On October 23, 2024, in the late afternoon, the Armenian American Young Leaders from Los Angeles participating in the KAKEHASHI Project safely arrived at Haneda Airport in Tokyo. Despite the long journey and time zone changes, the excitement among the delegation members was so high that they decided not to wait until the following day but began exploring the surreal and magnificent city of Tokyo right away.
Seeing close to 3,000 people crossing the world’s busiest pedestrian crossing at Shibuya Station was their first fascinating experience. This highlighted the discipline of Japanese society, a core element of its culture. The delegation learned that WA (和), usually translated as "harmony," is a deeply rooted Japanese cultural concept that emphasizes peaceful unity and conformity within a social group, where collective harmony is prioritized over personal interests.
The following day marked the beginning of the official program with a visit to the Shibusawa Memorial Museum. The delegation was warmly welcomed by the museum’s director, Kouichii Kuwabara-san, who, in the lecture room, elaborated on the life and work of Eiichi Shibusawa. As Armenians, we recognize Shibusawa for his humanitarian efforts during the Armenian Genocide. In 1922, after hearing about the crisis from Rev. Dr. Lincoln Wirt of the Near East Relief, Shibusawa was deeply moved to help. He created and chaired the Armenian Relief Committee of Japan, raising funds and organizing public events such as lectures, concerts, and film screenings to support Armenian orphans and refugees. Discovering Shibusawa’s legacy as a reformer, entrepreneur, and advocate for humanitarianism was both inspiring and enlightening for the delegation.
After touring the museum, the Armenian American young leaders enjoyed another memorable experience: wearing traditional Japanese kimonos. Naturally, the moment was commemorated with photoshoots for everyone’s memory book.
Japan is known not only for its traditional symbols, characters, and landmarks but also for its modern attractions, especially those geared toward youth. Akihabara Electric Town, famed for its venues specializing in manga, anime, and video games, offered exactly what the young participants were looking for. The KAKEHASHI Project members had a fantastic time exploring the electronic stores, which showcased technological innovations and unique gift options.
At the end of the day, the delegation members gathered to reflect on their experiences, share their feelings, and discuss takeaways. One word that surfaced repeatedly was "impressive." Everyone was in awe of how orderly, disciplined, and technologically advanced Japanese society is, with respect, gratitude, and humility upheld in reverence.
