English

Sekai wa Hitotsu
Gifu International Center (GIC)

International Exchange &Multiculturalism Information Magazine
November 2023

No.157© 岐阜県 清流の国ぎふ・ミナモ ♯ 0195

Hello Gifu, Hello World 2023： Celebrating 50 years of diplomatic relations between Japan and Vietnam
The annual cultural exchange event Hello Gifu, Hello World 2023 was held at ‘Minna no Mori’ Gifu Media Cosmos. A Vietnamese female dance[YVVW¸=(Y[PZ[Z¹^LYLPU]P[LK[VWLYMVYTVUZ[HNL[VJVTTLTVYH[L`LHYZVMKPWSVTH[PJYLSH[PVUZIL[^LLU1HWHUHUK=PL[UHT;OLÄYZ[VM[^V
TLTVYHISLKHUJLU\TILYZWLYMVYTLK^HZKVUL^LHYPUNNYLLUTVKLYUZ[`SLmVKnP=PL[UHTLZL[YHKP[PVUHSKYLZZ[V[OLZVUN¸/̡͙UN:ғJ=Pҫ[¹^OPJOTLHUZ¸ILH\[PM\S=PL[UHT¹;OLZLJVUKZVUN¸:LUOҷUNO̡]¹TLHUPUN¸LSLNHU[WPURSV[\Z¹MLH[\YLKHILH\[PM\SKHUJLWLYMVYTLK^OPSLOVSKPUNHSV[\Z[OLUH[PVUHSÅV^LYVM=PL[UHT(SZVK\YPUN[OLZ[HNLL]LU[.PM\7YLMLJ[\YHS*VVYKPUH[VYMVY0U[LYUH[PVUHS9LSH[PVUZ*09ǘқUN
;OmP8\ɅUO*OPNH]LHWYLZLU[H[PVUPU[YVK\JPUN Stage Event
Vietnam and explaining the history of friendshipbetween Japan and Vietnam.
In addition, as part of our activity GIC carries out
consultations for Gifu’s foreign residents to help
them if they have a problem related to their dailyGroup photo of the performers
life in Japan. We have three consultants working
Dance performance by the “V-Artists”, a group Vietnamese Coordinator and CIR who commemorated
here at GIC, who specialize in Portuguese,of Vietnamese dancers who live in Japanfor International Relations 50 years of diplomatic relations
Tagalog, and Vietnamese.
ǘқUN;OmP8\ɅUO*OP
between Japan and Vietnam%RRWK'LVSOD\V
At the Kangaeru Studio (Studio of Reflection), 27 GIC’s Booth Displays
international exchange organizations set up boothdisplays. The displays introduced the culture of eachcountry and the activity of the organizations, and folk
crafts were also sold. GIC arranged two workshops forchildren, making French scoubidous and Lithuanian[H\[PUȖQ\VZ[HPUZWPYLKI`[OLRUP[[LKZHZOVYILS[\ZLK
for traditional Lithuanian clothing. Visitors enjoyed learning about the culture of each country through the kids’
workshops organized by the French and Lithuanian CIRs, and through the items displayed such as photo albums
introducing the CIRs’ home countries, and folk art and craft items. Here at GIC, we would like to continue to strive
for the promotion of exchange between local Japanese people and foreign residents through global events, and to
PUJYLHZL[OLU\TILYVMVWWVY[\UP[PLZ[VSLHYUHIV\[KPɈLYLUJLZPU[OLJ\S[\YLHUKJ\Z[VTZVMKPɈLYLU[JV\U[YPLZThe Venue*LIX3UHIHFWXUDO&RQVXOWDWLRQ&HQWHUIRU)RUHLJQ5HVLGHQWV
Here at the Gifu International Center, we have set up the Gifu Prefectural Consultation Center for Foreign Residents, where
we carry out consultations for foreign residents living in Gifu related to their daily lives. We provide accurate information and act
as an intermediary between foreign residents and relevant institutions. GIC’s Foreign Resident Support Consultants are here tohelp, and 15 languages are available using phone interpretation services. In addition, we organize various types of consultations,
PUJS\KPUNJVUZ\S[H[PVUZ^P[O[OL5HNV`H9LNPVUHS0TTPNYH[PVU:LY]PJLZ)\YLH\Z[HɈTLTILYZMYLLJVUZ\S[H[PVUZ^P[OSH^`LYZMYLLJVUZ\S[H[PVUZ^P[OHKTPUPZ[YH[P]LZJYP]LULYZHUKTLU[HSOLHS[OJV\UZLSSPUN(UHKTPUPZ[YH[P]LZJYP]LULYPZZVTLVUL^OVPZX\HSPÄLK[V
OLSW^P[OKYH^PUN\WKVJ\TLU[Z[VILOHUKLKPU[VNV]LYUTLU[HUKW\ISPJVɉJLZ
Consultation process:① ;OLWLYZVUPUULLKVMHZZPZ[HUJLJHSSZ.0*
② GIC connects the caller with an interpretation call center (3-way call).
③ 0MULJLZZHY`[OLPU[LYWYL[H[PVUJHSSJLU[LYJVUULJ[Z[OLJHSSLY[VHW\ISPJVɉJLZ\JOHZHJP[`OHSS^H`JHSS
Please be aware of the following:࡛*VUZ\S[H[PVUZHYLTHPUS`MVYMVYLPNUYLZPKLU[Z࡛*VUZ\S[H[PVUPZMYLLI\[[OLJHSSLYT\Z[WH`MVYHU`WOVULJOHYNLZ
࡛-VYTVYLPUMVYTH[PVUHIV\[[OLSHUN\HNLZH]HPSHISLHUKVWLUPUN[PTLZWSLHZL\ZL[OL89JVKLVU[OLYPNO[3OHDVHFRQVLGHUGRQDWLQJWRWKH*LIX3UHIHFWXUH8NUDLQLDQUHIXJHHVXSSRUWIXQG
Money donated to the support fund will go to Ukrainian refugees living in Gifu Prefecture to help them with their daily
SP]PUNL_WLUZLZ0M`V\^V\SKSPRL[VKVUH[LWSLHZL\ZL[OL89JVKLVU[OLYPNO[[VÄUKV\[TVYLHIV\[[OLM\UKYHPZPUN٦89*VKLPZHYLNPZ[LYLK[YHKLTHYRVM+,5:6>(=,05*69769(;,+,QWURGXFLQJQHZ&RRUGLQDWRUVIRU
,QWHUQDWLRQDO5HODWLRQV/L<DQJ (from Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, China)
Nice to meet you all, my name is Li Yang!
I’m from Jiangxi Province in China, which has enjoyed a friendship partnership with Gifu Prefecture
for 35 years. Jiangxi is on the south coast of the Yangtze River and is a very mountainous province.
Among these mountains there is Mount Lu, often described as “the most beautiful mountain in theworld”; Mount Longhu, a sacred Taoist site; Mount Sanqing, a UNESCO World Heritage Site; theJinggang Mountains, known as the cradle of the Chinese revolution; and the Wugong Mountains,
popular for camping. As well as for its mountains, Jiangxi is also famous for its pottery production.
I majored in Japanese during my time at university, and the more Japanese I learnt, the more my interest in Japanese
J\S[\YLNYL^0OHKHS^H`ZOVWLK[VNV[V1HWHUVULKH`HUKL_WLYPLUJL1HWHULZLJ\S[\YLÄYZ[OHUK(M[LYNYHK\H[PUNMYVT
university, I came to Japan for work, and even though I was only here for one month I felt the sincerity of the Japanese andtheir kindness towards foreign people. This month-long experience became an important lifelong memory.
Thanks to the JET Programme, I will be able to further my knowledge about Japanese culture and I would also like to share
Chinese culture with you all! I plan to do my utmost to work towards mutual understanding and Sino-Japanese friendship. I
will work hard as a CIR to further friendly relations between China and Japan!
I look forward to meeting and working with you in the near future!

