Japanese groups can help promote NMI

Saipan Mayor David M. Apatang said the yearly visits made by two Japanese groups would be a big help in attracting back one of the CNMI’s biggest tourism markets. The Kokusai Seishonen Kenshu Kyokai or the International Youth Association of Japan and the Sanpoen are the two groups.

They arrived separately with KSKK arriving on Saipan last July 26, while Sanpoen followed two days after. Both groups are part of the Saipan Mayor’s Office’s Student Cultural Exchange Program.

Apatang told Saipan Tribune that both groups could assist in promoting the CNMI’s tourist sites especially the areas that have historical significance. Various Japanese groups hold rituals and other ceremonies in a number of World War II sites here on Saipan.

“It promotes good relationship between Japan and the CNMI since we’re trying to get more Japanese tourists back and visit our islands. These students who become part of our exchange program take pictures and that’s one way to encourage their families and friends to come here.”

“When they go back to Japan, they will show the pictures they took of the scenic sites to their families and friends. By doing that, they are helping promote the islands. Hopefully these would attract them to come, visit us, and experience it for themselves,” said Apatang.

He added that the CNMI is an ideal vacation spot for families. “Next time, they could encourage their parents to come here and see our sites. They would travel as a family.”

The Saipan Mayor’s Office held a Sayonara party at the Minatchom Atdao pavilion last Sunday for the KSKK group, which leaves at 2pm today. Sanpoen’s Sayonara party was held last night at the Chalan Kanoa Beach Club and they leave Saipan in two groups tomorrow, at 4:15am and 4:20pm.

The Sanpoen group held memorial services last Friday at the Banzai and Suicide cliffs, and the Last Command Post for the eternal repose of those who died in World War II. It is similar to the purification ceremony done by the non-profit Kuentai group last month.

Last Saturday, the Sanpoen group held a floating lantern ceremony at the beachside of the Hopwood Junior High School. A total of 300 paper lanterns were lit and floated in the water. The ceremony is called tōrō nagashi with the lanterns, based on Japanese beliefs, will help guide the spirits of the dead to the other world.

“This has been an annual event. They come here to experience the culture, visit the sites, and hold the ceremony. The Sanpoen group coming to Saipan started back during the time of Mayor Gere (Jesus Deleon Guerrero),” said Apatang. His term was from 1990 to 1998 and he died in 2014.

“We just continued the exchange program and in February our students will go to Nagoya, the host community. Where they will experience the Japanese culture,” said Apatang.