NAPIA

VOL. 44 September 2018
NAPIA English Edition - Vol. 44– Established May 2009

NAPIA is a newsletter issued by the Nagasaki International Association for foreign residents.

Edited by : The Nagasaki International Association

The following article, "An Interview with V-Varen Nagasaki Player Juanma", was originally a special feature to markthe 100th issue of the Japanese "なぴあ(NAPIA)" Newsletter, and is being reprinted here in this foreign language
newsletter, "NAPIA". (Interview conducted on Wed, August 8th at Isahaya Soccer Ground/Nagomi Club House)

1. Juanma, you have been active in your home country, Spain, as wellas European countries such as Scotland. Why did you decide to signwith V-Varen Nagasaki here in Nagasaki, Japan?
One and a half years ago (January 2017), the coach and trainers came toSpain to see me play. They told me about their project to work towards thegoal of "Promoting V-Varen Nagasaki to the J1 League". I really felt aconnection with this project and its goals, so I decided to sign.
2. What is your impression of Nagasaki?
When I arrived in Nagasaki, I really felt like everyone was a big family together. Actually, I was warmly
welcomed by the coach, players and everyone here, and I was helped out in many ways, so I have a great
impression of Nagasaki.
3. Are there any differences to your home country?
One thing that is different to my home country is that all Japanese people value
greetings and manners. A sense of mutual respect is something that is different toSpain, and I really like it.
4. While playing here in Nagasaki and Japan, have you encountered any
difficulties?
One difficulty I have encountered since coming to Japan has been the difficultyof the language (Japanese). Also, because of the distance between Spain and Japan,
it is difficult to arrange my schedule to spend time with my family. Due to daylightsavings time, the time difference is about 7 hours. However, rather than the timedifference or the physical distance, what is particularly difficult is being unable tomeet or spend time with my family. I go back to visit them if I have at least 10
days vacation, and of course, during the off season.

4-2. Have you encountered any difficulties related to food?
In relation to food, I love Japanese food, so I haven't had any problems. Of the dishes I have eaten inJapan, my favourite has been corn soup.
5. What role do you think soccer and other sports play in international
exchange between countries and indviduals?
Although there are both individual and team sports, communication is an
essential part of any sport. Sport create a place for people to communicate,
and this contributes directly to exchange between individuals and countries.
6. Have you had any opportunities to interact with regular people in Nagasaki Prefecture, outside ofthe team?
Outside the soccer ground and practice, there have been times when people have come up to talk to me.
However, my Japanese isn't so good yet, so without an interpreter it's hard for me to communicate. Ofcourse, because Japanese people value mutual respect and understanding, language is essential. However, I
would really like people to come up and talk to me freely.
6-2 Until now, have you had any opportunities to interact with children?
There have been many opportunities for me to speak with children. I think that international exchange andoffering something good in the future for children playing soccer, for example, inviting children to the clubhouse and locker room and showing them where J1 players work and how they play soccer, will help
children keep dreaming and will have a good impact.
7. What led you to start playing soccer?
After seeing three of my friends start playing soccer, I wanted to try it
too. After talking with my family, my father took me to see the local
club's practice. That was the start of my soccer career.
8. Was there a player you looked up to at that time?
At first, playing soccer is what I enjoyed, so I didn't have a player Iadmired. However, the number of my acquaintances gradually increased,and I started watching Atlético Madrid games. Recently, when I've watched Sagan Tosu player Fernando
Torres play soccer, I’ve thought "I also want to become able to play like that". I’ve been training hard while
keeping his playing style in mind.
9. Please tell us your personal and team goals.
As a personal goal, I want to contribute to the team goals by scoring goals.
Our team goal is to keep a firm hold on our position in the J1 league. I think that when I score goals, it also
helps contribute to the team goal.
10. Please tell us your message to the people of Nagasaki (Japan), including its foreign residents.
I think that people who come to Japan (including Nagasaki) from overseas will fall in love with this place
after spending time with Japanese people, who respect the feelings of other people. Just the other day, it wasreported that Japanese supporters at the World Cup picked up garbage from the stands. I think that the energyof Japanese people, who do these things naturally, is wonderful. I hope that you will always treasure thisspirit. Personally, I think mutual respect and ease-of-living is No. 1. If the people of the world could learn
from the way that Japanese people act, I think the world would become a better place.
Through this, it was easy to feel Juanma'sfriendliness and the way that he respects thepeople around him. We expect great things of him
in the future. Thank you very much to Juanma andthe V-Varen Nagasaki staff for your co-operation.

