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We received a grant from the Central Community Chest of Japan (CCCJ) for the nationwide campaign supporting welfare activities under the COVID-19 pandemic, titled "Support Activities for People with Foreign Roots - Grant Round 4." [Grant Period] April 2024 - September 2024
Activities
We have been actively engaged in the "Otonari-san Family Friend Program (OFP)" which is the first initiative in Japan to welcome foreign residents through community volunteer efforts. In the OFP, Japanese residents volunteer to pair up with foreign residents living in the same area, providing direct support and interaction on a one-on-one basis for six months. As of the 2023 fiscal year, over 500 volunteers and participants from more than 40 countries have joined in the Tokyo metropolitan area. The program is highly regarded for its thorough follow-up and the support of a team of experts, creating a reliable and serious environment for OFP activities.
1. Otonari-san Family Friend Program (OFP) Management
During the grant period, we held 24 program orientation sessions for participants. We welcomed 82 new Otonari-san volunteers and 75 new foreign participants. We conducted 20 pairing-up meetings, resulting in 54 individuals starting paired activities and 50 completing six months of engagement. In terms of how participants got involved, in addition to traditional internet searches, many cited "referrals from acquaintances" as a key factor. This word-of-mouth spread has led to a continued increase in participants who joined through referrals.
2. Spot Support
We trained seven volunteers for OFP and Otonari-san. We also worked on creating the framework for Otonari-san and developing related tools. In collaboration with external organizations, we provided support in healthcare, parenting, employment, and language assistance for refugees and displaced persons. Additionally, we offered academic counseling for youth with foreign roots and provided support for school visits.
3. Nihongo Talk Cafe
We have held the Nihongo Talk Cafe online 30 times. In everyday situations, we provided a space for volunteers to discuss themes, receive feedback on areas for improvement, and enhance their Japanese conversation skills.
Activity Results
By continuing our activities since last year, we have been able to raise awareness of OFP among more people and create visible, real relationships between many Japanese and foreign residents. Local Japanese residents serve as information hubs and advisors, directly assisting foreign residents in solving various challenges. This, in turn, helps foreign residents acclimate to life in Japan and participate in community activities.
For foreign residents, those close to them become the most approachable sources for consultation. As a result, foreign residents from various backgrounds participate in the OFP, which also plays a role in outreach for administrative and welfare information.
Here are some testimonials from participants.
◆Foreign Participants (Japanese Translation)
"Thanks to Otonari-san, I have gained confidence in speaking Japanese, and my understanding of Japanese culture has deepened through meals and conversations."
"Every one to two weeks, we spent quality time together visiting famous places in Tokyo, enjoying meals, and learning Japanese."
Every time I had questions or faced challenges during our interactions, the coordinator provided professional and thoughtful feedback and advice.
They patiently listened to my not-so-great Japanese and tried to understand.
They told me about new cafes and libraries in my neighborhood, as well as how to use a few apps. Spending time with Otonari-san is really enjoyable, and I truly appreciate learning things I didn't know before.
◆Otonari-san Volunteer (Japanese Participants)
"Hearing that there is no one else to converse with in Japanese made me realize that just living in Japan doesn't guarantee making Japanese friends."
"At first, I struggled to communicate effectively due to the language barrier, but as my partner worked hard to learn Japanese, we gradually began to have deeper conversations. It was also very impressive to see her gaining confidence as she started working and became more accustomed to the language."
Through this activity, I feel that I have genuinely made a friend. Personally, it also motivated me to get back into tennis, and I am grateful for the improvement in my physical activity.
"I was very surprised by the differences in parenting styles and values, and it has been a great reference for my own parenting."
"At first, I had a sense of volunteering, but as time went on, I started reaching out to friends and making plans more casually. I was inspired by the unique values and proactive attitudes found abroad, making it a very fulfilling six months."
Challenges Identified Through Activities
Several challenges have emerged through our activities. We hope to address these in our future efforts.
◆Information from the government is hard to access
For foreign residents, actively gathering information and making judgments about the unfamiliar social systems in Japan can be quite challenging. One very effective way to receive administrative information is to build direct connections with people in your community.
◆It is necessary to allocate support resources efficiently
There are various organizations engaged in support activities, not just ours. However, due to a significant information gap between those who need support and those providing it, there is often a bias in the assistance offered, and many individuals fall through the cracks of support.
Future Initiatives
◆Working to secure stable funding to continue OFP activities
◆Working on building a platform to optimize the needs of foreign residents and support resources
◆Create more opportunities for Japanese involvement and increase participation by collaborating with companies, local communities, and others.
Thank you for your support
Coexisting with foreign residents is an important and new challenge for Japanese society in the global era. Barriers such as language, systems, social structures, and cultural customs create situations where foreign residents struggle to adapt to their environment. On the other hand, even though it has become common to see foreigners around, research shows that 40% of people have no interaction with them at all.
Our activities not only assist foreign residents but also promote the practice of cultural synergy by fostering close and enjoyable relationships between Japanese and foreign individuals. We sincerely appreciate your interest in our activities and your support and understanding. Thanks to the generous donations from everyone, OFP has gradually reached more people, allowing us to move towards coexistence in various communities. Thank you very much.