Announcement
New Year's Party
The 13th English Speech Contest 2024
The 8th Japanese Speech Contest  in Kashiwa by Foreigners
Kashiwa Cross-cultural Center,Palette Kashiwa 7-1-301 Kashiwa. niba,Japan 277-0005 157-0281 ■FAX: 04-7165-7321 MAIL: kcc@kira-kira.jp URL: https: //www.kcc.kira-kira.jp New Year’s Message from the President Akemi Kosuge,President of Kashiwa International Relations Associations (KIRA), the designated administrator of Kashiwa Cross-cultural Center (KCC) Happy new year!  I wish you all good health and happiness. Last year, we celebrated KIRA’s 30th anniversary and the 50th anniversary of our sister city affiliation with Torrance. This year, let's work on international exchange activities that meet the needs of the world today with our strong teamwork. Let's increase new members from the local community to work together, aiming for a society of diversity and inclusion with foreign people in Japan and abroad. We have been engaging in our activities with careful attention to the COVID- 19 pandemic. On the other hand, around the world, wars and global environmental degradation are spreading more and more. Our goals have always been the exchange and support for the coexistence, but we are now also in a situation where we must Akemi Kosuge, work together for the sake of coexistence to ensure the survival of our planet. In order KIRA president to change the current situation, by learning together, we must cooperate and take actions flexibly with local universities and citizens' groups. The 2024 will be a year to find new ways to coexist, interact, and support as we will have more and more foreign residents in Kashiwa. Many thanks to all of you for your cooperation, and I look forward to working with each of you again this year. : Let's celebrate the New Year with world cuisines from the Philippines, China, Taiwan, Indonesia, Mexico, Brazil, Thailand, and more. DJanuary 28 (Sun) 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m. ■Chuo Kominkan Cooking Practice Room ✿¥ 1,000 for junior high school students and above, ¥ 500 for elementary school students, and free for toddlers N30 AAt the KCC office or by email to<boshu-1@kira-kira.jp>. DFebruary 4 (Sun) 2:00 p.m.-4:30 p.m.  PAmuser Kashiwa Plaza Presenters: 10 people of junior high school age and above N70 FFree ADirectly to the venue. The audience in the venue will vote for the Audience Award. Please come and listen to the contest. DFebruary 11 (Sun) noon - 4:00 p.m. Palette Kashiwa Open Space N First 70 AAt the KCC office from 9:00 a.m. on January 4 (Thu)or email to <boshu-2@kira-kira.jp>. For those who cannot enter the venue, we will be offering a live- in early streaming service for up to 100 people. Please check KCC's website January 2024 for details on how to receive the live-streaming. Upcoming Events (February〜) Incense experience (2/25) Early Spring Exchange Walking and Hina Doll Exhibition Visit (3/3) Cross-cultural Teatime "Chili" (4/13) <Request> When applying via email, please be sure to include the event name,your name, and phone number. Date & Time PPlace Eree NNumber of applicants ELecturer Contents AApplication EReservation
Vol. 93  
Activity Report Meeting of Sister and Friendship Cities FY2023 (11/19)
First, the representatives of the Chengde, Guam, and Camden Committees reported on their respective activities, followed by the Torrance Committee's report on their 50th anniversary activities of the sister city affiliation. Next, the eight students who visited Torrance last August reported in detail with photos on the sister city exchange events in Torrance, their homestay experiences and the heart-touching farewell party. They enjoyed the stay with their host families with the surprise of cultural differences. After a talk with Deputy Mayor Masami Kato, they were presented with the Certificate of Participation in the youth exchange program. The event ended with a photo taking of the Deputy Mayor and the students. Exchange  Programs  WICH
Siger & Emendship Cities of Kashima
School-to-School Exchange Between Camden and Kashiwa (11/20 and 11/24)
In conjunction with the own of Camden's Social Inclusion Week event, an online exchange was held between a junior high school in Kashiwa and two schools in Camden.The first session involved Kashiwa Dai-yon Junior High School and Oran Park Anglian College, with over 30 students interacting for about 30 minutes; the second session involved 10 students each from Kashiwa Dai-yon Junior High School and Camden High School.In both sessions, the Camden students first asked questions in Japanese, and the Kashiwa students replied in Japanese. Then, the Kashiwa students asked questions in English, and the Camden students responded in English.In the Japanese language session, the Kashiwa students' replies, such as "omoshiroine (interesting!)" and "iidesune (nice!),"deepened the communication further.We experienced a different culture and world, talking about such topics as Christmas in the summertime in Camden and the difference between "apartment"and "mansion."
