USJC Earthquake Relief Fund Report - US-Japan Council

The USJC Earthquake Relief Fund Proudly Supported:
CIE is inspired by the friendship between John Manjiro and Captain W.H. Whitfield, one of the first cases of
U.S.-Japanese friendship, partnership and cultural exchange. Their signature program is the Japan-America
Grassroots Summit, an annual large-scale meeting of Japanese and American citizens, held alternately in
Japan and America. The summit aims to strengthen the peaceful relationship between Japan and America by
fostering grassroots friendships.
Grassroots Summits have been held in America and Japan for the past 21 years. Each year, an average of 200
people travel across the Pacific to attend. More than 35,000 people have participated in this grassroots
exchange.
2012 Program: The 22nd Japan-America Grassroots Summit was held in North Texas from August 28th—
September 4th, 2012. CIE partnered with the Japan-America Society of Dallas/Fort Worth (JASDFW), in
cooperation with the Consulate General of Japan (Houston), 15 cities in North Texas and other local
organizations to put on the program. Visiting students participated in homestays and other cultural
exchange programs throughout the week.
The USJC Earthquake Relief Fund helped bring a group of students from Kesennuma and their chaperones to
the Summit. One student from each of Kesennuma’s 13 middle schools was selected to join hundreds of
young people from Japan and the U.S.
Funds also helped a small group of middle and high school age dancers from a shishi-odori (deer dancing)
team share their art with an international audience for the first time. Finally, the fund assisted an effort to
bring the Ishinomaki Techincal High School baseball team to play their American counterparts during the
Summit.
In 21 previous summits across both countries, 35,525 young
people have developed cross-Pacific friendships and a greater
understanding of a different culture.
WWW.MANJIRO.OR.JP/ENG/SUMMIT
USJC Board of Councilors Member (and Grassroots
Summit Steering Committee Chairman) Amb.
Thomas Schieffer (R) and Council Member William
Tsutsui discuss the Summit’s partnership with the
Texas Rangers.
Photo Credit: David Woo, Dallas Morning News
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