On Saturday, November 22, the Kohoku Regional Studies Lecture, titled “Learning About Today’s Kohoku Through the Voices of Foreign Residents,” was held. The event was organized by the Kohoku Ward Citizens’ Activity Support Center.
The theme of the lecture was “Learning About Today’s Kohoku Through the Voices of Foreign Residents: 25 Years of the Kohoku International Lounge.”
As this year marks the 25th anniversary of the Kohoku International Lounge, the lecture provided a valuable opportunity for us, together with our volunteers, to introduce the activities we have been working on daily over the past 25 years.
Participants listened attentively, demonstrating a strong interest in multicultural coexistence.
The lecture began with an explanation of the background behind the establishment of international lounges in Yokohama—namely, the increase in foreign residents—and the role these lounges play. We then introduced the various programs carried out at the Kohoku International Lounge. For our core programs, such as the Japanese Language Classes and Classes for Newcomer Children, volunteers involved in these activities gave detailed explanations and shared their thoughts, experiences, and sense of fulfillment gained through their work.
In the “Foreign Residents’ Honest Talk” session, speakers from South Korea, Vietnam, and Greece shared their personal stories, including favorite places in their home countries and in Kohoku Ward, cultural differences, and difficulties or anxieties they have experienced in Japan. Their candid accounts of challenges and concerns within Japanese communities resonated strongly, with some participants noting that similar difficulties are often felt even among Japanese residents.
We also learned about the importance of communicating in “Easy Japanese” from a certified instructor.
During the group discussions, participants shared what left a strong impression on them or what they related to, and considered what they could do individually and collectively to live together with foreign residents in the community. We hope that those who attended this lecture will feel encouraged to become involved with the activities of the Kohoku International Lounge in some way in the future.
Currently, one in every 28 residents in Yokohama City is a foreign national. With this number expected to grow, we will continue our efforts to help create a community where both Japanese and foreign residents can live and engage comfortably together.
