Apr.’14-Mar.’15
Published by Kagoshima International Association

Public Seminar on International Understanding by Foreigner Lecturer
This year, the Kagoshima International Association organised five
public seminars on international understanding. Such seminars are led
by foreigners residing in Kagoshima, who make use of the opportunity
to introduce their home culture to the locals.
In December, we had a Venezuelan (and his Japanese wife asinterpreter) introduce Latin American music to the locals. The seminarcovered the historical development of Latin American music, andtowards the end, everyone sang a Venezuelan song, “Moliendo Café”(better known as Coffee Rumba in Japan) in Spanish together.
During the seminar
Time was limited but the participants had a lot of questions forthe lecturer. Some comments include “It was meaningful to learn (about Latin American music) directly fromsomeone from that region”, and “Now I know that Latin American music is full of emotions, singing about loveand sorrows”.
We would like to organise more of such seminars to allow for mutual interaction between foreigners and locals,
to provide them the opportunity to recognise the existence of different cultures.

Nishiooyama Station
Courtesy of the Ibusuki City Sightseeing Association

Multiculturalism ProjectOn 8th November 2014, with the cooperation of Yonemori
Hospital in Kagoshima city, we organised a visit to thehospital to allow foreigner residents to learn more about
the healthcare system in Japan. The tour had 22 participantsServices at the International Exchange Plaza・Event bulletin board
・Rental of flags, ethnic clothing, maps, and UNICEF videos
・Foreign language newspapers, books and magazines, etc. available for browsing
・Consultation for foreign residents
・Chinese Language Lunchtime Conversation (Tue; 12:30–13:30)
・Korean Language Lunchtime Conversation (Wed; 12:00–13:00)
・Lunchtime English Club (Fri; 12:00–13:00)

from 8 different countries.
One of the participants said, “After learning more about
the hospitals in Japan, I now have the confidence to visit thehospital on my own”. It was definitely a good opportunity
for the foreigner participants to experience and learn about
Diagnosis by a doctor

Japanese medical facilities and diagnosis procedures.

The “Mount Sakurajima Eruption Evacuation Exercise”,
jointly held by Kagoshima Prefecture and Kagoshima City

We also handle queries on international exchange
matters, JICA volunteer work, registration of volunteers
as host family for foreigner homestays, language
studies, etc. All personal information will be kept
confidential so do not hesitate to stop by if you haveany enquiries.

on 9 th January 2015, saw participation by about 4,500
people, including 111 foreigner attendees. The Kagoshima
International Association led a group of 20 people (foreign
students, and volunteer interpreters including Japanesenationals and foreigners) to the event.
Assuming a large scale eruption of Mount Sakurajima,
participants in their respective language groups (English,

Opening Hours: 9:00–17:00 (Tue–Sun)
Closed on Mondays (if Monday is a public holiday, the office will be closed on Tue instead),and during the New Year holiday (29 Dec–3 Jan)

Chinese and Korean) boarded ferries to stimulate evacuation

Health Check Demonstrationfrom Mount Sakurajima, and engaged in standard evacuation
drills. During the drill practice, participants experienced simulated health check demonstrations at the evacuation
centres. With the help of volunteer interpreters, nurses from the Kagoshima Nursing Association re-enacted

For further enquiries on the Int’l Exchange Plaza and/or South Wing publication

emergency health check procedures, asking the participants for their names, checking their blood pressure, etc.
After the exercise, feedback received include, “I realised the great importance of such drills” (from participant),

Kagoshima International Association
Kagoshima Prefectural Citizens Exchange Centre, 1F 14-50 Yamashita-cho, Kagoshima City, Japan 892-0816
TEL : 099-221-6620 FAX : 099-221-6643 E-mail (general enquiries): kia@po.synapse.ne.jp
URL : http://www.synapse.ne.jp/kia/ 
Email (consultations only): kia8@po.synapse.ne.jp
4and “I would like to study more to improve my proficiency” (from the volunteer interpreters).

