July 8-12, 2009 - At the invitation of the City of Yokohama and within the context of the celebration of the 150th anniversary of the Port opening, 28 Students from 20 African countries visited Japan from July 8-12, 2009. They were welcomed by their respective “Host Families”, during an official ceremony at the Yokohama Stadium on July 8, 2009 held by the Municipality of Yokohama represented by Ms. Yumiko Noda, the Deputy Mayor, and to which the members of the African Diplomatic Corps headed by the Dean, H.E. Jean-Christian OBAME were also associated.

During the event, Ms. Noda made a speech, welcoming the students to Yokohama and thanked the ADC, the host Families and volunteers for their participation and support.  The Dean of the ADC, in return thanked the Municipality of Yokohama on behalf of the African Diplomatic Corps – Japan, for the opportunity that this “Home-stay Project” has provided in promoting cultural exchanges between Japan and Africa. The Dean also gave thanks to the host families for opening their doors to the “young Ambassadors of Africa”, who have so much promise and hope for their respective countries and Africa as a whole. Please see the Dean’s speech for more information.

During their stay in Yokohama the students from Africa had an intensive program comprising several visits: an elementary school, the Yokohama Commercial High School, the Yokohama Science Frontier High School, the Nissan Motors, the Sankeien Garden, The Landmark Tower, and the Port facilities. They also had the opportunity to attend an environmental conference organized by the International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO).

At the closing ceremony on July 12, 2009 at the JICA auditorium in Yokohama, the students reported their impressions from their stay in Yokohama and their interaction with the various communities. They were generally impressed with the level of organization in Japan, its advanced technology and its multifaceted culture. They also were impressed by the kindness of the Japanese people. All in all, for them, it was an unforgettable visit and they really commended the Municipality of Yokohama for giving them such a formidable occasion to visit Japan and interact with their fellow Japanese students.

On behalf of the African Diplomatic Corps, the Ambassador of The Democratic Republic of Congo to Japan, H.E. Marcel MULUMBA, also reiterated the thanks of the ADC to the Municipality of Yokohama, JICA and the host families for their collaboration in making this first African Student homestay project a very successful event, which should go a long way in contributing to the further strengthening of the friendship and partnership between Africa and Japan.