KCC NEWS Vol.77 1st, September, 2022

Kashiwa Cross-cultural Center

SEPTEMBER, 2022

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.
77

Online Study Session

Effective Methods of Vocalization: Breathing Techniques and Facial Muscle Training for a Great Voice!
Date & Time: Thursday, September 15, 8:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Participation fee: Free
Instructor: Ms. Naomi Yamazaki (vocalist and voice trainer)
Number of participants: 30
Application: Sign up directly at the KCC office or send an email to <boshu-1@kira-kira.jp>.
Please write your name and phone number. We will send you the URL for participation on the day.

Picture-story Show: The Three Little Pigs
Why don’t you enjoy a picture-story show with your children?
We will read "The Three Little Pigs" in English, Tagalog, Chinese, and Indonesian. You can have fun chatting withforeigners, playing games, and enjoying snacks!
Date & Time: Sunday, September 18, 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Place: Palette Kashiwa, Open Space Participation fee: Free
Number of applicants: 30 (first-come-first-served basis)
Application: Sign up directly at the KCC office or send an email to <boshu-1@kira-kira.jp>.

2022 International Exchange Bus TourOn this tour, you will stroll along the Shirakabaha pathway, which retains the atmosphere of Taisho Romanticism
in the Taisho era. Visit Abiko City Museum of Birds, Mizu no Yakata, and a new restaurant at Michi-no-Eki Shonan.
Date & Time: Sunday, October 9, departure at 9:30 a.m. , dismissal at 4:30 p.m.
Meeting Place: In front of the escalator on the 1st floor of Day One Tower (Palette Kashiwa)
Number of applicants: First12 Kashiwa City residents
Participation fee: 500 yen (facility entrance fee), lunch not included
Application: Friday, September 2, from 9:00 a.m. Sign up directly at the KCC office or send an email to <boshu-1@
kira-kira.jp>.

Cross-cultural Teatime Bulgaria: A Friendly Country Famous for Yogurt, Roses and Wine

Date & Time: Saturday, October 15, 2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Place: Palette Kashiwa, Meeting Room A, B, C
Content： The history, nature, culture, industry, and tourism of theRepublic of Bulgaria will be discussed.
Lecturer: Representative of the Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Japan
Participant fee: 400 yen
Number of participants: 50
Application: Sign up directly at the KCC office or send an email to < boshu- 1@ kirakira.jp> by Thursday, October 13.

Sofia, the capital city

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 forconsultation. You can ask for specialists’ advice on issues such as family or partner violence, divorce, visa
procedures, and problems as work.
Reservation necessary.
Date & Time: Wednesday, September 28, 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Place: Palette Kashiwa, Room A
Reservation: the KCC office
Please be sure to include the event nam e, and your nam e and phone num ber when apply ing by em ail. T he events m ay be cancelled orchanged depending on the CO V ID- 19 infection status. Please contact the office for details. Please wear a m ask when participatingin events.

KCC NEWS Vol.77 1st, September, 2022
The 49th Torrance Youth Visit to Japan (7/12-7/25)
This long- awaited event finally came true
after a two- year delay. It was decided at the beginning of April. However, theacceptance of exchange students became an unusual situation, with a two-week visitand hotel accommodations during the entire stay.
On July 12th, the four youths and an adult leader arrived in Tokyo. And on July
13th, 14th, and 15th, they participated in a Tokyo tour and a Kamakura tourplanned by the members of the Torrance Committee. They enjoyed popular tourist
destinations in Tokyo, including Solamachi, a huge retail facility , in Tokyo Skytree,Asakusa, Shibuya, and Kamakura with its beautiful greenery.
From the 16th to the 20th, they visited Kyoto, Osaka, and Hiroshima with a guide.
They seemed to be impressed by Kinkakuji Temple, Osaka Castle, and okonomiyaki.
From the 21st to the 24th, they stayed at a hotel in Kashiwa City and had various
Visit to Hiroshima
cultural experiences. On the first day of their stay in Kashiwa, they paid a courtesy
call to the mayor of Kashiwa City to talk with the mayor, and visited the city assembly. At Kashiwa Municipal
High School, they enjoyed a brass band performance and had a great time interacting with the students andhaving tea. In the evening, they were invited to the Kashiwa Lions Club's summer evening festival, where theychanged into yukata (summer kimono) and participated in the festival. At the end of the festival, they learned todance the Kashiwa Odori dance well. On the second day of their stay, they visited the former Yoshida residence,and walked around Akebonoyama Agricultural Park. In the afternoon, they experienced Japanese calligraphy
and archery at Kashiwa Chuo High School. On the third day, they observed a practice session of the Kashiwa
Sumo Youth Team in the morning. The students who tried on mawashi (sumo belt) to participate in the practiceseemed very happy. After that, they visited the farmers' market at Teganuma Michi no Eki. Students interested
in eel dishes bought eel lunch boxes and took pictures of them. In the afternoon, they experienced drummingunder the guidance of theGenroku Taiko drum clubmembers. It was hot in the hall,but everyone worked hard
wearing a happi coat. In the end,
everyone beat the drums to thesong of Kashiwa Odori and danced
the Kashiwa Odori together.
On the 25th, the group left
Kashiwa for their home with such
wonderful memories in their
Courtesy Call to the Mayor
Japanese Drum and Kashiwa Odori Dancehearts.

