(Office of the Saipan Mayor) — Saipan Mayor Ramon “RB” Jose Blas Camacho recently paid a goodwill visit to Japan where he met with several organizations such as the KSKK International Youth Association of Japan, Katori City officials, and the Katori Shrine priests. Mayor Camacho also met with the Tokyo Tensuren Group, which is affiliated with the Saipan Awaodori Team, to show his support.
Mayor Camacho first met with KSKK Director Hiroyuki Takada to discuss about the upcoming student exchange program this July. The mayor and director also discussed arrangements for winter, spring, and summer exchange programs as well as allowing CNMI students to go to Japan in the fall. Both the mayor and director agreed to these arrangements as it allows students from the CNMI to travel to Japan and go through the full student exchange experience.
Mayor Camacho then met with Katori City officials including Mayor Tomonori Ito. Among the items discussed were student and sports exchange programs so as to encourage more visits and bring in more Japanese to Saipan. Farming techniques were also discussed as well including programs such as sending professionals to Saipan to conduct sessions and training for our youth. Thus, new farming techniques can be introduced to benefit local farmers and to teach valuable agricultural skills to local youth. The Saipan Awaodori Team also performed in front of 50 city hall staff and Katori middle school students who watched the performance virtually.
Mayor Camacho met with members of the Katori Shrine group including High Priest Takeshi Katori and Chief of Staff Shingo Katori. They discussed the upcoming Katori ceremony and Japanese festival to be held at the Saipan Katori Shrine at Sugar King Park this Oct. 28. Special tour packages for the dignitaries were also prepared with welcoming statements from Mayor Camacho, the Marianas Visitors Authority, and the president of the Japanese Society. The mayor believes that festivities and events such as these will help boost Saipan’s popularity as a travel destination for Japanese tourists and allow the local community to become familiar with Japanese culture and traditions.
The mayor likewise met with the Tokyo Tensuren Group, Director Mr. Yukihiro Iwanami and Councilor Osamu Shimizu. The Saipan Awaodori dancers, for their part, conducted a one-hour performance.
Mayor Camacho hopes to rekindle and cultivate the valuable relationship between the CNMI and Japan. Japan has long been a reliable tourism market for the CNMI especially during the previous economic booms. However, recent years have seen a major shift away from Japan and as such the mayor hopes to restart that market. In the post-pandemic world, Japanese tourism may help reinvigorate the island’s faltering tourism industry. The mayor also recognizes the cultural and historical aspect of the island’s long relationship with Japan which dates back to a century and will strive to maintain and continue that relationship to strengthen the bonds between our peoples and to preserve it for future generations.
For any questions or more information, contact the Saipan Mayor’s Office at (670) 234-6208. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The office is also open through lunch.
Saipan Mayor RB Camacho and his Katori City counterpart, Tomonori Ito, visit the Sawara Festival grounds.
Saipan Mayor RB Camacho with Katori City Mayor Tomonori Ito and the Saipan Awaodori Team at the Katori City Hall.
Saipan Mayor RB Camacho with the Tokyo Tensuren Group and the Saipan Awaodori Team.
Saipan Mayor RB Camacho poses with High Priest Takeshi Katori of the Katori Jingu Shrine and shrine group members in Katori City.
Saipan Mayor RB Camacho addresses Katori City Mayor Tomonori Ito and his staff at the Katori City Hall.
