Japan Then & Now

By Heath Herring
LSU Ag Leadership Class XVI

Thirty four years ago, I traveled to Japan to stay with a family for a month.  It was a national 4-H program coordinated with a similar organization in Japan. It placed us with willing families that had children our age. Multiple states met up in San Francisco and we flew from there to Tokyo to meet the people who would host us for the next month.  

My family consisted of a father, mother and two sons, each a year ahead and behind me in age.  It was an awesome time. I learned much about Japanese culture, food, traditions, and so on. One thing I learned first was their work ethic.  My host father, I did not see until late every day, unless we took trips together. 

We traveled a lot, saw countless sights and places. My family was very generous with their time, I couldn’t have asked for any better.

Now we are in our last few days of our LSU Ag Leadership international trip.  Once again in Japan, I recognize many of the sights and customs of the people here.  

This trip is somewhat different in that it is mostly focused on agriculture, which is great.  Being a farmer myself I love seeing how it works in other places, even away from the U.S. I did get to experience ag in 1986. My host family had cousins with a farm. They grew fruit and rice: some of the best cantaloupe and melon I have ever had.

The tour started off at Toyosu Fish market where we watched a tuna auction that happens every morning.  It reminded me of equipment auctions back home.