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2014 Japanese American Young Adults Invitation Program

October 13-25, 2014      

Delegation Summary Individual Report by: Kristy Ishii Photos taken by: Lauren Takayama and Kristy Ishii

       

   

©Designed  by:  Lauren  Takayama    

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Organizations involved in the implementation of the program:

Funded by the Japan-U.S. Educational Commission (Fullbright Japan) Co-organized by the Japan Foundation and The Laurasian Institution in the U.S.

In partnership with the Japanese American Citizen League

 

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Day 1: October 14, 2014 JST My perspective of Japan has changed a lot since my first visit, during the scorching July of 2009. The Four P’s that I learned about that describe the people of Japan never go unrecognized. Punctual. Patient. Polite. Perseverant. The amount of respect that Japanese people have engrained in the fabric of their culture is deeply admirable. I was selected to travel to Japan before my sophomore year at Salinas High School, and visited over ten large cities throughout Japan. I homestayed one week in a neighboring city, Hashima, Kagoshima-ken, with the gracious Ueno family. As an ambassador of the Salinas Ichiki-Kushikino Sister City Association, I was able to take my first steps in Japan and visit the prefecture where my great-grandparents were born. Naturally, the weather was much more hot and humid during my first trip, and around the places I visited (Miyajima, Kyoto, Hiroshima, Nara, Tokyo) there were hundreds of tourists. In October of 2014, the Kakehashi Ambassador 10-day stay in Japan introduced some new aspects of U.S. Japan relations, that I am eternally grateful for. Having the ability to participate in meishi (business card) exchanges and simply observe business interactions was invaluable. Watching the level of respect unfold before my eyes heightened my desire to work for a company that utilizes the strengths of both Japanese and American citizens, as well as other international citizens. Prior to our departure from SFO Airport, I was most excited to visit JICA Yokohama Migration Museum, the Japan Foundation, and absorb the lecture that discussed U.S-Japan relations. I also believe that the “business clothes” model transformed the objective of the Kakehashi Project. Wearing clothes suitable for business, rather than casual attire, made me feel like an ambassador who was truly building relationships with partners in Japan.

From the moment our tour bus started making headway into Shinjuku, passing by Tokyo Tower and Skytree, I felt the dream of returning to Japan becoming an honest reality. My conviction strengthened as we continued our journey through the Tohoku region. Upon returning home to Los Angeles, I feel as though the responsibility falls heavily on Japanese Americans to bridge the gap between America and Japan. Although we have some similar

family customs, the Japanese national and Japanese American worlds are distant by a great measure even to this day. As a Japanese American Yonsei, I will encourage my peers to learn Japanese, because in my honest opinion, this communication tool makes a world of a difference in establishing and nurturing relations between our two countries. Language is the linchpin to securing a lasting relationship between the generations of youth that are developing in both the United States and America. Without a language proficiency in both Japanese and English, ideas will not coalesce. Without a common

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agenda and international understanding, the success of these enriching programs will become stymied. Upon my arrival in Japan, Haruna Yabe, a Kanda University student who studied at UCLA’s extension center via American Language Center during the summer of 2014, greeted me at the airport. We connected at UCLA and became friends during the summer prior to the Kakehashi Project because I was studying Japanese, and she was studying English. After a two-hour bus ride to Narita Airport, and a cleared absence from her professor, she surprised me with a huge smile and small present a few minutes after we deplaned. Words cannot describe the emotions engendered by international bonding and friendships. These types of international student relations are not easily maintained, thus, the timing of this program was crucial and such a blessing. I personally thank the Kakehashi program and JACL for giving me the opportunity to maintain and build even stronger connections with my Japanese friends. These friends have become an extended family for me in Japan, since I do not personally know any of my relatives living in Japan.

