A Japanese government official is calling Tallahassee home for 2 weeks, looking for inspiration to improve his country's mental health programs.

Makio Yamada has been in the capital city since this past Saturday and Thursday he walked the halls of the capitol, learning the process of how money is allocated to various programs in the state.

This is the first time Florida and the Department of Children and Families have participated in this program.

Yamada says he's enjoyed traveling across Florida this week, visiting hospitals and health centers and gaining insight into how they operate.

"It will stimulate my imagination when I go back to Japan," says Makio Yamada, who's the assistant manager for the Council of Local Authorities for International Relations in Japan.

"Biggest thing that I've learned is that we're not so different. I have been so surprised to know that Japan's programs are actually very much like ours," says Sue Ross, of the Department of Children and Families.

Ross says she's enjoyed exposing Yamada to southern fixins like grits and biscuits.

Yamada will return to Japan on November 14th.