Events 2024
Date： September 12th(Thurs), 2024
Time： 6:00pm - 7:30 pm
Venue： Social Welfare Center
Date： Sept. 29th (Sun), 2024 -
Time： 1:00 - 3:30 pm
場所： Iwaki City Cultural (Bunka) Center
Date： Sept. 29th (Sun) , 2024 -
Time： 1:30 - 4:00 pm
Venue： Iwaki Cultural (Bunka) Center
Spanish Cooking Class!
On August 1st (Thurs), Spanish Cooking Class was held at the cooking class in the Bunka Center (cooking room). The lecturer is Ms. Yayoi Kusano (whose home town is Uchigo and who currently lives in Granada, Spain) She taught Summer menus, Gazpacho, egg salad, chickpea salad, pork saute with oregano & potato garnish, and fresh cheese with honey etc. 14 participants thoroughly enjoyed the appetizing, colorful, authentic Spanish flavors.
Japanese language class’s outdoor lesson bus tour for Ouchijyku
On July 20th, 42 people (from 9 countries) who are Japanese language learner at IIA’s Japanese class and Ohisama Japanese class, their family and volunteers visited Ouchijyku and To-no- hetsuri where are sightseeing spots as the representative Fukushima pref. They enjoyed eating leak soba noodle, shingoro dango (baked dumpling with junen miso paste) and shopping at souvenir shop, viewing abundant natures and strolling around the classical street in the world like the Japanese old story’s.
Neal‘ｓCafe
The 1st Neal‘ｓCafe (3 times) was held on June 13th (Thurs) . Participants enjoyed talking about their self- introduction, favorite sightseeing spots, trip stories and impression. Thank to Neil's gentle personality, everyone could relaxedly talk English in good atmosphere and enjoy their time.
"Mizuhiki" Paper String Decoration Making ＆Useful Disaster Preparedness Seminar
"Mizuhiki Experience" Mizuhiki Decoration making was held on June 9th (Sun), and 8 people (from Korea, Ireland, Myanmar, Ukraine, Argentina and Japan) participated. They chose their favorite color of Mizuhiki paper string, learned how to tie Awaji knot and Ume knot from Kazuko Endo (Leader of Uchigo Women's Firefighting Club and Disaster Prevention Officer), and made Mizuhiki straps in their favorite colors.
After the Mizuhiki class, participants learned how to make slippers for evacuation shelters from Ms. Endo who taught us how to make slippers by newspapers when a disaster occurs and people have nothing to wear at the evacuation shelter. A total of 26 people (from Sri Lanka, China, Cambodia, Nepal, the Philippines, and Japan) participated, including participants of the Mizuhiki-making class, participants of the introductory and beginner Japanese language classes, and instructors.
Crayon Painting on the Picture Letter at Hanamiyama
On June 1st (Sat), Ms. Hajime Yamada (IIA's member) lectured Crayon painting, and 8 people (from the UK, China, and Japan) participated in the "Crayon Painting on the picture Letter" at Koya-Hanamiyama, led by Hajime Yamada (a member of the association). Participants strolled around the park and found their favorite flowers and landscapes, and then, remembering the tips the instructor had taught them, painted with crayons on drawing paper. The instructor taught them how to enjoy painting. He said that expressing one's own world within a small frame is a good way to clear one's head or get rest.
The 2nd Japanese Language Support Volunteer Training Seminar
On May 18th (Sat) and 19th (Sun), the second Japanese Language Support Volunteer Training Seminar was held with Ms. Akiko Mori, Director of Plus Education (hereafter referred to as "Plaed") as the lecturer. A total of 44 people from inside and outside the city participated for the 2 days. Ms. Mori's motto was not to cram but to attract the children's interest, have fun, and sometimes encourage them, giving all the children give the joy of "understanding and being able to speak". The seminar was very energetic and gave the participants a realistic image of actual support activities.
