TOMODACHI Students Ring in New Year as Part of the 2014 Rose Parade

As seen on TV screens worldwide, six former TOMODACHI students participated in the 2014 Rose Parade in Pasadena, CA on New Year’s Day. 

American Honda Motor Co., Inc., the presenting sponsor of the parade, helped these TOMODACHI alumni in southern California participate in the Rose Parade (the students are past participants of the TOMODACHI MUFG International Exchange Program).  During the parade, four students held the opening flag while the two youths rode the Honda float, where a video message from TOMODACHI students in Japan was played to convey their gratitude for the support given to Japan by the American people after the Great East Japan Earthquake and to wish everyone a happy new year.  Honda also invited these students, as well as their families, to the Rose Bowl game following the parade.

The students’ participation in the Rose Parade served as a kick-off to the TOMODACHI Honda Cultural Exchange Program, which will be implemented for a three-year period between 2015 and 2017. For more information, see the press release here

Please see the TOMODACHI students participating in the Rose Parade, below: