Rotary expands our world and helps us make unexpected special friendships!Eleven years ago, as the charter president of Little Tokyo Rotary, I visited Rotary District 2530 in Fukushima, Japan, to begin a $200,000 Rotary Global Grant Project to revitalize the economy of the severely devastated areas in Fukushima by the East Japan Earthquake of 2011. It was a multi-country effort by districts in Japan, South Korea and the U.S.
The host club’s main contact was Mr. Keisuke Hayakawa, who became D2530’s Governor in 2024-25. He sent Kotoko Takyu to D5280 last summer. Governor Hayakawa remembered me and told Kotoko to contact me once she got here, which she did.
Now I have new dear friends, Kotoko, her host mom Emiko Kuwata and Kotoko’s host grandma Sachiko Fukumoto! In the bottom photo, Kotoko was speaking at the March District Breakfast.
By Past District Governor Makiko Ogihara Nakasone for Rotary District 5280.
Editor's Note: Kotoko is sponsored by our club. In addition, our sponsored Interact Club was represented by Aria and Shayla.