Afin de promouvoir les échanges personnels entre le Japon et les nations du monde entier, le ministère japonais des Affaires étrangères dirige les Programmes de liens d’amitié (Friendship Ties Programs) du Japon, qui envoient environ 5 000 personnes au Japon ou en provenance du Japon chaque année. Le volet nord-américain de ces programmes s’appelle le projet Kakehashi. Le mot japonais « kakehashi » signifie « pont », symbolisant ainsi les relations durables que les participants nouent avec le Japon et son peuple en devenant des ponts entre les deux nations et les deux cultures.
The objectives of The Kakehashi Project are:
- To promote mutual trust and understanding among the people of Japan and Canada, building a basis for future friendship and co-operation;
- To increase global understanding of Japan's economy, society, history, diverse culture, politics, and foreign policy;
- To spark greater engagement between the youth of Japan and Canada and inspire young leaders and scholars to contribute to the development of Japan and Canada's diplomatic, cultural, and economic relationships; and,
- To broaden the network of interest in Japan as a destination for travel, study, and work using social media, word of mouth, and other grassroots outlets for communication.
On behalf of Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada, with the support of the Japan International Cooperation Center (JICE), administers the Japan-Canada Kakehashi Project. To date, the Kakehashi Project has facilitated exchanges for over 1,200 high school students, university students, and young professionals from Canada and Japan, giving them the opportunity to learn about and explore each other’s cultures.
