Press Release
JAL and KYOCERA to Support “TOMODACHI Hironomachi Delegation to the 24th Japan-America Grassroots Summit in the San Diego Region”
Supporting Fukushima prefectural middle school students’ participation in the Japan-America Grassroots Summit and musical chorus performance
Tokyo, September 22, 2014 - Japan Airlines Co., Ltd. (TOKYO: 9201.T)(herein “JAL”) and Kyocera Corporation (NYSE:KYO)(TOKYO:6971)(herein “Kyocera”) announced today that they will jointly support the “TOMODACHI Hironomachi Delegation to the 24th Japan-America Grassroots Summit in the San Diego Region” from September 23-30, 2014 as part of the larger TOMODACHI Initiative.
In 2011, a humanitarian relief mission, called “Operation Tomodachi,” (the word tomodachi means friend in Japanese) was launched by the U.S. military and Japan Self-Defense Forces immediately after the Great East Japan Earthquake to provide assistance and encouragement to the disaster victims. The TOMODACHI Initiative is a public-private partnership led by the U.S. Embassy in Japan and the U.S.-Japan Council to invest in the next generation of Japanese and Americans and to strengthen U.S.-Japan relations, based on the same spirit of cooperation and friendship as “Operation Tomodachi.”
Due to an alignment of goals with the Initiative, JAL and Kyocera jointly supported the “TOMODACHI in San Diego 2013” program in March 2013, which flew seven students from the tsunami-hit city of Kesennuma, Miyagi prefecture, to San Diego, California, home to numerous U.S. Marine and Navy bases. The students were able to personally convey their feelings of deep gratitude toward those who had participated in “Operation Tomodachi.”
This year, JAL and Kyocera will sponsor the TOMODACHI Hironomachi Delegation to the 24th Japan-America Grassroots Summit in the San Diego Region, which supports the mission of the TOMODACHI Initiative to provide children with experiences that will help them grow as individuals. In this program, 15 middle school students from the town of Hirono (Futaba-gun, Fukushima prefecture) who are members of a chorus club will visit San Diego to take part in the Japan-America Grassroots Summit, which enhances mutual understanding and relationships between the two countries. The students will also give a chorus performance and visit local schools while participating in a homestay program.
The city of San Diego holds special significance for both sponsor companies. In 2012, JAL inaugurated the first direct flight from Asia to San Diego. “America's Finest City” is also the site of one of Kyocera’s manufacturing facilities and the U.S. holding company, Kyocera International Inc., which was established in 1971.
JAL and Kyocera are cooperating with hopes that all the participants in this year’s exchange program will be able to gain meaningful experiences. An outline of the program is as follows:
TOMODACHI Hironomachi Delegation to the 24th Japan-America Grassroots Summit in the San Diego Region
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1. Date: |
September 23 (Tue.) - 30 (Tue.), 2014 |
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2. Participants: |
15 middle school students from Hirono town, Futaba-gun, Fukushima prefecture, Japan |
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3. Costs Covered: |
Costs of the program will be mainly covered by JAL, Kyocera and other sponsors |
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4. Program schedule (tentative):
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DATE |
ACTIVITIES |
ACCOMODATIONS |
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9/23 |
Flight JL066 from Narita International Airport to San Diego. Upon arrival, participation in the Japan-America Grassroots Summit opening ceremony with chorus performance. Attend a welcome reception, San Diego Padres baseball game and throw out ceremonial first pitch. |
Hotel |
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9/24 |
Attend a workshop with the descendants of John Manjiro and Commodore Matthew Perry, take part in a program on the sailboat California, etc. |
Hotel |
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9/25 |
San Diego Gas & Electric and Kyocera production plant tours. University of California San Diego campus visit and exchange meeting with the Japanese Student Association. |
Homestay |
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9/26 |
School visit to San Dieguito High School Academy. Student interaction through participation in Japanese language class, chorus performance and club activities. |
Homestay |
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9/27 |
Time visiting with host families. |
Homestay |
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9/28 |
Visit the San Diego Japan Friendship Garden in Balboa Park with host families. Chorus performance at the Japan-America Grassroots Summit closing ceremony. Farewell party at hotel. |
Hotel |
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9/29 |
Depart San Diego on flight JL065 to Narita Airport |
In-flight |
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9/30 |
Arrive at Narita International Airport |
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To learn more about the TOMODACHI in San Diego 2013 program, please see: http://global.kyocera.com/news/2013/0101_dach.html
20140922_JAL and KYOCERA to Support “TOMODACHI Hironomachi Delegation to the 24th Japan-America Grassroots Summit in the San Diego Region”.pdf