ASEAN-Japan Centre conducted ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) promotion mainly for parents and children on the summer school holiday, and interacted with about 650 children and adults through the “Children’s Tour Day in Kasumigaseki” at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and “ASEANPEDIA Exhibition: Welcome to Southeast Asia!” at AJC. For both programs, AJC’s theme was “Welcome to Southeast Asia! Let’s Play, Talk, and Learn!”. The program was designed to provide an opportunity for children to learn about ASEAN and its countries while playing and interacting with the AJC’s staff members.
Play and learn
The ASEAN karuta game (Japanese card game, with ASEAN theme made by AJC) was very popular at the “Children’s Kasumigaseki Tour Day”. Some children participated more than once, memorizing the sentences of the cards read that include information about Southeast Asian cultures as well as the illustrations as they played. In the button-making activity using stamps featuring animals, buildings, and vehicles from the ASEAN countries, which was held at both events, participants looked at the designs on the stamps and asked questions such as “What is this? I’ve seen this before!” and “I have been to the place where this one is located!” while interacting with the AJC staff members.
People-to-people exchanges stimulate curiosity
AJC’s Japanese and ASEAN staff members participated in both events, while international students from ASEAN countries were supporters of the “ASEANPEDIA Exhibition” held at AJC. Both the staff and the students participated with the intention of helping Japanese people learn more about ASEAN and to interact with each other, and the events provided an opportunity for both sides to develop an interest in each other’s countries and cultures.
“Children’s Tour Day in Kasumigaseki” at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
The “Children’s Kasumigaseki Tour Day” is an annual event held by government ministries and agencies during the summer vacation period to provide parents and children with a tour of the ministry, explanations of its operations, and other programs to broaden their knowledge of society. This year, for the first time, AJC participated in the “Children’s Kasumigaseki Tour Day” held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on August 2 and 3.
Also, a stamp rally to complete the key visual for the special website for the 50th anniversary of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation was also held at the venue, providing an opportunity for many children to experience Southeast Asia in the summer of the 50th anniversary of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation.
“ASEANPEDIA Exhibition: Welcome to Southeast Asia!” at AJC
Cambodian traditional dance performance and workshop hosted by Cambodian Students Association in Japan (CSAJ)
On August 5 (Sat.) and 6 (Sun.), a special summer holiday event, “ASEANPEDIA Exhibition – Welcome to Southeast Asia!” was held at the ASEAN Hall of AJC. This event was planned based on the “ASEANPEDIA” (website and brochure), produced by AJC.
On the 5th, the Cambodian Students Association in Japan (CSAJ) held a Cambodian traditional dance performance and workshop, and on Sunday the 6th, the Vietnamese Students Youth Association in Japan (VYSA) introduced Vietnam and held a workshop to experience the traditional bamboo dance “Nhay Sap”.
We will continue to create opportunities for more people to learn about our valued partner ASEAN and its countries on this auspicious occasion of the 50th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation.
