Iwate International Exchange
Contents

March

2017.3～ Friends with the World ～◦Looking Back at the Last Year – April 2016～March 2017－…… p.1◦Information……………………………………………… p.2◦Events of the 2016 Fiscal Year… …………………… p.3◦Main Planned Events for the 2017 Fiscal Year……… p.4◦Establishment of the Iwate International Personnel
Development Council… ……………………………… p.5◦ Feature
    A Look at Data for Internationalization in
Iwate… ……………………………………………… p.6-7

  iscussion The Things We Saw and Felt
◦ Feature D
with our Connections to the World…… p.8-9◦ Feature Interview International Athletes
Iwate Big Bulls - Adam Drexler… …………………… p.10
Kamaishi Seawaves R.F.C. – Dallas Tatana … ……… p.11
◦Oh My Iwate (Spring in Nishiwaga)……………………… p.12
◦Iwate Quiz… …………………………………………… p.12

Published by: Iwate International Association
Aiina 5F 1-7-1 Morioka-eki-nishi-dori, Morioka, Iwate 020-0045
TEL: 019-654-8900
FAX: 019-654-8922
E-mail: iwateint@iwate-ia.or.jp URL: http://iwate-ia.or.jp/
Opening Hours: 9:00 am- 8:00pm
Closed: New Year holidays (12/29 - 1/3), other scheduled dates

Looking Back at the Last Year
– April 2016 ～ March 2017 －8.3 Par ticipated in Mor

ioka Sansa Odori

ate)

Let’s look back at the events of the 2016 fiscal year through pictures.
Check page 3 for more information about our activities.

9.26 Iwate “Glocal” College – Special Lecture Celebrating
the 60th Anniversary for the Establishment of Diplomatic
Relations between Japan and Nepal

10.8 Iwate Youth International Seminar –New Zealand Program

11.20 World
(2016 One Area
World Festa in Iw

ge
11.20 World Sta
Festa in Iwate)(2016 One World

11.20 Bridge to the World(KAKEHASHI)Club(2016 One World Festa in Iwate)10.2 International Exchange “Chatland”『Sunday
Funday – International Exchange for Families』−1−

2.11 Hands-On Multilingual
Disaster Training

1.22 International Exchange “Chatland” Let’s learn
about other cultures together with exchange students!

Information:Organizer ／:Venue ／:Date ／

:Sign up ／:Admission fee ／:Phone number ／:FAX ／:E-mail ／:Website

Living Information

EventsWorkshop: “Start telling the world about Tono

◆Filipino Passport Services
Passport services will be provided by the Philippine

tomorrow”

Embassy.

◆Internationalization in Tono!

～ A cosmopolitan feel. Open to visitors ～Leader：Ryusuke Murao, Starbrand partner, author, Iwate

For: Filipino natives living in Iwate, Akita and Aomori.
thth：July 15 (Sat.), 16 (Sun.) 9:00 – 17:00：Meeting Room 701, 7th floor, Aiina

Land of Hope Ambassador：April 26 (Wed.) 13:30 – 15:00：Aeria Tono

More information is available here:：None (reservation required)consular-outreach-missions-oav-overseas-absentee-voters-：Tono Education and Culture Foundation：0198-62-6191：mail@tono-ecf.or.jp

registration-in-morioka-/10154358728116864

thhttps://www.facebook.com/notes/cecilia-nishimura/：http://www.tono-ecf.or.jp――――――――――――――――――――――――――

Exams◆International Cooperation and Japan Overseas◆Japanese Language Proficiency Test 2017 (#1)
A Japanese test for non-native speakers.

Cooperation Exhibition：July 2 (Sun.) 2017
 March 29th (Wed.) – April 28th (Fri.)：With “international cooperation” as our motto,nd

let’s find out what we can do as citizens!
There will be an introduction of JICA volunteer activities. Why

Apply by web or post

not take the chance to deepen your understanding of international：Japan Educational Exchange and Services (JEES)：03-6686-2974 (9:30 – 17:30 weekdays, except holidays)

cooperation, and move from supporting it to taking part?
thth：March 16 (Thurs.) – May 14 (Sun.) 9:00 – 16:30(Closed on Mondays and Sunday afternoons)：http://info.jees-jlpt.jp/：Tono Global Plaza (formerly Kamigō Middle School)

A Word from The JICA Desk

：Japan Overseas Cooperative Association (JOCA)
Facebook: Tono Global Plaza, JOCA
：0198-69-3633――――――――――――――――――――――――――△▼JICA Volunteers for Developing Countries
Information Sessions and Spring Recruitment▼△◆The 7th Unicef Love Walk in Iwate
The fee for the Love Walk will be used by Unicef to improve

The spring recruitment period for the 2017 financial year’s

the health of children in developing countries. Why don’t you

and May 10th. An information session will also take place attake part with your family and friends?

the time listed below. Please feel free to attend.

