Guideline for Multicultural Community
Development in Fujisawa (Revision)～Fujisawa where Japanese and non Japanese citizens live together.
We aim for developing multicultural community
where all citizens respect other cultures andcan live lives in their own way.～

February 2014 (Heisei 26)

1. Aim of Formulating the Guideline
While rising the number of foreign national citizens (※), issues including language,job, education, daily life and others started to occur, because there are more chances ofinteraction with people who have different nationalities, ethnicities and culture in thecommunity.
In order to deal with the issues, the city of Fujisawa has a project that provides life andadministrative consultation, multilingual information and other services subject to non
Japanese citizens (※). However, aiming for all citizens’ comfortable lives, not only tosupport daily lives of non Japanese citizens, it is demanded to develop a community thatallows peoples to live together while recognizing cultures of one another over theirnationalities and ethnicities.
This guideline indicates the direction of the policies of multicultural coexistence inFujisawa to promote cooperative activities under common recognition between citizens,
Non-Profitable Organizations (NPOs), University, firms and the administration.
Descriptions of Terms※foreign national citizen: A citizen whose nationality is other than Japanese.
※ non Japanese citizen: A citizen whose cultural and/or ethnical background is otherthan Japanese ones. Not only foreign national citizens, but also including Japanesenational citizens whose cultural and ethnical backgrounds are from foreign countries
such as those who are returnees from overseas and/or born to an international
marriage couple.

2. Purpose of Revising Guideline
Based on the “Plan for Multicultural Coexistence Promotion in Local Communities”
that was planned in March 2006 by the national government to support activities of
local public groups that aim for promotion of measures of non Japanese residents, thecity of Fujisawa formulated the current guideline. However, six year has passed since
the formulation and it becomes necessary to deal with the changes in circumstances offoreign national citizens and various issues that became apparent from “the Survey of
Non Japanese Citizens” in 2011.
By the progress of globalization, we have entered the age that sees more frequentcross-border transfers of people, goods and information. For the city of Fujisawa
where 5,000 foreign national citizens live and many foreign tourists along with students
and researchers from overseas visit, it is important to promote society of multicultural
coexistence where everybody can live with safety and security.

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To respond the changes of circumstances and conform to the current guideline,“Fujisawa’s Road Map for Multicultural Community Development” planned in 2012,
we revise the guideline to promote further activities.
On the revision, based on the “Basic Direction of Promotion of Policy” of the current
guideline, the new guideline indicates the direction to solve issues. We will carryforward to creation of community where all citizens want to live in while recognizing
cultures of one another over their nationalities and ethnicities.

3. Position
Based on the concept of the “Comprehensive Guideline 2016” for the management ofadministration in Fujisawa, this guideline is an individual collection of policies whichtargets for “Realization of Secure and Safe Multicultural Coexistence Society Truly
Warm-hearted for Everyone”, the conception of “the Fujisawa Global Vision”, andsummarizes views to promote multicultural community development.

4. Basic Aim (to develop multicultural community)
We aim to create society where non Japanese citizens and the others recognize
differences of nationalities, ethnicities and customs, respect human rights, deepen
exchanges and “live together”.

5. Basic Direction of Promoting Policy(1) Support for Communicationa. Support for languages
b. Provision and exchange of informationc. Consultation services(2) Disaster Prevention・Risk Management・Criminal Prevention(3) Medical Care・Health Care・Welfare(4) Livelihood Support
a. Residenceb. Involvement in local governmental activity
c. Self-sustainability and participation in local communityd. Human rights・mutual understanding
e. Workf. School education・lifelong learning
g. Support for exchange2(5) International Exchangea. Sister, twin and friendship cities
b. Citizen exchangec. International tourism(6) Enlightenment of Citizens(7) Environmental Improvement for Promoting Multicultural Coexistence
a. Cooperation system of citizens and the administrationb. Local administrative framework for promoting multicultural coexistencec. Cooperation with national and prefectural governments
d. Cooperation with multicultural coexistence activities of citizens and firms(8) Utilization of Information Technology

6. The Concrete Content of the Policy
Ｐ４～Ｐ１４

7. Promotion of Policy(1) Promotion System
a. Citizens and the administration cooperate to promote the policy based on theguideline and following structures monitor the enforcement status.
Administration: administrative project, “Meeting of Promoting Fujisawa
Multicultural Coexistence” and other related divisions
Citizens: “Fujisawa City Friendship Committee” and “Meeting of Fujisawa
Non Japanese Citizens”
Government and citizens hold a meeting at regular intervals.
b. The concrete content of the guideline will be revised depend on the necessity.

