People to People Exchanges reach out to the world and contribute to the world peace! Step up to join JECC volunteer programs for pure enjoyment and self-discovery!

JECC has conducted many international exchange activities in collaborating efforts with the local sister cities chapters and various community organizations.  JECC intends to foster the lasting friendship and goodwill through people to people relations in many aspects of international programs. Some of the activities are described here to show the on-going efforts of volunteers and committee members linked to the goals and objectives of exchange missions.  JECC has made efforts to build an inspiring bridge of international exchanges for making a small difference a relevant difference in the local community.

In October 1981, Dr. Hamada and his parents both were avid supporters of traditional Japanese art and music, orchestrated the first traditional Japanese musical concert in Virginia comprised of the renowned Koto instrumental performers and Kinko Ryu Shakuhachi ensembles, and they performed in William and Mary's Phi Beta Kappa Hall and in Norfolk's Chrysler Hall with a full audience.  This special cultural event received congratulatory messages from the White House, Virginia’s Governor, Senators, Congressmen, municipalities, Presidents of Universities, Embassy and special dignitaries; thousands of people attended the emblematic occasion.  This was the first major international initiative of JECC which highlighted the greater scope of significance beyond any regional organizations.  Since then, JECC has conducted diverse programs ranging from the youth exchanges, artistic exchanges, technical exchanges with cooperation of NASA, municipal staff exchange, disability people exchange, women’s issue conference, performing arts exchange, creation of gardens and promenades, creation of sister universities and schools, martial arts seminars, clinics and international expositions, sport and dance programs, anniversary festival events, various conferences for peace and understanding and volunteerism, teacher’s symposiums, teacher’s exchange programs, Japanese language programs in school systems and universities, architectural projects in Japan, creating scholarships and financial aids programs in university and schools, city technical professional exchanges, trade and economic exchanges and various humanitarian projects helping earthquake victims and needy community interests and more.  JECC is committed to build a sustainable and lasting bridge of people to people exchange programs and projects by collaborating with local Sister Cities organizations as well as Japanese municipalities.  In the foreseeable future, JECC will continue steadfastly with purported missions and objectives by producing noteworthy projects beneficial to the US and Japanese people and their communities while making a positive difference in the promotion of international peace and understanding across the oceans.

Ongoing Exchange Activities:
  1. Governor School for the Arts (GSA) travel to Japan October 2017.

  2. Annual Sakura Matsuri, cherry blossom festival is held in Virginia Beach Virginia, Miyazaki Garden and Red Wing Park. Special venue includes the Japanese music of Koto, Okinawan music, school chorus groups, university chorus groups, sister cities cultural performances, demonstration of Japanese classical martial arts, display of Japanese art, and assortment of exciting activities. It is usually held in the last weekend of March or first weekend of April. Please contact the office of Virginia Beach Parks and Recreation for the date planned each year.

  3. Sister cities exchange activities both in-bound and out-bound are periodically scheduled based on the needs and objectives of the program missions. It involves the study tours, home stays, study seminars, language studies, cultural receptions, and etc. Please contact the office of JECC for the future program information.

  4. Artistic performances and specialty exchanges are conducted periodically in relation to sister cities program. Governor's School for the Arts and Voices of Virginia have traveled to the sister cities in Japan as well as other areas for their special performing concerts. GSA travels to the Japanese sister cities of Miyazaki and Kitakyushu during the special anniversary year and holds the spectacular concerts there as well as some other major cities in Japan. Please contact GSA office and or JECC office for more information.

  5. International collaborative exchange activities between sister cities are organized to help the various volunteers groups in the local community. International volunteers summit was held in Virginia Beach and in Miyazaki to build the community interest toward volunteerism.

  6. JECC collaborates and cooperates with the Japanese communities and local government offices in various exchange activities. Based on the program objectives, continual efforts have been made in the local service missions, various study projects and enhancement of international peace and understanding through wide variety of exchange activities.

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