Welcome Furoshiki

The Tradition of Welcoming New Residents to our Home Community

Welcoming newcomers into a community is not a new idea. Many societies have developed ways to include new neighbors in activities and in the community. Unfortunately, though, many of these traditions are fading, as it has become common in urban societies not to know our neighbors.

In the U.K. smaller towns and communities often give welcome packs or have teas for newcomers. Australia also has this tradition in various communities to assure a newcomer feels at home. In Senegal, in small towns and villages, new residents are visited by the neighborhood members. Senegal is often referred to as the country of hospitality (teranga) as it is part of the culture to welcome people they do not know.

When Americans were moving west in the 1800's, they often went into very lonely areas to live, and neighbors from miles around would come to welcome them. In modern times, "Welcome Wagon" developed in the U.S. in major cities and small towns, often sponsored by local Chambers of Commerce. This service has been in the U.S. for a long time and exists in some form in many American communities today.

We are happy to say, that in Japan the welcoming of newcomers is alive and well with Welcome Furoshiki.

Establishing Welcome Furoshiki

Conceptual Creation: When Charlotte Kennedy Takahashi, creator of the concept of Welcome Furoshiki, came to Japan in 1978, there was limited information on living in Japan and she found that many business professionals, embassy personnel, military, missionaries and teachers were isolated from each other and did not feel part of the international or Japanese communities.

Therefore, she started Welcome Furoshiki. She selected a Japanese name for the welcoming service to put it into the context of the country in which she feels at home and whose traditions she greatly respects. This welcoming service has been very successful since 1983 and over 15,000 foreign families have benefited from a friendly, welcoming visit with a Representative.

First Director: The first Director was Tina Pinnell, who was also one of the founders of Tokyo English Life Line. She established the process for identifying newcomers, organizing how to implement the visits, hiring the Representatives, providing the visits and getting corporate support. What she created still exists almost in its entirety today. Today, Tina Pinnell lives in Braintree, U.K.

Those Who Have Volunteered since 1983: Succeeding directors have believed Welcome Furoshiki is needed in the community and have been highly motivated to keep the service going. Thus, its activities since 1983, whether the number of foreign newcomers was high or low, have been ongoing. Since its inception, Welcome Furoshiki has had almost 300 women and two men who have volunteered their time to become Representatives and visit new foreign residents in Japan.

Backing by Oak Associates: Oak Associates has backed the service and assured ongoing identification of Welcome Furoshiki leadership, consistency in quality of visits and even supported cash flow when needed. Basically the goal of Welcome Furoshiki operation is to financially break even every year and that is usually achieved.

Oak Associates is proud of the success of Welcome Furoshiki and how newcomers find Welcome Furoshiki helpful.



		Request a Welcome Furoshiki Visit Kanto Area: 03-5472-7074 Kansai Area: 06-6441-2584 Email Welcome Furoshiki Welcome Tip of the Month
	The Tradition of Welcoming New Residents to our Home Community Welcoming newcomers into a community is not a new idea. Many societies have developed ways to include new neighbors in activities and in the community. Unfortunately, though, many of these traditions are fading, as it has become common in urban societies not to know our neighbors. Examples Around the World of Welcoming Newcomers In the U.K. smaller towns and communities often give welcome packs or have teas for newcomers. Australia also has this tradition in various communities to assure a newcomer feels at home. In Senegal, in small towns and villages, new residents are visited by the neighborhood members. Senegal is often referred to as the country of hospitality (teranga) as it is part of the culture to welcome people they do not know. When Americans were moving west in the 1800's, they often went into very lonely areas to live, and neighbors from miles around would come to welcome them. In modern times, "Welcome Wagon" developed in the U.S. in major cities and small towns, often sponsored by local Chambers of Commerce. This service has been in the U.S. for a long time and exists in some form in many American communities today. We are happy to say, that in Japan the welcoming of newcomers is alive and well with Welcome Furoshiki. Establishing Welcome Furoshiki Conceptual Creation: When Charlotte Kennedy Takahashi, creator of the concept of Welcome Furoshiki, came to Japan in 1978, there was limited information on living in Japan and she found that many business professionals, embassy personnel, military, missionaries and teachers were isolated from each other and did not feel part of the international or Japanese communities. Therefore, she started Welcome Furoshiki. She selected a Japanese name for the welcoming service to put it into the context of the country in which she feels at home and whose traditions she greatly respects. This welcoming service has been very successful since 1983 and over 15,000 foreign families have benefited from a friendly, welcoming visit with a Representative. First Director: The first Director was Tina Pinnell, who was also one of the founders of Tokyo English Life Line. She established the process for identifying newcomers, organizing how to implement the visits, hiring the Representatives, providing the visits and getting corporate support. What she created still exists almost in its entirety today. Today, Tina Pinnell lives in Braintree, U.K. Those Who Have Volunteered since 1983: Succeeding directors have believed Welcome Furoshiki is needed in the community and have been highly motivated to keep the service going. Thus, its activities since 1983, whether the number of foreign newcomers was high or low, have been ongoing. Since its inception, Welcome Furoshiki has had almost 300 women and two men who have volunteered their time to become Representatives and visit new foreign residents in Japan. Backing by Oak Associates: Oak Associates has backed the service and assured ongoing identification of Welcome Furoshiki leadership, consistency in quality of visits and even supported cash flow when needed. Basically the goal of Welcome Furoshiki operation is to financially break even every year and that is usually achieved. Oak Associates is proud of the success of Welcome Furoshiki and how newcomers find Welcome Furoshiki helpful. Ask for a Welcome Furoshiki Visit
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