JICA volunteer program will take place between March 31stth
：April 20 (Thurs.) 19:00 – 21:00：Meeting Room 501, 5th floor, Aiina：May 21 2017 (Sun.) 9:00 – 12:45：Morioka Castle Site Park (start and finish)st：Adults ¥500, Under 18s ¥200
 May 12th (Fri.) (max. 200 people; first come first served)：* Reservation not required. Drop in at any time.

：Iwate Unicef Association, Iwate Walking Association,
Morioka Walking Association

overseas volunteers will talk about their experiences. Private：019-687-4460：sn.iunicef_iwate@todock.jp――――――――――――――――――――――――――

https://www.jica.go.jp/volunteer/◆KiFA Multicultural Concert and Tea Party
People from overseas present music, dance, workshops and(JICA Iwate Desk)

Former Japan overseas cooperation volunteers and former seniorconsultation is also available. More information is available here:
Noguchi, Iwate International Relations Promotion Officer：019-654-8911 (within the Iwate International Association)a cafe.

：jicadpd-desk-iwateken@jica.go.jp

The special guest is the cellist, Shika Udai.
：June 4th (Sun.) 13:30 – 16:00* The International Relations Promotion Officer gives career：Kanegasaki South Lifelong Learning Centeradvice in terms of international cooperation to high school：Kanegasaki International Friendship Association

students, and university students. The officer is available for：0197-44-2099： kanegasaki.ifa@gmail.com

school visits.

：http://kifa.cocolog-nifty.com/−2−

Events of the 2016 Fiscal Year
Pictures of some of the events we held in the 2016 fiscal year are also on the 1st page.
We have also held many other events in the different regions throughout the prefecture.

⑬Moriokath◎I nternational Exchange Center 10
Anniversary Event (May 8)■Morioka Information Exchange Meeting(May 12)◎P articipated in Morioka Sansa Odori⑭Hachimantai⑮Ichinohe・C onsultation for Foreigners(October 16)●Bridge to the World(KAKEHASHI)
Club (Ichinohe High School)(October 30)●Bridge to the World (KAKEHASHI)
Club Workshop (February 26)■N o r t h e r n I w a t e I n f o r m a t i o n
Exchange Meeting (May 10)(August 3)★Iwate “Glocal” College (September 26,
October 8, November 12)★Iwate Youth International Seminar(October 8)★Multilingual Disaster Support Seminarand Hands-On Training (December 10,
18, January 15, February 11)◦Establishment of the Iwate International
Personnel Development Council(February 7)

HironoKarumai②Noda

Ninohe◎2 0 1 6 O n e Wo r l d F e s t a i n I w a t e(November 20)●Bridge to the World(KAKEHASHI) Club
Workshop (November 20)◎Fureai Festa (December 17)◎International Exchange Event Chatland(total 8 times)★Japanese Language Supporter Seminar(total 8 times)★S ymposium “Protect Foreigners from
Disasters” (November 5)▼Foreign Student Exchange Event(November 5)

KunoheIchinohe
Kuji
Noda

Hachimantai③Miyako

Fudai

Kuzumaki
Iwate

Tanohata

Takizawa
Morioka

MiyakoShizukuishi Yahaba④Otsuchi
Yamada⑫Hanamaki
HanamakiOtsuchi

Nishi
waga

Tono
Kitakami

Kamaishi⑪Nishiwaga●B r i d g e t o t h e W o r l d(KAKEHASHI) Club Workshop(December 18)◎International Exchange Day in
Nishiwaga (December 18)(Miyako International Association
established in July 2016)●Bridge to the World (KAKEHASHI)
Club Workshop (February 17)◎O n e W o r l d F e s t a i n M i y a k o(February 17)▼Foreign Student Exchange Event(February 17)

Iwaizumi

Shiwa◎I n t e r n a t i o n a l F a i r i n
Hanamaki (December 3)(part of stamp rally activity)①Kuji

Kanegasaki

SumitaOfunatoOshu
Rikuzentakata
Hiraizumi●Bridge to the World (KAKEHASHI)Club
Workshop (December 23, March 4)▼F oreign Student Exchange Event(December 23)⑤Kamaishi★Multilingual Disaster Support Seminar(December 11, 17, January 14)■Coastal Region Information Exchange
Meeting (May 26)◦Consultation for Foreigners (August 29)(CTEC cooperative trainee orientation)⑥Rikuzentakata

