Consulate Activities
2024/11/15
Ehime Hawaii Goodwill Youth Baseball Exchange Reception

On November 14th, a send-off reception was held at the Consul General's residence for the players of the Hawaii youth baseball team who will be travelling to Ehime Prefecture to participate in the Ehime Hawaii Goodwill Youth Baseball Exchange. Before the spread of the coronavirus, this exchange program was held alternately in Ehime and Hawaii every year, and this year is the first time it has been held since 2019.
This baseball exchange program was commenced in February 2001 in the wake of the incident involving the Ehime Maru, a training ship from Uwajima Fisheries High School, which occurred off the coast of Oahu Island, with the aim of preventing the incident from fading from memory and making Japan-US (Hawaii) relations more future-oriented. Through international exchange and cross-cultural experiences, the program helps forge friendships between young players and their families from Ehime and Hawaii, and strengthens grassroots relations.
Approximately 90 people attended the reception, including members of the youth baseball players, their parents, and people involved with the Ehime Kenjinkai. Guests such as former State Representative Ken Ito also attended the reception and offered their best wishes to the players.
This baseball exchange program was commenced in February 2001 in the wake of the incident involving the Ehime Maru, a training ship from Uwajima Fisheries High School, which occurred off the coast of Oahu Island, with the aim of preventing the incident from fading from memory and making Japan-US (Hawaii) relations more future-oriented. Through international exchange and cross-cultural experiences, the program helps forge friendships between young players and their families from Ehime and Hawaii, and strengthens grassroots relations.
Approximately 90 people attended the reception, including members of the youth baseball players, their parents, and people involved with the Ehime Kenjinkai. Guests such as former State Representative Ken Ito also attended the reception and offered their best wishes to the players.