General Education Course: Public Society: University-Wide Regional PBL IV, Visit to Kyokuyo Foods Co., Ltd. Hitachinaka Factory(Wednesday, June 18)

In the General Education Course, 'Public Society: University-Wide Regional PBL IV”, taught by faculty members of the Center for Global Engament, students are engaging in project-based learning to explore the challenges of multicultural communities. With the support of the Hitachinaka International Association’s Japanese language class “RunRun,” the course encourages students to consider what they can do as members of a diverse society.

As part of this project, students are visiting local workplaces in Hitachinaka City that employ foreign workers, together with learners from the RunRun. The findings from these visits will be presented at an event hosted by the Hitachinaka International Association in July.

On Wednesday, June 18, three students from Ibaraki University and two Indian learners from the RunRun Japanese language class visited the Kyokuyo Foods Co., Ltd. Hitachinaka Factory. During the visit, they interviewed staff members from the General Affairs Department, interpreters from the labor union, and employees from Myanmar working under the Specified Skilled Worker program.

The trainees shared their experiences regarding working hours, job responsibilities, language barriers, and moments of happiness at work. The interpreters and general affairs staff provided detailed insights into the company’s support systems, working conditions, and policies for accepting foreign workers.

Through this visit, participants gained valuable understanding of how companies create safe and inclusive workplaces for foreign employees and promote multicultural coexistence in the local community.