TOMODACHI Honda Cultural Exchange Initiative Creates International Bond

Five years ago when the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami took place, countless individuals were impacted when these two natural disasters tore apart the city leaving behind massive destruction. Following these disasters Japanese and U.S. governments formed the TOMODACHI (“friend”) program as a way of creating a cultural bond between American and Japanese students, especially those who had been most directly impacted by the disasters.

“The TOMODACHI Honda Cultural Exchange Initiative is an extension of our belief in The Power of Dreams,” said Steve Morikawa, vice president, Corporate Relations & Social Responsibility for American Honda. “Not only will these students experience cultural exchange while they’re here in the United States, but they will carry forward what they’ve learned back to Japan and throughout the rest of their lives.”

For the 2016 TOMODACHI Honda Cultural Exchange Program students from Japan traveled to Southern California during their winter break and through the New Year. They stayed with local families and attended the local High School as a way of learning about the everyday life of a typical American teenager and in turn, sharing their own traditions with American students. They also visited hospitals where they taught origami and calligraphy to children. The students even had the opportunity to help decorate Honda’s float for the 2016 Rose Parade to help mark the brand’s 55th year of participation in the event. The float was designed to represent both Japanese and American cultures and was called “Nature’s Hope”.

“TOMODACHI Honda Cultural Exchange Program, Creating Bonds of International Friendship.” Honda Media Newsroom. N.p., 23 Feb. 2016. Web. <http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hondanews.com%2Freleases%2Ftomodachi-honda-cultural-exchange-program-creating-bonds-of-international-friendship>.

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