No. 439 August 2024

Niigata English Journal
Edited & Issued by the Niigata City International Exchange Foundation
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Let’s Have Fun with Foreign Language!

US Air Force Band of the Pacific Concert

Native speakers from France and China will teachabout their country’s language and culture throughgames and fun activities. This is a great opportunity forchildren to learn about foreign cultures! No need tosign up, just show up and have fun!
Date: August 24th (Sat) 11:00 - 11:40
Location: Kodomo sozo center, Ikutopia 2F
Supporters room
Fee: Free!
Spots: 15 groups (child(ren) and adult)
Contact: Kodomo sozo center, TEL 025-281-3715

The United States Air Force Band of the Pacific-Asia
Pacific Showcase ensemble is a big band featuring 14musicians. The band will perform several popular jazzsongs in celebration of the upcoming 60th sister city
anniversary between Niigata City and Galveston, Texas
in 2025.
Date: August 29th (Thu) 18:30 (doors open at 17:30)
Location: Maki Cultural Hall
Fee: ¥600 (non-reserved seating)Tickets/Contact: Maki Region Community Council
TEL: 0256-72-8736

Korean Culture Lecture

The Kotolympics features a somewhat rare
instrument, the taisho-koto, which is a compact modern
version of the traditional koto. Participants fromaround the world gather to learn how to play this
instrument and display their skills through a series ofconcerts. The performances will also available to watch
live on YouTube!
Date: August 18th (Sun) 9:30 - 15:00
Location: Ryutopia
Tickets: ¥1,500 (¥1,200 pre-sale)Contact: TEL 025-231-0510

2024 Kotolympics in Niigata
Do you enjoy Korean dramas and films? Comeand listen to Ms. Choi Jeong-A’s discussion onKorean culture! She will discuss Korean culture
as it appears in popular K-dramas and films, anddispel some common misconceptions.
Date: August 31st (Sat) 14:00 - 15:30
Location: Crosspal 5th Floor Exchange HallFee: Free!
Spots: 30 people
Sign up/Contact: From August 7th, TEL: 025-225-2727

Niigata-Harbin 45th Anniversary Celebration
Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival Celebration
Come celebrate the mid-autumn festival, an important
holiday in Chinese culture. Celebrations will include
food, including moon cakes (月餅 yuè bing), drink,and karaoke.
Date: September 21st (Sat) 13:30 - 15:00
Location: Crosspal 5th Floor Exchange HallFee: ¥1,500
Spots: 70 people
Sign up/Contact: Sign up using the code from Aug.
21st, deadline is Sep. 13th

Niigata-India Culture Festival
Enjoy a rare combination of Indian art, music, anddance presented by Niigata artists! The event will begin
with a musical performance featuring a sitar and tabla,followed by a talk by a renowned painter with years ofpainting Indian women, and finish off with aperformance of the Odissi dance.
Date: September 15th (Sun) 14:00 - 16:00
Location: Ryutopia Studio A
Fee: ¥2,500
Contact: Niigata-India Cultural Exchange Association,Mr. Kubo, TEL: 090-7205-7479

Niigata and Harbin are celebrating 45
years of friendship city relations thisyear. To celebrate, there will be a karaokecompetition with Japanese and Chinesesongs.
If you’re not interested in singing but still want to comeand enjoy the music, don’t forget to sign up! If you wantto join in the karaoke, sign up using the code. You cannot
sing in your native language.
Date: September 21st (Sat) 10:30 – 13:00
Location: Crosspal 4th Floor Audio-Visual Hall
Fee: Free!
Contact: TEL: 025-225-2727, email: kyokai@nief.or.jp
Sign up: Sign up using the code from Aug. 21st,
deadline for karaoke is Sep. 4thSalon Exhibit: Sri Lanka
Rasai Organization Niigata set up an
exhibition in CrossPal to share Sri Lankan
culture and the organization’s activities. The
exhibition features photos from events, SriLankan culture, and a display of traditional
clothing. Stop by and check it out!
Date: July 17th (Wed) - Sep. 11th (Wed) 9:00 - 17:00
Closed: Sundays, holidays, and August 26thLocation: NIEF Exchange Salon (CrossPal 2nd floor)August 2024

Niigata English JournalPage 2

ClassesJapanese Courses offered by the Niigata City International Exchange Foundation
Beginner through-Classes of varying difficulties are available at different times throughout the week.

Ms. Kiyoko Tanaka

Intermediate 2-Pricing info & the schedule for the current session are available on the NIEF website:
https://www.nief.or.jp/Tel: (025) 225-2727

Japanese Study Support Group for Children & Students: NicoPal Club (Free of charge)
Day of the Week & Hours

RoomNo.

