We Are Tomodachi Spring 2018

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35translating and performing the Koriyama City mascot’s theme song, my job here is very rewarding. I also publish EiGo Koriyama, an English magazine for our many foreign residents. It contains news and information on local events, including strawberry picking, shrine visits and festivals. My favorite event by far is the Taimatsu Akashi, a festival in the town of Sukagawa, south of Koriyama. Honoring those who perished during the civil wars of the sixteenth century, this fire festival sees giant torches carried up Mount Gorozan, the largest of which measures ten meters (33 ft.) long and weighs three tons. They are then placed upright and set alight.But Koriyama isn’t all fire and fury. I love to escape to the countryside during my time off. In the summer I go for drives in Fukushima or go for a swim in Lake Inawashiro, the fourth largest in Japan. There are also two great skate rinks nearby, where I’ve recently started speed skating again, a sport I used to practice back home in the Netherlands. In fact, Koriyama has been selected as a Host Town of the Netherlands for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games.I haven’t made up my mind what I’d like to do after finishing my CIR contract. Perhaps I’ll study translation in more detail, but I’d also like to try working in the private sector in Japan. I’d like to continue strengthening ties between Japan, the Netherlands and the rest of the world. For those considering applying to the JET Programme, I’d say this: Go in with an open mind, and read up on articles like this so that you know what might be asked of you. But most of all, just do it!About the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) ProgrammeThe Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Programme began in 1987 with the goal of promoting grass-roots international exchange between Japan and other nations, and is now one of the world’s largest international exchange programs. JET participants are placed in every region of Japan and work in one of three positions: assistant language teachers (ALTs), coordinators for international relations (CIRs), or sports exchange advisors (SEAs). In 2016, the JET Programme welcomed 4,952 participants, and currently there are approximately 62,000 alumni from 65 countries living in all parts of the world. The JET Programme official websitehttp://jetprogramme.org/en/The International Policy Division staff in discussion at City Hall.Joost taking part in the Koriyama Uneme (court lady) Festival. Elementary school students enjoy a presentation about Holland from Joost.A map of the Asaka Canal in 1882. On the right-hand side area of the map, the water supply was poor, which was devastating for local agriculture. However, during the Meiji period a canal stretching from Lake Inawashiro (seen in the left of the map) was planned. Koriyama CityFukushima CitySendai CityFukushima Pref.Tokyo