JAPAN’S MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND DODEA ANNOUNCE YOUTH EXCHANGE PROGRAM 2022-23
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the U.S. Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) Pacific are excited to partner once again for the Youth Exchange Program 2022-23, bringing local Japanese students and DoDEA students together to participate in educational and cultural exchange activities at DoDEA schools located on U.S. military installations in Japan.
“This program provides a great opportunity for students of Japan and the United States to forge new friendships, which, we hope, would enhance in the long run even better relationships between the two countries at both the community and national levels,” said Mr. BABA Ryuji, Director of SOFA Division of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan.
During each two-day event, American and Japanese middle and high school students take part in hands-on activities designed to foster diverse perspectives, promote mutual understanding, bridge language barriers, and build problem-solving skills. Students will design original mascot characters as group work and have group presentations at the end of each program.
“The Youth Exchange Program offers our students a unique opportunity to build relationships with their host nation peers,” said Ms. Lois Rapp, DoDEA Pacific Region Director for Student Excellence. “This year, we are excited to see the program expand to every installation in mainland Japan, as well as an event in Okinawa.”
The Youth Exchange Program 2022-23 schedule of events is as follows:
- Sep. 17-18, Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Yamaguchi
- Oct. 1-2, Camp Lester Marine Corps Base, Okinawa
- Oct. 15-16, Commander Fleet Activities Sasebo, Nagasaki
- Nov. 5-6, Misawa Air Base, Aomori
- Dec. 3-4, U.S. Army Garrison Japan, Camp Zama, Kanagawa
- Feb. 4-5, Commander Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Kanagawa
- Mar. 4-5, Yokota Air Base, Tokyo
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan and DoDEA Pacific appreciates the U.S. Embassy and consulates in Japan, U.S. Forces Japan as well as the host local governments, which have strongly supported the Youth Exchange Program since its inception in 2020.
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