aWa life
Transformation in theSummerIntroduction to Tico

September 2022

2022 Tokushima
Prefecture Japanese
Speech Contest

Gairaigo Galore:
プラス α

# 383

1

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

Did everyone have fun at the Awa Odori last month? It was certainly hot, but it was great to see theevent being held after being cancelled for the past years! If you missed it then make sure to check it out
next year. In this month’s issue you can also find a short piece about TOPIA’s ren (Awa Odori group)
Arasowaren, so make sure to check it out!
Now that we’ve entered September it should start to slowly cool down. I’m personally looking forward to
the cooler temperatures. How about you?
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,
Sydney 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:
Sydney Bartig and Nico Bohnsack
Contributors This Month:
Li Cian Jing, Qing Liu, Yukari Nagata, Yoji Fukushi, and Michi Mori

2

Contents

Pg. 2-3: 2022 Tokushima Prefecture Japanese Speech Contest
Pg. 4:

Transformation in the Summer

Pg. 5:

Japanese Culture and Reading Corner: 防災グッズ

Pg. 5:

Gairaigo Galore: プラス α

Pg. 6:

Introduction to TICO

Pg. 7:

Japanese Lesson

Pg. 8-9: Events and Memoranda
2022 Tokushima Prefecture Japanese Speech Contest

O

n July 24th, the Tokushima Prefectural
International Exchange Association held
the 33rd Japanese Speech Contest for Foreign
Residents at the Awagin Hall. 13 participantsfrom 7 different countries and 1 region spoke on
topics such as understanding different cultures,
differences between Japan and their country, andtheir life here in Japan.
The grand prize winner was Li Cian Jing, aparticipant form Taiwan. The winner of theTokushima Prefectural Assembly’s Federationof International Exchange Assembly Member
Chairman’s

Award was QUÁCH THỊ THUỲ DUNG aparticipant from Vietnam.
Due to the current situation with COVID-19, we
put in place many preventative measures andlimited the number of people. However, you canwatch the speech content on YouTube. We hopethat the situation with COVID-19 will settle down
and the speech contest can be held as normal
next year.
You can find a translation of the winning speechon the next page!

32022 Tokushima Prefecture Japanese Speech Contest

How I Live
~Connections Between People~
By: Li Cian Jing (Grand Prize Winner)I

n April 2014, with the sakura blooming, myheart beating, and full of excitement, I boarded
the plane for the 3 hour ride from Taiwan. My funfilled days in Japan then begun.
I chatted with the people at my school, went tokaraoke after school, and went to stylish cafes…
everyday was extremely fun. At least that’s what
I’d like to say, but this isn’t this truth. Whether atschool or at home I was alone. My life in Japanwas completely different than how I had imagined
it. I couldn’t keep up with what the Japanesepeople around me were saying, and I just couldn’t
fit in. A report that would take Japanese people 3
hours to finish would take me 3 days. I was alsolaughed at in front of people because my nameis “Sensei”. When I talked to other study abroad
students in Chinese, I was also told to “go backto my country” by someone I didn’t even know.
It was extremely painful, and I would cry alone
at home. I was disheartened and thought manytimes about returning home.
However, at that time I had people who supported
me. They were my host family from when I was asenior high school student, and my landlord who
would always send me off and welcome me homeevery day. My host family still cares for me today
and comes to meet me. When I, as a foreigner,
was having trouble finding housing, my landlord
told me “You can stay here”. She then helped me,
who couldn’t speak much Japanese, by taking
me to the city hall office. We also ate yokan bread