Ichinoseki◎Christmas Party & One World Festa in
Kesen (December 17)▼F oreign Student Exchange Event(December 17)◦C o n s u l t a t i o n f o r F o r e i g n e r s(December 17)⑩Kitakami◎O ne World Festa in Kitakami(November 19)(part of stamp rally activity)⑨Kanegasaki⑧Oshu⑦Ichinoseki◦C onsultation for Foreigners◦Consultation for Foreigners (January 28)■Southern Iwate Information Exchange
Meeting (May 19)●B ridge to the World (KAKEHASHI)
Club Workshop (July 15)(February 5)−3−

Main Planned Events for the 2017 Fiscal Year
1. International Understanding and Exchange
Promotion Based on the Region
International Exchange Events●2017 One World Festa in Iwate
On November 19 (Sun.) at Aiina (International Exchange
Center, etc.), with the theme of “Sports”.
●World Culture and Sports Fair
Held in 4 different venues within the prefecture, with themain theme being foreign culture and sports.
●Participate in Morioka Sansa Odori
We will collaborate with the international exchangeorganizations, the municipalities’ international
associations and foreign residents for the festival.
●International Exchange Event Chatland
On the 1st and 3rd Saturday of each month from 14:00-15:30
at the International Exchange Center, we will hold a salon
where you can chat in multiple languages and meet people
from abroad.
Collaboration Effort of Municipal International Associations
and International Exchange Organizations■Regional International Associations and Information
Exchange Meetings
In the beginning of the fiscal year, we will hold an
information exchange meeting with the municipalities andthe municipal international associations in the 4 regionsof Iwate. We will visit each international association andprovide precise and attentive support to any problems thathave arisen in each association.
■S upport for International Exchange Affiliated
Organizations
We will provide the necessary support for municipal
international associations and international exchangeorganizations in 3 different activity categories.
(“International Exchange, Cooperation, Multicultural Society
Support Fund”, “Japanese Language Classroom Fund”,“Activity Support for Municipal International Association”)……………………………………………………………………

2. Creating a Multicultural Community
Providing Multilingual Information
We’ve revamped the website to make it easy to look at on
your phone and tablet.
We also publish an International Association newsletter
every 2 months which provides detailed information.
Japanese Language Study Support
We are holding Japanese Language Supporter Seminars toincrease the number of instructors and train them so that
foreign residents in every region can study Japanese.
Consultation for Foreigners●The association has set up a consultation desk, specialists
in foreign consultation (Chinese, Korean, English), andfixed consultation days for foreigners with the help of
the legal services association. In addition, we make trips
around the regions to provide consultation services.
We will also hold a new seminar aimed at long term
residents about the social security system.
Formulation of a Foreigner Support System For Disasters●B y working with each of the municipalities, disasterprevention organizations, and supporters, we will hold avariety of seminars and hands-on training to formulate a
foreigner support system during disaster times and foster
awareness about disaster safety.
……………………………………………………………………
3. C
 ultivating the Next Generation of Human Resources
Conferences and Seminars●Iwate “Glocal” College and Iwate Youth International Seminar
We w i l l h o l d l e c t u r e s t o t h i n k a b o u t I w a t e ’sinternationalization from a global perspective andseminars aimed at the youth.
●On Demand Classes with Foreign Instructors (New)We will hold On Demand Classes where foreign residents
will appear as lecturers or guest speakers for classes heldat schools or municipal international associations.
The Iwate International Personnel Development Council (New)The Iwate International Personnel Development Council
provides study abroad support to students, among otheractivities.

Consultation for Foreigners◆General Support◦When: 9:00 am – 8:00 pm every day◦Languages: Japanese, English, Chinese,
Korean, French※ Speakers of non-Japanese languages
might be absent at certain times.

