The AIRY Intermediate Japanese class will start again in April 2012. 

Morning Class: Tue, April 10 - Tue, July 24 (Every Tuesday and Thursday, twice a week, total 30 classes)

Time: 10:30 - 12:00

Goal: Improving overall Japanese language proficiency

Evening Class: Thu, April 5 - Thu, July 19 (Every Tuesday and Thursday, twice a week, total 30 classes)

Time: 18:30 - 20:30

Goal: Helping you pass JLPT Level 3

Location: AIRY Study Room (Kajo Central 2F)

Cost: 5,000 yen (excluding the cost of textbooks)

Application deadline: Tue, April 3 (Morning class), Tue, March 27 (Evening class)

If the number of applicant is less than 3 by the deadline, the class will cancelled. 　　　

For details and application form, please see the files below.

The Association for International Relations in Yamagata (AIRY) hosts Chat Lounge for foreigners residing in the prefecture to discuss various issues that are important to their lives here and chat about their interests in their mother tongues.

This year, we have seen a rising interest in disaster management. In response to many people’s requests, we have prepared an “Earthquake Truck”, where participants can experience different types of earthquake and learn about what to do in the case of emergency and disaster from a firefighter. Afterwards, there will be a casual information exchange for participants to chat in their mother tongues.

If you are interested in attending this event, please e-mail or fax the following application by Saturday, December 3rd.

Date & Time: 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm, Saturday, December 10th, 2011

Meeting Place: Kajo Central (by the west entrance, Earthquake Truck is parked right beside the fountain)

Eligibility: Foreign residents of Yamagata prefecture and their families (approximately 20 people)

Cost: Free

After experiencing the Earthquake Truck, participants will move to the AIRY seminar room for a talk by the firefighter.

* Please indicate on the application form if you require an interpreter or intend to bring children to the event.

* AIRY will not be able to provide any guest parking for this event. Please find parking on your own (we recommend Hanagasa Parking located by west exist of Yamagata Station – cheap and convenient!)

If you speak a language other than Japanese and want to help visitors to Japan using your language advantage, you should consider becoming a Volunteer Cultural Heritage Interpreter. 

AIRY is offering a 3-day course on preparing you for this position! You will learn about Japan, Yamagata and interpretation skills from professional tour guides. 

Eligibility:

• Can understand lectures in Japanese 
• Be interested in cultural heritage interpretation 
• A non-Japanese national 

Date and Time:

10:00 am - 3:00 pm

• Sunday, October 16th
• Sunday, October 30th
• Sunday, November 13th

Cost: Free 

Content:

• Professional tour guides will give talks on the basics of interpretation, history and culture 
• A walking tour of the city Kaminoyama including touring the hotel facilities 

Additional:

A lecture on the food culture with free lunch!

For more information or to register for the event, please call AIRY at 023-647-2560.

UP DATE; 2011.8.14

Yamagata Prefecture Safety Information

Since the start of the Fukushima nuclear plant accident, radiation tests have been performed on air, tap water, soil and produce of Yamagata Prefecture. All the results show that Yamagata Prefecture is safe from radiation. There is no need to be worried.

Currently, no radiation from the Fukushima nuclear plant is found in the air.

Yamagata Prefectural office URL

Information Regarding Radiation

http://www.pref.yamagata.jp/ou/seikatsukankyo/050014/radiation/houshasen.html

The current status of Radiation in the air (Yonezawa and Yamagata city)

http://www.pref.yamagata.jp/ou/seikatsukankyo/050014/radiation/kuukityuuhousyasenn.html

The current status of Radiation in water

http://www.pref.yamagata.jp/ou/seikatsukankyo/020071/06/houshasen-suido.html

Duration: Tue, Sept 6 – Thu, Dec 20

Every Tuesday and Thursday, total 30 classes

Morning Class 10:30 – 12:30

Improve your overall Japanese proficiency!

Evening Class 18:30 – 20:30

Aiming for JLPT Level 2

Place: Center for International Relations in Yamagata

2F Kajo Central, Jonan-machi 1-1-1, Yamagata-shi

Please see the flyer and application form below for details.

