Japan Outreach Initiative (JOI) Program
The Japan Outreach Initiative (JOI) Program aims to promote awareness and understanding of Japan in regions of the United States with relatively few Japan-related activities and opportunities for exchange and to nurture new leaders in the field of grassroots exchange. The Japan Foundation Center for Global Partnership jointly administers JOI with Laurasian Institution. Nanaka Okamura was appointed to serve the JOI Coordinator at Western Carolina University (WCU) for Summer 2021 - Summer 2023.
Nanaka Okamura
Nanaka Okamura was born in Nagano and raised in Saitama, Japan. At university, she majored in Computer Science and also took a Teacher-Training course and a Teacher Education Program for Teaching Japanese to Speakers of Other Languages course. She mainly studied Computer Science and pedagogy. Nanaka took the Japanese language teacher training course because it allowed her to obtain qualifications, but as she learned more she became interested in teaching the Japanese language and culture and international exchange. She also had a strong interest in the field of education, as she had been working as a tutor at a cram school throughout the university. She has Japanese junior high and high school teaching licenses in mathematics and a high school teaching license in information and completed all the requirements of the Teaching Japanese to Speakers of Other Languages course. She started to learn Japanese Calligraphy when she was 6 and got an Instructor Certification (師範), the highest level of achievement recognized for a Japanese Calligraphy master while she was in university. She can also present on a myriad of topics about Japan including language, food customs, pop cultures, and more. Now she is contributing to a better understanding of Japan in Cullowhee, North Carolina. Through the JOI program, Nanaka is eager to share Japanese culture with everyone, whether they are already familiar with it or just learning about it for the first time. She can’t wait to do many kinds of outreach activities in Western North Carolina.
Nanaka provides free workshops and presentations about Japan, its language, and its culture. See below for more details. She will be happy to visit local schools, libraries, and other organizations in the greater Cullowhee area.
Japan-related events and activities
The following are just a few examples. Please feel free to share your ideas and requests.
Past events and workshops conducted by Nanaka can be found on Instagram, Facebook,
and the JOI newsletter.
Origami Workshop
Origami is the art of paper folding, with "ori" meaning "fold" and "gami" meaning "paper". Origami is not only the easiest way to experience Japanese culture, but it is also a great brain exercise. Origami helps to improve spatial awareness and logical and sequential thinking skills.
- Ages: 3+
- Duration: 30 minutes to 1.5 hours
- Materials: Square papers
Shodo (Japanese Calligraphy) Workshop
Nanaka, who started to learn Japanese Calligraphy when she was 6 and got an Instructor Certification (師範), the highest level of achievement recognized for a Japanese Calligraphy master while she was in university, will teach you Shodo from the basics. Let's try to write letters using a brush and ink. Shodo is a great way to calm down. For children, a course with a brush pen is also available.
- Ages: 5+
- Duration: 1 to 1.5 hours
- Materials: Brushes, ink, papers, newspapers
Japanese Pop Culture
Learn about Japanese music, manga, games, and fashion and compare them to the U.S.
- Ages: 6+
- Duration: 45 minutes to 1.5 hours
- Components: PowerPoint presentation and interactive activities
Traditional Japanese Games
Learn about and experience traditional Japanese games (Karuta, Kendama, Koma, etc.).
- Ages: 4+
- Duration: 45 minutes to 1.5 hours
- Components: PowerPoint presentation and interactive activities
Japanese Culture and Language
Learn about general Japanese culture, including how to behave in the workplace, school, and society.
- Ages: 4+
- Duration: 30 minutes to 1.5 hours
- Components: PowerPoint presentation and interactive activities
Japanese Language
Learn basic to advanced levels of Japanese through games and other fun activities.
- Ages: 4+
- Duration: 30 minutes to 1.5 hours
- Components: PowerPoint presentation and interactive activities
Seasonal Events in Japan
Learn about traditional Japanese festivals and other celebrations, and compare them to the U.S. events.
- Ages: 4+
- Duration: 45 minutes to 1.5 hours
- Components: PowerPoint presentation and interactive activities
Education in Japan
Have you ever wondered what schools are like in other countries? Students in Japan clean their classrooms, even the bathrooms. They also serve their own lunch. Learn some interesting facts about Japanese schools and compare them to your own experiences.
- Ages: 4+
- Duration: 30 minutes to 1.5 hours
- Components: PowerPoint presentation and interactive activities
Business in Japan
Learn about business etiquette, job hunting, and the work environment in Japan.
- Ages: 16+
- Duration: 45 minutes to 1.5 hours
- Components: PowerPoint presentation and interactive activities
Study in Japan
Learn about student life in Japan as well as Western Carolina University's partner schools.
- Ages: 16+
- Duration: 45 minutes to 1.5 hours
- Components: PowerPoint presentation and interactive activities
Others
Sessions relating to anything else Japan-related are available upon request.
