Volunteer Newsletter by City Cast Chiba, Vol.4

Vol.4 Table of Contents

【Page 1】Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games Came to An End! 【Page 2】Robot Pilot Activity Report No.1 【Page 3】Robot Pilot Activity Report No.2 【Page 4】Narita City Toward realization of a harmonious and inclusive society 【Page 5】Your volunteer memories are wanted! 【Page 6】Online exchange between Coventry Ambassador from UK and City Cast Chiba!, Newsletter Quiz, Editor's Note

Vol.4 - published on September 10, 2021

This newsletter was all translated by City Cast Chiba. The summery in Spanish and Chinese is also available.

Click here for the newsletter in Japanese

“Accepting the disability does not mean to give up the whole life!”

― August 28, Tatyana McFadden, Paralympic athlete in the category T54, a bronze medalist in the women’s wheelchair 5,000m from USA.

Paralympic Games ended and both various great games and the great impression have remained behind. We will inform you various volunteer activities fully by this Newsletter.

【Page 1】Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games Came to An End!

At Narita Airport - Various episodes of “Seeing You Off” activities -

On September 4 (Saturday) during the morning time just before the end of Paralympic Games, I have joined the online “Seeing You Off” activities at Terminal 1, North Wing. It was quite regrettable that the volunteer activities at Narita Airport were cancelled but I thought we should act whatever we could wholeheartedly for the last volunteer activities.

With the City Cast formal uniform, we saw all the people off through the Zoom screen. The message boards with not only English but also other foreign languages were prepared and some volunteers showed various national flags, other volunteers joined with their children and likewise I’m very sure all the people could have felt very pleasant hospitality at the airport provided by every volunteers through the Zoom screen.

Invited by the voices of the two robots, not only athletes but also Paralympic Games staff, volunteers, and the media stopped in front of the Zoom screen.

Some people took photos with us who were on the screen and other people expressed their appreciation to us even though the departure time of their flights home were just around the corner.

Under the current severe pandemic circumstances, it is me who were impressed very much and wished to express our heartfelt thanks to those athletes and people related with Olympic and Paralympic Games who have come to Japan with their great passion and big smiles. Today, we could have seen many people off who went home – they were the people from the Republic of Chile, the Argentine Republic, Republic of Poland, the Czech Republic, and the Netherlands.

A big screen for Zoom was prepared at Narita Airport, the departure floor and 2 Robots and some staff were waiting for the people to see them off there.

The volunteer as the pilots of 2 Robots seemed to feel very special, “It was just like we were talking each other face to face and I could have their responds accordingly.”

I think the good thing about being online communication was that there was ‘No Risk of Covid-19 infection’.

I created the message-boards personally, but I came to understand the visually disabled persons were not able to read the messages on the boards. This was what I noticed over the Paralympic Games periods, and this is what I must improve in future.

It is awesome to tell you that I was so pleased to have joined this volunteer activities through the online even if it is not the one face-to-face at the airport. And at the same, I do wish to express my heartfelt appreciation to the staff who have given me such a nice opportunity. A huge thanks to you!

(Written by Ms. Kaneko)

※All photos have been taken and published with the permission of the person in question.

【Page 2】Robot Pilot Activity Report No.1

 

Change from feature phone to smart phone, and attempt to become a pilot!

（Writer：Ms. Kashiwazaki）When you hear the word ‘robot’, what sort of things come to mind?

When I visited the airport a few months ago, a robot from a security company was patrolling the area.

Looking at it, I thought, “What a big Roomba it is!!” But when I went closer to it, I realized it was saying, “I’m on patrol.”

In this age where robots are even used for security, while still only used partly, I believe it won’t be long before they are used in full swing. I can imagine the near future where casualties are prevented because not a human, but a robot detects a suspicious person.

Now, both Mr. Patrol(?) and Roomba are robots, but speaking of robots, they were also used for the current City Cast Chiba activities. The pilot that controls this robot is us, the City Cast Chiba volunteers.

When I first heard assistance with robot piloting was an aspect of remote volunteer work, I strongly felt it seemed interesting, and wanted to try it. For this activity, I changed my feature phone to a smart phone.

