By Gemma Q. Casas
Variety News Staff

THE Japanese ship Fuji Maru sailed yesterday from Saipan but many look forward to its return the same time next year to mark the 40th anniversary of its goodwill voyage to the island.
Hideo Kato, founder of “Wakai Nekko No Kai” or Young Roots Association, said the “39th Ocean University” is preparing for a grand visit next year to mark the 40th year of visits to Saipan and Guam.
The 78-year-old Kato established Wakai Nekko No Kai in 1968 in hopes of fostering friendship and ties with Saipan which was once regarded as “Little Tokyo” as well as other islands in the Pacific Region.
The Northern Marianas was once a Japanese colony as were other nearby islands.
R&C Tours Saipan Inc. said more than 400 Japanese students participating in this year’s Wakai Nekko No Kai, visiting various public and private schools around the island.
Wakai Nekko No Kai is one of the biggest cultural clubs for the young and young at heart in Japan.
During the cruise, participants engage in workshops and attend lectures on international relations, English conversation and other subjects.
Kato of Akita Prefecture in the northern part of Japan has brought more than 16,000 Japanese students to the islands since he started the program.
At the dinner reception meeting for the local community onboard Fuji Maru on Tuesday night, Kato said he will never get tired of bringing Japanese visitors to the island.
He said he looks forward to the 40th voyage next year.
Gov. Benigno R. Fitial, who showed up at the reception along with other invited government officials, said the local community will prepare a grand welcome for Kato’s group to show their appreciation for his untiring contribution to the CNMI tourism industry.
“We’re going to make it big. I really want to show Mr. Kato our appreciation for his founding of the Wakai Nekko No Kai,” Fitial said.

Marianas Visitors Authority Executive Director Perry Tenorio said they too are preparing for Wakai Nekko No Kai’s visit next year.
“We’re very excited in the CNMI. 39 years of voyage by Mr. Kato to the CNMI is significant and we hope to make their 40th visit very special,” he said.
The number of Japanese tourists visiting the islands had sharply declined since Japan Airlines pulled out its 14 flights a week between Japan and Saipan in late 2005.
Officials said Kato and other loyal patrons of the local tourism industry help promote the destination in their own ways.
After the dinner, the visiting Japanese students entertained the crowd with song and dance numbers.
A Japanese opera singer, pianist and other singers also performed.
And despite his age, Kato did his share in entertaining the crowd by dancing to the tune of “Popeye D Sailor Man,’ a classical song and finally a Japanese folksong.
“Although our language are different, our cultures are different, our hearts are the same,” said Kato through an interpreter during his closing remarks.
Dwayne Davis, a senior student of Saipan Southern High School, said he is grateful for Wakai Nekko No Kai’s visit.
“They are really friendly and we hope they continue to visit Saipan,” said Davis who was among local students invited at the ship’s dinner reception.
Jocelyn Cabrera, also a senior at SSHS, said joining the visiting Japanese ambassadors of goodwill is a wonderful experience.
“It’s very memorable,” she said.