According to the communication, the final decision to implement the student exchange program this year has not been made, considering that Japan is still reeling from the aftermath of the offshore earthquake and tsunami. If finalized, the Yap delegation will leave on the 19th and return on the 28th of June.
The program was initiated in 2002 during the administration of then-Japan Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori, with the support of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. The program will enter its 10th anniversary this year.
In the past, several islands were visited during the outbound segment of the program, where Japanese students visited. Under newer arrangements, each island is visited on a annual rotational basis. This year, outbound Japanese students will visit Chuuk. Last year Pohnpei was designated as the host.
