What's New

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Kagoshima Prefecture Foreign Language e-Newsletter

"Kagoshima-gov.-news" (vol. 2５)

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Contents

- Latest happenings in Kagoshima

· Students from City University of Hong Kong Received Japanese Language and Culture Training in Kagoshima International Association

· Singaporean assumes post of CIR at the Prefectural Government

· Progress of Multi-lingual Additions to the Kagoshima Prefectural Visitors Bureau's Homepage

· Arrival of JET Programme Participants in Kagoshima

- Events

· Lunchtime Exchange Session at KAPIC

· Evening of Kirishima's Local Performing Arts

· Regarding the Usage of Galaxy Express 999 in the Tourism Campaign

- Introduction to Kagoshima

· Facts About Kagoshima No. 15 (Health, Welfare and Environment, Part 1)

- Kagoshima through the Eyes of a Foreigner

· Good Times to be "Squandered" - Impressions of Ibusuki, by Ms. Kinjo Ko, CIR, from Jiangsu, China

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Latest happenings in Kagoshima

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For three weeks, from 14^th July 2009 to 4^th August 2009, 12 students who are learning Japanese at the City University of Hong Kong, which has friendly relations with Kagoshima Prefecture, underwent Japanese language training in the Kagoshima International Association.

Whilst learning Japanese language at the Kagoshima Prefectural Citizens Exchange Center, the students also participated in the following programs:

1. Home Stay (8 days 7 nights)

2. Japanese Culture Appreciation (Yukata Dressing, Rokugatsutou - June Lantern Festival, Tea Ceremony, Japanese Archery, Japanese Cuisine)

3. Visit, Field Trip (Reimeikan, NHK Kagoshima Broadcasting Station)

4. Study Tour (Sakurajima, Ibusuki, Hioki City Farm)

5. Exchange

Exchange took place with tertiary students in Kagoshima Prefecture, in the form of presentations about Hong Kong in Japanese, and while cooking and tasting Hong Kong cuisine together.

In the one week of home stay, students got to learn about Japanese customs and habits, as well as deepen their relationship with the host families. This was a very valuable experience. When first meeting the host families, the students appeared uneasy, but that seemed to be quickly relieved upon the warm receptions from the host families, and we were able to send the students off to an enjoyable stay with a peace of mind.

Also, Yukata Dressing, Tea Ceremony and Japanese Archery are not such common experiences even in Japan. The learning of Japanese tradition and etiquette definitely helped to deepen the students' understanding of Japanese culture.

In their three weeks in Kagoshima, the students have become a lot more interested in Japanese and Kagoshima food. Some comments heard were "I was really happy to experience Japanese cuisine and even learned to cook some Japanese food myself." "My host family's cooking is the best!" "Shirokuma is so yummy, I've even eaten it three times."

Moreover, the students got to enjoy thoroughly the fireworks and the sand bath hot spring, as well as the farm, which are not something they can find in Hong Kong, and the three weeks program passed by very quickly.

As the day to say goodbye to Kagoshima neared, students became more and more reluctant to leave their host families. One student, when asked about his stay in Kagoshima, said with a huge smile "Kagoshima is peaceful and the air is fresh. It is a wonderful city where you can hardly see any rubbish on the streets and in the port. The food is so delicious that I feel so much livelier now!" It is not only about learning Japanese language, it is an unforgettable experience where the students got to feel Kagoshima's magnificent nature and her people's warmth.

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< Singaporean assumes post of CIR at the Prefectural Government >

On 6^th August, Ms. Liw Wenyan was presented with a Letter of Appointment as Coordinator for International Relations (CIR) by the Prefectural Government.

Ms. Liw will be rotated between the International Affairs Division and the Kagoshima International Association every 6 months, actively participating in the production of public relations materials targeted at foreigners, exchange activities at schools and other events.

Having received the letter of appointment from Mr. Tetsuya Tsubaki, Executive Director of Tourism Promotion and International Exchange Bureau, Ms. Liw looks forward to gaining a great deal of knowledge as she begins her life in Japan, and hopes to acquaint the locals with Singapore's multi-culturalism and the measures taken to maintain harmony.

By the way, are you aware of the exchanges between Kagoshima and Singapore?

With the establishment of a regular flight route, the 1^st Singapore-Kagoshima Conference was inaugurated in 1982. Since then, this conference has been held every 2 years, alternately at Singapore and Kagoshima. With this conference as the core, many exchanges have been actively pursued in diverse fields including tourism, economy, culture and youth programmes.

