On Air: Fukuoka City Information/2013.10.12(Sat)/09:00～

A leading city in Asia-People, environment and the city in harmony. This is one of Fukuoka City’s goals. Fukuoka City is looking to raise awareness and develop itself as a city where each and every citizen finds it easy and fulfilling to live under the concept of “Friendly People, Friendly City: UNIVERSAL FUKUOKA CITY.”

In order to let as many people as possible be aware of what the concept of Universal Fukuoka City encompasses, the city is holding the Universal Fukuoka City Festival 2013. Here are just a few of the kinds of things you’ll find there…

On Sunday, October 20, the 11th Annual Japanese Speech Contest will be held in Fukufuku Hall, located on the first floor of Fukufuku Plaza, in Arato in the Chuo Ward of Fukuoka City. The contest begins at 10 AM.

It is a two-tiered contest, with the morning part of the event being a competition between foreigners studying and learning Japanese at Japanese language schools in the Fukuoka metropolitan area. The second part is a contest for foreigners studying the Japanese language under the guidance of volunteer teachers in the Fukuoka metropolitan area. You are sure to share some things in common as foreign residents of Fukuoka City. Come here what others have to say! It is free of charge and reservations are not necessary.

And, on the last day of the festival, Sunday, October 27, in the auditorium on the 15th floor of Fukuoka City Hall, the Ceremony of the Universal Fukuoka City Awards 2013 will celebrate the leading ideas and undertakings displaying Universal Design concept. The ceremony will begin at 1 PM. It will be followed by a memorial lecture from Peter Frankl who is active both domestically and internationally at 1:40 PM.

Then, the presentations on the Universal Fukuoka City - Design Challenge 2013 will take place from 3 PM. There, different kinds of citizens such as the physically and mentally challenged, students, and foreigners, together with designers will give presentations on designs born in Fukuoka that embody the concept “Friendly People, Friendly City.” This event is open to the first 250 participants and seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

There will be events going on in other areas as well. In order to actualize a Universal Fukuoka City, it is important that the foreign people living in Fukuoka make their ideas and voices known, as they are also members of the city community.

If you have questions or would like more information about the festival, please visit the Universal Fukuoka City homepage. Or, please call the Planning and Coordination Department of the General Affairs and Planning Bureau of Fukuoka City at 092-711-4864.