KCC NEWS Vol.90 1st, October, 2023

October, 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.
90

Kashiwa de International Exchange Festa 2023

DOctober 15 (Sun) 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.PHowdy Mall at Kashiwa Station east exit (canceled only on heavy rain)This year again, we will set up tents in the pedestrian zone in front of Ito Yokado. At thebooths, introduction of international exchange activities, overseas product sales, andmore will be held. On the stage, you can enjoy performances of various dances andmusical instruments from different countries. At the food stalls and foodtrucks, you can savor ethnic dishes from local restaurants. Why notexperience the "world" in Kashiwa?
(You can see last year's festival using the QR code)
BoothsActivities introducing exchanges with sister andfriendship cities, language courses, Japaneseculture, and foreigner support. Enjoy quizzes aboutcountries around the world, games, and sales ofinternational snacks, products from Bulgaria andKorea, coffee, and more.

Performances
Peruvian dance, Yosakoi, tap dance,sword fighting, belly dance, Tsugaru
shovel shamisen, Balinese dance, hip-hop
dance, dance by KIRAKIC members, andChamorro dance from Guam.

Last year’s Festa
Food stalls andfood trucks
Food from Turkey,
Korea, China,
Thailand, Vietnam,
Nepal, America.

8th Japanese Speech Contest for Foreigners in Kashiwa - Call for Participants
To all foreigners living in the Tokatsu area (Kashiwa, Abiko, Nagareyama, Kamagaya, and Matsudo city)!
We are once again organizing the " Foreigner Japanese Speech Contest in
Kashiwa. " Please share your thoughts on living in Japan and what you
want to convey to Japanese people in Japanese.
DFebruary 11 （ Sun） , 2024 12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
PPalette Kashiwa (Day One Tower 3F, 1-7-1-301 Kashiwa, Kashiwa city)
Eligible Participants: About 15 people who live, or work, or study in the Tokatsu area,
and whose parents are foreign nationals.
Application forms: Available at Kashiwa Cross-cultural Center (KCC) or downloadable from KCC's website.
Awards: Kashiwa Mayor's Award (1 person), Kashiwa International Relations Association Chairman's Award (1person), Special Awards (2 people), Participation Awards (all participants who do not win).
Theme: Thoughts on living in Japan and what you want to convey to the Japanese people.
For those who are unable to enter the venue, we plan to livestream the event.
Details on how to access the livestream will be posted on KCC's website in early January 2024. Please check itout. Application Deadline: December 6 (Wed)
Mailing Address: Kashiwa Cross-cultural Center, 1-7-1-301 Kashiwa, Kashiwa City, 277-0005
Email: <boshu-2@kira-kira.jp> or bring it to the KCC's office. *If there are many applicants, we will screen them.
Applicants will be notified by email by December 20 (Wed).
Inquiries: KCC Office, 04-7157-0281
Tour of Recycle Plaza and Ribbon Pavilion (11/23)
Ukrainian Cooking (11/26)
Chengde 40th Anniversary Event (12/10 2023, 1/7 & 1/14 2024)
Lecture on Australia (12/10)
Shadow Puppet by Foreigners (12/17)<Request>W hen apply ing by em ail, please be sure to include the event nam e, your nam e, and phone num ber.
DDate & Tim e P P lace FFee NNum ber of applicants LLecturer C Contents A Application RReservation

KCC NEWS Vol.90 1st, October, 2023
A delegation from our sister city, Torrance city, including its mayor,
will be visiting Japan (10/5-10/9)）
You can watch the following two events online. Please check our website for details.
"Delegation Welcome Ceremony"
DOctober 6 (Fri) 9:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
PIn front of Kashiwa City Hall Main
Building ( Opposite to Route 16, on thestaircase side).
If you want to participate, please gather at
9: 10 a. m. to welcome the delegation
arriving by bus.
No registration is required.

