開催報告
2026年1月のChat Salonは、リーダーを務めている有富さんからの新年のあいさつでスタートしました。新しい一年の始まりにふさわしい、和やかな雰囲気の中での開会となりました。
続いて、インドネシア出身のHas Miraさんによる「Indonesia」をテーマにしたショートスピーチが行われました。インドネシアの文化や暮らしについて、写真を見せながら紹介していただき、参加者にとって新しい発見の多い時間となりました。
ショートスピーチの後は、恒例のチャットセッションを実施しました。今月のテーマは「New Year’s Resolution（新年の抱負）」で、「去年の抱負は達成できた？」「できなかった場合、その理由は？」といった問いをきっかけに、各テーブルで英語でのおしゃべりが広がりました。少し振り返りを交えつつ、前向きに今年の目標について話し合う、年始らしいセッションとなりました。
ご参加くださった皆さま、ありがとうございました。
今回、英語のレポートはシュバムさんが担当してくださいました。ぜひご覧ください！
The first MIFA Chat Salon of the year was held on January 10th, 2026. As always, we started with warm New Year greetings and well-wishes for a happy and healthy year ahead. This year is the year of Hinoe-Uma, which means a combination of strong fire energy (“Hinoe”) and the horse (“Uma”). In Japanese culture, this combination is believed to be especially powerful, symbolizing independence, strength, and passion. It was a great way to begin the year with positive and determined energy.
This month’s short speech was given by Mira-san, who introduced us to her home country, Indonesia. She began with a basic introduction and some impressive facts. Indonesia is located in Southeast Asia, has more than 17,000 islands, and is home to over 270 million people. The capital city is DKI Jakarta. Many people know Indonesia mainly because of Bali, but Mira-san showed us that there is so much more to see and experience in her country. From the volcanoes of Java to the beautiful beaches in Bali, the lush jungles of Sumatra, and the incredible underwater world of Raja Ampat in Papua, Indonesia is truly a land of natural wonders. She also mentioned the Komodo dragons, the world’s largest lizards, which live on Komodo Island.
We also learned about the rich diversity of Indonesia. The country has more than 300 ethnic groups and hundreds of local languages. Each island and region has its own customs, traditions, and even behavior. In Bali, religion is deeply part of daily life. In Java, people value politeness and calmness, while in Eastern Indonesia, people tend to be more expressive, friendly, and open. Despite all these differences, Indonesians live by one powerful motto: “Bhinneka Tunggal Ika,” which means “Unity in Diversity.” That phrase really left a strong impression on everyone listening.
After that, we were taken on a culinary journey through Indonesia. Mira-san introduced many delicious traditional dishes, including Coto Makassar, Nasi Padang, Gudeg, Nasi Goreng, Rawon, and Pempek. I personally have only tried Nasi Goreng before, but after hearing her explanation of all these dishes, I felt hungry and curious to try them all. The food looked colorful and rich in flavor, with ingredients and spices that reflect Indonesia’s diverse culture.
Mira-san also gave us a glimpse of modern life in Indonesia, especially in the capital city Jakarta. Today, technology plays a big role in people’s daily lives. With smartphones, people can order food, call a Grab taxi (which is similar to Uber), and manage many tasks easily and quickly. This shows how Indonesia is developing rapidly and becoming more modern while still holding on to its cultural identity.
Toward the end of her talk, Mira-san spoke about why Indonesia is important globally. The country is rich in natural resources, especially nickel, which is used in making electric vehicle batteries. Indonesia is also one of the world’s top producers of palm oil, coal, and other key materials. As the largest economy in ASEAN and a member of the G20, Indonesia plays a big role in global supply chains, tourism, and cultural influence. She invited all of us to visit her country, enjoy its beautiful nature, and experience the warmth of its people and culture. It was truly an amazing presentation, especially for those of us who only knew about Bali before. I personally learned so many new things about Indonesia.
After the presentation, we had a short Q&A session. One participant asked if Mira-san had heard of “Java Curry,” a popular food brand in Japan. She was surprised because she hadn’t heard of it before. It was a fun and lighthearted moment that made everyone laugh.
Then we moved on to the group chat session. The topic this time was “What is your New Year’s resolution? Could you achieve it last year? If not, why?” Everyone took turns sharing their thoughts. One participant said he joined a gym this year because as we get older, we naturally lose muscle, so building strength becomes more important. Others mentioned wanting to study English more and improve their speaking skills. I shared my own experience of going to the gym regularly last year, which was one of my goals. I’m happy I kept that habit, and I want to continue this year too. Many people agreed that the most important thing is to stay healthy, both physically and mentally. It was a great chance to reflect on our goals and support each other with positive encouragement.
This first MIFA Chat Salon of 2026 was a perfect mix of culture, learning, discussion, and connection. A big thank you to Mira-san for her wonderful presentation, and to everyone who joined the chat session. I’m already looking forward to seeing everyone again next month!
