NAPIA

VOL.66Mar.2024

NAPIA English Edition - Vol. 66
Established May 2009

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

Natural Disasters that Occur in Japan – What to do in the Event of an Earthquake –On January 1st, 2024, there was a large earthquake in Noto Peninsula in Ishikawa Prefecture and many people
suffered. Japan is one of the most earthquake-prone countries in the world. Earthquakes that cause a lot of damage
are not limited to certain areas of Japan, but can occur throughout the entire country. Foreign residents living in
Nagasaki Prefecture should also consider “what should I do if an earthquake occurs?” and prepare for earthquakes.
Your situation

Actions and precautions to take in the event of an earthquake

When inside your home・Take cover under a table. It is dangerous when things fall from above and shelves

or a building

topple.
・Once the shaking has stopped, turn off the gas or stove.
き・Before escaping, turn off the electricity by switching the breaker to “切る(OFF)”.
When the electricity is cut off during an earthquake, and then restored, appliancessuch as stove tops can turn on automatically and start a fire.
When outside

・Cover your head with your bag to protect yourself from falling objects, and escape
to a safe location. Be careful near buildings, as broken glass, walls and signs may
fall on you.
・Buses and trains may stop running during an earthquake. Don’t rush home, andinstead wait at a safe location. Many people will be trying to return home at thesame time, so the stations and roads will be crowded and dangerous.

When driving

・Slowly pull over to the left hand side of the road and turn the engine off.
・Do not lock the doors. Leave the keys in the car and escape outside.

When near the beach or

・If there is a big earthquake out at sea, a tsunami may form. Get away from theriver

sea and rivers, and go to a high place.
つ な み・If you are not sure, ask a nearby Japanese person 「津波は大丈夫ですか？」“tsunami wa daijoubu desuka?” (are we safe from tsunamis?)
When escaping

・Do not go near a cliff. Cliffs may collapse.
・When there is danger of a tsunami, get far away from the sea and riverside andescape to a high place.
・If you are unsure of a safe place to escape to, ask a nearby Japanese personに「どこに逃げたらいいですか？」“doko ni nigetara iidesuka?” (where should I escapeto?”)After an earthquake, do not light a fire in your house. If a gas pipe broke, then gas may leak into your room. It isalso possible for a water pipe to have broken, in which case water may not come out, so fill up your bathtub tostore water.

Interviewing CIR Daun Choi!
CIR Daun Choi from the International Affairs Division of the Nagasaki Prefectural Government Office will be finishingher post in March 2024, after five years on the job. Through events of the Nagasaki International Association, such as
the Youth International Understanding Class, “Let’s talk with a CIR!”, and the Nagasaki International Festival, Daun Choi
has shared Korean culture with many citizens of Nagasaki Prefecture. This time, we interviewed Daun Choi.
Q1. Out of all the various jobs you performed as a CIR, what was the most memorable experience for you?
At the Nagasaki International Festival, I was able to meet various residents of Nagasaki Prefecture who I normally would
not have had the chance to meet. Even though it was just a short time, it was a very enjoyable time as it made me
happy to be able to talk to everyone individually and teach them about Korean culture.
Q2. As a CIR, what have you learned from your interactions with the residents of Nagasaki Prefecture?
Through the various lectures I held, I felt troubled by the lack of response from the participants. However, once I
understood that Japanese people have a mature personality of not wanting to express their opinions out of consideration
for their surroundings, I realized that I shouldn’t worry about everyone’s responses and I should just proceed at my own
pace.
Also, in the “Let’s talk with a CIR!” sessions, I taught the Prefectural residents about Korean culture using a mixture of
Korean and Japanese, and conversely learned a lot about Nagasaki and Japanese culture from the Prefecturalresidents!
Q3. What do “international exchange” and “intercultural exchange” mean to you?
I believe “international exchange” and “intercultural exchange” mean to “be in harmony”. Everyone has their own
standpoint and way of thinking. However, I believe that through actual contact, you can understand each other’s opinions
and change your impression. I believe that is the most important thing. This may be an over exaggeration, but I believethat by thinking “I want to understand them! I want to know more!”, world peace can be achieved. I believe thatinternational exchange is not only about harmonizing one with another, but also about harmonizing the entire world
together (becoming one).
To all the residents of Nagasaki Prefecture, even if you are unable to go to Korea, there are many events in Nagasaki
Prefecture where you can experience Korean culture. It would make me so happy if you would continue your interest
in Korea! Thank you for the past five years!
About the Japanese Language Classes in Nagasaki Prefecture
The Nagasaki Prefectural Government and the Nagasaki International Association are working on creating local
Japanese language classes that allows foreign residents to connect with local residents while learning Japanese. In thelocal Japanese language classes, groups talk about a topic and participate in activities related to Japanese culture.
There are also Japanese language classes held by private organizations in “Nagasaki City”, “Sasebo City”, “IsahayaCity” and “Goto City” which are not displayed on the map below, so for further details, please check out the Nagasaki
International Association website!
Applications are currently open for foreign resident
Towns and cities that currently have local Japanese participants for the local Japanese language classes inlanguage classes established:each of the town and cities shown on the map on the left.
If you would like to participate or would like to know more
about the activities, please check out the Instagram page!
Matsuura CityHasami-cho
Kawatana-cho
Higashisonogi-cho
Shinkamigoto-cho

