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.
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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/
Many of you may have started the new fiscal year or new school term with cherry blossoms in full bloom. Kawasaki International Association is organizing seminars for foreign residents this year again. The first theme is job hunting.
【The Job-hunting seminar】
Date: Saturday, May 20, 2023 (AM10:00-12:00)
Participants: Students and citizens with foreign connections
Lecturer: Fang Zhen Hua
Contents: Giving basic information and flow about job-hunting in Japan. Practicing interviews and learning about manners.
Inquiry/Apply: Kawasaki International Association Center
TEL 044-435-7000 E-mail soudan39@kian.or.jp
Lots of new graduates start job hunting from Spring to the beginning of Summer. Like their trends, we plan our seminar earlier than usual. We are looking forward to your application to get a job successfully.
This story is about a seasonal topic of cherry blossoms.
Cherry blossoms started to bloom much earlier than usual this year. In Japan it is said that there are more than 100 species of cherry trees growing wild, which include 10 type species and their numerous varieties. In addition, there are more than 200 cultivars! It is fascinating to find abundant ways of blooming and a variety of colours among these species.
Although the flowering period of cherry blossoms does not last long, you can still enjoy viewing several species blooming in some places. Now is the time to enjoy spring at its best!
For your reference, please visit the website of Ikuta Ryokuchi Park in Kawasaki city below. https://www.ikutaryokuti.jp/ External link
Did you know that a collection of finger-pointing translations for foreign emergency patients can be downloaded from your website?
https://www.kian.or.jp/kic/topics/yubisashi.shtml
It is available in several languages such as easy Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, Spanish, Portuguese, and Tagalog.
There are many useful phases in the table. Please show the number including a phrase you want to tell. We hope this table would be helpful to speed up your understanding with international patients or families.
Medical
https://www.kian.or.jp/kic/topics/yubisashi-medical.shtml
School
https://www.kian.or.jp/kic/topics/yubisashi-school.shtml
'Hinamatsuri', 'the Girls' Festival' or 'the Doll's Festival,' is celebrated on March 3rd in Japan. It is also called 'Momo no Sekku', which means 'Peach Blossom Festival.' It is an occasion to pray for young girls' growth and happiness.
There are several views as to the origin of this event. However, according to tradition, it began with an ancient custom to make an offering and to perform a purification ceremony, which came to be established as annual events around mid-8th century of the Heian period (794-1185/1192). These events took place on odd-numbered days of months of the same numbers: Jôshi on March 3, Tango on May 5, Tanabata on July 7, and so on.
Hina dolls, which are displayed on Hina-matsuri (Girls' Day) of March 3, have their origins in the ancient practice of playing with dolls, popular among the girls of the nobility. Then this practice became widespread within the families of the Bushi or Samurai (warriors) class. Eventually it has been quite common in the present day.
It was believed that peach was an auspicious and lucky wood, having a power to repel evils. This is why Hina-matsuri (Girls' Day) came to be called Momo-no-sekkku (Peach Festival), an annual event in spring when peach trees are in blossom.
Although we have been in spring since February 4th according to the traditional lunar calendar, we still have cold days lately.
It's getting colder and colder these days. How are you doing?
Due to the recent severe cold weather, there seems to be simultaneous co-infection with the new covid virus and influenza.
The following covers some links that help you find medical institutions and information in languages other than Japanese.
We hope that you will find them useful in maintaining your health.
- Search for doctors in Kawasaki, called Kawasaki no Oisha-san
http://www.iryo-kensaku.jp/kawasaki/ External link - MIC Kanagawa
https://mickanagawa.web.fc2.com/ External link - The Japan National Tourism Organization （JNTO）
https://www.jnto.go.jp/emergency/eng/mi_guide.html External link - AMDA medical information center
https://www.amdamedicalcenter.com/ External link - MSD MANUAL
https://www.msdmanuals.com/en-jp/home External link
Kawasaki International Association Center is now looking for an English consultation staff.
Please refer to the application requirement described on our website, and send the necessary documents by February 27, Monday.
https://www.kian.or.jp/topics/employ-shokutaku23-1.shtml
'What's an elementary school like in Japan?' 'I don't speak Japanese, so I won't understand the orientation session...'etc. Having foreign children going to Japanese schools, some of you may feel worried about these kinds of things as the beginning of the Japanese school year (April) approaches. The information session will help you get ready to send your children to Japanese elementary schools.
