Kagoshima Global KIZUNA Assembly
The Kagoshima Global KIZUNA Assembly, organized by the Kagoshima Global KIZUNA Assembly Executive Committee
comprising economic organizations and government agencies in Kagoshima Prefecture, will be held in November 2018.
Held on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the Meiji Restoration, this convention aims to bring together people
around the world with connections to Kagoshima such as Kagoshima Kenjinkai members, and natives of Kagoshima
thriving in other parts of Japan, to provide them with the opportunity to deepen the bonds with their hometown, build
friendships with one another, as well as establish new global networks and spur economic exchange at a global level.
We look forward to seeing all of you here in Kagoshima.

Apr.’17-Mar.’18
Published by Kagoshima International AssociationⒸ Ｋ．Ｐ．Ｖ．Ｂ

Website: https://www.allkagoshima.com/en/front/#roots

Services at the International Exchange Plaza
Main services
・Events bulletin board
・Rental of flags, ethnic costumes, maps, and UNICEF videos
・Foreign language newspapers, books and magazines for browsing
・Consultation for foreign residents
・Chinese Language Lunchtime Conversation (Tue; 12:00 – 13:00)
・Korean Language Lunchtime Conversation (Wed; 12:30 – 13:30)
・Lunchtime English Club (Fri; 12:00 – 13:00)
We also handle queries on international exchange matters,
registration of homestay host families and volunteer interpreters,
etc. All personal information will be kept confidential, so do nothesitate to stop by if you have any enquiries.

Multiculturalism ProjectOn 17 December 2017, Kagoshima International Association(KIA) organized a study group for volunteer interpreters andstaff of medical institutions to learn about the difficulties
faced by foreigners when they visit a medical institution. 31
people attended the workshop.
At the workshop, participants first learned some basic
interpreting skills and rules when interpreting at medical
Seminar on supporting foreigners at medical institutions

institutions. Later, they broke up into groups according
to their spoken languages and practiced interpreting at a
medical consultation through role-play simulation.

Opening hours: Tue – Sun; 9:00 – 17:00
Closed on Mondays (if Monday is a public holiday, the office will beclosed on Tuesday) and during the New Year holiday (29 Dec – 3 Jan).

KIA also organized a seminar for volunteer interpreters
and representatives from related organizations on supporting
foreigners in times of disaster on 2 December 2017. The 29
participants exchanged opinions on the topic.
Feedback from these two seminars include “I realized that

To contact us about the International Exchange Plaza and/or South Wing publication,
Kagoshima International Association
Kagoshima Prefectural Citizens Exchange Centre, 1F 14-50 Yamashita-cho, Kagoshima City, Japan 892-0816
TEL : 099-221-6620
E-mail : kia@po.synapse.ne.jp
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Kagoshima.Intl.Assoc/
FAX : 099-221-6643
URL : http://www.synapse.ne.jp/kia/

Seminar on supporting foreigners in times of disaster

regular face-to-face contact with foreign people plays a hugerole in the event of a disaster”, and “as a long-term foreign
resident of Kagoshima, I would like to be able to help fellow
foreigners when they experience trouble in the future.” We
hope that these initiatives will lead to greater multicultural★ We have revamped our website.

integration in the region.

Group work session

4

1

Let’s Talk About the World in Kagoshima – The 23rd Japanese Speech Contest for Foreigners

Public Seminar on International Understanding by Foreign Lecturers

Out of the 52 contestants from 18 countries/regions who took partin the preliminary round on 20 January 2018, 10 foreigners from 7
countries were selected to participate in the finals held on 27 January.
The winner was Ms Jeong Hyo Rim from South Korea, a sixth gradestudent at Murasakibaru Elementary School in Kagoshima City with herspeech “My Badge of Honor”.
Ms Jeong spoke of how unfamiliar everything was, and the many
Front row: participants; back row: judges
difficulties she faced when she first came to Japan two years ago due toher father’s career. As she could not speak a word of Japanese at the beginning, she ceaselessly practiced writing
the kanji characters to master the language, and earned a callus on her middle finger. This, she said, is her ‘badge ofhonor’. Ms Jeong also passionately told the audience of 539 people how her Japanese language improved with thehelp of teachers, friends, and other people around her, how her newfound love of Kagoshima led her to understandthe importance of going overseas, and her dream of becoming a diplomat and acting as a bridge between countries.
The participants roused the audience and occasionally brought tears to their eyes with their speeches, whichwere delivered in fluent Japanese on topics such as the differences between their home countries and Japan,
the beauty of diversity felt through interacting with people from different countries, and the good points ofKagoshima. We hope to continue providing opportunities for the citizens of Kagoshima to interact with people ofdifferent nationalities and cultures.

