By Emmanuel T. Erediano
Variety News Staff

SAIPAN Mayor Juan B. Tudela yesterday awarded the visiting executive of a university baseball club from Japan, an honorary citizen of Saipan.
Katsumi Harada, general manager of Josai International University Baseball Club and his son, Yuya Harada, a graduate of Tokyo Arts and Music University came here on Saipan for a supposed summer camp training for baseball last week.
For some reason however, the training was moved to July, according to Derron G.Flores, manager of Jets Baseball team for junior and senior league. So they are set to leave Saipan for Japan tomorrow.
Yuya Harada also brought with him four of his schoolmates in the music school to the mayor’s office. They sang a Japanese song to the mayor after Harada received the honorary award.
After apologizing for not making it to their farewell party Tuesday night, the mayor who still had jetlag from his own flight from Nagoya, whole heartedly welcomed the visitors as citizens. He told him that he personally appreciate their visit and whatever endeavors they have here on Saipan.
The continuous friendly relations, and cultural exchange he told him, works for the benefit of the CNMI.
Through interpreter, Hiratatsu Sai, the Japanese visitors also expressed gratitude to the mayor.
Harada’s son also personally expressed regret on the postponement of the event. He said, they were supposed to hold a piano concert that last week but it also was moved to July.
Also with them were Tetsuo Sakamoto, chairman of Josai International University’s Parents Association.