In Tsu city a large multicultural integration event gathered citizens from several nationalities in a day full of entertainment. Different  nationalities forming Mie Prefecture’s society have been represented at this event, bringing a rich and diversified cultural exchange.

However the event went beyond entertainment. Cultural diversity represented during the event helps to show the citizens of Mie that there are many differences, but we are able to live harmoniously together with our neighbors from different nationality and culture. The mayor of Mie Prefecture, Mr. Maeba Yasuyuki, talked about the importance of build a multicultural society.

[Interview- Mayor of Tsu, Mr. Maeba Yasuyuki]

“In a multicultural society there is no nationality or genre difference, if the person is disabled or not, or the region the person lives, and today in Tsu city, people from different nationalities live. I think a multicultural society involves people living as citizens in an amusing  way and no stress. Another point is the mutual compression, if both parts have the same prominent reflection between them, it’s created the multicultural society. We have been working in order to Tsu city becomes the number one society in this respect.”

At the beginning of the event, a Samba group formed by Japanese and Brazilian people, entertained participants with music and dance.

[Samba scenes 15s]

Japanese women taking part of this group enjoy Brazilian culture, this reason they perform Samba in Japan.

[Interview – Ishihama Fusako]

“I like Brazilian culture, it is not only the music. Several things such as food, history, costumes, I would say I like everything”.

Even being Japanese you dance Samba, what do you feel about it?

[ Interview – Samba dancer (Japanese)]

“I fell very well, it’s enjoyable, it’s a sensation of happiness. I would like more Japanese enjoy Samba for everyone dances together.”

The day was plenty of cultural presentations from several countries!

[Presentations scenes 30s]

People could enjoy stands of products from several countries in the event. Foreign citizens engaged to show their culture and gastronomy.

[Scenes of 10 s]

We interviewed some foreign citizens on the importance of the integration into the Japanese society. Let’s check out what they think about it.

[Interview – Ms. Dwinda – Indonesia]

“There are many foreigners in Tsu city. Is it important to foreigners and Japanese people become friends?

“Surely, it is important. This moment we need experiences in Japan. Everyone in Tsu city are kind to foreigners, I find it is a very good place to live”.

[Interview – Mr. Cho Ganto- Chinese]

“Yes. For me, as an exchange student, I came to Japan for the first time when I was 18 years-old, and in the beginning I felt alone, but more and more I made friends, friendship is very important. Here in Japan I made friends from every nationalities, I could meet different cultures, regardless companies are multinational or not, we live in the same planet Earth, and having friends is very good”.

[Interview – Ms.Stela Kobayashi- Moldovia]

“Surely, it is important. Mutual understanding is in first place. Both Japanese people and foreigners get happy”.

The Mie Prefectural Police took part at the event offering information to foreign citizens and people could ride patrol cars and police motorcycles. The representative of the police sent a very nice message to foreign citizens.

[Interview- Mr. Nakanishi – Mie Prefectural Police]

“I am from Mie Prefectural Police. Due to the barrier of language, I find foreigners need a little courage to contact the police, but when they are victims of crimes, traffic accidents or are in trouble because some problem, foreigners should consult us without hesitating, since they are living in Japan there is no distinction over Japanese people.

Rules and Japanese law have some different points compared with foreign countries. Even what is allowed in foreign countries may be prohibited here in Japan, therefore I ask people be cautious about it.”

As part of this event, the seminar “Tabunka Kyosei Kangaeru” brought information and invited participants to think about the importance of creating a society in which all the citizens can live together harmoniously.

We interviewed some panelists and the coordinator of the seminar that left very interesting messages about building a multicultural society in Japan.

[Interview with Satsukawa Leo – Department of Multicultural Living of Mie Prefecture (panelist)]

“We can begin asking ourselves about what is multicultural living. Multicultural living is related to people from different cultural origins respecting themselves and living together. I find cultural origin means that every person has a different culture. I myself have several cultures. Japanese culture, Brazilian and also many cultural hobbies, this is my cultural origin and obviously each person has a different cultural origin. Therefore in Japan a society of multicultural living is not the same to a multicultural understanding. Multicultural living does not see the differences as something adverse. Because so many times the differences have their benefits. At no time will be only something negative. Therefore, the key point is to make it worth.

[Interview with Soda Katsuya – Nanmin Now! (panelist)]

“I find most of people think a society of multicultural living would be to create a society favorable to minority, but it does not mean it is not important, but for people comprising this small number, a society of good living is that one also ideal for the majority. For many times this point of view goes unnoticed and if everyone engages to build a society of fuller multicultural living, this, for sure, would be a reality.

[Interview with Shirley Koga – Tsu City Office (panelist)]

“There are people from several nationalities in a same city. Brazilians, Filipinos among other nationalities, but for example, if everyone collaborate between them, help themselves I find the city will naturally become even better.”

[Interview with Yoneyama Toshihiro – Chikyu no Tomo to Ayumu-kai (coordinator)]

“People from several nationalities come to Japan to live here, in fact mutual living is not easy because each person has a condition, a different reality. The ideal way to hear and search for solutions is the same for Japanese people. And the foreigners also need to have the mindset  to search for solutions with each other, otherwise nothing will be fine. The existing community within Japan are dissipating. People have no interest. Those have no interest, these ones also have no interest. This way it is impossible to create a society. I find everyone, including foreigners, should join their hands to build a better society.”

The creation of a multicultural society is a complex subject.

The event “Multicultural Integration Day” is organized by Tsu City Office and this year was supported by Mie Prefectural Government.