Creating Multicultural Society

Foreigners Living in Shizuoka Prefecture

There are approximately 98,000 foreigners from 117 countries currently living in Shizuoka Prefecture. Taking the total Prefectural population of 3,795,166 (as of January 1, 2007), this means that 1 out of 40 residents is a foreigner. Brazilians represent the largest foreign population in Shizuoka, accounting for 52% of the total. They are followed by Chinese, Filipino, South and North Korean, and Peruvian populations, in that order. Many foreign residents from Brazil, Peru, and other South American countries are ethnic Japanese. In addition, there are 1,549 foreign students from 39 countries attending colleges and other schools in the prefecture (as of May 1, 2006). Students from Asian countries dominate the list (1,190 Chinese, followed by 80 Koreans and then 53 Indonesians). Also, approximately 3,200 foreigners come from China and Indonesia to take the advantage of foreigner training and skilled internship programs. There were a total of 1,116 marriages between foreigners and Japanese in Shizuoka in 2003, a number that is on the rise every year.

Shizuoka Initiates Multicultural Services

The Prefectural Government of Shizuoka is implementing various programs to support the ever-increasing number of residents and visitors from abroad. For example, the government conducts special disaster training; distributes vital information related to daily life; and teaches Japanese to foreign elementary school children where required. Prefectural pamphlets in foreign languages give overviews of the prefecture and explain various systems of the local government. Signs and tourist information boards are multilingual to assist new visitors. The Prefectural government also conducts a variety of cultural seminars and exchange events in order for residents to appreciate a variety of cultures.

Japanese-language class for foreign elementary school children

(As of December 31, 2006)

Voices of Foreigners in Shizuoka

	“The climate of Shizuoka is nice and makes for easy living.” A resident from Jilin Province, China
	“The mountain and ocean scenery here is beautiful. This prefecture is a very nice place to live.” A Canadian
	“Shizuoka is an easy place to live. People are friendly here.” A person from Liaoning Province, China
	“When I first arrived in Japan, everything was strange to me. I feel familiar with Japanese culture now that I have lived here for a while. I can deal with the Japanese very well.” A Sri Lankan
	“The climate is warm. Living here is nice and easy.” A Vietnamese
	“They [The Japanese] show me directions and explain various procedures very kindly here.” An Indonesian
	“The Shizuoka folks are warm at heart.” A person from Nepal
	“It’s easy to educate my kids in this prefecture. There is Mt. Fuji and many other sightseeing attractions around here.” A person from Korea
	“I always wanted to see where my parents were born and raised.” A Brazilian
	“I love the beautiful scenery and hot springs of Izu Peninsula.” A person from San Francisco, U.S.A.
	“I love Shizuoka for its tea, natural beauty, and rich history.” An American
	“I go on pilgrimages to old castles and gardens. Shizuoka is a nice place to live.” A person from Yorkshire, England