$JQH9HJHO\WH (from Lithuania)
Labas! (Or hello in Lithuanian!) My name is Agne and I’m so pleased to meet you all!
From this August I began working as a CIR, and I’m looking forward to introducing my little-known
home country, Lithuania, to people here in Japan!
0»TMYVT<[LUHHZTHSSJP[`^P[OHWVW\SH[PVUVMSLZZ[OHUWLVWSLI\[HM[LYÄUPZOPUNOPNO
school I moved to Lithuania’s capital Vilnius for university, and lived there until coming to Gifu. The
beautiful old town of Vilnius is a UNESCO Cultural Heritage Site. At university I majored in JapaneseStudies, and as well as learning Japanese, I also studied Japanese culture, history and literature,including classical literature.
During my fourth year of university I came to Japan for the first time on an exchange program lasting one year. TheKLSPJPV\ZMVVKLɈLJ[P]LULZZVMW\ISPJZHML[`HUKILH\[PM\SUH[\YLHSSJYLH[LKHZ[YVUNPTWYLZZPVUI\[TVZ[VMHSSP[^HZ[OL
warm hearts of the people that moved me.
0»]LZWLU[HIV\[`LHYZPU1HWHUPU[V[HSZVMHYI\[[OPZPZT`ÄYZ[[PTLPU.PM\HUK0[OPUR0»TNVPUN[VLUQV`[OLZSV^SPMLZ\YYV\UKLKI`UH[\YL0U3P[O\HUPH^LKVU»[OH]LTV\U[HPUZHUKP[»ZVULVM[OL^VYSK»ZÅH[[LZ[JV\U[YPLZZV^OLU0NV[V[OLobservation deck on the 20thÅVVYVM[OL.PM\7YLMLJ[\YHS6ɉJLHSTVZ[L]LY`KH`[VSVVRV\[H[[OLZ\YYV\UKPUNTV\U[HPUZI enjoy scenery that I can’t see back home.
While engaging in cultural exchange with everyone in Gifu Prefecture, I hope to learn more about Gifu, including about its
J\S[\YLOPZ[VY`HUKMLZ[P]HSZ0M`V\ZLLTLV\[HUKHIV\[WSLHZLMLLSMYLL[VJVTLHUKZH`OLSSV̸
I look forward to meeting you all and working with you soon!