"Welcome Event on Torrance Street"
DOctober 7 (Sat) 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
PTorrance Street & Kita-Kashiwa 2nd Park
3 to 4-minute walk from Kita-Kashiwa Station South Exit, (In caseof rain, it will be held at Kashiwa 5th Elementary School’ s
Gymnasium)
Collaborating Organizations:
Kita- Kashiwa Neighborhood
Association, Warabi Nursery School, Yosakoi Team Senjin,
Kashiwa Boys and Girls Choir
No registration is required.

A Perspective From German International Students- Earth-Friendly Vegan Diet

Speaker: Mr. Joshua E. Schmidt
DOctober 19 (Thur) 8:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
RDirectly at the office or via email at <boshu-1@kira-kira.jp>
FFree
N30 people
Please include your name and phone number, and we will send you the URL for participationon the day of the event.

2023 International Exchange Bus Tour

Experience a guided tour of JAXA Tsukuba Space Center and the world’s largest planetarium at Tsukuba
Expo Center. At JAXA, you can visit areas that are not open to the general public.
DOctober 28 (Sat), Gathering Time: 8:15 a.m., Departure Time:
8:20 a.m., Disbandment Time: 4:50 p.m.
Meeting P: In front of Shimizu Glasses, Sun Sun Street,
Kashiwa Station East Exit.
F1,600 yen (Including facility entrance fee, guide fee, and others)
Items to Bring: Photo ID (for JAXA guided tour)
Lunch: (at Expo Center)*For more details, please visit our website.
H-2 Real Rocket
Target and N: General citizens, 23 people (first-come, first-served)
RFrom October 2 (Mon), directly at the office or via email at <boshu-1@kira-kira.jp>

Halloween Party
Wear your Halloween costumes, get candy with "Trick or Treat." Play fun games and break the
piñata to collect candies inside.
DOctober 29 (Sun) 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. PPalette Kashiwa Open Space
N50 people F500 yen RDirectly at the office or via email at <boshu-1@kira-kira.jp>

Disaster Preparedness Seminar "Supporting Foreigners" (9/2)
Foreign residents and Japanese citizens listened to a presentation on
disaster preparedness from the Kashiwa City Disaster Safety Division staff.
Participants received hazard maps issued by the city to identify areas at riskof flooding and landslides. They also checked their local "evacuation shelters"," evacuation sites" , " broad- area evacuation sites" , and " emergency watersupply sites" on maps. With the Level 1 to Level 5 evacuation information
issued by the city, the elderly must evacuate at Level 3, and those inhazardous areas must evacuate when a Level 4 evacuation order is issued. In
the event of a major earthquake, people first protect themselves (self-help),
then help each other with their neighbors ( mutual aid) , and then wait for
Disaster Prevention Quizhelp from the fire department or local government ( public assistance) . It is
important to reduce the risk of disasters by securing furniture and stockpiling water and food for emergencies.
The disaster preparedness kit " Bosai Best 40" was displayed, and participants received a disaster preparedness
guide in four languages: Japanese, English, Chinese, and Korean, along with bread, porridge, and biscuits.

KCC NEWS Vol.90 1st, October, 2023

18 Days of Making Unforgettable Memories With Friends

Mr. Shion Horie, 2023 Torrance Exchange Youth

During my homestay in Torrance, I participated in various activities organized by TSCA (Torrance Sister City
Association) , including giving a speech at the city council, visiting the history
museum, the local cable television station, Disneyland, and San Diego. One of themost memorable moments for me was visiting Kashiwa Street in Torrance, where I
could truly feel the 50-year bond between Kashiwa and Torrance.
The most cherished memory of this exchange was the time I spent with theTorrance students. We had a great time together and became such good friends
that we kept in touch regularly even after returning to Japan.
Through this exchange, I believe I have grown from my former self. Living in
Torrance allowed me to experience American values, and through conversations Speech at Torrance City Council
with locals, I was able to boost my self-esteem. I particularly noticed that people
there often praised each other, and I received a lot of compliments from the locals,
which boosted my self- confidence. Additionally, I had the opportunity to meet
irreplaceable friends during this exchange. Meeting Torrance students waswonderful, but getting to know the fun and unique personalities of Kashiwa
students was also one of the reasons why I think participating in this exchange wasa great decision.
I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to KIRA and everyone at TSCA for
giving me the chance to have such a fantastic experience.
At the Los Angeles International Airport

