No. 431 December 2023

Niigata English Journal
Edited & Issued by the Niigata City International Exchange Foundation
Mail magazine: Email us to receive this newsletter every month★★ Subscribe to stay up to date! ★★

Let’s Play in French and Korean!

The French and Korean CIRs have preparedsome activities and games from France and Korea.
This is a great opportunity for children to learn
00about foreign countries and have some fun!
Date: Dec. 9th (Sat) 11:00 – 11:40
Location: Ikutopia (kodomo sozo center)
Age range: Ages 3 – 18
Fee: Free!
Sign up: No need to sign up!
Contact: Ikutopia 025-281-3715

Life in China

Ms. Han Chao, the Chinese CIR, will discuss life
in China, including housing, the recent reliance on
digital payment, and what life is like for young
people.
Date: Dec. 7th (Thu) 14:00 – 15:00
Location: CrossPal 4th floor, Room 402
Spots: 20 spots
Fee: Free!
Sign up: Scan the code and fill out the form
Contact: TEL: 025-225-2727
Email: kyokai@nief.or.jp

Potluck Christmas Party!

Celebrate Christmas with a potluck! Bring yourfavorite dish as well as a ¥500 present to exchangewith other partygoers. Make sure to bring your own
plate and drink as well.
Date: Dec. 10th (Sun) 13:30 – 16:30
Location: Niigata TERRSA
Shumoku 185-18, Chuo Ward
Fee: ¥1,000
Sign up: niigataphilippinesociety@gmail.com

Winter Noh Performances

Come and experience one of Japan’s oldest
theatrical arts – Noh! Ryutopia provides tablets withEnglish subtitles, so don’t worry about notunderstanding the archaic Japanese. There are two
productions being performed: The Kyogen Tojin
Sumo on Dec. 8th and 9th and Okina on Dec. 24th.
Dates: Dec. 8th (Fri), 9th (Sat), and 24th (Sun)Times vary by performance, please check thewebsite for details
Location: Ryutopia Performing Arts Center,Noh Theater
Fee: Varies by seat type
Tickets: See website
Contact: 025-224-5521(Hours: 11:00 – 19:00)
Dec. 8th & 9th Dec. 24th

Free Legal Consultation for Foreign
Residents

Get free consultation on work issues, contracts,financial compensation, marriage or divorce
trouble, and more! If you need an interpreter, please
let us know and one will be provided for free.
Date: December 16th (Sat) 13:00 – 16:40
Location: CrossPal 2nd floor
Spots: 5 time slots (40 minutes perperson)
Fee: Free!
Sign up: Call 025-225-2727 oremail kyokai@nief.or.jp

Salon Exhibit: Keep Smile Japan’s Reporton Activities in Cambodia

Keep Smile Japan, a volunteer
organization in Niigata, is sharing theirrecent activities in Cambodia with aphoto display. Come and learn about how thislocal group is helping people in Cambodia!
Date: Nov. 18th (Sat) – Jan. 11th (Thu) 9:00 – 17:00
Closed: Sundays, Dec. 25th (Mon), and New Year’sholidays (Dec. 29th – Jan. 3rd)Location: CrossPal 2nd floor

International Symposium

Ms. Sanbayashi will speak on Keep Smile Japan’s
volunteer activities in Cambodia and afterwards,
speakers from Cambodia, Indonesia, and Vietnam
will talk about their experiences living, studying,
and working in Japan and Niigata.
Date: Jan. 13th (Sat) 14:00 – 16:00
Location: CrossPal 4th floor, Audio-Visual Theater
Fee: Free!
Sign up: From Dec. 10th, email Ms. Sanbayashi at:
fukushidai2010@yahoo.co.jp
Contact: Ms. Sanbayashi, TEL 070-6989-5690

Free Japanese Lessons

The Japanese government is providing freeJapanese language lessons for foreign nationals
living in Japan who wish to improve their Japaneseskills for work. All classes are held online. Please
see the pamphlet for more details.
Class Dates: Jan. 10th – Mar. 1st orJan. 9th – Feb. 29th, 8:30 – 12:30
or 13:30 – 17:30
Location: Online
Fee: Free!
Sign up & Contact: Hello Work Niigata
TEL: 025-280-8609 (English speaker available on
Wednesdays 13:30 – 16:00)

Niigata English Journal

December 2023

Page 2ClassesJapanese Courses offered by the Niigata City International Exchange FoundationBeginner throughIntermediate 2-Classes of varying difficulties are available at different times throughout the week.
-Pricing info & the schedule for the current session are available on the NIEF
website: https://www.nief.or.jp/Ms. Kiyoko Tanaka
Tel: (025) 225-2727

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

ContentRoomNo.

(contact for info)

Every Sat.
10:00 – 11:30*except 12/9 & 12/30*Please register beforehand

For more info.

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.

Ms. Kiyoko Tanaka
Tel: (025) 225-2727

International Cooking ClassVolunteer
JapaneseClasses

When: Dec. 16th (Sat), Dec. 17th (Sun), Dec. 18th (Mon)
11:00-14:00
Fee: Foreign residents, students: ¥1,800
Japanese citizens ¥3,800
Menu: End of Year and New Year’s Celebration – Traditional Japanese seasonal side dishes, o-zōni (soupwith mochi rice cakes), sushi, and more!

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 classNotices

Free Administrative Scrivener Consultation

Get free consultation on visa qualifications, applying
for permanent residency, doing business in Japan, carregistration, traffic accident compensation, and more!
Date: Jan. 20th (Sat) 10:00 – 16:00
Location: CrossPal 3rd Floor, Room 306
Fee: Free!
Sign up/Contact: Call Niigata
Prefecture Administrative
Scrivener Society, Mr. Takano
at 070-1189-8555

Free Legal Consultation

Houterasu is now offering free law consultation at theMultilingual Consultation Center of Niigata. With this additional
service, foreign residents will now be able to receive free legal
consultation every month, instead of every other month.
Appointments must be made at least 5 days in advance. Please see
the “Consultation Services” table below for more details.

Warm Biz

Cool Biz season has ended and it is now Warm Biz season. Conserve
energy by wearing layers, sweaters, and using blankets. The ideal room
temperature is 19℃. Let’s all keep warm and conserve energy!

Consultation Services
Niigata Help Association

Everyday 10:00 – 23:00English, 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 (12/12) 13:00–17:00
Thai, Vietnamese, Russian

Gyoseishoshi Association of Niigata Consultation

4th Wed. of the month (12/27) 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 person

Education Consultation

3rd Thur. of odd numbered months (1/18)
English, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian
3rd Mon. of even numbered months (12/18)
13:00 – 17:00
English, FilipinoEvery 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 Dec. 25th andDec. 29th – Jan. 3rd