Misawa Air Base youth learn Japanese culture basics

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Sasha A. Navarro-Schmidt
  • Det. 12, Air Force News Agency
MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan --  When military members move overseas, they, as well as their children, get a chance to explore new cultures. That exploring can be through planned trips, classes offered locally and just by living in the country.

At Misawa, children as young as three and four can take Japanese dance classes and beginner's Japanese conversation classes at the youth center.

Three-year-old Alyssa Andrews takes both classes, and brings along her little sister Ashley, who is less than 2 years old. Their mother Kim says the girls enjoy the classes.

"They love it and if there's a day we can't go, there's a problem," she said.

Courtney Miller's father is currently deployed so her mother, Chasity, brings her to these classes to interact with the other girls.

"We signed her up for this class so she could learn the language of our host nation and get part of the culture and experience why we're here."

Courtney enjoys her teacher, Kasuko Igrashi, saying, "I love her very much, and she's a great dancer."

Ms. Igrashi finds that teaching young American children a little bit about her native Japan is something she's wanted to do her whole life.

"Always I thought I wanted to teach something very native Japanese [to Americans], to want to share, and after they move they can bring music, dance; they can share with other people," she said. "That is my dream."

The youth center offers a variety of classes for its youngest military members, from dance, martial arts, drama, driver's education, and other Japanese culture classes.