November 2022

NewsletterIn this Newsletter:
1. About the 2022 NCSS Annual Conference
2. Comments from 2022 KKC Alumni

3. 2022 KKC Fellowship Report

Contact us at: fellowship@kkc.or.jp

Japan Study Tour：
http://en.kkc.or.jp/programs/stj/
Japan Lesson Plans can be downloaded from here:

Schedule of KKC Events at theNCSS Annual Conference in Philadelphia
December 2-4, 2022

Keizai Koho Center will be participating in the in-person Annual Conference of theNational Council for the Social Studies on Dec. 2-4, 2022, to be held in Philadelphia.
If you are planning to attend the NCSS Annual Conference, please come and join us for theevents below. We hope to see many alumni!

December 2-4,2022 Keizai Koho Center Fellowship BoothStop by to see us at the Keizai Koho Center Fellowship Booth!
Place: Philadelphia Convention Center, International Alley

Friday, December 2, at 6:30-8:30 PM EST
Reception hosted by Keizai Koho Center

Join us for some light refreshments and meet up with alumni and future applicants.
Place: Maggiano’s Little Italy
across the street from Philadelphia Marriott Downtown
1201 Filbert Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107 TEL: 215-567-2401

Saturday, December 3, at 9:50-10:50 AM
Keizai Koho Center Japan Information Session“Teaching about Japan and Fostering Global Perspectives”

Come and join our discussion on teaching about Japan and the importance offostering global perspectives..
Presenters:
Norman Everett, Teacher, Leicester Middle School, MA (2022 Fellow)
Tim Dilley, Pitt Meadows Secondary School, British Columbia, Canada (2019 fellow)
Comments:
Paul Dickler, Associate Director, Wachman Center, The Foreign Policy Research(1993 Fellow)
Derek Frieling, Lafayette High School, MO (2015 fellow)

Details of the 2023 KKC Study Tour to Japan will be announced on our website athttps://us-japan.org/kkc and http://en.kkc.or.jp/programs/stj/ in late January 2023.
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Excellent Teaching Experience

Norman Everett
2022 KKC Fellow
Leicester, MA

There are nothing but great things to say about my participation in the 2022 Keizai Koho
Center Fellowship in Japan. The 2022 Fellowship marked my first experience travelingoutside of the US and Canada. The KKC made my experience truly unforgettable. More
importantly, I can not wait to bring my experience and knowledge of Japan back to myclassroom at Leicester Middle School in Massachusetts.
The KKC’s school visits were one of my favorite experiences. As a middle school teacher
in the USA, it was awesome to see all of the similarities between American and Japaneseschools. When we observed a private school in Tokyo, kids were utilizing some of thesame educational apps in their classrooms such as Kahoot and Google Slides. During
discussions with students, I saw students with many of the same interests as my own
such as similar sports, music, and artistic pursuits. Discussions with teachers in Japan
also showed many of the same responsibilities and goals as American teachers. Many of
those we spoke with hosted similar academic and athletic clubs after school. At the end ofthe conference, I enjoyed speaking about my experiences as an American teacher
teaching through the Covid Pandemic.
My favorite part of the trip was teaming up with another fellow to teach a lesson in aJapanese classroom. On the flight over to Japan, I remember being nervous that myteaching style would not work well in a Japanese classroom. I tend to rely on humor
which I’ve read does not easily transfer across languages. Instead, it turned out that myco-teacher and I were able to have a lot of fun teaching our lesson. The lesson was map
based, asking students to make observations. I found that the Japanese students did anexcellent job studying and making observations about the maps in front of them.
The visit to Meiji Jingu perfectly demonstrated the need to visit Japan. In preparation forthe study tour, I read many books on Japan. Several of those focused on Shinto. Despite
the extensive reading, I found myself somewhat unclear as to what Shinto was totally
about. Our tour of Meiji Jingu was guided by the Shinto priest, Ito Moriyasu. During ourshort time with him, he showed us Meiji Jingu’s beautiful buildings, and Torii Gates. More
importantly, his explanation of Japan’s religion perfectly clarified any questions that ourgroup had about Shinto in a way that textbooks could not do.
The KKC’s meetings with government officials were also a major highlight of the trip. We
ate breakfast with a member of the Diet, toured the Diet building, and met with officials
from the US Embassy in Japan. Each year, I am part of a trip that brings students inLeicester to Washington DC. One of our stops is the US House of Representatives. I can’t
wait to compare my experiences in Tokyo's government buildings and officials to ourexperiences in Washington DC.
Our day in Kamakura is a perfect place to summarize my experience in Japan. One of
our tour guides had said that “Those who see Mt. Fuji will always come back to Japan.”On that day in Kamakura, we experienced a great view of the mountain. The KKC
Fellowship provided me with great experiences and a desire to return to Japan.
2The Keizai Koho Center Fellowship,A Life-Altering Opportunity
Sergio De Alba
2022 KKC Fellow
Los Baños, CAAs educators, we constantly seek ideas, methods, and approaches to learning that would
enhance the success of our students. We seek guidance from fellow teachers, attend
conferences, and read the countless amounts of information found in books and websites.
Throughout my 20+ year career, I have made it a point to try to improve my craft throughthese outlets. Few opportunities have changed my approach to teaching and understanding
our world, like the Keizai Koho Center Fellowship. In 2022, I was afforded the opportunity tovisit Japan thanks to this program. Though I have taught lessons about Japan during mytenure and have researched to ensure that the information used in my units is accurate,
being immersed in the culture has powerfully changed my lessons.
What has been created by the KKC Fellowship is a program that changes how teachers see
this beautiful country, changing how every student will understand Japan. The positive
influence of this opening is exponential and has allowed me to develop new approaches thatwill benefit my students for the rest of my career. During the ten days of my visit, the KKC
staff ensured that every minute was used efficiently and allowed for the most significant
impact on my professional development. The variety of experiences allowed for advancements in understanding the educational system in both public and private schools, Japaneseculture, a grasp of customs, and the opportunity to discuss and meet policy and businessleaders that contribute so much to Japan.
I visited the Kaetsu-Ariake Junior and Senior High School, a private institution that has
implemented an innovative approach to instruction. As I spoke with students and toured thecampus, I noted what I could change in my classroom to improve my students’ success.
To ensure exposure to both systems of education, the KKC Fellowship also organized a visit
to a public school. I visited the Tokyo Metropolitan Koishikawa Secondary Education School.
I was especially impressed with the dedication of the staff, the variety of after-school
programs provided for students, and the focus on continuous improvement by all stakeholders. I left this campus genuinely impressed by how they have achieved great success.
Additionally, I was granted excursions every day of this unique fellowship that changed how
I see Japan and its people. This nation’s rich culture and history were captured with over
1,000 photographs that I now use to introduce what I learned to my students. As I sharedthese photographs, my students were continuously amazed at the places and people. Japan
has now become a place that 33 students want to visit as soon as possible, and I am sure
this will be the case with every group I present this slideshow.
I was able to hear from Mr. Ichiro Fujisaki, former Ambassador to the United States, President of the America-Japan Society, and President & CEO of the Nakasone Peace Institute,
about “U.S.-Japan Relations.” I truly appreciated the opportunity to speak with such a
distinguished individual. As if this opportunity was not great by itself, I also had breakfast
and shared a deep discussion with the Honorable Keisuke Suzuki, Member of the JapaneseHouse of Representatives.
From the many fantastic meals to watching a Giants baseball game and the numerous
behind-the-scenes opportunities, I cannot thank the KKC Fellowship enough for thisincredible experience and opportunity. They have greatly enhanced my understanding ofJapan and enriched my students’ education. I look forward to revisiting this great
country and interacting with these wonderful people again.