Omura City

Saikai CityUnzen City

Click here for information on the Japanese
language classes in “Nagasaki City”,“Sasebo City”, “Isahaya City” and “Goto City”!

Shimabara City
Nagayo-cho

Minamishimabara City

Our website

Education in Japan and Financial Support

Elementary/Junior High School
Japanesechildren
attendelementary school from the ageof 6, and junior high school fromthe ages of 12 to 15. Foreignerchildrencanalso
attendelementary school and junior highschool in Japan. Tuition andtextbooks are free at publicschools established by the local
town or city. “Special needsschools” are also available forchildren with disabilities.
School Attendance Assistance
Elementary school and juniorhigh school students from lowincome households may receive
money to buy necessary items tostudy at school (e.g. uniform,school backpack, stationary, etc.)
and buy school lunches. The
answers to questions such as“how much will I receive?” and“who is eligible to receive themoney?” vary depending on thetown or city you live in. For further
details, please consult your localtown or city hall.

Senior High School
Junior high school graduates
can attend senior high school iftheypasstheentrance
examination. There are also“part-time” high schools thatoffer classes at night, and“correspondence” high schools
where students study online.
Senior High School Tuition
Support Fund
Tuition is free for senior highschool students attending apublic school. Although highincome households are notcovered by the free tuition,
about 80% of all senior highschool students in Japan
receive free tuition. Applications
for the subsidy are made at theschool after admission into asenior high school.
SeniorHighSchool
Scholarship Grants
Senior high school students
from low-income households
receive money to buy textbooks
and things needed to study.
Applications are made at theschool or the Prefectural
Government of residence.

University
Senior high school graduates
are eligible to sit for entrance
examinations for universities
and specialty schools. If they
pass the entrance examination,
they may attend the university orspecialty school.
Tertiary
Education
Scholarships
Variousscholarships
areavailable from the National
Government,
Prefectural
Government, and companies.
Consulttheorganization
offering the scholarship to apply.
There are two types: the typewhich you do not have to pay
back (grant type) and the typewhich you gradually have to pay
back after graduating (loantype). There also may or may
not be interest charged.
You can read "Guidebook
on Living and Working",
which is written in
multiple languages, on
the Immigration Services
Agency website. You canaccess it from the QR
code on the right!