Tagalog counseling is now available at AIRY on Friday 10 am to 2 pm.

For counseling hours, please see visit the couseling page.

MAY 28th, From 11am until evening.

TOHOKU Smile is a Musical Event to gather the Tohoku community together and show that no matter what, and no matter where we are from, we will not despair. Together, we will show how strong our joint support and effort can be and with that strength, we will help those in need. Smiling we will work towards a great and happy future.

For more information, please visit: http://tohoku-smile.com/lang/en

Contact information: Brianna Harris at 080－6038－2608　info@tohoku-smile.com 

The Japanese Lawyer Association has implemented a free legal counseling line for foreigners who were affected by the disaster. If you have concerns regarding immigration, status of residence, employment, salary, mortgage and rent payment, please feel free to consult.

Duration: Tuesday, March 29th ~ Friday, May 27th

Hours: 10 am ~ 12 pm (2 hours)

TEL: 03-3591-2291

Available Languages: Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, Portuguese, Taglog, Spanish, Indonesian, Romanian etc.

A person-finder and messaging board system from Red Cross.

Red Cross Family Link:

http://www.familylinks.icrc.org/

Available languages: Japanese, English, Korean, Chinese, Portuguese and Spanish

Multilingual Translation System

A translation program for useful phrases, jargons, time and names during disaster has been implemented.

Aichi Prefecture International Association (Template System for Translating Information into Multiple Language)

Translations are available from Japanese to English, Chinese, Korean, Portuguese and Spanish.

http://ergo.itc.nagoya-u.ac.jp/mlis/

Click on "利用説明" to see how to use the website.

Accommodation, transportation and food related information can be translated here:

http://ergo.itc.nagoya-u.ac.jp/mlts/mltstop.aspx

Tohoku Earthquake: 24 Hours Hotline and Interpretation Service for Foreign Victims

For foreign victims of the disaster, 24 hours counseling and interpretation services can be found via Skype or MSN Messenger. Available languages: French, German, Italian and Thai etc.

For details, please see the following link:

Acima: http://acimacorporation.com/hotline.html

Multilingual counseling services are also available at our association at 023-646-8861

Japanese: Tue – Sat

English: Tue – Sat

Korean: Thu & Sat

Chinese: Tue & Fri

Portuguese: Wed & Fri

Sending Aid to Victims - International Volunteer Center Yamagata -

They have temporarily terminated this service. Thank you for your support.

Shelters and Protections for the Disaster Victims

You can inquire about shelters and protections for disaster victims at the following (available in Japanese, English and Chinese):

Yamagata Disaster Mangement Department: Lifeline (available in Japanese, English and Chinese)

TEL: 023-625-1605, 023-625-1608, 023-625-1625

Hours of Operation: 8:00 ~ 20:00

(After 20:00, call 023-630-2550)

Please also view the FAQ section「よくあるお問い合わせ」on the Yamagata prefecture website:

http://www.pref.yamagata.jp/ou/somu/020020/03/fukkou/qanda.html

First Aid Manual in 6 Languages (issued by Kochi International Association)

The Kochi International Relations Association published a First Aid Manual in 6 languages (English, Chinese, Korean, Taglog, Indonesian and Vietnamese)

The manual can be downloaded from the following link:

http://www.kochi-kia.or.jp/event/index.html#quake

(Home ＞多文化共生コーナー＞防災対策＞（６）６カ国語版の応急手当マニュアルの発行)

Creating Multilingual Signs at Times of Disaster – Multilingual Sheet

You can find samples of phrases and vocabulary used in signs during emergency and disaster situations from the following source by the Council of Local Authorities for International Relations (CLAIR).

http://www.clair.or.jp/j/culture/disaster/sheet.html

Transportation methods to Sendai, Tokyo, Osaka and Niigata from Yamagata are posted on the Yamagata prefecture website.

http://www.pref.yamagata.jp/ou/somu/020054/idoshudan.html

The Foreigners' counseling line at AIRY is operating as usual.

