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We are recruiting foreign residents to participate in the annual Japanese Speech Contest for Foreign Residents at Kawasaki International Center.

Application period: December 1st 202３ (Fri) to January 15th 202４ (Mon)
Date of the contest: February 10th 2024 (Sat) 13:00 to 15:30
Notice: If cancelled due to bad weather it will be rescheduled on Saturday, March 2nd . (In case of another bad weather on March 2nd , the contest will be cancelled this year.)

Venue: Kawasaki International Center hall
Notice: A gathering after the contest will not be held this year to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Entry qualification:
Applicants should be foreign residents aged 16 or over, whose native language is not Japanese, and have not lived in Japan for less than 5 years, falling into one of the categories as stated below:
1. Overseas students who are studying at high schools, universities and vocational colleges in Kawasaki city
2. Students who are taking Japanese language courses such as those given at civic center etc. in Kawasaki city
3. Those who are working or taking training at companies in Kawasaki city

Notice: For application form, you need a recommendation from your school principle for 1 and 2, from your work supervisor for 3
Form of the speech contest: 5 minutes per person
The winner will be given a gift certificate worth 30,000 yen!

For further information and application procedures, please contact Kawasaki International Center.
Tel. 044-435-7000　https://www.kian.or.jp/kic/topics/speech23.shtml

Why not enter this contest?

At the Kawasaki International Center, we hand out used school bags/supplies to people who attend the elementary school admission guidance held every year and individuals who need them.

If you have used school bags/supplies and clothes worn at entrance ceremonies or other school events in relatively good condition, we will reuse them effectively. Call us for a donation. Tel: 044-435-7000

The history of firework display in Japan could be traced back to the late Sengoku Period (the Age of Civil Wars), which was more than 430 years ago. Yet there are various opinions about its origin. There are historical records that Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first shogun of the Edo Period (1603-1867), watched fireworks. Fireworks became more and more popular during the Edo Period as the influence of the common people (Chonin) in the city of Edo grew strong in the fields of economy and culture.

The Tamagawa Firework Festival is a historical event to celebrate the enforcement of the municipal organization. This year's Festival is going to take place on the evening of Saturday, October 21. Approximately 6,000 of fireworks will be launched at the riverside area along the Tamagawa between 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
While listening to the sounds of autumn insects, please be sure to enjoy the beautiful fireworks for a while.

Date and Time: Saturday, October ２１, 2023, from 6:00PM to 7:00PM
Venue: Tamagawa Riverside area

For more information, please visit the Kawasaki City's home page.
https://www.city.kawasaki.jp/280/page/0000060068.html
https://www.k-kankou.jp/fireworks/

Autumn Festivals are held all over Japan every year from late summer to fall.

It is an event to treat the god who protected "稲田 (inada / rice field) " and helped cultivation since spring, with "新穀 (shinkoku / just harvested grain)" and "神酒(miki / alcohol offering to the god.)"

Due to the effects of climate change caused by global warming, we can't take the growth of crops for granted. It may be a good opportunity to ponder environmental issues of the Earth while enjoying the Autumn Festival.

Recently the highest temperature reaches around (sometimes over!) 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit) almost every day.
Because of this, many people get heatstroke which can be very dangerous and cause even death. Please be careful not to get heatstroke.
Below are the precautions to be taken to prevent heatstroke.

You should keep yourself hydrated even though you do not feel thirsty.
It is recommended to keep your room temperature below 28 degrees Celsius (82.4 degrees Fahrenheit) while ventilating.
When you go out, you are advised to be in light and breathable clothing and to use a parasol and hat.
Also, it is important to get enough sleep and eat well to take good care of your health.

It is said that "muscle" works as "water storage" of the body. So heat stroke is more likely to occur in women, children and elderly people, who have relatively less amount of muscle.
We do hope the above information may help you survive summer heat!

You can connect to Kawasaki International Center, a one-stop consultation service for foreign residents, via video call app on tablet devices in each ward office of Kawasaki city.
The consultation service is not just for an administrative procedure in the ward office but also provides information about your everyday life in 11 languages.

