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Summary of “Guidelines for Creating a Multicultural Society in Mie Prefecture (Phase 2)” ~Building a Culturally Diverse Community~

三重県多文化共生社会づくり指針（第2期）【中間案】の概要

2019/12/16 Monday Announcements

Period: 2020 to 2023

Target Audience: All residents of Mie Prefecture

Background to the revisions of the Guidelines

Social Context

  • Approval of new “Specified Skilled Worker” (Tokutei Gino) residency visa (Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act)
  • Hate Speech Act (Laws to promote activities to eliminate illegal discrimination against those with foreign roots)
  • Instances of discrimination/segregation of foreigners
  • Japanese Language Education Promotion Law
  • Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Current Situation in Mie Prefecture

  • Foreign residents make up a high ratio of the total population in Mie (4th largest among the 47 prefectures of Japan)
  • Diversification of nationalities and increase of permanent residents and foreign workers
  • 7th place among the 47 prefectures for the number of children in need of Japanese language education and 1st place for the number of foreign children enrolled in schools who need Japanese language education
  • The Japanese identity is changing
  • There is a weak sense of multiculturalism

New and Current Tasks

  • Understanding the current situation
  • Spreading awareness of a multicultural society
  • Translating government information and improving consultation services
  • Providing support for safe living environment for foreign residents
  • Addressing the issues of all age groups
  • Improving Japanese language teaching
  • All Mie: Ensuring that all residents can participate in multicultural initiatives

The Need for and Significance of Multiculturalism

  • A growing need for an inclusive society
  • Providing the Basic Resident Registration System (Jumin Kihon Daicho) regardless of nationality
  • Guaranteeing human rights for foreign residents
  • Building a safe and secure society
  • Increasing residents’ multicultural awareness
  • Building a society where diversity is respected
  • Revitalizing communities
  • Promoting innovation
  • Building a sustainable and inclusive society where no one is left behind

Basic Measures

  1. Sharing knowledge and information about multiculturalism and raising awareness for human rights
  2. Creating a safe environment for foreign residents
  3. Encouraging participation in building a multicultural society

Detailed Measures

  • Creating opportunities to hear the opinions of concerned parties
  • Training, education, and activities to raise awareness
  • Creating and improving consultation services as well as providing translations of government communications and information about living in Mie
  • Promoting security measures
  • Providing aid appropriate for each stage of life
  • Assisting Japanese language communication
  • Promoting activities to build a multicultural community

Participating Committees

  • Council for the Promotion of Multicultural Affairs in Mie (Mie-ken Tabunka Kyosei Suishin Kaigi)
  • Foreign Residents Meeting of Mie Prefecture (Mie-ken Gaikokujin Jumin Kaigi)
  • National and Prefectural Liaison Meetings for the Employability of Foreign Workers and Related Issues (Gaikokujin Rodosha Koyo Nado ni Kansuru Kuni-Ken Renraku Kaigi)
  • Municipal Multicultural Working Group of Mie Prefecture (Mieken Shicho Tabunka Kyosei Working)
  • Mie Regional Council on Multicultural Affairs (Mie Tabunka Kyosei Chiiki Kyogikai) [Provisional Name]

Progress Management

  • Evaluate annual progress and report to the Council for the Promotion of Multicultural Affairs in Mie
  • Publish the results on Mie Prefecture’s website

Objectives for 2023

  • Percentage of citizens who feel that multiculturalism is increasing in society: 27.3%➡37.3%
  • Number of medical institutions assisting in multiple languages through the use of medical interpreters or telephone translation: 14➡26
  • Percentage of schools providing Japanese language guidance to foreign students in need of language assistance: 89.6％➡100%

Mie Prefecture’s Vision of a Multicultural Society

  • Residents with diverse cultural backgrounds building the community together
  • Potential solutions for regional issues are driven by multiculturalism

↑↑ Next Information ↑↑

Winter Illumination in Mie (2019~2020)

2019/12/16 Monday Announcements

2019-2020年　冬のイルミネーションを見に行きましょう　～県内のイルミネーションスポットの紹介～

~ Introduction of illumination spots in Mie Prefecture~

Illumination is a wonderful feature during winter, it is held in various parts of the prefecture. Why not go out and see the unique, and beautiful winter illumination.

*Schedules, rates etc may have been changed. If you need detailed information, please check the homepage or contact address. (In Japanese only).

Nabana no Sato (なばなの里)

2019 will be their 16th year of illumination showcase.  This year’s theme is cherry blossoms (sakura).  Do not miss this illumination display that boast the most exuberant and one of the largest in the country.