1

Public Seminar – Towards the 150th Anniversary of the Meiji Restorationth

A public seminar was held on 15 February 2015 to commemorate
the 25th year of official recognition of the Kagoshima International
Association by the Council of Local Authorities for International
Relations (CLAIR), as well as the 150th anniversary of the dispatch of
the Satsuma students to England.
Two lectures were delivered during the seminar, “Anglo-Japanese
Relations: 19th Century and 21st Century” by H.E. Tim Hitchens, British
Seminar at Kagoshima Pref. Citizens Exchange Centre

Ambassador to Japan, and “Meiji Restoration and International
Exchange” by Mr. Haraguchi Izumi, Director of the Kagoshima

Prefectural Library. The lectures provided a good opportunity for attendees to deepen their understanding on
the relationship between Great Britain and Kagoshima, as well as the roles played by the Satsuma students in themodernisation and internationalisation of Japan.

Japanese Language and Culture Class
The “Japanese Language and Culture Class” was held from May 2014
to February 2015, providing a good opportunity for foreigners livingin Kagoshima to learn about Japanese customs and useful everyday
phrases. The Tuesday and Thursday classes each met 30 times for a
combined total of 60 sessions.
Some of the activities include students presenting about their homeculture, and practice speaking Japanese with a regular tempo by using
During classa metronome. The students were a little nervous at first, but they
actively engaged in the class activities, and they also took part in thedisaster preparedness and health seminars (under the Multiculturalism Project). Throughout their year of study,
the students deepened their knowledge of not just Japanese language per se, but also local culture and lifestyle.

Japanese Language Chat RoomThe Japanese Language Chat Room (for foreigners who cancommunicate using Japanese language) was launched for the first time
this year, from May 2014 to March 2015 (total of 23 sessions, 10 in thefirst semester and 13 in the second semester).
Besides free chatting, the class aims to provide useful information
on living in Kagoshima, through inviting guest speakers such as firefighters and police officers, tourism promotion officials, nursing
Free discussion on Kagoshima tourism promotion

care staff, as well as foreigner guest speakers who are well-versed inJapanese culture such as Kimono dressing and Karate.

Participants practiced writing Japanese New Year greeting cards, allowing to them to apply the Japanese
language they have learnt. Some feedback comments include, “I have gained more confidence on my Japanese
language ability”, “I would like to learn more about Japanese culture”, and “I look forward to this class because I
can make many friends from different countries”. We hope this class will provide the opportunity for participants
to make new friends and fuel their desire to learn Japanese.
2

Regional International Exchange Promotion ProgrammeThis initiative attempts to bring together foreigner and local
residents in the municipalities through the setting up of international
exchange booths in local events and festivals, so as to create moreawareness on international exchange. We participated in the “MBC
Summer Festival” in Kagoshima City, “Furusato Summer Festival” inChina Town of Okinoerabu Island, and the “Ibusuki Marche” in Ibusuki
City this year.
We had an International Exchange booth with Kagoshima city during
the MBC Summer Festival in July 2014. Besides distributing pamphletsof our Association, we also introduced various types of ethnic clothing Staff donning ethnic clothing at the MBC Summer Festival
on the main stage, and, with the help of the Prefectural Coordinators
for International Relations, foreign students and residents, played the “World Greeting Stamp Collection” gamewith children.
During the game, children were asked to say “Hello” and “Thank you” in six different languages including
Spanish, Portuguese and English, and they would collect rubber stamps for each language. Upon completion, they
are given the chance to make a bookmark using postage stamps from different countries around the world. We
hope this would provide the chance to encourage the children’s interest in learning foreign languages.

