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The Speech by Consul General Kiyokazu OTA at Members of WATJ and JIS (Nov.17, 2010)
Good evening dear friends of Japanese language education.
I. World Premiere of “Hanako” and “Tokaido”
Thank you very much for your live demonstrations and discussions on the Japan in the Schools Program. I would like to applaud this program organized by the Japan America Society. Congratulations on the world premiere of your new programs “Hanako” and “Tokaido” at my residence.
You made a successful debut!
As you may know, last year my predecessor Consul General Namba bestowed commendation on two volunteers from the Japan in the Schools program. I’m sorry that I don’t have any commendations with me today! You all were brilliant!
I was first introduced to Japan in the Schools in April just a few weeks after my arrival in Seattle, and I heard that the Japan America Society was designing new programs for middle schools called “Hanako” and “Tokaido.” In June I received the Power Point and text drafts for “Hanako” and “Tokaido.” After reading through them I was very excited to see them in action. I am a passionate fan of your program. Debutants of this show need a lot of rehearsal as well as dedication and humor, just as much as theatrical actresses and big screen heroines! I hope these new programs will be blockbuster hits among schoolchildren and be as beneficial to them as “Kentaro: Japan in a Suitcase.” I am sure that through these, kids will learn about life and culture of the past and present of Japan.
II. Washington State: Leader of Japanese Language Education in the United States
Language is the key to communication between people, allowing speakers to share a common culture. In this case, Japanese language binds the hearts and minds of Japanese people and as well as those who are interested in Japan. We are very proud that the Washington State has been the leader in Japanese language education in the United States for the last few decades. This achievement has been recognized even in Tokyo, and is attributed to our first-rate teachers. The Washington Association of Teachers of Japanese enjoys the largest membership out of any State in the Union, and counts among their numbers, high quality teachers in primary, secondary and university levels of education.
We are fortunate to have educators such as Mr. Kelly Aramaki, Principal of John Stanford International School in Wallingford, who is one of 34 educators nationwide who won this fall’s Milken Educator Award two weeks ago. Ms. Ikuyo Suzuki of the University of Idaho won the Pacific Northwest Postsecondary Teacher of the Year Award from the Pacific Northwest Council for Languages this fall. Ms. Taeko Tashibu of Roosevelt High School was named Teacher of the Year by the National Association of Japanese Teachers in 2009.
III. Japanese Language Education: Our Network of Excellence
In addition to these shining stars, Washington State also enjoys a galaxy full of bright American and Japanese volunteers who support Japanese language education at the grassroots level. For example: the Japan in the Schools volunteers! We have a highly developed network of excellence in this field, from Japanese spouses to JET alumni volunteers. Our partnerships will help enhance Japanese language education in the State of Washington even further, and keep it in a leadership role for the United States in the coming decades.
IV.Closing
I wish to pass the baton to Mr. Kanno, the Director of the Japan Foundation in Los Angeles. I met Mr. Kanno in Tokyo 30 years ago when we were young, slim and handsome. We were coworkers and became friends. 20 years ago we were part of the government effort to meet the sudden tsunami of need around the world for Japanese language learning materials, programs and educational institutions. Now we are both on the Pacific Coast of the United States, and we can again team up for Japanese language education.
Thank you very much for listening. Please join me in welcoming Mr. Kanno to the podium.