KCC NEWS Vol.86 1st, June, 2023

June, 2023

Kashiwa Cross-cultural Center

Kashiwa Cross-cultural Center,Palette Kashiwa
1-7-1-301 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.
86

The 50th Kashiwa Student Delegates to Torrance were SelectedSending Sister City Exchange Youth to Torrance, U. S. A. has beensuspended since 2020 due to the spread of Covid-19, but the program will
resume this year for the first time in four years. This marks the 50th
anniversary of the exchange between the two cities. The eight students werechosen by the selection committee in April. The 50th Torrance exchangedelegation members from Kashiwa are Hitoshi Watanabe ( adult leader) ,Yurino Hirata, Shion Horie, Miwa Hashimoto, Haruna Kido, Ayumi Itagaki,
Kota Moteki, Mahiro Sawai, and Koto Shirota. Before leaving for Torrance, they will prepare for the program byattaining necessary information regarding attitude, English conversation, Kashiwa Odori, etc. through the six
orientation sessions. They will develop an awareness of what it means to be representatives of Kashiwa, as well
as a strong mutual trust. They will leave for Torrance on August 7, experience American family life with hostfamilies, and interact with Torrance people through various programs. We look forward to seeing how muchthey have changed and matured when they come back on August 25.

The Student Delegates from Guam will be Visiting Kashiwa!

The delegation of six students and an adult leader from Guam, our Friendship City, will be visiting Kashiwa fromThursday, June 22 to Monday, June 26. This is their first visit in six years, so we are getting ready to host them.

Let’s Join “Kashiwa International Exchange Week 2023”
Let’s talk with people from various countries over snacks from around theworld. Enjoy the presentations by international students and university
students living in Kashiwa and interact with them.
Date & Time: Monday, July 3 through Saturday July 8, 1:00 p.m. – 2:30
p.m.; Sunday, July 9, 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Place: Pallete Kashiwa Multi-purpose Room A, Open Space, and Online
Participants: Kashiwa UNESCO Association, Kashiwa City Tourism
Association, Yosakoi Team Senjin, Girl Scouts Troop 17, Kaichi
International Exchange Week in 2022
International University, Reitaku University, etc.
Contents: ① Introduction of each organization (photos and documents exhibits, and videos) ② Interaction withforeign residents in Kashiwa over snacks from around the world ( July 3 - 7) ③ Interaction withinternational students ( July 8) ④ Presentations by university students ( July 9) ⑤ Online meeting(Refugee Workshop) (July 9, 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.) ⑥ Tanabata Festival
Participation fee: Free
Number of participants: First 20 people (July 3 through 7), and the first 30 people (July 8 and 9)
Application: Sign up directly at the KCC office or by email at <boshu-1@kira-kira.jp>. Please include your nameand contact information. Emailaddress is necessary for those
Project Staff Wanted for “Kashiwa International Exchange Week”
who wish to participate in theDates: Monday, July 3 through Sunday, July 9
Contact: the KCC office
online meeting.
For more
Contents: Introduction of international exchange activities in Kashiwa, andinformation, please visit the KCC
interaction with foreign residents in the citywebsite.
<NO TE>Please include the event nam e, your nam e and phone num ber when apply ing by em ail. T he events m ay be cancelled depending on the Covid-19 situation. Contact the office for m ore inform ation.

KCC NEWS Vol.86 1st, June, 2023
Online International Exchange Salon “Let’s Enjoy SNS”

（4/20）“Online Study Session for KIRA Members" began in April 2021 as face-to-face interaction was restricted due to theCovid-19 pandemic. The online meetings had been held monthly on such topics as “Easy Japanese," “Tips for Zoom
meeting," etc.
In April this year, the study session for KIRA members was renamed to “ Online International Exchange Salon" tomake it open to all Kashiwa citizens. The first online salon was held by Takahiro Kageyama, an urban development
coordinator, and he lectured on the basics of Social Networking Services. Since many of the participants were elderly,
the characteristics of Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LINE were taught first. On Talkroom in groups, many
participants said that they used Facebook and LINE, but Facebook was used only for viewing content, and not forsending out messages. It seemed that many were hesitant to send out messages on SNS.
These days, young people get a lot of information from SNS and by actively sending out information. KCC also
needs to use SNS actively.