<Reference> Guidebook for Living and Working
Working～For Foreigners Living in Japan Japan～(Immigration Bureau of Japan)

What kind of consultation center is the Nagasaki Prefecture Consultation Centre for Foreign People?
We provide consultation services in 22 languages so that foreigners living in Nagasaki Prefecture can live
comfortably and safely. You can consult with us by phone, email, or in person about any problems regarding
residence status, work, medical care, welfare, lifestyle, etc. Consultations are free of charge.

Consultation methods
・Consultation in person／Within the Nagasaki International Association (Dejima Koryu Kaikan 1st Floor, 2-11,
Dejima-machi, Nagasaki City)
・Consultation by phone／095-820-3377
・Consultation be e-mail／soudan@nia.or.jp

Consultation hours Monday to Saturday (9:00am to 5:00pm)*Closed on Sundays, public holidays, and from December 29th to January 3rdExpert consultation session for foreign people
You can have a free consultation with an administrative scrivener about matters related to residence status, legalmatters, work, etc. If you would like a consultation, please make a reservation.
・Date & Time: The 4th Saturday of every month (1:30pm to 4:30pm)(This schedule is subject to change, so please check our website or Facebook page for any updates.)
・Location: Nagasaki Prefecture Consultation Center for Foreign People (Dejima Koryu Kaikan 1st Floor, 2-11,Dejima-machi, Nagasaki City)
・TEL: 095-820-3377

Announcement from the NIA
Recruiting volunteers for business support!
We are currently accepting applications to become volunteers. We offer trial periods so you don’t have to commit rightaway. What do volunteers do?
Photocopy some newspaper articles, clean the exchange floor, keep periodicals organized, and help out with othersmall office duties. Volunteers work in pairs: one Japanese person, one foreigner). If you’re interested in volunteering,
we encourage you to come be a part of our team!
≪Volunteer Days≫ Every Thursday and Friday (1:00pm to 4:00pm) ※Except for National Holidays※ We are looking for volunteers who will be available from April, 2024.
≪Number of Positions≫ Two foreigners (one for Thursday, one for Friday)≪Eligibility≫ Able to volunteer for over a year
≪Transportation fee≫1,000 yen once a week
≪Contact≫Nagasaki International Association（TEL：095-823-3931/ E-mail：nia@nia.or.jp）

The helpful guidebooks are available
in English, Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese for free!

Please tell your friends
about these guidebooks!

The Nagasaki International Association creates and provides free guidebooks for foreign people living in Nagasaki
Prefecture. We hope you find them useful!!
All the guidebooks are available to download from our website!
“A Guidebook for Living in Nagasaki Prefecture”
You can find all the basic information you will need to live in Nagasaki Prefecture in this guide. It will teach you about
residency matters, what you can do at your city or town hall, Japanese traffic laws, how to sort your rubbish, andother rules and manners that are followed in Japan. This is an indispensable book for the living safely andcomfortably in Nagasaki!
“Guide for Using Medical Institutions”
This guide was made to assist foreign people when they visit the hospital so that they can feel less anxious. This
guide includes lists of things you need when going to the hospital, types of hospitals, as well as illustrations of bodyparts and lists of symptoms to assist in explaining what’s wrong. It also includes a medical questionnaire that should
be filled out prior to visiting the hospital in order to make communication as smooth as possible. This guide is slim andcompact, so it’s easy to carry with you in the event of an emergency.
“Things You Need to Know Before Disaster Strikes!!”
Japan is often said to have more natural disasters than foreign countries. It’s impossible to say when an earthquake,
typhoon, or flood will occur. This guidebook tells you how to prepare for natural disasters and how to respond tothem. Don’t wait for a disaster to strike before thinking to prepare! Take this guide and start preparing today!

Nagasaki International Association
2-11 Dejima-machi Nagasaki City
E-mail：nia@nia.or.jp

TEL：095-823-3931

Website：https://www.nia.or.jp/

Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/nia.nagasaki/

Website

FAX：095-822-1551

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