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U.S. Education Department official urges Hiroshima students to study abroad

by Yoko Nitta and Sakiko Masuda, Staff Writers

On May 27, Tony Miller, the deputy secretary of the U.S. Department of Education, exchanged views with 17 students from Hiroshima University and Hiroshima University of Economics on study abroad programs, among other things, at the Chugoku Shimbun building in downtown Hiroshima. Mr. Miller, a businessman-turned-politician, assumed the post after his name was put forward by U.S. President Barack Obama. His background also includes the experience of studying in Japan and he urged the students to do their utmost to study abroad as it would be an enriching opportunity for them.

Sumito Soichi, 20, a sophomore at Hiroshima University of Economics, shared the results of a survey that he himself had conducted with 100 students. He explained the reality that the respondents hoped to study in the United States, but hesitated due to certain reasons, such as security concerns and the heavy costs involved.

In addition, the students asked such questions as "What do you think about the Japanese educational system?" and "What are the differences between Japanese students and American students?" Mr. Miller graciously answered each student and, with regard to studying abroad, stressed the need for courage to overcome the challenge.

Prior to this exchange with the students, Mr. Miller visited Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park. He toured Peace Memorial Museum and offered folded paper cranes to the Children's Peace Monument.

Mr. Miller also met with Hiroshima Mayor Tadatoshi Akiba and mentioned that his Japanese-American wife's mother is originally from Nagasaki. He said that he feels a close connection to Hiroshima, Nagasaki, and the Japan-U.S. relationship.

(Originally published on May 28, 2010)

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