Day 2: October 15, 2014 JST On day two, we attended four lectures, each an hour in length. Despite being a bit exhausted from the eleven-hour flight to Japan, the lectures influenced the way that I currently view Japan-America relations. Masumi Izumi- “Growing Daikon in an American Concentration Camp” This was a peculiar lecture. Here I was, a Japanese American, learning from a Japanese professor what the Issei went through in America. I felt an immense amount of pride when I found out that the history of my ancestors was being discussed and critically analyzed amongst scholars at universities in Japan. The lecture made me feel very included and I felt much more comfortable building relations with students and professors as a JA in Japan. Additionally, little unknown facts astonished me. For example, I learned that incarcerated JAs used the supply of barbed wire, originally intended for fencing to prevent JAs from escaping, to create an enclosed baseball field. I did not know much about the Gila River War Relocation Center prior to this lecture. Also, I was unaware of the Nisei Kengakudan members, who were Nisei who wanted to come to Japan to see, study, and learn about the Japanese society and culture. I had no prior knowledge of who Okei (The first Japanese female immigrant) was before this trip. These subtle pieces of information were fascinating. However, despite learning these unique facts, I felt a little bit uneasy as a granddaughter of grandparents who were held at Poston, Crystal City, and Tule Lake. I was excited that my ancestor’s actions were being discussed in Japan, but I also wish we were able to share personal stories about our families. Perhaps this component can be altered in a way that Japanese Americans can present a little bit of information about their personal experiences as a JA, or direct commentary and memoirs from their relatives who were unjustly thrown into the camps.

 

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Dr. Hyoma Ito- “US-Japan Relations- Steps to Creating a Stronger Alliance” This lecture was particularly educational for me, partly because I had no prior knowledge about the past nor present Japan and US relations, but also because I am interested in the political relationship between the two countries. His lecture began with a discussion about the 1950-1960s and Commodore Perry’s influence on the beginning of Japan and US relations. Dr. Ito discussed the economic turmoil and competition between the US and Japan, and he even brought us up to speed with what had happened merely five days before the lecture during a meeting on October 10, 2014. Towards the end, he mentioned that the Kakehashi program was part of President Obama and Prime Minister Abe’s

initiative to bridge Japan and America. Naturally, I felt very proud to be a member of the delegation. Dr. Ito described US-Japan relationship as a sound and mature influencer for regional and global affairs. Prior to this lecture, I did not fully understand how essential the U.S. Japan relationship is to maintaining the global relationships and economy (albeit Japan and the U.S. have had their rocky points). This lecture really changed my views on the significance of Japan and America’s relationship.

Ms. Azusa Yokota- Japanese Language Institute And Japan Foundation After this lecture, I learned that Ms. Yokota does the voice recording for Genki Japanese Language book’s listening comprehension CD tapes. I studied Japanese this past summer, and immediately thought about how her voice sounded peculiarly similar. I felt that this lecture was crucial for our group in particular. I loved this lesson because it heightened peoples’ interests in learning the Japanese language. Knowing how challenging it can be to study Japanese, I was thrilled to hear about the “Erin” website via Ms. Yokota. It was a fantastic lecture, and we all practiced speaking Japanese to one another. Masako Iino- Presentation on Japanese American contributions to the U.S.-Japan Relations The acronym LARA stands for Licensed Agencies for Relief in Asia, a broad collection of Christian church groups, labor unions and other organizations dedicated to providing relief to the Asian region. LARA was responsible for delivering around $40 billion worth of material assistance to Japan (calculated at 1952 prices), of which 20% ($8 billion) was provided directly by Nikkei Japanese living in both North and South America. I had never heard of LARA prior to the Kakehashi program. This lecture made me think a lot about the Nikkei customs and Japanese culture and gave me a greater sense of exchange of appreciation. The inclusion of Nikkei contributions to Japan really made an impact and was the turning point in the Kakehashi program. It made me realize that the Nikkei have a special place in building and continuing the relations between Japan as a nation and Americans both of Japanese descent and other ethnicities. This was the final lecture of the day, and a very fitting one because every single delegate in the Kakehashi program identifies as Nikkei (has Japanese ancestors). We received a sincere “Thank you,” on

