KAKEHASHI Project: Japan-U.S. Youth Exchange Project 232 U.S. university students, including Goodwill Ambassadors of National Cherry Blossom Festival, to visit Japan from Jun. 24 to Jul. 3, experiencing a student exchange and the charms of Japanese culture

The Japan Foundation carries out "KAKEHASHI Project – The Bridge for Tomorrow" as part of the Youth Exchange Program with North America promoted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan (MOFA). Starting from 2013, the Project has given and will give 4,600 Japanese and U.S. students and young people the opportunity to go to the United States and come to visit Japan. On June 24, a total of 232 selected U.S. students, including seven university students who serve as Goodwill Ambassadors of the National Cherry Blossom Festival, will visit Japan.

During the ten-day stay in Japan, the participants will learn about Japanese history and culture and will experience the country’s cutting edge-technology through various programs, such as a lecture on Nihon Buyo and visits to several cultural institutions. Furthermore, they will visit local cities to conduct exchange activities with Japanese students of the same generation, to experience unique regional cultures, through learning about minyo (Japanese folk music) and wadaiko drums as well as kamaboko (a Japanese seafood product)-making, and to thus deepen their understanding of the charms of Japan.