KCC NEWS

Vol.76 1st, August, 2022

Kashiwa Cross-cultural Center

AUGUST, 2022
Cross-cultural Teatime

Kashiwa Cross-cultural Center,Palette Kashiwa
2-7-1-301 Kashiwa,
Kashiwa,Chiba,Japan 277-0005■TEL: 04-7157-0281 ■FAX: 04-7165-7321■E-MAIL: kcc@kira-kira.jp■URL: https: //www.kcc.kira-kira.jp

Vol.
76

"Kingdom of the Sky, Kingdom of Lesotho” （6/18）

We invited two diplomats from the Embassy of the Kingdom of Lesotho in Japan. They spoke about theunique history, nature, and tourism of the Kingdom of Lesotho, which is an independent country surroundedby the Republic of South Africa.
They accepted the request to give a lecture in Kashiwa when we had visited them as part of the embassy visit
tour organized by Minato Ward in January 2020. After two postponements due to the new corona virus, wewere able to hold the event.
It is a 19-hour flight from Japan to Maseru, the capital of Lesotho via Hong Kong and Johannesburg.The landarea of Lesotho is slightly smaller than that of Kyushu, and its population is approximately 2 million. The
official languages are Sesotho and English, and Christianity is widely practiced. In 1966, the country became anThe two lecturers
independent constitutional monarchy as a member of the British Commonwealth.
Its main trading partners are South Africa, the U.S., and Belgium, and its main trade products are clothing (GAP, LEVI'S, etc.) andrough diamonds. In recent years, the country has been focusing on tourism, and there is a ski resort because of its high altitude,
The video introducing the Kingdom of Lesotho showed scenes of its capital, Maseru; the path tothe founding of the nation; nature, including Sesabathebe National Park; fashion, including theBasotho Blanket; weddings; traditional Rebollo education system, which is different from typicalschooling; dawn and sunset views; and dance and music. We were able to see a variety of aspectsof this country.
In the Q& A session, many questions were asked about such topics as the Rebollo education
system in the video, the relationship with South Africa, the recent situation on corona infections,the education system, and mobile phone penetration.The event provided a good opportunity forKashiwa citizens to learn about the Kingdom of Lesotho.
On the day of the event, the reservations were fully booked, and traditional Lesotho Basotho
Basotho Hat (Mokorotlo),
Hats and Basotho Blankets from the Embassy were displayed at the venue, in addition to a small
and Basotho Blanket
photo exhibition.

Origami Class (6/1）
The topic for this day was a gorgeous 10-winged fancy crane with five wings on each side.All the participants enjoyed origami in afriendly atmosphere with laughter,andtime passed quickly.
Here are some comments from the participants: " It's only been two months since I moved toKashiwa. I found out about this event while researching the International Relations Association, andfor the first time in decades, I did origami," "I joined the class because I was curious about how
many sheets of origami the crane was made of, and how I would fold it if it were one sheet," " I
want to fold it with my children at home" and so on.
There is another type of crane variation called Imoseyama. Two cranes are made of one sheetof paper and are connected by one of the wings. The instructor folded them in the colors of the Ukrainian flag, blue and yellow, inprayer for peace, and gave the cranes to all the participants as a take-home gift.
It was the first time in almost two years that the event was held face-to-face due to the new corona virus.The event was full ofsmiles that seemed to dispel the clouds of the rainy season.

Free Legal Advice and Administrative Procedure Support for Foreign Residents
To foreign residents. Are you in need of help? Lawyers and administrative procedure specialists are available for consultation. You
can ask for specialists’ advice on issues such as family or partner violence, divorce, visa procedures, and problems at work.
Reservation necessary.
Date & Time: Wednesday, August 24, 1:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.
Place: Palette Kashiwa, Room A
Reservation: the KCC office

Announcement of Video Posting
You can see the English version of the calligraphy experience video produced in 2021 on our website.

KKCC NEWS

Vol.76 1st, August, 2022

KCC NEWS

Vol.76 1st, August, 2022

T h is year, K ash iw a In tern ation al Exch an ge W eek 2022 w as h eld in cooperation w ith K aich i In tern ation al Un iversity, Reitaku Un iversity, Girl Scouts T roop 12 an d 17, K ash iw a UN ESC O Association , IT C -J T OK AT SU, K ash iw a C ity
T ourist Association , an d K ash iw a In tern ation al Relation s Association .
Durin g th e even t, ph otos an d posters of in tern ation al exch an ge groups in th e city w ere displayed on pan els, an d exch an ge salon s w h ere participan ts in teracted in easy Japan ese w ith foreign residen ts in th e city w ere also h eld.
In addition ,presen tation s w ere given by studen ts from Kaich i In tern ation al Un iversity an d Reitaku Un iversity, an d a Refugee Sem in ar w ith th e th eme of Acceptin g Refugees in Japan provided lots of in form ation .

(1) Exchange Salon with Ukrainian People (7/ 4)
Ukrainian people living in Kashiwa City talked about their national flag and delicious food.
More than 30 people attended the event, which showed a high interest in Ukraine. First,
through a quiz about Ukraine, the participants learned about Ukraine’s traditional costumesand that sushi is very popular there. Then, they carefully answered questions from theaudience, which seemed to help the audience understand more about Ukraine. Ukrainianpeople said that they were very grateful for the support from Japan.

(2) Exchange Salon with people from the Philippines and China (7/5)

There were interesting discussions about each country’ s flag, culture,education, tourist attractions, and delicious food.
For example, there were the following questions and answers.
Q: How come Filipinos speak English so well?
A: We study subjects in English and Filipino in school.
Q: In China, do you use cash at the market?
A: We pay with Alipay or WeChatPay.

(3) Exchange Salon with people from Brazil (7/6)

Brazil is 22 times the size of Japan and has the fifth largest population in
the world, 212. 56 million. The seasons are the opposite of Japan, and it iswinter now. A speaker said that discipline from her grandmother,who emigrated
to Brazil when she was a child, was strict. However, when she came to Japan,
she realized that her grandmother’ s teaching style was outdated in Japan. In
Brazil, elementary school students go to school by school bus, and adults
always pick them up.

(4) Exchange Salon with ten speakers from five countries (7/7)

The first speaker talked about cultural differences between the U.
S. and Japan, citing the example of school lunches.According to thespeaker, in Japan, school lunches are nutritionally balanced andtasty compared to American lunches, and he was impressed that thechildren helped serve the meals.He also felt that drivers drive more
carefully for the sake of the elderly .
Next, KIRAKIC members and Japanese language students at KCC
talked about the flags of the Philippines, Thailand, and China andwhat each country is. They explained about the flag of thePhilippines, and that the colors of the Philippine flag represent
equality, justice, courage, and freedom. They also explained that inStudents from Sri Lanka
Thailand, people stand up and pay respect for the national flag
when they raise the flag. Food from China and other countries looked very delicious. At the end of the event, fourinternational students from Sri Lanka at Kaichi International University introduced their country, dressed inlovely traditional costumes, the sari. The long name of the capital, Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte, surprised theaudience. Sri Lanka is a multi- ethnic country, and the people believe in various religions such as Buddhism,Hinduism, Islam, and Christianity. When they were asked why they chose Japan as their overseas study
destination, they answered that they longed to experience what they saw on the TV drama, Oshin, and cherry
blossoms. When asked what surprised them when they came to Japan, they answered it was snow. Sri Lankan
students said they would like to find a job in Japan after graduation.

(5) Exchange Salon with People from China and Taiwan (7/8)

At first, there was an explanation about the meaning of the colors and stars of the Chinese flag, Tiananmen
Square, andthe Great Wall of China. They also said there are 55 ethnic minorities,
and various kinds of religions are worshiped today.An interesting story was that there
are 9, 999 rooms in the Forbidden City, and there are 10, 000 rooms in heaven. In
other words,the Forbidden City has one less room than the heavenly world.
Next, Taiwan is made up of 16 ethnic groups, and each has its own characteristics.
Participants were surprised to hear that the gates of hell open on the Midyear
Festival in the month of July of the lunar calendar, and various souls wander about.There are temples in both
China and Taiwan, but there are no graves in temples. Many of the stories they told were newto the audience.

(6) Refugee Seminar (7/9)

We held an online seminar on the theme of Accepting Refugees in Japan, with Mr. Shuichi Nakao from theKansai Branch of the Refugee Project Headquarters. Although the seminar washeld in the evening, 52 people attended, 44 online and eight at the venue.
Japan is a country that accepts very few refugees, even by global standards.
During the workshop, participants were divided into groups to discuss six cases inwhich refugees were initially denied refugee status but later won a come- frombehind victory in court. Many participants commented that they learned things
they had not known before and would like to continue thinking about the cases.

(7) Members of Girl Scouts Chiba Prefectural Federation Troop 17 (7/10)

Both adults and children made waste oil lamps using aluminum foil, tissue paper,and plastic glasses. The waste oil lamps can be used for camping. They are also
helpful as an emergency supply. You can make lamps from tuna cans. Girl Scouts
Troop 17 and the British Friendship Group are visiting each other .

(8) Members of Girl Scouts Chiba Prefectural Federation Troop 12 (7/10)

They taught us how to make slippers using newspapers and a cute cherry broochusing red beads and green felt. Slippers can be made easily from newspapers, soknowing how to make them will be helpful in a disaster. Both adults and children
enjoyed making them.

(9) Presentations by a team of students from Reitaku University (7/10)

First, a five- member team made a presentation about ideas for a Nipponia exhibition that would provide an
opportunity for foreign residents in Japan. The team proposed the possibility of a new close cooperation in a
symbiotic society with foreigners by creating a booth for the information session. It would be a hands-on boothto support their daily lives, and to make connections
with support groups.
Second, three students from an international
cooperation organization called " Plas+ " with15
members reported on the traffic safety support forchildren in Cambodia, which they have continued
despite the COVID- 19 pandemic. They also talked
not only about issues such as literacy rate andReitaku University "Nipponia "Reitaku University "Plas+"differences in traffic rules but also about what theylearned through dramas with the children.They also said that they can feel how wonderful the interaction witheach other is through group activities. Their presentations made the participants feel happy.People there gavea big applause to the young power of the future, which was displayed in the two presentations.

KCC NEWS

Vol.76 1st, August, 2022

Japanese Shonan Classes

Summer vacation 7/15-8/31

Online Classes
Sun

Minna no Nihongo , Primary I (2 classes), Intermediate Ⅱ

10:00 a.m.- 11:30 a.m.

In-person Classes (Shonan Community Center)Thu

10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

Minna no Nihongo , PrimaryⅠ, Intermediate IISun

10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

Minna no Nihongo , Primary I

Japanese Kashiwa Classes

Summer vacation 7/17-8/31

Online Classes
Tue

7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Minna no Nihongo , Primary IWed

10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Conversation elementary level 2 B

Wed

7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Minna no Nihongo , Primary I

Thu

10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Conversation elementary level 1 (For Beginners, Primary 1)

Thu

1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Conversation elementary level 2 A

Fri

7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Minna no Nihongo ,PrimaryⅡSat

9:30 a.m. - 11:20 a.m.

Conversation intermediate level
In-person Classes （Pallette Kashiwa）

Sat

10:00 a.m .- 11:30 a.m.

Minna no Nihongo , Primary I

Consultation for Foreign Residents

Online study meeting for KIRA members“Creating an Organization that Enables the Participationof the Younger Generation”
Date & Time: Thursday, August 18, 8:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Lecturer:Takahiro Kageyama (Town Planning Coordinator )Participation fee: Free
Number of Participants: 25
Application: Sign up directly at the KCC office orsend an email to < boshu- 1@ kira- kira. jp> withyour name and phone number. We will send you
the invitation link on the day.
Next session: Thursday, September 15, 8:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
” Effective Vocalization” Lecturer: Ms. Naomi Yamazaki

Monday: Spanish
Tuesday: Korean (only the 2nd and 4th Tuesday)
Wednesday: Chinese
Thursday: English
Friday: Chinese※ 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. everyday
Consultation Counter for Foreign Residents(Main City Hall 3F)
TEL:04-7168-1033 No reservation required.

Kashiwa information Delivery Service

Sign up to receive email
announcements from the city, suchas information about earthquakes,
fires, crime, and infectious disease
Staff Wanted for “Kashiwa de International Exchange Festa 2022” outbreaks in the language of yourchoice. Send a blank email to thisTo KIRA members! Would you like to join us in planning
address to register.
and organizing the " Kashiwa de International Exchange
Also, please read Kashiwa City
Festa 2022" on November 20? If you are interested in theMagazine. It contains information about COVIDFesta and love festivals, please join us.
19 vaccination.
Period of activity :From August to the end of November
Application: Sign up directly at the KCC office or send anAnnouncement of Video Posting from KIRA
email to <boshu-2@kira-kira.jp> by Friday, August 12.
You can see the video of “ KIRA
Information about COVID-19
Activities in FY2021” on KIRA’ sfor Foreign Residents
website: https: / / w ww . youtube.
Available in multiple languages
com/w atch?v=P4kVlN6cYsYQuestions?
Please contact the office ofKashiwa Cross-cultural Center (KCC)

Tel: 04-7157-0281
Fax: 04-7165-7321
Hours: 8:30 a.m. - 5:15 p.m.
Closed on Sundays and national holidays

KCC Newsletter Edited and Published by: Kashiwa Cross-cultural Center designated adm inistrator Specified non-profit organization,
Kashiwa International Relations Association General Affairs Com m ittee Public Relations D ivision