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We conducted activities supported by the Central Community Chest of Japan(CCCJ) grant under the nationwide welfare activity support campaign during the COVID-19 pandemic, "Support Grant for Activities Assisting People with Foreign Roots, 4th Round." [Grant Period] April to September 2024
Activities
We have been focusing our activities on the "Otonari-san Family Friend Program (OFP)," the first program in Japan where local resident volunteers welcome foreign residents. In OFP, Japanese residents volunteer and pair up one-on-one with foreign residents living in the same community, providing direct support and interaction over six months. As of fiscal year 2023, more than 500 volunteers and foreign participants from over 40 countries have taken part in the Tokyo metropolitan area. With careful follow-up and support from a team of experts, OFP is highly regarded as a system that allows participants to engage seriously and with peace of mind.
1. Operation of the Otonari-san Family Friend Program (OFP)
During the grant period, 24 program orientation sessions were held for participants. There was an increase of 82 new Otonari-san volunteers and 75 new foreign participants. Twenty pairing-up meetings were held. Fifty-four new pairs started activities, and 50 participants completed their six-month activities. Regarding the reasons for participation, in addition to the traditional internet searches, "introductions by acquaintances" were frequently mentioned, spreading through word of mouth, and the number of participants who joined through introductions by acquaintances continues to increase.
2. Spot Support
We trained seven volunteers involved in OFP and Spot Otonari-san. We also worked on establishing the Spot Otonari-san system and creating related tools. For refugees and evacuees, we collaborated with external organizations to provide support in medical care, childcare, employment, and language assistance. Additionally, we offered consultation for the academic advancement of youth with foreign roots and supported activities such as accompanying them on school visits.
3. Nihongo Talk Cafe
We held the online Nihongo Talk Cafe 30 times. In everyday life situations, participants conversed with volunteers on various themes, received feedback on corrections, and were provided with opportunities to improve their Japanese conversational 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 through meals and conversations, my understanding of Japanese culture has deepened."
"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 taught me about new cafes and libraries in the area where I live, as well as how to use some apps. Spending time with Otonari-san is truly enjoyable, and I really appreciate learning things I didn’t know."
◆Otonari-san Volunteers (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, small, enjoyable relationships where Japanese and foreigners support each other. We sincerely appreciate your interest, support, and understanding of our activities. Thanks to everyone who donated, OFP has gradually reached more people, allowing each community to take steps toward coexistence. Thank you very much.