Recently, Nepalese immigrants have been increasing in Okayama and Fukuyama. (For more information, see Nepalese in Japan Wikipedia) It is said that there are 572 people in Okayama City (October 2023) and more than 767 people in Fukuyama City (January 2024).
In particular, we are living in an era of increasing numbers of teenage children who were brought to Japan regardless of their own will on family visas by their fathers who came to Japan on technical visas as cooks, and young people in their 20s who come to Japan as foreign students with large debts, believing that a bright future awaits them if they go to Japan.
On the other hand, how much do we, as their neighbors, know about their culture, customs, worries and anxieties living in Japan as immigrant settlers? In order to create a multicultural society where no one is left behind, we first need to listen to their voices and share joys and pleasures with them as friends.
People from different backgrounds can work together as one team to solve problems and achieve the same goal through rafting activities. I decided that I wanted to create a trip that would simulate such a multicultural society.
I have been hooked on rafting since last July. So far, I have rafted a total of 14 rivers in Japan and Nepal, and I love rafting more and more every time I go down. I love it so much that I even recorded a song called “RAFTING” in Nepal and shot a music video.
徳島県吉野川はかつてラフティング世界大会の舞台にもなったラフティングの聖地です。 The Yoshino River in Tokushima Prefecture is a sacred place for rafting, and was once the site of a rafting world championship.、
It is not surprising that there are guides from Nepal who come to help the enthusiastic rafting fans who visit the river during the season from April to September. It is no exaggeration to say that Nepalese guides are behind the scenes supporting river tourism in Japan.
KENMI Rafting has seven Nepalese rafting guides, who are not seasonal workers but permanent residents. Some of them have moved to Tokushima with their families from their home countries. I am very happy to know that Nepalese rafting guides are trusted and relied upon by Japanese people.
Nepalese immigrant settlers and Japanese who have a heart for Nepal are on board the boat piloted by a Nepalese river guide to take on the challenge of the rapids. I would be more than happy as an organizer if, at the end of this trip, a new bond is formed between us and our hearts become closer.
私の思いに賛同してくれる人と
流れてみたいな吉野川
あなたの参加をお待ちしています！
With people who agree with my thoughts. I would like to float down the Yoshino River. I look forward to your participation!
