Urasoe City English Newsletter
May 2007

Hi everyone! I hope you have been enjoying the lovely Spring weather, now that the rainy season is just around the corner.
As you may know, my term as Coordinator of International Relations in Urasoe will be over at the end of July. If there is anything I can do for you before I go, please let me know. A new CIR will come to Urasoe in August, and I am confident that my position will be in good hands.
-Matt

Tedako Hall
As of April 28, the brand new civic auditorium "Tedako Hall" is now open to the public! Tedako Hall is the newest and largest auditorium in Okinawa, and it boasts such features as an enormous main theater, practice rooms, and a gallery for displays and workshops. It will be used for performances by city groups, as well as outside guests, and it is fully equipped for orchestra concerts, plays, and conventions. Feel free to visit and take a look around. The next scheduled event is an orchestra concert that will take place on July 1, but it is likely that something else will happen in the mean time. You can see the latest Tedako Hall news on the official website.

Satto Campaign
Have you heard about "Satto" or seen the banners with the logo of a round little Ryukyu king? Satto is a sort of local currency that can be used as cash at a variety of local stores, restaurants and service providers. Citizens can earn Satto "cash" by participating in officially approved activities that contribute to civic life, such as volunteering, gender equality workshops, city beautification projects and the like. The Satto website (Japanese) with its list of sponsors is here.

2007 Tedako Matsuri
Mark your calendars! The dates for the 2007 Tedako Matsuri have been decided. As always, the festival will take place the last weekend of July. This year, it will be July 28 (Saturday) and 29 (Sunday). The English Newsletter will provide a guide to this year's events when they are announced.

Friendship Seminar - Bangladesh May 18 (Fri) 7 to 8:20PM
Don't miss the first Friendship Seminar of the new year! This time, Okinawa International Center trainees from Bangladesh will introduce their home country. The presentation will include a talk, interview, video, true-false game, dancing and more.
The speakers both work in Bangladesh's tourism department, so they are knowledgeable and well spoken. Learn about Bangladesh's natural wonders, such as the world's largest mangrove swamp, as well as its climate, people and customs. They will also talk about Muhammad Yunus, who deservedly won the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize for his work in creating a bank that loans money to poor women to give them a chance for a better life.
The talk will be given in English with Japanese translation. Admission is FREE.
Where: JICA Okinawa International Center Nirai Hall 3F

International Relations Association News
The Urasoe International Relations Association just held its annual general meeting at the end of April. Now that the Association has been in its new home at the Community Center Annex for a full year, it is becoming independent of City Hall. (Incidentally, I still work for the International Relations Section of City Hall, even though I am involved with Association activities.)
As a private organization, the Association is planning even more activities and courses this year. If there is enough interest from the foreign community, it may offer another Japanese language course. As always, participants will only be charged a fee for materials and the ¥1,000 annual membership fee. If you are interested, please let us know so that we can make the necessary arrangements!

Announcements from the Health Counseling Center

• Polio vaccinations will be available for children 3 months to 7 and a half years of age. When: every Tuesday in June, 1 to 1:45PM (reception starts at 12PM). Bring your Mother and Child Health Booklet (母子保健手帳 boshi hoken techō).
• Free consultation for new mothers is available to mothers of infants up to 2 months of age. Bring your Mother and Child Health Booklet.
• Dental Fair 6/3 (Sun) 10 to 3:30 - Come to this free event to learn about dental care, hygiene, nutrition, and more from dental professionals in the region.

Urasoe-shi Hoken Sōdan Center 浦添市保健相談センター 1360-1 Nakama 〒901-2103