Fukuoka City International Foundation
The Yokatopia Foundation and the Fukuoka International Association merged on 1 April 2014.
About Yokatopia
The Asian-Pacific Exposition – Fukuoka ’89 (also known as “Yokatopia”) was held over the 171 days between March 17 and September 3, 1989, with the theme “seeking encounters with a new world.”
Based on the idea “Kyushu is one,” this exposition was held to recognize the historical role Kyushu and Fukuoka have played as a crossroads of civilization, and with the aim of internationalizing and vitalizing Kyushu and Fukuoka as they headed towards the 21st century. There was participation from 37 countries and regions outside of Japan and 2 international organizations, together with 1,056 Japanese businesses and organizations, while the 8,230,000 visitors included people from 79 overseas countries and regions.
The exposition provided an opportunity that enabled Kyushu and Fukuoka to deepen exchanges with other countries, principally those in the Asia-Pacific region.
Foreword
Our Foundation commemorates the success of the Asian-Pacific Exposition – Fukuoka ’89, while simultaneously promoting international exchange in Fukuoka, making the most of our city’s history, culture and other attributes. We have a variety of programs through which we strive towards the realization of a multicultural society – one in which we can deepen mutual understanding on an international level. We are committed to achieving this goal, and we kindly ask for your continued support.
Fukuoka City International Foundation
Chairman TANIGAWA Hiromichi
Foundation’s Goal
We hope that through the promotion of international exchange making the most of Fukuoka’s history, culture and other attributes, we can contribute towards the realization of a multicultural society in which we can deepen mutual understanding internationally while recognizing the diversity amongst each of Fukuoka’s citizens, while simultaneously commemorating the success of the Asian-Pacific Exposition – Fukuoka ’89. As such, our goal is to contribute to regional development and international peace.
Organization
Overview
1 Programs to Commemorate the Asian-Pacific Exposition – Fukuoka ‘89
As part of our program to commemorate the Asian-Pacific Exposition, we co-host the Fukuoka Prize and provide grants for the Asian-Pacific Children’s Convention NPO.
2 Programs to Promote International Exchange among Citizens
To raise the level of awareness of international understanding and cooperation for citizens and to promote international exchange, we promote volunteer exchange activities, international understanding through foreign language learning, and the promotion of international exchange organization networks.
- Subsidies for International Exchange Activities
①Subsidies for Citizen’s International Exchange Activities ※Japanese
②Subsidies for Human Resource Development for Citizen’s International Exchange Activities ※Japanese - Promote Volunteer Exchange Activities
①Homestay and Home Visit
②Language Volunteer (Registration/Dispatch)
③International Exchange Volunteer Training Seminars
④Dispatch Language Volunteers to Support Community Activities - Promote International Understanding through Language Education
①Learning Foreign Languages from International Students ※Japanese
②French Language Classes※Japanese
③International Japanese Speech Contest
④International Understanding Education - Promote International Exchange Organization Networks
①International Cooperation Festival “Chikyu Shimin Dontaku” ※Japanese
②Fukuoka International Related Organization Network (FUKU-NET) ※Japanese - Promote International Exchange
①Cooperate and Exchange with Sister cities of Fukuoka City
②Fukuoka City International Center Festival ※Japanese
3 Programs to Support Foreign Residents and Foreign Students
In order to make Fukuoka easier for foreigners to live in, various information services, professional consultations for foreigners. We also support the Foreign Students’ Support Program and manage the Fukuoka City International Center to help international students in the Fukuoka metropolitan area focus on their studies more comfortably.
- Consultation and Information Services
①Information Services in Foreign Languages
②Information Services with Over-the-Phone Interpretation and Translation Application
③Free Wi-Fi Connection
④Browsing and Borrowing Service of books and pamphlets
⑤Information Corner on Language Study
⑥Information Services on Website (Living in Fukuoka), Facebook, and LINE Voom
⑦ Publication of “Nihongo Class Map”
- Consultations for Foreign Nationals
①Legal Counseling
②Free Consultation on Immigration, Residence and Nationality for Foreign Nationals
③Personal Counseling - Radio Program for Foreign Nationals
- Everyday Living Information Seminar for Foreign Residents ※Japanese
- Administrative Operation of International Floor and International Student Dormitory
- “Attaka Fukuoka” Fukuoka International Student Support Association
- Japanese Language Volunteer Training Course ※Japanese
- International Exchange in Community ※Japanese
4 Programs to Develop Global Human Capital
We issue scholarships and host salons between foreign students and businesses to develop global human capital to flourish in an increasingly international society.
- Fukuoka City International Foundation Scholarship
- Yokatopia Scholarship for International Students
- Future Development Scholarship for International Students
- Study Abroad Scholarship for Japanese University Students “Start-up Scholarship” ※Japanese
- Foreign Student and Business Exchange Salon
-
Online Sources
- Online Sources ※Japanese
History
Former Fukuoka International Association
2 July 1984
“The Fukuoka City International Exchange Center,” the predecessor of the FIA, is inaugurated inside the Fukuoka International Exchange Department with its head office in Fukuoka SunPalace(Chikko, Hakata-ku) called “Rainbow Plaza.”
20 March 1987
Through the collaboration of private organizations, businesses and universities, the “Fukuoka International Association” is established upon the approval of the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
12 April 1989
The FIA’s head office relocated to IMS Building (Tenjin, Chuo-ku) from Fukuoka SunPalace.
23 January 1990
Recognized as the Local International Exchange Association by the Minster of Home Affairs.
1 June 1991
Administration Department relocated to Fukuoka City HallNorth Annex, leaving its inquiry/counter service of Rainbow Plaza.
1 August 1994
Recognized as a Tokutei Koeki Zoshin Hojin (Specific Public Interest Promotion Organization) by the Minister of Finance.
27 August 2012
FIA received authorization from the Prefectural Government to become a public interest incorporated association (Koeki Zaidan Hojin).
3 September 2012
FIA became a public interest incorporated association.
Former Yokatopia Foundation
11 June 1990
Established as the “Yokatopia Foundation” with the contributions from the Asian-Pacific Exposition.
11 June 2011
Received authorization from the Prefectural Government to become a public interest incorporated association (Koeki Zaidan Hojin).
21 August 2011
Became a public interest incorporated association.
Fukuoka City International Foundation
1 April 2014
Name changed upon merging with Fukuoka International Association. Begin operations as three departments: Exchange Department (General Affairs),Exchange Department and Rainbow Plaza.
1 October 2016
The Fukuoka City International Foundation (previously on the 5th floor of the Fukuoka City Hall North Annex), along with Rainbow Plaza (previously on the 8th floor of the IMS Building), moved to the Fukuoka City International Center (located in Tenyamachi, Hakata Ward) .