From June 30 to July 10, 2013, 14 educators from the United States, selected for their prominent leadership, will travel to Japan with the Invitational Group Tour Program operated by the Japan Foundation.
The 14 administrators participating in this program has been selected from all over the United States. They are gathering in Los Angeles to take part in an orientation program on June 29, and will depart for Japan the following day.
In Japan, the participants will have the opportunity to visit educational institutions and experience Japanese cultural activities firsthand.
Participants will travel to Tokyo, Saitama, Sendai, and Kyoto, visiting schools and the Japan Foundation, and meeting with their Japanese counterparts in education.
The program also includes a visit to the area devastated by the 2011 Tohoku Earthquake and Tsunami, as well as courtesy calls to government organizations.
By providing an opportunity to observe the cultural, societal, and educational conditions of Japan and to exchange ideas among educators and administrators, the Invitational Group Tour program has been building professional networks between American and Japanese educators since 2008.
The Japan Foundation hopes to establish administrative support for Japanese language education in the United States, and thereby enhance existing programs and expand opportunities for students to learn the language.