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behalf of the acts of our elder Nikkei. In turn, this encourages me to do all I can to continue to extend open arms, support, and communication to Japan. During the closing remarks of this lecture, we discussed how numbers of students studying abroad from Japan has stymied. We debated the difficulties and reasons that might discourage high school and college students from studying abroad. I am particularly passionate about this aspect of Japan-U.S. relations. After I attain my goal of proficiency in the Japanese language, I want to help develop ways to increase the global awareness and English proficiency of Japanese university students. I want to encourage more Skype-like relationships between Japan and the U.S. because I wish to foster more vocal and conversational communication between English and Japanese learners alike. I have heard of a program at Brown University that connects university students in Japan to university students in America via Skype. I want to replicate or encourage expansions for these types of exchange with UCLA students. Communication is key to forward progress, but I don’t think that there is enough conversation and interaction between the U.S. and Japanese youth. I want to learn how to get an ambassador program going for students who, like me, wish to study in Japan not only to learn the language, but also to work with Japanese youth to widen the bridge between Japan and U.S. youth. Maybe the National Youth Student Council of JACL can become the emerging young professionals who bridge the Japan JACL chapter to American JACLers. I want to entice the Japanese students to act with a global mindset, to let them know that they can go beyond the boundaries of Japan and bring back ideas for their peers at home. Likewise, I want Nikkei Americans to be able to still feel as though they are connected to Japan. By engaging with the Japanese youth and contributing to building relations and participating in international exchanges, Nikkei will be able to actively communicate with a country that might not have otherwise felt like home due to the distance multiple generations have creviced, both culturally and linguistically. Lastly, I realized while writing this reflection, that all but one of the lecturers were female. There were a few moments where exclusion of women became quite apparent, but not while at Japan Foundation. The women in our Kakehashi delegation outnumbered the men sixteen to three. Even during our meeting with congressman Sakai, a statement was made about the higher number of women compared to men. These blurred lines between exclusion and patriarchy were tested during the trip. People misunderstood the distinction between exclusion of women and carrying on a cultural tradition. At the restaurant near the Edo-Tokyo Museum, the women on our trip encountered an interesting tradition in Japanese culture. Some girls wanted to take photos standing on the stage where the “Sumo” tournaments took place. As the girls were putting on the slippers and were about to step up, the ladies working said, “NO! Only boys, not girls.” Everyone kind of went dead silent. Even one of the men on our delegation didn’t want to go up since he felt like he was given something the girls were denied. It was interesting, but I didn’t know if people knew that there was a clear difference between the traditional parts of Japanese culture, and the modern Japanese culture. Many Kakehashi ambassadors were taken aback by this very realistic traditional society. After the lectures, we traveled to the Tokyo National Museum. With four to five different building, we had a lot of ground to cover in less than an hour. Overall, it was

 

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just a really long day. There was not a large amount of interaction in the Tokyo National Museum. It was a perusing experience that you had to make the most of. The items in the museum were quite fascinating. But, it was huge, and I think many people were very exhausted at this beginning point of the trip, especially after the hours of lecture prior to going to the museum.

Day 3: October 16, 2014 JST The move to Sendai was incredible. This 4-day trip up to the Tohoku region was one of the most memorable parts of this trip, because of the stories that were shared and the people we were able to connect with. Miyagi University- The students and faculty welcomed us warmly. Walking through the dining hall lines made me feel like I was a student for a day at Miyagi University. Ryoko Watanabe (pictured below) is a true leader. She made a couple booklets for us, which provided information about the disaster sites that we visited in English. Without these pamphlets, I would have been severely lost and confused. Eating lunch with the students gave us a lot of time to chit chat. I found out that Ryoko’s little sister was planning on coming to UCLA and was play the drums on a float at the Rose Bowl Parade this year with the Tomodachi program! We just recently met on January 6, 2015, at the Miyako Hybrid Hotel. It was such an exciting moment to meet her sister, Chinatsu (right)!

Pictured to the left is Arahama Elementary School. 320 people escaped to the third and fourth floor of this building, but the gym was destroyed entirely by the tsunami.