First-aid and Lifesaving Training （5/11）
Seven participants, including three foreign residents, attended the first-aid trainingclass at Kashiwa City East Fire Station and learned chest compressions (cardiac massage)
and cardiopulmonary resuscitation ( CPR) using an Automated External Defibrillator(AED). When a person is unresponsive to your voice or not breathing, call out loudly forhelp after checking the safety of the surroundings. Ask someone to call an ambulance
and to bring an AED and start chest compressions at the same time. The main point is toact “ strongly, quickly, and incessantly. " Electric shocks with an AED are also
administered. Continue to do these things until the ambulance arrives. Chest
compressions require greater strength than one might imagine. It is thought that many
people should experience the training in order to “save the lives that can be saved.”

We are serious
about saving lives.

Spring Interactive Walking Tour （5/14）
On a slightly cloudy day, nine of us, including a Turkish
researcher from the University of Tokyo and a Filipino woman, set
out from Kashiwanoha Campus Station for the rose garden at
Kashiwanoha Park. The roses were in full bloom, and the vibrantcolors and fragrances made our hearts cheerful. During the tour,
we had a sudden heavy rain, so on the spot, we had matcha(powdered green tea) at a Japanese garden and enjoyed Japaneseculture. While we waited, the staff gave small handmade hanging
cranes to the participants, which made them happy.
Next, we headed to Kombukuro Pond Natural History Park, which
was designated as a “Chiba Cultural Heritage” in March. The park
was conserved through the effort of a non-profit organization andwas the first park in Chiba to be registered as a “ Project Future
Heritage" of the UNESCO-Japan in 2022. The guide from the NPO
At the rose garden in Kashiwanoha Park
led us walking in the park and explained rare and unusual plants,
as well as ways to protect Quercus trees from insect pest damage. As we listened to the explanation, we became moreinterested in the “precious forest remaining in the urban area. " It was a day filled with negative ions. We had riceballs in the open air like a picnic and enjoyed friendly exchanges.
A cameraman from Asahi Resuka accompanied the tour to cover the event, taking photos and interviewing
participants.

“Living Together #2: Human Rights of Foreign Residents”
Date & Time: Thursday, June 25, 8:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Lecturer: Shinya Tsuji (Lawyer)
Fee: Free
Number of participants: First 30
Application: Sign up at the KCC Office or by e-mail at < boshu-1@ kira-kira. jp>. Please include yourname and phone number. We will send you the URL to join on the day.
Next event: “Happiness from the Sea #1 - The Charm of the Sea” Thursday, July 20, 8:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Lecturer: Mr. Shogo Saeki (Divemaster)・7/3 - 7/9 Kashiwa International Exchange Week 2023
・7/24 Yukata and Tanabata Experience
・9/24 Barbecue

・7/12 ～ 8/1 Visit of Torrance Youth Delegation to Kashiwa
・9/2 Disaster Prevention Talk
・9/30 Cross-cultural Teatime: “Going Around the World”

KCC NEWS Vol.86 1st, June, 2023

Let's Have a Perspective to "Look at Japan from the Outside"

