{"id":15546,"date":"2023-10-18T16:41:52","date_gmt":"2023-10-18T20:41:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/?p=15546"},"modified":"2023-10-19T09:45:02","modified_gmt":"2023-10-19T13:45:02","slug":"japanese-mayor-eckerd-exchange-program","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/blog\/japanese-mayor-eckerd-exchange-program\/","title":{"rendered":"Japanese mayor visits Eckerd College campus to honor 57-year-old teacher exchange program"},"content":{"rendered":"[vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extraa-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][image_with_animation image_url=”15554″ image_size=”full” animation_type=”entrance” animation=”Fade In” animation_easing=”default” animation_movement_type=”transform_y” hover_animation=”none” alignment=”” img_link_large=”yes” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”skip-lazy-load” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default”][vc_column_text]The delegation from Takamatsu, Japan, and Eckerd College\u2014represented by Mayor Hideto Onishi (center left) and President Jim Annarelli, Ph.D. (center right)\u2014were joined by students, faculty, staff and Takamatsu city administrators in a traditional fan dance at the end of the meeting. Photos by Penh Alicandro ’22<\/em>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”full_width_content” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” shape_type=”” gradient_type=”default”][vc_column column_padding=”padding-2-percent” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”right” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text]\n

Laughter and music rang through the lobby of Eckerd College\u2019s Upham Administration Building on Oct. 5 as a contingent of visitors from St. Petersburg, Florida\u2019s sister city, Takamatsu, Japan, shared a cultural tradition like no other.<\/h3>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”full_width_content” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” top_padding=”32″ bottom_padding=”48″ text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” advanced_gradient_angle=”0″ overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” shape_type=”” gradient_type=”default”][vc_column column_padding=”padding-2-percent” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”right” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”2\/3″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” column_padding_type=”default” gradient_type=”default”][vc_column_text]The Takamatsu delegation\u2014led by Mayor Hideto Onishi\u2014grabbed paper fans and formed a circle with Eckerd College President Jim Annarelli, Ph.D.<\/a>; Associate Professor of Japanese Eileen Mikals-Adachi, Ph.D.; and a collection of students and staff to dance the \u201cIchigo Maita,\u201d a traditional Japanese celebration of the rice harvest.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was such a privilege and joy to welcome Mayor Onishi, the mayor of Takamatsu<\/a>, the sister city of St. Petersburg, to campus,\u201d says President Annarelli. \u201cThe afternoon was a warm and thoroughly enjoyable celebration of the 57th anniversary of the relationship between Florida Presbyterian College\/Eckerd College and Takamatsu, a relationship that has rebounded to the great benefit of generations of FPC\/EC students.\u201d[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/3″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][image_with_animation image_url=”15556″ image_size=”full” animation_type=”entrance” animation=”Fade In” animation_easing=”default” animation_movement_type=”transform_y” hover_animation=”none” alignment=”” img_link_large=”yes” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”skip-lazy-load” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default” margin_top_tablet=”32″][divider line_type=”No Line” custom_height=”16″][vc_column_text]Takamatsu Mayor Hideto Onishi (left) with President Jim Annarelli<\/em>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”full_width_content” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” top_padding=”32″ bottom_padding=”32″ text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” advanced_gradient_angle=”0″ overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” shape_type=”” gradient_type=”default”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”right” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” column_padding_type=”default” gradient_type=”default”][nectar_video_player_self_hosted video_webm=”https:\/\/ec-videos.s3.amazonaws.com\/Takamatsu+Dance.webm” video_mp4=”https:\/\/ec-videos.s3.amazonaws.com\/Takamatsu+Dance.mp4″ player_functionality=”default” loop=”yes” autoplay=”yes” video_loading=”lazy-load” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” advanced_gradient_display_type=”linear”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”full_width_content” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” top_padding=”64″ bottom_padding=”32″ text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” advanced_gradient_angle=”0″ overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” shape_type=”” gradient_type=”default”][vc_column column_padding=”padding-2-percent” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”right” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”2\/3″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” column_padding_type=”default” gradient_type=”default”][vc_column_text]Mayor Onishi\u2019s delegation made its first visit to St. Petersburg since the pandemic this month to honor the deep relationship between the two cities<\/a>. Eckerd has been sending a graduate to Takamatsu to teach English in one- to two-year appointments since 1966. Mikals-Adachi says the program has been so successful that many Takamatsu residents have gone on to become English teachers themselves. During the visit, the College honored the relationship in a number of ways. President Annarelli presented Mayor Onishi with a crystal triton shell, and the mayor returned the gesture with a handmade, wooden, lacquered soup bowl and spoon made by Takamatsu\u2019s artisans.<\/p>\n

