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Japanese students arrive for peace rites, cultural exchange
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Posted on Oct 18 2011
By Clarissa V. David
Reporter
Reporter
Over 200 students from Ueda Nishi High School from Nagano Prefecture in Ueda City, Japan arrived yesterday afternoon to take part in a cultural exchange program and conduct a peace ceremony.
Tanaka Takayuki of R&C Tours, ground handler and coordinator for the visiting group, said the students will be accompanied by 19 teachers and four tour coordinators from Japan-based travel company, JTB Group.
JTB coordinator Akihiro Yokota, in an interview upon the group’s arrival at the Francisco C. Ada/Saipan International Airport at past 3pm yesterday, said this is the second time that Ueda Nishi High School students held a student trip to Saipan. The first was three years ago.
Yokota said they will be staying at the Saipan World Resort and the Pacific Islands Club.
According to Yokota, the group will hold a peace ceremony today at Banzai Cliff for all Japanese soldiers and other military officers and civilians who perished during World War II.
The group is also expected to go sightseeing and enjoy Saipan’s pristine beaches, and do some shopping for souvenirs and gifts to bring back to Japan.
Both Takayuki and Yokota said the Japanese students will meet with their counterparts at Marianas High School tomorrow and Thursday, Oct. 19 and 20, and join classes that will teach them more about the island culture.
The group will also make a courtesy visit at the Marianas Visitors Authority.
The group is expected to fly back to Japan Thursday afternoon.
