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The 2018“Niigata Prize”Japanese Language Speech Contest 2018 N I A Activity Report was held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. December 2018 Fiscal Year Seminar to Support vol.16 Niigata Prefecture and Mongolia have advanced their interactions with each Letter other in a variety of sectors through a number of cooperative means, including but NIA Employment for Exchange Students not limited to the placement of the Honorary Consulate of Mongolia in Niigata, the This seminar, held on November 2, 2018 (Fri.) reached its prefecturally funded foreign exchange student program and technology support. eighth year this year, with a great number of participants, In addition, several of Niigata’s municipalities have registered as host towns for the including 104 foreign exchange students, and 17 representatives 2020 Tokyo Olympics & Paralympics. from eleven corporations. At the 2018“Niigata Prize” Japanese Language Speech Contest that was held on Feature Thursday, September 13th, eight students of Japanese from universities in Mongolia Enjoying Global Life in Niigata! We had lecturers from Hello Work and from the Niigata Office of the Immigration Bureau of Japan come to explain the basics of job hunting and obtaining permission to work in Japan. In order to give the participating exchange students gave speeches under the theme of“how to further friendly interactions with Japan,” a closer feel for what job hunting in Japan is like, we also had former exchange student alumni that now work in the watched over by roughly 200 spectators. As an extension of the grand prizes, the participants with the top three scores prefecture talk about their own experiences and give specific advice based on that, as well as company introductions by were also awarded gift certificates for a trip to Niigata. It is expected that by personally visiting Niigata Prefecture, they will Published by: the participating business representatives. come into contact with its scenery, industry, and culture, and later play a role as a bridge between Niigata and Mongolia. The Niigata International Association (NIA) After the seminar, we provided a space where participating students and companies could have time to converse and (A Public Interest Corporation) interact freely over a light meal, where a stimulating discourse took place. Ms. Amarjargal Jargalmaa Ms. Buyanjargal Soyol-Erdene Students asked about what Japanese businesses look for in an employee, and points about working in Japan. From (Center) (2nd from the right) those students, we also heard that they love Niigata, and therefore want to do their best to find employment here. After researching where young people in Mon- How about we move towards exporting beef CONTENTS At NIA, we plan to continue supporting foreign exchange students from now on, through helping them be informed golia get their information about Japan from, I from Mongolia to Japan? Exporting beef comes about job hunting in Japan at an early stage, in the hopes that they will become active human resources who support the learned that the sources are limited to anime and with concerns such as safety and whether or not globalization of businesses in the prefecture. ■Feature - Enjoying Global Life in Niigata! manga. Students from both countries need more Japanese people would choose to buy Mongolian ・From Niigata SAKE Lovers : Ms. Tomomi Duquette time to interact with each other. beef. It is, however, important to give things a try. I want to work in Japan, ・From Sado Aida Rice Farming : Mr. Tadaaki Aida but what kind of things do ・From Japan Snow Access : Mr. Shiro Shimizu I need to prepare? ・From the Mutsumi-kai : Ms. Satoko Higuchi Ms. Gundegsuren Khulan nd (2 from the left) ■NIA Information How about introducing topics including the culture and history of both countries through the internet, ・Tidings from the International Exchange Plaza television, and social-networking-sites? I believe that as the people of both nations gain interest in ■NIA Activity Report each other’ s countries, friendly exchanges will ・Seminar to Support Employment for Exchange Students deepen if they treat each other with consideration, and they will be able to form better relationships. ◀Standing with the grand ・Lecture for Host Families & The Homestay Experience prize winners (center, 3) ・Mongolia’s Japanese Language Speech Contest 2018 Lecture for Host Families & the Homestay Experience Lectures for host families were held on August 4 (Sat.) in Joetsu, August 5 (Sun.) in Kashiwazaki, and August 26, 2018 (Sun.) in Niigata City. A foreign exchange To help participating households feel at ease when receiving a foreign person in their student introduces one Except at this rate… 1 I’m from Malaysia. I won’t make it in time… 4 home for the first time, we welcomed lecturers from the American Field Service Japan of their experiences This is my first New It’s raining harder now Happy New Year!! too. (NPO) Niigata and Joetsu offices to speak about their own experiences, and to explain during their life in Year’s in Japan. in easy terms the things to be prepared for and mindset to have when hosting. Japan through manga! Similarly, we had a lecture about things to keep in mind and etiquette when staying 3 over at a Japanese household for the first time for the participating ALTs (assistant language teachers) and foreign exchange students currently studying in universities Manuals for homestay guests around the prefecture. This was so that they, too, could interact with the host families are available in Japanese, New Looks like life in English, and Chinese. 