Every Wed. (contact for info)
Every Sat. 10:00 - 11:30*except 8/3, 8/10, 8/24
*Please register beforehand

202

Please contact Ms. Tanaka for more information.

201

This Japanese study circle offers support to children in the international
community who are struggling with Japanese and other school studies.

Content

Volunteer JapaneseClassesMs. Kiyoko Tanaka
Tel: (025) 225-2727

International Cooking Class
There will be no classes held May – August. Classes will resume in September,so make sure to check the September edition of English Journal for information on thenext class!

https://www.nief.or.jp/en/jcvg

Where: Ms. Ueno’s residence (3-4-16 Ogijima, Akiha Ward)
For more info/sign-up: TEL: 0250-24-6859 (Ms. Ueno) – Please sign up at least three days before classInformation

KPop Random Dance @ Soh Odori

This year’s Soh Odori dance festival will feature a KPop
Random Dance show. A portion of popular KPop songs
will be played and people who know the song will jumpin to dance the choreography. The Soh-Odori festival
will be from Sep. 14th (Sat) – 16th (Mon) but
the KPop Random Dance event will only befor one day, so don’t miss out!
Date: September 14th (Sat) 14:00 - 15:30
Location: Niigata Station South Plaza
Fee: Free!

Free Lessons: Japanese for Work
Lessons will be held Sep. 2nd - Nov. 20thfrom 13:00-16:00; the deadline to sign up isAug 21st. Apply at Hello Work. Classes will
be taught in person. Only Level 1 is offered.
Location: CrossPal Niigata
Niigata Help Association

For more info.

Sado Okesa Dance Lessons

Learn Sado’s traditional dance, the Sado Okesa. This same dance
will be performed at the Niigata Matsuri this month. Beginners arewelcome and there’s no need to sign up in advance. Just show up insomething easy to move in and have a good time! (Lessons cancelled
if it rains.) No lessons during Niigata Matsuri (Aug. 9th )When: May - August 30th on Fridays, 18:00 – 21:00
Where: Bandai Terrace Hajimari Hiroba
Fee: Free!

Vietnamese Cooking Lesson

Make chicken with rice and chè (a sweet soup) and learn about
Vietnamese culture! Sign up using the code by August 15th (Thu).
When: August 18th (Sun) 10:00 - 13:00
Where: CrossPal 5th floor Cooking Room
Fee: ¥1,500 (elementary schoolers ¥500)
What to bring: Apron, towel
Contact: Mr. Yoshida, email: aska3.141@gmail.com
Everyday 10:00-23:00
English, Spanish, Korean, Chinese, Filipino, Thai, etc.

TEL: 025-228-2212

Niigata International Association TEL: 025-241-1881
Email: nia21c@niigata-ia.or.jp URL: https://www.niigata-ia.or.jp/

Weekdays 10:00-17:00
English, Russian, Chinese, Filipino, Thai, Vietnamese,
Spanish, Portuguese

Helpline for Foreigners

Press 2 after the Japanese guidance

TEL: 0120-279-338 (toll-free)

Niigata Medical Care Information Network

URL: http://qq.niigata-iyaku.jp/

Hello Work, Foreigner Advisory Service TEL: 025-280-8609
Niigata Misaki Godo Chosha #2 (1-2-1 Misaki-cho, Chuo Ward, Niigata City)
Immigration Bureau Consultation

2nd Tue. of the month (8/6) 13:00-17:00
Thai, Vietnamese, Russian

Gyoseishoshi Association of Niigata Consultation

4th Wed. of the month (8/28) 10:00-17:00
Chinese, Russian

Free Legal Consultation for Foreign Residents
Length of Consultation: 40 minutes per person

Houterasu Free Legal Consultation for Foreign Residents
Length of Consultation: 40 minutes per personEducation Consultation

3rd Thur. of odd numbered months (9/19)
13:00–17:00 English, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian
3rd Mon. of even numbered months (8/19)
13:00-17:00
English, Filipino
Every Tue. 13:00-17:00
English, Chinese, Thai, Vietnamese, RussianEnglish, Chinese, Korean
1st – 4th Wed 13:00-16:00
English & Chinese

Make a reservation by phone or email in advance.
Place: Multilingual Consultation Center of Niigata(formerly Foreign Resident Consultation
Center)(2nd floor of Toki Messe)
Contact: TEL: 025-241-1881
Email: nia10@niigata-ia.or.jp

Edited and Issued by the Niigata City International Exchange Foundation
3-2086 Ishizuecho-dori, Chuo Ward, Niigata City 951-8055
Homepage: https://www.nief.or.jp/
Tel: (025) 225-2727
E-mail: kyokai@nief.or.jp(Written and edited by Alyssa Williams & Ayako Homma)

CrossPal will beclosed August
26th