◆Consultation in Foreign Languages◦Chinese: Tuesday - Friday
0:30 pm - 6:30 pm◦Korean: Wednesday 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm◦English: Wednesday 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm◆Consultation with a Legal Administration Expert◦Date and Time: Every third Wednesday,
3:00 pm - 6:00 pm
th◦Place: International Exchange Center (5 floor, Aiina)
Iwate
International
Association◦Reservations:※Prior booking is essential⇒Tel: 019-654-8900

Now Recruiting Supporting Members
The Iwate International Association is recruiting supporting members to assist with our activities and contribute towards our goals.
We would very much appreciate your help. The membership fee provides invaluable assistance towards non-profit international
events and multicultural activities.
<Annual Membership Fee> (one single payment)

Adults 3,000 yen−4−Groups 10,000 yen

Students 1,000 yen

The Iwate International Personnel Development Council
It is becoming increasingly

academia, was established on February 7th (Wed.).

important to educate and

The Council will work with various groups on a number ofutilize a young workforce,

projects. It will provide support to students travelling or

which can operate in astudying overseas, invite foreign exchange students to theglobal society while alsoprefecture, and contribute to international exchange. The

taking responsibility

Iwate International Association will also be providing its

for the future of theirassistance.

local community. In order to address this issue, the Iwate

The Council’s first activity in 2017 will be to support students

International Personnel Development Council, a cooperative

leaving Iwate to study abroad.

project between the local government, industry and◆Course Details
Work Experience

Study Abroad

Work Experience

Understand the problems

Internships at overseas

Revisit local organizations,facing local organizationsorganizations

using the experiences andvia on-the-job training.

(28 days – 6 months)

knowledge gained abroad.

Program (participants choose one)
① Market development for local products② Overseas expansion of the manufacturing industry③ Promotion of a non-resident population④ Local revitalization via sustainable business

Application period: mid-March – early May⑤ Original concepts

Participants: roughly 10 people

Structure of the Iwate International Personnel Development Council
Iwate
International
Association

Iwate
Prefecture

President
Takuya Tasso, Governor of Iwate
Vice-Presidents
・Akira Iwabuchi, Iwate University
・K enichi Hirayama, Iwate International
Association
・Kunihisa Yamura, Iwate Federation ofCommerce and Industry

The education of people who can

Cooperation

contribute to local development,
independence and multiculturalism.

Iwate Higher
Education
Consortium

Businesses
and economic
organizations

connecting Iwate with the world.

Overseas

Iwate Prefecture

Universities, businesses,
government, charities, etc.

Schools, local international
associations, etc.

Support, collaboration, information sharing
The Council is also recruiting collaborators who approve of its goals.
For more information, please visit the Iwate International Association’s website.
−5−

Feature❖Multicultural Societies and Internationalization in Iwate
Iwate is expecting an influx of foreign residents

A Look at Data forInternationalization in Iwate

and tourists from here on. What kind of
foreigners are living in or visiting Iwate rightnow? First, let’s try to learn more about theforeigners who live nearby, and think about amulticultural society in which we live together in.

Q1. Which country makes up the most of Iwate’s foreign residents?
Answer: There are 6,168 people from 71 different countries/regions holding foreign nationalities in Iwate. 5,713 of those people, making up
90% of the total, are from Asian countries. The country (region) with the highest number is China, followed by the Philippines and Vietnam.

China, 2,063 people
The Philippines, 1,086 people
Vietnam, 1,003 people

The colored parts indicate the countries/regions that foreign residents in Iwate are from.
Created with Iwate Foreign Nationality Resident Registration data (As of December 31, 2016).

Q2. What kind of people are the foreigners living in Iwate?
Engineer / Specialist in Humanities /International Services
2%Long-term resident
2%

Dependent
2%

as technical interns, or are married to Japanesepeople.
Technical
intern35%

Spouse or Child ofJapanese National7%

End of June, 2016 Ministryof Justice – Statistics on
Foreigners Residing in Japan

Iwate’s foreign residents are living here short-term

Other
6%

Student
5%

Special permanent
resident
10%

Answer: It’s believed that a high number of

The number of technical interns, who are employedin many industries such as seafood manufacturing,
agricultural, and construction, have increased
rapidly since the Great East Japan Earthquake andTsunami.
The status of residence for those who have married

Permanent
resident
31%

Japanese people is “Spouse or Child of Japanese
National”. There are also many people who have
lived in Japan for many years, and hold “Permanent
Residency” status.
−6−

Q3.What makes Iwate’s foreign residence Q4. W here are the foreign tourists in
Iwate coming from?
situation special?
# of foreign visitors

Fudai<18>

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Shiwa
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Hanamaki<308>
Kitakami<457>
Kanegasaki
<161>
Oshu

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Hiraizumi<35>

Miyako
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Tono
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Sumita<98>
Rikuzentakata<131>

Ichinoseki
<812>

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ai
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Tanohata <22>H
ong

Iwaizumi
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Takizawa<136>
Shizukuishi
Morioka<39><1,427>

Noda<10>Ko
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Kuzumaki
<19>
Iwate
<139>

Kuji
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Hachimantai<129>

Kunohe
<17>

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.S
.A
.

