukainto a burnt wasteland. (Ironically,sakura usually
the family’s personal documents
start blooming
were evacuated to a rural house,in late February,
only to be destroyed by a strayand have a longbomb.) Due to its historical value,viewing period
the house has been designated aof three weeks.
National Tangible Cultural Asset.
The Harada
Residence is
The Hachisuka-zakura is also
only open one
a real survivor. Over 140 years
weekend aold, it’s more than twice the age
year, during theof most Somei-yoshino trees. With
bloom season.
its growth greatly slowed, taking
Visit the NPO's
cuttings has been problematic.
homepage,
However, with the magic of
www.hachisuka
biotechnology, young shoots are
sakura.com
Hachisuka-zakura blossoms are a darker pink than the common
now being cultured. Today, a local
for JapaneseSomei-yoshino variety, and bloom a month earlier

TOPIA

3

immigration changes in review
Sarah NelsonAs

you may have heard,
the registration

guidelines for foreign
residents in Japan will be undergoinga major overhaul this July. The
following summary is provided

Re-entry permits are a thing of the past, and instead of "aliens"
foreigners are now "residents"!

members regardless of nationality(up until now, foreign residents
were not listed in official
household registry records andwere listed individually in the
Alien Registration System).

There is no paperwork required toobtain this provisional Residence
Record and you should receive it
automatically. If there are any errors
in the information, please report
to your municipal government.

2. As Japanese citizens are required
to do, after July 9, 2012 foreign
residents will also be required to
notify the municipal governmentof address changes. This is doneby submitting a “moving-out
notification” ( 転出届 , tenshutsutodoke) to the old municipal
government and a “moving-in
notification” ( 転入届 , tennyutodoke) to the new municipal
government. Additionally, whenleaving the country permanently,
foreign residents will be required tosubmit a “moving-out notification”( 転出届 , tenshutsu-todoke) totheir municipal government.

2. Once the new system officiallycomes into effect (July 9, 2012),
your “provisional” Residence
Record will automatically become
your official Residence Record.

by the Coucil of Local Authorities
for International Relations, andcovers the most relevant changes
and how they apply to foreigners
both current and newly arriving.

SECTION 1: RESIDENCE
RECORD (JUMINHYO )Starting on July 9, 2012 theAlien Registration System
will be abolished and foreign
residents will be required toobtain a Residence Record ( 住民票 , juminhyo), which is partof a registry of current residential
addresses maintained by municipal
governments. Japanese law
requires each citizen to reporthis or her current address andrelated matters to the municipal
government who compiles theinformation for tax, insurance
and census purposes. The
revision of the law to include
foreign residents in the Resident
Registration System is being
promoted as a move towards
creating a more fair and convenientsystem for foreign residents toaccess government services.
Three Main Points for Foreign
Residents and Resident Record:
1. Official certificates (such as
copies of Residence Records)
for households will now list all

4

3. With the abolishment of the
Alien Registration System,“visa” changes to your Status
of Residence and/or Periodof Stay will no longer have tobe reported to your municipal
government, but only to the
Regional Immigration Bureau.
For Foreign Residents
Currently Living in Japan:
1. Your municipal government
will issue you a “provisional”
Residence Record ( 仮住民票 ,kari-juminhyo) in May 2012. The
details will reflect what is currently
on your Alien Registration Card.

3. Until the new system comes into
effect (July 9, 2012), any changes
to your registered details in yourcurrent Alien Registration will
be reflected in your provisional
Residence Record. Be sure to notify
your municipal government of any
changes to your address, Status
of Residence, Period of Stay, etc.
After the new system starts (July9, 2012), address-related changes
only need to be notified to themunicipal government, and “visa”
changes to Status of Residence or
Period of Stay as well as otherchanges (such as name, passportnumber, etc.) only need to
be notified to the Regional
Immigration Bureau.
3. Current residents who leave
Japan permanently after July 9,2012 will be required to submit amoving-out notification ( 転出届 ,tenshutsu-todoke) to their municipal
government before leaving Japan.
For Foreign Residents Arriving
in Japan after July 9, 2012:

