THE local community warmly welcomed the 34th goodwill trip of the Wakai Nekko No Kai Ocean University on Wednesday night.
More than 400 people from the community joined the 370 students and officials of Wakai Nekko aboard Fuji Maru—Japan’s largest passenger ship.
Hideo Kato, president of Wakai Nekko No Kai and Japan Council of Organizations for Young Workers, said this is his 79th visit to Saipan.
Kato has brought more than 15,000 Japanese tourists to the island since 1968.
Gov. Juan N. Babauta and Lt. Gov. Diego T. Benavente joined the celebration along with other government officials.
“I want to take this opportunity to thank you on behalf of Saipan. They are excited to be here,” Babauta said.
The 72-year-old Kato has been sailing to Saipan and Guam since 1968 to promote goodwill and friendship.
Kato, an author who has written 66 books, said he finds Saipan a “sparkling jewel” in the Pacific.
Recognizing Kato’s support for the local tourism industry, the governor named him once again as the honorary ambassador of the CNMI government to Japan.
The ship’s crew treated the crowd with assorted food and drinks before the cultural night presentation started.
Kato promises to continue their traditional annual voyage to Saipan.
