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Shinzen NIkkei youth goodwill sports programShinzen in Japanese means international goodwill or amity. This annual cross-cultural exchange program seeks to promote the values of fair play and competition, while fostering ties between the Japanese and Japanese American communities. In 1995 the Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Northern California (JCCCNC) and the Office of the Consulate General of Japan in San Francisco began discussing ways to create a more dynamic and meaningful exchange program between the US and Japan. It was agreed that although there are a substantial number of traditional cultural and intellectual exchanges, there exists a greater need for meaningful dialogue and goodwill exchange between youth in Japan and Japanese American Youth. The Nikkei Youth Goodwill Program will continue to provide unique opportunities for not only the exchange of friendly competition, but also for building a foundation for the exchange of ideas and important values of our young people today, ensuring a strong future for our US/Japan relations.
Shinzen 2008Applications are now available for the 2008 Shinzen USA Nikkei Youth Goodwill Sports Program which will culminate with hosting teams from Osaka, Japan,and will include a week of inter-cultral activities and baskteball games, from July 28 to August 4, 2008. We would like to invite youth, age 13-15 years in June 2008, and their families who are interested in learning more about Japanese/Japanese American culture, tradtions and history to apply. For more information on the Shinzen Program or possible sponsorship opportunities, please contact Lori Matoba at 415.567.5505. Shinzen 20072007 was an exciting year for the Shinzen Program - 22 players and their families traveled to Hiroshima, Osaka and Kobe, Japan from July 27-August 5, 2007. The highlight was the celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the San Francisco-Osaka Sister City relationship, which included a visit with Mayor Seki of Osaka at City Hall. Summer activities for these grassroots ambassadors included preparatory workshops where they learned about Japanese customs, language and etiquette, as well as participated in basketball practices, hip-hop dance practices and volunteered at community events. The players, families and members of the planning committee appreciate the generosity and support from comunity members and organizations who made their goodwill trip to Japan an overwhelming success!
The 2007 Girls Team coached by Lindsey Yamasaki, a former Stanford Basketball, Volleyball and WNBA player, included players: Elise Chan, Colette Flores, Katie Gong, Nicole Harada, Kelly Lem, Michaelyn Miyagishima, Shea Nishimura, Melissa Nishihama, Lindsay Oda, Stephannie Okimura and Miya Yung. The 2007 Boys Team coached by Richard Hata, head coach of the Convent of Sacred Heart Girls Varsity Basketball team, included players: Dillon Gee, Brenden Glapion, Keith Inokuchi, Cole Iwamasa, Jonathan Lowe, Drew Mametsuka, Kevin Nakaso, Remy Orans, Alex Teranishi, Thomas Tomioka and Jared Wong. Shinzen 20062006 marked the 10th Anniversary of the Shinzen Program and we celebrated with youth and staff from the Osaka YMCA during the week of August 1-8, 2006.
The week-long festivities ended with a grand farewell reception, where the JCCCNC gym was transformed into a huge "matsuri" party, with traditional decorations, songs from Broadway star, Yuka Takara, and dances from both the U.S. team (hip-hop dance) and Japan (Soran Bushi). The week ended with hugs and tears as the youth and staff of Osaka boarded their bus to the airport, bringing the realization of shinzen to life - all of the youth gained the experience of long-lasting international friendships.
Press Release: Shinzen Celebrates 10 Years of Friendship and Goodwill. Press Release: Shinzen Participants Form Lasting Friendships Shinzen 2005On July 27, 2005, 87 participants (19 players and their families) departed San Francisco for Osaka, Kobe and Hiroshima, Japan. These 19 youth were selected not solely on their basketball abilities, but more importantly for their family community involvement, leadership potential, as well as their willingness to learn and be exposed to new experiences. Although the travel to Japan was during the hot, humid summer months, it was rewarding for all. Some of the highlights include:
Shinzen 2004With a theme of "Goodwill through Sports," the 2004 Shinzen Program sought to create strong bonds and friendships through competition, sportsmanship and teamwork. As our Shinzen teams hosted 38 players and 9 staff members from August 17th to 24th, they found the importance of fostering fellowship with their opponents on and off the court. To further the theme of "goodwill through sports," Shinzen participants attended U.S./Japan Baseball Night with the San Francisco Giants as they hosted the New York Mets and their Japanese shortstop, Kazuo Matsui. In commemoration of more than 150 years of U.S.-Japan relations two of the first ambassadors between the American and Japanese baseball communities, Wally Yonamine and Masanori Murakami, were recognized and their revolutionary accomplishments honored. Mr. Yonamine was an American crossover athlete playing for the San Francisco 49ers, the Yomiuri Giants and the Chunichi Dragons, while Mr. Murakami was the first Japanese ballplayer to compete in America when he joined the 1961 San Francisco Giants. Other activities of the week included homestays, Goodwill Basketball Games, a trip to Great America, a Friendship Volleyball Tournament, cultural exchange activities and a Farewell Reception. The youth from Japan and the Bay Area has the most fun at the Friendship Basketball Tournaments, sponsored by All Nippon Airways (ANA), and the Shinzen Olympics. In both events, youth participated as mixed teams, as they cheered and supported for their new teammates, they were able to share their love of fun and competition, all while making new friends. Shinzen 2003To help quell uncertainties and fears that often accompany world turmoil, this year's Shinzen program has adopted the theme "Wings of Peace". Our young ambassadors demonstrated that despite cultural and language barriers, as well as travel safety concerns, exchanges amongst the youth of our countries are more essential today than ever before. The Wings of Peace Tour included a visit to Hiroshima Peace Park on August 6, the date of the Atomic bombing in 1945. Our youth laid 1000 origami cranes at the Sadako Statue, also known as the Children's Monument, and launch "toro nagashi", or paper floating lanterns, on the Motoyasu river as a symbol of their pledge for world peace. Shinzen 2002The 6th annual program hosted over 40 youth and leaders from the cities of Kobe and Osaka, Japan. The youth participated in a weeklong goodwill program, which included homestay, cultural exchange, touring and basketball with 47 youth and families from throughout the Bay Area. |
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Activities for the week included basketball games, cultural
exchange activities and other sports activities like volleyball and soccer. Special events in commemoration of
the 10th Anniversary of the Shinzen Program included a Friendship
Basketball Tournament, Alumni Day and Family Picnic where alumni from past Shinzen
teams were invited to participate with the current U.S. and Japan
players.
The Hiroshima Peace Museum displayed with hard honesty why nuclear weapons should never be used again. As I walked through the exhibits and pictures I was amazed at the pain and suffering the atomic bomb had caused. On this visit with all of my Shinzen teammates, it was a very special time. We made 1,000 cranes and paper lanterns and it made us feel that we were contributing to the 60th memorial of the bombing. I especially appreciate this Shinzen trip because it reinforces my feelings about world peace and my concern for innocent victims of war. - Masao Taylor