TOPIA

1. New foreign residents arriving
after July 9, 2012 will be
required to notify their municipal
government of moving in ( 転入届 , tennyu-todoke) within
14 days of arriving in Japanand will receive a Residence
Record accordingly.
SECTION 2 RESIDENTCARD (ZAIRYU CARD)
Replacing the Alien Registration
Card (handled by municipal
governments) will be the
Resident Card ( 在留カー
ド , zairyu kaado, handled
by the central government
via Regional Immigration
Bureaus [do not confuse with
Residence Record, juminhyo,
which is handled by municipal
governments]). Like the Alien
Registration Card, you will be
required to carry the Resident
Card with you at all times. On
the Resident Card the following
will be recorded: photograph,
name, date of birth, gender,
nationality, passport number,
Residency Status, Period ofStay, expiration date of Resident
Card, etc. This information
will also be encoded onto an
IC chip embedded in the card.
Some Things to Keep in
Mind (as of July 9, 2012):
1. Foreign residents witha valid visa allowing themto reside in Japan for morethan three months will either
receive a Resident Card whenentering the country or receive
a stamp in their passport thatwill allow them to receive a
Resident Card at a later date (inprinciple, it will be mailed by

TOPIA

post after completing a “movingin notification” (tennyu-todoke)with their municipal government).
2. Foreign residents will be
required to notify their municipal
government of “moving in” ( 転入届 , tennyu-todoke) within
14 days of arriving in Japan.
3. Any “visa” changes to yourStatus of Residence or Period of
Stay must be completed at your
Regional Immigration Bureau andrecorded on your Resident Card(such changes will no longer need
to be reported to your municipal
government. However, you must
notify your municipal governmentof changes related to your address).
Changes to Re-Entry Permit
System (as of July 9, 2012):
If you have a valid passport, a valid
Resident Card and leave Japan,
in principle, you will no longer
require a re-entry permit to reenter Japan with the same Status ofResidence as long as you re-enter
within one year from departingand your Period of Stay does
not expire while you are outsideof Japan. Be sure to show your
Resident Card when exiting Japan.
Your Period of Stay cannot be
extended while outside of Japan.
FURTHER RESOURCES
The following links containmore details on the Residence
Record and Resident Card,
including information for thosemarried to Japanese nationals,
those with families, and those
who give birth in Japan, etc.
RESIDENCE RECORDRELATED* Notice from the Ministryof Internal Affairs andCommunications (MIC):
http://www.soumu.go.jp/
main_sosiki/jichi_gyousei/
c-gyousei/zairyu_english.html* MIC Pamphlets in Different
Languages (with Q&A):
English: http://www.soumu.
go.jp/main_sosiki/jichi_gyousei/
c-gyousei/pdf/eng_page.pdf
Japanese: http://www.soumu.
go.jp/main_sosiki/jichi_gyousei/
c-gyousei/pdf/jpn_page.pdf
Pamphlets are also available on
the MIC homepage in Simplified
Chinese, Traditional Chinese,
Korean, Portuguese and Spanish.
RESIDENT CARD
CARD-RELATED* Notice from the Immigration
Bureau of Japan: http://
www.immi-moj.go.jp/
newimmiact_1/en/index.html* Immigration Bureau Pamphlets in
Different Languages (with Q&A)
English: http://www.immimoj.go.jp/newimmiact_1/pdf/
NewResidencyManagementSystem/%28EN%29.pdf
Japanese: http://www.immimoj.go.jp/newimmiact_1/pdf/
NewResidencyManagemen
tSystem%28JP%29.pdf
Pamphlets are also available
on the Immigration Bureau ofJapan's homepage in Simplified
Chinese, Traditional Chinese,
Korean, Portuguese and Spanish.

5

musical photos

6

In case you missed Beauty and the Beast last month, here
are some photos provided by Hideki Tohara and Anna Peat

TOPIA

irene’s recipe corner

Spanish omelette!

