The Kochi Consultation Center for Foreign Residents (Kocoforre) is currently recruiting “Kochi Foreign Resident Supporters” to help foreign residents in Kochi Prefecture who may not be acclimated to living in Japan or speaking Japanese.
Kocoforre Supporter Recruitment Flyer
⚫︎ What does a supporter do?
⚫︎ Who can become a supporter?
⚫︎ How to become a supporter
⚫︎ Other information
⚫︎ Outline of supporter activities
What does a supporter do?
1. Friendly Support
When a foreign person needs help communicating, supporters help by accompanying them to places (such as their place of work) and providing assistance by either using ‘Easy Japanese’ or a language that they can communicate in.
＊‘Easy Japanese’ means using common words, phrases, and simple speech that foreign people can understand.
2. Consultation Event Assistance
Throughout Kochi Prefecture, Kocoforre holds consultation events targeted towards foreign residents and Japanese people and businesses that are involved with foreign residents, as well as booths at international exchange events. Volunteers will help with promotion prior to the event in addition to helping out on the day of the event.
3. Translation and Interpreting
Those who are proficient in a language other than Japanese can assist with translation and interpreting for Kocoforre. (Japanese to English and English to Japanese).
※We do not provide translation and interpreting services for a profit.
● For roles 1 and 2, it is not essential to know a foreign language. However, please be prepared to use “Easy Japanese.” For role 3, only supporters with a certain degree of proficiency can participate.
● When help from a supporter is needed, Kocoforre will send a request to supporters to assist the foreign resident in need.
Who can become a supporter?
- Those who are over 20 years old. (People of all nationalities are welcome)
- Those who can use “Easy Japanese” or communicate in a foreign language.
How to become a supporter
Step 1: Submit an application
Supporters are volunteers for the Kochi International Association (KIA). To apply to be a supporter, please download the KIA Volunteer Registration Form at the bottom of this page. Then, please fill out the form and submit it by email, fax, post, or hand it to us directly.
When applying to be a Kocoforre Supporter, you can also apply to become a KIA Volunteer (i.e. a general language volunteer, a language volunteer during emergencies, a Japanese teaching volunteer, or a host family volunteer) at the same time. Please click here for more information on becoming a KIA Volunteer.
Where to Submit: Kochi Consultation Center for Foreign Residents (Kocoforre)
Honmachi 4-1-37, Kochi City, Kochi Prefecture, 780-0870
TEL 088-821-6440 FAX 088-821-6441
E-mail: consultation@kccfr.jp
Step 2: Supporter Guidance
Those who are interested in registering as supporters will receive Supporter Guidance (Japanese only) that explains the details of the volunteering activities as well as other important points (approximately 1 hour). Guidance is offered at all times but prior reservations are required. Guidance can be done either in person or online (using Zoom). When making your reservation, please choose either online or in person.
Please be aware that there is no guidance for being a KIA volunteer (i.e. a general language volunteer, a language volunteer during emergencies, a Japanese teaching volunteer, or a host family volunteer).
Step 3: Registering as a Volunteer
After the guidance session, you will be officially registered as a Kocoforre supporter. We will contact registered supporters via email when their services are required, so please tell us when you will be available. Registered supporters will also gain access to the “Volunteer Bulletin”, which contains information on Kocoforre’s activities, as well as useful information on supporting foreigners, consultation events, international exchange events, seminars on multiculturalism, and so on.
Other information
- Since being a supporter is a volunteer activity, there is no financial compensation. However, we will pay for transport expenses.
- We plan to hold a training course for supporters approximately once a year.
⇒ Kocoforre Supporter System Outline【PDF】
〇The Supporter Registration Form can be found below↓
⇒ Kia Volunteer Registration Form【PDF】
Outline of supporter activities
Supporters will be asked to carry out requests by Kocoforre.
Below is an example process of a supporter activity. We ask all volunteers to submit the “Supporter Activity Report and Travel Cost Invoice” form promptly after completing a supporter activity in order to confirm the details and travel costs of the activity.
1. Kocoforre will send a simultaneous email to applicable supporters based on the location and language proficiency written in the application.
2. If you can do the supporter activity, please respond to Kocoforre (if you are unable to, you do not need to respond). If multiple people are available to do the supporter activity, Kocoforre will decide who will do it. After that, the specific details will be sent.
3. You volunteer as a supporter.
4. Once you are finished, fill out the “Supporter Activity Report and Travel Cost Invoice” forms and submit them.
⇒ “Supporter Activity Report and Travel Cost Invoice”
For Inquiries
Kochi International Association, Kochi Consultation Center for Foreign Residents (Kocoforre)
〒780-0870 Kochi City Honmachi 4-1-37 Marunouchi Building 1st Floor
TEL 088-821-6440 FAX 088-821-6441
E-mail: consultation@kccfr.jp