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Additionally, I spent a lot of time talking with Yudai Suzuki, Shunya Shoji, and Soichiro Fujimoto, all students who helped tutor some elementary school students about 2 hours away, who were displaced after the tsunami. They all have volunteered a few times to help out those who have been displaced or mentally distressed. Because these Miyagi students were able to speak English, I was able to clearly understand the damages and lasting effects of BIG-3 disaster in Sendai area. However, I still wish I knew a little more Japanese so that I could go into more depth about this type of disaster and how people recuperate and overcome this tragedy. Walking around and looking through the windows of evacuated and tsunami stricken homes gave me an eerie feeling. I can’t even imagine what things were like for the students and residents who were living in these areas during and prior to the tsunami. Pictured to the right is the cenotaph in Arahama, which was built in 2013.There are 190 victims’ names etched on the cenotaph.

The guard rails on the roads were bent over and touching the ground. The tsunami left barren wastelands. It was unforgettable. The trees along the coastline were all pushed down to the ground and curved away from the ocean. Instead of building a man-made structure along the coastline, a rumor was going around that planting a wall of trees might be a great natural blockade for a future tsunami.

Viewing the Arahama and Yuriage schools and areas was a surreal memory. If it were not for Ryoko to lead this trip, the impact of the tsunami would have been lost in translation. She truly made this an amazing educational experience. She is passionate about rebuilding the community and helping others. Simple yet powerful words conveyed her compassion, and we all were on the same page by the end of the trip. Soichiro and Shunya also helped out a great deal in helping us understand the yellow flag protests and the tragedy. Pictured to the right: The time of the clock at Yuriage Junior High School stopped when the tsunami hit the school. Many people in Yuriage tried to escape, but some of them were not able to reach this school in time.

 

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After visiting Arahama and Yuriage, I began to understand that the tsunami, earthquake and nuclear meltdown were a chain of tragedies rather than three individual disasters. It was not one earthquake. It was not one tsunami. It was not one nuclear meltdown. Japan has been in a constant rebuilding and reconstructing mode since 2011. They aren’t separate incidents in the minds of the Japanese. Even still, people are able to manage theirs lives and carry on. Most often, I think the international perspective is that these events were spread out to the point that maybe, the Japanese recovered, and then got hit unfortunately with another disaster to put them back at square one. However, the nation truly never recovered. This has been an ongoing tragedy for students and adults alike. Until talking to Ryoko, I didn’t realize how much emotional damage had been created, especially for the younger elementary aged students. This was an enlightening experience, and I hope that someday in the near future I can return and help out with the recovery from 3-11. (Pictured to the right: Macy Elliott, Shunya Shoji, Kristy Ishii, Mika Sanger, Yudai Suzuki)   Day 4: October 17, 2014 JST

Our visit to the Fukushima prefectural government was fascinating. Research during my previous fall quarter on the nuclear meltdown heightened my interest in this topic greatly. In the states, I had spent hours and hours researching things on the Internet about the nuclear meltdown of power plant reactor 4 in Fukushima. The news startled me and I was extremely worried. When I found out that we were traveling to Fukushima I

was honestly quite shocked. I was afraid. I was not entirely sure I trusted the Internet, but from what the people were saying online, it was still very dangerous and unstable. Once Yasunori Oshima began speaking to us in Japanese, and showing the slides, I felt as though I was getting real answers to my lingering questions. I do believe that the Japanese government officials were very upfront and honest about the degree of urgency and fear that the nuclear meltdown created nationally and globally. They did not come out and say that everything was fine. In fact they exposed their information, and I respect that so much. Now I feel confident that I can share this information truthfully with those who are hesitant to step foot anywhere in Japan, or at least in the Fukushima prefecture.

