Saipan students visit Japan in exchange program

Twelve students from the CNMI came with a better understanding of Japan and its culture after participating in the 22nd Annual Winter SANPO-EN Student Cultural Exchange Program.

Seven students from Mt. Carmel High School, four from the Northern Marianas Academy, and one from the Marianas High School participated in the student exchange program, which was held from Feb. 11 to 16, 2005.

Saipan Mayor Juan B. Tudela, along with two of his staff and an interpreter, escorted the students to four cities in Japan: Nagano, Ohstu, Sonobe and Kyoto.

The students first visited Nagano where they saw snow for the first time and were introduced to their host Japanese families. The students stayed in their respective host families for three nights and two days.

While in Nagano, the students frolicked in the snow and visited the famous 1998 Winter Olympics skiing venue with their host families.

They went to Joyoma Elementary School for a cultural exchange program, where students rendered a number of popular local songs. They also witnessed amateur sumo wrestling and other games presented by the Joyoma students.

In Ohstu City, the Sanpo-En High Priest Konsho Kayaki, the Sanpo-en board of directors, and Ohstu Mayor Makoto Mekata greeted Tudela and the delegates with a warm welcome party.

Mekata invited Tudela to his municipal office. In appreciation, Tudela gave the Ohstu mayor a book titled We Drank our Tears, a book that tells of the World War II experiences of the elderly citizens of Saipan and Tinian. Tudela also presented Mekata a plaque of appreciation.

The delegates went to Kyoto City where they met with vice mayor Tagaki, to whom Tudela presented gifts and a plaque of appreciation for the warm welcome.

The students then visited Kyoto Zoo and were able to see some exotic animals found in the region. The students, together with Tudela, also had a hands-on experience in making recycled paper from elephant manure.

At Sonobe town, the students had a brief tour of the Sonobe potato chips factory, whose products are sold all over the world, including Saipan.

The students went to the Sonobe Museum, where they learned the history of the legendary Shoguns of 16th century Japan. They also met with Sonobe vice mayor Toshimori Sasaki.

The group was treated to a grand “sayonara” party where an estimated 100 townspeople interacted with the Saipan students, presenting musical numbers and other games that made their night memorable before they headed back to Saipan.