When I looked at a photo of the robot for the first time, it looked like an alien. But seeing it many times, I gradually began to feel affection for it. It’s quite cute. After downloading the special app for controlling the robot, it was finally time to begin my work as a pilot!! Controlling the robot was far easier than I had thought, and the robot reacts just by tapping a button. The screen shows the view seen from the robot’s perspective, and if the robot looks left or right, the direction of the robot’s face and view also changes accordingly. It’s amazing. For none tech-savvy person like me, it was surprising. Since you can also make conversation through the robot, changing your character and acting is also fun♪

This time as the see-off role, I chatted and recommended handmade goods as souvenir to athletes and official people, and it was very well-received. I hope robot communication will be used across a wide field, and will continue to play an active role in the online society.

Many thanks to the creators of the robot app, and the staff who planned and supported the introduction of the robot for the lovely experience.

Unique experience as airport robot operator

(Writer: Ms.Kuroda)  Due to the influence of the Covid-19, on-site activities at Narita Airport have become almost impossible. Since it was decided that the Olympic and the Paralympic games would be held in Tokyo, I was very much delighted to hear that and have always wanted to be a volunteer at the airport.

However, I felt deeply shocked with the above reason because I was looking forward to it with so much excitement and willingness.

But, when I was told that I could volunteer as a robot pilot, I thought this was what I could do now, so I immediately made up my mind to get involved. 

The robot used in this volunteer activity is a robot that can be operated by connecting to the app. If you press the button displayed on the screen of your computer or smartphone, the robot will raise its hand or applause. Also, our voice can be delivered through robots. I had never operated a robot before, but it was quite simple.

It was good that I could feel the atmosphere even if I couldn't go to the airport directly. Although the activity time was shorter than it should be, I was able to enjoy volunteering with the support of the staff. Thank you very much!

Robbot operating panel

【Page 3】Robot Pilot Activity Report No.2

Seeing off as a pilot! Wanna try if it would be so fun! (Husband saying)

(Writer: Ms.Horikawa) “It looks fun.”  I replied back like, “Yeah, it does.” To my husband who peeps.

This is going to be a very precious experience that I have been waiting for a long time, so why not!? Deserve to have fun! …Even so, I feel a bit nervous.

I, who is greedy, joined the Zoom screen and robot operations at the same time. The volunteers who had message boards written in different languages and the Olympic and Paralympics mascots merch, in addition some volunteers who joined with their kids. These had relieved my tension.

I can see the lobby in the airport through the robot operation. I can hear the robot sound when I click the operation buttons like “waving hands”, “flapping” and “blinking”.

By the time I got used to using this system, some athletes from Poland, France and Chile stopped by, and then they picked up some handmade gifts, saying “Thank you” in Japanese and waving their hands. I waved back with my left hand while operating the robot with my right hand. It was very impressive that one of the IPC families stopped by. It must be an unforgettable memory and my husband and I smiled at each other.

P.S. I thank you for all the member’s effort and support that gave us this opportunity. The thick manual files in my hand contain lots of guidance and “how to Omotenashi” which we should have provided. From reviewing the file, it reminds me about our training courses. Meeting unknown people through this activity is also one of the good memories.

32 countries and regions which we have seen off. (Listed in the order of the Japanese syllabary, according to the organizer)

United Arab Emirates, Great Britain, Argentina, Aruba, Italy, Iran, India, U.S. Virgin Islands, Uganda, Ukraine, Ecuador, Egypt, Oman, Netherlands, Greece, Croatia, Kenya, Georgia, Spain, Czech Republic, Chile, Nepal, Brazil, Peru, Belgium, Poland, Portugal, South Africa, Mongolia, Jordan, Lesotho, etc.

【Page 4】Narita City Toward realization of a harmonious and inclusive society

Do you know "Host Town of harmonious and inclusive society"?

It is the municipality which takes the initiative for Unique and comprehensive universal design as well as mental barrier-free, with the opportunity of accepting Paralympians, and also after Paralympic games aiming to realize Symbiotic Society.

This time, several members of our public relations team interviewed by online with a staff of Narita City, which has been certified as a host town of harmonious and inclusive society!

Interviewed Person (Photo left) Chief examiner Mr. Kentaro Abe, Narita City Sport Promotion Division Olympics and Paralympics Promotion Office (City Cast Chiba Narita City Area Office) Host Town Leader Award (Cabinet Office)

Q：Under the state of emergency due to the pandemic of Covid-19, how did you implement extension of hospitality to people from Ireland?

