Yokota hosts U.S., Japanese students for education exchange

U.S. students work with visiting Japanese students on a collaborative design project at Yokota High School during a Youth Exchange Program workshop, March 5, 2023, at Yokota Air Base, Japan. The event was organized jointly by the 374th Airlift Wing, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, and Department of Defense Education Activity Pacific as an initiative meant to further positive engagement between U.S. and Japanese communities. (U.S. Air Force photo by 1st Lt. Danny Rangel)

Yokota hosts U.S., Japanese students for education exchange

Brig. Gen. James Wellons, U.S. Forces Japan deputy commander, joins U.S. and Japanese students for a group photo during a Youth Exchange Program workshop, March 5, 2023, at Yokota Air Base, Japan. The exchange included students from Yokota Air Base and local Japanese schools, who worked on collaborative projects meant to promote mutual understanding and build problem-solving skills. (U.S. Air Force photo by 1st Lt. Danny Rangel)

Yokota hosts U.S., Japanese students for education exchange

U.S. Air Force Col. Andrew Roddan, 374th Airlift Wing commander, and Hideo Fukushima, Vice Mayor of Fussa City, speak with students about their collaborative projects during a Youth Exchange Program workshop, March 5, 2023, at Yokota Air Base, Japan. The event was organized jointly by the 374th Airlift Wing, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, and Department of Defense Education Activity Pacific as an initiative meant to further positive engagement between U.S. and Japanese communities. (U.S. Air Force photo by 1st Lt. Danny Rangel)

Yokota hosts U.S., Japanese students for education exchange

U.S. and Japanese students present their collaborative design projects during a Youth Exchange Program workshop, March 5, 2023, at Yokota Air Base, Japan. The event was organized jointly by the 374th Airlift Wing, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, and Department of Defense Education Activity Pacific as an initiative meant to further positive engagement between U.S. and Japanese communities. (U.S. Air Force photo by 1st Lt. Danny Rangel)

Yokota hosts U.S., Japanese students for education exchange

U.S. and Japanese students detail their final collaborative projects during a Youth Exchange Program workshop, March 5, 2023, at Yokota Air Base, Japan. The exchange included students from Yokota Air Base and local Japanese schools, who worked together on projects meant to promote mutual understanding and build problem-solving skills. (U.S. Air Force photo by 1st Lt. Danny Rangel)

Yokota hosts U.S., Japanese students for education exchange

Published March 9, 2023
By 1st Lt. Danny Rangel
374th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan --

The 374th Airlift Wing partnered with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan and the U.S. Department of Defense Education Activity Pacific East to host a Youth Exchange Program workshop at Yokota Air Base, Japan, March 4-5.

U.S. and Japanese students gathered at Yokota High School to work on collaborative projects meant to promote mutual understanding and build problem-solving skills.

Over 30 students participated in the event, which culminated in developing designs for a local community mascot demonstrating the friendship between the U.S. and Japan.

Distinguished visitors from Yokota AB, MOFA and DoDEA Pacific evaluated the student projects and presented certificates of appreciation during a closing ceremony.

Military installations across Japan have hosted seven Youth Exchange Program events since September 2022, bringing U.S. and Japanese students together for interactive exchanges since its inception in 2020.