BEACH ND — In the serene town of Beach, an unexpected cultural exchange bridged the vast distance to Japan this weekend. Shunsuke Aoki, the coordinator for the Japan Outreach Initiative (JOI), brought a slice of Japanese tradition to this small American community through a series of engaging activities.
Aoki, stationed at Dickinson State University since the summer of 2022, demonstrated the meticulous art of a Japanese tea ceremony using matcha, folded intricate origami shapes with locals, and discussed the significance of traditional costumes.
JOI’s mission is to deepen understanding of Japanese culture in parts of the U.S. that have limited exposure to international influences. With Asians making up only about 1.7% of North Dakota’s population, opportunities like these are rare and invaluable.
Manuel Holguin JR / The Dickinson Press
“The people of North Dakota are incredibly open-minded,” Aoki remarked. “Through these activities, they not only gain a deeper appreciation for Japanese culture but are also inspired to explore more of the world themselves.”
Lea Massado, who helped organize the event in Beach, shared her surprise at the community’s enthusiastic reception. “I’ve been here long enough to know that our small town is full of surprises,” she said. “The genuine interest and openness to learn about a culture so different from our own was truly heartening.”
The event proved to be an eye-opener for many attendees, including Jacob Stoveland, a local who admitted his prior knowledge of Japanese culture was minimal. “The matcha was definitely a new experience for me, but stepping out of one’s comfort zone is how we grow,” he commented.
Manuel Holguin JR / The Dickinson Press
Massado summed up the day by reflecting on the power of cultural exchange. “We want people to realize that the world is vast with diverse ways of living, eating, and dressing yet so intimate that we can all connect over something as simple as a sweet treat or a formal ceremony,” she explained.
By bringing the world to Beach, the JOI initiative shows that even the smallest communities can partake in the global dialogue, discovering both the vast diversity and the fundamental similarities that bind the world.
Manny is a journalist with a diverse background in communications. Born and raised in El Paso, Texas, he earned his degree in the DFW area before venturing to New York City. There he worked as an ethnic media reporter, covering local issues and immigration news. A long history of dedication to sensitive reporting, Manny’s journalistic journey has led him to Dickinson where he takes on the role of a hard news reporter.