Dispatch to Torrance, After Four Years of Waiting

Mr. Hitoshi Watanabe, 2023 Torrance Dispatch Kashiwa City Youth Leader

Please tell me about your profile: As an engineer for a precision equipment
manufacturer, I was in charge of training engineers at agencies around the world. I have
traveled abroad a lot, mainly to Europe, the U.S., and Asia. In my leisure time, I enjoy
horseback riding.
You are involved in activities with the Torrance Committee, but what motivated you
to get involved in international exchange?: When I received advice for "a fulfilling life,"
the words "widen human relationships, especially connections with the local community"and "When in doubt, Go!" stayed in my mind. When I moved from Shizuoka to Kashiwa
in 2011, I joined KIRA to practice these two things, and also started horseback riding. I
had lived in Torrance for three years on a business assignment, so I joined the Torrance
Mr. Hitoshi Watanabe
Committee without hesitation.
What was the reason for applying for the position of the youth leader? : The reasons for applying as theleader were hearing from past leaders that the role was attractive, looking forward to interacting with highschool and university students, and wanting to repay the kindness of the people in Torrance who had taken careof me.
This was our first dispatch in four years. What were your impressions?: Actually, I was selected as the leader
in 2019, and when we were preparing to recruit dispatch students for 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic occurred,
and the dispatch was postponed. Four years have passed with the hope of whether it could be implemented thefollowing year. The Torrance Committee and TSCA members exchanged information via Zoom and posted myintroduction in the TSCA News to keep our enthusiasm for the exchange dispatch. When I visited this time,
President Dana said, "Four years of waiting for each other," and I strongly felt that everyone had waited patiently
for a long time.
What particularly impressed you during this dispatch? : The purpose of the exchange dispatch is " friendly
relations with sister cities" and " development of dispatched students. " However, I would like to express myrespect and gratitude once again to the people who began the exchange dispatch 50 years ago. I felt the weightof 50 years in the fact that not only TSCA members and host families but also the citizens of Torrance warmly
welcomed the dispatched members. I believe all of them were excellent, opened their hearts to local people andwere loved by the people of Torrance.
What do you hope for the dispatched students in the future?: I hope that they will develop leadership,
contribute to local and international exchanges, and learn to be kind to others, aside from values such as honor,
status, and money, after experiencing the volunteer spirit and kindness of the people of Torrance. These are thetwo things I hope for.
(Interviewer: Noriko Fujita)

KCC NEWS Vol.90 1st, October, 2023

Japanese Shonan Classes (2nd term: Saturday 9/2 -)Online Classes
Sat

7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

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

Minna no Nihongo , Primary II
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/Kashiwanoha Classes (2nd term: Friday 9/1 -)Online Classes
Tue 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Minna no Nihongo , Primary I (Unit 8 - )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 37 - )Thu 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Conversation Elementary 2A (Level 2)

Fri

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

Minna no Nihongo ,Primary Ⅱ (Unit 35 - )Sat

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

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 14 - ）Sat

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

Minna no Nihongo , Primary I（Unit 10 - ）Sat

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

Minna no Nihongo , Primary I（Unit 28- ）In-person Classes (Kashiwanoha Service Center)
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.
D October 25 (Wed), 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
P Palette Kashiwa Room A
R the KCC office

Announcements from Other Organizations

Members Wanted! Kashiwa International Relations Association (KIRA)

Why don' t you become a member and join us in international exchange activities? Let' s interact withforeigners 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. (Inquiries: Office)Information 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
such
as information on natural disasters, crimes, and fires(Wed and Fri), Spanish (Mon), andof
yourarea 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 Foreign
Residents ( City Hall Main Office
Building, 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-JAPAN

Questions?
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)