About the Urasoe International Relations Association (UIRA)

The purpose of the International Relations Association is to promote intercultural communication. Through our events we hope to educate the people of Urasoe about other cultures and share the culture of Okinawa with our friends from other countries. We believe that by improving mutual understanding we can make a better world. We also sing, dance, have fun, and make friends!

Contact: The UIRA can be reached by phone at (098) 879-3010 or by . Its Japanese webpage is located here.

Membership: To become a member simply visit the UIRA office, or see the CIR at Urasoe City Hall. You can also register for membership at an Association event. The membership fee is ¥1,000 for 1 year. We use this money, in addition to generous contributions from our benefactors, to finance our activities.

Location: The UIRA is housed in the Urasoe Community Center Annex. Its address is Makiminato 3-40-6, Urasoe City. It is located on Route 330, right next to the Idemitsu gas station on the north side of the Tōyama Bridge. It is only accessible by the northbound lane, so those coming from the north will have to turn around somewhere.
Please see this map for reference.

Activities

Sports Day
Held each year on the Okinawa International Center athletic field, this event provides an opportunity for OIC trainees and foreign residents from around the world to interact with the Okinawans of all ages through games and fun. Participants are grouped into teams and compete in a variety of relay races. This only happens once a year, so don't miss it!!

New Year Party
At the New Year Party, guests enjoy traditional Japanese New Year games, mochi making, tea ceremony, music and dancing!

Friendship Seminars
Together with the Okinawa International Center, the International Relations Association helps organize Friendship Seminars ("Fureai Kouza" in Japanese) in which OIC trainees make entertaining presentations on their home countries. This is a wonderful chance to learn about different cultures from all over the world.
Friendships Seminars generally include a talk about the trainee's home country, a slideshow, a true/false trivia game, some sort of traditional music and/or dance, and much more. After the program, there is free time in which guests can get to know other OIC trainees.

The UIRA currently offers English, Spanish, and Chinese classes. For those interested in other languages, we also provide a matching service for language partners. Please contact us for details.

Counseling for Foreign Residents                       If you or someone close to you is having difficulties with personal relationships, or problems with cultural differences and adjustment to life in Japan, free counseling is available to you from licensed counselors through the UIRA. Appointments are required, so please call us to set a time and discuss your language needs. Language support is available for speakers of English, Chinese, Korean, Portugese, and Spanish. Counseling is free of charge.

The International Relations Association organizes home stays and home visits for Okinawa International Center trainees who are interested in experiencing Okinawan home life. Through overnight home stays and home visits of several hours, we hope to encourage intercultural communication between our friends at the OIC and the friendly people of Okinawa. Participation in this homestay program is limited to OIC trainees.

Event Calendar

Check the Urasoe City English News FLASH blog for upcoming events! The Google calendar lists all events on it, and you can click on an event or scroll down the page to get more information about it. If you're interested in teaching a course, class, or are interested in being involved in any other way, then contact the Urasoe CIR.