ABOUT US

International Exchange Salon

Open to the public as a community space where anyone can get together and share information with people from different countries.

・Free Wifi available.
・Foreign newspapers and magazines for information purposes.
・Pamphlets regarding study-abroad programs for reference.
・Information about daily living consultation services for foreign residents, as well as tourism and event information.
・Display corner introducing official Friendship and Sister Cities.

Friendship and Sister Cities

International Youth Exchange Program (summer)

Mutual exchanges for junior high school students take place between Hefei (China) and Kurume; for high school students with Modesto (USA). An elementary school team from Hefei is invited and participates in a Junior Soccer Tournament each year.

Youth Exchange Program for Hefei Students/Kurume Students in Junior High School

【Hosting Students from Hefei】Beginning of August, for 7 Days 8 Nights (Tentative)

Hefei students will do a homestay with the Kurume students, participate in cultural interactions, visit a school and join in the Water Festival Parade. In addition, study tours, both in Kurume and beyond, are also scheduled.

【Sending Students to Hefei】Middle of August, for 7 Days 8 Nights (Tentative)

Kurume students will do a homestay with the Hefei students. During their stay, they will visit a school and the City Hall to meet a deputy mayor as well as many other places in Hefei to get a taste of authentic lifestyle and cross-cultural experiences. In addition, study tours to Shanghai and Beijing are also scheduled.

Youth Exchange Program for Modesto Students/Kurume Students in High School

【Hosting Students from Modesto】End of July, for 12 Days 11 Nights (Tentative)

Modesto Students will do a homestay with the Kurume students, attend a welcome party and visit a high school to experience Japanese culture. In addition, study tours, both in Kurume and beyond are also scheduled.

【Sending Students to Modesto】Beginning of August, for 13 Days 11 Nights (Tentative)

Kurume students will do a homestay with the Modesto students. By communicating with their host families and visiting places around the city, the students can experience firsthand the American lifestyle and culture and deepen their knowledge of both. In addition, study tours to nearby cities such as San Francisco are also scheduled.

※ Note: For either program, applications are accepted from the end of April to the middle of May. Please inquire at the International Exchange Division at our office for more information.

Junior Soccer Tournament

32 teams of 5th grade and under, from and beyond Kurume, participate in the Junior Soccer Tournament. Teams from Hefei (China) and Daegu (South Korea) are also invited to join each year. During the period, the members will do a homestay with Kurume teams.

Other Friendship, Sister City Programs

Achievements

・Reception of Observation Groups (Medical, Tourism, Business, Educational fields)
・Holding anniversary events of the sister (friendship) city relationships

Support Programs for Foreign Residents

A various support is available for international students who have come to Kurume to study so that they can feel at ease during their study period. We also offer information services for all foreign residents to enjoy a quality of life in Kurume

For International Students
- ・Scholarship/Subsidy
- ・Partial assistance with National Health Insurance payments
- ・Awarding certificates to Japanese language school students
Information Services

Strengthening Cooperation with Private International Exchange Organizations

International Exchange Network Conference

Held twice a year, this conference aims to deepen ties and enhance mutual understanding by exchanging information and opinions among 7 private international exchange organizations in Kurume City.

Private International Exchange organizations
- ・The Administrative Scrivener's Association, Fukuoka Prefecture, Kurume Branch
- ・PHILCARES（the Kurume chapter of a Philippine exchange organization）
- ・NPO Corporation Tanoshimaru-machi Midori-no-Oendan (an NPO Support Group helping to make deserts and other places green again)
- ・Kurume University International students Association
- ・Kurume UNESCO Association
- ・Kurume Japan-America Society
- ・Kurume City Japan-China Friendship Association
※Click on a group to visit its homepage / blog.
Subsidy/Nominal Support

We provide support for activities by private organizations that aim to promote international exchange and enhance cross-cultural understanding among citizens.
- ・Subsidy for International Exchange Activities
- ・Subsidy for International Understanding Projects
  Guidelines・Application Foam Report
- ・Nominal Support
  Application Foam Report

Multicultural Exchange Project Initiatives

Kurume Kokusai (International) Day

Held every year since 2012, in collaboration with international exchange organizations in the city, this event promotes multicultural coexistence and deepening mutual understanding by creating a space for exchange between Kurume's citizens and foreign residents. With music and dance performances on stage, gourmet food stalls, and handicraft sales and displays, this event is brimming with world culture.

Event Participation

We encourage and assist international students living in Kurume to participate in major city events such as Kurume Tsutsuji (Azalea) March, Kankyo (Environmental) Fair and Jojima Sake Festival. Their participation promotes the internationalization of our city and also offers a good opportunity for them to interact with citizens.
International Exchange Volunteer Registration(Foreign Language/Homestay/Event)

We actively engage the registered volunteers (Homestay Volunteers hosting international guests, Language Volunteers helping out as interpreter and Event Volunteers), to put their donated time and special skills to good use.