Report on the Japanese Mini Camp 2025

Date: April 11, 2025

1. Introduction

The Japanese Language School Teachers Association (JALSTA) successfully organized the JALSTA Mini Camp 2025, a vibrant one-day event dedicated to nurturing an appreciation for Japanese language and culture among students in India. Held on April 11, 2025, the camp was a testament to the power of collaboration, made possible through the invaluable support of the Japan Foundation New Delhi and the provision of venue and logistical support by Delhi Public School Mathura Road, Delhi. Dignitaries who attended the event to motivate the teachers and the students included

GUESTS	1.        PROF Ashok Kumar Chawla (former adv JAPAN) MEA 2.        MR Masahiro TADOKORO MD KYOSAN INDIA PVT LTD 3.        MR Nobuyuki YOSHIDA GM, KYOSAN INDIA PVT LTD
JAL Japan Airlines	4.        Mr. S.Kamran Shah: Senior Manager-Sales & Marketing 5.        Mr. Narender Singh Bisht: Senior Manager-Admn & ACCOUNTS 6.        Yuichiro HARAGUCHI: Manager Sales 7.        Mr. Balveer Singh Rawat: Manager Admn & Accounts.
JFND	8.        Mr Taisei TOYOMARU -Director JFND
	9.        Ms Chiaki SUZUKI – Language advisor JFND 10.     Ms Kanako MATSUO NP Prog
EMBASSY OF JAPAN	11.     Mr Takashi KOBAYASHI First Secretary ( PR and Culture) Embassy Of Japan 12.     Ms Maho HAKAMATA Embassy of Japan

JALSTA MINI CAMP 2025

2. Objectives

The core objectives of the Japanese Mini Camp 2025 are multifaceted, aiming to:

• Immerse students in the rich tapestry of Japanese culture and language through direct engagement.

• Spark and cultivate a deeper interest in the intricacies and beauty of the Japanese language.

• Provide tangible, hands-on experiences with traditional Japanese arts and customs.

• Nurture and strengthen the bonds of cultural exchange between India and Japan.

• Enhance the professional network and collaborative spirit among Japanese language learners , educators and institutions across India.

3. Venue and Enthusiastic Participants

The welcoming premises of Delhi Public School Mathura Road, Delhi, served as the venue for this enriching event. The camp witnessed enthusiastic participation from approximately 175  students representing 14 diverse schools from various parts of Delhi NCR . These young learners, already embarking on their Japanese language journey at the school level, brought an infectious energy and eagerness to learn. The Japanese Mini Camp 2025 offered a diverse array of captivating activities and sessions meticulously designed to provide a holistic introduction to Japanese Language and  culture:

4. THE MAIN WORKSHOP FOR THE STUDENTS

Bollywood to Nihongo Workshop: JALSTA member teachers wholeheartedly guided and steered their respective student groups in an engaging "Bollywood to Nihongo" workshop. This experiential learning activity saw students creatively adapting popular Bollywood dialogues into Japanese, culminating in wonderful performances that showcased their language skills and collaborative spirit. Through this peer-to-peer learning environment, students not only confidently practiced their Japanese but also learned from each other's interpretations and presentations, forging new friendships in the process.

5. Esteemed Collaborators and Generous Sponsors

JALSTA extends its sincere gratitude to the following esteemed collaborators and generous sponsors whose contributions were instrumental in the camp's resounding success:

• Japan Foundation New Delhi: For their pivotal role in the conceptualization, meticulous planning, provision of essential resources, invaluable overall guidance, and active co-organization of the camp. The incredibly fun and immersive games of Karuta and Fukuwarai , Yukata wearing , Shyodo conducted for the students along with JALSTA members. Other activities led by the JALSTA team included Tama ire and  Karimono kyoso .

• Delhi Public School Mathura Road, Delhi: For their gracious provision of the venue and seamless logistical support, which ensured the smooth and efficient execution of the event.

• Japan Airlines (JAL): For their generous support and for organizing an informative session offering students insights into Japan, the little goodies for the students and teachers , along with a creative and engaging HAIKU workshop.

• Kyosan India Pvt. Ltd.: For their thoughtful and generous donation of Japanese language books, a valuable resource that will undoubtedly benefit the participating schools and their students.

• Tea Ceremony Club New Delhi: For their graceful, serene  and patient conducting of the Japanese Tea Ceremony session-SADO, offering a truly enriching and memorable experience for the learners.

• Oritai Club Delhi – Ms Ruchie Bhalla and Ms Amarjeet for their engaging workshop which fostered creativity, spatial reasoning, and an appreciation for this delicate Japanese art form.

• Experience Japan & Ms. Priyanka: For their initiative in setting up informative stalls brimming with a variety of Japanese learning materials, providing valuable resources to support the students' linguistic development.

• Mr Jun Togami and his team of Bluebells students who conducted Soran for their peers .

6. Outcomes and Conclusion: A Resounding Success and a Foundation for the Future

The JALSTA Japanese Mini Camp 2025, with support from the Japan Foundation New Delhi successfully promoted Japanese language and culture through immersive sessions and activities. The camp provided a positive learning experience, fostering interschool  exchange and a greater appreciation and understanding of the nuances of  Japanese language. The collaborative efforts of sponsors such as Japan Airlines and Kyosan India Pvt. Ltd. significantly enhanced the event's impact, strengthening Indo-Japanese ties and laying a foundation for future enriching initiatives by JALSTA.