Period: October 19, 2019 (Saturday) to May 6, 2020 (Wednesday) – 9am to 9pm
Address: Kuwana-shi Nagashima-cho Komae 270
Rates & Details: https://www.kankomie.or.jp/event/detail_33294.html
Official URL : https://www.nagashima-onsen.co.jp/nabana/illumination/fee/index.html
Contact number: 0594-41-0787
See past posts: https://mieinfo.com/ja/mie-o-shiro/video-jp-mie-o-shiro/miewoshirou-nabananosato/index.html

Suwa Kouen (すわ公園)

At Suwa Kouen, located near Yokkaichi Station, the “Suwa Kouen kara no Hikari no Okuri-mono” illumination (Suwa Kouen Illumination Gift) will be illuminated with 50,000 lights.  On December 22, a special candle event will also be held.

Period: November 1, 2019 (Friday) to February 16, 2020 (Sunday) – 5 pm to midnight

Address: Yokkaichi-shi Suwasakae-machi 22-25
Rates: Free
Details: https://www.kankomie.or.jp/event/detail_38427.html
Contact number: 059-350-8411

Yokkaichi Asunarou-sen (四日市あすなろう鉄道)

One of the winter traditions, the “illumination train” will operate this year.  The trains will be operating every day after 5 pm and will have 2 carriages decorated with lightings.  Enjoy and get a ride!

See the Asunarou line’s itinerary at their official facebook page (click here to open)

Period: November 1, 2019 until February 16, 2020
Rates: Regular train ticket value
Official URL : https://www.facebook.com/asunaroubiyori/
Detalhes: https://www.kankomie.or.jp/event/detail_40718.html

Menard Aoyama Resort (メナード青山リゾート)

See the magnificent winter illumination made by 250,000 lights.  You will be able to see various music performances according to the time.  There will also be a place surrounded by LEDs for taking pictures.

Period: November 23, 2019 until the end of the year – From dusk until 10 pm

Address: Iga-shi Kiryu 2356
Rates: Free
Details: https://www.menard.co.jp/resort/news/2020lightup/2020lightup.html
Contact number: 0595-54-1326

Geino X’mas 2019

Several LED illuminations and a dreamy stage with displays of decorative objects.  * During the special event on December 22, there will be dance performances and fireworks (main event starts at 1pm).

Period: December 15 (Sunday) through December 25, 2019 (Wednesday) – From dusk until 9 pm
Address: Tsu-shi Geino Sogo Bunka Center (Tsu-shi Geino-shi Mukumoto 5190)
Rates: Free
Details: https://www.kankomie.or.jp/event/detail_20632.html
Official URL: http://www.tsukanko.jp/event/392/
Contact number: 059-265-2304

Mie Kodomo no Shiro Winter Illumination 2019

An illuminated world with tea party themed decor.  There will also be luxurious dresses on site.  Enjoy and take a commemorative photo!

Period: December 21, 2019 (Saturday) to February 11, 2020 (Tuesday) – 9:30 am to 4:30 pm
Address: Mieken-ritsu Mie Kodomo no Shiro 1F Event Hall (Matsusaka-shi Tachino-cho 1291)
Rates: Free
Details: https://www.kankomie.or.jp/event/detail_40708.html
Contact number: 0598-23-7735

Toba Aquarium

Beginning with the “denki unagi energy tree”, there will be a giant, illuminated trees made of balloons.  And, during this time, divers with Santa Claus costumes will come into the aquarium to feed the fish.

Period: November 30 (Saturday) until December 25, 2019 (Wednesday)
Address: Toba Aquarium (Toba-shi Toba 3-3-6)
Rates & Details: https://www.kankomie.or.jp/event/detail_40176.html
URL Oficial: https://www.aquarium.co.jp/
Contact number: 0599-25-2555

Shima Yacht Harbor

Many yachts will be decorated with special lightings.  Don’t miss the breathtaking night view of brilliant yachts sailing the sea.

Period: December 14th (Saturday) to December 31st 2019 (Tuesday) – 5pm to 10pm
Address: Shima Yacht Harbor (Watarai-gun Minami Ise-cho Funakoshi 3113)
Rates & Details: https://www.kankomie.or.jp/event/detail_17558.html
Contact number: 0599-66-0933

Hikari no Saiten in Kihou (光の祭典in紀宝)

The Kihou district illuminated by 200,000 lights is one of their winter traditions.  The 20m tall tree, the light tunnel and the heart of light are very popular.  On December 21st, the special event “Kira Fes” will be held (in case of bad weather, it will be postponed to the 22nd).

Period: December 1, 2019 (Sunday) to January 5, 2020 (Sunday) – 6 pm to 10 pm
Address: Kihou-cho Furusato Shiryo-kan (Minamuro-gun Kihou-cho Oosato 2887
Rates: Free
Details: https://www.kankomie.or.jp/event/detail_7936.html
Contact number: 0735-33-0334

In addition to the illumination display mentioned above, there are also other displays held in various locations throughout the province.

See the Mie Tourism Association homepage (Mie-ken Kankou Renmei) for more details.

https://www.kankomie.or.jp/season/detail_68.html

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