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We held a class atHachioji Campus with a guest speaker from Kitano Children's Cafeteria.

On Friday, October 16, 2026, at Teikyo University's Hachioji Campus, Professor Yoshiko Furukawa of Faculty of Languages and Cultures Department of Global Japanese Studies Studies, Faculty of Foreign Languages, Teikyo University, and Professor Kayoko Arita Center for Japanese language Education Teikyo University, taught a class in "Advanced Japanese II" with Tamaki Okuno of the Kitano Children's Cafeteria as a guest speaker. The class focused on the themes of children's cafeterias and learning support activities.

"Advanced Japanese II" is a project-based course in which international students focus on Japanese society and their local communities, identify and analyze social issues, and consider solutions. Since its inception in 2024, Ms. Okuno has been cooperating as Senior Assistant Professor every year. Ms. Okuno also serves as a director of the NPO Galapagos Association, and she explained how her visit to Ecuador in South America during her student days led her to become involved in environmental protection activities in the Galapagos Islands, known as a World Natural Heritage site, and how the protection of the natural environment can coexist with tourism and fishing. Next, she introduced the background to the establishment of the Children's Cafeteria Cafe Kitano and its current activities. This organization does not simply provide meals, but also works to create a safe space where any child in the community, including children with foreign roots, can participate with peace of mind. She also introduced learning support activities, and the students deepened their understanding of the importance of support in the community and concrete efforts toward solving local issues.

It is hoped that the lessons and insights gained through this lecture will further deepen the students' understanding of social issues and lead to the planning and implementation of this year's projects.

About the Department of International Japanese
About Center for Japanese language Education
About Kitano Children's Cafeteria
About the NPO Galapagos Society

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