Meet the MarMar members! Megumi - Kinder world with a kinder language -
MarMar is a non-profit organization that focuses on providing childcare support for foreign residents in Japan, aiming to "create a more diverse and inclusive society so that everyone can express their individuality, accept each other, and shine together". The group hopes to make a difference in the world by realizing diversity and inclusion in child-rearing, which is directly related to the future. We also provide various consultation services and accompany people going through procedures at city hall and other places in Japan.
Our organizing members are the drive and fortune of the group.
Meet our members and know their backgrounds and charms!
We are happy to introduce Megumi.
Megumi
Japanese language teacher and a certified lecturer of "Plain Japanese".
Founder and director of "Shonan Yasashi Nihongo Project", and a language teacher for foreign workers at Japanese companies.
[ What she likes ] origami (folding paper), embroidery, to wear clothes for longer period by repair, and reading. She also co-organizes a Stand-FM of books：association of kind hearts in Shonan .
[ Languages ] Japanese, a little bit of English and very little Spanish
As a Japanese language teacher and educator of plain Japanese
Q: What brought you to take part in MarMar projects?
As a Japanese language teacher and educator of plain Japanese, I joined them in the hope that I could be of support to parents.
"Plain Japanese"
Q: You are promoting "yasashii nihongo" . "Yasashii" means both "plain" and "gentle". And that "yasashii nihongo" is not only gentle for foreigners but also for Japanese people.
Yes. The Japanese that we usually speak needs some trick of "yasashii nihongo". By applying its rule of "clearly," "sincerely," and "shortly" , we can make expressions "easy" for small children and the elderly to understand and convey.
In 2022, MarMar's projects were selected by the Kirin Welfare Foundation as a "Kirin Community Power Support Project," and Megumi served as an instructor and held "Easy Japanese Chatting Meetings" to promote easy Japanese, and produced some YouTube videos.
Watch other "yasashii nihongo " videos on MarMar's YouTube channel.
"Plain Japanese" that conveys better than English
Q: At MarMar events, they are trying to make it easier for participants to communicate by using more "plain Japanese".
Many tend to assume that "we have to speak English with foreigners! ". However, more foreigners living in Japan understand Japanese (about 63%) than they understand English (about 44%).
MarMar's flyer now includes a <Plain Japanese> guide for those encountering it for the first time. We hope that you will pick up a flyer at our event and make use of it when interacting with foreign parents.
MarMar is a place..
Q: What kind of place is MarMar for you?
It is a place where kind people gather. People who want to create a kind world, a world where all children can be happy. A place where there are wonderful people who share these feelings. A place where each of us can be vibrant without changing or adjusting ourselves, while making the most of what we are good at.
Q: What is your message for foreign parents in Japan?
Let's enjoy parenting together. It doesn't matter if you can speak Japanese or not. MarMar would like to talk with you and parent together.
Thank you for your read!
Follow our magazine below to learn about other members. We welcome you to our events to meet us too!
Follow our social network accounts for updates - Facebook / Instagram
Thank you for your read!
Follow our magazine below to learn about other members. We welcome you to our events to meet us too.
Follow our social network accounts for updates! Facebook / Instagram