At the Kawasaki International Center on a recent Sunday, 24 representatives from 20 different countries were seated around a large conference room exchanging lively conversation. Their ideas centered around how to improve the lives of foreign residents and create a harmonious community within Kawasaki.

¡°I can¡¯t help but be concerned about the rising costs for permanent residency,¡± said James Lewis, a council member from the United Kingdom. ¡°I¡¯m wondering, what can the city of Kawasaki do?¡±

The members of the Kawasaki Foreign Resident Council spent their afternoon, as they do roughly once a month, discussing various issues facing the city¡¯s growing ranks of foreign residents. The gathering concluded with breakout discussion groups before a final session to review key ideas.