This fiscal year, KIA organized public seminars on international
understanding on Peru and Islam, which are led by foreigners residing
in Kagoshima who make use of the opportunity to introduce their homeculture to the locals.
The Peru cultural seminar led by a speaker from Peru was held at the“Japanese Fascinated by Machu Picchu, and the Ancient Civilization of
the Andes” exhibition, jointly organized by KIA and The Open University
Public seminar on Peru’s cultureof Japan Kagoshima Study Center. Visitors were quizzed on Peru anddeepened their understanding of the country. There were also exhibits on Peru Kagoshima Kenjinkai, whichallowed them to understand the history and ties between Kagoshima and Peru.
At the seminar on Islamic culture, the speaker from Egypt talked about Islam and its culture, and about
Kagoshima as seen by a Muslim. Participants also were given a taste of a halal lifestyle. We believe this seminarallowed the participants to understand Islamic culture from a viewpoint that is often overlooked.
We hope such seminars will serve as a platform for promoting international exchange in the region throughproviding the opportunity for interaction between foreign residents and locals to become better acquainted with
one another and their respective cultures.

Japanese Language and Culture ClassThe Japanese Language and Culture Class was held from May 2017 to
February 2018 to teach foreigners living in Kagoshima about Japanesecustoms and useful everyday phrases. The Tuesday and Thursday
classes each met 30 times for a combined total of 60 sessions.
This fiscal year, the activities held include exchanging opinions about
current affairs in Japan, learning Japanese proverbs, and there was also
a session in which the students played the part of a teacher and taught
Japanese language classtheir classmates words and phrases from their native language. At theend of each term, using Japanese words that they have learnt, the students reflected on the past term and described
the name and taste of the home-cooked local dish that they have brought to the potluck party. Although they were
nervous at the start of the course, the students showed great enthusiasm in learning and improving their Japanese,and encouraged one another. Through this year of study, the students deepened not just their understanding ofJapanese language and culture, but also friendships that transcend nationalities and cultures.

Japanese Language Chat Room

Alumni of Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers and Foreign Students as Teachers
This school visit program is jointly organized by KIA, the Supporting
Organization of Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCV)in Kagoshima, and the JOCV Kagoshima Alumni Association. The
program dispatches returnee JOCVs and international students toover 40 schools every year, and since its inauguration in 1995 theguest speakers have visited more than 910 elementary and junior highschools in the prefecture. The program began dispatching speakers to
At Kiyomizu Elementary School, Minamikyushi City
special needs schools from 2016.
Comments from the children include “just like the speaker whose work transcends borders, I want to bravely
challenge myself to something big”, and “the phrase ‘everyone in the world is equal’ made an impression on me”.
Rather than information from textbooks and the internet, it appears that actually interacting with the JOCVs andinternational students and listening to their experiences gives the students a critical opportunity to reflect on
their lifestyles and think about their future. We hope that this program will continue to serve as a catalyst for thetorch bearers of the future to experience the world up close.

Regional International Exchange Promotion Program

The Japanese Language Chat Room, for foreigners with a grasp ofconversational Japanese, was held between May 2017 and March 2018
for a total of 20 sessions.
Guest speakers and foreigners living in Kagoshima provided topics
on Kagoshima’s history and traditions such as “Kagoshima’s History andthe Meiji Restoration” and “Tenpuku: Kagoshima’s Traditional Flute”.
Furthermore, we have invited participants of the chat room to speak,Group photo with lecturer on Tenpuku
and they offered topics including “‘Osechi’ Cuisine” – that they learned
while living in Kagoshima – and their personal experiences of “International Marriage”. Comments from theparticipants include “it was my first time as a speaker, and I was glad I could make use of my experiences”, and “Ilearned things that are useful to living in Kagoshima, and I look forward to attending this chat room every time.”
We hope that this chat room will provide participants with the opportunity to make new friends and fuel their
desire to learn Japanese in an enjoyable way.

This initiative aims to stimulate interest in international exchange
through the setting up of international exchange booths at local
festivals with the cooperation of foreign residents and international
exchange organizations. This fiscal year, KIA has participated in the MBC
Summer Festival in Kagoshima City, the Koyama Yabusame Festival in
Kimotsuki Town, the Lifelong Learning Festival in China Town, and the
Marugoto Ijuin Festival in Hioki City.
At Lifelong Learning Festival
It has been 3 years since we last set up booth in China Town. There,
we carried out activities such as “Craft using Colored Tissue”, “Making Eco-friendly Foreign Newspaper Bags”,“World Greeting Stamp Collection” and “Bookmark-making using Foreign Stamps”. At the corner for trying on
ethnic costumes, children and adults alike enjoyed themselves wearing their preferred costumes and taking
pictures. We believe it was a good opportunity for the islanders to become acquainted with different cultures.

