Former Japan External Trade Organization official Akira Moromi has supported for nearly 30 years a program that invites teachers from the United States to Japan in appreciation for educating children of Japanese company employees.

This year marked the 30th annual trip to Japan since the program started in 1975.

It all started when Moromi planned and persuaded skeptical officials, who wondered why JETRO -- a special public corporation charged with carrying out overseas market research and publicizing Japanese products -- ought to take care of a school matter.