Events 2024
In cooperation with the non-government international and cooperative group's association in Iwaki City, we hold the Iwaki Global Citizens' Festival every year. In 2024, we will hold a speech contest by citizens with foreign roots. Please come to the venue and enjoy this festival. You can enter for a free without application.
Participant fee is free.
Date： January 25th (Sat), 2025
Time：1:00 - 4:00pm
Enjoy Learning How To Make Gingerbread Cookies
On Dec.15th（Sun）, Mr. Trenton Hilts (from Canada) taught how to make gingerbread cookies by his own recipe in English for 12 participants (including Canadian and Myanmer). Participants concentrate to listen to the teacher’s instruction in English, to make the dough and to decorate them by chocolate pencils. Cookies in the shape of Christmas motifs had a ginger and roasty flavor. It got everyone in an early Christmas mood. Mr. Trenton, thank you for making so many trials in preparation.
Making Galette Des Rois has already held.
On Dec. 8th (Sun), we held the "Let's make French Pastries at ease!" Ms. Hisako Watanabe who has lived in France, taught us how to make "Galette des Rois (Cake for the King)". 18 people including elementary school students and people from France and Taiwan participated. The instructor came up with her original recipe that could be easily made at home, so even children had fun making it. The baked Galette des Rois was so delicious that we had never tasted, and the venue was filled with the almond flavor and the happy smiles of the participants. We are sure the participants will bake this galette at home by themselves and bring smiles to their families! Ms.Hisako! Thank you for introducing us to such a wonderful cake!
Japanese Language Class (Autumn & Winter Term ) finished! (8 times)
Japanese Language Classes (Autumn & Winter Term) by 3 teachers (Ms. Junko Shirato, Ms. Tomoyo Sasaki, Ms. Akino Watanabe and Ms. Mariko Shimoda) started from Sept. 29th, and 23 learners who have roots of 13 countries and area (America, India, Canada, Cameroon, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Philippines, France, China, and Taiwan) participated in the Introductory Class and Beginners Class.
For more details of class appearance, please read Reports.
Outdoor Lesson of Japanese Class (Bus Tour for JICA Nihonmatsu)
Japanese Class’s learner including Ohisama Japanese Class’s children and their family went to the JICA Nihonmatsu as outdoor lesson. All attendants thought what to do by ourselves in the field of the rubbish problem to solve the global environmental issues which we face on. After having lunch, they visit the chrysanthemum doll festival in Kasumiga Castle Park and enjoyed beautiful Japanese Autumn landscape and chrysanthemum doll made from colorful chrysanthemum flowers.
Spanish Introductory Class（2 times）
For Oct.23rd and Nov.6th, Ms. Yayoi Kusano and Ms. Mariko Matsuzaki taught Spanish for beginners. As Ms.Kusano lives in Granada and Ms. Matsuzaki used to live in Seville, they not only taught basic Spanish such as greeting and how to talk when shopping but also told real life in Spain for 14 participants.
It was so fantastic for Participants to discover the wonderful Spanish national character and customs. We’d like to appreciate to Ms.Kusano and Ms.Matsuzaki.
Japanese Culture Experience “Aikido“
On Oct.3rd(Thurs), eight people from seven countries had an experience Aikido at Taira Gymnasium. Under the instruction by Azuma Oshiyama (Aikido Toko Juku), the participants learned how to practice Aikido from the introduction for beginners after warming-up exercises carefully with the students of Toko Juku. And they were fascinated by the body positioning unique to Aikido, in which the two players use natural and effortless techniques to knock their opponents down or down.
Disaster Preparedness Seminar
On Sept.28th, Iwaki City and IIA held “Disaster Preparedness Seminar” at Tenjyoda Park (in Uchigo) as a support event of Iwaki International Day 2024. On the day, visitors improved their disaster prevention knowledge through experiences such as card games, rope works and carrying a frog doll as an injured person on a blanket stretcher. In addition, we promoted the preparedness for disaster by offering samples of emergency food and introducing how to fold shippers and tableware etc. out of newspaper that are useful in times of disaster.
The Law Seminar by the administrative scrivener！
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 Classes (Spring & Summer Term)
Japanese Language Classes held！(8 times from May 26th to July 20th)
29 participants (total of two classes) enjoyed learning Japanese by Ms. Junko Shirato and Ms. Mariko Shimoda. Nationalities of participants are as follows: 9 countries - Indian, Ukraine, Cambodian, Sri Lankan, Nepali, Filipino, Chinese, Vietnamese, Myanmar.
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
Neal’s Café held on June 13th, July 11th, Sept. 12th
Participants enjoyed casual and fun conversation in English with Mr. Neal Lendenmann has a relationship with Iwaki City on themes proposed by the lecturer and participants for each session. Classes were held without any textbooks or preparation every time and the topic was about recommended tourist spots, travel episodes, life crises, failures, and summer events etc.
"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.