Ichinohe<151>

Hirono
<77>

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hi
na

Ninohe<178>

Karumai<72>

January-December 2015, Iwate Tourism Statistics – Foreign Tourists

Yamada<55>
Otsuchi<28>

Answer: In 2015, Iwate had 121,491 foreign visitors, withvisitors from East Asia making up the majority. The numberof visitors from Taiwan is particularly apparent.

Kamaishi<188>

Q5. In a year, how many people from
Iwate go abroad?

Ofunato<344>■ Over 1,000 people# of people■ 100 999 people□ Under 99 people■ Men(＜＞ = Number of people )■ Women

Iwate Foreign Nationality Resident Registration data (As of December
31, 2016).

Answer: There are foreigners residing in all of Iwate’s
The number of foreigners is low and they are spread out all
across the regions, so it’s very difficult to provide necessary
support to everyone.

Ov
er
70
s

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20
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9y
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40
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9y
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old
60
-6
9y
ea
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old

municipalities.

Ministry of Justice – 2015 Annual Report Statistics on Emigration and Immigration
Management – Number of foreign departures (Separated by prefecture/gender)

Answer: In 2015, approximately 3.3% of Iwate citizens (41,663
people) went abroad. For people 20 years of age and younger,
there is a higher percentage of women, and for people over
30 years of age, there is a higher percentage of men.

The image of “having roots in a foreign country”
Sometimes, a child with one or both parents from a foreigncountry is, regardless of nationality, described as a child“with roots in a foreign country.” Being Japanese does notnecessarily mean that they can speak Japanese. They might
have been raised in a very different situation – Perhaps
they have lived abroad for an extended period of time anddidn’t grow up with a Japanese education, or one of theirparents is originally from another country, so their everyday
Japanese vocabulary is very limited.
According to Health, Labour and Welfare Ministry 2016
Fiscal Year Special Report on Demographic Statistics, 3.3%of married couples are international marriages. Children withforeign backgrounds are likely to increase more and more.

What is a “Foreigner” ?
“Foreigner” means someone who doesn’t have Japanesecitizenship (Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition
Act, Article 2). If someone was originally a “foreigner” butis naturalized and holds Japanese citizenship, they are notconsidered “foreigners”.
For those who are currently residing in Japan, but arestaying on a status of residence of less than 3 months, they
are not subject to the basic resident register, so they are notincluded in the foreign resident statistics.
−7−

Feature Discussion

Multicultural Societies and Internationalization in Iwate

The Things We Saw and Felt with ourConnections to the WorldHigh school students who have strong connections with other countries since childhood, and were raised by a parent
from a foreign country. A university student who became aware of the world after going on a trip abroad. What do eachof these people’s experiences and thoughts say about multicultural communities and Iwate’s future?

Yukiya Sato

Naomi Nishiyama

Takamitsu Konno

A university student from Tanohata who is

A high school student in Ichinohe. In 2016, sheA high school student in Ichinoseki. In 2016,enrolled in the faculty of education at Iwate

participated in a joint program between Ichinohe

he participated in a North America study trip

University. He participates in a wide variety

and Karumai to bring students on a trip abroad

managed by Iwate Prefecture, where heof activities, such as working with NPOs thatto Portland, USA. She has also participatedvisited Canada (Toronto) and the east coast

support Filipino residents. Currently, he isin the Bridge To the World(KAKEHASHI) Clubof the United States. He’s also participatedinterested in “Glocal”; he hopes to find a job

and Ihatov English Camp. Her childhood dreamin Ihatov English Camp and the Iwate

where he can utilize the global perspective

will come true as she starts her new career asInternational Association’s One World Festa.

he has gained in the local community.

a police officer from spring.

His dream is to become a pediatrician.
(As of February 2017)◆My connection with the world
Naomi: My mother is Vietnamese, and my father is half
Japanese and half Chinese. I go to Vietnam, my mother’scountry, very often.
Takamitsu: I’m half Japanese. My mother is Filipino. I’ve
visited the Philippines frequently since I was a child.

