IDFC2025

On September 22, 2024, we took part in the workshop “My Neighbor Is a Foreigner,” organized by the nonprofit Link to Myanmar. Through visits to Myanmar households and discussions, this event addressed issues relating to multicultural coexistence.

Event schedule

• 13:00 Meet at Oppama Station
• 13:15 Visits to Myanmar families begin
• 14:30 End of Visit
• 15:00 Arrival at Kanazawa District Center / Discussion begins
• 16:30 End of discussion

Scenes from home visits

We visited local Myanmar households and learned directly about their daily lives and culture.

Two Myanmar guests and six participants deepened their connections while eating Myanmar food together.

Participants had opportunities to ask questions during the visits and showed interest in life in Japan, cultural differences, and Myanmar customs.

Discussion Theme

In the discussion following the visit, participants split into three groups to discuss the following themes.

1. They do not follow the garbage rules!
2. The foreign residents in my neighborhood are making terrible noise!
3. What if you end up working in the same workplace as someone from another country?

These topics were based on actual difficulties that local residents encounter while living alongside foreign residents. Participants discussed in depth how they would respond to each problem and the challenges Japan faces in living together with foreign residents. After the discussions, each team gave a presentation and received comments and feedback from the speaker.

Participant voices (planned)

Here are reflections from three IDFC members who participated in the event.

「 It was my first time visiting the home of a foreign resident in Japan, and it was a very valuable opportunity!

Through various interviews, we received candid answers about what surprised them when they came to Japan and why they came here.

“We did more than simply visit homes: afterward, we invited a speaker and held a discussion. It really made us think carefully about the problems we face now and what we should do going forward!”
– ゆりこ

 

“The Myanmar food prepared by the Myanmar people we actually visited combined many different flavors, including sourness and spiciness, and was a very distinctive experience. The cuisine of neighboring Thailand is popular in Japan, but Myanmar cuisine is not yet widespread. I hope that once the civil war ends and things settle down, Myanmar cuisine will gradually become more widespread in Japan.

In the discussion afterward, we talked about problems that arise from accepting foreign residents. There are various problems, such as waste disposal, but people from many countries come to Japan, not only Myanmar. Thinking about the future, I hope Japan can become a country where Japanese people and foreign residents can both live a little more comfortably.”

- and this one here

 

 

“I had a very enjoyable time participating in this workshop. I was particularly impressed by how attentively the lecturers listened to our opinions and helped us deepen the discussion. I feel that my thinking was refined and my perspective broadened.

The account of scheduled power outages in Myanmar was also particularly shocking. I was surprised to learn that the Myanmar government is enforcing electricity conservation because it lacks funds. Learning about these circumstances made me reconsider the differences between Japan and Myanmar and the challenges of coexistence.”

- Jotaro

 

On September 21, 2024, IDFC members attended the Myanmar Film Festival at JICA Global Plaza in Ichigaya. Organized by NGO SOSIA, the festival ran from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., with moving, thought-provoking film screenings and guest talks.

Highlights of the day

The film festival began with a screening of “山の医療団”, followed by a documentary produced by NGO SOSIA. In the afternoon, “僕の帰る場所” resonated deeply with the audience, depicting refugee issues and the hardships of daily life. Next, “白骨街道” portrayed Myanmar’s complex social and political situation.

At lunchtime, authentic Myanmar cuisine was served, allowing us to enjoy a cultural experience as well as the film. At the end of the event, we shared dinner with the organizers and other participants, enjoying a warm exchange of impressions and opinions about the film.

IDFC members who went to help with the event

Here are the impressions of two IDFC members who attended the film festival.

“It was my first time watching a film about Myanmar, and it made me reconsider the issues faced by foreign residents in Japan and the fact that there had been a war in Myanmar. I learned a great deal. Most IDFC activities involve Japanese members, so it was wonderful to hear valuable stories from a variety of people! I would definitely like to take part in another event!”
– Yuriko

“I was deeply impressed by this film, which pursued a very realistic portrayal. It was also wonderful to see everyone taking an interest in Myanmar through their activities and to have so many opportunities to hear about life there. I have not been to Myanmar yet, but it made me want to visit if I have the chance.”
– じょうたろう

Closing remarks

This film festival was a valuable opportunity to understand Myanmar’s current situation through film. Besides its educational aspects, it deepened exchanges among participants, making it a wonderful day that increased interest in Myanmar. Please keep an eye on our upcoming events too!

IDFC2025 Launched!!!

This year, we will be working with 10 members, including returning members! Thank you for your continued support.

—Meet the Members—

“President”

國貞 芽依, second year, Burmese Studies, School of Foreign Studies, Osaka University

“External Relations”

小島 嵩史, second year, School of Medicine, Tokai University

“Public Relations”

松永丞太郎, 4th year, Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Faculty of Engineering, Tottori University

Tsuda University, College of Liberal Arts, Department of English, third year: 加藤 輝

土屋由利子, 1st year, Department of Art Studies, Faculty of Letters, Meiji Gakuin University

“Management”

八子雄輝, second-year undergraduate, Faculty of Economics, Chuo University

鈴木理紗, 2nd year, Department of Law, Faculty of Law, Keio University

“Support”

岩井佑莉名, 3rd year, Faculty of Foreign Studies, Kobe City University of Foreign Studies