Papua New Guinean Children Experience Japanese Culture! ~Okonomiyaki Making~

On February 21st, a special cultural exchange class was held at Sogeri Primary School in Central Province, Papua New Guinea. About 60 of fifth-grade students and local teachers participated, gaining a valuable opportunity to experience Japanese food culture. JICA volunteers, Mr. Uchiyama and Mr. Todaka, managed the event’s proceedings and provided guidance on making “okonomiyaki”. They carefully explained the characteristics of the ingredients and the cooking process, ensuring that the children could enjoy learning. When the children faced difficulties, they offered advice and helped them cook safely.

Part of an International Exchange Initiative Inspired by Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai
This Japanese cultural experience event was organized as part of an international exchange initiative inspired by Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai. The event aimed to introduce Japanese food culture to the children, with ingredients for “okonomiyaki” and “mochi” provided from Japan. The students eagerly anticipated this unique opportunity to experience Japanese cuisine firsthand.

Let’s Try Okonomiyaki and Mochi!
Students tried making okonomiyaki, a popular Japanese home-cooked dish. They mixed flour, cabbage, and eggs to create the batter, then cooked it on a large iron griddle, experiencing authentic Japanese cooking methods.
Since fire control was essential when cooking with firewood, the children, who are accustomed to using firewood in daily life, skillfully managed the flames by adjusting the amount of wood added. They carefully regulated the fire to prevent the griddle from overheating or burning the food. Once cooked, the okonomiyaki was topped with sauce and mayonnaise. The students took their first bite and exclaimed, "Delicious!" with big smiles.

A Future Expanded Through Cultural Exchange
Through this experience, Papua New Guinean children learned the joy of Japanese culture. JICA volunteer Mr. Uchiyama shared, "Cultural exchange is a wonderful opportunity for mutual understanding. I am delighted to see the children enjoying and learning."

We hope to continue these cultural exchanges and create more opportunities for children around the world to connect!