A discussion panel on multicultural living in Japan has been held in the city of Iga. Panelists discussed on the subject “Transforming differences into strength, creating a city of multicultural interaction!”

Several projects with positive results carried out in Iga city have been introduced in the discussion panel, as the insertion of trained teachers to help foreign students and interpreters giving support on the city hall.

Mr. Tamura Teruyuki is the former president in the Council of Ota’s Residents Associations, and during the discussion panel he cited about gymkhanas and activities carried out to help on the multicultural integration.

[Mr. Tamura Teruyuki – former president from Council of Ota’s Residents Associations]

“The engagement of foreigners regarding the activities carried out in the neighborhood is very important. There are some difficulties like the one with the language, but the fact foreigners attend the events it is possible to have an interaction between the hearts.”

“Kokoro no Kouryu” – as cited by Mr. Tamura, is a key point when we talk about multicultural integration.

Mr. Masnum Sumaedi, from Indonesia, whose wife is Japanese, spoke about his dedication on integrate into society.

[Mr. Masnum Sumaedi – from Indonesia]

“I help my older friends to watch the farming. I prepare some Indonesian dishes for everyone to learn more about my country. And I also play futsal with people from Brazil, Peru and Japan.”

Ms. Ochante Rosa is the itinerant advisor for foreign students and has a great experience with young people. She talked about the importance of the information in several languages.

[Ms. Ochante Muray Rosa Mercedes – itinerant advisor for foreign students]

“In Iga city there are restaurants from several countries. If the menu of these places is written in a foreign language it will be easier for everyone. As well as seminars on multicultural interaction like the one carried out today, if there are interpretations in foreign languages the participation of people is easier.”

Mr. Funami Kazuhide was the moderator of the panel discussion, technical advisor from Iga Nihongo no Kai group. The most important subject of this discussion panel has been the multicultural interaction, and we asked the moderator what are the most important challenges in building a city of multicultural interaction.

[Mr. Funami Kazuhide – discussion panel moderator]

“I think people who look for and attend seminars like this one have a high level of awareness. And the great challenge is to know how to disclose events in order for other people attend them. If we do not work together, it is not possible to build a city of multicultural interaction.”

Projects related do child education are an important way to boost multicultural integration of a city. These young people, if they are provided a quality learning, will build a true multicultural society in the future.

[Mr. Funami Kazuhide – discussion panel moderator]

“My intention is to keep elaborating and showing new opportunities, either for young people from Iga or young people from all over Japan, mainly those ones who have ties with foreign countries. And also lead them in how to proceed in order to not miss these opportunities.”

In order to help these people who wish to work in subjects related to multicultural integration, the city of Iga is organizing a “Training Course on Supporters of Coexistence in Multicultural Societies”, and the application is available until July 9th. The person in charge of Shimin Seikatsu sector of Iga city hall, Ms. Tsukii Atsuko, gave us more information about this training course.

[Mrs. Tsukii Atsuko- person in charge of Shimin Seikatsu sector of Iga city hall]

“This training course will work with two people, one from Japanese nationality and other from foreign nationality, and together they will elaborate information on the foreign country from one of the integrants, forming a box for presentation. Through this activity, the foreign integrant of this duo will have the opportunity to speak in Japanese and review the concepts about their countries.”

Next, this duo will take their knowledge to schools and to community to put into practice the work on multicultural support.

Building a city of multicultural interaction is not an easy task. But, if everyone joins in with a common goal, we will be able to get along the differences and obstacles to create a better society for our families.