Information from KIRA

Citizens’ Tour of Torrance to Commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Sister-City Affiliation

Looking for Participants for the Briefing Session About the Tour

To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the sister city relationship between Kashiwa city and Torrance city (California, USA), a citizens’tour to Torrance city will be held. We are planning to offer programs that cannot be experienced on ordinary sightseeing tours, such as exchanges among citizens and participation in official events. In addition to the exchange events, participants will be able to enjoy sightseeing in Las Vegas and Los Angeles. We hope you will join us on this tour.

Tour duration: Thursday, February 16, 2023 - Thursday, February 23, 2023, 8 days/6 nights
Participation fee: Approx. 300,000 yen including travel arrangements, ESTA application fee not included
★ Please note that the cost may change due to an increase in fuel tax, etc.
＊Those who want to participate in the tour must attend the briefing session. Tour application forms will be distributed at the briefing.
Pre-briefing before application: at Palette Kashiwa from 6:30 p.m. Saturday, June 25.
Please make a reservation by June 10 to attend the pre-briefing directly at the KCC office, or by email to :boshu-2@kira-kira.jp
Please make sure to specify your name with furigana, address, and phone number.
Inquiries: KCC office

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Kashiwa International Exchange Week 2022

Date: Monday, July 4 - Sunday, July 10
Place: Palette Kashiwa
Content: Introducing the activities of international exchange organizations in the city, Presentation by students from Reitaku University and Kaichi International University, interaction with foreigners living in the city in easy Japanese and seminar on refugees; the meaning of accepting refugees ?-current situation of accepting refugees in Japan

Timetable:
1. 7/4(Mon) 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. Multipurpose A Talk about Ukraine
2. 7/5(Tues) 1:00 p.m. - 2:30p.m. Multipurpose A Talk about the Philippines
3. 7/6(Wed) 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. Multipurpose A Talk about Brazil
4. 7/7(Thurs) 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. Multipurpose A Talk about America and Thailand
5. 7/8(Fri) 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. Multipurpose A Talk about Taiwan
6. 7/9(Sat) 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Multipurpose A Refugee seminar online and at the venue
7. 7/10(Sun) 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. Multipurpose A Fun events for Girl Scouts
8. 7/10(Sun) 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. OpenSpace Presentation by University students in the city

Registration: Sign up directly at the KCC office or send an email to:boshu-1@kira-kira.jp
Please write the number of the activity you want to join, your name and phone number
Number of participants: First 20 for each activity
Number of participants for Refugee seminar online (Zoom): 20

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Origami Class - Let's make an origami crane with 10 wings! ?　

Origami cranes are the basis of Japanese origami. This time Ms. Oshida from the Hakunan Koyukai will teach us how to fold a crane with 10 wings. This is the first face-to-face event in a while. We are looking forward to your participation.

Date and time: Tuesday, June 21, 10:00 a.m.-11:45 a.m.
Place: Palette Kashiwa,Room A
Participation fee: 500 yen
Number of participants: 15. Please wear a mask when participating.
Registration: Sign up directly at the KCC office by Saturday, June 18, or send an email to: boshu-2@kira-kira.jp

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The 2nd Cross-cultural Teatime "Kingdom of the Sky, Kingdom of Lesotho”　

The Kingdom of Lesotho is an independent country surrounded by the Republic of South Africa in southern Africa. Its unique history, nature, culture, and tourism will be introduced.
Date: Saturday, June 18, 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Place: Palette Kashiwa, Rooms A, B, and C
Lecturers: Mr. Tsepo Samson Joshua MAKAKANE (First Secretary, Embassy of the Kingdom of Lesotho )
　　　 Mr. Takehiro FUJIE (Trade and Investment Promotion Officer, Embassy of the Kingdom of Lesotho)
Number of participants: 50
Participation fee: 300 yen
Application: Sign up directly at the KCC office, or send an email to boshu-1@kira-kira.jp from Monday, May 16.

