Kirk here. The other day I posted about the Crossroad Cafe in Amakusa (I’ll link to that post in a comment). Since then, I’ve found a copy of the article and used ChatGPT to translate it into English:
— start translation — Connecting with Foreigners: A Hub of Interaction
A civic group in the Amakusa area, “World Friends Amakusa,” dedicated to supporting the lives of foreign residents, has opened a café in Suwa Town, Amakusa City, to serve as a place of interaction. The café aims to be a hub where Japanese and foreigners acknowledge and connect through diversity. It was introduced to the local residents in late December last year.
According to the city, as of the end of November 2023, there are 479 foreigners living in the city. This marks a 39% increase since the end of March 2021, as the COVID-19 pandemic has subsided. Many of these residents are from Vietnam, Myanmar, and Indonesia.
World Friends Amakusa reports that many of the residents are technical intern trainees, who often find themselves isolated due to their limited interaction with the community and difficulty understanding the Amakusa dialect. “A place where Japanese and foreigners can get to know each other and expand the circle of mutual assistance is necessary,” led to the establishment of the café.
The café, named “Crossroad Cafe,” was set up in a warehouse dating back to the 1950s, incorporating local timber for the ceiling. The name reflects the desire to be a place where people, regardless of nationality or culture, intersect. It started operations in October and is currently run by a total of 10 staff members, including those with foreign roots. In addition to beverages, the café offers sandwiches and Taiwanese Lu Rou Fan, among other dishes.
Adjacent to the café is a consultation center targeting inbound tourists, which was showcased in a ceremony on December 21, coinciding with the completion of the center’s construction. During the opening event, the staff prepared sweet red-bean soup, and many locals visited and enjoyed the interaction. The café shares information on Instagram and plans to organize events to learn about the cultures of the countries of origin of Amakusa’s foreign residents. Tomoko Matano, the president of the group (aged 54), commented, “I hope this helps people living in the same area to spend time together with kindness.” The café is open from 11:30 AM to 5:00 PM and is closed on weekends and public holidays. (Written by Saaya Shimizu) — end translation —