together and I went to the zoo with her and her
grandchild. Such kindness made me so incredibly
happy, so much so that I can’t express it in words.
Without a doubt this gave me energy. I washelped by so many people: my host family, mylandlord, those from the Japan-Taiwan Friendship
Association, etc. At that time, I realized it. I
realized just how blessed I was. Then I was able
to try my best again. I studied Japanese more,participated in a lot of events, and interacted withthe local people. In order to learn more about
Japan’s traditional culture, I entered the sadou(tea ceremony) club. There I learned about the
principles of sadou: “caring for others, respect,and being hospitable”.
By talking with many people, I noticed one thing– that I can change my way of thinking. My name“Sensei” certainly makes some people laugh, but
now I think of it as a name that’s easy for people
to remember. When everyone returns home
today, I bet you’ll remember my name. “Sensei”.
I also found a dream for myself in Japan. I want tobecome a clinical psychologist. Moving forward,
there will be more foreigners coming to Japan, notjust study abroad students. Among them will bethose who, due to language and cultural barriers,
have no one to talk to and continue to keep theirworries to themselves, eventually becoming sick.
Therefore, I want to become a psychologist sothat I can help those people and be their strength.
At graduate school I am currently studying
professional counseling. The classes are certainly
not easily, in fact they’re quite difficult, but I’ve
never thought about giving up. The reason for thatis my family supporting me in Taiwan, as well as
my teachers and classmates, who have helped
me be where I am today.
I definitely won’t forget how many people in Japan
have helped support me. Moving forward, I won’t
forget these connections and experiences, and I’ll
work hard to become a clinical psychologist who
can support the heart’s of many people.

Transformation in the Summer
By: Qing Liu

4

I

don’t particularly like noisy places, and I’m
not a fan of sweating either. When I arrived inTokushima, I happily spent my first summer Obonas a couch potato with the air conditioner on.
However, a few days after Obon everyone wasasking me the same question: “Did you see the
Awa Odori?”.
The next year I joined the Arasowaren practices
as an interpreter. I felt a bit out of place when
everyone was practicing their dancing and I wasjust standing there. Additionally, the members of
Arasowaren were people from a wide array ofcountries who each danced with their own kindof style, which helped put me, who can’t danceat all, at ease. I ended up transforming from a“watching fool” to a “dancing fool”. You don’t reallyneed many words to be able to dance, but you’ll
definitely be sweating a lot! When it felt like mycalves were about to give out a voice would shout“Sekai wa hitotsu! Arasowaren! (Translation: The
world is one! Arasowaren!)”, and I could feel thatthe tension in the room would immediately riseagain.

It was finally time for us to perform. The lights
and lanterns on the stage were so dazzling, andI realized I couldn’t hear our team’s music (thelines were long and I, standing at the front of theline, could only see the team in front of us). For
an instant my mind went blank, but then I heard
the “yattosa, yattosa!” and adjusted to the rhythm.
Dancing with my left hand and left foot and thenright hand and right foot, I ended up exiting thestage and blending in with the sounds of the taiko,flute, and shamisen that floated in the air. There I
also encountered free-spirted dancers.
If you’ve never been to a summer festival in
Japan, then you would never be able to guessthat Japan can have such spirited times! If you
haven’t participated in the Awa Odori, then you
would surely just think of Tokushima as peaceful,just like the blue Yoshinogawa River.
Why not come visit Tokushima’s Awa Odori thattakes place every year from August 12th to the
15th? Would you like to dive into the transformed
Tokushima with Arasowaren?

On August 14th, I wore a kimono for the first timeand put on my tabi socks. I was busy taking abunch of pictures of myself and sending themto my friends and family. While waiting at theentrance of the stage area, people I didn’t know
passed through and asked to take pictures
together.

5Japanese Culture and Reading Corner: 防災グッズ
By: Yukari Nagata

に ほん

じ しん

たいふう

さいがい

おお

日本は

地震や

台風などの

災害が

多い国です。最近は、異 常 気象によってしゃ さい がい

よ そく

むずか

砂災害など

予測が

難しい災害もそな

しものときに備え

さい がい

くに

さいきん

お

い じょう き しょう

さい がい

起こって

います。災害に

よう ひん

ごう う

ゲリラ豪雨や

ど

土

あ

いち ばん

遭わないことが一番ですが、も

ふ だん

ぼう さい

よう い

普段から

防災グッズ（用品）を用意しておくこと

たいせつが大切です。
ぼう さい

ひ なん

も

防災グッズは、避難するときに
お

だ

しゅ るい

ぜん しゃ

置 いておくものの、2 種 類 が
せい かつ

ひつ よう

生活に

必要な

こうしゃ

いえ

しょく りょうみず

きゅう きゅう よう ひん

き ちょう ひん

タオル、着 るもの、救 急 用 品、貴 重 品 など

みっ か ぶんい じょう

しょくりょう みず

以上 の

み なお

みなさんも、防 災 グッズについて
み

です。

もう ふ

食料や水、 毛布、カセットコンロなどです。

ぼう さい

さい

家に

まい にち

あります。前 者 は、食 料 や水、 毎 日 のき

後者は、3 日分

さい がい

持ち出すものと、災害のためにぼう

見 直 してみませんか？ TOPIA の「防くだ災ハンドブック」も見て下さい。
https://www.topia.ne.jp/docs/2013031800059/
Vocabulary List
さいがい

