AIRA’s FY2021 General Assembly was held taking protective measures against COVID-19.
(No.21-3)
Date & Time: 24th April(Sat), 2021 13:30～14:30
Venue: Abiko Civic Plaza Multi-Purpose Hall

Last year AIRA postponed the General Assembly from April to September due to the declaration of the state of emergency for COVID-19 which was effective from last April to May. However, this year, although no significant slow-down of spread of the infection was observed, since the infection in the city was not spreading badly, AIRA held the assembly in April taking necessary protective measures such as limitation of participants, shortening the time, avoiding the three Cs, checking the body temperature at the entrance, etc.

The assembly was chaired by Ms.Adachi, Director of Department of Administration, and AIRA President Mr.Ichikawa, Honorable AIRA President Mr.Hoshino, Mayor (acted for by Mr.Aoki, Vice Mayor) and Mr.Nishigaki, Auditor, Chairman of the City Council made a short speech respectively.
Presidetnt Mr.Ichikawa said in his speech, “Although AIRA’s communication with citizens was temporarily disconnected due to the pandemic, we resumed the foreign language classes and we will try to regain the communication with every effort, for which we expect your cooperation.”
Mr.Aoki, Vice Mayor expressed his appreciation for AIRA’s activities for providing foreigners with opportunities to study Japanese online as a key organization for the city’s globalization.

After Mr.Toda, Chairman of Standing Committee on Administration and Planning and Mr.Maru, Superintendent of Education of Abiko City were introduced, Mr.Ichikawa proceeded with the deliberation on the agenda.
The main agenda and the speakers were as stated below;

1. “FY2020 Business Report” (Agenda No.1) by Vice President Ms.Kitajima
Due to the spread of COVID-19, the scheduled visits to Japan by New Zealand high school students and North Arizona University students were cancelled and other various events like Abiko International Festival were also cancelled. Also, such activities to promote international communications as dispatching of interpreters or sending foreigners to elementary schools could not be carried out. On the other hand, we resumed the Japanese classes for foreigners online and restarted the delayed foreign language classes with protective measures against the disease. Also, there were such activities as cultural lessons for foreigners and training classes to study English translation.

2. “FY2020 Income and Expenditure Settlement” (Agenda No.2) by Mr.Yoda, Accountant,
Mr.Adachi , Auditor
Administration of AIRA was badly affected particularly in the aspect of income due to the cancellation of various events and the decrease of students of foreign language classes. Therefore, we tried to restrain the expenditure by revising the work shift of our office staff members and refraining from purchasing office fittings.
We received a large donation to support our activities from the World Doll Museum which is one of AIRA’s supporting members.
As a result, the account balance was ▼\1,977,000.-(FY2020 \12,425,000.- FY2019 \14,402,000.-) Then, Mr.Adachi, Auditor confirmed that the statement was correct as the result of checking the relevant documents such as the balance sheet, vouchers. etc.

3. “Change of Directors, Auditors and Officers (draft)” (Agenda No.3) by President Mr.Ichikawa
Three directors were replaced in accordance with the personnel changes at the organizations which they belong to.

4. “FY2021 Business Plan(draft)” (Agenda No.4) by Mr.Murakoshi, Vice President for the whole plan
The directors of each department explained their plans.
Ms.Adachi : Administration Department
Mr.Hayasaka : Cross-Cultural Activities Department
Mr.Nakamura: Public Relations Department
Mr.Uehara: Foreign Language Department
Mr.Hesaki: Vice President and Director of Volunteer Services Department

Almost the same businesses as performed in the past are scheduled for both the whole plan and individual ones of each department. The followings are for important notice.
1) AIRA was established in 1992, and this year is the 30th anniversary. We will hold a ceremony of the 30th anniversary of the establishment on the same day (Sunday, 28th November, 2021) when Abiko International Festival will be held. Also, we will publish a memorial magazine of AIRA 30th anniversary as a record of AIRA’s 30 years of activities after the establishment.
2) At the International Exchange Speech Contest scheduled on Sunday, 26th September, 2021, “The World Doll Museum Award (tentative)” will be prepared adding to AIRA President’s Award, Mayor’s Award, etc. Last year AIRA received a large donation from Mr.Yasuharu Ko who is the owner of the World Doll Museum. Mr. Ko made the donation to support young people’s foreign language training and overseas experience, and taking this opportunity, we decided to make this new award.
3) COVID-19 is still spreading and the opportunities of communication with foreigners staying in Japan are still less than before. However, taking opportunities, we will positively plan to receive home-stay foreign students (by Department of Cross-Cultural Activities) and to dispatch interpreters in relation to the upcoming Tokyo Olympics (by Department of Volunteer Services).

5. “FY2021 Budget for business (draft)” (Agenda No.5) by Mr.Yoda, Accountant
The income of FY2021 will be reduced by approx. 1 million yen considering the decrease of AIRA members and of students of foreign language classes under COVID-19.
On the other hand, 1 million yen donated by Mr.Yasuhiro Ko was included in the budget. Regarding the expenditures, necessary budget for the ceremony of AIRA’s 30th anniversary of the establishment as well as for the publication of a memorial magazine were added. The donation by Mr.Ko is expected to be used for the publication of the memorial magazine of AIRA’s 30th anniversary and for the new prizes of the International Speech Contest. The balance left this year will be passed to the next year onward.

6. “Amendment of Regulations of AIRA” by President Mr.Ichikawa
The following article was amended;
(before)
“As for new subjects besides the ones stipulated in the regulations, the President shall submit it to the Directors meeting.
(after)
“…, the President shall submit it to the Directors meeting after getting approval at the officers’ meeting.”

The above Agenda No.1 to No.5 as well as the amendment of AIRA’s regulations were fully deliberated and unanimously approved. Lastly President Mr.Ichikawa reported the contents of “AIRA’s Privacy Policy”.
After all the deliberations, the Chairman made introductions of the new directors who attended today and the meeting was over. No social gathering was held due to COVID-19 this year as last year.

(Translated by Katsumi Nakajima)