Nekojarashi
May/June 1998 No.13
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Topics Seasonal
Guide People Hot
Spot Onbashira Report
What's the World Cup?
In the first half of 1998, we have had a rush of big events:
the Nagano OlympicsAthe Paralympics and Onbashira Festival. And
the rush is ending with the World Cup. However, it is quite
doubtful that the World Cup is very familiar to the ordinary
Japanese aound here.
Why don't you make use this opportunity to learn about this
universal event, soccer, from those from other countries? (See Seasonal Guide)
What't F.I.C.A.P?
Many Filipinas lived in Japan, but not a few
Filipinas, along with their children, have lived through all kind
of hardships. F.I.C.A.P (Filipina Circle for Advancement and
Progress) is a nationwide organization which has many chapters
all through Japan and is supported by organizations such as the
Philippine Embassy and Philippine Airlines. Its aim is to unite
the Filipinas living in Japan as well as to improve their living
environment.
Once there was no chapter in the Suwa Area, but recently the
Nagano Chapter was formed here. A leading figure of it is Mrs.
Elizabeth Kodaira of Fujimi. So far her group has held a
Christmas party at Fujimi Community Plaza. We are looking forward
to seeing what she can do with F.I.C.A.P Its members, along with
"Nekojarashi" staff, might take part in a flea market.
We ask for your support for F.I.C.A.P.
"Living in China '98"
"Living in Chino '98" for foreign residents was published by the volunteer group "Nekojarashi, Chino" on April 1. It is the second issue and a revised edition of last year's.
What's new is the section "Garbage Disposal" because Chino City has begun the recycling of garbage. Section like "Switching an Overseas Driver's License to Japanese Driver's License" appear in it for the first time, too.
There are English, Chinese, Tagalog, and Portuguese editions. Even if you are not a citizen of Chino, you can get one free at Chino City Hall Shimin-ka, Chino City Social Welfare Council, or Mega Mart Chino.
* Call : Harumi Okamoto tel 0266-72-0420 (p.m.)
Cinema Club
Movie if the Month : Brass
When : June 20th at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
Where : Fujimi Community Plaza
Fee : 2000yen (at the door) Advance ticket : 1000yen for adult,
800yen for students and members
The second party of "Nekojarashi" on April 18th went
off smoothly and friendly. We thank you for coming into it. We
look forward to meeting many more readers on the next time.
The World Cup is coming up soon. We have asked some of our
friends from other countries about the state of soccer of their
own countries.
Soccer in Korea
In Korea, the most popular sports played are soccer and basketball, but people mainly watch baseball, not soccer, games on TV. However, the same cannot be said when the international soccer games or the World Cup are going on; most people watch the games and especially in the large parks there is a big screen on which many people watch the games and cheer their favorite teams.
I myself love watching the World Cup very much. My favorite team is Brazil. But this year, the Korean team seems to have got stronger than before.
Of course we are looking forward to the Upcoming World Cup
which is our major topic now.
Soccer in Brazil 
Soccer is the number one favorite sport in Brazil. There are lots of soccer clubs all over the country, and children from the ages of 8 to 10 can join, although on the streets you can see many children playing soccer with balls made of socks.
As for those who belong to a soccer club, if a child reaches 15 or 16 years old and is good enough, he is paid a salary. There are innumerable soccer teams in Brazil, and we have 5 or 6 teams only in Sao Paulo.
Our way of cheering is very lively and cheerful, using tambourines and playing music. Each team has its own song, and we support the team with its song. When there is a soccer game, we watch it not only at the stadium but also on the huge screen set in the major public square, around which as many as 30 thousand people gather.
In Brazil, there is the world's largest soccer stadium which
can accommodate 100,000 people. If Brazil wins a game, the
spectators go into the streets and squares to have a big party
with the national flag of Brazil in hand.
We are looking forward to watching the Upcoming World Cup, and we
are sure Brazil will be the champion.
Soccer in the U.S. 
When we think about the World Cup, it has a very large
meaning. Of course, in the U.S. soccer is not big as in the rest
of the world, but Americans do realize that soccer is one of the
world's most popular sports.
There is a lot of excitement all throughout the world when the
World Cup rolls around Why Americans don't get so excited with
the rest of the world is mystery to me. Perhaps it is because of
all of the great sports that have originated and become popular
in the U.S. The excitement of soccer is drown out by other
sports.
Soccer in England 
The World Cup is a great opportunity to support my country and
feel patriotic. Because I am away from home, I think I will feel
strangely towards supporting my country. It forms common ground
with other English people in Japan.
I only enjoy soccer at an international level (supporting
England). However, soccer is very popular in England.
Soccer in France 
For me the football World Cup is a way for the countries of
the world to unit in a common activity played at a consistent
high level.
I must admit, however, that I can't feel like foot ball very much
myself as my father and brothers seem to spend all their time at
home watching it on television.
When there is a match (involving PSG or the French national team)
they are always glued to the screen.
Nevertheless, I will try to put aside my partial dislike and
watch some matches during the World Cup.
Hello everyone,
I'm 
(Kim Won-Shik) - almost all of Korean's name are
written in kanji -, from Korea and 17 years old. I live with
Hirakawa family. In Korea, I was in the second grade of high
school, and I've been in the first grade of Suwa Seiryo High
School from April 6th this year.
Well, I think there are a few differences between Japanese
schools and Korean schools. Especially at lunch time, Japanese
students eat lunch together, but each eats his (or her) lunch. In
Korea some students eat lunch together, but their lunches don't
belong to anyone in particular; we share everything.
The Japanese and Koreans also act differently on trains. In
Korea, if there is a vacant seat, a person takes the seat. But in
Japan, nobody takes the seat.
The above is what I have felt since I came to Japan.
Let me introduce myself some mare. I like music, comics, math and
eating. I'd like to learn anything, especially about Japan. So
please teach me a lot. I hope I will become an expert on Japan by
the time I go back next year.
Brazilian shop BOM DIA opens
place : Suwa-shi Okita 4-13-2
next to the former Day-by-Day Shop
open : 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
closed : on Tuesdays
BOM DIA is a new shop which opens in the end of April There are both a shop and tearoom (coffee shop). You can buy Brazilian foods, clothes, newspapers, CD's, etc. Philippine foods and goods sold there, too. The owner's wife is a Filipina.
Especially the Brazilian sausages, meat-and-vegetable fried dumplings, and big chocolates are very good. Let's try them. How about some Philipine shampoo?
In the tearoom there are Brazilian drinks and snacks. There you can enjoy Brazilian music and feel Brazilian.
My First Onbashira Festival - with Swiss Friends
A friend of mine living in Tokyo visited Chino with 4 Swiss to
see the ONBASHIRA FESTIVAL which is held only once every 6 years.
I had never seen the ONBASHIRA, so I went to Shimosha to see the
KIOTOSHI with them. Fortunately I could meet my friend there, and
she invited us to her house. When we entered her house and I saw
the feast on the table, I thought my eyes would pop out of my
head because the table was so full.
The Swiss were moved by their warm welcome. This time the
KIOTOSHI was 4 hours late. We know that at ONBASHIRA FESTIVAL the
things don't go according to schedule, so we took plenty time to
rest. But the Swiss were worried that they would be late for the
KIOTOSHI. They went to see it 2 hours easier than us. It was very
crowded there. But to my surprise the Swiss climbed a tree to see
the KIOTOSHI, and they could see it all twice. They were so
happy. They said, "We are very glad to have been able to see
such a powerful ONBASHIRA". They also said, "We think
in Japan everything is very busy. But at the ONBASHIRA they took
their time, and the festival proceeded slowly. It was surprising
for us, and we will never forget your friend's kindness".
Shimosha: the Lower Shrine of Suwa Grand Shrine
KIOTOSHI: the huge logs are allowed to slide down a steep hill
with people trying to ride on top of them for as long as they can
without falling off