3The Concrete Contents of the Policy
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Support for Communication(1) Support for Languages“Language” is the most important issue for non Japanese citizens. The
language becomes a big communication barrier for children in school life and withfriends and for adults at work and among neighbors.

【Current Situation and Issues】① Japanese language classes are held at the public halls and the Young Association
Center.
② To secure classrooms for Japanese language classes managed by citizen
volunteers is difficult.
③ Acquisition of mother tongues (※) becomes an issue, since children may havedifficulty in conversing with their parents and/or their life in home countries
would turn to be not easy when they return due to inability of mother tongues.
【Content to Work on】① To support for acquisition of Japanese language and their mother tongues of non
Japanese citizens, the administration, citizen volunteers, and non Japanese citizens
will cooperate and proceed to deal with.
② Aiming at the improvement of Japanese language classrooms, organizers of theclasses and the administration will cooperate to solve Japanese language problem.
Descriptions of Terms※mother tongue: The language that people naturally acquire during growth.
(2) Providing and Exchanging Information【Current Situation and Issues】① “Living Guide in Fujisawa” with useful information for living is translated in 6
foreign languages and distributed to non Japanese citizens, when they move in.
② For non Japanese citizens who have difficulties in Japanese language, it isimportant to have necessary information for their daily lives when needed.
Enhancement of providing information to non Japanese citizens by monthly
newsletter of Fujisawa, cable TV, FM radio and website is necessary.
③ It is often heard that finding multilingual information (※) is difficult. Making
efforts to publicize its availability and convey accurate information is necessary.
④ Some non Japanese citizens have trouble in communicating with other people4including neighbors, non Japanese citizens and citizen volunteers due todifferences of languages, customs, and culture.
【Content to Work on】① To support for living in Fujisawa, necessary information for daily life including“Living Guide in Fujisawa” will be provided when non Japanese citizens move in.
② We aim to develop multilingual information including “Living Guide in
Fujisawa” based on users’ opinions.
③ We will strive to effectively provide multilingual information through unification.
④ We are considering provision of multilingual information on DVD that makes
easy to understand.
⑤ The city will promote to use information boards and signs that are created basedon world standard mark and universal designs.
⑥ We aim to provide an open space for non Japanese citizens to casually obtain
information and discuss their problems.
Descriptions of Terms※6 foreign languages: English, Spanish, Korean, Chinese, Portuguese, and Vietnam※ multilingual information: Information of the city administration translated in multiple
languages (English, Chinese etc.)(3) Consultation Service【Current Situation and Issues】
We offer consultation service of procedures of welfare and taxes and questions of daily
life for non Japanese citizens.
【Content to Work on】
We aim to improve the consultation service for non Japanese citizens based on
opinions of users.
2 Disaster Prevention・Risk Management・Crime Prevention【Current Situation and Issues】① We post maps at the major train stations for non Japanese citizens to evacuate
without panic in a massive earthquake. Also, “Disaster Prevention Guidebook in
7 Languages” and “Evacuation Map against Tsunami 2” are distributed.
② Citizens, the police offices and related organizations aim together to promotecreating community not to allow crime to occur. To make a community where
citizens can live with safety and security, the city works on anticrime policy, such5

as renting free alarming buzzers and organizing patrols at all areas.
③ According to the “Survey of Non Japanese Citizens”, what non Japanese citizens
worry most in daily life is “dealing with disasters (e.g.: earthquakes)”. However,“Disaster Prevention Guidebook in 7 Languages” is rarely recognized.
④ The problem of staying at the evacuation places of non Japanese citizens hasbrought to the fore by many experiences of big earthquakes.
⑤ For non Japanese citizens needing support in disasters, it is important to cooperatewith community, volunteers and non Japanese citizens who can speak Japanese.
⑥ As well as preparing for the system of providing appropriate multilingual
information, it is necessary to prevent problems at the evacuation places due todifferences in culture and customs.
【Content to Work on】① We will discuss ways of publicizing how to prepare for disasters including
distribution of the guidebook, when non Japanese citizens move in.
② We promote creation of environment where non Japanese citizens can participate
in a disaster prevention drill in local area.
③ As well as preparing for the system of providing information rapidly and exactly
in disasters, we will investigate and research usage of media, such as radio.
④ We promote support for non Japanese citizens who need to be supported indisasters due to lack of understanding Japanese language.
⑤ Citizens and the administration will cooperate to promote prevention of crimes
through development of transmitting information for non Japanese citizens to live
safely and securely.