Recently, as introduced in the previous issue, projects contributing to the promotion of our local industries are underway, such as the publicizing of Kagoshima produced beef in Singapore, and the welcoming of Singaporean students on school excursion to Kagoshima.

The new CIR, Ms. Liw, is the 3^rd Singaporean to take up this post. We hope that Ms. Liw will experience the many charms of Kagoshima not only in the capacity of a CIR but personally as well, and look forward to Ms. Liw being the linkage for further exchanges between Kagoshima and Singapore.

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Kagoshima, located at the southern part of Kyushu, has many charms, such as volcanoes and hot springs, nature, reliable and safe food culture. We at the Kagoshima Prefectural Visitors Bureau, would like to recommend Kagoshima to more overseas tourists who seek health and relaxation in their travels. Thus we are constantly aspiring to enrich the contents of our foreign language homepage, and we are proud to present the completed Simplified Chinese version this August. We will also continue to update our homepage with seasonal information about Kagoshima Prefecture, so please visit us at:

Japanese: http://www.kagoshima-kankou.com/

English: http://www.kagoshima-kankou.com/for/

Simplified Chinese: http://www.kagoshima-kankou.com/cn/

Traditional Chinese: http://www.kagoshima-kankou.com/tw/

Korean: http://www.kagoshima-kankou.com/kr/

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< Arrival of JET Programme Participants in Kagoshima >

57 newly contracted JET Programme participants have arrived in Kagoshima in two waves - on 29^th July and on 5^th August. The JET (Japan Exchange and Teaching) Programme first started in 1987, and is a project undertaken by local government bodies with assistance from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) and the Council of Local Authorities for International Relations (CLAIR).

In this project, local government bodies employ youths from overseas to enrich the language curricula of middle and high schools, as well as to promote international exchange at the grassroots level.

This new batch is full of youths with an ardent love for Japan and Kagoshima. Amongst them are youths who have been learning Japanese for many years, and youths with elder siblings who have worked here in Kagoshima on the same JET Programme previously. We look forward to their active involvement throughout Kagoshima.

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Events

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Tour through various countries with World Lunch (Experience a different cuisine of the world each day)

Venue: KAPIC Restaurant

Menu: 19^th September (Sat) Nepal

20^th (Sun) Bhutan

21^st (Mon) Bulgaria

22^nd (Tue) Ghana

23^rd (Wed) Senegal

26^th (Sat) Brazil (Time for exchange with Brazilian trainee)

27^th (Sun) The Dominican Republic (Time for exchange with Latin American trainee)

Time: 1130 - 1330

Participation Fee: 600 yen

Limit of 20 participants for each session, reservation required (application closed when quota is reached)

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< Evening of Kirishima's Local Performing Arts>

The Evening of Kirishima's Local Performing Arts was launched on 4^th October 2008, at the Miyama Concert Hall in Kirishima City.

Continuing into 2009, we are pleased to announce the opening of Kirishima Kagura and Kirishima Kumen Taiko.

In the Kirishima Jingu Shrine, Kirishima Kagura has now been revived after 80 years. The modern arrangement of Kagura, together with the costumes and instruments such as the Shime-Daiko, the bell and the flute, create an air of fantasy and splendour.

Kirishima Kumen Taiko, based upon the myth of Tenson Kourin (descent of the Sun Goddess's grandson to earth), expresses the solemnity and heroism in the creation of a country using the Taiko. It has been designated as an ethnic intangible cultural asset of Kirishima City.

The Wakana (和奏) is a gorgeous team comprising 4 ladies robed in red costumes, while the Haruka (郷花) is formed by a group of middle and high school students brimming with vitality. In the finale, the show develops into a powerful performance of the Kirishima Kumen Taiko.

*Schedule*

Date

· 2009 - 5^th Sep (Sat), 17^th Oct (Sat), 7^th Nov (Sat), 12^th Dec (Sat)

· 2010 - 9^th Jan (Sat), 13^th Feb (Sat), 27^th Mar (Sat)

Time 8:30pm - 9.30pm (1hr) *Admission begins at 8pm

Venue Miyako Concert Main Hall

Shuttle service available to and from all hotels in Kirishima.