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Online Interactions with People Around the World
by KEYS (Kashiwa Exchange Youth Society)

Date and Time: June 12,　12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Place: Palette Kashiwa　or online (Zoom, etc.)
Participants: Elementary, middle and high school, and university students living in Kashiwa or attending schools in the city. The first 20 applicants for each day.
Content: Real-time communication with people across the world using online tools such as Zoom.
Application: Sign up directly at the KCC office, or send an email to boshu-1@kira-kira.jp from 9:00 a.m. on　Monday, May 2.

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Free Legal Advice and Administrative Procedure Support for Foreign Residents

To foreign residents. Are you in need of help? Lawyers and administrative procedure specialists are available for consultation. You can ask for specialist’s advice on issues such as family or partner violence, divorce, visa procedures, and problems at work. Reservation necessary.

Date and Time: Wednesday, June 22, 1:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.
Place: Palette Kashiwa, Room A
Reservation: the KCC office

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Information

KCC is renewing the homepage. Refer to https://www.kcc.kira-kira.jp/

The English version of Kawara-ban is available at https://www.kcc.kira-kira.jp/kawaraban/

Notice from Kashiwa City To Foreign Residents

You can read the official Kashiwa City Bulletin “Koho Kashiwa" in languages other than Japanese. Non-Japanese versions of the bulletin can be found at:
1. Kashiwa City website and through the “Machiiro” mobile phone app.
2. In print at City Hall, “Kinrin” Community Centers, convenience stores, etc.
3. Via free home delivery service
For more information, please refer here.
https://www.city.kashiwa.lg.jp/kohokocho/koho/pr/kohokashiwa/saishingo.html
(If you click “Foreign Language” in the navigation bar, you will find links to versions in multiple languages.)

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We are proud to introduce to you the brand new KCC YouTube Channel!

YouTube>>>

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Thank you all for your cooperation!

We received a lot of used stamps, undeliverable postcards, and coins this year. After announcing in the Kawara-ban that we would be sorting them out on December 12, many people came to help. We sent the used stamps to the Green Defense Fund, the postcards to the Japan Committee for Vaccines for the World's Children, and the coins to UNICEF as donations.　

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Sign up for the Kashiwa mail delivery services.

Sign up to receive email announcements from the city, such as information about earthquakes, fires, crime, and infectious disease outbreaks in the language of your choice.
Send a blank email to this QR code.

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COVID-19 Advise during Festive Season

●Refrain from going to places where the Three C’s are likely to occur, such as events, going out to eat, and other places where infection prevention measures are not strongly enforced. You should particularly refrain from attending parties and events where an unspecified number of people can gather and talk in loud voices.

●If you participate in any events, go out to eat, etc., take appropriate infection prevention measures by keeping a safe distance from others, disinfecting your hands, wearing a mask, and refraining from speaking in a loud voice.

●Refrain from late night drinking in crowded streets and restaurants or participating in similar events as much as possible.

●Find new ways to have fun at home such as spending time with your family or joining online events.

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KIRA Covid-19 Disease Prevention Policy

As of June 15, 2020, if you are intending to attend any KCC events or courses, please be aware of the following:
If you have a body temperature higher than 37.5 degrees, cold-like symptoms, such as a cough or a sore throat, or if you are just not feeling well, you will not be permitted to attend.
At the event, please observe the following:

・Check your temperature when you first enter;
・Disinfect your hands and fingers with antiseptic solution provided in the room when entering and leaving;
・Wear a mask;
・Completely fill out your personal information on the Participant List (which will be used only in the case if an attendee is later to be found to have contracted Covid-19). This list will be discarded after three weeks;
・Avoid physical contact or talking with neighbors face to face, and keep appropriate social distancing;
・Bring your own supplies to avoid having to share;
・Refrain from eating or drinking except for the purposes of hydration (and in such cases, be sure to turn away and avoid conversation while lowering your mask);
・Do not loiter after the end of your event or course; and
・Follow the instructions of the person in charge.
If you are unable or unwilling to cooperate with the above guidelines, you will not be allowed to attend.
These guidelines are subject to change. Up-to-date guidelines are available on the KCC homepage or at the front desk of the KCC Office.

