Guam and Japan Resume Sister-School Program

Guam’s Jose Rios Middle School signs sister-school agreement with two middle schools in Chikujo Town, Japan.

The Guam Visitors Bureau (GVB) welcomed officials from Chikujo Town, Japan from Fukuoka prefecture during the signing of sister-school agreements between Guam’s Jose L.G. Rios Middle School (JRMS), Chikujo Town Tsuiki Junior High School and Shiida Junior High School on Tuesday, February 11, 2025, at the JRMS campus in Piti, Guam.

The Chikujo Town delegation included Hisami Arakawa – Mayor of Chikujo Town, Fumio Shiota – Chairman for the Town of Chikujo, Hiromi Kubo – Superintendent at the Chikijo Town Board of Education, Kentaro Hamada – Deputy Director of the CT Board of Education, Hirofumi Shimazu – Principal of CT Shiida Junior High School, Kazuhiro Izumi – Principal of CT Truiki Junior High School, Shigeo Kawano, President & CEO of Keio Academy, and Yoko Kawano – Director & Manager of Keio Academy.

Joining Japan’s delegation was Piti Mayor Jesse Alig, Guam Department of Education Superintendent, Dr. K. Erik Swanson, JRMS Principal Mariann Lujan, JRMS Assistant Principal John Castro, GVB Director of Global Marketing Nadine Leon Guerrero, GVB Senior Marketing Manager for Japan Regina Nedlic and GVB Public Information Officer Lisa Bordallo.

All were welcomed by Jose Rios Middle School students, who performed the Bendision to open up the signing ceremony.  The mayors, principals and board of education officials from both Guam and Japan gave remarks and warm thanks to the students and all involved in resuming their sister-school partnership.  The Shiida Junior High School gave a presentation on their cornerstones of learning and future advancements and invited JRMS students to visit their schools in Chikujo Town, which is in the prefecture of Fukuoka.  The three principals signed official Memorandums of Understanding before exchanging cultural gifts as tokens of appreciation and fellowship.

Sister school relationships are formed between schools of different cities or countries to encourage understanding of different cultures, languages, learning styles, and develop global relationships.

Guam schools have developed many sister school relationships with Japan over the years, but some have been disrupted due to the pandemic.  The most recent sister school signing was in December 2023 between Okayama Higashi Commercial High School and Guam’s Southern High School.

“Sister school partnerships benefit students and their communities in both countries.  Students become globally aware and can directly communicate and share with students from another country.  They also become self-aware and take pride in their schools and their culture.  These partnerships not only further develop educational programs but also help Guam to maintain a presence in Japan,” explained Dr. Gerry Perez, GVB Acting President & CEO.

Chikujo Town began their relationship with Guam in 2019 with the help of Mr. Tony Aquino and the Guam National Olympic Committee, who partnered in a virtual exchange program called “Tourism and Ocean Plastic Pollution.” In January 2020, JRMS welcomed students from Fukuoka for a cultural exchange and presentations on their projects in tourism and pollution.  In February 2020, JRMS was invited to send one teacher to Fukuoka as part of the Tokyo 2020 preparations funded by the Japan government.   GNOC partnered with Setaka School in 2021 in another virtual exchange program “Introducing Your School!”  The Mayor of Chikujo Town and their Board of Education Chair visited Guam in July 2022 to secure a partnership and sponsored JRMS to visit their town and school in December of that year.  Most recently in October 2024, Shigeo Kawano and his wife, Yoko, from Keio Academy contacted GVB to begin a student exchange program.  GVB provided information for JRMS and the Mayor of Piti, leading to the sister-school partnerships that were finalized on Tuesday.

SEEN IN MAIN IMAGE:  Officials from Chikujo Town, Japan visit Guam for sister-school partnership with Jose L.G. Rios Middle School.  Top L-R:  Yoko Kawano – Managing Director of Keio Academy Inc., Regina Nedlic – GVB Japan Marketing Manager, Mariann Lujan – JRMS Principal, Jesse Alig – Mayor of Piti, Hisami Arakawa – Mayor of Chijuko Town, Japan, Hiromi Kubo – Superintendent of Education for Chikujo Town, Dr. K. Erik Swanson, Superintendent of Education for Guam, and Fumio Shiota – Chairman for Chikujo Town Council, and John Castro – .  Bottom L-R:  Nadine Leon Guerrero – GVB Global Director of Marketing, Kentaro Hamada – Deputy Director of Chikujo Town Board of Education, Hirofumi Shimazu – Principal of Shiida Junior High School, Kazuhiro Izumi – Principal of Truiki Junior High School, and Shigeo Kawano – President & CEO of Keio Academy Inc.   

Media Contact:  Lisa Bordallo, Public Information Officer, GUAM VISITORS BUREAU, SETBISION BISITAN GUÅHAN, Tumon, Guam, (671) 979-1523, [email protected]