Irene WachugaPotatoes, onions and eggs all
in one dish! This omelette
is very versatile and has many
variations around the world. A
slow cooked thick omelette, it’s
simple yet undeniably delicious.
It tastes super whether hot orcold. It can be a light meal, a side
dish, very hardy for picnics, anddon't forget to make one for yourbento. For a Japanese variation,
this is made with spinach(hourensou), but feel free to use
a different vegetable for variety.
Ingredients• 4-5 medium-large sized potatoes• 6-7 large eggs
• 1 onion• ½ a bunch of spinach /about 100g
• salt and pepper to taste• Italian parsley or chives chopped• Olive oil
Preparation
1. Peel potatoes and cut in half
lengthwise. Slice thinly into half
moons. Wash and drain well.
2. Peel and cut the onion
into quarters. Slice thinly.

Spanish omelette

3. Wash the spinach and chop
into bite size pieces. Drain.
4. Add oil to a medium-sized skillet
over medium heat. When hot, add
the onions and fry a little. Whenthey become soft and translucent
after about 3-4 minutes, add thepotatoes, season with salt andpepper and continue frying, stirring
to coat the potatoes in oil and toprevent them from sticking to thebottom of the pan. Lower the heatto low and cover. Cook for another7-10 minutes until the potatoes
are cooked through but still firm.
Take care not to break the potatoes
too much. Drain onto a colander
to cool and get rid of excess oil.
5. Meanwhile in a separate fry
pan, stir fry the spinach seasoned
lightly and cool separately (here's
a good chance to add baconfor the carnivorous person
and add that extra taste).
6. In a large bowl beat the eggs,
stir in the cooked vegetables andparsley and adjust the seasoning.
7. Lightly oil a skillet and overmedium heat, pour the egg
mixture. When the bottom of theomelette sets, turn the heat down
to low and cover. Shake the pan
a few times to prevent sticking.
Cook for about 8-10 minutes
or until the sides are done andthe middle is a little undone.
8. Using a flat lid or plate, flip
over the omelette and the slide
the undone side back onto theskillet. [If your skillet is sticky oil
lightly before putting the omeletteback]. Cook a further 2-3 minutes
or until it's set all through.
9. Leave the omelette in the skillet
for a couple of minutes thenremove onto a platter. Cut into
8-10 pieces for large portions orinto bite size pieces for snacking.
Eat as is or top with ketchup,mayo or whatever sauce you fancy.
BUEN APPETITO!

awaglot and classifiedsT

he literary corner of Awa Life,

There is also a classifieds section

But you can totally submit thisAwaglot, is a combination offor you, our readers, to post

stuff: offers to sell or exchange

the words "awa" and "polyglot",

ads in, but a few rules apply!

personal goods, concerts, lectures,

which means multilingual. Be it

The following will not be

and other event information, cultural,fiction, non-fiction, prose or poetry;posted: Religious, political, orsporting, and other community group

funny, sad, long or short, we wantcommercial activities, businesses

information, etcetera. If you haveyour submissions! If you like tosearching for clients or employees,

something you would like to sharewrite, then express yourself! Send

and things the Awa Life editorswith the Tokushima community, email

submissions to awalife@gmail.com.

deem inappropriate.

the editors at awalife@gmail.com!

TOPIA

7

今月の日本語Japanese Lesson
Yoko Aoki

Let’s take a look at words that have many meanings. We will learn the meanings and usages of these handy
words to increase your power of expression in Japanese!
This month’s Topic: Kiku「 きく 」
きき