2

3

Let’s Talk About the World in Kagoshima – The 23rd Japanese Speech Contest for Foreigners

Public Seminar on International Understanding by Foreign Lecturers

Out of the 52 contestants from 18 countries/regions who took partin the preliminary round on 20 January 2018, 10 foreigners from 7
countries were selected to participate in the finals held on 27 January.
The winner was Ms Jeong Hyo Rim from South Korea, a sixth gradestudent at Murasakibaru Elementary School in Kagoshima City with herspeech “My Badge of Honor”.
Ms Jeong spoke of how unfamiliar everything was, and the many
Front row: participants; back row: judges
difficulties she faced when she first came to Japan two years ago due toher father’s career. As she could not speak a word of Japanese at the beginning, she ceaselessly practiced writing
the kanji characters to master the language, and earned a callus on her middle finger. This, she said, is her ‘badge ofhonor’. Ms Jeong also passionately told the audience of 539 people how her Japanese language improved with thehelp of teachers, friends, and other people around her, how her newfound love of Kagoshima led her to understandthe importance of going overseas, and her dream of becoming a diplomat and acting as a bridge between countries.
The participants roused the audience and occasionally brought tears to their eyes with their speeches, whichwere delivered in fluent Japanese on topics such as the differences between their home countries and Japan,
the beauty of diversity felt through interacting with people from different countries, and the good points ofKagoshima. We hope to continue providing opportunities for the citizens of Kagoshima to interact with people ofdifferent nationalities and cultures.

This fiscal year, KIA organized public seminars on international
understanding on Peru and Islam, which are led by foreigners residing
in Kagoshima who make use of the opportunity to introduce their homeculture to the locals.
The Peru cultural seminar led by a speaker from Peru was held at the“Japanese Fascinated by Machu Picchu, and the Ancient Civilization of
the Andes” exhibition, jointly organized by KIA and The Open University
Public seminar on Peru’s cultureof Japan Kagoshima Study Center. Visitors were quizzed on Peru anddeepened their understanding of the country. There were also exhibits on Peru Kagoshima Kenjinkai, whichallowed them to understand the history and ties between Kagoshima and Peru.
At the seminar on Islamic culture, the speaker from Egypt talked about Islam and its culture, and about
Kagoshima as seen by a Muslim. Participants also were given a taste of a halal lifestyle. We believe this seminarallowed the participants to understand Islamic culture from a viewpoint that is often overlooked.
We hope such seminars will serve as a platform for promoting international exchange in the region throughproviding the opportunity for interaction between foreign residents and locals to become better acquainted with
one another and their respective cultures.

Japanese Language and Culture ClassThe Japanese Language and Culture Class was held from May 2017 to
February 2018 to teach foreigners living in Kagoshima about Japanesecustoms and useful everyday phrases. The Tuesday and Thursday
classes each met 30 times for a combined total of 60 sessions.
This fiscal year, the activities held include exchanging opinions about
current affairs in Japan, learning Japanese proverbs, and there was also
a session in which the students played the part of a teacher and taught
Japanese language classtheir classmates words and phrases from their native language. At theend of each term, using Japanese words that they have learnt, the students reflected on the past term and described
the name and taste of the home-cooked local dish that they have brought to the potluck party. Although they were
nervous at the start of the course, the students showed great enthusiasm in learning and improving their Japanese,and encouraged one another. Through this year of study, the students deepened not just their understanding ofJapanese language and culture, but also friendships that transcend nationalities and cultures.

Japanese Language Chat Room

Alumni of Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers and Foreign Students as Teachers
This school visit program is jointly organized by KIA, the Supporting
Organization of Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCV)in Kagoshima, and the JOCV Kagoshima Alumni Association. The
program dispatches returnee JOCVs and international students toover 40 schools every year, and since its inauguration in 1995 theguest speakers have visited more than 910 elementary and junior highschools in the prefecture. The program began dispatching speakers to
At Kiyomizu Elementary School, Minamikyushi City
special needs schools from 2016.
Comments from the children include “just like the speaker whose work transcends borders, I want to bravely
challenge myself to something big”, and “the phrase ‘everyone in the world is equal’ made an impression on me”.
Rather than information from textbooks and the internet, it appears that actually interacting with the JOCVs andinternational students and listening to their experiences gives the students a critical opportunity to reflect on
their lifestyles and think about their future. We hope that this program will continue to serve as a catalyst for thetorch bearers of the future to experience the world up close.

