Nirasaki City, Yamanashi: Learn Fun Communication Tips with Your Child! Join the 'Voice Catch Ball' Parent-Child Voice Training Workshop with a Former NHK Announcer on July 4 (Sat), Now Accepting Participants!

The Nirasaki City Board of Education (Lifelong Learning Division) will host a parent-child interactive experience class titled "Let's Enjoy the Voice Catch Ball! – Parent-Child Voice Training Workshop" on Saturday, July 4, 2026, from 10:00 AM at Nikori Citizen Exchange Center.

The workshop will feature Yukiyo Yamagata (Yamagata Yukiyo), former NHK Kofu Broadcasting Station announcer, as instructor. Parents and children will enjoyably participate in professional announcer-style vocal exercises and "gundoku" (group reading), a form of expressive reading where multiple people harmonize their voices.

This workshop aims to nurture children's confidence and expressive abilities by experiencing the pleasant feeling of verbal 'catch ball'.

From Professional Vocal Techniques to Group Reading – A Program to Expand the Possibilities of the Voice

For children, being able to clearly deliver their voice to others during school presentations or daily greetings is an important step in building confidence. In this workshop, former NHK Kofu announcer Yukiyo Yamagata will clearly explain the vocal techniques used by professional announcers.

The highlight of the workshop will be the challenge of "gundoku", also known as "choral speaking".

Gundoku is a performance method where a poem or text is read aloud by multiple people, divided into parts or harmonized together. Like a melody-free song, participants can experience dynamic expression and the joy of unity by resonating tone and tempo together—something not possible when reading alone.

Even children who are slightly hesitant about speaking in public can feel at ease and freely express themselves as their voices blend with others.

The Joy of Exchanging Words as a Family – Make Home Communication More Enjoyable

A key feature of this workshop is that it's designed for both children and their guardians to participate and experience together.

By pairing up as parent-child teams, feeling each other's vocal resonance, and exchanging words face-to-face, participants will discover a uniquely pleasant 'verbal catch ball' experience different from everyday conversation.

The vocal techniques and joy of group reading learned in this workshop can be immediately applied to school reading practice and daily family conversations. With her warm and cheerful guidance—honed through years as a local broadcaster—Ms. Yamagata will fill the venue with smiles and pleasant vocal harmony.

Instructor Profile

Yukiyo Yamagata (Former NHK Kofu Broadcasting Station Announcer)

As an NHK Kofu announcer, she covered local news and various information programs in Yamanashi Prefecture. Known for her close-to-the-community reporting and friendly, accurate narration and announcing, she gained widespread popularity among viewers. Today, she actively works as an instructor for children's speaking classes, career education, and communication training for companies and organizations, leveraging her extensive experience.

Event Details

- Workshop Title: Parent-Child Interactive Experience Class "Let's Enjoy the Voice Catch Ball! – Parent-Child Voice Training Workshop" - Date and Time: Saturday, July 4, 2026, 10:00 – 11:30 - Venue: Nikori Citizen Exchange Center, 3rd Floor Multipurpose Hall - Address: 1-2-50 Wakamiya, Nirasaki City, Yamanashi Prefecture - Instructor: Yukiyo Yamagata (Former NHK Kofu Broadcasting Station Announcer) - Content: Join a former NHK Kofu announcer to practice professional vocal techniques and experience "gundoku", the "choral speaking" of voices. Why not enjoy the pleasant feeling of verbal catch ball with your child? - Target Audience: Elementary school students and their guardians residing in Nirasaki City - Capacity: 8 parent-child pairs (first-come, first-served; advance registration required) - Participation Fee: Free - What to Bring: Drink for hydration, writing materials, and comfortable clothing - Registration Method: Register by phone or via the official application form to the Lifelong Learning Division, Nirasaki City Board of Education - Registration Period: Monday, June 15 to Thursday, July 2, 2026 - For Details and Registration: [Link provided in original] - For Details and Registration: [Alternative link provided in original]

Contact Information

Lifelong Learning Division, Nirasaki City Board of Education

1-3-1 Mizukami, Nirasaki City, Yamanashi Prefecture 407-8501

TEL: 0551-45-7209

Official Website: https://www.city.nirasaki.lg.jp/