This Japanese speech contest was held on Saturday, June 16th, 2018 at the Nagasaki National Peacle Memorial
Hall for the Atomic Bomb Victims. This year, 12 contestants from four different countries participated!

First Prize
Name: William MORGAN
Nationality: America
Title: 褒め言葉 (Compliments)
Affiliation: Nagasaki PrefectureInternational Affairs Division (CIR)

Second Place
Name：Wen Li CHENG
Nationality: China
Title: 日本と中国の結び(The Ties between Japan and China)

Affiliation: Nagasaki Universityof Foreign Studies (Student)

Third Place
Mamta SACHAN KUMAR
Nationality: Singapore
Title: 小さな勇気が感動に！
(A Little Courage has the Powerto Move!)
Affiliation: Nagasaki Prefectural
Hasami SHS (ALT)

Future Prize
Name:
Dominic Richard BALASURIYA
Nationality: Australia
Title: 虹の足に住んでいるあなたへ(To You Who Live at the Foot ofthe Rainbow)
Affiliation: Nagasaki Prefectural
Kamitsushima SHS (ALT)

Director's Prize
Name: Molly ERNEST
Nationality: America
Title: 国際交流がもたらす変革(The Change that International
Exchange can Bring About)Affiliation: Seiwa Joshi Gakuin
High School (Student)

A Notice about the 20th Nagasaki International Festival
Organizations from all over Nagasaki Prefecture will gather to tell you about their activities, to sell food, andmore. Just like last year, there will be a Japanese Culture experience corner, where you can try on a kimono (youcan put on a kimono easily over the top of your clothes) and experience the Tea Ceremony (a small charge willapply). Also, there will be quiz about the organizations participating in the festival. The Nagasaki International
Festival is sure to be a great day out for everyone from small children to adults, regardless of nationality, so be
sure to come!
Time and Date: 11am to 4pm, Sunday, October 28thVenue: Dejima Koryu Kaikan (2-11 Dejima-machi, Nagasaki City), next to the Nagasaki Prefectural Art Museum※ Entry is free.
※ Please use public transport when coming to the venue on the day.
We are currently looking for volunteers to help us on theday to make the festival amazing!
For more details, please check the NIA website at:
http://www.nia.or.jp/

About the Nagasaki International Association
Have you heard of the Nagasaki International Association?
We offer lots of information about international exchange andlife in Nagasaki.
We are open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5:30pm.
(excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and Public Holidays)
Feel free to stop by!
This is the Nagasaki International Association's Official "Facebook Page"!
★Facebook Page URL:
https://www.facebook.com/nia.nagasaki/
Please "like" and"follow" us!!
★ Nagasaki International Association Website:
http://www.nia.or.jp/Facebook

Membership Fee - Indvidual Members: ¥3,000/yr Corporate Members: ¥10,000/yr
If you would like to support international exchange activities in Nagasaki Prefecture and provide assistance toforeign residents by becoming a member, or if you would like further details, do not hesitate to contact the NIA
for more information.

We distribute useful guidebooks for free!!
The NIA creates useful guidebooks for foreign residents of Nagasaki Prefecture and distributes them for free.
Here is some information about these guides, so feel free to make use of them! Also, all of the guidebooks are alsoavailable on the NIA website!

A Guidebook for Living in Nagasaki Prefecture
A compilation of basic information necessary for living in Nagasaki.
Languages available: Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean
URL：http://www.nia.or.jp/record/files/medias/07link/seikatugaido.pdf

Guide for Using Medical Institutions
A compilation of useful information for foreign people when they visit a hospital.
Languages available: Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean
URL：http://www.nia.or.jp/record/files/medias/iryouguide.pdf

Things You Need to Know Before Disaster Strikes!!
A guide on how to prepare for natural disasters and what to do when they happen.
Languages available: Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean
URL：http://www.nia.or.jp/record/files/medias/07link/saigai.pdf

Please your friends know about these guides!

If you have any comments or suggestions about NAPIA, Please let us know

Nagasaki International Association
2-11 Dejima-machi Nagasaki CityTEL：095-823-3931 FAX：095-822-1551
E-mail：nia@nia.or.jp
HP：http://www.nia.or.jp