)RUPHU/LWKXDQLDQ&RRUGLQDWRUIRU,QWHUQDWLRQDO5HODWLRQV*LHGUē'XOVNDLWē·V3DUWLQJ:RUGV
Hello everyone! Two years have now passed since I began working as a CIR in
Gifu Prefecture. I am extremely grateful to everyone in Gifu Prefecture for the help
and support that I have received for the last two years. I will always remember mytime in Gifu fondly, as I was able to meet many people and I learnt so much about
Gifu. Over the past two years I have participated in various events, and I’ve been
HISL[VL_WLYPLUJL[OLKLLW[PLZIL[^LLU.PM\HUK3P[O\HUPH̸
While in Gifu, I was able to engage in meaningful cultural exchange activities
about Lithuanian culture and history, including at events such as Lithuania NOW,
which broadly introduces Lithuania; the Kaziukas fair in Yaotsu town, which is based on the folk arts and crafts festival heldin Lithuania; and other culture-based lectures held in numerous locations in Gifu Prefecture.
I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who participated in events I was involved in, and I hope that the ties
IL[^LLU.PM\HUK3P[O\HUPH^PSSILJVTLL]LUZ[YVUNLYPU[OLM\[\YL̸
I would like to come back to Gifu one day, so this is not goodbye! Instead, I’ll say “see you soon”, iki pasimatymo!

●

2 ●【)RUHLJQUHVLGHQWVDQG-DSDQHVHKHDOWKFDUH】
Problems that foreign residents may encounter when seeking medical care
According to the “Written Report of the Survey on Foreign Residents in Japan for the 2021 Fiscal Year” published by[OL0TTPNYH[PVU:LY]PJLZ(NLUJ`YLNHYKPUN¸KPɉJ\S[PLZNL[[PUNHKPHNUVZPZVY[YLH[TLU[H[HOVZWP[HS¹[OLWLYJLU[HNL
VMMVYLPNUYLZPKLU[ZL_WLYPLUJPUNZ\JOKPɉJ\S[PLZOHZPUJYLHZLK^P[O ZH`PUN[OL`¸KPKUV[RUV^^OPJOOVZWP[HS[VNV[V¹HUK ZH`PUN[OL`¸JV\SKUV[HJJ\YH[LS`KLZJYPIL[OLPYZ`TW[VTZH[[OLOVZWP[HS¹0UHKKP[PVUI`SVVRPUNH[[OLYLZ\S[ZVM[OLZ\Y]L`I`]PZH[`WLHTVUNYLZWVUKLU[Z^P[OHZ[\KLU[]PZH ZHPK
that they “did not know which hospital to go to”, a higher percentage than for other visa types. There is a tendency forforeign residents who live in Japan for a shorter period of time to have more problems related to medical care. Based on
the report, it appears that the leading causes of the problems encountered are a “lack of information about hospitals”
and a “language barrier”.
(Source: Immigration Services Agency, “Written Report of the Survey on Foreign Residents in Japan for the 2021 Fiscal Year”)