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Yakult Factory visit was intriguing. I was not familiar with the health benefits of the products created by Yakult. It was an engaging factory tour, and it was well received by the rest of the Kakehashi delegation. We were not allowed to take photographs in certain parts of the factory, so I don’t have many to share. Things became even more interesting when we reached Tenei Village. Upon arrival, we met with the Mayor, but most of the exchange was between the tour guide and Mayor. During times where Japanese is spoken, over half the group became disengaged. I became excited when Japanese was spoken, because I could pick up a little bit of the information, but most of it still went way over my head in the business setting. In Tenei we learned so much more about the attractions and traditions that originate from the Fukushima prefecture. One of the most intriguing parts of the trip was watching the video about how the rice paddies in Tenei Village were decontaminated. I think this is the information that I have been telling people most often here in the states. When people ask about the radiation levels, this educational discussion we had with Mr. Yoshinari always rises to the forefront of my memory. Mr. Yoshinari Kuniichi is the most generous hard-working man. He was the person in charge of distributing information about how to tackle the remnants of the cesium that was soaked into the top couple inches of the soil. He studied how to effectively save the rice fields and the crop for the entire year. He was so passionate about saving the fiscal fortunes of the farmers in his village. We were all so impressed by his perseverance and dedication. In the end of the presentation, after we asked all of our questions, and I asked Mr. Kuniichi how I could purchase one of the DVDs. Simply, and without hesitation he replied, “We don’t really sell it to many people, but, wait one second.” He walked over to the projector, ejected the DVD that was just shown to our group, and handed it to me. I was stunned. I couldn't believe he just gifted the DVD. We chatted for a little and I told him that I would share this with JACL back home and with everyone else. I thanked him and tried the best I could to convey how educational and intriguing this was to everyone in Japanese, but Hiroko (our amazing tour guide) translated for me in the end. It was scientifically engaging, yet also easy to grasp for the general public. I really appreciated this gift, and will use it wisely while I am back in the states. Right after this meeting we were able to witness a powerful and inspiring Tenei taiko performance! These youth members were phenomenal. I wanted to suggest that we bring them to America. They played with so much passion, precision, and focus. They are from such a small town, and I know that they would appreciate the journey to America. Moments like these are what I appreciate and remember the most.

 

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Watching the Japanese youth strike the drums in their element, doing something that they have practiced and spent a lot of time working on, was unforgettable. Japanese people take pride in what they do, across the board. I find this inspirational, and I hope to carry this with me throughout school and my future career.

And, this eleven year old boy pictured above, named Kazuma, taught me how to play taiko. I’ll never forget this night. Arriving at the Ryokan Bunke later that evening was spectacular. I cannot describe in words how warm and welcoming the family was when we arrived at the Japanese Style Inn. The food, onsen, futons, and scenery were unforgettable. Our meals took so much preparation and looked and tasted beyond fantastic. We were so warm and comfortable inside the ryokan. It was definitely one of my favorite parts of the trip. (Below: Left- outside view, Right- inside view of entrance)

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We ate dango, sakana, tempura, and lots of traditional Japanese foods.

My sleep schedule was a tad haywire, so I woke up for the sunrise and snapped some photos of the beautiful Tenei village. Day 5: October 18, 2014 JST Rice harvesting was a unique experience that I am still so grateful for. I think these moments of rice-harvesting really brought us back to the reality of our ancestor’s hard work and perseverance. This experience was and is irreplaceable because it solidified a greater appreciation for all of the rice that I consume as well as for anything else that is grown by farmers in America. Coming from Salinas (Lettuce Bowl of the World), a

heavy agriculture based city, I felt a greater appreciation for those who work in the fields at my hometown as well. Furthermore, after watching the movie about the decontamination of the rice paddies, we had developed a firm grasp on how the soils were treated that we were sloshing through in boots. (Pictured from L to R: Mika Sanger, Kristy Ishii, Nana Shimoyama, Kelly Lin, Bianca Tubolino, and Miya Yung).

 

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Onigiri making was extremely fun, and I made some new friendly connections with locals. Learning about all of the ingredients was exciting. I noticed that sometimes it was difficult for my peers to engage in conversation, and I had difficulty translating. Sometimes I just wanted to speak in Japanese, but I felt held back a bit because I would be leaving people out if I spoke in Japanese. Also, they gifted us three bags of rice harvested in Tenei.

