Salem-Ota Cultural Exchange

As part of the PEM gala in 2019, a short video was created celebrating and explaining the connection between Ota, Japan and Salem, Mass. The Peabody Essex Museum made this wonderful video (Chip van Dyke, videographer) and graciously permitted us to share it with all of you.

Salem will once again be hosting students from Japan this summer. If you have a middle school or early high school student in or near Salem, Mass. and would like the opportunity to host a student, the dates are now set from July 26 through August 3 this year. Please contact Connie or Midori for an application to host!

The students said a teary goodbye this morning as we saw them off for their final day of sightseeing before flying back to Boston tomorrow morning. On behalf of the Salem Ota Cultural Exchange, I want to thank all of the host families for opening their hearts and homes to our students; the chaperones and members of the exchange for their dedication to making the student’s visit so memorable and wonderful; and to the teachers and principal from Ota who traveled with this delightful group and made this all possible. Thank you all and please come and visit us again!

Drop off is 8:45am at PEM. Students are to wear short sleeve uniforms. Please pack the students a lunch!

Please let your students call home, remember to dial: 011 81 – 3 -(8 digit number)

The Students arrived safely on Saturday evening and are due to meet their host families today at the House of the 7 Gables. Families should arrive at the House of the 7 Gables by 4:30 pm for instructions, and the students will join us at 5 pm!

The Salem-Ota Cultural Exchange is proud to announce that Geddy Kaulenas is the recipient of this year’s $500 scholarship. His essay on what the exchange program has meant to him is published here in full.

Bostonians, JSB Members, to be Decorated by Japanese Emperor and Government

23 May 2019 10:29 AMMatt (Administrator)

Since 1875 when Emperor Meiji established the Order of the Rising Sun, or 旭日賞 (kyokujitsu), Japan has honored global citizens for their distinguished achievements and their contributions to Japan. This year, five individuals from the Boston area have been awarded. In this new Reiwa era, this is a special honor indeed. At JSB, we are thrilled that two awardees are members of our board of directors.William W. Hunt will receive The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette (旭日小綬章). Our current Chair of the Board, Mr. Hunt has been dedicated to the US/Japan friendship for many years. In the official award announcement, Mr. Hunt is cited “for an enormous contribution to enriching understanding and communication between Japan and the United States.” Hunt has lived and worked in Japan, especially in investment management, and has been a leader in many projects to bring Japan to Boston.Keiko Thayer will receive The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays (旭日双光章). Ms. Thayer is a long-time board member of the Japan Society of Boston (since 1987) and a professional Ikebana Master. Ms. Thayer is cited for “promoting Japanese culture and cultural exchange between Japan and the United States.” The Society gives an annual award for cultural exchange named for Ms. Thayer’s late husband, John E. Thayer III.It is also notable that Ashton B. Carter, former Secretary of Defense (2015-2017) under President Barack Obama, will receive the highest degree: Order of the Rising Sun, Grand Cordon (旭日大綬章), for his work building the US-Japan security alliance. Carter is currently Director of the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs at the Harvard Kennedy School.Keiko Matsudo Orrall, a former Republican Member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives, will receive The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays (旭日双光章). As the daughter of Japanese, German, and Irish immigrants, she worked to help Japanese and other groups to have a voice in the State, and to strengthen ties between the US and Japan. Ms. Orrall is now the executive director of the State Office of Travel and Tourism.John Paul Holdren, former director of the US Office of Science and Technology Policy and senior advisor to President Barack Obama (2009-2017), will receive The Order of the Rising Sun,Gold and Silver Star (旭日重光章). Holdren was cited for “advancing the cooperation in science and technology fields between Japan and the United States.” He continues to dedicate himself to studying environmental changes, energy technology and policies, and nuclear energy and weapons.The Japan Society of Boston congratulates these remarkable individuals as they are decorated by the Emperor and government of Japan. We are all inspired by their efforts to make the world stronger by strengthening the US/Japan friendship and alliance. 

Out tentative dates for the 2019 exchange program are July 21-29. Have a Middle Schooler (or upper elementary/young High Schooler?)  and want to be a part of this rewarding cultural exchange? Fill out our host family contact form and we’ll contact you with details!