日本語
English
नेपाली
Q: What motivated you to participate in Otonari-san?
Mr. Fujii: I want to meet foreigners and help my children develop an international perspective.
I learned about this program through a recruitment notice for foreign families at the local parenting center. I thought it would be great to make friends from different countries while in Japan, and I also wanted my daughter to have opportunities to interact with various people to develop her international perspective, so we decided to participate as a family.
Q:How did you interact with your foreign resident partner?
Mr. Fujii: I was able to learn about the culture of my partner country while in Japan.
I was nervous when we first interacted, worried about whether the conversation would flow.
Our pair met infrequently due to the COVID-19 restrictions and the fact that my partner was pregnant and experiencing health issues. During the time when we were advised to limit outings because of the pandemic, I struggled with whether it was appropriate to meet, given that my partner was pregnant. After discussing it with my family and expressing my concerns to my partner, we agreed to wait until the situation stabilized before meeting. In the meantime, we exchanged messages once a week and deepened our connection through conversations on ZOOM.
We actually met about once every month and a half, spending half a day together. We participated in maternity events together and shared home-cooked meals at each other's homes. Since I love cooking, I was delighted to have my partner prepare their regional dishes and show me how to make them. While in Japan, I was able to learn about my partner's country (such as wedding customs and food), and they introduced us to their friends as "close Japanese friends." We also had meals together with my partner's friends and my friends.
Although the program has ended, I would like to continue our relationship, and I am grateful for the partnership we formed. Even after the activities concluded, we have been keeping in touch regularly and have gone out together several times.
Q:What message would you like to convey to those interested in volunteering with Otonari-san?
Mr. Fujii: What is normal for us can be confusing for foreigners, leading to many challenges in their daily lives.
Through the activities of Otonari-san, we realized that what seems normal to us can be confusing for foreigners, and there are many challenges they face in their daily lives. We know that when we go to the hospital, we receive a prescription and can get our medication at the pharmacy, but our partners may not be aware of this and have struggled to obtain their medicine. Because of experiences like this, we have become more attentive to foreigners who appear to be in need on the streets.
To those who will become Otonari-san, please create many memories with your partner! Those memories will last a lifetime. I believe Otonari-san is a wonderful initiative, and I hope it continues to grow in the future.