2025/03/15 14:57
MOUNTAIN HOUSE aims to create a society where everyone can connect as a member or the community through local collaboration. We promote multicultural coexistence and a sustainable lifestyle, striving to build a safe and inclusive environment for people of all nationalities.
In 2024, we launched Mom & Dad Japan with support from the Kyoto Regional Symphony Project Grant, implementing the Multicultural Coexistence & Parenting Support Information Project.
1. Purpose & Background of the Workshop
In recent years, the increasing number of international marriages and foreign residents in Japan has led to a diversification of challenges faced by multicultural families. Issues such as language and cultural differences, parenting and educational policies, visa and employment concerns, and many other aspects of daily life can be sources of stress.
To address these challenges, MOUNTAIN HOUSE organized a workshop to share and explore solutions for the difficulties faced by multicultural families. The goal of this workshop was to create a supportive environment where everyone can raise children with peace of mind. We provided valuable information and opportunities for networking among families.
2. Workshop Overview
During the workshop, we focused on various stages of parenting, including pregnancy, infancy, early childhood, and school age, and discussed the challenges of accessing parenting information in Japan.⚫︎Workshop Details Here
Key Discussion Topics & Participant Feedback:
・Essential Parenting Information
⚪︎Medical & Health：How to choose a hospital, birth reservations, parental and postnatal healthcare
⚪︎Administrative Procedures：Procedures after birth, baby's visa, available childcare support
⚪︎Education：Nursery schools and language education options
⚪︎Living Environment：Creating a safe home environment, public etiquette
・Where Did You Find Information?
⚪︎Online resources
⚪︎Local support centers
⚪︎Personal networks
・Challenges in Accessing Information
⚪︎Lack of clarity in information
⚪︎Language barriers
⚪︎Complexity of systems and procedures
⚪︎Cultural and habitual differences
For a detailed list of the challenges faced by multicultural families, we have compiled a restricted-access support document for collaborators and supporters. If you are interested, please contact us.
3. Three Key Issues & Solutions
We identified major challenges and solutions to create a more supportive parenting environment.A. Scattered Parenting Information & Lack of Multilingual Support
Parenting information is fragmented across multiple sources, and multilingual support is insufficient, making it difficult to access necessary information.
☑︎ Solution：Organize and consolidate parenting information in multiple languages in a single platform. Strengthen collaboration with local governments and NPOs to facilitate information sharing.
B. Limited Community Connections & Insufficient Support Spaces
Many foreign families experience isolation due to a lack of opportunities to connect with other families and local residents. There is a storng need for spaces where they can easily seek advice on medical, administrative, and parenting matters.
☑︎ Solution：Establish regular networking events and enhance online and in-person consultation services.
C. Changing Parenting Concerns & Difficulty Finding Relevant Information
As children grow, new concerns emerge, such as bilingual education, school selection, and cultural adaptation. However, parents struggle to find updated and relevant information.
☑︎Solution：Develop age-specific parenting guides and ensure regular updates to reflect the latest information.
4. Future Prospects
Based on insights gathered from this workshop, we will continue our support activities.
⚫︎Upcoming Initiatives
- Development a Multilingual Parenting Platform
- Regular Workshop Events
- Strengthening Community Partnerships
📹 Check the Workshop Videos!
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Instagram: @mountainhouseproject
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Reference Materials & Related Links
※Available exclusively for support collaborators. Please contact us if interested.
▶︎Workshop Videos (Instagram)
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About Us
Name：MOUNTAIN HOUSE
Established：2017
Representative Director：Yuki van Herk
Activities：Support for international families, Sansho business, media content creation & branding
Official Website：https://shop.mountainhouseproject.com/
Official Instagram：@mountainhouseproject