Naomi: The way they express affection in Vietnam isdifferent! Whenever I go visit, my grandparents say, “You’ve
come a long way,” then hug and kiss me. My Japanese
grandparents don’t do that (haha).
Takamitsu: Filipino people are friendly and warm-hearted.
The locals in my mother’s hometown casually start

Yukiya: My parents are both Japanese. I entered university
and went on my first trip abroad to the Philippines,
marking the start of my connection with the world. I’ve
fallen in love with the Philippines, and have gone there 3
times in 3 years. I’ve also gone backpacking in Thailand.
—— ：Naomi and Takamitsu, you both said you go toyour mother’s home countries often. Do you feel any
differences from Japan?
−8−

conversations with me.
On the other hand, there’s
a severe reality… Whenwe went to a big store, mymother told me that I can’t
speak Japanese here. I foundout that it’s because if theyfound out I’m Japanese,they’d attack me for money.

to Ichinohe during a time when it was really rare to see any
foreigners, so she was told by people around her that she
can’t work because she’s a foreigner. I heard from her manytimes that she would make international calls to her parents
crying over that. Now it seems that she’s adopted a clearcut attitude and working hard, deciding that she’s no longer

It was reallyshocking. In theurban areas, there
are child beggars
and a lot of
homeless people.
It’s not really adifference fromJapan, but more like a shock where I felt the gaps between
classes throughout the world. It’s what made me want tohelp people suffering from poverty in the future.
——：Did you feel anything different when you went abroad
to North America?
Naomi: They were learning about the Pacific War when we
sat in on their classes. After reading out these passages
saying that Japan did bad things during the war, theteacher said to me, “You are my friend. This is a class, so
don’t take it personally.” They didn’t discriminate based on

someone who can be discriminated against. I also had some
negative experiences at school and in the community. For
instance, my dream is to become a police officer, but people
around me decided that it’s impossible because I’m half. I
was really sad, so I took it out on my mom, saying it was
her fault. But then I thought, I’ll show you guys. When I got
accepted as a police officer, I was so happy.
Takamitsu: I don’t think I’ve ever had a bad experience inthe local community or at school. If anything, people wereeven kinder to me.
Naomi: I wish that was the norm.

◆What’s necessary for multicultural communities?

ethnicity, and I felt like it was truly the land of freedom.
Takamitsu: There were a lot of people speaking languages
other than English on the streets, reminding me once againthat it’s a multiracial nation. We were also spoken to in

Takamitsu: I think it’s important to educate people from
infancy. It’s fine if you take small steps towards it. As longas you’re able to interact with foreigners from a young age,

Chinese a lot, with people saying “Ni hao” to us. For America,
China has a more global presence than Japan, and I felt that
it was because they used English as a communication tool to

you’ll understand how fun it is, and any negative feelingsof oppositions towards foreigners or half Japanese people
will disappear.

create their presence throughout the world.
——：Yukiya, were you able to see something during yourmultiple visits to the Philippines and Thailand?
Yukiya: I’m of the impression that a system to support
minorities hasn’t been set up. For instance, there are blind
people singing on the streets to get some extra change.
The reality is that those kinds of people will be left behind

Yukiya: I’m specializing in elementary school English
education at university right now, and I think teaching
English from elementary school is very important, at least
with the intention of familiarization. Within the teacher
training curriculum, the only people who study cross-with the economic development.

◆A “Non-Japanese” living in Iwate——：Are there other half Japanese people like you in yourvicinity?
Naomi: Ichinohe has taken in some trainees from Vietnam,
and I think about 60% of the children in the district I live inare half Vietnamese. But when I was a child, I was the only
one in the area. It wasn’t to the extent that I was bullied,but I was teased for it.
Takamitsu: There’s maybe 1 or 2 around my age. I was
made fun of a lot as a kid for having a mother from foreigncountry, and I thought it was unfair, wondering why I was
the only one like this.
——：Have you ever thought that your mother was having
difficulties living in the community?
Takamitsu: People in our area are all really warm-hearted.
My mother is really cheerful and a social butterfly, so
I think she’s adapted very well. Recently she’s started
working as an interpreter, and I really respect her. If I was
thrown into a foreign country, I definitely wouldn’t be able
to make a great life for myself like she has.
Naomi: My mom was the first generation of trainees. She came

cultural understanding are English language teachers. But
since there are half Japanese children and the children of
foreigners in local schools, it makes sense for all teachers
to learn about other cultures.
Naomi: I think it would be good if the number of half
Japanese police officers, doctors, and nurses increased.
Like in American schools, there are teachers from all sortsof backgrounds, like black, white, and Japanese-American.
Even with just the presence of a half Japanese person
working in the town hall, I think the foreigners living in
the area would feel relieved.
——：If you think about it like that, the significance of yourroles is really big, isn’t it?
Takamitsu: I really hated being half when I was younger,
but if you get past that, it’s absolutely an advantage, so I’mreally glad that I’m half.
Naomi: Until just a little while ago, I also hated being called“half”. Now, I wantto carry it and use
it as an advantage.
(Interview/Reportby Izumi Suzuki)−9−Feature Interview

Multicultural Societies and Internationalization in Iwate

International Athletes Talk
About Internationalization And Promoting Sport In Iwate
Pro sports teams with their roots in Iwate play a role in the revitalization and internationalization of theregion. They help bring about a multicultural society, through sport. We asked two players from pro teams
to talk about the appeal of sport, and how it contributes to internationalization and local communities.

