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Japan-America Student Conference opens in Hiroshima to discuss economic and security issues

by Yumi Kanazaki and Daisuke Neishi, Staff Writers

On August 4, the Japan-America Student Conference, an exchange program planned and run by Japanese and American university students, opened in the city of Hiroshima. During the three-week conference, hosted by the International Education Center and supported by the America-Japan Society of Hiroshima, issues such as economics, security, and education will be discussed at various locations, including Ohda City and the Tokyo metropolitan area.

Participating in the opening ceremony at the GOJINSHA Wendy Hito-Machi Plaza in Naka Ward were 71 Japanese and American university and graduate students. A message from Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, stating that the students are the hope of the future for both countries and wishing for them to develop friendships and support the alliance of “Hope” between Japan and United States, was read out.

Emma Woodyard, 21, a fourth-year student at a college in Colorado, said that by reflecting on World War II and the mistakes of the past, she would like to learn alongside her peers how young people can impact the future. Meanwhile, Yotaro Sato, 20, a third-year student at the Tokyo University of Foreign Studies, said that one of the reasons he wanted to take part in the conference was the opportunity to visit Hiroshima in the year marking the 70th anniversary of the atomic bombing. He mentioned his hope for candid discussion of various views concerning peace between the students from Japan and the United States.

After the opening ceremony, the students visited Hidehiko Yuzaki, the governor of Hiroshima Prefecture, at the Hiroshima Prefectural Office and talked about handing down the experiences of the war and the atomic bombings. Sae Murai, 19, a second-year student at International Christian University and originally from Asakita Ward, Hiroshima, said that she would like to learn about Hiroshima and the A-bomb survivors and think about how she can contribute to bringing about peace in the world. Mr. Yuzaki had encouraging words for the students, saying that he would like them to take in the tragedy of the Hiroshima bombing and the preciousness of peace with their own eyes and ears. The students also toured the Peace Memorial Museum.

The students will be in Hiroshima until August 8, and will attend the Peace Memorial Ceremony on August 6. On August 7, starting at noon, they will take part in the “Japan-America Student Conference Hiroshima Forum,” a public event at the Hito-Machi Plaza.

The Japan-America Student Conference was launched in 1934, and since then, has been held almost every year, except during World War II, either in Japan or the United States in turn. This year marks the 67th conference.

(Originally published on August 5, 2015)

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