JICC Director Kiyoshi Takeuchi, JICC Researcher / Adviser Mr. Shinichiro Kato,
together with AFS Philippines National Director Mrs. Elizabeth Eduave,
AFS Programs Manager Ms. Tisha Lee Eduave, and the supervisors and participants of the
Kizuna Project Short-Term Visit to Japan
JICC Director Kiyoshi Takeuchi greets the students with his welcome speech
28 Filipino high school students and 2 chaperones left for a 9-day exchange program to Japan under the Kizuna Project Short-term Visit . Organized by the AFS Intercultural Programs Philippines Foundation, Inc in collaboration with AFS Intercultural Programs Japan , the Kizuna Project Short-term Visit is designed to let the participants experience Japanese culture and society, as well as inform them on the aftereffects of the Great East Japan Earthquake. The program will run until December 12, 2012.
On December 3, 2012, the Japan Information and Culture Center (JICC) of the Embassy of Japan gave a short orientation on Japanese culture and society for the participants. Through the orientation, the delegates also acquired basic knowledge on Japanese social customs and manners to prepare for their stay in Japan.
Participants will visit areas affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake for four days during their stay to see and learn about the situation of Japan's reconstruction from the disaster. They will also interact with Japanese high school students in local school visits and volunteer activities organized by the Japan International Cooperation Center (JICE). Aside from these, all the participants will homestay at Japanese households to experience Japanese culture and lifestyle. At the end of the program, all the participants will gather in Tokyo to share what they have learned through the program. It is also expected that participants share their experience with others in their home country after returning home.
The Youth-Exchange Project with Asia-Oceania and North America, or Kizuna (Bond) Project, aims to invite approximately 10,000 youths from the Asian/Oceanian region, including 285 Filipinos, to participate in specially designed programs in Japan. This project is a part of Japanese reconstruction plans and is aimed at promoting global understanding of Japan's revival efforts in response to the Great East Japan Earthquake. The project was promoted by the Japanese Diet, and will continue by the end of March 2013.