There also were a few very special guests. \u201cIt was a particular pleasure to \u2018welcome home\u2019 Jane Ferguson Niwa \u201966, our first graduate to teach English in Takamatsu,\u201d Annarelli explains. Eckerd also invited Nikki Cronen \u201918, the most recent Triton to return from the vaunted teaching assignment. Cronen had stayed in the city until the COVID restrictions were lifted in 2022.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/3″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][image_with_animation image_url=”15550″ image_size=”full” animation_type=”entrance” animation=”Fade In” animation_easing=”default” animation_movement_type=”transform_y” hover_animation=”none” alignment=”” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”skip-lazy-load” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default” margin_top_tablet=”32″][divider line_type=”No Line” custom_height=”16″][vc_column_text]Jane Ferguson Niwa \u201966<\/em>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”full_width_content” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” top_padding=”48″ text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” advanced_gradient_angle=”0″ overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” shape_type=”” gradient_type=”default”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”right” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” column_padding_type=”default” gradient_type=”default”][image_with_animation image_url=”15555″ image_size=”full” animation_type=”entrance” animation=”Fade In” animation_easing=”default” animation_movement_type=”transform_y” hover_animation=”none” alignment=”” img_link_large=”yes” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”skip-lazy-load” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default” margin_top_tablet=”32″][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”full_width_content” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” top_padding=”32″ bottom_padding=”32″ text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” advanced_gradient_angle=”0″ overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” shape_type=”” gradient_type=”default”][vc_column column_padding=”padding-2-percent” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” el_class=”lg_text” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” column_padding_type=”default” gradient_type=”default”][vc_column_text]Another visit highlight came when Mikals-Adachi\u2019s students performed a short play in Japanese titled \u201cThe Racoon\u2019s Secret,\u201d which told the story of mischievous Eckerd campus racoons learning shapeshifting from a Japanese tanuki in order to upgrade their dining options from garbage to the cafeteria.<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”full_width_content” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” top_padding=”48″ bottom_padding=”48″ text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” advanced_gradient_angle=”0″ overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” shape_type=”” gradient_type=”default”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”right” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” column_padding_type=”default” gradient_type=”default”][image_with_animation image_url=”15551″ image_size=”full” animation_type=”entrance” animation=”Fade In” animation_easing=”default” animation_movement_type=”transform_y” hover_animation=”none” alignment=”” img_link_large=”yes” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”skip-lazy-load” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default” margin_top_tablet=”32″][divider line_type=”No Line” custom_height=”16″][vc_column_text]Mayor Onishi and President Annarelli share a laugh while exchanging gifts.<\/em>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”full_width_content” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” top_padding=”32″ text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” advanced_gradient_angle=”0″ overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” shape_type=”” gradient_type=”default”][vc_column column_padding=”padding-2-percent” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”right” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”2\/3″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” column_padding_type=”default” gradient_type=”default”][vc_column_text]The racoons transformed into President Annarelli and Mayor Onishi with the help of fans illustrated by Aspen Young-Harris, a junior interdisciplinary arts<\/a> student from Covington, Louisiana.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was a very short play, but it was exciting,\u201d says Jonathan Ballard, a first-year marine science<\/a> student from Houston, Texas. \u201cI was the drummer for the performance and I accentuated the beats, including the transformations into Mayor Onishi. They seemed to really like it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jonathan is a new student of Japanese language and says learning more about Eckerd\u2019s relationship with Takamatsu has added the coastal city to his list of destinations to visit when he travels to the country.<\/p>\n

Eckerd Admission Counselor Sarah LeFebvre \u201918\u2014who first met Mayor Onishi on a Winter Term trip<\/a> with Mikals-Adachi prior to her graduation\u2014capped off a storybook visit with a golf cart tour of campus in Japanese, where a manatee surfaced just as the Takamatsu delegation drove past the seawall.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was almost like I had paid the manatee to be there,\u201d she says before laughing. \u201cWe couldn\u2019t have timed it more perfectly.\u201d<\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/3″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][image_with_animation image_url=”15559″ image_size=”full” animation_type=”entrance” animation=”Fade In” animation_easing=”default” animation_movement_type=”transform_y” hover_animation=”none” alignment=”” img_link_large=”yes” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”skip-lazy-load” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default” margin_top_tablet=”32″][divider line_type=”No Line” custom_height=”16″][vc_column_text]Students hold fans illustrated by Aspen Young-Harris ’25<\/em>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

[vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extraa-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default”…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":45,"featured_media":15554,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[205,37,80,89,79,159],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-15546","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-about-eckerd","8":"category-academics","9":"category-alumni","10":"category-community-engagement","11":"category-global-education","12":"category-students"},"yoast_head":"\nJapanese mayor visits Eckerd College campus to honor 57-year-old teacher exchange program - News | Eckerd College<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/blog\/japanese-mayor-eckerd-exchange-program\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Japanese mayor visits Eckerd College campus to honor 57-year-old teacher exchange program\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"News | Eckerd College\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/blog\/japanese-mayor-eckerd-exchange-program\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"News | Eckerd College\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2023-10-18T20:41:52+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2023-10-19T13:45:02+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"http:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/51\/2023\/10\/takamatsu-group-upham-scaled.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1920\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1280\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Robbyn Hopewell\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Robbyn Hopewell\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"6 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.eckerd.edu\\\/news\\\/blog\\\/japanese-mayor-eckerd-exchange-program\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.eckerd.edu\\\/news\\\/blog\\\/japanese-mayor-eckerd-exchange-program\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Robbyn Hopewell\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.eckerd.edu\\\/news\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/220a66129888ab11b01c0152952eb00d\"},\"headline\":\"Japanese mayor visits Eckerd College campus to honor 57-year-old teacher exchange program\",\"datePublished\":\"2023-10-18T20:41:52+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2023-10-19T13:45:02+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.eckerd.edu\\\/news\\\/blog\\\/japanese-mayor-eckerd-exchange-program\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":2886,\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.eckerd.edu\\\/news\\\/blog\\\/japanese-mayor-eckerd-exchange-program\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.eckerd.edu\\\/news\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/51\\\/2023\\\/10\\\/takamatsu-group-upham-scaled.jpg\",\"articleSection\":[\"About Eckerd\",\"Academics\",\"Alumni\",\"Community Engagement\",\"Global Education\",\"Students\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.eckerd.edu\\\/news\\\/blog\\\/japanese-mayor-eckerd-exchange-program\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.eckerd.edu\\\/news\\\/blog\\\/japanese-mayor-eckerd-exchange-program\\\/\",\"name\":\"Japanese mayor visits Eckerd College campus to honor 57-year-old teacher exchange program - News | Eckerd College\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.eckerd.edu\\\/news\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.eckerd.edu\\\/news\\\/blog\\\/japanese-mayor-eckerd-exchange-program\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.eckerd.edu\\\/news\\\/blog\\\/japanese-mayor-eckerd-exchange-program\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.eckerd.edu\\\/news\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/51\\\/2023\\\/10\\\/takamatsu-group-upham-scaled.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2023-10-18T20:41:52+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2023-10-19T13:45:02+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.eckerd.edu\\\/news\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/220a66129888ab11b01c0152952eb00d\"},\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.eckerd.edu\\\/news\\\/blog\\\/japanese-mayor-eckerd-exchange-program\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.eckerd.edu\\\/news\\\/blog\\\/japanese-mayor-eckerd-exchange-program\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.eckerd.edu\\\/news\\\/blog\\\/japanese-mayor-eckerd-exchange-program\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.eckerd.edu\\\/news\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/51\\\/2023\\\/10\\\/takamatsu-group-upham-scaled.