Meeting with Participants of the Naoko Mitsui Shirane Foundation Youth Exchange Program
2026/2/26
Group photo
On February 13, Consul General Naganuma met with participants of the youth exchange program organized by the Naoko Mitsui Shirane Foundation1 in San Antonio. Under this program, seven selected high school students are scheduled to visit Japan in June this year, where they will take part in Japanese cultural activities and participate in exchanges with Japanese students.
Dr. Henry Cisneros, President of the Foundation (former U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and former Mayor of San Antonio), emphasized the importance of Japan–U.S. relations in San Antonio and expressed his hope that the students would make their visit to Japan a meaningful experience and learn as much as possible during their stay. Consul General Naganuma highlighted Japan’s emphasis on respect and mutual support, its resilience in the face of natural disasters, and its commitment to peace as the world’s only nation to have suffered atomic bombings as he encouraged the participants, expressing hope that their visit to Japan will be a fruitful experience. Finally, the participants expressed their aspirations for the upcoming visit to Japan and demonstrated their eagerness to learn and engage in cultural exchange during their stay.
Following the exchange meeting, the Consul General and the participants had a discussion about the Japan national team’s World Cup match to be held this year in Arlington, Texas, and together wished for the team’s success.
The Consulate‑General of Japan in Houston will continue to strive to support youth exchange programs.
1 The Naoko Mitsui Shirane Foundation was established to honor the legacy of late Naoko Mitsui Shirane (1926-2013), who served as Senior Advisor to the State of Texas and Director of the State of Texas Japan Office. The foundation sends high school students from Texas to various cities in Japan including Kumamoto, the sister city of San Antonio, with the aim of inspiring the next generation through international exchange.
Dr. Henry Cisneros, President of the Foundation (former U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and former Mayor of San Antonio), emphasized the importance of Japan–U.S. relations in San Antonio and expressed his hope that the students would make their visit to Japan a meaningful experience and learn as much as possible during their stay. Consul General Naganuma highlighted Japan’s emphasis on respect and mutual support, its resilience in the face of natural disasters, and its commitment to peace as the world’s only nation to have suffered atomic bombings as he encouraged the participants, expressing hope that their visit to Japan will be a fruitful experience. Finally, the participants expressed their aspirations for the upcoming visit to Japan and demonstrated their eagerness to learn and engage in cultural exchange during their stay.
Following the exchange meeting, the Consul General and the participants had a discussion about the Japan national team’s World Cup match to be held this year in Arlington, Texas, and together wished for the team’s success.
The Consulate‑General of Japan in Houston will continue to strive to support youth exchange programs.
1 The Naoko Mitsui Shirane Foundation was established to honor the legacy of late Naoko Mitsui Shirane (1926-2013), who served as Senior Advisor to the State of Texas and Director of the State of Texas Japan Office. The foundation sends high school students from Texas to various cities in Japan including Kumamoto, the sister city of San Antonio, with the aim of inspiring the next generation through international exchange.