Through talks by a former ES principal and experienced mothers, video presentation, and a multilingual guidebook (including Japanese original text with Furigana as well), you will have an opportunity to learn about elementary school life in Japan, what are needed for new students on the first day, etc.
When : January 28, 2023 (Sat) 13:30～１６：００
Where: Kawasaki International Center Hall
Fee: Free (Interpretation and/or childcare services are available by advance reservation)
For further information and making reservations: TEL 044-455-8811, E-mail: soudan39@kian.or.jp, or come to the Center.
For more information, please visit our website below or leaflet.
https://www.kian.or.jp/evenko22/event/admission-guidance.shtml
2023 is the 5th year of Reiwa and the year of a rabbit in the Japanese zodiac.
Eto is the 12-year cycle associated with 12 Zodiac animals in Japan.
The 12 zodiac animals are also used for a direction, time, and date.
In order, the 12 animals are Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster/Chicken, Dog, Boar.
It is very interesting to know that an imaginary animal such as Dragon is included here.
2023 is the year of Rabbit.
It is believed that the year of Rabbit is when we can jump forward and be blessed with many offspring like this animal.
We hope to make this year filled with strong growth and peace.
Kawasaki International Center is going to hold an annual Japanese Speech Contest for Foreign Residents. The winner will be given a gift certificate worth 30,000 yen! Why not enter this contest?
Application period: December 1st 2022 (Thu) to January 18th 2023 (Wed)
Date of the contest: February 18th 2023 (Sat) 13:00 to 15:30
Notice: If cancelled due to bad weather it will be rescheduled on Saturday, March 4th. (In case of another bad weather on March 4th, 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
Form of the speech contest: 5 minutes per person
Notice: For application form, you need a recommendation from your school principle for 1 and 2, from your work supervisor for 3
Notice:
Each speech should be within 5 minutes.
A recommendation letter from your school principal (for Category 2), or from your supervisor in the workplace, should be attached to the application form.
Contact the Kawasaki International Center for details
For further information and application procedures, please contact Kawasaki International Center.
Tel. 044-435-7000
https://www.kian.or.jp/kic/topics/speech22.shtml
"What's elementary school like in Japan?"
"I don't speak Japanese, so I won't understand the orientation session..." etc.
This information session addresses concerns like these held by foreign children and their parents or guardians about entering elementary school. Through a talk by a former ES principal, video presentation and a multilingual guidebook (includes also Japanese text with furigana), learn about elementary school life, what supplies the child will need on the first day, etc.
See the homepage of the Kawasaki International Association or a flyer for details.
When: January 28, 2023 （Sat） 13:30～16:00
Where: Kawasaki International Center Hall
For questions or reservations:
TEL 044-455-8811
E-mail: soudan39@kian.or.jp or come to the Center
※Childcare and interpreters available (reservation required）
How is your job hunting going in Japan?
Kawasaki International Center is pleased to announce that we are planning to organize the Job-Hunting Seminar for Foreign Residents. An experienced instructor will support your job searching with substantial guidance such as practical advice and demonstration. Please let us know if you need translation service at your application.
When: November 26th, 2022 (Sat) 10:00 am to noon
Where: Kawasaki International Center 2nd floor Activity Room
Kawasaki-shi Nakahara-ku Kizuki Gion-cho 2-2, from Tokyu Toyoko Line Motosumiyoshi station 10 minutes on foot
Limit: 20 people (first twenty to be accepted)
Fee: Free
Topics covered: ① Basic information about job-hunting ② Flow of the job-hunting process
③ Etiquette for job hunters ④ Practicing the job interview
⑤ Job-hunting Q&A
Instructor: Fang Zhen Hua, director of U Ken Education
For more information or to apply: contact the Kawasaki International Association
TEL: 044-435-7000 e-mail: soudan39＠kian.or.jp
It seems trees and leaves in Ikuta Ryokuchi Park located in the south part of Tama ward recently have gone red and yellow. In this park, there is a museum called ‘Japan open-air folk house museum’. You can enjoy 25 different types of Japanese folk houses that have been relocated from rural areas in Japan. You are welcome to dine or have tea in the soba restaurant called ‘Shirakawagou’ and other rest places.
Please check the further information on the below websites, translated into Multi languages including English.
- Ikuta Ryokuchi https://www.ikutaryokuti.jp/ External link
- Restaurant and Cafe https://www.ikutaryokuti.jp/food_cafe.html External link
- Access (15 min walk from the Mukogaoka-yuen station on the Odakyu Line) https://www.ikutaryokuti.jp/access.html External link