MEXT Project “Project for the Establishment of Centers to Promote the Training and Development of Japanese Language Teachers (Chubu Block, Kanazawa University)” 2025 Second Workshop “Creating a Place of Belonging” Held

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On February 22, Kanazawa University held the Second Workshop for Academic Year 2025, “Creating a Place of Belonging,” at the Kakuma Campus as part of the MEXT?commissioned project “Project for the Establishment of Centers to Promote the Training and Development of Japanese Language Teachers (Chubu Block, Kanazawa University).”

At the workshop, following an explanation of the purpose by Professor Noriko Ichishima, Faculty of International Studies, Institute of Human and Social Sciences, Ms. Mako Fujii, a fourth?year student in the Japanese Language Education Course, School of International Studies, College of Human and Social Sciences, presented her report titled “Japanese Language Classrooms as Places of Belonging: Through Surveys of Supporters and Learners.”   Next, Ms. De Aguiar Azevedo Bruna, a first?year doctoral student in the Division of Human and Socio?Environmental Studies, Graduate School of Human and Socio?Environmental Studies, presented findings from her research titled “Creating Places of Belonging in Japanese Language Education for Brazilian Children Living in Japan.” Following these presentations, Ms. Stephanie Yukie Shimizu and Ms. Yuka Aoki from the NPO Alece Takaoka gave a talk titled “Creating a Place Where One Feels ‘It’s Okay to Be Here’,” in which they discussed the philosophy and practices of supporting children with foreign backgrounds at Alece Takaoka from the perspective of creating places of belonging.

The event was attended by 22 participants in person and approximately 40 online, bringing together individuals from diverse fields within and outside the Hokuriku region who share an interest in the theme. During the Q&A session, participants raised a wide range of questions—from conceptual issues central to the presentations to inquiries about concrete practices. The workshop provided a meaningful opportunity for each participant to deepen their thinking based on their own interests and gain new insights.

• Ms. Fujii presenting survey results on “places of belonging” for learners and supporters
• Ms. Bruna reporting on survey results from areas with concentrated and dispersed foreign populations
• Ms. Shimizu and Ms. Aoki explaining activities at Alece Takaoka from the perspective of “places of belonging”
• Q&A session