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Japanese homestayers head home
Nineteen students, along with lead chaperone Minori Taniguchi, far right; Saipan Mayor’s Office program coordinator Joann Aquino, second from left, back row; and 2014 Liberation Queen Pressel Camacho, third from right, back row, prepare to go to Managaha for recreational swimming last Friday. (Jayson Camacho)
The Saipan Mayor’s Office bade farewell to 19 Japanese homestay students and their chaperones on Monday, Aug. 4, after hosting a “Sayonara” party at the Minatchom Atdao on Saturday.
One of the chaperones, 21-year-old Keitaro Kuramoto, said he enjoyed immersing himself in Saipan’s culture.
“I learned so much history from World War II and I am from Hiroshima in Japan and was saddened by the war’s outcome but I am happy because the culture here is so different and better,” Kuramoto said.
Kuramoto assists another chaperone, Minori Taniguchi, 52, and the mayor’s office staff, including program coordinator Joann Aquino, in organizing the students’ activities.
Kuramoto said that 10 host families hosted the students.
One student, Sora Midorikawa, 12, said that he has been to Saipan six times under the program and that he will continue to come back to Saipan because he enjoys the culture and the people.
“I learned so much about the culture here on Saipan and that the people here are very supportive,” Midorikawa said in Japanese.
Taniguchi said this is his fifth time as a chaperone and that they have been doing the exchange program for over 30 years.
Taniguchi noted that Saipan students visit Japan as well for exchange and that they want to continue this longstanding tradition between both nations.
“We want to continue this for years to come and more for future generations because it is a good experience and it is important to understand the history between us and also promote cultural exchange around the world,” he said.
The 19 Japanese students arrived on Saipan on July 28 and are under the International Youth Association of Japan/Kokusai Seishonen Kenshu Kyokai.