Let’s Talk About the World in Kagoshima – The 20th Japanese Speech Contest for Foreigners
The 20th Japanese Speech Contest for Foreigners was held in theMedium Hall at the Kagoshima Prefectural Citizens Exchange Centre
on 24th January 2015. 21 foreigners from 7 countries took part in the
preliminary rounds on 10th January 2015, out of which 10 (from 5
countries) were selected to participate in the finals.
The winner was Ms. Guo Luyao from China, a current student of
the Kagoshima Prefectural College. With her speech titled “Manualfor Befriending the Japanese”, she spoke about reading such an online
Participants (Front) Judges (Back)manual before coming to Japan, and upon actual interaction withJapanese people, realising the untruths of its contents. Assuming the existence of similar texts in Japan about the
Chinese people, she appealed to the audience to not buy into such false writings but to try befriending actual
Chinese people instead.
The 10 finalists delivered their speeches in fluent Japanese on topics such as their experiences in Japan,
gratitude towards their parents, etc. earning rounds of loud applause from the audience of about 280 people.
Through such speeches, we hope to provide the opportunity for the citizens of Kagoshima to make new
discoveries and realisations.

Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers Alumni and Foreign Students as Teachers
The Japan International Cooperation Association (commonly known
as JICA) dispatches volunteers, known as “Japan Overseas Cooperation
Volunteers (JOCV)” to countries around the world. The JOCVs from
Kagoshima prefecture, upon their return, participate as guest speakers
in the “JOCV Alumni and Foreign Students as Teachers” school
visit programme jointly organised by the Kagoshima International
Association (KIA), The Supporting Organisation of JOCV in Kagoshima,
and the JOCV Kagoshima Alumni Association. This programme
dispatches speakers to over 40 elementary and junior high schoolsin Kagoshima prefecture per year. Since its inauguration in 1995, theKishira Elementary School, Kimotsuki Town
speakers have visited more than 790 schools in the prefecture.
The children discover new things and surprises by listening to the experiences of the JOCVs and mingling withthe foreign students. Some of their comments include, “Being able to receive an education is a luxury”, “I would
like to work as a volunteer overseas when I grow up”, and “I want to find out more about other countries in
the world”. Besides educating the students about international understanding, these lessons also provide good
opportunities for them to think about their future.
3

Public Seminar – Towards the 150th Anniversary of the Meiji Restorationth

A public seminar was held on 15 February 2015 to commemorate
the 25th year of official recognition of the Kagoshima International
Association by the Council of Local Authorities for International
Relations (CLAIR), as well as the 150th anniversary of the dispatch of
the Satsuma students to England.
Two lectures were delivered during the seminar, “Anglo-Japanese
Relations: 19th Century and 21st Century” by H.E. Tim Hitchens, British
Seminar at Kagoshima Pref. Citizens Exchange Centre

Ambassador to Japan, and “Meiji Restoration and International
Exchange” by Mr. Haraguchi Izumi, Director of the Kagoshima

Prefectural Library. The lectures provided a good opportunity for attendees to deepen their understanding on
the relationship between Great Britain and Kagoshima, as well as the roles played by the Satsuma students in themodernisation and internationalisation of Japan.

Japanese Language and Culture Class
The “Japanese Language and Culture Class” was held from May 2014
to February 2015, providing a good opportunity for foreigners livingin Kagoshima to learn about Japanese customs and useful everyday
phrases. The Tuesday and Thursday classes each met 30 times for a
combined total of 60 sessions.
Some of the activities include students presenting about their homeculture, and practice speaking Japanese with a regular tempo by using
During classa metronome. The students were a little nervous at first, but they
actively engaged in the class activities, and they also took part in thedisaster preparedness and health seminars (under the Multiculturalism Project). Throughout their year of study,
the students deepened their knowledge of not just Japanese language per se, but also local culture and lifestyle.

Japanese Language Chat RoomThe Japanese Language Chat Room (for foreigners who cancommunicate using Japanese language) was launched for the first time
this year, from May 2014 to March 2015 (total of 23 sessions, 10 in thefirst semester and 13 in the second semester).
Besides free chatting, the class aims to provide useful information
on living in Kagoshima, through inviting guest speakers such as firefighters and police officers, tourism promotion officials, nursing
Free discussion on Kagoshima tourism promotion

care staff, as well as foreigner guest speakers who are well-versed inJapanese culture such as Kimono dressing and Karate.

