Cambodia food culture exchange project promotes international learning

The Nakayoshi Gakuen Project conducted the ‘Cambodia Project 2026’ in Siem Reap, Cambodia, from August 21 to 28, focusing on international understanding through food culture exchange.

Yukari Masamoto, a home economics teacher from Oisuka Hamamatsu Kokusai High School, led lessons for approximately 100 students at local primary schools. The curriculum used Japanese ingredients such as seaweed (nori), dried bonito flakes (katsuobushi), rice balls (onigiri), and soba noodles as educational tools to explain Japanese geography, preservation techniques, and lifestyle.

The initiative utilized a circular education model known as ‘CoRe Loop,’ which emphasizes two-way learning. While Japanese students learn about global cultures, the project participants also engaged with Cambodian culinary traditions, including rice flour noodles and local dishes, to compare and contrast the shared importance of rice in both nations.