From Konnichiwa (Hello) last Monday evening to Sayonara (Good Bye) Thursday afternoon, 10 Japanese foreign exchange students and four staff from the Komome Foundation / Sister City Program experienced good ‘ole Crescent City hospitality and a whole bunch of new friends, thanks to the Japan Club at Del Norte High School. Here’s the list of our esteemed guests:
• Mr. Yuki Asama, teacher at Rikunzentaka High School
• Mr. Nobutoshi Kawata, City Official
• Ms. Yuwa Matsuo, Teacher
• Ms. Towa Sasaki, student
• Ms.Kano Sato, student
• Ms. Mai Onodera, student
• Ms. Yuna Namura, student
• Mr. Kontaro Murata, student
• Ms. Rio Oikawa, student
• Mr. Kennosuki Kumagai, student
• Ms. Mui Kanno, student
• Ms. Riko Okada, student
• Kiyoshi Murakama, Senior Foreign Affairs Officer, City of Rikuzentakata
• Takumi Kuroiwa, Vice Consul, San Francisco Consul-General Office
Student Kennosuki (Ken) loves Pepperoni pizza, seeks to study engineering at University level, plays volleyball, plays the 900 year old traditional Tanabata drums.
Rio (Oikawa) hopes to study International Relations and hone her English skills. She loves cheeseburgers, especially from CC Diner.
Both were keenly curious of American values and asked me what Americans love to talk about. Sheepishly, I told them politics is a hot topic, followed by sports
The students brought up Major League Baseball. Baseball? Who’s your favorite team? Each responded the Los Angeles Dodgers… and your favorite player?
Shohei Ohtani (Duh)!!
The Komome Foundation greatly appreciated financial support to continue its overseas outreach.
Contact the Komome Foundation or the Japan Club at Del Norte High.