Under COVID-19 pandemic AIRA is seeking different ways to carry out its activities. Online consultation for foreigners is one of them. An adviser talked about life in Japan with a foreigner who is now living in France and moving to Japan soon. (No.21-7)
Date & time: June 25th (Fri), 2021 around 17:00 pm (Local time in France 10:00 am)
Software: Zoom
Counselor: Ms. Patricia Kato (from Chili)
The woman who asked for advice is from Argentina and coming to Japan with her family members before long. It is the first time for her to live in Japan, therefore naturally there should be lots of worries about daily life, school for her children, etc.
AIRA requested Ms. Patricia Kato, who is the instructor of AIRA Spanish Language Salon, to be the counselor this time since the consulter speaks Spanish. The online consultation was carried out in the evening considering the time difference with Japan (7 hours later in France). Main subjects were as follows;
1. Kindergartens, their current circumstances, necessary procedures to enter them
2. Places for kids to play, availability and location of parks, etc.
3. Places for shopping, public transportations, how to communicate at hospitals, etc.
It was the first time for AIRA to provide an online consultation for a foreigner. Such online consultation or interpretation is possible from home, and rather easy and convenient. It is also possible to communicate with more than one person at the same time and can be applied widely. Online communication will be increased from now on.
(Translated by Katsumi Nakajima)