3 Medical Care・Health Care・Welfare(1) Medical Care
【Current Situation and Issues】① The dispatching volunteer interpreter system is available for non Japanese patientsat the Civil Hospital in order to receive medical treatment without any anxiety.
② Fujisawa joins the “Kanagawa Dispatch of Medical Interpreters System” that iscooperated project by Kanagawa Prefecture and NPO.
③ In response to medical emergencies of non Japanese citizens, we provide a healthcheck survey and a short check list in five languages.
④ Some non Japanese citizens hope to participate in the “First Aid Course”.
【Content to Work on】① We aim to improve access-friendly system of interpreters for both of non Japanese6patients and staffs of medical institutions. In addition, we support active
provision of information about medical system and institutions② We aim to promote smooth emergency activities and participation of non
Japanese citizens in the “First Aid Course”.
Descriptions of Terms※5 foreign languages: English, Spanish, Korean, Chinese and Portguese(2) Health Care
【Current Situation and Issues】
It is essential that the city actively inform non Japanese citizens about health careservices and support them to live in health.
【Content to Work on】
We will improve existing multilingual information, such as “Maternal and Child
Health Handbook” to be more useful one.
(3) Welfare【Current Situation and Issues】① It is necessary to introduce welfare systems for elderly people, disabled people andchildren clearly in various languages.
② Only a few non Japanese citizens visit public facilities for under 5-year-old
children, such as “Child-Care Support Center”, “Meeting Circles”, “Community
Centers” and “Public Halls”. It is important to understand accurately their needs
and demands and reflect them to child care support services.
【Content to Work on】① We aim to improve environment through municipal employee training so that they
can response appropriately with consideration of cultural background of users
when they provide welfare service.
② In order for non Japanese citizens to receive services easily, we will ask thenational government to announce and improve services via the prefecture.
③ We aim to promote childcare support to non Japanese citizens.

4 Livelihood Support
According to transition of “Permanent Residents” within foreign national citizens, theratio has increased to 60.6% in 2013, while it had been 19.3% in 1996. It is significant
that we recognize them as our neighbors of different cultural backgrounds and explain

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general information of daily life in the communities when they move in Fujisawa.
(1) Residence【Current Situation and Issues】① The same requirement is applied for both non Japanese citizens and Japanesecitizens when they apply to rent a municipal housing.
② It is necessary to provide multilingual residential information including Japaneseunique rules for living.
【Content to Work on】
The local administration and NPOs will cooperate to help non Japanese citizens to findhousing and solve discrimination against them by providing information about letting
agent and common practices and manners in Japan.
(2) Involvement in Local Government Activity【Current Situation and Issues】① We exchange opinions on administration with non Japanese citizens at the“Fujisawa Conference of Non Japanese Citizens”.
② Further discussion over the “Voting Rights in Local Elections for Foreign
Residents” is necessary.
【Content to Work on】① We aim to develop meetings consisted of non Japanese citizens and reflect theiropinions in the measures and policies.
② We aim to include foreign national citizens in the surveys of the city, and reflect
their opinions in the administration.
③ We will let the administration to have non Japanese citizens participate in a
municipal advisory body and other bodies.
(3) Self-sustainability and Participation in Local Community
Mutual understanding with local Japanese citizens and living as good neighbors areimportant for non Japanese citizens to live safely and securely.
【Current Situation and Issues】
According to the result of the survey, non Japanese citizens were less satisfied with“relationship with neighbors, such as neighborhood council”. It is an issue to give achance to build a relationship and exchange with local community.
【Content to Work on】① We will actively encourage non Japanese citizens to participate in neighborhood
council by using the existing multilingual leaflet.

