What is the Shimane
International Center?

1. Services provided by the Shimane International Center:

1. USEABLE FACILITIES
Meeting rooms / Lounges
Main Center: Meeting rooms (Large / small) and lounge
Western Branch: Meeting rooms, study rooms and lounge
Notice-board (Main Center / Western Branch)
Located in the lounge, visitors are welcome to use it as they please.
Plaza for International Cooperation (Main Center / Western Branch)
Internet Access (Main Center / Western Branch)
A computer is available for free access to the internet
Video Conversion
You can transfer video-tapes to foreign systems from the Japanese
system. (And vice-versa)

**All services mentioned are free of charge.

2. LENDING SERVICE
Books and videos are available for borrowing. Magazines and newspapers for reading only.
Main Center: Books etc: Approx. 2,600 / Videos: Approx. 700
Western Branch: Books etc: Approx. 1000 / Videos: Approx. 90
Flags: We have flags of the world that you can borrow
Main Center: Around 90 countries represented.
Western Branch: Around 20 countries represented.
Ethnic clothing: You may borrow from our selection of national costumes.
Main Center only: 9 countries represented, 23 outfits.

**All services mentioned are free of charge.

3. CIR/JICA STAFF
We dispatch our Coordinators for International Relations and JICA staff member to schools and regional organisations.

Translating / Interpreting:
Our CIRs can help with translating and interpreting for any municipality or exchange organisation.
Coordinator for International Cooperation:
A representative for Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) can consult
with you about international cooperation.

4. SUPPORT FOR INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE ORGANISATIONS
The SIC can provide international exchange groups in Shimane with monetary subsidies for activities that promote interaction between different countries.

5. SUPPORT OF NON-JAPANESE LIVING IN SHIMANE
Counselling about life in Shimane:
Trained counselors are available to discuss issues related to daily life in Japan.
Free legal consultation:
(Main Center: Second Saturday of every month)
(Western Branch: Fourth Wednesday of every month)
You can consult with a member of the Shimane Prefectural Administrative Scriveners Association.
Tutoring by Japanese volunteers:
We can find a volunteer Japanese tutor to help you with learning the language in a location near you.
Dispatch of child-supporters to assist non-Japanese and returnee children
We provide Japanese language assistance and translation for non-Japanese and returnee children in their schools.
Information in various languages about life in Shimane
We have resources in a range of languages to help answer those difficult questions
Kunibiki Scholarship:
We offer a scholarship to students studying in Shimane at their own expense.

2. Projects conducted by the Shimane International Center:

1. OVERSEAS DISPATCH PROGRAMMES
Japan-Korea Exchange Programme "Shonen no Tsubasa"
”Shonen no Tsubasa” (Wings of the Shimane Youth) is a programme that sends elementary and junior-high children to Korea to take part in international exchange.
Brazil Exchange Programme (Occurs once every two years):
This programme sends young people to Brazil, to take part in various activities including visits to Shimane Former-Residents Associations.
Global Challenge Shimane 21
This is a jointly sponsored program with the International Network - Shimane, sending local youth to America to deepen international understanding

2. PROJECTS TO DEEPEN INTERNATIONAL UNDERSTANDING
Activities promoting international understanding
To deepen international understanding, we conduct seminars and lectures and also dispatch center staff and Coordinators of International Relations.
Summer Home-stay Programme:
A great system to allow foreigners new to Shimane learn about the people and places around them through a short-term home-stay programme.
Volunteer Training Sessions:
We hold study sessions for volunteers to help further develop their skills.

3. SUPPORT SYSTEM FOR FOREIGNERS IN SHIMANE
Shimane Institute for International Training’s Japanese Programme
We provide Japanese Language Courses for foreign trainees and ALTs that come to Shimane.
Provision of a Guidance Counsellor
By providing a guidance counsellor we aim to support matters in every town and city.
Support of Foreign Exchange Students
Provision of scholarships and help with finding a place to live, etc., are some of the services offered to exchange students.
Training programmes for Japanese Language Volunteers
We hold courses for Japanese language volunteers to teach them how to provide exchange opportunities for foreigners living in Shimane.
Support for Japanese Language Clubs
We are continuously supporting Japanese Language Clubs held in Shimane.

3. Newsletters and Publications:

Milestones (online version available here)
Shimane International Center quarterly publication
The Shimanean (online version available here)
A publication for English speakers ‘About Shimane, for Shimane’
Bulletin Board (online version available here)
A newsletter containing internationally related event information (distributed every month)
Jan Ken Pon (online version available here)
A monthly magazine

Email Newsletter "Mail Magazine"
If you wish to subscribe, please visit
http://www.sic-info.org/magazine/magazine.html

4. Accumulation of donations, volunteers and supporting members:

1. DONATIONS TO OUR GENERAL FUND
The Shimane International Center supports the activities of cities, towns, villages and private sector organisations. We hope you may be able to support us in order to continue these activities.

2. SIC MEMBERSHIP
In order to advance the international exchange and international cooperation programmes, the Shimane International Center is always looking for individuals and organisations who are interested in supporting us through yearly membership.

1. Year’s Subscription
Private Membership: One share: JPY 3,000
Organisation Membership: One share: JPY 10,000
2. Special Privileges
- Home delivery of all our quarterly publications, newsletters and pamphlets free of charge.
- Invitation to international events held by the Center (often at a discounted admission)
- Discounts on JTB travel

3. DONATIONS TO THE KUNIBIKI SCHOLARSHIP FUND
The Shimane International Center offers scholarships to students that are funding their own studies at universities and other educational institutions. in Shimane. We ask for your kind support!
Private Donation: One share: JPY 1,000
Company / Organisation Donation: One share: JPY 10,000

4. DONATIONS TO THE AFGHANISTAN CHILDREN'S PEACE FUND
We have established a fund to support non-government organiszations that work directly in supporting the children of Afghanistan. We also work to depent the Shimane community's understanding of the situation in Afghanistan. Your financial support for the Afghanistan Children's Peace Fund is most welcome.

5. VOLUNTEER REGISTRATION
We are always looking for volunteers who are able to help with International Exchange and International Cooperation.
1. Language Volunteers
2. Volunteers for Host Families (For Home-stays and Home-visits)
3. Japanese Language Volunteers
4. Volunteers for teaching about foreign cultures

5. Introducing the Shimane Institute for International Training:

In addition to training visiting trainees and ALTs from overseas in Japanese Language, the Shimane Institute for International Training is also used to conduct various programmes related to International Exchange or International Cooperation. You are also more than welcome to stop by anytime to view the resources we use in our teaching of Japanese Language.

• Any organisation which has a training programme that requires lodging may use the facility. (Accommodated Training)
• Anyone may use the facilities without staying overnight (Non-accommodated training) but bear in mind that priority will be given to Accommodated Training bookings.
• The facilities are only available to groups, etc., that have programmes taking place in the institute.

2. SUMMARY OF FACILITIES

Facilities in the institute

Lodging

Shared Facilities:
Kitchen / Dining room / Lounge / Shower room / Washroom / Laundry room

Usage fees:
For parties interested in utilising the facilities of the Institute, we can provide a detailed sheet with costs for all the facilities provided.

Training Programme Consultation:
The staff at the institute are eager to help you with any queries you may have regarding the planning of training courses. For a detailed explanation of what the Institute offers in terms of facilities, we recommend that you come to the institute to see for yourself.