Later that day, we joined a dojo! Karate was AWESOME. I really have always wanted to do karate since I was little, like my younger brother, but I never had time because of other sports. Participating in the Karate form demonstrations was so fun and exhilarating. The energy of the kids was infectious.

Day 6: October 19, 2014 JST The Akabeko cow-painting experience was very fun and educational. Learning the history of the Akabeko was essential prior to continuing our journey through Fukushima. For starters, the Akabeko is not just a toy, it is also a lucky charm. More than 1000 years ago, in Yanaizu, a town not far from Aizu-Wakamatsu, the preparation for Enzo-ji (a very important temple) commenced. The wood required for construction of the temple was transported by an ox and after the

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construction was finished, the ox refused to leave the temple. The locals allowed the ox to live at the temple, and later gave the name “akabeko” to this dedicated helper. The ox became a symbol of devotion to Buddha. At the end of the 16th century, the castle from Aizu-Wakamatsu, Tsuruga-jō, became the headquarters of daimyo Gamō Ujisato. When he heard the legend of the akabeko, he came up with the idea of making a toy based on akabeko.

Years later, when an epidemic of smallpox hit the area, somebody noticed that the children who had the red cow toy were not getting ill. Furthermore, since the red color is associated with protection against diseases (in Japan), it became a good luck charm. This legend is just one version of the story of the akabeko, and was told to us by our tour guide in Japan. Although there may be slightly different versions online, the akabeko has now become an even stronger amulet for good health and fortune in Japan, especially after the disaster of 3/11. The akabeko symbolizes and engenders courage for those affected by the disaster. Following the Akabeko painting was the Gojin Dance Group performance at the Regina Forest Resort. Dancing with the students was unforgettable. I will remember the moments that we danced in circles holding hands with our Kakehashi friends and the team members of the group forever. The setting, the weather, the people, the audience, and the atmosphere were all fantastic. Nothing could have been more beautifully scripted or planned. This day was really memorable, and I still talk to two of the girls we ate lunch with after the performance. I just really appreciate that these young folks carry on traditional dances while also pursuing their interests in hip hop, singing, and break dancing. I think that

their dance careers are an amazing balance of tradition and breaking through and being modern. These young girls and boys were inspiring dancers, to say the least. By the end of the dance during which we all ran around in circles and held hands, everyone had made a gigantic circle, and we fit on the deck near the lake flawlessly. Countless faces flew past my face, and I saw the enormous flag swaying above our heads, with the

 

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sun glistening upon the lake right behind the dock we were dancing on. I couldn’t have imagined anything like this. Also, they played a variety of old American songs that I loved when I was in middle school and high school, and that was definitely a throwback moment for me and a few others from Kakehashi who sang along to the songs (High School Musical, etc.). Finally, the Tsuruga-jo Castle was very fascinating. It looked like a small castle from the outside, but it had a rich history. Also, the view from the top was phenomenal. The amount of information, artifacts, and beautiful items found inside the castle were equally amazing. Some of my peers described it as a Japanese Disney park. Some folks were even dressed in uniforms to match the attire from the old shogunate days, which made us feel as though we were living in that era. This was something unique because prior to this trip I did not know much of how people dressed during certain eras and occasions. This entire trip was rich with Japanese history! Day 7: October 20, 2014 JST

Return back to Tokyo- Miraikan Museum This technology museum reminded me how amazing Japanese technology and creativity is. For the first half of the trip we had been touching on some traditional lifestyles and history of Japan, but this museum visit jetted me into a new perspective of Japan.

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The LED lights of the world, the futuristic models of 2050 Japan, and the Robot demonstration propelled me into an entirely different mindset. Four students rode the Uni-cab made by Toyota. Miraiikan changed my perspective of Japan. During our stay in Japan we definitely saw both the traditional and innovative sides of Japan, and that contrast alone impressed me beyond belief.