Disaster

災害
い じょう き しょう

異常気象
ごう う

ゲリラ豪雨
ど しゃさいがい

土砂災害
よ そく

予測

Abnormal Weather
Strong Rain
Landslide
Predict

ぼうさい

こうしゃ

防災グッズ Disaster Goods

後者

ひ なん

みっ か ぶん避難
きゅうきゅうようひん

救 急 用品
ぜんしゃ

前者
き ちょうひん

貴重品

Evacuate

Latter

3 日分 Three Days
み なお

Emergency Goods 見直す Re-examine
Former

ぼうさい

防災

Disaster Prevention

Valuables

Gairaigo Galore
プラス α (Plus Alpha)
By: Sydney Bartig
When I first started working at the prefectural office and TOPIA, there is one
word in particular that I would often hear. One of the people in the division next
to mine would especially use this word a lot, and despite it being a katakana
word, I couldn’t quite figure out the meaning. That word was “ プラス α” (alsowritten as “ プラスアルファ ”).
Plus alpha? Like the math symbol? What could that possibly be, and why is
it used so much? Essentially it means something that is extra or would be nice to have happen,
but that is not a requirement of the main plan. Naturally you can expect to hear it a lot in businesssituations.
This is another case of wasei eigo, as of course we don’t use this phrase in English. This word
apparently comes from a simple mistake. Apparently at a baseball game a foreigner scribbled an
x on the back of a baseball scoreboard and it was misread as the Greek letter α. This was later
fixed to be x. In English there is the expression +x that is used to mean something extra (although
I haven’t personally heard this very often), which is likely where the expression plus alpha comes
from.

6

Introduction to TICO
By: Yoji FukushiThe Specified Corporation TICO (below
written as TICO) was founded in 1993 as
the “Conference for Thinking About International
Cooperation in Tokushima”. The goal of TICO is tothink about our place in Tokushima, Japan in theworld and what we can do to aid in international
cooperation as a global citizen. We conduct
international cooperation projects both abroad
and within Japan.
The Sakura Clinic, founded by the TICO director
Osamu Yoshida, is the most trusted medical
institution in an area that is facing depopulation
and an aging society. Sakura Clinic actively
accepts medical experts who wish to participate
in international cooperation, and while practicing
local medical care, has been participating ininternational cooperation in the medical care fieldfor 20 years, mainly in the countries of Zambia
and Cambodia. In Zambia, we train locals to
become “community health volunteers”. This has
allowed those in Zambia at the only clinic in thearea to support nurses, manage and operate
the clinic, and create an environment where thelocal citizens can access the clinic at any time.
Additionally, in Cambodia we have worked to give
first aid training to medical personnel, train local
medical volunteers, and worked with the Ministryof Health of Cambodia and other organizations
to create a first aid guidebook. This guidebook
is used as a textbook for various training.
Within Japan in our home of Yoshinogawa City,
Tokushima, we hold seminars and lectures known
as “Global Citizen College”. Due to COVID-19,
which has made it so that people can’t gather inperson, we have begun doing courses online.
Those who gather at TICO and Sakura Clinic
are those who desire to live as global citizens
and who give back to the community by utilizing
their experiences and thoughts on international
cooperation, while tackling the challenges faced
by developing countries. These activities havegained attention as a way to tie together local
activities and international cooperation, and as amodel for international cooperation and exchange
by citizens.
[Activities Within Japan]• I n o u r l o c a l To k u s h i m a , w e p u b l i s h a
newsletter and also hold seminars andlectures called “Global Citizen College”. This
“Global Citizen College” holds seminars and•lectures to report on TICO’s experiences andsuccesses regarding international cooperation
overseas to local citizens and TICO supports,
as well as those who are engaged in local oroverseas activities.
TICO staff members serve as international
understanding instructors at elementary,junior, and senior high schools, as well as giveclasses at universities. Director Yoshida opens
his house as a camp for university students
to learn about international cooperation, and
TICO accepts medical students from Zambia
across the country. They work locally forinternational cooperation and exchange.