Participants practiced writing Japanese New Year greeting cards, allowing to them to apply the Japanese
language they have learnt. Some feedback comments include, “I have gained more confidence on my Japanese
language ability”, “I would like to learn more about Japanese culture”, and “I look forward to this class because I
can make many friends from different countries”. We hope this class will provide the opportunity for participants
to make new friends and fuel their desire to learn Japanese.
2

Regional International Exchange Promotion ProgrammeThis initiative attempts to bring together foreigner and local
residents in the municipalities through the setting up of international
exchange booths in local events and festivals, so as to create moreawareness on international exchange. We participated in the “MBC
Summer Festival” in Kagoshima City, “Furusato Summer Festival” inChina Town of Okinoerabu Island, and the “Ibusuki Marche” in Ibusuki
City this year.
We had an International Exchange booth with Kagoshima city during
the MBC Summer Festival in July 2014. Besides distributing pamphletsof our Association, we also introduced various types of ethnic clothing Staff donning ethnic clothing at the MBC Summer Festival
on the main stage, and, with the help of the Prefectural Coordinators
for International Relations, foreign students and residents, played the “World Greeting Stamp Collection” gamewith children.
During the game, children were asked to say “Hello” and “Thank you” in six different languages including
Spanish, Portuguese and English, and they would collect rubber stamps for each language. Upon completion, they
are given the chance to make a bookmark using postage stamps from different countries around the world. We
hope this would provide the chance to encourage the children’s interest in learning foreign languages.

Let’s Talk About the World in Kagoshima – The 20th Japanese Speech Contest for Foreigners
The 20th Japanese Speech Contest for Foreigners was held in theMedium Hall at the Kagoshima Prefectural Citizens Exchange Centre
on 24th January 2015. 21 foreigners from 7 countries took part in the
preliminary rounds on 10th January 2015, out of which 10 (from 5
countries) were selected to participate in the finals.
The winner was Ms. Guo Luyao from China, a current student of
the Kagoshima Prefectural College. With her speech titled “Manualfor Befriending the Japanese”, she spoke about reading such an online
Participants (Front) Judges (Back)manual before coming to Japan, and upon actual interaction withJapanese people, realising the untruths of its contents. Assuming the existence of similar texts in Japan about the
Chinese people, she appealed to the audience to not buy into such false writings but to try befriending actual
Chinese people instead.
The 10 finalists delivered their speeches in fluent Japanese on topics such as their experiences in Japan,
gratitude towards their parents, etc. earning rounds of loud applause from the audience of about 280 people.
Through such speeches, we hope to provide the opportunity for the citizens of Kagoshima to make new
discoveries and realisations.

Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers Alumni and Foreign Students as Teachers
The Japan International Cooperation Association (commonly known
as JICA) dispatches volunteers, known as “Japan Overseas Cooperation
Volunteers (JOCV)” to countries around the world. The JOCVs from
Kagoshima prefecture, upon their return, participate as guest speakers
in the “JOCV Alumni and Foreign Students as Teachers” school
visit programme jointly organised by the Kagoshima International
Association (KIA), The Supporting Organisation of JOCV in Kagoshima,
and the JOCV Kagoshima Alumni Association. This programme
dispatches speakers to over 40 elementary and junior high schoolsin Kagoshima prefecture per year. Since its inauguration in 1995, theKishira Elementary School, Kimotsuki Town
speakers have visited more than 790 schools in the prefecture.
The children discover new things and surprises by listening to the experiences of the JOCVs and mingling withthe foreign students. Some of their comments include, “Being able to receive an education is a luxury”, “I would
like to work as a volunteer overseas when I grow up”, and “I want to find out more about other countries in
the world”. Besides educating the students about international understanding, these lessons also provide good
opportunities for them to think about their future.
3

