KKC News vol.69 Jan 2022

KASHIWA CROSS-CULTURAL CENTER

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

KCC
NEWSLETTERJANUARY, 2022
Happy New Year to you all.

We are celebrating the New Year with new feelings for moving
forward, although the daily life all over the world has changed
drastically due to coronavirus.
I would like to express my sincere gratitude not only to those whoplanned and prepared activities with various attempts, but also to
those who cooperated, supported and participated in the programs
last year.
Online system made our new experience possible beyond theregional boundaries such as student exchange programs, KEYS
meetings and “Kashiwa de International Exchange Festa 2021” and“Kashiwa International Exchange Week 2021”.
We were also able to offer Foreign language classes in person, andJapanese language classes, Seminars on refugees and international
understanding online. In addition to free legal advice for foreigners
we were able to hold a food bank.
The Japanese speech contest by foreigners is scheduled for next month.
This year, through international exchange, let’s keep learning about the actual situation of the pandemic
across countries and aim for cooperation and symbiosis for the survival of humankind.
Thank you for your cooperation as always.
May this year be an even better one for all of you!
- Akemi Kosuge, the chair person of KIRA

Kashiwa Citizen's Activity Festa 2021 & Kashiwa Citizen's Activity Flea Market
Poka Poka Market (Nov.23)

We were in charge of the food drive, "Mottainai wo Arigatou ni" at theentrance of Palette Kashiwa with the people from the Citizen's Activity
Support Corner. People who saw Koho Kashiwa or SNS brought a lot offoodstuffs such as rice, retort foods, instant foods, seasonings, andsweets. We are grateful for your kindness. We also introduced
International Exchange activities in Kashiwa city and the Food Bank KCC
with photos of our activities on panels, and distributed flyers about ouractivities including the KCC newsletters “Kawaraban”. When the mayorof Kashiwa city came to the venue in the afternoon, we explained thepictures of our activities and food drive. We think it is very meaningful
to deepen mutual understanding by interacting with variousorganizations.

<Announcement>

The 6th Japanese Speech Contest in Kashiwa
People from abroad living in the Tokatsu area are sharing about
their life in Japan in Japanese. See their presentations in personat the venue or online.
For more information, visit the KCC homepage athttps:/www.kcc.kira-kira.jp/events
Date& Time: Sunday, February 13, 2022, 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Place: Palette Kashiwa “Open Space” (or online)
Application: https:/forms.office.com/r/yWGPWQsuf7
Fee: Free

explaining to Ms. Ota, Mayor of Kashiwa city

Speeches by American Teachers at Kashiwa Municipal High School
Experiences in a Different Country～～

Date& Time: Saturday, January 29, 2022, 1:30 p.m. - 2:45 p.m.
Place: Palette Kashiwa Multipurpose Space A
Lecturers: Mr. Brandon Matsumoto and Ms. Deanna Sun(English teachers at Kashiwa Municipal High School)
Contents: Hear them share their thoughts and feelings about theirexperiences teaching and living in Japan.
Capacity: 25 on a first-come, first-served basis
Fee: FreeApplication: Please come to the KCC Office directly orsend an e-mail to boshu-1@kira-kira.jp.

<Request>
Please be sure to include the name of the event, your name, and your phone number in your e-mail application.

Cross-cultural Tea Time: “The Habsburg Empire and the Fate of Ethnic Minorities” (Nov. 27)
Mr. Toshimitsu Ishigure, former Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Slovenia, gave
a talk. He explained the Hapsburg Empire, which reigned as a major power in Europe until WorldWar 1 since it was elected as the Holy Roman Emperor in the Middle Ages, and the different waysof life of two ethnic minorities (the Czech Republic and Hungary) under its control. He also
introduced the food and culture related to the Empire. It was particularly interesting to see that
the Czech Republic developed into an advanced industrial country despite its subordinate
position, while Hungary became an agricultural country due to its political autonomy and thefeudal internal politics of the aristocracy that hindered its development. The cultural aspects
were particularly interesting. In Austria, there were Mozart, Mahler, Klimt. Schiele, and Freud. In
the Czech Republic, there were Smetana, Dvorak, Mucha, and Capek. Hungary also produced
famous artists and cultural figures such as Liszt and Bartok. The most popular topic among theparticipants was food. Sacher Torte and Wiener coffee in Vienna. Pilsen beer from the CzechRepublic, and Tokaji wine from Hungary. Also, Mr. Ishigure introduced seasonal foods on theFranz Joseph 1

street corner and hot wine available in Kashiwa and Tokyo.
We received many applications from citizens as soon as we began accepting applications in“Koho Kashiwa News” and “KCC NewsLetter”. It seems to show the high level of people’s interestin the in-person lecture held for the first time after a long absence and its topic.

Queen Elisabeth

Lecture by Mr. Ishigure

Sacher Torte and Wiener coffee

Play “The Three Little Pigs” in Japanese by Foreigners (Dec.18)
A play about three piglets was performed by foreigners
for children who love picture books and stories. The“straw house”, “wooden house”, and “brick house” in thestory were handmade by all the staff. On the day, they
asked the children to put on “piggy noses” over theirmasks so that children could enjoy the play as piggies.
Foreigners who wore the handmade ears and noses also
enjoyed the play as the little pigs and wolves. Thechildren who wore the noses of the little pigs were also
excited to enjoy the play of “The Little Pigs”. Before theyknew it, audience including children from different
countries were getting into the play.

