In 2011, following the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami, the governments of Japan and the United States created the TOMODACHI (friend) program with the goal of building bonds of friendship between Japanese and American youth.
"The hope for the TOMODACHI generation is that they have a good understanding of why relationships between the United State and Japan are so important," said Henry Ota, director, U.S.-Japan Council.
This past winter holiday, 20 Japanese high school students visited Southern California as part of the 2016 TOMODACHI Honda Cultural Exchange Program, visiting local schools and cultural institutions. The highlight of the experience was their participation in the 2016 Rose Parade. Honda's float, titled "Nature's Hope" featured elements of Japanese and American national park. The students played music with an American high school marching band, and interacted with parade-goes along the route.
"The TOMODACHI Honda Cultural Exchange Initiative is an extension of our belief in The Power of Dreams," said Steve Morikawa, vice president, Corporate Relations & Social Responsibility for American Honda. "Not only will these students experience cultural exchange while they're here in the United States, but they will carry forward what they've learned back to Japan and throughout the rest of their lives."
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