The lantern floating ceremony on Thursday evening also marked the 30th year of the Saipan-Japan international cultural exchange program on island.
The Japanese believe that we come from water and the lanterns represent our bodies returning to water
“We visit here every year to offer prayers to [those who died during the war],” Kayaki said.
Saipan Mayor Juan B. Tudela and some of his staff members attended the event, which he described as “very important in nurturing our traditions.”
The cultural exchange program, Tudela said, helps students from Saipan and Japan learn about each other’s culture and traditions while promoting CNMI tourism.
The mayor said the program also strengthens the relationship between Japan and Saipan.
The Northern Marianas was administered by Japan from 1914 to 1944.
While most of the Japanese participants in the cultural exchange program are students, Tudela said he noticed that businessmen are also joining the group.
Yesterday, the mayor’s office hosted a “sayonara” party for the Sanpo-en cultural exchange students at the Minachom Atdao Pavilion on Beach Road Susupe.
The gathering was also a reunion for Saipan’s past cultural exchange students.
Some of the local families who have hosted Japanese students also attended the gathering.
Not all were able to attend as some of them are now in the U.S. or Guam, Tudela said.
The Saipan cultural exchange students are scheduled to be in Japan this October and the mayor’s office is now accepting applications from local students, said Olinka C. Chaudhry, Tudela’s youth coordinator.