TEL: 023-646-8861

English: Tuesday – Saturday English (10AM – 5PM)

Chinese: Tuesday and Friday (10AM – 2PM)

Portuguese: Wednesday and Friday (10AM – 2PM)

Korean: Thursday and Saturday (10AM – 2PM)

Snow digging has been a traditional winter sports in Hijiori.

Hijiori is located deep in the mountain, and is known for heavy snow fall and good quality Onsen (hot spring)

Toji Hijiori will hold 2nd Snow Digging World Cup which is not really a world cup since we have never had foreign

participants! So we’d love to recruit you!

<Date>

Feb.26 (Sat) - Feb.27 (Sun)

<Price>

7,000 YEN / person

<Schedule>

<<Feb.26, Sat>>

14：00 Meet at West Exit of JR SHINJO Station

15：00 Arrive at Hijiori Onsen. Ryokan Murai Rokusuke www.rokusuke.jp

18：00- Authentic Hijiori Style Dinner & party

<<FEb.27, Sun>>

8:00 Japanese style Breakfast

9:30 Get ready and leave for Hijiori school ground (15min walk)

10：00-12：45 Snow Digging World Cup. Gambare!

13：00- Lunch at a local restaurant　*not included in the price

14：00 Sayonara (We’ll take you to JR Shinjo St.)

Contact Person: RIMIKO MURAI

Mobile: 080-6009-9835

E-mail: rimiko@gmail.com

See the flyer for more details!

Course Schedule: Tue, April 5 -  Thu, July 21

Every Tuesday and Thursday (Twice a week)

Morning Class: 10:30 - 12:30

Evening Class: 18:30 - 20:30

Course Fee: 5,000 yen (plus textbook fees)

Test Schedule: Tuesday, March 29

Morning Class: 10:30 - 12:30

Evening Class: 18:30 - 20:30

See the flyer and application below for more details.

山形県国際交流協会では、県内に暮らす外国人の皆さんが、母国語でおしゃべりをしたり、関心があることを学習するため「話題あれこれ　話のサロン」を開催しています。

今回は、「交通安全ゆとり号」で、運転動作の速さや正確さなど、あなたの運転をチェックしてみませんか？

参加を希望される方は１１月１２日（金）まで、下記へ電話またはファックス、メールでお申込みください。

連絡先：（財）山形県国際交流協会　〒990-8580　山形市城南町１丁目１番１号

霞城セントラル２F 山形県国際交流センター　　外国人相談窓口　担当 岡部

こちらの多言語チラシと申込書をご覧ください。

___________________________________________________________________________

The 14th Chat Lounge: “Traffic Rules” - Are You a Safe Driver?

Date: Saturday, November 27th, 2010 Time: 1:00 – 3:30 PM

AIRY hosts a chat lounge for foreigners residing in the prefecture to discuss various issues that are important to their lives here and chat about their interests in their mother tongues. The upcoming chat lounge will focus on “traffic rules”. If you are interested in signing up for this event, please apply by calling, faxing or e-mailing us at the following address by Friday, November 12th:TEL：023-647-2560　FAX：023-646-8860 E-mail:airy@jan.ne.jp　　

Please see the multi-lingual flyer and application form below for details.

AIRY is hosting its annual photo contest and is looking for photo and other artwork submissions!

The deadline is Saturday, October 23rd.

Your work will be displayed at the AIRY lounge from the end of October till the end of November.

Check out details on prizes and the application process in the PDF document below!

Looking forward to seeing your amazing artworks!

On September 4^th, the third workshop of the cross-cultural understanding series ‘A Glance at the World‘ was held.

The topic this month was ‘Let’s make a treasure box of Japan”. This workshop was led by Ms. Ito from the JICA desk in Yamagata. The workshop started off by a refreshing introduction to the Philippines, which was where Ms. Ito went as a youth volunteer through the JICA oversea program. She showed the audience 10 unique items from the Philippinesincluding its flag, money, traditional costumes, and even ketchup made from bananas! Afterwards, the audience was divided into two groups, where they brainstormed ideas for 10 items that they thought represented Japan. The final list includes items such as manga, green tea, rice ball, and so on…The audience found it surprisingly difficult to think of items that they would use to explain Japanto foreigners. Perhaps, understanding your own culture is the first important step to cross-cultural understanding.

