“The dark shadow of war still affects Japan and the memory of many of our Pacific neighbors and we hope that through these exchanges our children will learn to respect culture and custom,” Hideaki Fukuzawa, Itoda education superintendent, said in his letter to Saipan Mayor Donald G. Flores,.
Fukuzawa said they are hoping that the bonds of friendship between Japan and CNMI will continue.
Itoda Mayor Yoshikatsu Ito said their children will have many happy memories and make good friends during their visit on Saipan.
“I hope the experience will help them grow into warm human beings and grow up to be nice men and women with a broad view of the world around them,” he said.
Mayor’s office executive secretary and student exchange program coordinator Vinycia Seman said nine students from Itoda, Japan arrived on Sunday.
Yesterday, the students visited historical and tourist sites such as the Old Japanese Jail, Sugar King Park, Last Command Post, Banzai Cliff, Grotto, Bird Island and Kalabera Cave.
The students, who are accompanied by Mitsutoshi Ozaki of the Itoda Department Of Education, will be leaving on Aug. 28.
On Thursday, the students will attend classes Grace Christian Academy.
Seman thanked the community for providing home-stay to the visitors and the various private establishments for their giveaways.
Duty Free Shop gave each visiting student a bag of goodies; Pacific Islands Club gave a free pass to its water park; Saipan Zoo, free entrance; Marianas Visitors Authority, leis and necklace; and Tasi Tours, which provided transportation to Managaha.
Those who provided home-stay for the students were Vinycia Seman and Jeff Boyer, Richard and Lorraine Seman, Ieki and Valencia Tasi, Fred and Tina Boyer, and Ana Salas.
“We are thankful for the people who open up their home and welcome the exchange students into their family,” Seman said.
