The government of Japan contributed US$11 million for the construction of 52 grade schools all throughout the country. The construction of the schools was begun in the area of Manoguayabo, on the outskirts of Santo Domingo. Minister of Education Ligia Amada Melo de Cardona and counselor of the Japanese Embassy, Yoshiharu Namiki, were present at the symbolic ground cutting for the first school. Minister Melo de Cardona said that Japanese teachers might visit to participate in educational exchanges. President Leonel Fernandez is scheduled to visit Japan this year.