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.eckerd.edu\\\/news\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/51\\\/2023\\\/10\\\/takamatsu-group-upham-scaled.jpg\",\"width\":1920,\"height\":1280,\"caption\":\"Large group of people holding up signs and portraits on the steps of administration building\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.eckerd.edu\\\/news\\\/blog\\\/japanese-mayor-eckerd-exchange-program\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.eckerd.edu\\\/news\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Japanese mayor visits Eckerd College campus to honor 57-year-old teacher exchange program\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.eckerd.edu\\\/news\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.eckerd.edu\\\/news\\\/\",\"name\":\"News | Eckerd College\",\"description\":\"Newsroom at Eckerd College\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.eckerd.edu\\\/news\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.eckerd.edu\\\/news\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/220a66129888ab11b01c0152952eb00d\",\"name\":\"Robbyn Hopewell\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/8d850bab1150ac53b62b43baf545ff48a99b8e49dbbd07917d8af8b4dff60da3?s=96&d=blank&r=g\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/8d850bab1150ac53b62b43baf545ff48a99b8e49dbbd07917d8af8b4dff60da3?s=96&d=blank&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/8d850bab1150ac53b62b43baf545ff48a99b8e49dbbd07917d8af8b4dff60da3?s=96&d=blank&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Robbyn Hopewell\"}}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Japanese mayor visits Eckerd College campus to honor 57-year-old teacher exchange program - News | Eckerd College","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/blog\/japanese-mayor-eckerd-exchange-program\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Japanese mayor visits Eckerd College campus to honor 57-year-old teacher exchange program","og_description":"News | Eckerd College","og_url":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/blog\/japanese-mayor-eckerd-exchange-program\/","og_site_name":"News | Eckerd College","article_published_time":"2023-10-18T20:41:52+00:00","article_modified_time":"2023-10-19T13:45:02+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1920,"height":1280,"url":"http:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/51\/2023\/10\/takamatsu-group-upham-scaled.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Robbyn Hopewell","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Robbyn Hopewell","Est. reading time":"6 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/blog\/japanese-mayor-eckerd-exchange-program\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/blog\/japanese-mayor-eckerd-exchange-program\/"},"author":{"name":"Robbyn Hopewell","@id":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/#\/schema\/person\/220a66129888ab11b01c0152952eb00d"},"headline":"Japanese mayor visits Eckerd College campus to honor 57-year-old teacher exchange program","datePublished":"2023-10-18T20:41:52+00:00","dateModified":"2023-10-19T13:45:02+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/blog\/japanese-mayor-eckerd-exchange-program\/"},"wordCount":2886,"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/blog\/japanese-mayor-eckerd-exchange-program\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/51\/2023\/10\/takamatsu-group-upham-scaled.jpg","articleSection":["About Eckerd","Academics","Alumni","Community Engagement","Global Education","Students"],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/blog\/japanese-mayor-eckerd-exchange-program\/","url":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/blog\/japanese-mayor-eckerd-exchange-program\/","name":"Japanese mayor visits Eckerd College campus to honor 57-year-old teacher exchange program - News | Eckerd College","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/blog\/japanese-mayor-eckerd-exchange-program\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/blog\/japanese-mayor-eckerd-exchange-program\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/51\/2023\/10\/takamatsu-group-upham-scaled.jpg","datePublished":"2023-10-18T20:41:52+00:00","dateModified":"2023-10-19T13:45:02+00:00","author":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/#\/schema\/person\/220a66129888ab11b01c0152952eb00d"},"breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/blog\/japanese-mayor-eckerd-exchange-program\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/blog\/japanese-mayor-eckerd-exchange-program\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/blog\/japanese-mayor-eckerd-exchange-program\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/51\/2023\/10\/takamatsu-group-upham-scaled.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/51\/2023\/10\/takamatsu-group-upham-scaled.jpg","width":1920,"height":1280,"caption":"Large group of people holding up signs and portraits on the steps of administration building"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/blog\/japanese-mayor-eckerd-exchange-program\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Japanese mayor visits Eckerd College campus to honor 57-year-old teacher exchange program"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/","name":"News | Eckerd College","description":"Newsroom at Eckerd College","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/#\/schema\/person\/220a66129888ab11b01c0152952eb00d","name":"Robbyn Hopewell","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8d850bab1150ac53b62b43baf545ff48a99b8e49dbbd07917d8af8b4dff60da3?s=96&d=blank&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8d850bab1150ac53b62b43baf545ff48a99b8e49dbbd07917d8af8b4dff60da3?s=96&d=blank&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8d850bab1150ac53b62b43baf545ff48a99b8e49dbbd07917d8af8b4dff60da3?s=96&d=blank&r=g","caption":"Robbyn Hopewell"}}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15546","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/45"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=15546"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15546\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":15569,"href":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15546\/revisions\/15569"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/15554"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=15546"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=15546"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=15546"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}