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The 2022 KKC Study Tour to Japanwas held in-person after 2 years of Covid

Keizai Koho Center has invited North American Social Studies teachers to Japan since1980 to promote mutual understanding by offering opportunities to meet withJapanese opinion leaders and representatives of government, corporations andschools.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the program was held online in 2020 and 2021, but
this year, four teachers from Massachusetts, Wyoming and California were selected toparticipate in the program in-person, under strict anti-COVID measures.
The fellows exchanged views on the importance of U.S.-Japan relations and exchangewith government and corporate leaders, as well as U.S. Embassy officials in Tokyo.
They received lectures about the Japanese economy and changes in the working
environment and employment. At the Bank of Japan, they discussed Japan’s monetary
policy and at company visits including KDDI, Mitsui Fudosan, Canon and Sony, they hadthe opportunity to learn about Japan’s corporate efforts to deal with COVID-19, anaging population and the challenges of a carbon-free society.
The fellows visited two schools, Kaetsu-Ariake Junior and Senior High School andTokyo Metropolitan Koishikawa Secondary Education School. They had a valuable
exchange with Japanese students and teachers and even taught a 9th grade WorldHistory class. During the weekend, they enjoyed a fruitful meeting with JapaneseSocial Studies teachers of the Tokyo Metropolitan area and enjoyed a frank discussionof comparing the U.S. and Japanese school systems and their common daily
challenges as educators.
The program concluded with a seminar titled “Economic and Social Impact of COVID-19
in the U.S. and Japan” in which some 50 corporate members and guests of Keizai Koho
Center participated. Dr. Shumpei Takemori, Senior Fellow of the ResearchInstitute of Economy, Trade and Industry made a keynote presentation and explained
how COVID-19 has affected the Japanese economy and society. His presentation wasfollowed by comments by the four fellows, who shared their views on the impacts ofCOVID-19 in their schools and local communities. It was revealed that although there
are differences in each state, American schools are returning to normal. In the panel
discussion, a lively discussion about the social disparities of students in regards tointernet access, the importance of digital literacy, how students appreciate going backto school and the positive aspects of in-person classes took place.
The fellows were obliged to check their body temperatures and wear masks everyday
and personally experienced the high awareness of the Japanese in preventing thespread of COVID.
After returning to their home country, the fellows will share the knowledge that theygained in Japan with their students and report to the Keizai Koho Center about thelesson plans that they will teach in their classrooms.

About the KKC Japan Study Tour:https://en.kkc.or.jp/programs/stj/

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