World Lamp Meeting

The World Lamp-kai is a networking event designed to foster interaction and build lasting connections between foreign residents and Japanese locals in Nagaoka City, transcending differences in nationality and background. While the number of foreign residents—such as those holding "Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services" visas—is increasing in Nagaoka, a challenge has emerged: these employees often have few opportunities to meet peers of their own generation in their workplaces or local communities, leading to feelings of isolation. The World Lamp-kai was established to address this issue, aiming to shift the perception of Nagaoka from merely **"a place to work" to "a place to live and connect."**

Through activities such as shared meals and cultural exchanges, we place importance not only on foreign residents experiencing the Japanese language and culture but also on Japanese participants learning about the diverse cultures and experiences of those joining us. We aim to go beyond one-off interactions; our goal is to foster friendships and new networks among participants, creating a platform that continuously connects foreign talent living in Nagaoka with the local community. We also include a brief, 15-minute lecture to share practical information useful for daily life.

The name "Lamp-kai" is derived from a historical gathering held after the Boshin War to discuss the reconstruction of Nagaoka; at that time, people from diverse social strata came together under the light of oil lamps to deliberate on the region's future. Upholding this spirit, the World Lamp-kai aims to bring people together—transcending differences in nationality and background—to create new value and foster connections through mutual interaction.