The National Diet Building tour was spectacular. It looked similar to the national capitol in America. I really was impressed by the way it was constructed. Most of the tour consisted of talk about the granite pillars, paintings, and stained glass windows. All the tiny details were very impressive. Day 8: October 21, 2014 JST

JICA Yokohama Migration Museum My FAVORITE place in Japan that we visited was the JICA museum. I wish we had one in America or somewhere near JANM. This visual of all of the places that Japanese emigrated from all over Japan was fascinating. The way JAs in America project the “decline” of JAs and Japanese in America is crippling to the mindset of Asian Americans in the community. However, when you look at the history and strides made by the Japanese in other countries, it brings a sense of pride to being Japanese, regardless of where

your ancestors emigrated. Put simply, JICA was fantastic. Everything was written in Japanese. I think an English booklet, or a museum translator would have helped immensely. We also did not have nearly enough time here at the JICA museum. I could not get through all of the narratives that were displayed, but the memories inside were fascinating and motivating. I could spend hours there just learning about where Japanese people are living around the world today. I can’t wait to return.

 

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Meiji Gakuin University One of the presentations gave me a much better understanding of the drinking culture and relation to sake in Japan. Thus, I learned a lot about the history of alcoholic beverages in America. Another presentation pretty accurately described the way Japanese and Americans feel about the countries aside from their own respective homelands. The presenter touched on the international quirks between international relationships, and talked about differing customs. Lastly, another student touched on the frequency of TV viewing in both Japan and America. I really appreciated the presentations by the students at Meiji Gakuin and the research they invested in. The second portion of this college meeting was about kindness and what it meant to us. I really enjoyed this topic. We talked about random acts of kindness. During this session I learned much more about my peers from America and all of the amazing things they had done prior to coming to Japan in high school and college. But, I was intrigued that the Japanese professor facilitated a workshop on what kindness and happiness meant. This was really refreshing and something I feel is not discussed much in the classroom, in both America and Japan. They showed the video made in Thailand, about random acts of kindness and how things are repaid when least expected. It was a moving short that had been circulated on Facebook before, yet many of us still had tears in our eyes after watching it. (The link to the video is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VF9b1cq-PAI). Later on, Mrs. Tanaka explained the connection JACL established with Meiji Gakuin, and I was so enthused when I heard the news. It changed my perspective on JACL’s Japan chapter as well. I had no idea what details were behind the recovery in Japan post 3.11, and I felt proud to be a part of JACL. Thus, I made an effort to speak to the interns of the Japan JACL chapter. With the amazing help of John Ino (JACL Japan President), I met with Grace Yuri Andrews, Mizuki Matsui, and Kaho, his current JACL interns. We exchanged thoughts and ideas and got to know more about our respective chapters. It was fantastic. I later met two more students from Meiji-Gakuin, who are studying a year abroad at UC Santa Barbara. Pictured: Ryosuke Urai and Takamasa Martin Greene. Taka is a JACL Japan chapter member, and I met his friends at Meiji-Gakuin while I was in Japan on the Kakehashi trip!

Day 9: October 22, 2014 JST Meeting the Diet member, Mr. Sakai, was something special. His generosity was unbelievable. We stayed talking to him for about 50 minutes. Kota Mizutani, a National Youth Student Council Member for JACL, really gave us a look into the Japanese government that most people do not get the chance to have. His personal connections helped us make contact with a congressman. Without his help this would not have been on our agenda. We briefly walked around the Imperial Palace, because we got rained out. Asakusa was great, but it was raining so hard. We also only had one hour there.

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JPF Debriefing was interesting. Prior to these discussions, the Kakehashi members did not have much time to reflect on the day’s activities. I think that implementing some type of reflection session every other day, or every night, would be beneficial. It would make for better journal reflections and also it would help us regurgitate the things that we took away, and maybe make it stick a little better in our memories. Because so much happens in the 10 days, it’s difficult to separate some of the experiences from others. Day 10: October 23, 2014 JST Lastly, the Edo-Tokyo Museum was highly educational and we had the best museum tour guide. I really enjoyed learning about the history of the Edo period and the shogun and all of the daimyos.

