熱海国際交流協会

The Atami association for International interchange, AI, was founded in
1991 amid growing demand to enhance awareness to the world among local
citizens as well as promote international activities lead by the private
sector.  It aims at contributing to the world peace and prosperity, by nurturing
international perspective and awareness among citizens and by promoting
mutual understanding and friendly exchanges with people in many different
countries.

The AI took its root in 1976, when its predecessor, the “Atami Association
for International Sister City Agreement” was formed to promote exchange
activities with the Atami’s sister cities of San Remo (Italy) and Cascais
(Portugal).

It is a great joy for the AI members to collect and send goods to those
who need them in developing countries.  The association has donated music instruments to Peruvian schools, eyeglasses
to Sri Lanka and blankets to African refugees.  We have been raising fund in support of an NPO, Japan team of young Human
Power (JHP).  In 2011, we donated a school building in Mebon village in Preyven, Cambodia.

It is our desire to help Atami’s residents to live happily in the community
from foreign countries.  We offer them opportunities to learn Japanese, prepare for earthquakes
and other disasters and meet people at various events.

Atami has international sister city and friend city agreements with San
Remo (Italy; since 1976), Cascais (Portugal; since 1990) and Zhuhai (China;
since 2004).  The association is spirited in advancing face-to-face exchange with people
in these cities.

We offer courses to learn different cultures and languages to help people
in Atami nurture understanding of the world and hospitality.  There are English, Chinese and Korean classes and Japanese lessons for
people from foreign countries.

Anybody interested in international exchange is welcome and qualified to
join the AI.  Members receive regular or occasional newsletters and other messages from
the AI office.   A special discount rate for the AI activities is offered to the members.

The Association consists of individual, group and corporate members.  Our chair person is Toshiro Takeuchi, and there are 23 members in the executive
board.  If you are interested in organizing various events, please join project
staff members (particularly active volunteers) who gather each month to
discuss our activities.