[Activities Abroad]• TICO’s international cooperation activities
are characterized by their empowermentof locals via health staff that have plenty ofexperience abroad and have specialized
knowledge. Currently they are teaching local
doctors, nurses, and other medical personnel
in Zambia about cardiovascular surgery
techniques.
• Beginning after the 2002 drought inZambia, the WAHE (water, agriculture,
health, and education) Project is multisectoral cooperation project. In addition to
our specialty of medical care, we help local
citizens with organic agriculture, small-scaleloans, and building schools so that they canbe independent. We are working towards
securing people’s safety and creating asustainable society.
[Emergency Support Measures]• During wars and large-scale disasters suchas the Great Hanshin Earthquake, the Tohoku
Earthquake, and the current situation withrefugees from Ukraine, TICO has partneredwith other NGOs and made use of its
network to dispatch medical staff and provide
necessary goods.

7Japanese Lesson

By: Michi Mori

おもThis month we will study「～と思っています」and「～つもりです」which express
the speaker’s intent or plan to the person they are speaking with, as well as「～
よてい予定です」which expresses something that is already decided.
がっこう

そつぎょう

き

A さんは、学校を 卒業 する B さんに聞いています。
そつぎょう

そつぎょう

なに

Ａ：もうすぐ、 卒業 ですね。 卒業 したら何をしますか。
かえおも

Ｂ：国へ帰ろうと思っています。
くに

おも

いこうけい

「V意向形 ＋と思 っています」is used to answer. You can also use the following
expression.
くにB：国へ帰るつもりです。
かえ

じしょけい

「V辞書形＋つもりです」is used to answer. Its meaning is nearly the same as
おも

いこうけい

「V意向形＋と思います」, but it’s a bit stronger. Additionally, you can use「V な
けい

くに

かえ

い形＋つもりです」to make「国へ帰らないつもりです」Now what about the next
sentence?
かえ

よてい

そつぎょうしき

みっか

ひこうき

よやく

B：国へ帰る予定です。 卒業式 の３日後に飛行機を予約しました。
くに

ご

よてい

じしょけい

Using「V辞書形＋予定です」, you can convey that the schedule is decided.
ごご

かいぎ

よてい

よてい

Additionally, just like in「午後から会議の予定です」, you can use「N の＋予定です」to convey the schedule.
Practice Problems
Change the words in parentheses to the correct form.
らいげつ ちゅうごく

予定です。（ 出張 します）

ともだち

なつやす

りょこう

おも

② 夏休みに友達と旅行にいと思っています。（行きます）

あき

けっこん

③ 今年の秋につもりです。（結婚します）

しゅくだい

あそ

い

④ たくさん 宿題 がありますので、遊びに
出張 はどのくらい行きますか。
しゅうかん

よてい

予定です。（２ 週間 ）

出 張する

②

行こう
い

③

結婚する
けっこん

④

行かない
い

⓹

2 週間の
しゅうかん

B:

い

しゅっちょうしゅっちょう⑤ A:

つもりです。
（行きません）①

ことし

しゅっちょうよてい① 来月 中国 へ8

Events & Memoranda
Term 2 TOPIA Japanese Classes Schedule
Time: 10:30-12:00

Location: Meeting rooms at TOPIA (Or online via Zoom)

Fee: Free

Textbook: We will be using the “Minna no Nihongo I” or the “Minna no Nihongo II” (2 nd edition) textbooks (2,750 yen for the bookand audio CD). Please prepare the textbooks on your own. Additionally, there will be themed lessons on various topics suchas seasons and life in Tokushima.
*Due to the spread of COVID-19, the classes may change to an online format (Zoom, etc.). Please confirm class status byphone or by checking TOPIA's website. TEL: 088-656-3303 Website: https://www.topia.ne.jp/english/
DAY

TEACHER

LEVEL

TUE

Ms.Tamaki

Begginners

CLASS DESCRIPTION

START
DATE

We will take the first step towards learning basic expressions.