In Remembrance of Mikko Haggott-Henson, Torrance Sister City Association First President
Mikko Haggott-Henson, who dedicated her life to serving as a bridge between Japanand the United States, passed away on June 20 at the age of 85. Mikko was born inTokyo, and was married to Ben Haggott, an English teacher living in Torrance.
In 1973, after making a significant contribution as an interpreter to the sister city
affiliation between Torrance and Kashiwa, Mikko founded the Torrance Sister CityAssociation. She became the TSCA’ s first president and established many annual
programs, including a cultural festival to introduce Japanese culture, a youth exchange
program between the two cities, and an English teacher exchange program to Kashiwa,
all of which continue to this day. During Mikko' s tenure as president from 1976 to1990, the Torrance Sister City Association won eight awards from Sister Cities
International and became a model sister city in the United States. In 2017, she wasnamed Woman of the Year by the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) and the Mikko Haggott-Henson
Japanese Women's Association of Southern California in recognition of her lifelong dedication to fostering U.S.
- Japan relations.
She always extended a warm welcome to the students sent from Kashiwa and the visiting delegation.
Everyone has been charmed by Mikko' s can-do spirit and genuine friendship, Mikko spent most of her timeworking on a program to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the sister city affiliation in February 2023. Withher dream in mind, members of both cities are now working hard to prepare for the program, which will
confirm mutual understanding between the citizens of both cities and foster further friendship.
May her soul rest in peace.

KCC NEWS Vol.77 1st, September, 2022

My Dream Has Come True After Two Years of Standby
Ms. Cara Ihde (Adult Leader of the 49th Torrance Student Delegation)