Lecture  “Let's get to know Australia" (12/10 )
Travel writer Shinpei Ito gave a lecture on "Getting to Know Australia." The lecturer, Mr. Ito, has written travel guidebooks about Australia, and he shared his valuable experiences of traveling around Australia, including Camden, where he had just recently visited. The lecture was very interesting. He talked about a wide range of topics, from the origins of the Australian flag, its wildlife, and indigenous culture, to the post- COVID social changes we were not aware of, such as an acceleration of a cashless economy. He also added he hardly saw people with a mask when he was there. Mr. Shinpei Ito, lecturer He also talked about Camden, including his experience of a hot air balloon tour, the platypus, which is the symbol of Camden, and the beautiful jacarandas decorating the town in the current season. The talk made the audience who knew Camden nostalgic. Mr. Ito said that these days we tend to think we know everything from the Internet, but there are many things we cannot really understand unless we actually go there, and he encouraged young people to travel. The message motivated the participating Camden committee members to resume the youth exchange program in the future.
Visit to Kashiwa Recycle Plaza (11/23)
A total of 23 participants, including foreigners (from the Netherlands and China) and staff members, visited the Kashiwa Recycling Plaza to observe the sorting of recyclable materials.Visitors asked questions and watched with great interest how a large amount of garbage is compacted by machine and how the detailed sorting process is carried out by hand. After that, at the Ribbon-kan hall, they made " finger- knitted acrylic scrubbing cloths" and played a garbage- Tour with explanation sorting game.It offered a meaningful day to think about the recycling and reduction of waste.
Ukrainian Cuisine (11/26)
Ms. Voskoboinik Svitlana, a native of Ukraine, and her mother, Ms. Hanadate Olha, taught us how to make borscht and deruny. Borscht varies from region to region and from family to family, but the one we made was mainly eaten in Odessa and other southern regions. It is a stew-like dish of pork Borscht and Deruny spareribs and vegetables. The grated and fried beetroot gives it a bright red color. Deruny is a dish similar to okonomiyaki, and we made two kinds: one with potato and onion, the other with pumpkin. People from "Wa-no-Kai," who helped KCC's Ukraine Fundraising this year, and from Sweden, China, and Taiwan joined us for the fun and delicious international exchange.

KIRA members share their dreams for future international exchanges.
