In March 2022, the Otonari-san Family Friend Program received the "Excellence Award" in the selection of ideas for promoting community coexistence projects led by residents, organized by the Sawayaka Welfare Foundation.
As a selection comment, a proposal for a program where Japanese volunteers living in the community pair up with foreign residents for six months of one-on-one interaction.
The idea of deepening mutual cultural understanding through one-on-one interactions is refreshing and insightful. Additionally, it is commendable that volunteers who are willing to participate are being paired-up with foreigners in a way that is easy to engage with, given the limited time frame of the initiative.
We will continue to expand our activities to promote mutual support between Japanese residents and foreign residents in everyday life in each region.