Everything was truly incredible. The entire trip was extraordinary. We were welcomed with endless amounts of delicious food, kind welcomes, and precious good-byes.

 

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In all, Kakehashi Project helped me bridge myself to Japan and the future relationship I want to have with the people working and living in Japan. In return, I hope to continue this strong relationship with Japan by keeping in touch with my Kakehashi friends. Japan has become a beacon of success and resilience, while perseverance and preservation are still highly regarded. The respect and courtesy of the Japanese culture and language is embedded in everyday life, and remnants of this culture are also present in many JA’s lives. I want to be a contributor to both the United States and Japan, as do my fellow Kakehashi young adult ambassadors. 頑張りましょう！                                  

   

The  LA  Crew:  Kristy  Ishii,  Layne  Sakamoto,  Lauren  Takayama.  Peace  signs  became  a  natural  instinct  when  taking  photos.  

 

   

 

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どうもありがとうございました！    

Lastly, thank you for taking the time to read this personal account of the Kakehashi Program 2014. I’m truly honored to have been selected to come onboard this final trip. Missing two weeks of school for this program was

enduring, but the make-up work could never mask the incredible memories that were made in Japan. I have committed myself to furthering the relationship

between Japan and the U.S. and will continue to study the language and become more aware of the Japanese culture throughout and after college.

 Also, a huge “THANK YOU” to Lauren Takayama (pictured left) who captured the memories made in Japan. She is a fabulous visual artist and graphic designer.

Here is a link to her shared album: https://www.flickr.com/photos/98818184@N02/sets/72157648600344138/  

 

KAKEHASHI  2014   21    

Individuals who contributed an infinite amount of kindness, enthusiasm, and time to guide us throughout many cit ies in Japan:

Hiroko Araki, Nana Shimoyama, Matt Obo - Japan International Cooperation Center

Mari Maruyama - The Laurasian Institution

Asami Ono and Chairman of Japan Foundation

Consulate General Watanabe of San Francisco

Congressman Sakai of the Japanese Government

John Ino – JACL Japan Chapter President

Professors Azusa Yokota, Masumi Izumi, Hyoma Ito, and Masako Iino.

Floyd Mori – Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies

Larry Oda - Superintendent of Maintenance Services City of Salinas

Hidehiro Abe and Yasunori Oshima- Fukushima Prefectural Government Officers

Yoshiro Tasaka – Consulate General of Japan in S.F. Advisor for Community Affairs

Misaki Owatari - Fujisankei Communications Group

Plus many more outstanding individuals and organizations!

22   KAKEHASHI  2014    

And to those who generously welcomed us during our stay in San Francisco:

Priscilla Ouchida

Patty Wada

David Unruhe

Tsuyoshi Endo

Matthew Walters

Chevron Representatives

Double Tree SFO

 

                                   

       

Watermark of Tsuruga-jo Castle, Japan. View of SF Golden Gate bridge from Consulate General Watanabe’s Residence in San Francisco, CA.

 

KAKEHASHI  2014   23    

   The purpose of creating this report was to document the time spent in Japan between the dates Oct. 13th through Oct. 25th in 2014. I personally hope that this program continues, because I think it will greatly impact the future generations of Japanese Americans and help develop stronger ties between the youth and young professionals of Japan and America. A full report for Los Angeles Participants- Kakehashi Japanese American Young Adult Program October 2014 will be released in 2015. This will include personal information of each delegate, reflections from each Los Angeles member, and more photographs. Until this full report is completed, please feel free to share this shortened version of the Kakehashi JA Young Adult Program October 2014 with anyone interested in learning about our unforgettable experience in Japan. Videos are also being created at this time, so please be on the lookout for more documentaries and write-ups that share our unique experiences in Japan. For questions or comments please contact Kristy Ishii at kristyishii@gmail.com.