Obtain solutions for issues in life of people with various backgrounds

We, social workers provide consultation and support for various issues in life from a standpoint of social welfare and attempt to accomplish harmony between humans and environments. Among those people with issues in life, foreigners are also included and "Multicultural Coexistence" is becoming a close topic for social workers.
In 2008, we were asked to help open the "Multicultural Community Social Worker Training Program" for social workers in the prefecture by the Department of Citizens and Culture, International Affairs Division, Gunma Prefecture. Professional associations for social workers such as "Gunma Prefecture Medical Social Worker Association" to which I belong, "Gunma Association of Certified Social Workers" and "Gunma Association of Psychiatric Social Workers" have cooperated with each other and worked on this program. In the three year project, 44 multicultural social workers have finished the program and are working by themselves at medical institutions, social organizations, social welfare institutions, or communities where they belong to.

I am expecting that the collaboration of social workers in Gunma Prefecture and "Multicultural Community Advancement Officers" who are advanced in the field will provide solutions for issues in life among people having various backgrounds.

Bridges between Japan and foreign countries in the international society

I am a third generation Japanese Brazilian and came to Japan in 1989 for my father's job. After amendments to the immigration law, Japan became closer to Japanese Brazilian people than before. This can be seen especially in the technology parks of in Ohata City and Oizumi Town in Gunma Prefecture, where a number of Brazilian people live. Twenty years after the migrant boom now, multicultural community has become an unavoidable topic.
What could we do for the areas where many foreigners live in? It sounds like multicultural coexistence society is a difficult term, but implementation of the idea is even more difficult than the word itself. A good analogy for it is international marriage. If two people with different cultures try to accept each custom, respect each other and live together, accumulation of miniscule things sometimes lead to conflicts between them. However, we can learn a lot of things from this.

The expectation for a "Multicultural Community Advancement Officer" is high in this globalization movement in the world. I hope they can actively work, not only in the local community, but also in the international society as human resources that support the future of Japan, to become ambassadors between foreign countries and Japan.

Multicultural coexistence is an essential item for the future of our community

The issues in multicultural coexistence with foreign residents are changing from short-term guest workers to permanent residents. Also, considering the low birth rate and an aging population in the entire East Asia, update of population policy for sustainable communities is an urgent need. We should work on "multicultural coexistence" as an essential task for the future of local communities. This is not only for foreigners. For the administration, perspective in multicultural coexistence is needed in employment and industrial policy and in terms of business, paying attention to foreigners not only as human resources but customers, their possibility will be expanded.
I have high expectations for success of "Multicultural Community Advancement Officers" trained in the program with classmates having various experiences and careers.

■Profile

In 2006, participated in planning of "Multicultural Community Advancement Plan" prepared by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications. In 2011, appointed a Cabinet Secretariat Planning Officer. After working on the investigation of needs of the disaster areas and enforcement of policies for promotion of volunteers for the earthquake, from 2012, has worked as a Senior Director for General Policy of the Reconstruction Agency (non-full-time). In this project, is in charge of lectures of Consultant Course Basic Education "Practical Theories of Practical Advancement of Multicultural Living".

Valuable human training program important for the 21st Century

Recently people from various fields are calling for the necessity of "global human resources" in the future. That is understandable, but occasionally some people misunderstand experiences in living overseas, and fluency in English, only as globalism. In today's Japan, an ability to live with people having various origins and backgrounds such as "multicultural approaches" will be needed.
This "Multicultural Community Advancement Officer" training program is a valuable program that provides the human resources needed in the 21st century. I want to say "BOA SORTE" meaning "Good Luck" to all people working for this program and students.

■Profile

Born in Sao Paulo, Working as a journalist while researching immigrants in Brazil and Japan, taught "Study in Brazil for Multicultural Coexistence" for five years from the academic year 2005 in the Program for Promoting High-Quality University Education at Gunma University. Is in charge of the Analyst Course, "Conditions and Challenges in Multicultural Communities" in this program.

Activate communities through creation of livable social environment

Since I met Megumi Yuki, a professor at Faculty of Education, Gunma University in April, 2008, I became more aware of the importance of promotion of a multicultural coexistence society. At that time, International Affairs Division, Life and Culture Department, oversaw public administration related to foreigners, and discussed resolutions for health, medical services, welfare, education and jobs in foreigner inhabitation areas with concerned city offices and organizations. During that time, we received the appropriate support and guidance for health consultations with foreigners, and an aggressive approach to public education from Professor Yuki, so that we received the notice of other Prefectures.
In Gunma Prefecture, about 40,000 foreigners from 106 countries live. A safe and secure environment for foreigners would be a social environment that would be good for citizens in Gunma Prefecture, leading to the enrichment of the community.
Gunma Nursing Association provides support and care for people in various life stages while providing high quality nursing services at any time anywhere as professional nurses so that their patients can live healthily and productive lives. I hope many people involved in health, medical services, as well as nursing services will participate in this training program.

Spread "multicultural coexistence" from Gunma Prefecture

I came from a family of a Chinese businessman in the Zhejiang Province in China. I met my wife in France and came to Japan after getting married in 1994. After the collapse of the Bubble Economy, the number of tourists to Haruna Lake decreased and Haruna Lake stagnated, resulting in the youth leaving their hometown. Under these circumstances, I was involved in the local volunteer fire corps and a sightseeing organization, as I wanted to do whatever I could. Then, I established a new sightseeing project with a few local young people as a member of the community to attract tourists. Since I came to Japan by myself, it took time to fit into the community. When I heard about the "multicultural community advancement officer" training program, I thought this would be a great program because foreigners could rely on the officer for living in Japan.
I would like multicultural community advancement officers to be a bridge between Japanese and foreigners, and to be active in radicating the policy of "multicultural coexistence" in society in Japan.
I would sincerely like to help in spreading multicultural coexistence from Gunma Prefecture to the rest Japan.