Shinji Tsuchiya, Torrance 1978 student, Living in Brazil

It was 45 years ago when I was sent to Torrance as an exchange student at atime when the Japanese economy was enjoying a period of high growth. I
entered university and had a strong desire to work abroad, as I had intended
to become a diplomat for a while. When I heard that Kashiwa City had a sistercity relationship with Torrance, California, and was offering an exchange
program, I applied and was fortunate enough to be accepted. Torrance, USA.
was the first overseas trip in my life, and the flight took about eight hours on aso-called “Jumbo” Boeing 747, which had been in service for eight years at thattime. I first arrived in Los Angeles. Sunny California was just like the world ofHollywood movies, and I still clearly remember how fresh everything looked. I
had two homestay families. Every family had waffles for breakfast. It was inTorrance that I ate waffles for the first time in my life. I still remember thetaste of the fresh orange juice that my homestay family served me every
morning instead of milk which I didn't like, and it made me feel the richness ofAmerica.
Although my desire to go abroad did not change after graduating fromMr. Shinji Tsuchiya
university, I became a trading company employee instead of a diplomat, and I(In a Cotton Field in Brazil)
visited dozens of countries around the world for work. I never imagined that I
would spend 27 years living abroad, including in the U.S., Singapore, and Brazil.
My experience in Torrance during the summer of ’78 was short, but it was the first step in learning to live andcommunicate in a different culture. Since then, I have lived in various countries, and I have always felt thedifferences in customs and culture between Japan and other countries, as well as the differences in nationalcharacteristics. But what I am most aware of is that I have come to strongly understand the feeling of "Japanand the Japanese seen from the outside."
Almost 50 years after World War II, Japan’s bubble economy burst, and a long tunnel era, which is said to be
the lost 30 years, continued. Looking at the past 40 years from abroad, I feel a strong sense of crisis that theJapanese have been turning inward before our eyes we know it. In Japan, which falls into the category ofdeveloped countries, the importance of English education has been stressed in Japan for more than 50 years.
But honestly speaking, I believe that there is no other developed country where communication in English is theonly issue.
I became interested in foreign countries because I
strongly felt that Japan must interact with other countries
in order to survive. Unlike 45 years ago, many people can
now freely travel to other countries. The appeal of theexchange program is that it is not just a sightseeing trip,
but a valuable opportunity to experience firsthand thedifferences in culture, customs, and ways of thinking inother countries, and to learn to communicate with othercultures through homestays. It is not just a trip, but a great
opportunity to see our home country from the outside andto experience firsthand the lifestyle of the people of othercountries, even if only for a short period of time. I sincerely
hope those of you who will take on the challenge of
becoming exchange students will have this perspective of
Brazil Farm Inspection (2nd from right)
seeing your home country from the outside, and that you
will make use of it in your working life after returning to your home country.

Membership Wanted! Kashiwa International Relations Association (KIRA)
Why don' t you become a member and join us in our international exchange activities? Let' sinteract with foreigners by planning and organizing various events. You don't have to speak
English. You can also make friends. For more information, please visit our website.
QR Code (Inquiries: Office)KCC NEWS Vol.86 1st, June, 2023

Japanese Shonan Classes
Online Classes
Sat 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Minna no Nihongo , Primary II

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

Minna no Nihongo , Primary I and Intermediate II

In-person Classes (Shonan Community Center)
Thu 10:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m.

Minna no Nihongo , Primary I(2 classes)

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

Minna no Nihongo , Primary I
Japanese Kashiwa Classes
Online Classes

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

Minna no Nihongo , Primary I (Unit 20 - )Wed 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Conversation Elementary 2B（Level 2）

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

Minna no Nihongo , Primary II (Unit 3 4 - )Thu 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Conversation Elementary 2A (Level 2)

Fri7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

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

Minna no Nihongo ,Primary Ⅱ (Unit 31 - )Conversation Intermediate
In-person Classes （Palette Kashiwa ）Tue 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

hiragana/katakana

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

Beginners

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

Minna no Nihongo , Primary I（Unit 8 - ）Sat 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Minna no Nihongo , Primary I（Unit 7 - ）Sat 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Minna no Nihongo , Primary I（Unit 22- ）In-person Classes （Kashiwanoha Service Corner）
Thu 10:00 a.m .- 11:30 a.m.

Conversation Elementary, Introductory and 1

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

Conversation Elementary 2

Free Legal Advice and Administrative Procedure Support for Foreign Residents
To foreign residents. Are you in need of help? Lawyers and administrative procedure specialists areavailable 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, June 28, 1:00 p.m.- 5:00 p.m.
Place: Palette Kashiwa Room A
Reservation: the KCC officeInformation for Foreign Residents from Kashiwa City
Consultation for Foreign Residents

Email distribution service from Kashiwa City

Sign up to receive email announcement from the city,Available in English (Thu), Chinese(Wed and Fri), Spanish (Mon), and such as information on natural disasters, crimes, and firesof your area in the language of your choice. Scan the QR
Korean (2nd and 4th Tue) from1: 00 p. m. to 5: 00 p. m. at the code and register!
Consultation Counter for ForeignMultilingual “Koho Kashiwa,” monthly official city bulletinResidents ( City Hall Main OfficeBuilding, 3rd floor).
Scan the QR code and select your language underTel: 04 - 7168 – 1033
“Foreign Language” to read the official city bulletin, “KohoNo reservation required.
Kashiwa,” selected and translated for foreign residents.

Links for Multilingual News & BOSAI INFO (Disaster prevention and Coronavirus)
NHK WORLD-JAPANQuestions?
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: Public Relations Division of General Affairs Committee in Kashiwa International Relations
Association (KIRA), the specified non-profit organization and the designated administrator of Kashiwa Cross-cultural Center (KCC)