KCC NEWS vol. 61 May 2021

KCCNewsletter

5Kashiwa Cross-cultural Center

2021

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: http://www.kcc.kira-kira.jp

Online Home Stay (held on 3/21)
By KEYS members(KEYS - Kashiwa Exchange Youth Society, a subcommittee of KIRA)

Because foreign travels are restricted due to the wide spreadof COVID-19, we decided to hold an “Online Home Stay” event onzoom. On the day of the event people from all over the world including
Australia, the US, India, and Bhutan participated. We played “True orFalse” “Who’s photo?” and “Chain Word” games in addition to talking
about the culture of each country. English was the language usedin the event, so we had to explain game rules among other things inEnglish. As a result of this event, our English skills improved greatly.
Online events are still new to us, and so there were some difficulties. We will make sure all goes smoothly in the next event.

Online Home Stay

Japanese Speech Contest manuscripts and videos available now
All manuscripts of the canceled “the 5th Japanese Speech Contest by Foreigners in Kashiwa” are now
available on the KIRA (Kashiwa International Relations Association) website. Please visit our site andread them.
https://www.kira-kira.jp/cross.html
In addition, 3 contestants sent us a video letter. You can view them on KCC (Kashiwa Cross-culturalCenter) and KIRA YouTube channels.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1q7L-xDgamSYwuxMnaHKCA
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCB0BRkeUtVs88lrLHMvTb0g

Announcement from the city of Kashiwa to foreigners“Koho Kashiwa” (a public relations magazine of the city of Kashiwa) can be obtained in the following ways:• Kashiwa city website• “Machi-iro” a smartphone app• At the city hall, community centers, and convenient stores• Free delivery to your home
Please see the details in the website below.
https://www.city.kashiwa.lg.jp/kohokocho/koho/pr/kohokashiwa/saishingo.html(Click Foreign Language to view in different languages)

From QR code
click “閲覧支援“ on topto select language.

Announcement from other organizations“Online Study Meeting” for KIRA members
This study meeting is to create a new style to continue ouractivities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Let’s learn andkeep our activities going. We’ll have the meeting at 8:00pm
on every 3rd Thursday of the month.
We are always looking for new ideas for this study meeting soplease give us any of your ideas.
“Easy Japanese #2” lecture will be given on
June 17th meeting.

Next Meeting:Date and Time:		
Study Title:
Lecturer:

Thursday, May 20, 2021			
8:00pm – 9:10pm“Tips on online conference”
Ms. Kumiko Yamaguchi(Interactive Training in Communication
Japan)
Fee:		
Free
Capacity:
25
Apply by:Send your name and phone number to			boshu-1@kira-kira.jp		
Or use this QR code.
We will send you a URL showing how tojoin.

Kashiwa Cross-cultural Center

KCC NEWS vol. 61 May 2021

Special Article
Former Kashiwa students in the world
Helicopter Instructor

Nobuyuki Kosuge (1991 Kashiwa-Torrance exchange student)
I visited Torrance in 1991 as one of the 18th Kashiwa-Torrance youth exchange students. I always stayed
close to my host families and Torrance Sister City Association members. Since 2001, when I started to attend a helicopter flight school until now, they have given me advice and support about living in the US. I thank them all andowe them for what I am now.
When I was a child, I used to see airplanes and helicopters flyingout of the Maritime Self-Defense Force Shimofusa Air Base and wanted
to have a flying-related job. Later I had a chance to ride in a helicopter
and I made up my mind to become a helicopter pilot. The instructor at
the flight school (where I work now) gave me a good impression with histeaching, and I wanted to become like him.
Now my main work is giving periodical trainings to commercialpilots. It’s a teaching job, but I feel that it’s also an opportunity that we
can mutually learn different techniques and stimulate each other so we
can both improve.
Mr. Nobuyuki Kosuge
I am very honored to have received HAI (Helicopter AssociationInternational) Flight Instructor of the Year Award this year. I am determined to work harder for people who recommended me and for people who supported me at work. My appreciation
also goes to my family and friends who encouraged me when I left Japan for the US with unknown future and kept
supporting me through all these years. I will continue to improve my teaching skills with safety in mind. Thank youvery much.

Working in Geneva

Nozomi Tsuchio( 2005 Kashiwa-Camden exchange student,					2007 Kashiwa-Torrance exchange student,					2008 Kashiwa-Chengde exchange student,					2009 Kashiwa-Guam student leader,					2011 Kashiwa-Chengde student leader )Hello everyone! I visited all 4 sister and friendship cities of Kashiwa as an exchange student and as astudent leader. I was a junior in high school when I visited Camden and that experience made me wonder about
all other parts of the world, and various languages used in the world. Later I studied in Mongolia and China, thenI worked in Mongolia and Tokyo. In December of 2020 I was assigned to Geneva,
Switzerland.
When I moved to Geneva, PCR testing and self-quarantine upon entering
Switzerland from Japan weren’t mandatory. But, as I started to spend time as aresident, I found that the countermeasures against COVID-19 in this country weremuch stricter than in Japan. Stores other than grocery stores and pharmacies wereclosed. It’s been about 5 months since I arrived here. It is a disappointment that I
haven’t had an opportunity to meet people in a city where 40% of the population
are foreigners.