How were you able to come to Japan? What requirements did you have when you enter Japan?
― ― Each member of the delegation had to apply for a VISA. The city ofKashiwa sponsored our group, allowing us to get the VISA and enter Japan.
Once the VISA was approved, the delegates had to get a PCR COVID-19 test
within 72 hours before the flight to Japan. Instead of a three week homestay,the delegation stayed in hotels, touring around Japan for two weeks.
I hear the delegation to Kashiwa 2020 has been postponed because ofCOVID-19 though the members had already chosen. How many studentsof the members that time have come to Japan?
― ― In March,2020, eight high school students were selected at Torrance
Sister City Association ( TSCA) . Due to the concern of Coronavirus, theexchange was canceled and postponed for two years. Since then, all eight
Ms. Cara Ihde （the far right）
students graduated high school and are now university students.
Unfortunately, four of the eight students withdrew from the program,
Please tell me how you and your family have engaged in the activities of TSCA. Why did you become theadult leader of this delegation?
――My family has been involved in Torrance Sister City Association since my mother, Donna Dunlap, was theadult leader in 1984. She and my father, Butch Ihde, volunteered in TSCA, helping with the annual Bunka-sai
fundraiser and the annual student exchange. In 1990, my father was selected as the adult leader. My olderbrother, Steven Ihde, came to Kashiwa as an adult leader in 2013. Throughout the years we hosted student
delegates and adult leaders, creating strong friendships with them. It was my dream to go to Kashiwa. In 2006
my dream came true; I went to Kashiwa as a student delegate. The experience changed my life forever. After thetrip I developed a new dream: I knew I wanted to be an adult leader one day.
Where did you visit besides Kashiwa? What is the impression?
―― Besides Kashiwa, our group visited Narita, Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, and Hiroshima. KIRA planned three daysof sight-seeing in Tokyo. We went to Tokyo Skytree, Asakusa, Kamakura, Shibuya, and Harajuku. After that, wevisited Kyoto and Osaka. In Hiroshima, we walked around Peace Memorial Park. As an American, we can only
read about what happened in Hiroshima. I value the opportunity to visit the city, walk through the park andvisit the museum. It was a very educational and eye-opening experience. place.
What kind of programs did you experience in Kashiwa? Did the students enjoy them?
― ― We experienced tea ceremony, judo, shodo, kyudo, sumo, and taiko. We really enjoyed learning about
each of these activities and being able to participate in them. Other highlights on our schedule were going tocity hall to meet Mayor Ohta and city assembly members, attend the Lions Club Summer Party, see the talented
brass band play at Ichikashi, and visit Yoshida Residence and Fuse Benten. We really enjoyed visiting the twohigh schools: Ichikashi and Chiba Prefectural Kashiwa-chuo, and having the chance to visit with the students.
We hope to continue the friendships we made.
How would you like the students to make use of this experience in the future?
―― I hope this trip gives the students more knowledge and a better understanding of Japanese culture andthe desire to return to Japan. I also hope it encourages them to develop stronger friendships with people inKashiwa and continue to be part of our sister city program.
We have not been able to send delegation to Torrance since 2020 because of the pandemic. Please give
your message to students in Kashiwa.
――I hope that a delegation will be able to visit Torrance in 2023. I encourage many students in Kashiwa toapply next year. TSCA looks forward to hosting the next delegation so you also can experience the trip of alifetime.
We thank Ms. Ihde for taking time out of her busy schedule to respond to our written interview. Full text of theinterview is available on our website in both English and Japanese.

Stage Performers for International Exchange Festa Wanted!

Why not join us and show your special talents at Kashiwa de International Exchange Festa 2022?
Date：Sunday, November 20
Place： Howdy Mall at the east exit of Kashiwa Station
Content： Dance, songs, entertainment, performances, etc. from overseas and Japan ( anynumber of people in one group)
Application： Sign up directly at the KCC office or send an e-mail to <boshu-2@kira-kira.jp> bySaturday, September 17.

KCC NEWS Vol.77 1st, September, 2022Japanese Shonan Classes

The 2nd term starts on Thursday, September 1.
Online Classes

Sun

Minna no Nihongo , Primary I and 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 , Primary I; Chukyu kara Manabu NihongoSun

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

Minna no Nihongo , Primary I

Japanese Kashiwa Classes

The 2nd term starts on Thursday, September 1.
Online Classes

Tue

Minna no Nihongo , Primary I (Unit 8 - )7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

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 26 - )Thu

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

Conversation elementary 1（Level 1, Introductory)Thu

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

Conversation elementary 1（Level 1）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 ,PrimaryⅡ (Unit 48 -)Sat

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

Conversation intermediate
In-person Classes （Pallette Kashiwa）

Sat

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

Minna no Nihongo , Primary I（Unit 1 -）Sat

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

Minna no Nihongo , Primary I（Unit 10 -）Consultation for Foreign Residents

Kashiwa Information Delivery Service

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 ( MainCity Hall 3F)
TEL: 04 - 7168 - 1033 No reservation required

Sign up to receive email announcements fromthe city, such as information about
earthquakes, fires, crime, and infectious
disease outbreaks in the language ofyour choice. Scan this QR code andregister.
Also, please read Kashiwa CityMagazine. It contains information
about COVID-19 vaccination.

Information about COVID-19
for Foreign Residents
Available in multiple languages

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: Kashiwa Cross-cultural Center designated administrator Specified non-profit organization,Kashiwa International Relations Association General Affairs Committee Public Relations Division