North America
Courtesy Call on Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Tachibana by Winners of Japanese Language Speech Contests
On February 6, commencing at 4:30 p.m. for approximately 30 minutes, Mr. TACHIBANA Keiichiro, Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary, received the winners of Japanese language speech contests from the United States and Japanese language learners from Canada, who were invited to Japan under the Kakehashi Project, one of the Japan’s Friendship Ties Programs. A summary of the courtesy call is as follows.
- At the outset, Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Tachibana welcomed the group, and expressed his condolences to the victims of the aircraft accident in Virginia.
- Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Tachibana stated that he was pleased to hear they have been learning Japanese language and culture. Afterward, Mr. Tachibana stated relationships between countries are built on people-to-people relationships, and he expressed his hope they would deepen their understanding on Japan through the visit.
- The group expressed gratitude for the invitation to Japan and expressed their aspirations for the visit. Afterward, they asked Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Tachibana questions about foreign language learning and Japan-Canada relationship.
The purpose of KAKEHASHI Project is to increase the interest in and understanding of Japan among outstanding young leaders in the North American region. By having them engage in activities that make the most of their visit experience, it aims to expand an interest in, understanding of, and support for Japan. The project promotes participants' understanding of Japan's politics, economy, society, culture, history, and foreign policy in accordance with their areas of expertise and interest, and enhances their external communication about Japan.