Apr.’14-Mar.’15
Published by Kagoshima International Association

Public Seminar on International Understanding by Foreigner Lecturer
This year, the Kagoshima International Association organised five
public seminars on international understanding. Such seminars are led
by foreigners residing in Kagoshima, who make use of the opportunity
to introduce their home culture to the locals.
In December, we had a Venezuelan (and his Japanese wife asinterpreter) introduce Latin American music to the locals. The seminarcovered the historical development of Latin American music, andtowards the end, everyone sang a Venezuelan song, “Moliendo Café”(better known as Coffee Rumba in Japan) in Spanish together.
During the seminar
Time was limited but the participants had a lot of questions forthe lecturer. Some comments include “It was meaningful to learn (about Latin American music) directly fromsomeone from that region”, and “Now I know that Latin American music is full of emotions, singing about loveand sorrows”.
We would like to organise more of such seminars to allow for mutual interaction between foreigners and locals,
to provide them the opportunity to recognise the existence of different cultures.

Nishiooyama Station
Courtesy of the Ibusuki City Sightseeing Association

Multiculturalism ProjectOn 8th November 2014, with the cooperation of Yonemori
Hospital in Kagoshima city, we organised a visit to thehospital to allow foreigner residents to learn more about
the healthcare system in Japan. The tour had 22 participantsServices at the International Exchange Plaza・Event bulletin board
・Rental of flags, ethnic clothing, maps, and UNICEF videos
・Foreign language newspapers, books and magazines, etc. available for browsing
・Consultation for foreign residents
・Chinese Language Lunchtime Conversation (Tue; 12:30–13:30)
・Korean Language Lunchtime Conversation (Wed; 12:00–13:00)
・Lunchtime English Club (Fri; 12:00–13:00)

from 8 different countries.
One of the participants said, “After learning more about
the hospitals in Japan, I now have the confidence to visit thehospital on my own”. It was definitely a good opportunity
for the foreigner participants to experience and learn about
Diagnosis by a doctor

Japanese medical facilities and diagnosis procedures.

The “Mount Sakurajima Eruption Evacuation Exercise”,
jointly held by Kagoshima Prefecture and Kagoshima City

We also handle queries on international exchange
matters, JICA volunteer work, registration of volunteers
as host family for foreigner homestays, language
studies, etc. All personal information will be kept
confidential so do not hesitate to stop by if you haveany enquiries.

on 9 th January 2015, saw participation by about 4,500
people, including 111 foreigner attendees. The Kagoshima
International Association led a group of 20 people (foreign
students, and volunteer interpreters including Japanesenationals and foreigners) to the event.
Assuming a large scale eruption of Mount Sakurajima,
participants in their respective language groups (English,

Opening Hours: 9:00–17:00 (Tue–Sun)
Closed on Mondays (if Monday is a public holiday, the office will be closed on Tue instead),and during the New Year holiday (29 Dec–3 Jan)

Chinese and Korean) boarded ferries to stimulate evacuation

Health Check Demonstrationfrom Mount Sakurajima, and engaged in standard evacuation
drills. During the drill practice, participants experienced simulated health check demonstrations at the evacuation
centres. With the help of volunteer interpreters, nurses from the Kagoshima Nursing Association re-enacted

For further enquiries on the Int’l Exchange Plaza and/or South Wing publication

emergency health check procedures, asking the participants for their names, checking their blood pressure, etc.
After the exercise, feedback received include, “I realised the great importance of such drills” (from participant),

Kagoshima International Association
Kagoshima Prefectural Citizens Exchange Centre, 1F 14-50 Yamashita-cho, Kagoshima City, Japan 892-0816
TEL : 099-221-6620 FAX : 099-221-6643 E-mail (general enquiries): kia@po.synapse.ne.jp
URL : http://www.synapse.ne.jp/kia/ 
Email (consultations only): kia8@po.synapse.ne.jp
4and “I would like to study more to improve my proficiency” (from the volunteer interpreters).

1