2 Japan is going to get without feeling nervous. fun from now on ! Finally, the actual homestay experience was held over 2-days and 1-night on the Year’s It’s almost time!! weekend of October 13 to 14, with 18 households hosting 19 participants from seven Ah, Yahiko Shrine・ seconds left different countries. From the survey held after the On New Year’s in Japan, 5 well ! Foot baths・ people go pray to the end of the homestay, we were able to hear about the Lake Hyoko Pen name: Kohane (Malaysia) kami at the shrine as Ack! On the Cover (From the top) fun interactions that surpassed national, cultural, and Japan Animation & Manga College (JAM), the new year begins. 1 2 3 Bad Luck 4 language borders. Manga Illustration Master Course International Exchange Plaza Fair, held from 7/21-8/26 Hospitality with Niigata’s provincial (Top) Mini Lecture on China/By the Prefectural CIR, Ms. Wang ■ Bandaijima Bldg.(Toki Messe) 2nd floor, cuisine made with noppe broth & Published by the Niigata International Association (NIA) (Center) Coloring pages and Origami of traditional Korean 5-1 Bandaijima, Chuo-ku, Niigata City 950-0078 Phone: 025-290-5650 Fax: 025-249-8122 edible chrysanthemums. clothes made by children E-mail: [email protected] Website: http://www.niigata-ia.or.jp (Right) Members of the Intl. Student Exchange Club (ISEC) 1 Enjoying Global Life in Niigata! N I A Information Feature ~Tidings From the International Exchange Plaza ~ Interview Niigata Prefecture has developed as the main gate on the Sea of Japan coast, which connects Japan to countries all over the world, beginning with Northeast Asia. As companies continue to globalize and Niigata makes a proactive effort to introduce its independent culture and topography overseas, we introduce to you four people who are based in Niigata ★Summer Break Plaza Fair and play active roles through their connections overseas. They speak about what makes Niigata attractive, as well as some of the ways they participate in international exchange. 7/21/2018 (Sat.) through 8/26/2018 (Sun.) This summer, we once again planned a variety of public events at the International Exchange Plaza during children’s summer break so that The Niigata Sake Culture Niigata Fostering trust during our activities Myoko everyone could have fun with their families. Niigata SAKE Lovers Japan Snow Access Our Mini Lectures for Kids featured lecturers from South Korea, China, Intl. Exchange Project City Represented by Ms. Tomomi Duquette to attract overseas skiers City Represented by Mr. Shiro Shimizu and the United States, with whom attendees danced and played, while experiencing other cultures up close and personal. This International Exchange Project activities. In fall of 2017, we had the“Hoku- 14 years ago, when we first began activities featuring homes and people living in amazing In the Cultural Exchange Party with ISEC Members (Intl. Student Exchange was established in 2013 with the following hoku SAKE Lovers Train” event in celebration to attract skiers from overseas to Myoko amounts of snow. The posters made by Club), 19 people challenged themselves into making a rendako, or series of th thoughts: “I don’t want to drink sake to of the Hokuetsu Express’s 20 anniversary. Kogen, there were hardly any people who Myoko City were exhibited at the overseas kites all on the same thread, and actually flew the kites outside as well. Mini Lecture on South Korea: just get drunk. I should study and deeply Five different breweries joined us in the were familiar with the name“Myoko.” We SNOW EXPO and at resort displays. These Every Sunday, we had a Caricature Corner event. Apparently, participants Prefectural CIR Ms. Hwang (top left), understand Niigata’s sake culture from the Hoku-hoku SAKE Lovers Train, and everyone first began promotions targeting Australia, were put under the spotlight by attending were encouraged to converse with the students until their caricatures were and ISEC member Ms. Park (top right) actual breweries. I want to nourish my love enjoyed the mariage of delicious sake and the starting systematically by going around to the visitors, and thus were very useful in breaking completed. Thank you very much to the great number of people who visited of sake culture, and taste sake with these specially made cuisine that were paired with large travel agencies in major cities including into the markets.