By Roy Mabasa
Eighteen Japanese high school and university students are currently in the Philippines to promote mutual trust and understanding among the youths between the two countries, and at the same time introduce the English-originated contact team sport called Rugby.
(NYC / MANILA BULLETIN)
The week-long visit, which will culminate on February 6, is under the auspices of the JENESYS 2018, a program that promotes people-to-people exchange between Japan and the various nations being managed by its Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Yesterday, the Japanese students paid a courtesy call to the National Youth Commission (NYC) and the Philippines Rugby Football Union (PRFU).
Japan will be the host of the 2019 Rugby World Cup to be staged from September 20 to November 2 in at least 12 different venues in that country. This is the first time that a Rugby World Cup will be held in Asia.
Accompanied by three Japanese supervisors, the students also visited two schools in the city of San Juan, the San Juan National High School and the OB Montessori School in Greenhills.
Next week, the Japanese youth delegation will have exchanges with former Filipino participants of the JENESYS program and the local rugby team at the Mckinley Hill Stadium in Taguig.
Before heading back to Japan, the Japanese students will likewise have an opportunity to experience home visits with Filipino families to better understand the Philippines.