Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and DoDEA announce 2023-24 Student Educational Exchange and Dialogue

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the U.S. Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) Pacific are excited to bring local Japanese students and DoDEA students together to participate in Student Educational Exchange and Dialogue (SEED) projects at DoDEA schools located on U.S. military installations in Japan during the 2023-24 school year.

“SEED is a continuation of the youth exchange program DoDEA Pacific and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan launched in 2020,” said Ms. Lois Rapp, DoDEA Pacific Region Director for Student Excellence. “Hundreds of DoDEA Pacific students have participated in this unique opportunity to build relationships with their host nation peers and develop a deeper understanding of Japanese culture while sharing their experiences as U.S. military-connected students living and learning overseas.”

During each two-day event, American and Japanese middle and high school students will take part in hands-on activities designed to foster diverse perspectives, promote mutual understanding, bridge language barriers, and build problem-solving skills. Students will design original mascot characters in groups and present their work at the end of each program.

“This program provides a great opportunity for students of Japan and the United States to forge new friendships, which, we hope, would enhance in the long run even better relationships between the two countries at both the community and national levels,” said Mr. MIYAMOTO Shingo, Deputy Director General of North American Affairs Bureau, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan.

The 2023-24 Student Educational Exchange and Dialogue schedule of events is as follows:

• Sep. 9-10, Yokota Air Base, Tokyo
• Sep. 23-24, Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Yamaguchi
• Oct. 14-15, Kadena Air Base, Okinawa 
• Oct. 21-22, Commander Fleet Activities Sasebo, Nagasaki
• Nov. 18-19, Commander Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Kanagawa
• Dec. 9-10, U.S. Army Garrison Japan, Camp Zama, Kanagawa 
• Feb. 3-4, Misawa Air Base, Aomori

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan and DoDEA Pacific appreciate the U.S. Embassy and consulates in Japan, U.S. Forces Japan, and local host government officials for their strong support of this program.