On Friday, October 9th, Consul General Harry H. Horinouchi hosted a festival-themed Welcome Back Reception at the Official Residence of the Consul General for Japan Exchange and Teaching, or JET, Program participants who recently returned from Japan after completing the program. The night celebrated JET participants’ commitment and time to serving their former Japanese communities in local schools and educational centers and offices. Former participants gathered with JET alumni, Japanese teachers from the Japanese Language Education Assistant Program (J-LEAP), and Japanese community members to reminisce about Japan and network with Japanese professionals in Southern California.
Guests were dressed in traditional Japanese clothing such as yukata and jinbei. For those who wanted to join the fashion festivities, they donned blue and red happi provided by the Consulate. While guests feasted on sushi, yakisoba, fried seafood, and salad, they networked with members of the JET Alumni Association of Southern California and Arizona, Teachers of Japanese in Southern California, and Japan America Society. Several community leaders represented companies and programs for Japan, including the Japan National Tourism Organization, or JNTO. Amid the community members and leaders, the famous master of traditional Edo-period kite making, Mikio Toki, and the world champion of sport kiting, Chieko Tagami, entertained guests with Mr. Toki’s handmade kite, a masterful flute performance, and stories of their kite-flying adventures.
In focusing on Japanese connections and recollections, Consul General Horinouchi and other guest speakers encouraged returnees to share and build their relationships in Japan with others, always keeping in mind that what they had completed was more than a program—they had made lasting bonds. |
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