Ehle Academy's Initiatives for Regional Revitalization and Multicultural Coexistence
The interview with President Hasegawa
Ehle Academy's Initiatives for Regional Revitalization and Multicultural Coexistence
Interviewing with President Keiichi Hasegawa of Ehle Academy for the first time in 11 years. The school now boasts over 1,500 students, but even when international students were few, Ehle Academy encouraged them to volunteer in the community to become valuable members of society. Despite initial challenges due to language and cultural differences, years of persistent community cleanup efforts have paid off. Recently, the academy has received over 1,000 volunteer requests from residents for their international students while some areas in Japan face conflicts between foreign residents and locals, in Osaka's Naniwa Ward, Ehle Academy's international students have become valuable community assets under the philosophy of "Becoming who you want to be, serving others"
Impact on Regional Research and Exchange
While the query mentions "地域研究" (regional studies) and "地域交流" (regional exchange), the provided information doesn't directly address these aspects. However, we can infer that:- Through these community activities, students likely gain practical insights into local culture and society, which could be valuable for regional studies.
- The daily interaction with the community through cleanup activities and other collaborations naturally promotes regional exchange and understanding.
These initiatives demonstrate Ehle Academy's commitment to fostering a mutually beneficial relationship between international students and the local community, contributing to regional development and cross-cultural understanding.
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International Students Contributing to Regional Revitalization
The school's motto, "Becoming who you want to be, serving others," encourages self-realization and helping others achieve their goals. Faculty members actively participate in volunteer work and community activities with students, providing them opportunities to experience "living Japanese" and learn about Japanese society firsthand, it became clear that students who were enthusiastic about volunteering often performed better academically and secured desirable jobs."Becoming who you want to be" → Good grades, desired employment, integration into Japanese society
"Serving others" → Contributing to the community through volunteering and local activities
Initially viewed as a nuisance, international students have transformed into a valuable group that contributes positively to the community.
Community Cleanup Activities:
- Local litter pickup around Ehle Academy
- Namba Central Park cleanup
- Graffiti removal
- Naniwa Ward Zero Waste Campaign
- Midosuji Street cleaning (1,500 international students participated as part of the curriculum)
- Participants: Students and staff
Jizo Festival (Namba de Yukata):
- Yukata dressing volunteers: Local community members from Namba-Naka area
- Yukata experience participants:
- Children living in Namba-Naka area
- Ehle Academy students
- Post-dressing activities:
- Children participate in Bon dance at "Namba Carnival"
- Assisting with festival food stalls
This event showcases cultural exchange and community involvement, with residents helping dress participants in yukata (summer kimono). Both local children and international students from Ehle Academy take part, engaging in traditional dance and festival activities, fostering cross-cultural understanding and community spirit.
Welfare Friendship Plaza:
- Participation trigger: Request for wheelchair assistance volunteers
- Location: Naniwa Ward Community Center
- Activities:
• Bazaar, food stalls, exhibitions
• Nursing care consultations
• Hands-on experiences (sign language, braille)
• Toy hospital
• Exchange meetings
• Goodwill Bank award ceremony
• Stage performances - Participants: 19 students, 1 teacher
- Volunteer roles:
• Reception
• Wheelchair assistance
• Dancing in mascot costumes
• Playing with children
This event showcases community engagement, providing opportunities for students to volunteer in various capacities, from practical assistance to entertainment. It promotes interaction between students and residents, fostering understanding of diverse needs within the community.
Learning Support Program:
- Location: Shikitsu Elementary School and others
- Scope: International students dispatched to all elementary and junior high schools in the district
- Participants: Ehle Academy students
- Activities: Academic support for children with foreign roots who are not proficient in Japanese
- Naniwa Ward and Ehle Academy have an agreement for this program
- Students participate as interns, visiting schools once a week
This initiative demonstrates Ehle Academy's commitment to community integration and education support. By helping children with diverse backgrounds improve their Japanese language skills and academic performance, international students contribute significantly to the local education system while gaining valuable experience in cross-cultural communication and teaching.
Here's a summary of the changes teachers have observed over the past 10 years regarding international students:
Foreign students typically face three main barriers:
- Language barrier
- Institutional/systemic barrier
- Psychological/emotional barrier
Among these, the "psychological barrier" - consisting of misunderstandings and prejudices against foreign students - has been particularly high. However, through community contributions and engagement, there has been a significant shift in local attitudes. What were once complaints have transformed into expressions of support, with locals now saying "We want to help!" This change indicates a positive trend in breaking down the psychological barriers faced by international students.
The transition from being viewed as a nuisance to becoming valued community members highlights how active community involvement can foster mutual understanding and acceptance. Ehle Academy's long-term strategy of encouraging students to contribute to the local community has played a crucial role in this transformation, demonstrating the power of cultural exchange and community service in overcoming prejudices and building positive relationships.
Revitalizing Local Traditions and Economy
International students now play a significant role in revitalizing local festivals where Japanese participation has declined.
The Minami area of Osaka is popular among foreign tourists for its authentic atmosphere. President Hasegawa envisioned a progression from tourism to studying, working, and eventually settling in Japan, which could help counter population decline.
In addition to its long-standing activities in the Namba area, Ehle Academy has opened a new advanced information technology school in the Shin-Imamiya area, just a 15-minute walk from Namba. This new school, which started in April, already has a capacity of 680 students.
President Hasegawa expressed enthusiasm about future collaborations with the Osaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry's "Greater Minami Revitalization" project. By aligning with initiatives to create hubs for foreign entrepreneurs, Ehle Academy aims to contribute further to the local economy's revitalization
Ehle Academy's long-standing efforts to integrate international students into the local community have yielded remarkable results:
From Outsiders to Valued Community Members
Once seen as outsiders due to their different lifestyles, international students have gained trust through years of community cleanup activities. As a result, they are increasingly invited to participate in local festivals, and community members have grown more understanding of their presence.Contributing to Local Businesses and Society
Today, these students are actively involved in internships at local companies, where they utilize their language skills and cross-cultural sensibilities for translation, interpretation, marketing, and sales support tasks.Deepening Understanding of Japanese Society
While contributing to the local community, international students are simultaneously deepening their understanding of Japanese society. This mutual exchange is fostering a growing awareness of the importance of multicultural coexistence for Japan's future.Ehle Academy's Dual Approach
Ehle Academy's long-term strategy of providing proactive opportunities for international students aims to achieve both regional revitalization and multicultural coexistence simultaneously. This approach is likely to bring a brighter future for both the international students and Japanese local communities.
This initiative by Ehle Academy is paving the way for a more inclusive and vibrant society in Japan. （written and translated by Miyazaki, the editor of Global Community）
Interview voice by soundcolud.com