Initiatives for foreign patients
In response to the increasing number of foreign residents in Japan, a “Comprehensive Strategy for the Acceptance ofand Coexistence with Foreign Personnel” is being developed, which recommends that all residential areas establish a
Z`Z[LT[VLUZ\YL[OH[MVYLPNUWH[PLU[ZJHUYLJLP]LTLKPJHSL_HTPUH[PVUZLHZPS`HUK^P[OJVUÄKLUJL
Additionally, with COVID-19 entry restrictions being lifted, it is expected that the number of foreign tourists traveling toJapan will increase. Accordingly, it is important to create an environment in which tourists visiting Japan can easily andcomfortably receive medical care in preparation for situations arising where such care is necessary.
As part of this initiative, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare and the Japan Tourism Agency have compiled a list of“Medical Institutions Accepting Foreign Patients” with the aim of creating a user-friendly system for patients and improving
the services provided by hospitals and administrations.
Hospitals on the list of “Medical Institutions Accepting Foreign Patients” are willing to see foreign patientsand have been deemed eligible to do so by local Prefectural Government. In Gifu Prefecture there are
currently 53 suitable hospitals.
You can access the list of “Medical Institutions Accepting Foreign Patients” from the QR code on the right. ➡

Introducing a useful website for receiving medical care in aforeign language
On the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) website you can search for medical institutions where
foreign nationals can have an examination by region or by language.
As well as allowing you to search by region or medical department, you can also use otherinformation to find suitable medical institutions, for example those that accept credit card
payments. Other useful information on the website includes how to get medical treatment andhow to take out overseas travel insurance.
You can also use this website if an emergency arises when you are traveling in anotherprefecture, so please make use of this valuable resource.

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3 ●7KH&RURQDWLRQRI%ULWDLQ·V.LQJ&KDUOHVrd
On May 6th of this year, the historic coronation of Charles 3rd took place in Britain. A coronation is a ceremonyin which the new monarch wears the crown for the first time, making the accession to the throne public andclear both at home and abroad. As the longest serving monarch in British history with 70 years on the throne, in
September last year Elizabeth 2nd passed away at the age of 96. Immediately following her death, Prince Charles,
who was next in line for the throne, became King Charles 3rd. However, preparing for the coronation ceremonytakes time, and many British people mourn the ruler who has passed away. Therefore, the coronation of a newmonarch often takes place the year after the death of the previous monarch. For example, when George 6th, thefather of Elizabeth 2nd passed away in 1952, her coronation did not take place until 1953.
In British history, there have previously been two Kings named Charles, so the current King has the title “CharlesIII”. In Britain, the monarch’s spouse has the title Prince Consort if they are a man, and Queen Consort if they
HYLH^VTHU;OL`[OLTZLS]LZHYLUV[[OLTVUHYJOHUK[OLYLMVYL[OL`HYLUV[VɉJPHSS`YLMLYYLK[VHZ¸2PUN¹VY“Queen” alone. For example, Queen Elizabeth’s husband, while usually referred to as Prince Philip, was her royalconsort. King Charles’ wife, Queen Camilla, is his royal consort.
During coronation ceremonies, traditional regalia is used. Regalia are items which are emblems of royalty,
including crowns and scepters.
The monarch is the head of the Church of England, so the coronation is fundamentally a Church of England rite.
Therefore, the Archbishop of Canterbury was the person who placed the crown on King Charles’ head. Regarding
the crown, Saint Edward’s Crown, made in 1661, was used in the coronation ceremony. The crown worn byCharles 3rdHM[LY[OLVɉJPHSJLYLTVU`^HZ[OL0TWLYPHS:[H[L*YV^U*HTPSSH^VYL[OLJYV^UTHKLPU 
for George 5th’s wife and royal consort, Queen Mary. Mary was Queen Elizabeth’s grandmother.
The royal couple rode from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey in the Diamond Jubilee State Coach, built
to celebrate Elizabeth 2nd’s 60 years on the throne in 2012. For the return trip, they rode in the Gold State Coach,
I\PS[PUHUK\ZLKPUL]LY`JVYVUH[PVUZPUJL(M[LYYL[\YUPUN[V)\JRPUNOHT7HSHJL[OLYV`HSMHTPS`Z[VVKon the famous balcony to greet the members of the public who had gathered outside.

