AIRA had a ceremony to commemorate the 30th anniversary from its foundation. The ceremony was held solemnly after taking proper anti-coronavirus measures. (No.21-15) Date & Time : November 28th (Sun) 13:00 ~ 13:50
Venue : Abiko Civic Plaza (Multiple-Purpose Hall)
Guests : Chiba Prefectural local government staff, Chiba Prefectural assembly members, AIRA’s former presidents： 8 people, City council members and people concerned： 15 people, Counterparts from neighboring cities: 7 people, Supporting members: 13 people, Directors and Auditors of AIRA: 7 people, Total 50 people
Attendees ; AIRA concerned people 20
Beautiful sound consisting of a flute, a pian, and a violin, sounded in the hall to tell the opening of the ceremony. The emcees of the ceremony were Ms. KIDA from Thailand and Mr. OHSAKI.
Following the opening remarks by AIRA’s President ICHIKAWA, Mayor of Abiko, HOSHINO Jun-ichiro, gave a few words, representing the guests.
AIRA was founded on November 21st, 1992 after having been held the preparation meeting and the meeting of promoters for the volunteer organization in January of the year. Under the Abiko city’s policy to promote international friendship and understanding, AIRA has conducted a variety of activities to enhance international relationship by ordinary citizens in their daily life, which could strengthen the friendship with foreigners. (Article 2 <Purpose> of AIRA bylaw)
In 1993, AIRA opened the Japanese classes for foreign resident in the city to support their life. In addition to the classes, AIRA opened other foreign language classes: English, Chinese, Korean, French, German, and Spanish. AIRA has also undertaken a variety of events, as shown below:
* The Abiko International Festival to promote international friendship among Japanese and non-Japanese people living in Abiko.
* The International Exchange Speech Contest to let citizens and young people get interested in foreign countries.
* The cross-culture understanding lecture made by the non-Japanese lecturer.
* The culture class to let the non-Japanese students understand the Japanese culture better.
* The bus trip and others.
In this ceremony, four persons were presented a letter of appreciation because of their outstanding devotion to AIRA since its foundation. The names and the causes are shown below.
1. Mr. AOKI Akira (Vice Mayor of Abiko) has been striving for the development for this volunteer organization for three decades.
2. Mr. IDEGUCHI Takeshi (Director of Account, former AIRA President) has strived for the development for the organization for three decades, including the preparation meeting.
3. Ms. SAKAZUME Miyako (Secretariat) has been working sincerely for long years since the foundation of AIRA and contributing greatly for the organization.
4. Mr. KOU Koji (A supporting member) has contributed greatly to AIRA by extending a hefty donation as he deeply recognized the meaning of the existence of AIRA.
Then, on behalf of the recipients, MR. AOKI expressed gratitude with words.
Following his words, the refined music by the trio (flute by Ms. MOCHIZUKI Masako, violin by Ms. NAKANE Midori, and piano by Ms. KAJI Hitomi) resonated in the hall and moved hearts of all the attendees because the deep sounds reminded them passing times from the past, the present and the future.
The ceremony was closed.
(Translated by Ms.KOYAMA Hitomi)
