2025/06/11Supporting Cross-Cultural Exchange: U.S. Students’ Short-Term Program in Japan

Yamato Kogyo Co., Ltd. (Headquarter: Himeji City, Hyogo Prefecture / Representative Director and President: Mikio Kobayashi) invited two college students from Arkansas, where our affiliated U.S. joint venture is located, to Japan for a short-term program to introduce Japanese culture as part of its study abroad support program. In addition to accepting the students for a homestay at the home of our employees, the students were led by employees to interact with local children and students, visit tourist spots, and engage in a variety of other activities.

This program was introduced in 1996 as a short-term study abroad program to invite students from Arkansas Northeastern College (ANC) to Japan and has been promoting international mutual understanding. ANC is located near Nucor-Yamato Steel (NYS), which established in 1987 in Blytheville, Arkansas, and has maintained a strong relationship with us over the years, with our expatriates and their families also taking English conversation classes at ANC.

This year, two college students were selected from many applicants. Landon Wren (age 19, second from the right in photo), whose father and grandfather have worked at NYS, has a deep understanding of steel industries and strong interests in our company. Kallie Costner (age 20, fourth from the right), she aspires to become an elementary school teacher. They participated in the two-week program from May 18 to May 31, 2025. Our employees took them to sightseeing tour of Himeji Castle and factory tour of Yamato Steel, as well as Osaka Expo, Kyoto, and Hiroshima, to experience Japanese history and culture. They also visited Minami Otsu Elementary School and Himeji Nishi High School in Himeji City and enjoyed interacting with students through English classes and other activities.

Through these opportunities for international exchange, Yamato Kogyo will continue to deepen our ties with local communities and contribute to the development of global talent who will lead the next generation.

<Participant’s Comments>
Landon: “I would like to work at a steel mill like NYS in the future. This program was a great experience for me as I was able to deepen my understanding of Japan in Himeji City and all the other areas we visited.”

Kallie: “I liked Himeji very much because it was not too crowded and had an urban vibe. At Himeji Castle, I heard about the history of the Shogun and saw the magnificent stone walls, which made me more interested in Japanese history and traditions. The school students were very active in participating in the English classes, and it was a good experience for me to be able to enjoy the classes with them.”

<Duration>
May 18-31, 2025

<Places visited>
Himeji Castle, our factory, Minami-Otsu Elementary School, Awaji Island, Hiroshima, Kobe, Himeji Nishi High School, Osaka Expo, Kyoto, Tokyo, etc.

<Photographs>

Visit to Himeji Nishi High School                      Sightseeing at Himeji Castle                             Dolphin interaction experience