Money Seminar "What is the New NISA System"
On May 15th (Wed), financial planner, Kazuhito Mizuno gave a lecture entitled "What is the New NISA System?" in the Bunka Center (the 3rd conference room) , and 10 people (from the Philippines, China, Korea, Vietnam, and Japan) attended to this seminar. As the aging is progressing, the asset management methods using the NISA and New NISA established by the government are available to foreigners who meet the conditions, so the lecturer gave concrete examples of how to make use of the New NISA.
The 1st Japanese Language Support Volunteer Training Seminar
On, April 17th (Wed), Ms. Akiko Takahashi (Professor, Faculty of Education, Miyagi University of Education) gave the first Japanese Language Support Volunteer Training Seminar: "From 'Teaching' to 'Supporting Learning.'" Participants learned about children with diverse backgrounds, how to deal with each of them, how to motivate them to learn, and the need to improve the learning environment.
Events 2023
The Traditional Chinese Dumpling (Gyoza) Making Class
On February 7th (Wed), Gyoza Making Class was held at the Bunka Center, as the event of the intercultural understanding experiences. 12 people (from China, Australia, America, Japan, and Korea) joined and learned the traditional Chinese dumpling (gyoza) making from Mo san who works at the Chinese restaurant. dumplings.
Soba Making Experience
On December 17th（Sun), the soba making experience was held at the Tobu Gas Cooking Studio . On the day, 13 participants joined and learned how to Japanese traditional soba noodle from 6 soba noodle making experts who are members of Iwaki Soba Club, and which is active at the soba events in and outside of Iwaki City.
English Mind Training Seminar
The "English Mind Development Course (3 sessions in total)" was taught by Benjamin McMullen (from Australian, and IIA's member/international exchange volunteer) with the goal of training the students' English brains to think in English and to be able to actively express their opinions. 11 people including elementary school students participated.
The 22nd Iwaki Global Citizens' Festival
On November 23rd (Thurs, National holiday), the "Iwaki Global Citizens' Festival" was held at Taira Central Park, where about 1,000 people enjoyed interacting with each other. There were dancing, singing and ukulele performances on stage, and crafts and tea were offered at the booths of each country, providing an opportunity to experience and deepen understanding of each other's cultures beyond national boundaries.
Learn disaster preparedness and make emergency food in the event of disaster
Participants learned how to prepare safe, delicious and hot meals that are useful in emergencies using plastic bags called Aiwrap and Hi-Zex, which do not dissolve even when put in hot water.
Japanese Traditional Culture Experiences ～Try Fukiya (blow darts) with the Japan Sport Wellness Fukiya Association!
On November 19th (Sun), 12 people including elementary school students, had a fun experience with Sports Wellness Fukiya (Blowgun) at the Lifelong Learning Plaza, guided by Mr. Sekiya Kanetoshi and Ms. Yoshie, instructors of the General Incorporated Association Sports Wellness Fukiya Association.
Learn & Experience Finger Painting Method!
On October 15th (Sun), Professor Ko Ukawa (Professor, Department of Public Policy, Faculty of Social and Coexistence Studies, Taisho University) was the lecturer. 25 people (from six countries: China, Philippines, Mongolia, Nepal, Cambodia, and Pakistan) including IIA’s staff, Japanese language support volunteers, and children with foreign roots participated in the event to experience finger painting as the psychological therapy.
Italian Cooking Class
On September 14th (Thurs), 21 people who have been looking forward to this cooking class, gathered the Bunka Center's cooking room and learned how to make the handmade pasta "Malloreddus", Venetian-style liver "Polenta", and dessert "Tiramisu, from two Francescos. And all participants had a fulfilling time.
Gathering Opportunity For Fathers and Mothers Who Have Small Children
On August 6th (Sun), foreign parents and children, along with other local residents, gathered at the Bunka Center's tatami room and spent a relaxing time while loosening up with simple exercises led by Oishi Kumiko chatting with participants.