1RWLFHIRUUHFLSLHQWVRIVSHFLDOORDQVVXFKDVWKH(PHUJHQF\6PDOO6XP/RDQRIIHUHGGXHWRWKHVSUHDGRI&29,'To help those with financial difficulties due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Japanese government, through Municipal
Councils of Social Welfare, lent money to those who applied for the “Emergency Small Sum Loan” and the “General Support
Fund”. Repayments of these loans have now started.
ő+LWLUKPUNVU^OLU`V\YLJLP]LK[OLSVHUHUK[OL[`WLVMSVHU[OLKH[LVM[OLZ[HY[VMYLWH`TLU[KPɈLYZ
ő0M`V\KVUV[YLWH`[OLSVHUVU[OLZWLJPÄLKKH[LPU[LYLZ[^PSSILHKKLKőThere are also those who do not need repay the loan if they apply (cases where the borrower and the head of thehousehold are exempt from residence tax).
٦0M`V\^HU[[VRUV^^OL[OLY`V\HYLL_LTW[MYVTYLZPKLUJL[H_WSLHZLHZR`V\YSVJHST\UPJPWHSVɉJLőIf you are having trouble making repayments, please consult with the Municipal Council of Social Welfare where you
received the loan.
Please consult with the Gifu Prefecture Council of Social Welfare regarding the special loan. If you cannot repay the loan by[OLZWLJPÄLKKH[LP[PZPTWVY[HU[[VZLLRZ\WWVY[YH[OLY[OHUZOV\SKLYPUN[OLI\YKLUHSVUL,HJO*V\UJPSVM:VJPHS>LSMHYL
VɈLYZZ\WWVY[MVYHSSHZWLJ[ZVMSPMLZVWSLHZLKVUV[OLZP[H[L[VJVU[HJ[[OLT
3RLQWRIFRQWDFWIRUSHRSOHOLYLQJLQ*LIX3UHIHFWXUH
;,3!>LLRKH`Z !!āGifu Prefecture Council of Social Welfare:\WWVY[H]HPSHISLPUT\S[PWSLSHUN\HNLZ7LVWSL^OVOH]LKPɉJ\S[`^P[O1HWHULZLTH`HSZVJVUZ\S[^P[O\Z
:KDWWRGRLI\RXKDYHPRYHGKRXVH

0M`V\OH]LJOHUNLK`V\YUHTLVYHKKYLZZMVYL_HTWSLK\L[VTV]PUNOV\ZL`V\T\Z[Z\ITP[H¸5V[PÄJH[PVUVM*OHUNL
of Name or Address” form at the Municipal Council of Social Welfare from which you received the loan. If you do not submit[OPZMVYT`V\^PSSUV[YLJLP]LPTWVY[HU[UV[PÄJH[PVUZPUMVYTPUN`V\^OLU`V\ULLK[VTHRLYLWH`TLU[Z7SLHZLTHRLZ\YL[Vfollow the necessary procedures.
:KDWWRGRLI\RXKDYHDQ\RWKHUSUREOHPV

0U.PM\7YLMLJ[\YLLHJOYLNPVUOHZP[ZV^UJVUZ\S[H[PVUZLY]PJL:WLJPHSPZ[HK]PZVYZ^PSSSPZ[LUHUKVɈLY
assistance. For more detail, please visit the Gifu Prefecture Support Consultation Service website.➡
For consultations in languages other than Japanese, please contact the Gifu Prefectural Consultation
Center for Foreign Residents (Located in the Gifu International Center).
;,3!>LLRKH`Z !!Issued ByDate of
Publication

Gifu International Center (GIC).PM\*O\UPJOP)\PSKPUN-@HUHNHZL+VYP.PM\*P[`
;LS!-H_!
E-mail: gic@gic.or.jp URL: https://www.gic.or.jp
6WLUPUNOV\YZ!:\UKH`[V-YPKH` !¶!Closed: Saturday, Public Holidays, New Year Period
Languages: English, Chinese, Portuguese, Tagalog, Vietnamese

November 1, 2023

(Published three times yearly in July, November, and February)