At present there are over 4,300 foreign residents in Niigata City. As a means to facilitating the development of a city which is easy to navigate and live in, we have instituted a Foreign Residents Round-table Panel which discusses pertinent issues for foreign residents pertaining to lifestyle, welfare, medical care and employment, the results of which discussions are subsequently reported to the Mayor. This is one of the means by which Niigata City hopes to implement measures which ensure it is a pleasant place to live for every one of its residents. Moreover, with the recent hosting of international conferences and sports events, Niigata has seen a large influx of foreign visitors. The operation of a number of chartered flights also ensures that foreign tourists visiting the city are likely to increase in number and we provide information in many languages about commuting and useful facilities.

　Located inside the Crosspal Niigata building, the Niigata International Friendship Center is available for everyone and provides information regarding international exchange activities. Please feel free to drop by any time.

• Lounge
  　There are several foreign language newspapers available including English, Chinese, Korean and Russian.
  
• Lecture Rooms
  　Rooms are available for meetings, gatherings, parties, or lectures focusing on international friendship or exchange.
  
• Message Board
  　If you want to learn a foreign language, teach a foreign language, or buy or sell something, there is a message board in the center for the exchange of various kinds of information.
• Exhibition Space(2F)
  　Mementos from Niigata’s sister cities and other cities with which Niigata has close ties are displayed here.

• Open
  9:00 a.m. - 9:30 p.m.
• Closed
  4th Mon.(If it falls on a national holiday, the following day is off)
  Dec. 29 - Jan. 3
• Address
  2086, 3 no-cho, Ishizuecho-dori, chuo-ku
• Access
  3 minutes away from the “Honcho ” or
  “Ishizuecho ” bus stop.
• Fees
  Please inquire directly at the Friendship Center
• Telephone
  025-225-2727 / Fax:025-225-2733
• Website 　
  http://www.pavc.ne.jp/~nigtief/

　The Niigata City International Exchange Foundation is an organization that was set up through an endowment from the Niigata City government to support the international exchange activities of the citizens of Niigata. We undertake projects to help increase Japanese citizens’ understanding of foreign matters and to help make life in Japan easier for foreign residents. If you wish to know more, please feel free to inquire at our office at the Niigata International Friendship Center.

• Japanese Language Course
  　The Niigata International Exchange Foundation offers Japanese language courses for foreign residents.
  
• Publication of Foreign Language Journals
  　Newsletters with helpful information for foreign residents are printed every month in English, Chinese, and Korean.
• Japanese Culture Classroom for Foreign Residents
  　Established for foreign residents, the Japanese Culture Class provides enriching experiences to deepen your understanding of traditional Japanese cultural activities. For one such event, the foundation provides traditional clothing to foreign residents and teaches them the "Minyonagashi", a traditional dance native to Niigata, which they can then perform during the Niigata festival.
• Foreign Language Advice Service
  　A foreign language advice service is available where foreign residents can receive advice on and discuss any problems or worries they may encounter while living in Niigata.
• Support for Foreign Exchange Students & Health Insurance Payment Assistance
  　We organize many events and projects such as the yearly "bazaar" for international students where they can purchase various goods donated by the citizens of Niigata for very low prices, and the homestay where they can spend a weekend living with a family in Niigata.
  　For international exchange students who are not already receiving aid, we provide support in the amount of half of the National Health Insurance premium amount.
• Support for Foreign Residents
  -International Chat Plaza
  A group where anyone can stop by for casual conversation.
  -Chingunokai (Korean culture)
  A group where Koreans and people with an interest in Korea can interact, learn, and have fun.
  -NikoPal Club
  A study group for non-Japanese children.

• Niigata International Film Festival
  Held every year, it brings people into contact with cultures and traditions that would otherwise rarely be seen in Niigata. Citizen volunteers manage all planning for the event via an executive planning committee.
• Printing of "Kakehashi"
  A newsletter with information regarding foreign exchange events, issued six times a year.

　Japanese language classes are available for those who are interested. Please inquire directly for further information.

　While developing as a hub city on the Sea of Japan Rim, Niigata maintains strong links with foreign countries in the region through its port and international airport. Niigata City has sister city or friendship ties with Galveston City (USA: since 1965); Khabarovsk (Russia: since 1991); Harbin (China: since 1979); Vladivostok (Russia: since 1991); Birobidzhan (Russia: since 2005); and Nantes (France: since 2009). Exchange activities with these six cities range from the realm of sports and culture to economic and environmental fields.
　In addition, Niigata has exchange agreements in place with other cities throughout the world like Ulsan in South Korea.

Galveston	Khabarovsk	Harbin
Vladivostok	Birobidzhan	Nantes

• TEL.025-255-5555
  Address : Bandaijima Building 8F 5-1 Bandaijima, chuo-ku
  

• TEL.025-244-6015
  Address : Bandaijima Building 12F 5-1 Bandaijima, chuo-ku