She said the students and their chaperone will arrive on Dec. 27 and stay with their local host family until Dec. 31.
“This program allows local families to show our island hospitality,” she added.
This marks the 26th year that Saipan and the KSKK have been exchanging students, Tenorio said.
The KSKK is a non-profit organization founded in 1973 to “develop and enhance activities for international companionship between the youth of Japan and other nations.”
While here on Saipan, Tenorio said the Japanese students will visit historical and cultural sites.
They may have no chance to interact with local students, however, because of the Christmas break, she added.
Last July, about 52 Japanese students visited Saipan, 14 of whom were with the KSKK cultural exchange program.
Outgoing Mayor Juan B. Tudela has asked his successor, Donald Flores to continue the student cultural exchange program because it boosts the local tourism industry.
Flores, in an interview, said he will continue the program “because today’s youths are our future tourists.”
But the incoming mayor said he has yet to decide whether to continue Tudela’s sister city program.
