【Project Activities】

Dispatched university students and others to Laos to engage in exchange through martial arts.

【Project Background】

Implemented as one of the themes of the “JENESYS” program (Japan-East Asia Network of Exchange for Students and Youth), a human exchange project promoted by the Government of Japan (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) to enhance understanding of Japan.

【Project Objective】

Discovery and cultivation of pro-Japanese and Japan-knowledgeable individuals, and strengthening external communication.

【Project Area】

International exchange through sports

【Methods】

Dispatch of University Students

【Outcomes】

Promotion of understanding of Japan and mutual understanding. Participants shared their program experiences on social media and other platforms.

【Voices from Participants and Partners】

‘- “Through this program, I realized the potential of Japanese culture and values to create international connections, and the significant impact Japan has on other countries. My goal to engage in international cooperation activities in the future became clear. I strongly felt that the spirit of Japanese martial arts — ‘manners,’ ‘respect,’ and ‘self-discipline’ — has the power to connect people across countries and cultures, so I want to explore a path to international cooperation from that perspective.”- “What I felt through the program was the importance of Japan’s ‘attitude of growing together while respecting each other’ and ‘value of pursuing richness while eliminating waste.’ In the future, when I work in international settings, I want to build better relationships by leveraging these learnings as a foundation, cooperating with people from different cultures, and utilizing each other’s strengths. Also, I want to cherish the connections gained through Kendo and further deepen exchanges with various countries, including Laos and Japan.”

【Challenges and Lessons Learned】

‘- For short-term exchange programs, instead of “teaching,” engaging in practice together with local martial artists leads to two-way exchange and increased motivation for martial arts among both domestic and international beneficiaries.- There were many situations where changes occurred due to local circumstances, requiring a flexible response system.

【URL】

https://www.sankei.com/pressrelease/prtimes/ESJ3GQPCAZMGBNDZ7XP2GBQTEE/