Regional International Exchange Promotion Program

The Japanese Language Chat Room, for foreigners with a grasp ofconversational Japanese, was held between May 2017 and March 2018
for a total of 20 sessions.
Guest speakers and foreigners living in Kagoshima provided topics
on Kagoshima’s history and traditions such as “Kagoshima’s History andthe Meiji Restoration” and “Tenpuku: Kagoshima’s Traditional Flute”.
Furthermore, we have invited participants of the chat room to speak,Group photo with lecturer on Tenpuku
and they offered topics including “‘Osechi’ Cuisine” – that they learned
while living in Kagoshima – and their personal experiences of “International Marriage”. Comments from theparticipants include “it was my first time as a speaker, and I was glad I could make use of my experiences”, and “Ilearned things that are useful to living in Kagoshima, and I look forward to attending this chat room every time.”
We hope that this chat room will provide participants with the opportunity to make new friends and fuel their
desire to learn Japanese in an enjoyable way.

This initiative aims to stimulate interest in international exchange
through the setting up of international exchange booths at local
festivals with the cooperation of foreign residents and international
exchange organizations. This fiscal year, KIA has participated in the MBC
Summer Festival in Kagoshima City, the Koyama Yabusame Festival in
Kimotsuki Town, the Lifelong Learning Festival in China Town, and the
Marugoto Ijuin Festival in Hioki City.
At Lifelong Learning Festival
It has been 3 years since we last set up booth in China Town. There,
we carried out activities such as “Craft using Colored Tissue”, “Making Eco-friendly Foreign Newspaper Bags”,“World Greeting Stamp Collection” and “Bookmark-making using Foreign Stamps”. At the corner for trying on
ethnic costumes, children and adults alike enjoyed themselves wearing their preferred costumes and taking
pictures. We believe it was a good opportunity for the islanders to become acquainted with different cultures.

2

3

Kagoshima Global KIZUNA Assembly
The Kagoshima Global KIZUNA Assembly, organized by the Kagoshima Global KIZUNA Assembly Executive Committee
comprising economic organizations and government agencies in Kagoshima Prefecture, will be held in November 2018.
Held on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the Meiji Restoration, this convention aims to bring together people
around the world with connections to Kagoshima such as Kagoshima Kenjinkai members, and natives of Kagoshima
thriving in other parts of Japan, to provide them with the opportunity to deepen the bonds with their hometown, build
friendships with one another, as well as establish new global networks and spur economic exchange at a global level.
We look forward to seeing all of you here in Kagoshima.

Apr.’17-Mar.’18
Published by Kagoshima International AssociationⒸ Ｋ．Ｐ．Ｖ．Ｂ

Website: https://www.allkagoshima.com/en/front/#roots

Services at the International Exchange Plaza
Main services
・Events bulletin board
・Rental of flags, ethnic costumes, maps, and UNICEF videos
・Foreign language newspapers, books and magazines for browsing
・Consultation for foreign residents
・Chinese Language Lunchtime Conversation (Tue; 12:00 – 13:00)
・Korean Language Lunchtime Conversation (Wed; 12:30 – 13:30)
・Lunchtime English Club (Fri; 12:00 – 13:00)
We also handle queries on international exchange matters,
registration of homestay host families and volunteer interpreters,
etc. All personal information will be kept confidential, so do nothesitate to stop by if you have any enquiries.

Multiculturalism ProjectOn 17 December 2017, Kagoshima International Association(KIA) organized a study group for volunteer interpreters andstaff of medical institutions to learn about the difficulties
faced by foreigners when they visit a medical institution. 31
people attended the workshop.
At the workshop, participants first learned some basic
interpreting skills and rules when interpreting at medical
Seminar on supporting foreigners at medical institutions

institutions. Later, they broke up into groups according
to their spoken languages and practiced interpreting at a
medical consultation through role-play simulation.

Opening hours: Tue – Sun; 9:00 – 17:00
Closed on Mondays (if Monday is a public holiday, the office will beclosed on Tuesday) and during the New Year holiday (29 Dec – 3 Jan).

KIA also organized a seminar for volunteer interpreters
and representatives from related organizations on supporting
foreigners in times of disaster on 2 December 2017. The 29
participants exchanged opinions on the topic.
Feedback from these two seminars include “I realized that

To contact us about the International Exchange Plaza and/or South Wing publication,
Kagoshima International Association
Kagoshima Prefectural Citizens Exchange Centre, 1F 14-50 Yamashita-cho, Kagoshima City, Japan 892-0816
TEL : 099-221-6620
E-mail : kia@po.synapse.ne.jp
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Kagoshima.Intl.Assoc/
FAX : 099-221-6643
URL : http://www.synapse.ne.jp/kia/

Seminar on supporting foreigners in times of disaster

regular face-to-face contact with foreign people plays a hugerole in the event of a disaster”, and “as a long-term foreign
resident of Kagoshima, I would like to be able to help fellow
foreigners when they experience trouble in the future.” We
hope that these initiatives will lead to greater multicultural★ We have revamped our website.

integration in the region.

Group work session

41