各務原市における日本人児童とブラジル人児童との交流活動 : 貿易ゲームを通した国際教育の試み

While the number of foreigners living in Japan witnessed a temporary decline in 2020 owing to precautionary measures implemented to curb the spread of COVID-19, the general trend is now moving toward an increase. According to the Immigration Services Agency, the foreign resident population in Japan surpassed 3 million in 2022. This upswing has prompted local governments, particularly those hosting large numbers of foreign residents, to explore ways to foster harmonious coexistence. Kakamigahara City in Gifu Prefecture is one such municipality making efforts to coexist with its foreign residents, boasting a population of 3,652 foreigners, with Brazilians comprising the largest group at around 22% in 2022.
In this paper, the author recounts their experience facilitating the Trade Game within the Communication Course as part of the Autumn School 2019 initiative orchestrated by the Junior Chamber Kakamigahara. The aim is to provide a condensed overview and analysis of the results of the Trade Game for documentation purposes. The objective the Autumn School 2019 was to facilitate the "overcoming of language barriers and fostering camaraderie" between Japanese and Brazilian children. The Trade Game is a simulation of global economic dynamics and a widely practiced teaching tool in schools worldwide, including Japan. During the Trade Game at Autumn School 2019, 29 children participated—24 Japanese and 5 Brazilian—organized into 5 groups.
The children's reflection sheets revealed several key points. First, Brazilian children cooperated well with Japanese children despite language barriers. In addition, while participants shared opinions about their groups, there was a notable absence of expressions related to nationality. In other words, participants transcended national and linguistic boundaries to work together toward a common goal of creating products using tools. Secondly, the establishment of friendship was evident through shared enjoyment, potentially serving as a foundation for better relationships. However, several children expressed anger and frustration during the Trade Game, using condemnatory words toward others. In this regard, it is difficult to assert that the goal of "fostering camaraderie" was fully realized.
In conclusion, despite some regrets in terms of fostering friendly relations, the Trade Game provided participants with valuable insights into peace, war, environmental issues, interpersonal relations, and societal structures. This learning experience transcended language and nationality barriers, offering valuable insights to the participants.