*Free admission for all

Contact: Kirishima Onsen Ryokan Association 0995-78-2115

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< Regarding the Usage of Galaxy Express 999 in the Tourism Campaign>

The Committee for Promoting the Visit Kagoshima Campaign（Secretariat: Prefecture Tourism Division）is more than just a tie-up with Young Astronauts Club - Japan and Toei Animation to produce the original animation "Galaxy Express 999", based on the theme of "Universe, Railway, Dreams", using the total solar eclipse and Kagoshima tourism material as the subject matter. It is the creative application of "Galaxy Express 999" to the tourism campaign.

The duration of this original animation is 999 seconds (16 minutes 39 seconds), and it will premiere on 9^th September 2009 in Kagoshima Mitte 10 before screening in other cinemas.

1. The Production of the Original Short Animation (999sec: 16min39sec)

· Content

Title: "Galaxy Express 999 - Beyond the Diamond Ring"

On 22^nd July 2009, as the total solar eclipse reached Kagoshima, 999 landed.

The boy, Shou(翔), who dreams of exploring the universe as an astronaut, met Tetsuro, who handed him the ticket to 999 and told him this -

"It is up to you, whether you are able to use this or not."

Then it is 2035, the year when Japan welcomes the total solar eclipse once again after 26 years. And Shou...

2. The Production of the Kagoshima Tourism PR Clip (approx. 1min)

· Content

The tourism PR clip features the characters in "Galaxy Express 999", with Kagoshima tourism material as the subject matter.

3. Usage of Characters in "Galaxy Express 999"

· Content

Campaign using characters in "Galaxy Express 999".

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Introduction to Kagoshima

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(Health, Welfare and Environment, Part 1)

(1) Health Management

As of October 2006, the figures for medical facilities in Kagoshima Prefecture are: 277 hospitals (including 38 mental hospitals), 1,416 general clinics and 808 dental clinics, with a grand total of 42,604 beds. In addition, the number of hospitals and the number of beds per 100,000 people both rank 2^nd highest in Japan.

As of 1^st January 2008, 88 hospitals and 13 clinics provide emergency medical care.

Furthermore, in addition to the 7 national hospitals and 5 prefectural hospitals, 14 health centres have facilities for public health service.

In 2006, there were 15,080 births and 18,828 deaths in Kagoshima Prefecture. The main causes of death are: cancer (5,055 people - 26.8%), heart disease (2,907 people - 15.4%) and cerebrovascular disease (2,536 people - 13.5%).

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On this moonless night, the sky was a dark silent veil.

I lay in the pit, staring wide-eyed at the people at my two sides piling shovel after shovel of sand onto me, and yet I couldn't scream - because of the towel in my mouth. The sand grew heavier and heavier...

Haha! Don't be freaked out by my exaggerated description, this is not a horror scene of someone being buried alive. On the contrary, I, the one being buried, was thoroughly enjoying myself. Why, this is the famous Ibusuki Sand Bath!

I have long since known Japan to be the paradise of hot springs, ever since I first came to Japan when I was 16. I have tried many hot springs thanks to my teachers, and have even conquered the one on Mount Fuji. However, I only found out that there was such a thing as a sand bath in Japan after starting work in Jiangsu, being assigned to work on exchanges with Kagoshima. Then, I thought that I would definitely want to experience it at least once, but I didn't expect this wish to come true so soon.

On the beaches of Ibusuki, due to the heating effect of the hot spring, even the sand is warm. Sand bath utilizes the heat and weight of this sand to stimulate the expulsion of body toxins. It is said that the sand bath is 3 to 4 times more effective on health and figure than a typical hot spring.

This night, returning to the hotel after having indulged in a superbly delicious meal in a local restaurant, I eagerly changed into my bathrobe, grabbed a towel, and dashed to the sand bathhouse. The lovely lady at the door welcomed me warmly with a boisterous "Whoa, see how thin you are!" and transformed my impression of Kagoshima folks being composed and reserved. Following her instructions, I wrapped the towel around my head and secured both ends with my teeth to prevent sand from getting onto my face. Thus came about the scene in the opening.

And so I lay in the pit, and the ladies began to shovel sand onto me. Don't underestimate the skill required - these ladies must be old hands to work so quickly and efficiently without getting any bit of sand onto my face. One shovel after another, and soon my body disappeared, leaving only a face and two hands. I never knew that these tiny little specks of sand could be so heavy! I wanted to wiggle a little in the sand, but discovered that it took a great deal of effort, so I soon gave up and kept still.