Ms. Tsuchio against Matterholn

Despite various restrictions, I was able to enjoy skiing in the great nature ofSwitzerland. Stepping on top of a high mountain from gondola lift, I was in another world. The view was superb and all my problems were gone as I skied down themountain.

Ever since visiting Camden through the KIRA exchange program, my craving for knowing more languages
has not been exhausted. Now I study French, Chinese and Korean online. I am looking forward to the day when thepandemic is under control and I can attend face-to-face classes. I hope the day will come soon for us all. Please takecare of yourselves till then.

Kashiwa Cross-cultural Center

KCC NEWS vol. 61 May 2021

Special Article
Teachers from Torrance teaching in Kashiwa
Brandon Matsumoto
Helicopter
Instructor
English teacher at Kashiwa Municipal High School
Hello to you all! I’m from Torrance, California. It’s been about 3 years since I
moved to Kashiwa. For a long time, I longed for everything in Japan and I wanted tolive in Japan. When I was in Torrance, many things around me were influenced byJapan. Major companies in the US, Japanese cuisine that everyone likes, Anime thatyoung people watch… I was proud that Japanese blood was flowing in me, and I wondered if I could someday live in Japan.
For the past 3 years I have been working as an English teacher at Kashiwa Municipal High School, and I’m used to my life here. The school’s teaching program iswell-considered, and they have extensive international activities. This year, a newteacher Ms. Dianna and I are teaching classes with new, creative, and fun ideas. Ourobjective is to have students set a goal and motivate them to progress by themselves toachieve the goal.
This is a year to challenge life using new technology. Due to COVID-19 pandemic,
a study trip to Torrance was cancelled, and I haven’t been able to go back to the US. It
has certainly been a tough time. However, thanks to modern technology, we were able
to communicate with each other easily. We had a zoom event with students at North High School in Torrance. Ourstudents had a good time practicing English and asking questions about American culture. COVID-19 has limited
school activities, but we decided to make a promotion video of the international liberal arts course. I will keep challenging various tasks using new technologies.
Mr. Brandon Matsumoto(Brandon is enthusiastically involved in student activities of KCC.)

Kevin ButtEnglish Teacher at Reitaku High School
This year will be my 11th year in Japan, and as many years living in Kashiwa.
My first three years I spent at Kashiwa Municipal High School (Ichikashi) with the Teaching Exchange
program, exploring Japan in my free time and learning about the different places and communities through conversation and experiences. At school, I made friends and helped them with English conversation. To deepen the bonds
between the visiting teachers and the Japanese teachers, I joined the high school’s judo club team and happened tolearn enough judo along the way to win a few tournaments and earn a black belt.
After three years, I had to leave Ichikashi, but I was not readyto leave Kashiwa. Though I had opportunities to work elsewhere andexplore new parts of Japan, I enjoyed living in Kashiwa, a communitythat not only welcomed foreigners to learn about Japan but was interested in learning about the cultures of its foreign residents as well.
When I changed schools, I had to find a new place to meet people
and get exercise. I searched on the internet for new activities or clubs
when I found a youth judo school that was nearby. I joined the school
and the next four years I helped teach judo and taught a little English.
I am now working at Reitaku High School and though I don’t
have enough time to continue with judo, at Reitaku I can continue fostering cultural exchange through English education and extracurricular
activities like rugby.
(Kevin helps KCC as an English translation proofreader.)Mr. Kein Butt teaching JudoKashiwa Cross-cultural Center

KCC NEWS vol. 61 May 2021

MAY Events
Japanese Shonan Classes

Online Japanese Kashiwa Classes

ClassesClasses

Online Classes

Online Japanese Kashiwa Classes

Thurs

10:00 - 11:30

Intermediate IJapanese Intermediate and up

Tue

10:00 - 11:30

Japanese for all Beginning I(2nd half)

Sun10:00 - 11:30

Beginning II, Intermediate I

Wed

10:00 - 11:30

Japanese Intermediate and up

Wed

19:00 - 20:30

Japanese for all Beginning I(1st half)

Thurs

10:00 - 11:30

Beginning Conversation I(Beginner, Beginning 1)

Thurs

13:00 - 14:30

Beginning Conversation 2

Fri

19:00 - 20:30

Japanese for all Beginning IISat

9:30 - 11:20

Intermediate Conversation

In Person Classes
Thurs

10:00 - 12:00

Intermediate I
at Shonan Community Center

Talk about important matters by Kashiwa Police Department
A police officer from Kashiwa Police Department will talk about matters you should be aware of.		
Date and Time:Thurs. May 6 13:30 - 14:30		Place:			
Palette Kashiwa Meeting Room F		Fee:			Free		
Subject:		
“Road rage” and “Swindling”

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, such as visa, domestic violence, divorce, or trouble at the workplace. Please register beforehand.		
Date and Time:		Place:					Reservation: 		Wed. May 26 13:00 - 17:00
Palette Kashiwa Meeting Room A
KCC (Kashiwa Cross-cultural Center) OfficeInformation about COVID-19 for foreign residents
Available in multiple languages

Kashiwa information delivery service
Sign up to receive email announcements from the city, such as information about earthquakes, fires,
crime, and infectious disease outbreaks in the language of your choice. Send a blank email to thisaddress to register.
Questions?
Please contact the office ofKashiwa 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