The 4^th workshop, ‘My Neighbor is a Foreigner” will be held on October 31^st, 13:30 – 15:00. We will use survey responses to find out how foreigners view Japan and learn about their findings and opinions from living in Japan. Looking forward to seeing you at the next workshop!

Intermediate Japanese Class

Start Date: September 2^nd

End Date: December 21^st

Every Tuesday and Thursday

30 classes in total

Morning class: 10:30 -12:30 – “Improving your overall Japanese proficiency”

Evening class: 18:30 – 20:30 - “Aim for level N2 of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test”

Advanced Japanese Class

From September to November

Every Saturday, 13:30 – 15:30 -“Improving your Japanese writing skill”

On the World Café held on August 14^th, we introduced the Canadian Maple tea. This black tea with a sweet and refreshing flavor of maple was a new experience for most participants. The residents of Yamagata from various backgrounds enjoyed the afternoon chatting while sipping on the Maple tea.

On Sunday, July 11^th, a special edition of the Yamagata World Kaleidoscope 2010: “A Glance at the World” series was held. While we usually host cross cultural seminar series “A Glance at the World” on a schedule, as part of the celebration for AIRY’s 20^th anniversary, the special edition was held in an interactive workshop style, and free of charge for participants.

We focused on two issues: “environment” and “poverty”.

The residents of Yamagatafrom various backgrounds formed small groups and exchanged their opinions on these issues.

Participants shared “environmentally friendly” activities that are done in their home countries. In one country, many households use “garage sales”, which is similar to the concept of flea market in Japan, to reduce the amount of garbage.

After the group discussion, one representative from each group presented the key points to everyone. The participants were actively involved in the workshop and enjoyed the discussions. Participants’ backgrounds include: Myanmar, Mongolia, Korea, Chinaand so on.

AIRY held its first seminar of “A Glance at the World” series on Canada on Saturday, June 19th.

Colin Rennie is the Coordinator of International Relations at AIRY, and he introduced us to various aspects of the Canadian culture: from its history, geography and even to a Canadian artist who became popular from the recent World Cup.

Many participants were particularly surprised by the large inflow of immigrant to the country: 200 thousands of immigrants come to Canada every year.

The seminar was filled with much laughter and made the participants feel at-home. Participants also enjoyed maple syrup and a traditional Canadian snack called "Chicken Bone".

Colin has been a Coordinator of International Relations in Yamagata for 3 years, and is ending his term this July. Thank you Colin for the amazing seminar and you will be missed greatly at AIRY!

Strong as it was, the Vietnamese coffee and lotus tea were a hit at the World Cafe on May 22nd.  Our staff could barely make it fast enough to keep the crowd pleased!  The next World Cafe will take place on June 12

This month at the World Cafe, we are taking your taste buds on a trip to South East Asia, with Coffee and Lotus Tea from Vietnam. 

Famous around the world, Vietnamese coffee is thick and mellow. With it's rich smell and taste there is little need to add any sugar.  Lotus Tea, meanwhile, is one of Vietnam's best kept secrets!  Lotus flowers are mixed into green tea, giving it a luxourious aroma and soft taste. 

Don't worry if you missed out on the 8th, because you will have one more chance to sample these Vietnamese special teas (pun intended) on Saturday May 22nd.

Place: International Center, 2F Kajo Central

Time:  14:00 to 16:00

The March edition of Face to Face, featuring an article on the village of Tozawa, is now online.  Be sure to check our back issues for lots of interesting and useful information about Yamagata.

Face to Face

Our next Intermediate Japanese class starts April 6th.

Tuesdays and Thursdays from April 6th to July 22nd.  (30 Classes)

Afternoon class:  10:30 to 12:30

Night Class:         18:30 to 20:30

Check out our Japanese Classes page or contact AIRY for more information