1. 聞く・聴くひまへや

to listen, to hear

暇なとき、部屋で
き

2. 聞く

おんがく

き

音楽を

き

to listen, to hear

た なか

こ

こえ

き

聞いて（聴いて）います。／ 子どもの声を聞きました。

た なか

はなし

き

うわさ

き

田中さんから（ 田中さんに）その話を聞きました。／ その噂を聞いたことがあります。
き

3. 聞く
い しゃ

to obey

ちゅうこく

き

さけ

こ

おや

医者の忠告を聞いて、お酒をやめました。／ この子は
き

4. 聞く

to ask

せんせい

かん じ

先生に

よ

かた

き

みち

い

き

親の言うことを聞きません。

まよ

けいかん

みち

き

漢字の読み方を聞きました。／ 道に迷ったので、警官に 道を聞きました。

き

5. 効く

くすり

to be effectiveかぜ

この薬は 風邪に
き

6. 利く

き

せんでん

to work, to be attentive

じ てんしゃこの自転車は
き

7. 利く

山田さんは
みち

き

すず き

ブレーキが 利きません。／ 鈴木さんは

to be possible

やま だ

き

よく効きます。／テレビの宣伝が効いて、これはからだ じょう ぶ

む

り

き

き

ひと

よく気が利く人です。

き

体が丈夫で、無理が利きます。

み とう

き

う

よく売れています。

きうんてん

この道は 見通しが利かないので、気をつけて運転してください。
もんだい

問題 : In the parentheses after the following sentences, choose the correct meaning of 'kiku' from options a ~ ebelow.
くすり

ず つう①この薬は頭痛によくきく。
（②それについて
た なか

おく

）

ちょっと ききたいことがある。（
い

なん

）

③田中さんは 奥さんの言うことは 何でもきく。（
いぬ

④犬は
とし

はな

鼻が

よくきく。
（
む

り

）

⑤年をとって、無理がきかない。
（
[

）

）

a. be possible, b. be effective, c. ask, d. obey, e. work ]Reference:『日本語ジャーナル』「多義語ミニ辞典」（ Answers:

8①ｂ ②ｃ ③ｄ ④ e ⑤ a ）TOPIAletter from Suketo Hoikuen

Child care advice
from our friends at
Suketo Daycare!

Kazue InoueW

hen you have a second or
third child, the older ones
will sometimes cling to you andcomplain that you don't listen tothem anymore. This behavior is aregression to the infant state, and is
how children act out when they feelanxiety. There are several different
types of regression, and this month
I will introduce a few ways todeal with the different types.
Type 1. Acting spoiled: If yourchild clings to you and begs foryour attention, try to listen to themand give them plenty of hugs.
Type 2. Using baby talk: if yourchild insists on talking like ababy, try holding them more andcarrying them to reassure them.

Regression to infantile behavior
is a passing phase, so instead oftreating them like they are being
selfish, try to relieve their anxiety
and they will return to normal.
This month's craft:
Teeter Totter Koi Fish
1. Draw a Koi fish as shown
below and color it.
2. Cut it out and fold it along
the center line, then stand it up
on a table or desk and let yourchild play by pushing down on
the tail or head like a seesaw.

“Regression
to infantile
behavior is apassing phase,
so instead oftreating themlike they arebeing selfish,
try to relieve
their anxiety andthey will return
to normal.”Type 3. Bed-wetting: this iscommon in sensitive children,
so try to understand their desire
to have all of your love.
Type 4. Being rough/violent
toward their new sibling:
gently reprimand them andhave them help you take careof their sibling, and be sure to
thank them for their help.
Type 5. Getting irritated andemotionally unstable: Give yourchild lots of firm hugs, and try
reading picture books to themto calm them and reassure themthat they have your attention.

TOPIA

9

news & events

April 1 May 1

To post an event of your own, send the details via email to the editors at awalife@gmail.com .

Kitajima Tulip Fair
北島チューリップフェア
Kitajima’s famous tulips are blooming in the tens

北島特産のチューリップを多数植え付け、開花期は公園

of thousands at the Tulip Park, which will beとして開放しています。期間中はミニイベントも行われcelebrating the season this April. Come explore

ます。この公園は 1800 平方メートルの圃場に約 60 種類

the 1800 square meter park and enjoy seeing over

4 万 5 千本のチューリップが咲き並びます。

45,000 tulips of 60 different kinds. Other events will

日時： 4 月 8 日 ( 日 ) ~ 4 月下旬 9:00 〜 17:00

be going on in the mean time, so don’t miss out!

