Ms. Yasuko Kawabata

Japanese Host Nation Culture Teacher
Amelia Earhart Intermediate School
Okinawa, Japan

Ms. Yasuko Kawabata is the recipient of a Special Commendation Award for her life-long efforts to help Americans learn more about Japan as a host nation teacher at the Amelia Earhart Intermediate School, a Department of Defense Dependents School in Okinawa, Japan, where she began teaching in 1983.

She writes the following about her experiences:

At the beginning, it was not easy to adjust to the ways of an American School. Thirty-one years have passed; however, my early struggles have been rewarded by what I have learned from the children and the smiles we have shared. I am one of sixteen Japanese Host Nation Culture teachers. Our students are in third through fifth grades. I am responsible for teaching six classes in four days, a total of twenty-four classes and five hundred students a week. Each class is 45 minutes long. The school’s Japanese Culture curriculum is rich in content. It includes Japanese language, history, geography, sign language song, traditional folk art and crafts, such as origami and sumie paint, calligraphy, as well as discussions about both, the Okinawan and Japanese daily life styles, customs, and festivals.

As a part of the Japanese Culture classes and the community relations program on Okinawa, I have been involved with the coordination and support of the Okinawa homestay program. Children of both, the Japanese and American countries experience each other’s culture by living with families in Okinawa City and on United States Military Bases. In addition, every year during the Christmas season, I have been involved in the coordination of inviting children from Okinawa City to spend the Christmas holidays with American families on the various military bases. In turn, American children are hosted by families of Okinawa City to experience the New Year’s celebrations. The children spend two nights and three days with their host families to develop a better understanding of each other’s cultures. This exchange program helps the children broaden their international experiences in creative and enjoyable ways. For the past ten years, this exchange program has been continuously supported by many people.

Another important cultural exchange program, in which I am involved, is the Children’s Artwork Exhibition, an art show featuring artwork done by students from Okinawa City and U.S. Military Bases. On the first day, we hold a reception for the young artists and their families. This program is a wonderful place for friendship exchange between Japanese and American families. The Children’s Artwork Exhibition has been going on for more than ten years. I refer to this program as the “pipeline” between the people of Okinawa City and U.S. Military Bases.

The American and Okinawan children who have participated in these programs have memories that will last a lifetime. I pray that their happy experiences will continue to bring friendships and peace to both cultures as we live harmoniously together on Okinawa and Japan. I hope the children will take these experiences with them out into the world and build upon them to promote and encourage lifelong cherished memories. As a citizen of Okinawa, I hope to continue to be an instrumental force in these programs that will encourage our children to strengthen the bond and promote lifelong friendship between Okinawa and the United States military communities.