American and Japanese students take part in a cultural exchange at the National Abacus Federation in Yokohama, Japan, Feb. 23, 2026. (Jonathan Baez/Stars and Stripes)
YOKOHAMA, Japan — Students from Defense Department schools at Yokosuka Naval Base watched in amazement as their Japanese counterparts rapidly calculated nine-digit numbers using a traditional Japanese abacus during a recent cultural exchange.
The exchange brought together 45 students from Ikego and Sullivans elementary schools and Yokosuka Middle School with nine Japanese students on Feb. 23 at the National Abacus Federation.
The Japanese abacus, known as soroban, is a hand-operated calculating tool that uses beads on rods to represent numbers one through nine and allows users to perform rapid addition and subtraction. The method is taught in Japanese schools.
The soroban traces its origin to the Chinese suanpan, which uses a different bead configuration. As an educational tool, it helps improve mental calculation, concentration and memory, according to an informational video shown at the event.
“I don’t have many opportunities to interact with foreign people, so I felt it was a great experience,” said Ai Toyonaga, a sixth-grade student at Kanagawa Zensoku Regular Member Guidance School. “I felt a little nervous, but it was fun.”
An American student practices using a soroban during a cultural exchange at the National Abacus Federation in Yokohama, Japan, Feb. 23, 2026. (Jonathan Baez/Stars and Stripes)
American and Japanese students take part in a cultural exchange at the National Abacus Federation in Yokohama, Japan, Feb. 23, 2026. (Jonathan Baez/Stars and Stripes)
The event was organized by the National Abacus Federation in collaboration with Defense Department schools. Students assembled their own sorobans, learned about the tool’s history and practiced using it.
“Since numbers are universal, I’d be happy if both children from other countries and Japanese children can enjoy using the abacus together through numbers,” said Kaori Hioki, a federation member and instructor.
The federation has hosted similar exchanges since 1996. Originally known as the Japan-U.S. Culture Exchange Association, the program was renamed the Japan-U.S. Elementary School Abacus Contest in 2000. The contest format ran for 17 years before being suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic.
A student practices using a soroban during a cultural exchange at the National Abacus Federation in Yokohama, Japan, Feb. 23, 2026. (Jonathan Baez/Stars and Stripes)
“Before COVID, we used to have a competition, but it was a little bit of pressure for students,” said Makoto Kinjo, Japanese Cultural and Language Program Director of Defense Department schools in the Pacific. “With this event, the students will learn Japanese culture and the Japanese students will learn American culture.”
The revised format appeared to create a relaxed atmosphere. Students laughed and smiled as they built and practiced with their sorobans.
“It was a very exciting time,” said Rachel Chang, a fifth-grade student at Yokosuka Middle School. “Once you start using it, you start getting comfortable with it.”