• I wish for a society where everyone has an interest in the world. I want to create opportunities for understanding each other's cultures. • It's essential to deeply understand the countries we engage with in exchanges. • I want to build relationships based on mutual understanding without discrimination or prejudice. • I want to visit all four sister and friendship cities of Kashiwa. • I want to create numerous opportunities for international exchange enjoyable for both parents and children. • I want to learn about the current global situation, including the causes of conflicts, as many people around the world are suffering from conflicts. • I want to understand the future of the technical intern training system. • I want to hold events with minimal burden on those in charge of events and maximum enjoyment. • Through exchanges with people from different countries, I want to see a society where mutual respect, understanding of cultural differences, and deepening friendships prevail. • International exchange fosters friendship and understanding by allowing us to know people, cultures, and societies of other countries. However, I am skeptical about the role of international exchange for people in conflict zones like Gaza, Ukraine, Myanmar, Syria, Afghanistan, and countries in Africa where the government is barely functioning.Should we celebrate the privilege of having peaceful international exchanges in Japan? The lyrics of Masashi Sada's 'Kaze ni Tatsu Lion (The Lion Standing in the Wind)' come to mind. It says that people gathering at a clinic in Kenya may be sick, but at least their hearts are healthier than mine. I wonder if it means that people who can only think of surviving every day are stronger and brighter than our imagination. Of course, people who live in constant fear of death in daily battles must be despairing of the world. If we cannot extend a helping hand to such people, we should always think about them, and worry about them.And when their hardships pass, I want to discuss mental health through international exchange. • I want to introduce KIRA's activities by visiting elementary, middle, and high schools, and creating international exchange groups among students. • During events like the Kashiwa International Exchange Week, I propose having foreign residents each focus on a theme and make presentations. • I propose organizing events like exchange meetings with other cities' international exchange associations or gatherings of members from the same country. • How should we deal with foreigners in future international exchanges? Here are four suggestions. 1. Have a desire to understand and interact with each other. 2. Embrace the notion that different perspectives and values are natural. 3. Foster an understanding attitude even when language is a barrier. 4. Maintain an equal stance in interactions.
Orlholdtenational Exchange Salon
"Easy Japanese" (11/16)
We learned "clear expressions" for communication with foreigners. Among the participants, some used an application for conversing with foreigners in Japanese and others volunteered to teach Japanese, so the salon was full of lively questions and discussion. We realized that the words and expressions casually used by Japanese in daily life are often not understood by foreigners. We learned the importance of replacing these with more understandable expressions. We believe that using "easy Japanese" with foreigners, combined with a "kind heart" when considering the other person, can enhance communication even further.
Announcement~
Tips for Effective Communication on Zoom
Orline International Exchange Salon
8 Learn tips for immediate Zoom communication. D January 18 (Thu), 8:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. Instructor: Ms.Kumiko Yamaguchi, ITC-Japan Trainer Free NFirst 30 people ADirectly at the KCC office or email to<boshu-1@kira-kira.jp> Please include your name and phone number, and we will send you a URL to join on the day.
To foreign residents. Are you in need of help? Lawyers and administrative procedure specialists are available for consultation. You can ask for specialists' advice on issues such as family or partner violence, divorce, visa procedures, and problems at work. Reservation necessary. D January 24 (Wed), 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. P Palette Kashiwa Room A R the KCC office
Members Wanted! Kashiwa International Relations Association (KIRA)
Why don't you become a member and join us in international exchange activities? Let's interact with foreigners by planning and organizing various events. You don't have to speak English. You can also make friends. For more information, please visit our website. (Inquiries: the KCC office) Information for Foreign Residents from Kashiwa City Consultation for Foreign Residents Email distribution service from Kashiwa City Available in English (Thu), Chinese (Wed and Fri), Spanish (Mon), and Korean (2nd and 4th Tue) from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Consultation Counter for Foreign Residents (City Hall Main Office Building, 3rd floor). Tel: 04 - 7168 – 1033 No reservation required. Sign up to receive email announcement from the city, such as information on natural disasters, crimes, and fires of your area in the language of your choice. Scan the QR code and register! Multilingual “Koho Kashiwa,” monthly official city bulletin Scan the QR code and select your language under " Foreign Language" to read the official city bulletin, "Koho Kashiwa," selected and translated for foreign residents. ~~~
Links for Multilingual News & BOSAI INFO (Disaster prevention and Coronavirus)
NHK WORLD-JAPAN Questions? Please contact the office of Kashiwa Cross-cultural Center (KCC) Tel: 04-7157-0281 Fax: 04-7165-7321 Hours: 8:30 a.m. - 5:15 p.m. Closed on Sundays and national holidays KCC Newsletter Edited and Published by: Public Relations Division of General Affairs Committee in Kashiwa International Relations Association (KIRA), the specified non-profit organization and the designated administrator of Kashiwa Cross-cultural Center (KCC)