n Oct. 20, Deputy Consul General of Japan in Los Angeles NAKAGAWA Kouichi visited the city of Poway in San Diego County to participate in ceremonies celebrating the launch of Japanese Language and Cultural Programs at Poway Unified School District. Two schools within Poway USD — Tierra Bonita Elementary School and Del Sur Elementary School – began offering Japanese classes in October.

During visits to both elementary schools, UCHIDA Yasuko, director of Japan Foundation Los Angeles, presented checks to their school principals as part of a Salary Assistance Grant for Japanese Language Courses offered by Japan Foundation.

The establishment of Japanese Language and Cultural Programs at both elementary schools was facilitated by longstanding supporter of grassroots exchanges, San Diego-Yokohama Sister City Society, which helped to connect Poway USD officials, the Japan Foundation and the Consulate General of Japan in Los Angeles. The San Diego-Yokohama Sister City Society turned to its existing connections with Japanese language schools in the region, helping to quickly find Japanese language instructors and greatly contributing to the establishment of the Japanese Language and Cultural Programs at Poway USD.