Straw house

Wooden house

Brick house

We are doing our best even in the Corona disaster – KEYS(Kashiwa Exchange Youth Society)
KEYS has been working hard with a good combination of online and offline activities even though it
has become more difficult for many people to gather like before. At the KEYS MEETING held on thesecond Sunday of every month, we invite people from overseas as guests and continue to haveinternational exchange while discussing the differences in lifestyle and customs. In the class named“Let’s learn about the SDGs”, which started this year, we learn about each theme of SDGs in the styleof a popular American quiz show “Jeopardy” and learn about international issues by discussing them.
At the “Kashiwa de International Exchange Festa 2021” held on October 24, we were able tocommunicate in English with people from our sister and friendship cities online. KEYS is always
looking for new members. If you would like to speak English or are interested in international
exchange, KEYS offers the best place for you. Please pay a visit to KEYS MEETING !

Hello! Friends Exchanging Program, Studying Abroad and The Future
Hirofumi Takikawa from Germany
I have been involved in Kashiwa’s international exchange activity since I became a delegate toTorrance in 2011.
Until then, I didn’t even have a passport. My first visit abroad was in Torrance for 3 weeks.
Ever since then to now, I have spent about more than half of this 10 years abroad. Going toTorrance was an important turning point for me. Also, I went to Guam as a student leader andI still participate in the Guam committee as much as possible.
I am currently doing a PhD in Economics in Frankfurt, Germany. When I applied for thedelegate to Torrance, I didn’t imagine myself being in a foreign graduate university since theapplication was just from a vague desire. However, I came to think I want to work in a place
where people with different nationalities work together such as international organizations as
my values, thoughts and communities changed after going to Torrance. That’s why I am here
to get a PhD. Also, one of the reasons I decided to get it abroad is that I become financiallyindependent since we don’t have to pay for the tuition fee and get financial support for living
while the course.
However, since the Corona virus hit the world, many classes were held online, and thecafeteria in the campus was closed for a while. As the vaccination rate went up, it graduallyopened again. Also, almost all the classes went back to normal by strictly checking ourvaccination certificate since this autumn. Although, the situation changed again thisNovember, and the classes I have been assisting turned out to be online. Christmas markets
are canceled in some cities. Nobody knows what the situation will be from now on. On theother hand, there were some positive sides of this for my study, such as gaining better accessto the latest study. Furthermore, I can participate in the regular meeting of the Guamcommittee online.
Travel restrictions make me feel the difficulty of visiting foreign countries even morestrongly. Therefore, I came to think that it was a surprising thing that I could go to Torrance
only half a year after the Great East Japan Earthquake. It is a shame that the delegation has
been suspended because of the pandemic, since I know how much students can grow up by theprogram by experiencing the leader twice. It won’t be easy but I strongly hope that theprogram will start like before.

←At a soccer studium in Frankfurt

Old city area in Frankfurt→

JANUARY EventsJapanese Classes
Online Classes
Thurs 10:00am - 11:30am
Japanese Intermediate and up

Information about COVID-19 forforeign residents
Available in multiple languages

Sun 10:00am - 11:30am
Beginning I, Intermediate I (2 classes)
In Person Classes
Thurs 10:00am - 12:00pm
Intermediate I at Shonan Community Center

Online Japanese Kashiwa Classes
Tue 10:00am - 11:30am
Japanese for all Beginning II (1st of the 28
lessons)
Tue 7:00pm - 8:30pm
Japanese for all Beginning I (1st of the 14lessons)Wed 10:00am - 11:30amJapanese intermediate and up
Wed 7:00pm - 8:30pm
Japanese for all Beginning I (1st of the 8lessons)Thurs 10:00am - 11:30am
Beginning Conversation I (Beginner, Beginning1)
Thurs 1:00pm - 2:30pm
Beginning Conversation 2 (Beginning 2)
Fri 7:00pm - 8:30pm
Japanese for all Beginning II (1st of the 36lessons)
Sat 9:30am - 11:20am
Intermediate Conversation

Free legal advice and administrative
procedure support for foreign residents
Lawyers and administrative procedure
specialists will be available to help foreign
residents with legal questions and documents.
Any questions or problems are all right, suchas visa, domestic violence, divorce, or troubleat the workplace. Please register beforehand.
Date and Time: Jan 26 (WED) 1:00pm - 5:00pm
Place: Palette Kashiwa
Reservation: KCC (Kashiwa Cross-culturalCenter) Office

Announcement from other organization
Online Study Session for KIRA Members
Date and Time: January 20th, Thursday,
8:00pm-9:10pm.
Study Title: Problems of online and solution
Lecturer: Ms.Kumiko Yamaguchi(Interactive Training in Communication
Japan )
Fee: Free
Capacity: 25
Application: Directly at the KCC reception
or email. “boshu-1@kira-kira.jp”. Write yourname and phone numbers in theemail

Kashiwa information delivery service
Sign up to receive email announcements from thecity, such as information about earthquakes,fires, crime, and infectious disease outbreaks in
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to this address to register.

Also, please read Kashiwa
City Magazine. It contains
information about COVID19 vaccination.

Questions? Please contact the office of Kashiwa Cross-cultural Center (KCC)
Tel: 04-7157-0281 Fax: 04-7165-7321
Hours: 8:30 - 17:15 Closed on Sundays and national holidays
KCC Newsletter Edited and Published by: Kashiwa Cross-cultural Center designated administrator Specified non-profit organization,
Kashiwa International Relations Association General Affairs Committee Public Relations Division