American, Japanese kids participate in youth exchange

  • Published
  • By Ed Gulick
  • 18th Wing Public Affairs
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --  Who would have thought that creating a shisa dog out of colorful modeling clay would have been so difficult? Yet, that was the opinion of many of the Japanese and English youth attending a cultural exchange event at the Kadena Youth Center on Thursday.

"I think it's hard, but fun," said eleven-year-old Ethan Stewart while rolling clay in his hands to add to his shisa dog sculpture. His Japanese partner, Asaka Tamaki expressed the same sentiment and added that this was her first time creating a shisa dog.

Ethan and Asaka, along with approximately 40 other American and Japanese youth from ages 9-11 spent much of Thursday learning about each other's culture by playing games and eating American style food in addition to making shisa dogs.

After the craft event, participants went to the Kadena Base Exchange food court so the Japanese students could try some American-style cuisine and practice in ordering their meal in English.

Each student was given $10 in cash to pick out anything they wanted. Eleven-year-old Ryunosuke Teruya didn't stray too far from her traditional eating habits.

"I ate Yakisoba and fried rice" she said. "I like it. Their fried rice was better than the one I eat at home."

This youth exchange is just one of many programs the base sponsors to help build bridges between Americans at Kadena and their Japanese hosts.

"The International Exchange program between the Kadena Youth Center and our Okinawan neighbors is an opportunity for our kids to gain an understanding of the rich customs of Japan," said Youth Center Programs director Teresa Witschen who organized the event in conjunction with the Chatan Town Lions Club International.

In the past, the Youth Center has hosted international all night "lock-ins" that consisted of swimming, bowling and both American and Okinawan games and food, according to Ms Witschen.

"This year we opted for a day of friendship building through crafts, games and lunch at the food court. This is a program and tradition we hope to continue year after year."