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② We aim to promote participation of non Japanese citizens in local communities,
such as neighborhood council, Parents and Teachers Association (P.T.A.), etc.
③ In order for non Japanese citizens to act independently, we support key persons,networks and self-help organizations of local non Japanese citizens.
(4) Human Rights・Mutual Understandinga. Human Rights
Local governmental organizations need to promote the measures of multicultural
coexistence in line with the purpose of human rights estimation, such as “Global Human
Rights Address”.
【Content to Work on】
Under “Universal Declaration of Human Rights”, “International Covenants on Human
Rights”, “International Covenants on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial
Discrimination” and “Fujisawa Guideline for Promotion of Human Rights Policy”, we
aim to promote policies of human rights to prevent discrimination and abuse of humanrights against non Japanese citizens and to have a community where all citizens
understand various cultures and differences of ethnicities, respect each other andcoexist.
b. Mutual Understanding【Current Situation and Issues】① We continuously offer programs of international understanding lectures at thecommunity centers and the Youth Association Center.
② Japanese and non Japanese citizens work together to continuously holdInternational Festival in which people exhibit their cultures and exchange.
③ The Youth Association Center holds events of international exchange andprovides Japanese-language classes. However, it is a problem that the number ofparticipants does not increase.
【Content to Work on】
We aim to improve and publicize events of international exchanges.
(5) Work【Current Situation and Issues】① We enlighten owners of companies especially during “Foreign Labor Problem
Awareness Month” that is held in every June.
② Since the fiscal year 2013, we have started the programs of the measures for9employing young people with difficulties to be independent and get a job.
③ According to the result of the survey, what non Japanese citizens “worry andconcern” is “finding a job”.
【Content to Work on】
In cooperation with related institutions including the public employment security
office, “Hello Work in Fujisawa”, we aim to promote consultation services andprograms of work.
(6) School Education・Life Long Learninga. School Education【Current Situation and Issues】① As of May 2013, 252 students of foreign nationalities (166 in elementary schooland 86 in junior high school) go to public school in Fujisawa. 137 students ofthem come from the Latin American countries (72 Peruvians, 44 Brazilians, and
21 Argentines) and they are in the majority.
② International education by Foreign Language Teachers (FLT) is provided to the
5th and 6th graders at elementary schools and junior high schools students. Also,international understanding education by Teachers of International Understandingat Elementary School is provided to the pupils under 5th grade. In addition, we
support pupils and students of foreign nationalities through classes, such as
Japanese language classes and international classes, and assistance for learningand school life by Japanese language teachers.
③ Children of foreign nationalities do not need to go to compulsory schools inJapan, but we send information in English, Spanish, Portuguese and Vietnameseto parents who have new elementary and/or junior high school students. Whenforeign national citizens move in, we provide information and accept entrance
application upon their registration.
④ Since some families of foreign national pupils and students also receive School
Financial Aid, a leaflet is provided in Spanish, Portuguese and Vietnamese.
⑤ In order for children of foreign nationalities to go to school with hope, in
cooperation with facilities, such as a nursery school, it is necessary to takemeasures to provide detailed information including system of education in Japan,
to parents who have pre-school pupils.
⑥ There is a problem that some students stop going to school due to various reasons.
⑦ Due to abolishment of the Alien Registration System in July 2012, some foreign
national citizens may not register. The number of school-aged children of10

foreign nationalities who do not go to school is estimated to increase, as
information of entering school is delivered based on residence registration.
【Content to Work on】① We aim to promote international education from the point of view of multicultural
coexistence and develop Japanese language support to pupils and students offoreign nationalities.
② Since one of the reasons that causes children to stop attending a school is alanguage barrier, we aim to solve problems through developing Japanese language
classes and support by Japanese language teachers.
③ In cooperation with community, we aim to have information of non-school-goers
and solve a problem.
b. Life Learning Education【Current Situation and Issues】① Central Library publishes and delivers a multilingual user guide.
② Public halls have international understanding lectures according to thecharacteristics of areas and demands.
③ The Youth Association Center has international exchange programs for
multicultural understanding and exchange of the youth.
④ The survey showed that non Japanese citizens had a high percentage answeringthat they “did not know the place”, “never visited”, and “rarely visited” to thefacilities of sports and libraries.
【Content to Work on】① We aim to publicize rules of facilities of sports and libraries and create anenvironment that makes non Japanese citizens feel easy to visit.
② We will offer more places and opportunities for both non Japanese and Japanesecitizens within the same area to interact each other.
(7) Support to Exchange
To solve problems of feeling isolation and loneliness and to live comfortably, support
to non Japanese citizens is essential through providing necessary information andhearing their problems.
【Content to Work on】
We promote to provide places and opportunities where non Japanese citizens caneasily gather, exchange information and have a talk.