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To the foreign residents living in Kashiwa City and nearby.

Coronavirus Consultation

Please call the Kashiwa COVID-19 Consultation Center at 04-7167-6777, if you exhibit symptoms of the virus such as a fever of 37.5° or more that continue for four days or if you feel strong lethargy or struggle to breathe. If you suffer from other preexisting or underlying conditions, please contact the center if you experience a fever that persists for two days.

Guideline for foreign residents:

Please see “About the New Coronavirus,” on Chiba Prefecture’s foreign language home page at https://www.pref.chiba.lg.jp/international/index.html.

Information on this page is written in ‘Easy Japanese,’ English, and Chinese.

Important steps to prevent further COVID-19 outbreaks: Avoid the “Three Cs”!

　�@　Closed spaces with poor ventilation,
　�A　Crowded places with many people nearby,
　�B　Close-contact settings such as close-ranged conversation.

Stay Home! Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly!

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■Notice■
To register, please register directly at the KCC office or e-mail KIRA with the name of the event, your name and your telephone number.

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Please visit NHK WORLD-JAPAN homepage for the latest information.
It is the international service of Japan’s public NHK broadcast.
NHK WORLD-JAPAN provides the latest information on Japan and Asia through television, radio and online to a global audience.
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/ja

Notice from the KCC Office

We put a monitor on the reception desk of the KCC Office.

Come and see pictures and videos of our activities. If you have any pictures or videos of KIRA activities, you can submit them to the KCC Office and you may be able to see them displayed as well!

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Your language abilities are needed!

Please apply to be an interpreter or translator.
Languages such as:
　　　　English, Chinese, Korean, Spanish, and so on.
Registration: Please send an e-mail to koryu@kira-kira.jp
　　　　　　　NPO Kashiwa International Relations Association
　　　　　　　(KIRA)
Please send the completed registration form to the KIRA .
You can download the registration form the following KIRA homepage.
　　http://www.kira-kira.jp/living/pdf/living_p201709.pdf

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Chinese Saloon

It will be cancelled for a while.

No registration is necessary. Come to the KCC on that day.

　　Date: Every third Wednesday in the month
　　Time: 10:00 a.m.to 11:30 a.m.
　　Place: Palette Kashiwa
　　Fee: free

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Advertise with KIRA

KIRA will show advertisements on the KIRA website and Kawaraban, the monthly
newsletter. KIRA is looking for advertisers who are interested in this opportunity.
To receive information on how to advertise with KIRA, please contact the KIRA office.

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Information from other than KIRA

Online study meeting for KIRA members

“Easy Japanese (first half)”

Date & Time: Thursday, June 16, 8:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Lecturer: Ms. Tomoe Uchida (Easy Japanese instructor)
Participation fee: Free
Number of participants: 25
Application: Sign up at the KCC office, or send an email to boshu-1@kira-kira.jp with your name and phone number. We will send you the invitation link on the day.

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Kashiwa City’s Consultation Desk for Foreign Residents

　The consultation service is free of charge.
　Please call 04-7168-1033 from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
　Spanish (Monday)
　Korean (Every 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month)
　Chinese (Wednesday and Friday)
　English (Thursday)

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Get Your Free City Residents Manual Today

For those who are registered or about to be, City Hall would like to give you a manual (in several languages) on living in the city, a disaster prevention handbook, information on how to dispose of waste, and a complete set of brochures to make your life in Kashiwa easier. Get it at the Citizen Section of City Hall (building 2, 1st Floor). Inquiry: International Exchange Office, City Hall, tel. 7167-0941.

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Multilingual Living Information Sponsored by the CLAIR

The KIRA website is linked to Daily life information sponsored by the Council of Local Authorities for International Relations (CLAIR). The CLAIR home page provides information on healthcare, education, housing, and transportation in 13 Languages.
● URL： 　http://www.clair.or.jp/e/

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Kashiwa Newsletter in Three Languages

Now you can view articles from the city newsletter in English, Spanish, and Chinese by clicking "Foreign Language" at the top of the Kashiwa City official website (http://www.city.kashiwa.lg.jp/).

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