Iwate is like my home town, Portland.
People who visit Iwate should spread the word!
Adam Drexler● Portland

Basketball player for the Iwate Big Bulls
Height: 196cm. Weight: 92kg. Originally from Portland,
Oregon, USA. Studied at Houston University, Texas.
Houston●Resident in Morioka since November 2016.
A fan of wanko soba.

◆Why did you start playing basketball, and what’s its
appeal as a sport?

Everyone has been very nice and very generous. Once, I left
my cell phone in a taxi, and a passer-by on the street noticed

I’ve been playing since I could walk, practically. But I didn’t

me panicking. They didn’t speak English, but I tried tothink I might have a future in the sport until my second year

explain. They actually helped call the taxi company for me,of high school. The simple answer for why I like basketball

and we were able to find my cell phone.

is dunking! It’s a sport where I can showcase my athleticism,◆Do you have any advice for Iwate, as it tries tointernationalize and promote itself across the world?

and really use it to my advantage.
◆ Your father (Clyde Drexler) was a famous basketball

Whatever you’re doing now, just keep doing it. Iwate’s got

player; what did you learn from him?

beautiful sights, the mountains, and downtown scenery. It’s

He would come home after the games, and I’d be bouncing

pleasant, and clean. People who visit Iwate should spreada ball around the house. He told me, “Have fun! It’s not

the word and let everybody else know that this is a great

about being Clyde Drexler, it’splace. I was born in Portland, and the city design’s kind of

about being Adam Drexler. Be

similar. There’s a river runningyourself.”

through the city. The people◆Why did you come tohave a kind of charm to them;

Iwate?

it’s nice. It’s regarded as a hidden

I had a few options in thegem because it’s so quiet andStates, but my motherpeaceful. I think Morioka has

encouraged me to get out

that hidden gem aspect about it

there and experience thetoo.

world. So I went through the◆Do you have any ideas for
how Iwate can promote sport?

offers, and decided on Japan,
and Iwate.

In Houston, at high school,◆What’s your impression

throughout college and even atof people in Iwate?

© IWATE BIGBULLS

the professional level, players− 10 −

promote the sport in their neighborhood. The professional◆What’s your ambition for the future?

team, the Rockets, are all over the city doing events.

To be a better player, and a better person. To experience

Everyone in the community has a role to play in promoting

more, and learn more.

the game. When you show people your love for the game,maybe they’ll fall in love with it too.

I like this easy-going town! I want to get into
the national team and light up the World Cup.
Dallas Tatana
Rugby player for the Kamaishi Seawaves● Christchurch

Height: 186cm. Weight: 106kg. Originally from Christchurch, New Zealand.
Graduated from Sapporo Yamanote High School and Tokai University.
Resident in Kamaishi since April 2015. A fan of Morioka Reimen.

◆Why did you start playing rugby, and what’s its

come to see the ruins of the blast furnace, the Dai-Kannon

appeal as a sport?

statue and the disaster area. We need English signs or

I started playing when I was 13. My father is a rugby coach,pamphlets. It would also be good if restaurants had English

and all my friends played. Training is tough, but it feels greator pictures in their menus.

to win a match. Whatever team you’re in, you can make◆New Zealand’s rugby team is always ranked #1 in theworld. How do they bring up their players?

friends and have fun. I enjoy clashing with opponents andscoring tries.

The government provides backup for rugby. Also, by playing◆Why did you come to Iwate?

rugby with children, players become a role model for them.

I’ve lived in Japan since high school. When I lived in

The kids think that being a rugby player is cool.

New Zealand, my school played a match against Sapporo

Saturdays are known as a day for rugby. Clubs and school

Yamanote High School, and their coach asked me if I’dteams all have matches. Lots of people volunteer to help,

consider coming to play in Japan. After graduating I went

including my father, who volunteers as the team's coach.

to Tokai University, where we played against the Kamaishi◆What can you and the Seawaves do to contribute to rugby

Seawaves, who then made me an offer. There were manyin Kamaishi, as it moves towards the World Cup in 2019?

other players from different countries, which means lots of

We visit schools, and teach the kids how to play rugby.

variation. It seemed like a good environment to work andWhen there’s a match in Kamaishi, we do events beforehand.

play rugby in, so I decided to come to Iwate.

