Kusatsu International Friendship Association (KIFA) is a volunteer-based private organization that operates with annual membership fees and city subsidies.
KIFA has four different divisions: the International/Domestic Exchange Division, the International Understanding Division, the Multicultural Society Division, and the Public Relations Division. KIFA develops projects focusing on people-to-people exchanges in a way that only the private sector can.
We are working to deepen relations with sister and friendship city exchange cities of Kusatsu City and Shiga Prefecture's sister state, Michigan.
We develop projects to deepen mutual understanding between Japanese and foreigners in the community through interaction. For foreign residents, we also continue to offer volunteer Japanese language classes and organize gatherings to connect with the local residents.
To enhance international understanding among local Japanese people, we plan and operate lectures introducing foreign cultures and English conversation classes.
We publish the newsletter "KIFA Square" several times a year, and provide various information such as event announcements through our website, Facebook, and Instagram.