2/25/2013

Saipan Tribune 9/28/2011



After 25 years, Matsumoto couple says sayonara

Willie and Aya Matsumoto, the formidable husband-and-wife force behind the longstanding Pacific Eagle Enterprises Inc. (Clarissa V. David)Willie and Aya Matsumoto, the formidable husband-and-wife force behind the longstanding Pacific Eagle Enterprises Inc., will bid Saipan farewell after calling it home for 25 years.

The couple confirmed in an interview yesterday that they will are heading back tomorrow, Sept. 29, to their hometown, Himeji City, which is famous for its UNESCO World Heritage Site castle and is located in the Hyōgo Prefecture in the Kansai region of Honshū island.

Aya disclosed that the main reason for their departure is her 79-year-old mother who is presently living by herself.

But both husband and wife said that they would still be coming back to the island from time to time to check on their businesses and hopefully bring with them tour groups and engage in potential business ventures between Saipan and Japan.

Aya recounted how her parents had advised her to move to Saipan as the island, already a famous destination for many Japanese at that time, would do her good.

“I was eight months pregnant then,” said Aya. “The reason why I came here was because I was weak at that time.”

Back in those days, Aya recalled how things were “very different” as Saipan was “like a jungle” with only a few hours of rationed water.

While the Commonwealth enjoyed an economic boom in the '90s, Willie noted that things have become stagnant in the last few years.

“Everything stays the same and that's also one reason why we're leaving,” said Willie. “But we plan to do and give something good for this island by encouraging visitors and investors to come here.”

In fact, both Willie and Aya already have their calendars full of meetings with various groups, starting with the Katori Shrine group, a TV station in Tokyo, and the Nenpou Shinkyou group.

Aya disclosed that they plan to tap more prayer groups, cultural exchange groups, and college student groups to visit Saipan. She maintained that the island has many educational resources, encompassing topics such as environment, history, and international relations.

“I think Saipan is 'Little Asia' so it's easy for Japanese to learn about how Asians are doing here,” she told Saipan Tribune.

With Saipan having a “very friendly island” reputation among Japanese tourists, most of whom are repeat visitors, Willie and Aya underscored the need to make the most of this leverage and work on getting more flights from Japan.

According to Aya, the CNMI could do with regular flights-not charter flights-at least thrice a week from the west side of Japan, where most vacationers know only about Guam and Palau as there are no brochures about Saipan available there.

Aya also noted the importance of having short-term, medium-term, and long-term plans for the Commonwealth, given the current economic situation of the islands.

“The government relies a lot on businesses so they should help businesses in return. Business groups should talk and cooperate with each other as well,” she said.

For Aya, what she'll miss most about Saipan are her diverse and lovely friends, the climate, and golfing. Willie, on the other hand, will surely miss fishing.

The last few days have been surprising and touching for the couple after having received several recognition for their contribution to the CNMI, including the Tourism Ambassador plaque from the Marianas Visitors Authority and a certificate of appreciation from the Saipan Mayor's Office. A farewell party was also hosted for them by friends at the Fiesta Resort and Spa last Sept. 22.

“We really appreciate the acknowledgment they've given us. We feel happy and honored,” said Aya.

The couple maintained that their businesses-which include hotel supply, construction and maintenance, business consulting services, and film coordinating service-will remain here and that they will be back for the Japanese festival in October and bring a TV talent group by December.

アジア環太平洋交流の新しいかたち

日大の小代教授のサイトを拝見したら、懐かしい記事が書かれてたのでご紹介しますね。

http://www.geocities.jp/koshirosroom/jp/saipanreport_01.html

1/17/2012

日本はもうすぐ大寒だそうで、こう寒いとサイパンがとても恋しくなります。

10/18/2011

New Office (Saipan and Japan)





1987年以来、サイパン・ロタ・テニアンや南太平洋での撮影コーディネートや北マリアナ諸島中心のリサーチャーとして信用と実績のあるパシフィックイーグルサイパンは、2011年10月1日よりサイパンの中心地ガラパン(paseo de marianas)のABC Storeの2階にオフィスを移転致しました。

WIFIが完備されたホテル(フィエスタリゾート&スパやハイアットリージェンシーサイパン)から歩いて1~2分という好立地♪ オフィス内には会議用テーブルやソファもあります。

そして又、兵庫県にパシフィックイーグルジャパンとしても活動していきますので、日本での打ち合わせにも対応致します。

サイパンオフィス、ジャパンオフィス共にどうぞ宜しくお願い致します。

お問い合わせは pacificeagle@gmail.com
SPN: 1(670)489-7914
JPN: 090-1448-7017

5/24/2011

Banzai Cliff Clean Up

毎年サイパンに慰霊法要に来て下さる念法眞教の方々とバンザイクリフや中部太平洋慰霊碑、ラストコマンド、おきなわの塔周辺を掃除しました。

政府の公園管理局もきれいに掃除してくれるのですが、自分達の手できれいにすることが、ここで亡くなった方々への供養かと思います。

私達だけでは出来ないクリーンアップボランティアを、一緒に毎年して下さり、「サイパンの地はたくさんの方が亡くなっている聖地です。その場所をみんなできれいにしましょう。」と呼びかけて下さり毎年賑やかに掃除しています。


来週はおきなわの方々が一年に一度の慰霊にサイパンを訪れられます。
少しでもきれいにしてお迎え出来るのがうれしいですね。


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毎年、政府観光局とサイパン市長へご寄付を頂いております。

ありがとうございます。

3/20/2011

サイパンより

この度の、東北・関東太平洋大震災により被災された皆様方に心からお見舞い申し上げます。
そして、犠牲になられた方々とご遺族の皆様に対し衷心よりお悔やみ申し上げます。
皆様方の一日も早い復旧、復興を心よりお祈り申し上げます。

(株)パシフィックイーグルエンタープライズ社長   松本ウイリー

9/09/2010

サイパン教育旅行

ブログを更新するのも久し振りです。
今年の夏、サイパンにいらしたツーリストの方に、「サイパンは涼しくて、過ごしやすいですね!」っておっしゃってました。 暑さが違ってましたね。

さて、9月になり、今年も日本大学国際関係学科のゼミ生がリサーチ旅行にやってきました。
1週間という限られた時間にたくさん学んでもらおうと、結構タイトなスケジュールですが、若さで頑張っているようです。

私は、サイパンには学べることがたくさんあります。
グループによって、どんなことを勉強したいのかによってアレンジをします。

9月9日のサイパントリビューンの記事です。


Nihon University professor, students on 6-day tour of Saipan


By Clarissa David
Reporter
A visiting professor from the Nihon University in Japan said she and her students would want to make a significant contribution to this tropical island in the Pacific.

“I really want to do something that has a lasting impact on Saipan and Japan,” said Yukiko Koshiro who teaches at the university's College of International Relations.

After visiting the CNMI museum, Koshiro said she and her students are looking at doing the Japanese explanations of photographs and exhibits there.

“If we find a way to do that, maybe we can organize some kind of project by adding more Japanese explanations to the museums and other places that might be interesting to Japanese visitors,” she said.

The professor said the explanations in Japanese would help attract more Japanese to visit “this tiny, beautiful, charming island” that has become “a very, very big part of me.”

Koshiro and her eight research seminar students arrived on Saipan Monday afternoon for a six-day visit.

Ayako Matsumoto of Pacific Eagle Enterprises coordinated the trip.

The group intends to gather and collect data and information on the connection between Saipan and Japan's southernmost island, Okinawa.

With ongoing talks about relocating thousands of Marines stationed at Futenma Base in Okinawa to the Pacific islands, including Saipan and Tinian, Koshiro said their research aims to ascertain the reaction of the local community to this plan.

Koshiro said another group of her students will visit Okinawa next week to further their research. Once the two groups return from their trips, Koshiro said they will compare results and make it available to the public.

Five years

Koshiro told Saipan Tribune that she has been bringing her university students to Saipan for five years now.

As part of the International Relations program, Koshiro said professors “have the duty of taking some of our students somewhere overseas.”

Since there is already a professor who takes students to the U.S. mainland, Koshiro said the “U.S. didn't look like a unique destination.”

After exploring the world map, Koshiro realized that Saipan would be the best place for her students to visit.

“Saipan turned out to be a wonderful place for Japanese students to learn about international relations because Saipan used to be a Japanese colony,” she said.

Besides its historical significance, Koshiro said her students can learn about contemporary international relations on Saipan since the island is a place where immigrants from Asia and the Pacific “come to coexist.”

“By coming here, students can learn all kinds of critical things that the younger Japanese generation should learn,” she added.

Activities

During their trip, Koshiro said they visit historical sites and met with local people to learn about historical and contemporary issues.

On Monday and Tuesday, for instance, Koshiro and their group visited the headquarters of the Imperial Japanese Navy at the side of Mt. Tapochau.

The group met with Tinian Mayor Ramon M. Dela Cruz and park ranger Nancy Kelchner.

Yesterday, the group was given a tour of the Northern Marianas College campus and visited its Japanese language class to see how other people learn their language.

Although older generations have their wisdom, Koshiro said they want to hear what the today's generation has to say.

“We want to know what kind of things the younger generation learned from their grandparents' generation,” she said.

The group also met with Manuel “Kiyu” Villagomez, who grew up during the Japanese occupation and witnessed the Battle of Saipan between American troops and Japanese soldiers.

Koshiro said they will also visit Managaha, learn how to make the local delicacy apigigi, and adopt a beach or historical site for cleanup.

According to Koshiro, her students enjoy coming to Saipan that some of them would join her research seminar more than once.

“The ocean is beautiful. That's one thing that impresses me most,” said Lide Su.

Another student, Yuki Kubota, said there is more to Saipan than its pristine beaches.

“I'm equally impressed with the way the people of Saipan preserved everything that the war had left. I'm very thankful for that because that way, Japanese people can learn about things of the past,” she said.

Kazaki Ikeda said his experience on Saipan is “beyond words” and would definitely encourage other students to visit the island.

Every time she comes back, Koshiro said local people “really show the best of Saipan all the time.”

“Because of that kindness, we are determined to come back over and over,” she said

4/24/2010

Island Wide Cleanup

私達パシフィックイーグルは、今年もアイランドワイドクリーンアップと言って、全島一斉に島の清掃活動をする政府行事に参加しました。

今年は、53チーム、2,200人のボランティアが参加しました。

パシフィックイーグルエンタープライズ社は、2006年にBeautify CNMIが出来た当初から、この島の清掃活動には積極的に参加し活動しています。 以前に比べれば地元住民の環境に関する興味が出て来たように思うのと同時に、やはりゴミが落ちていても平気な人は関係ないみたいですね。

今年も昨年同様、ガラパン地区のビーチロード沿いの海岸線を掃除しました。 今年はDepartment of Public Workと一緒に同じ場所を清掃したので、とてもスピーディーに出来ました。



私達が来ているTシャツは、赤、ピンク、青、緑と4種類、全部Beautify CNMIのTシャツです!



去年のアイランドワイドクリーンアップの時に植樹をした南洋桜がこんなに大きくなりました。
来年には、花を咲かしてくれていると思います。


これは、2007年に娘達が植樹した南洋桜です。
随分背が高くなったのですが、少ししか葉っぱがありません。
これからだと思うのですが、ちょっと不安になり、肥料をたっぷりと。。。。


短時間でしたが、ビーチロード沿いがきれいになり気持ちいいですね!
来月は、ある大阪のグループと一緒に、バンザイクリフやラストコマンドの掃除をします。

昨年植樹された川崎トラック協会の南洋桜が咲きました。
3本植えたうちの1本ですが、感激です!!