I spoke at the Fuchu City Volunteer Training Course

Following last year, I also spoke at the Fuchu City Cultural Synergy Center DIVE volunteer training course this year.

We had a wonderful and fast-paced two hours with volunteers in their 20s to 70s, selected by lottery. Despite covering a wide range of topics, including the current situation of foreigners, their challenges, the history of foreign acceptance in Japan, the feelings of foreigners, and common pitfalls for supporters, everyone actively participated, leading to a rich exchange of learning and many valuable insights for all.

A survey from the office arrived shortly after the training.
- "It was a very educational day. I hadn't deeply considered the various challenges foreigners face while living in Japan beyond just the language barrier, so everyone's insights were incredibly enlightening. Additionally, it was very stimulating to talk with people of different ages and diverse backgrounds. I had a great time."
・"It was very helpful to learn about the current situation of foreign residents in detail. I had some concerns about whether I have the skills to be a supporter, but I realized that what matters more than skills is the awareness and willingness to understand. I hope to create opportunities to gain a lot by exchanging information with everyone who has various experiences."
・The lecture included specific examples, making it easy to visualize and understand. The course content encouraged us to consider the perspective of foreigners and how they might feel through various activities.
- "The seminar focused on workshops was very meaningful, as it allowed me to activate my mind and learn a lot about other participants in a short amount of time. I was pleased to discover that there are many people in Fuchu City with rich overseas experiences and a strong interest in coexisting with foreigners."
- I heard a heartfelt opinion from a Turkish person in the same group, saying, "Even if you can speak Japanese, it's still quite difficult to make Japanese friends." This made me realize that there are many things that can only be understood through actual interaction and conversation. As a supporter, it's easy to base my perspective on my own experiences abroad, but I believe it's essential to always be aware that living as a foreigner, no matter where you are, involves individuals with diverse circumstances and backgrounds.
"People in weak positions are not weak individuals," and the pitfalls of being a supporter, such as having a condescending attitude and imposing goodwill, are traps that one can easily fall into unconsciously. I believe these are points we must not forget, and I have taken them to heart myself. The instructor's personal experiences of coming to Japan as a foreigner and obtaining a permanent visa, along with their ongoing involvement in foreign support activities, made the discussion realistic and persuasive. I found it very engaging and felt that it was a course with a lot to learn from.
I learned a lot by listening to the thoughts and opinions of others. I believe that the idea of foreigners always being in need is a bias. There are many people in the community who feel frustrated about not being able to connect with others, and it's hard to know who is seeking help for what. It made me feel reassured to realize that even if our reasons are different, we can still be close and listen to each other.
I learned about supporting foreigners while working with others, which made me think critically and benefit from their perspectives. The instructor's talk was based on real-life experiences, and I found it very helpful in understanding how to provide support and the right attitude for assistance.