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5 International Exchange(1) Sister Cities・Friendship Cities・Twin Cities【Current Situation and Issues】① We have sister/ friendship/ twin cities relationship with Miami Beach in the
United States of America, Kunming in the People’s Republic of China, Windsor
in Canada and Boryeong in the Republic of Korea.
② We dispatch an official and citizens’ delegation to the sister/ friendship /twincities as an event to commemorate anniversary of affiliation.
【Content to Work on】① In cooperation with the citizens’ friendship associations and groups that exchangewith the sister/ friendship/ twin cities, we promote mutual understanding andfriendship thorough exchange in the broader areas, such as industry, culture,
sports and academy with citizens form such cities and other municipalities formaking a contribution to world peace.
(2) Exchange of Citizens【Current Situation and Issues】① We welcome visitors mainly from sister cities through “Homestay and Home
Visit in Fujisawa” program. However, the number of host families who accept
visitors is decreased.
【Content to Work on】① We aim to actively publicize the “Homestay and Home Visit in Fujisawa”
program and improve the system.
② We aim to create an environment where citizens easily have cultural or sports
exchange with the people of sister/ friendship/ twin and other cities.
(3) International Tourism【Current Situation and Issues】① We put much emphasis on attracting visitors and educational tourists fromoverseas countries including sister cities.
② As nationalities of visitors vary, we need to watch tendency, develop selection of
languages and research efficient method of providing information.
【Content to Work on】① We develop more attractive tourist spots by promoting environmental
improvement, such as producing multilingual guide signs, tourist maps andbooklets that are easy to understand for non Japanese visitors.

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② We aim to respond to the needs of the times such as multilingualizing informationof events on a real-time basis and providing information by Wi-Fi.
6 Enlightenment of Citizens【Current Situation and Issues】
It is important to create community where all citizens understand necessity of realizing
multicultural coexistence and can respect each other’s cultures.
【Content to Work on】
To increase consciousness of coexistence with non Japanese citizens and promotemutual understanding, we aim to promote enlightenment of citizens.
7 Creating Environment of Promoting Multicultural Coexistence(1) Cooperation with Citizens and the Administration【Current Situation and Issues】
In cooperation with the members of “the Fujisawa Friendship Committee”, who areelected from related organizations, and the administration, we promote exchange
between cities and citizens, and multicultural coexistence development programs.
【Content to Work on】
In response to opinions on the projects for non Japanese citizens, citizens and theadministration cooperate to promote multicultural community development programs.
(2) Administrative Framework for Promoting Multicultural Coexistence【Current Situation and Issues】① Based on “Fujisawa Global Vision” and “Fujisawa’s Road Map for Multicultural
Community Development”, each division offers support for non Japanese citizens
individually.
② The cooperation and adjustment of related divisions in the city office areimportant to comprehensively promote measures for non Japanese citizens.
【Content to Work on】① In the city office, we will set up “Multicultural Community Development
Promotion Conference” to comprehend the status of projects that each division
carries out and review them if they are necessary.
② To enlighten consciousness of multicultural coexistence, we will develop training
course for staffs of the city office.

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(3) Cooperation with the National and Prefectural Government【Current Situation and Issues】
We participate in the “International Policy Meeting for the Study of the Kanagawa
Local Government and International Relations Measure of Each Prefecture Local
Government” and strive for close mutual cooperation with Kanagawa Prefecture, cities,
towns and villages in Kanagawa.
【Content to Work on】
To develop measures of multicultural coexistence, we aim to have a tight relationshipwith the International Division of Kanagawa Prefecture and the Kanagawa International
Foundation to collect information of current situation in the cities, towns and villages in
Kanagawa Prefecture and of approaches of other local governments in Japan.
(4) Cooperation with Multicultural Coexistence Activities of Citizens and Firms【Current Situation and Issues】
To develop multicultural community, citizens, NPOs, schools and firms take theinitiative in expanding various activities.
【Content to Work on】
We will support activities of multicultural coexistence in the firms that employedforeign workers and accept foreign trainees, and volunteer organizations whose main
missions are global cooperation and exchanges. At the same time, we aim to cooperatewith them and promote multicultural community development.
8 Utilization of Information Technology【Current Situation and Issues】① We offer multilingual information, such as “Living Guide in Fujisawa”, “How to
Separate and Dispose your Garbage and Recyclables”, “Disaster Prevention
Guidebook in 7 Languages”, etc. on the website of the city.
② Although the ratio is relatively high for non Japanese citizens to obtain necessary
information by internet, the ratio of accessing at the website of the city is low.
【Content to Work on】① We will find out reasons why the website of Fujisawa did not have been accessedmore often and discuss effective ways to provide information including
user-friendly page composition.
② With usage of advanced information technology infrastructure, we aim to improve
environment where people can easily collect necessary information.

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