News Chiba City to introduce free volunteer interpreters for foreign residents

According to the Chiba Municipal Government's International Relations Division, there were 30,950 foreign residents in the city as of the end of January 2023, and that number is expected to grow. [...] Until the program began, the city only dispatched volunteer interpreters through the Chiba City International Association (CCIA), in response to requests from public bodies. To provide a finer-tuned response, the new program is open to requests from individuals. The city expects the program to be used in situations such as enrolling children in school, offering academic guidance, vaccinations at medical institutions and administrative procedures at ward offices. As of the end of December 2022, there were 110 volunteer interpreters, known as "supporters," that have received training through the CCIA. The association rewards the volunteers and provides them with insurance so they can carry out their activities without worry. The volunteers include foreign nationals.

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