By Haidee V. Eugenio
Variety Assistant Editor

PROMINENT local and Japanese individuals have formed a new non-profit organization which aims to promote and coordinate activities to strengthen goodwill, friendship and better relations between the people of the CNMI and Japan.
The Reverend Sogen Yamakawa of the Shogen Zen Dojyo in Gifu, Japan announced the recent formation of the group called Nan Mei Saipan.
Board members of the non-profit organization include Yamakawa as president, Manuel S. Villagomez as vice president, Mike Sablan as secretary, Rev. Shinryu Akita as treasurer, Rev. John Koryu Akita, Yoshihiko Kameyama, Yasuhiro Ueno, Clarence T. Tenorio, and Carlos Shoda.
Yamakawa is also the president of Shogen Junior College, which recently entered into a student exchange program with Northern Marianas College.
One CNMI student is attending Shogen Junior College in Minakamo City, Gifu Prefecture, on a full scholarship provided for by Yamakawa.
This fall, three more students from NMC will be attending Shogen Junior College.
On Feb. 24, Nan Mei Saipan held an organizational meeting at the Chalan Kanoa Beach Club, where Saipan Mayor Juan B. Tudela extended appreciation on behalf of island residents for the generosity of the Nan Meido Temple supporters and the Shogen Junior College.
Nan Mei Saipan will also manage contributions received from supporters of the Nan Meido Temple in Sugar King Park in Garapan.
The Nan Meido Temple, also known as the International House of Prayer, was built in 1990 and is visited frequently by temple supporters visiting from Japan, as well as tourists.
Other events are being organized, including a special memorial event to pay respects to the Japanese, Koreans, mainland Americans and locals who lost their lives on Saipan during World War II.