場所： 北島チューリップ公園

When: April 8 (Sun) - End of April 9:00 - 17:00

問合せ：北島町生活産業課

Where: Kitajima Tulip Park

TEL :

Info:

Kitajima Parks and Recreation Bureau

入場料：無料！

TEL:

088-698-9806

Cost:

Free!

088-698-9806

Hana Haru Festa 2012
はな・はる・フェスタ２０１２This event is the next best thing to the summer Awa

夏の阿波おどりに次ぐビッグイベントです！有名連 33

Odori festival, and will feature 33 dance troupes

連が春ならではの華やかなステージを繰り広げます。まperforming on brilliant stages. There will also be

た、藍場浜公園一帯では、ライブイベントやダンスバト

live events and dance battles going on in Aibahama

ル等様々な催しが開催されます。当日は『徳島ラーメン

park, as well as plenty of gourmet food vendors

博覧会』をはじめ、県内各地のグルメや土産も盛り沢山！

around, and culture booths introducing traditional

藍染め体験など伝統工芸の体験ブースも出店いたします。

crafts such as indigo dye. Don’t miss this spring’s

日時： 4 月 20 日 ( 金 ) ~ 4 月 22 日 ( 日 )biggest event!

場所： 徳島市あわぎんホール、藍場浜公演、When: March 17 (Sat) - April 8 (Sun)
Where: Awagin Hall, Aibahama Park, and Shinmachi

新町川ボードウォーク、ほか
問合せ：はな・はる・フェスタ実行委員会事務局

River Boardwalk in Tokushima city

TEL：

088-655-7331

Info:

Hana Haru Festa Committee

URL：

http://ameblo.jp/hanaharu-f/

TEL:

088-655-7331

入場料：無料！

URL:

http://ameblo.jp/hanaharu-f/

Cost:

Free!

Japanese Lessons at Suketo Hoikuen (free)
助任保育園の日本語教室（無料）
When: Every Thursday, 11:00 - 12:00

日時： 毎週木曜日、11:00 〜 12:00

Cost:

Free, and child care is also available!

金額： 託児付き（無料）

Info:Call TOPIA at

問合せ：トピアまで

TEL 088-656-3303

10

TEL 088-656-3303

TOPIA

Tokushima LED Art Festival 2013 HOP
徳島ＬＥＤアートフェスティバル 2013 HOP
HOP is a precursor to the triannual Tokushima LED

トリエンナーレ（3 年に一度）形式で開催が決まった徳Art Festival taking place next year, and will feature

島 LED アートフェスティバル。次回開催の 2013 年に向several attractions along Hyotanjima, the river

けて、2012 年春は HOP と題し、イベントが開催されます。

boardwalk in the center of Tokushima city. There will

徳島市の中心部にある「ひょうたん島」を舞台に、LED アー

be LED art displays such as the Hyotanjima Lightト作品の展示や、ひょうたん島ライトアッププロジェク

Up Project, and also a restaurant on the water andトが夜の街を彩ります。また、「水上レストラン」や「ひょmusic festival. Don’t miss out on this chance to have

うたん島音楽祭」などのイベントも満載で、「水都・とく

fun on the boardwalk!

しま」を体感できる内容となっております！

When: April 20 (Fri) - April 22 (Sun)

日時： 4 月 20 日 ( 金 ) ~ 4 月 22 日 ( 日 )Where: Tokushima city Hyotanjima area

場所： 徳島市ひょうたん島周辺

Info:

Tokushima LED Art Festival Committee

問合せ：徳島 LED アートフェスティバル

TEL:088-621-5225

URL:

http://tok-led-artfest.net/

TEL：

088-621-5225

Cost:

Free!

URL：

http://tok-led-artfest.net/

実行委員会事務局

入場料：無料！

Tokushima Marché
とくしまマルシェ
At this event, local, Tokushima-grown produce and徳島産のこだわりの農産物や加工品をパラソルショップ

goods can be found for sale under parasol-covered

で販売する「とくしまマルシェ」が、徳島市の新町川ボー

stands along the Shinmachi River Boardwalk, theドウオークで毎月最終日曜日に開催されます。マルシェ

last Sunday of every month. “Marché” is French forとは、フランス語で「市場」を意味する言葉で、本場フ

marketplace, and true to its name this market has a

ランスのようなおしゃれで楽しい空間で「行くだけで、

stylish atmosphere that is fun just to be around.