A：We did “PARA Beats!” with Junior High School students in the city which is musical performance and made origami cranes or Good Luck Flag cards.

PARA Beats(Narita City)

Q：I suppose that kinds or degrees of “Difficulty” which the athletes have are various, but how did you proceed your preparations and how did you actually deal with them?

A：As they’re athletes, they can flexibly move even in a wheelchair. While we communicated with them, our mind barrier had gone and it had transformed into respect for them. 

Actually, at the pre inspection in 2018, the points at issue had been already raised and solved. So, I think that we gained favorable reviews because of the well-planed implementation.

Q：Could you tell us the prospects in future as Narita city?

A：After this, we’re planning to continue such events as “Blind Soccer” or “PARA Beats!” toward the realization of a symbiotic society. We’ve been aiming to realize the society where “Barrier-Free” is a matter of course.

Narita city Outline of Pre-Games Training Camps

• Period of Time: From August 13 (Fri) to 20 (Fri), 2021
• Number: Athletes 15(Track and field, Swimming, Table tennis, Power lifting, Archery)
• Coaches・staff 23
• Venue: Nakadai Sports Park (Track and Field), Gymnasium, Swimming pool
• Public Viewing: August 18(Wed), 2021, Track and Field, Swimming

* On the same day, the pep rally for Team Ireland Paralympics was held by the brass band of Kozu no Mori Junior High School at the Sports Park.

(Interviewed by Julie Anne, Kunda, Koto, Toshi / Written by Toshi) 

【Page 5】The next newsletter will be the last issue! Your volunteer memories are wanted!

#都市ボラ思い出募集します  -memories of volunteering are wanted.

So many things happened in the Tokyo 2020. I am sure many of you who worked as a volunteer had also many thoughts about this Tokyo 2020. Why don’t you write your memories of your volunteer work in the newsletter? (Enjoyable, impressive, regret experiences. I want to do in the future… etc.) 

In the next newsletter, those of you who worked as a City Cast Chiba are focused. Please write and send or post your experiences as a volunteer in “＃都市ボラ思い出募集します” - it means “memories of volunteering are wanted” in Japanese.

The article will be like this,

• “I worked as a PR for the City Cast Chiba and we worked remotely but I was satisfied! One day I want to meet with this PR members. (from Yukarin)

We collect your comments or pictures. You can send by an email or SNS with hashtag, #都市ボラ思い出募集します.

The next newsletter is the last issue! Please looking forward to it.

【Page 6】Online exchange between Coventry Ambassador from UK and City Cast Chiba!, Newsletter Quiz, Editor's Note

Online exchange between Coventry Ambassador from UK and City Cast Chiba!

We discussed with “Coventry Ambassador”, who continues to develop volunteer activities since London 2012, about gain through volunteering and motivation from volunteering.

The report written by City Cast Chiba is now available on the site in “Japanese and English”!

It was an important opportunity to think about how to continue to City Cast Chiba activities after Tokyo2020. Check it out!

Newsletter Quiz

Three quizzes look back on past fascinating newsletters!!

1. City Cast Chiba started volunteering with 〇〇 activities. Which word goes to 〇〇? 1)creative, 2)remote, 3)original  *Hint: See the Volunteer Newsletter Vol.1!

2. On the Volunteer Newsletter, we reported on TOKYO2020 pre-training camp of Team Netherlands held in Chiba. Select two of the following options about which events we reported on the camp *Hint: See the Volunteer Newsletter Vol.2! 1)Athletics, 2)Artistic Swimming, 3)Gymnastics

3. Some of City Cast Chiba members are living in foreign countries. On the Volunteer Newsletter, we got the report from overseas as “xx”. Which country of the following choices goes to "xx"?　*Hint: See the Volunteer Newsletter Vol.3! 1) England, 2)Germany, 3)Korea

Editor’s Note

I was in charge of editing the 4th issue of Para Special, and by chance I overheard the words by T. Mcfadden, which I wrote on the Page 1, on NHK's broadcast. I heard the same words in interviews with Mr. Abe in Narita City, and my view of Para changed 180 degrees. While volunteering, I don't think I'll be able to stop for a while because of a series of new discoveries.