Recently I read a article on the BBC that highlighted that the Matsue, Shimane Prefecture police force in Japan is offering martial arts classes to foreign tourists in a bid to build trust, and improve officers’ English proficiency.
The initiative is taking place in the city of Matsue, Shimane Prefecture, and follows a trial involving international students, The Mainichi newspaper reports. Starting in March 2017, foreign tourists have been invited to spend an hour learning the principles of judo and kendo. For this initiative black belt police offices will teach martial arts classes to tourists and converse with them in English.
This initiative is designed to not only make the city safer but also more tourist-friendly. The Matsue Police website states that equipment can be borrowed at the police station and after training visitors will be invited to watch the sunset near Lake Shinji.
If you want to take advantage of this unique initiative participants must have travel and martial arts training insurance.