元気になれる」場所を演出します。

When: Last Sunday of every month, 9:00 - 15:00

日時： 毎月最終日曜日

Where: Tokushima Shinmachi River Boardwalk

場所： 徳島市新町川ボードウォーク

Info:

Tokushima Marché Ofﬁce

問合せ：とくしまマルシェ事務局

TEL:

080-4030-7140

TEL :080-4030-7140

URL:

http://tokushima-marche.jp/

URL:

http://tokushima-marche.jp/

Cost:

Free!

入場料：無料！

9:00 〜 15:00

TOPIA Bazaar
TOPIA バザー
TOPIA is giving away items such as used calligraphy

ＴＯＰＩＡで使わなくなった習字セットや日本語テキス

sets, Japanese textbooks, etc., for free! It ends

トなどを無料でおゆずりします。品物がなくなり次第終when we run out of items, so feel free to drop by.

了します。ぜひお越しください。

When: April 14 (Sat) - April 20 (Fri)

日時： 4 月 14 日 ( 土 ) 〜 4 月 20 日 ( 金 )Where: TOPIA, Tokushima station 6F

場所： 徳島県国際交流協会、徳島駅６Ｆ

Info:

TOPIA

問合せ：徳島県国際交流協会

TEL:

088-656-3303

TEL：

Cost:

Free!

入場料：無料！

TOPIA

088-656-3303

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2012 Tokushima Japanese Speech Contest
PURPOSE: True internationalisation cannot be achieved without ﬁrst coming in touch with other cultures and waysof life, fostering a sense of international awareness and gaining mutual understanding with people of the world tocreate a society in which we can all work and live together in harmony. This speech contest seeks to give a voice tothe international residents of Tokushima Prefecture and engage them in a dialogue to further discourse on international understanding and cooperation.
DATE & PLACE: July 16th, 2012 (Monday, a public holiday), 13:30 - 16:30
Awagin Hall (Tokushima Prefecture Kyodo Bunka Kaikan)
Main Conference Room (4F)
CONTESTANTS: A total of 10-12 contestants will be chosen from the applications. Only foreign residents of Tokushima Prefecture whose native language is not Japanese and who have not previously participated in this speech
contest are eligible to apply. Also, to provide the event with as much international character as possible, only one
person from any one country is permitted to take part (a maximum of two people are permitted to take part if there
are many applicants from one country).
THEME: The topic is left to your discretion, but it should relate to the event’s purpose of international understanding and international cooperation.
LENGTH: Speeches should be no more than 7 minutes in length.
WHERE TO APPLY: Tokushima Prefectural International Exchange Association. (TOPIA)
770-0831 Tokushima-shi, Terashima-honcho, Nishi 1-61, Clement Plaza 6F
TEL: 088-656-3303
FAX: 088-652-0616
DEADLINE: May 25, 2012 (Friday) Applications must be turned in by 5:00 pm.

New Address for Tokushima City Library
Address: Tokushima city, Motomachi 1-24, Amico Building (Kid’s Room is on the 5th ﬂoor,
General Room is on the 6th ﬂoor).
Open:

9:00 - 21:00 (closed the ﬁrst Tuesday of every month, except April 3, and the library will be closed
April 10) Closed the ﬁrst 10 days of the year for maintenance.

Info:654-4421* Whenever possible, the staff ask that you use public transportation to go to the library.

Counselling Service at TOPIA
トピアの相談窓口
TOPIA offers a counselling and advisory service to all foreign residents to help with issues involving accidents,
working conditions, housing, visas, international marriage, and more. Counselling is available in English andJapanese. Please note that although every effort will be made, we may not be able to deal with all cases.
Every day, 10:00 - 18:00
Tel: 088-656-3320 (allows three-way conversations with an interpreter) or 088-656-3303

受け止めていますか人権の重み
12TOPIA