That lovely lady grinningly told me that I couldn't stay in the sand for more than 15 minutes, and I could get out of the sand myself if I felt too hot, before leaving me to chat with her friends. Lying in the warm sand was like being embraced by a huge tepid hand, and gave me great sense of peace and security. The soothing rhythm of the tide was luring me into dreamland. Gazing into the endless sky, listening to the vast ocean, soaking in the warmth of the sand... On this night in Ibusuki, I found myself back in the heart of nature. Perhaps life in the bustling Chinese city I lived in was too restless, this feeling was one I rarely experienced, yet it is easy to find here in Japan. In the deep blue sea of Ioujima in Nagasaki, on the boundless highlands of Nagano, under the sunlight that trickled through the thick green foliage of Yakushima... On this night at the seaside of Ibusuki, I fuzzily thought that there must be someone who would lie in my exact same position at some other time, and I wondered if he would see the same twilight sky.

I lost track of time, as I sweated non-stop, not just from the body but the face as well. This is definitely something different from other hot springs. I craved to sweat a little more, just a little more, as I wanted to get as much beautifying effect as I could, and managed to persevere for a few more minutes. When I finally emerged from the sand, I was instantly invigorated. Despite the bathrobe, I was still stained with sand all over. But fret not - there is always a big hot spring bathhouse near a sand bathhouse. Not only could I wash off the sand, I could enjoy a hot spring at the same time. Such a good considerate idea!

I have never been to Xiamen, but I've heard of a saying there - "Time is there for one to squander". In Ibusuki, time really flows differently from other places. Even though the itinerary for this short 2-day trip was rather packed, I still felt the almost extravagant carefree lifestyle in this little city.

The afternoon that I visited the Satsuma Folklore Museum, cicadas chorused tirelessly under the scorching hot sun. But once in the elegant hall of the museum, the body and soul regains tranquillity - this is a whole different world. I felt as if I had journeyed back in time, and was transported to a grand palace of ancient times. The main colour was solemn Black, the lattices of the windows an elegant Red, with the exquisite utilization of Gold as illumination that further draws out the mysterious and majestic tone of Black. The three colours intertwined to create a stunning grand palace. I had seen night shots of the Satsuma Folklore Museum on the internet, but nothing prepared me for the breathtaking brilliance that Gold displayed with the dark night as the stage. When we entered the main hall, two Chinese ladies in traditional costumes were playing folk music. One erhu, one pipa. The heartrendingly sorrowful erhu and the brightly clear pipa were remarkably refreshing in the summer, and we couldn't help but stop to listen. If not for the inspections I had to continue with, I really could just spend the whole afternoon in the museum and let myself drown in the Black and the Gold.

And then there was this particular Japanese-style inn we were inspecting that left a deep impression on me. Even though she knew that we couldn't stay for long, the owner still insisted on serving every single one of us a cup of Japanese green tea, and even decorated each towel plate with a little flower. I immediately fell in love with this inn. Because of this little flower, I came to understand the "flow of time" in this inn, and how graceful it was. Sipping the faintly bitter green tea, nibbling on the sweet snack, and gazing into the wide ocean through the window, I once again marvelled at how great a place Ibusuki is to "squander" time.

I hope that every visitor to Ibusuki, and every visitor to Kagoshima, would be able to "squander" the times of their lives away here.

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KAGOSHIMA PREFECTURAL GOVERNMENT JAPAN

http://www.pref.kagoshima.jp/foreign.html

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Editor's Note (International Affairs Division, Kagoshima Prefecture Tourism Promotion and International Exchange Bureau)

How was this month's edition of the "Kagoshima-gov.-news" newsletter?

In order to better connect Kagoshima with readers from around the world, we are always striving to enrich and expand the contents of the articles and reports in the Kagoshima Prefecture Foreign Language Newsletter "KAGOSHIMA-gov.-news".

We would greatly appreciate any feedback, comments, or suggestions that you may have concerning the way that "Kagoshima"-related news is covered abroad.

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Questions and Inquiries;

International Affairs Division

Tourism Promotion and International Exchange Bureau

10-1 Kamoike Shinmachi, Kagoshima City

Kagoshima Prefecture 890-8577, Japan

Tel: +81-99-286-2306

Fax: +81-99-286-5522

E-mail Address:

English cirb@po.pref.kagoshima.jp

Chinese circ@po.pref.kagoshima.jp

Korean cird@po.pref.kagoshima.jp

Japanese cira@po.pref.kagoshima.jp

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Kagoshima Prefecture owns the copyright to this report. Any and all unauthorized use of this report (redistribution, BBS, etc) is strictly prohibited.

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