English and Chinese consultation is available Monday through Saturday, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm. Please check our website for the other languages. Even if the counselor who speaks your language is unavailable, we can support you by using translating device.
https://www.kian.or.jp/kic/soudan.shtml
The exclusive number for counseling: 044-455-8881
Kawasaki International Center

At the Festival you will have chances to enjoy a variety of events such as workshops on traditional Japanese culture, stage performances and exhibitions given by foreign residents, as well as food trucks offering various dishes from around the world. Fun activities for kids and a flea market are also going to be held. Besides, you can't miss the photo exhibition to introduce the great contribution of Dr Tetsu Nakamura, a leader of the NGO Peshawar-kai, Peace Japan Medical Services.

In addition, this time we are planning to organize the 'Living Orientation for Foreign Residents' as a new initiative. This program will be conducted by the consultation staff at the Consultations for Foreign Residents One-Stop Center. It will provide you with useful information for daily life, emergency action at the time of disaster, taxation and pension systems. You can also consult our staff on your status of residence. Consultation is free of charge. (no reservations required for this service)

Please visit our website for details.
Date and time：　10:00&ndsh;16:30 Sunday July 9th 2023
Where: Kawasaki International Center
https://www.kian.or.jp/evenko23/event/festival.shtml

Kawasaki International Association is organizing "Life Orientation for Foreign Residents" by counselors of a one-stop consultation center within the International Festival, for the first time in four years.

We will provide valuable information on your daily life, disaster prevention, tax, pension, visa status, etc. Reservation is not necessary.

At the International Festival, you can experience traditional Japanese culture, enjoy performances/exhibitions by foreign residents, international cuisine from food trucks, fun events for children, a flea market, and a wide variety of content.
We will also hold a photo exhibition of Mr. Nakamura Tetsu from Peshawar-kai.
Please visit our website for details.

Date and time: Sunday, July 9th, 2023(Reiwa 5) 10:00–16:30
Location: Kawasaki International Center
International Festival

Satsuki is the name of a flower being full bloom this time of the year, as well as the traditional Japanese name for the fifth month of the year. So Satsuki-bare refers to a lovely crisp day in May.
In the beginning of the Japanese fiscal year, there are not a few people who need to visit a city office or its branch (ward) offices to go through various administrative procedures.
Should you have difficulties communicating with the staff at the counter, you can use the tablet terminals that are equipped at the ward offices and are connected to Kawasaki International Center.
By using the video telephone function of these devices, we are willing to support your communicative needs.

International Center is organizing public housing seminar this year, too. A residence is an important place to build your living. We will support you thoroughly by giving information on which area is convenient for your work or school with how to choose a dwelling. Also, we can help write an application form.

Date and Time: Saturday, June 10 / 10:00 am -12:00 noon
Place: International Center / 2F Dantai Katsudo Room B
Things to bring: Documents to certify your income earned in 2022 (certificate of income, copy of your final tax return, etc.)
Seating capacity: 20 (Residents/workers of Kawasaki over a year.)
Apply: Call/e-mail/visit us for a reservation by Thursday, June 8, 16:30
If necessary, request an interpreter upon booking.
Inquiry: Kawasaki International Association Center
TEL: 044-435-7000
E-mail: soudan39@kian.or.jp

There is a Japanese phrase 'haru (spring) ran-man,' which is suitable for this time of year.
The letter 'ran' has good meanings such as 'brilliant' and 'bright' according to the traditional usage of Japanese. Also the letter 'man' represents the act of overflowing, or the state of being everywhere. So the phrase 'haru ran-man' is likely to evoke a splendid image of brightly coloured spring flowers in full bloom!

As many of you may know, we have already started various new courses at Kawasaki International Center. Among them is the Japanese class for non-Japanese, which you can take part way through though. We are also accepting until May 15th the applications for the first semester of the course in "International Understanding in English" which is to be offered in June.
We do hope you may be able find several courses that will be useful for your life in Japan as well as satisfy your vocational and/or personal interests.

Please visit the site below for further information.
https://www.kian.or.jp/evenko23/