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CG Kamo’s Remarks

At the welcome ceremony for the APCC Mission Project delegation from Fukuoka

March 25, 2010

  Airport Conference Center

 Good Morning. Aloha!

 日本からお越しの福岡代表団の皆様。ホノルルへようこそ。お着きになったばかりでお疲れでしょうが、これから5日間ほどのハワイ滞在を元気一杯楽しく過ごして頂きたいと思います。皆さんのなかでハワイは初めてという人もいるかと思いますが、ハワイの魅力は、何といっても人と自然です。人情が厚くて、大自然が素晴らしいのです。どうか滞在中存分にハワイの良さを経験してもらいたいと願っています。

 ホームシックにかかる人はいないと思いますが、皆さんのここハワイのホームステイ先のお父さん、お母さんは皆さんのハワイのご両親です。兄弟姉妹もいるでしょう。みんなで仲良く過ごして色々体験してください。ハワイで学ぶことが沢山あると思います。日本に帰ってからハワイで学んだことを生かして勉強を続けてください。ハワイで学んだことを日本で大きく育ててください。

 Well, this is quite something to remind us how the picture bride matching sessions in those days did look like. We have young people from Japan eager to meet with their host families with some anxiety. Many many years ago, I assume the same anxiety and excitement filled the air when the picture brides, immediately landing on the unknown land, first met with their future husbands in the similar setting.

 I told them that we welcome them to Honolulu; that they must have been exhausted after long hours of overnight flight but they will have a good time with their host families. Don’t worry. They will be having new parents and siblings in Hawaii to live, talk and play with. I told them that they should make the most of this opportunity to experience a different culture and people. It is my hope that they will get a lot out of this visit and build a new relationship of friendship with their host families.

 The APCC project is very impressive and important in giving opportunities of staying overseas to young people in Fukuoka. I applaud the organizers for this grass roots exchange heartily. This program could not be made without the willingness and active support by the host families. Your support is invaluable. These young people never forget the days they spend with you and will cherish the fond memories. While they will be with you, please try to make them happy. And please be patient. I don’t know their language skills make it possible for them to communicate with you in English. But they certainly can communicate themselves with you through body language. So enjoy them.

Thank you.