Another way we can contribute is by winning matches. If we◆What do you think of Iwate?

do that, I think people will

Compared to Sapporo’s cold or Tokyo’s heat, it’s just right.

look forward to the World

The people here are kind, with good manners. They enjoy

Cup more. I want to get into

rugby, and they always tell me to do my best, which I

the national team and lightappreciate. I like rivers and the sea,

up the tournament. I’m inand I often go fishing. Iwate is quiet,

Japan’s Rugby Sevens team,and comfortable. I can take it slow,

but the next step is to playwhich suits me. It feels very natural.

in the 15-man team. I hope◆What do you think about

I can represent Japan, andinternationalization in Iwate?

that many people in Iwate

I work at a hotel, speaking English

will come to the games andwith guests from overseas. We havesupport me.
((Interview/Reportlots of foreign visitors, including

by Fujio Omori)tourists and businesspeople. People− 11 −© 釜石シーウェイブス RFC

Spring in Nishiwaga
We talked to South Korean native Mrs. Yuika Shouji, whocurrently resides in Nishiwaga.
・ ・ ・ ・ ・I’ve been living in Nishiwaga for 10 years now, ever since I
got married. The most surprising thing about Nishiwaga tome is the snow. It hardly snows at all in my hometown (South
Jeolla Province, South Korea), so I was really shocked at
how much it snows here. But the scenery in spring after it
all melts is absolutely the best. Of course we have cherry
blossoms, but there are also mizubasho, zazenso, andkatakuri flowers blooming all over the place. From late April
to early May, there’s a katakuri festival held at the handfulof katakuri fields in town. When you look at the flowers, youfeel like spring’s come and you feel really happy.
Another great thing about spring in Nishiwaga is the wild
edible plants that grow here! Nishi-warabi is especially
famous. The warabi, or bracken, that you can find in
Nishiwaga is called “nishi-warabi”. It’s thick and tough, andit tastes really good. They grow here and there along theroadsides. I go looking for them with a plastic bag in hand,and it fills up in no time. We eat warabi in South Korea, too,
but I’ve never seen any as thick as nishi-warabi. In South
Korea, it’s very common to eat it by stir-frying it with pork,
but in Nishiwaga, people eat it boiled and seasoned withdressing. The most important point for preparing warabi is
to boil it to remove the bitter taste. There are a plethora ofother plants as well, such as kogomi, bakke (fukinoto), andshidoke. I really like to deep-fry them into tempura. In South
Korea, in addition to warabi, we also eat zenmai in bibimbap.
Besides those two, I don’t think I’ve eaten many of the othervegetables before. But for the residents of Nishiwaga, they’ve

Oh My 心爱的いわて

Yasugasawa katakuri flower field
Katakuri flowers and beniyama cherry blossoms ( Photo: Nishiwaga )been eating edible wild plants since long ago.
Lastly, I’d like to talk about how you can enjoy springin Nishiwaga. I recommend that you come visit just as
the katakuri flowers are starting to bloom. You can watch
the katakuri festival, take a dip in some hot springs, thendo some extremely thrifty shopping at the famous Super
Osen (There’s a chain in Kitakami, but the main store is in
Nishiwaga. A lot of people come all the way here to shopfrom Yokote City in Akita too!) Nishiwaga has a lot of hot
springs, so you can go for a day trip, or even stay overnight.
A lot of places have extremely reasonable prices for day
trips. It’s really great!
Please come to Nishiwaga to have fun this spring!!
Mrs. Yuika Shoji
From South Jeolla Province, South Korea
Resident of Nishiwaga
Korean Language Instructor at Morioka
Learn Hangul Club
Mother of 2 (6 and 4 y/o sons)Likes Morioka Reimen

We asked Yumie (USA) and Chin (China), Coordinators forInternational Relations in Iwate Prefecture, to set some quiz
questions for us. Can you figure them out?

1. W hich of the following temples has 500 Buddhist
disciple statues?
① Tendaiji Temple (Ninohe)② Daiji-ji Temple (Morioka)③ Hoonji Temple (Morioka)④ Chusonji Temple (Hiraizumi)

2. ___ senbei are one of Miyako’s most popularsouvenirs.
① Shrimp② Squid③ Crab

④ Sea urchin

Answers: １…③ 2…②