October 4

Text: Minna no Nihongo I from Chapter 1~13

(20 times)

This is a flexible group study class split up into 3 different groups.
WED

Volunteers

Group Lesson*For parents of young children, a childcare worker will be on hand to look

October 5

after your child during the lesson. (Please inquire in advance. Depending(20 times)on the current COVID-19 situation, this service may not be offered.)

THU

Ms.
YamadaWe will study a variety of verb conjugations such as te form, nai form,
Elementary 1

and dictionary form.
Text: Minna no Nihongo I from Chapter 14~25
We will study various forms and expressions such as potential, volitional,

FRI

Ms. Aoki

Elementary 2

imperative, prohibitive, conditional, reasoning, passive, causative, andhonorific expressions.
Text: Minna no Nihongo II from Chapter 26~50

October 6(20 times)

September
30(25 times)

We will study a variety of verb conjugations such as te form, nai form,
SUN

JTM

Volunteers

Elementary 1

Group Lessonand dictionary form.

October 2

Text: Minna no Nihongo I from Chapter 14~25(20 times)

This is a flexible group study class split up into 3 different groups.

* Please register for Group Lessons at least a day before the class. (If you do not sign up in advance and show up on the day of theclass, we may not be able to find a group for you to study with.) Additionally, as the number of groups are limited, we may not beable to find a group that suits your level.
* If you are unable to attend class, please call and let us know. (TEL: 088-656-3303, Email: topia@topia.ne.jp)* The Volunteer Classes on Wednesday and Sunday will be cancelled if no students show up within the first 30 minutes.

TUE

Ms. Kimura
Ms. Kimoto

SpecialA class for those who cannot read or write hiragana or katakana. We

You may

Beginners

will study the basics, such as the Japanese alphabet, greetings,

join atnumbers, and items. We will also be learning about Tokushima.

anytime.

Class*Classes may be cancelled if there is a typhoon, heavy rain, heavy snow, etc. Please call and confirm if classes will still be held.
Japanese classes are also available at the Anan International Association, Aizumi Town International Exchange Association,
Yoshinogawa International Exchange Association, Mima no Sato, Minami Multicultural Coexistence Network "Harmony", the Clubfor Thinking about Multicultural Coexistence "Tomoni" in Tsurugi Town, Awa International Exchange Association, andthe NPO "Attakaiyou" in Kaiyo Town.

9

Events & Memoranda
Sue Don’s Station Stops ~Pencil Drawing Exhibition by
Yasumasa Sue~ [Naruto German House]
すえドンの各駅停車 －須恵泰正鉛筆画展－【鳴門市ドイツ館】

An exhibition will be held of Yasumasa Sue’s, an 県内で活躍中の鉛筆画家・須恵泰正さんによるイ
artist who is active in Tokushima, pencil drawings. ラスト展。
Following after his exhibitions on the “Haba「端四国」、「オートバイ」と続き、今回は「駅舎」
Shikoku Pilgrimage” and “autobikes”, this time
he will exhibit works of station buildings from を題材に県西部の JR 土讃線「坪尻駅」から「阿the prefecture’s western JR line “Dosan Line”. 波半田駅」まで展示。あわせて駅周辺のグルメイ
Stations from Tsubojiri Station to Awa-Handa
ラストや描きためてきた人物スケッチも同時に展
Station will be featured. Additionally, sketches ofgourmet locations around the stations and people 示します。
will also be featured.
When: September 3rd (Sat.) – October 2nd (Sun.)*The German House is closed on
September 26th (Mon.)
9:30 – 17:00 (Last admission is at 16:30)
Where: Naruto German House
Fee: Adults: 400 Yen Children: 100 Yen
Inquiries: Naruto German House
TEL: 088-689-0099
URL: https://doitsukan.com/

日時：9 月 3 日（土）～ 10 月 2 日（日）※ 9 月 26 日 ( 月 ) は休館日
9：30 ～ 17：00（入館は 16：30 まで）
場所：鳴門市ドイツ館
料金：大人 400 円

2 階企画展示室

小人 100 円

お問い合わせ：鳴門市ドイツ館
TEL: 088-689-0099
URL: https://doitsukan.com/

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.
Japanese, English, Chinese: Everyday, 10:00 - 18:00 (closed during the New Year's holidays)
Vietnamese: Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, 10:00 - 14:00
Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, 10:00 - 18:00 (closed during the New Year's holidays)