Welcome Party for Marathon Runners 
Friday February 15, Minaminakakashii

Prior to the 26th Annual KIX Senshu International Marathon, Izumisano City, in partnership with Chengdu in China, New Town in Mongolia, Tubu in Mongolia, the city of Marilia in Brazil, and the Republic of Uganda, held a welcome party for the 6 runners from their respective countries. Forty-four people, mainly ica members, participated and cheered on the runners.

 

From the left, Wang Jiayu (China),  Oyuka (Mongolia),  Dogee (Mongolia), Alex (Uganda), Saihana (Mongolia), Satake (ica) and Leonardo (Brazil). Satake, a registered runner, who also participated last year, said, “The bridge makes this course difficult.”

Nankin Tamasudare​, a traditional Japanese street performance, stirring everyone in the hall with excitement.

  

Having a short tea break, Emmanuel (left) and Alex (right),  "The Uganda Brothers". Alex is a 19-year-old police officer.

Sunday, January 27 at Kansai International Center

A total of 118 people, including about 30 foreigners, gathered and enjoyed various games and activities such as Go, origami, and plate turning. In addition, participants enjoyed mizuhiki, the art of wrapping and shaping cord in a decorative fashion and the traditional card gamed called karuta. Performers took to the floor and danced Yosakoi, an exhilarating performance of beautiful voices, colorful costumes, and bright rhythms and colorful dances.

In cooperation with:
Soroptimist International Osaka
Rinku Art, Mizuhiki Club
Dream Club (Yosakoi)

Sunday, December 8 2018
Minaminakakashii, Izumisano

One hundred people participated in the end-of-the-year Gayagaya Party. Participants including family members and people of various ages and nationalities, enjoyed singing, dancing, playing games and chatting.

Hiking Inunaki Mountain
November 11, 2018 (Sun)

Foreign residents living in the area and trainees from Kansai International Center walk along the mountain stream of Inunaki Mountain.

The Inunaki Mountain Hike, hosted by ica, was fun, memorable experience, impressing many trainees from Kansai International Center. Participants with various backgrounds including Japanese were divided into several groups making for a fun experience. Participants enjoyed bento boxes for lunch. The tour was in Japanese, but group members interpreted and helped with explanations. At the end of the hike was a Kamishibai, a picture-story show that helped elucidate the impressiveness of this historic place. Thanks to the ica members, the Inunaki Mountain Hike was fun and memorable. (Dauda / Mali)

Cultural Exchange
Thursday, October 25, 2018, Kansai International Center

68 people from 27 countries and regions gathered to converse and share their stories at the Kansai International Center Hall. Around 27 Japanese language students from Kansai International Center and Japanese participants were divided into small groups. Groups took to the numerous tables and exchanged in Japanese and English, often making gestures.

What were the foreign participants’ impressions?
● I’m happy to be able practice Japanese. (Spain)
● ica members are very friendly and warm. (Vanuatu)

What were the Japanese participants’ impressions?
● During the conversation, I? wanted to cheer them on as?they tried to do?their best to remember Japanese by writing in?their notebooks.
● Everyone spoke with?such pride of their work that their?eyes sparkled.

Participants’ Countries of Origin
Europe + NIS
United Kingdom, Georgia, Spain

Middle East
Afghanistan, Yemen, Pakistan

Africa
Mali, Sudan, Republic of the Congo, Ghana, Gabon, Tanzania Ethiopia, Benin, Namibia

Asia
Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, Myanmar, Mongolia, Malaysia, Laos Vietnam, Philippines

Oceania
Vanuatu

Latin America
Guyana, Colombia