Multicultural Coexistence
Establishment of consultation desks for foreign residents and provision of information on living, educational support for children with foreign roots and foreign students in Japan and support for Japanese language education. We also provide assistance during disasters.
Consultation Desk for Foreigners
There is a consultation desk for foreign residents set up in the prefecture with consultants who can speak foreign languages, provide information and recommend specialized offices in accordance to the needs of the client about issues concerning labor, medical care, education, etc. Consultations may also be done through telephone, FAX or e-mails. (Confidentiality is strictly observed.) In addition, liaison meetings for the exchange of information between interpreters and counselors working in municipalities in the prefecture, and training workshops are held respectively for the enhancement of participants.
Information Magazine for Foreigners “Mimitaro”
“Mimitaro” is a name given by its volunteer translators that combines the words, “Mimi” (ears), implying the desire to convey good information and “Taro”, a name familiar to Japanese readers.
- Published in 10 languages
- Japanese (with furigana), English, Portuguese, Spanish, Chinese (simplified), Chinese (traditional), Korean , Tagalog, Vietnamese and Indonesian.
- Publication
- 4 issues per year
Educational Assistance to Children with Foreign Roots
For children and guardians who have roots in foreign countries, we strive to thoroughly provide information on academic courses by holding career guidance seminars in many languages and also support career selection for students to have a broad vision in their future after graduating from high school and university.
Career Fair (Multilingual Career Guidance, Career Design Training)
Career guidance seminars are held together with our effort to enhance and disseminate the contents of school admission guide in multiple languages, in cooperation with the prefectural and the municipal Board of Education. We also offer students the chance to have a broad perspective of their own occupational qualifications and to design their future career.
Training Course for Supporters of Foreign Residents
(Training Course for Japanese Language Instructors of Children with Foreign Roots) We hold a training course for Japanese language instructors of children once a year.
Multilingual Course Guidance (Multilingual Reference Materials, Links)（PDF）updated date：10.14.2023
A revised second edition of The Strategy Meeting for your dream（PDF）
Scholarships for Foreign Students (Biwako Scholarship for Foreign Students)
At SIA, we provide benefit-type scholarships for international students (ryugakusei) residing and studying in graduate schools, universities, junior colleges in Shiga.
Please contact the person in charge of the scholarship program in your school for applications.
Outline of Payment & Application Requirements
Others
Lending of Japanese Educational Materials and Brazilian Textbooks
We provide Japanese educational materials and materials for teaching Nihongo to children with foreign roots, Brazilian textbooks, reference books to support learning in schools, books on multicultural coexistence, and offers lending services of these materials (only for SIA members and associations, including schools). Feel free to browse and use the books at our International Information Salon.
Application to Avail of Lending Services
※Teaching Materials Available for Lending(Japanese teaching materials, Brazilian textbooks, reference books to support learning in schools, books on multicultural coexistence)
Japanese Language Education Support
In collaboration with Biwako Nihongo Network (commonly known as BNN), we help in organizing the “Training Course for Japanese Instructors” and the “Nihongo Speech Contest for Foreigners”. In addition, we provide information on Japanese language classes in the prefecture.
Support Site for the Creation of Schools with Multicultural Coexistence
In response to the increasing enrollment of foreign students in elementary and junior high schools in the prefecture every year, we made the “Support Site for the Creation of Schools with Multicultural Coexistence” accessible, in order to assist each school in its preparation to admit foreign students.
In this site, aside from being able to make “original class schedules” and “multilingual school signs” in 6 languages, (Portuguese, Spanish, English, Chinese, Tagalog, Korean), you can see a list of school terminologies translated in 6 languages. With a new school term about to begin, we have created this site, with the hope that foreign students could spend school life in Japan with ease and peace of mind. Please use it by all means.
Support Site for the Creation of Schools with Multicultural Coexistence
SIA Multilingual Information on Child-rearing
At SIA, we support fathers and mothers raising children by creating “Multilingual Information on Child-rearing”, where information regarding pregnancy, childbirth, childcare, etc., are in 6 languages.
Assisting Foreign Residents During Disasters ．Expanding the Creation of Multicultural Communities through Disaster Prevention
Assisting Foreign Residents During Disasters ．Expanding the Creation of Multicultural Communities through Disaster Prevention
We are engaged in giving insights and cooperation in disaster prevention activities, where the government, local residents and municipal international exchange associations work together by enabling foreigners to have a personal relationship and connection with the region and the community through participation in disaster prevention activities, and by having an agreement between the people in the region and the foreign residents, a new chance for awareness may be brought about to the region.
Multilingual Emergency Packs, Lending out disaster prevention multilingual materials, Disaster prevention awareness activities
During local activities and events on disaster prevention, we distribute information on emergency packs, etc., that can be utilized by foreign participants for disaster prevention awareness and improvement of knowledge.
Training for Firefighters on the Management of Foreigners During Emergencies
We coordinate trainings for firefighters to enable them to respond to foreigners whose language and culture differ.
Implementation of Training on the Assistance of Foreigners during Disasters in the Kinki Area and Participation in Study Groups
As a member of the "Network on Foreign Assistance in the Event of a Disaster, Kinki Block Study Group" under the Kinki Regional Local International Exchange Associations, we continue to strengthen regional cooperation, and create a system of support.
System on the Assistance of Foreigners During Disasters
Volunteers who will carry out the activities to assist foreigners in the affected areas, etc., are registered for the prompt and accurate assistance of foreigners when large scale disasters occur in Shiga, the Kinki areas and adjacent prefectures.
