[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 138 (Thursday, September 7, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Page S12757]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



[[Page S 12757]]


           JAPAN-UNITED STATES SENATE YOUTH EXCHANGE PROGRAM

  Mr. LUGAR. Mr. President, I would like to draw the attention of my 
Senate colleagues to a successful international exchange program 
involving the youth of America. This program, the Japan-United States 
Senate Youth Exchange Program has been sponsored over the years by the 
Government of Japan and the Center for Global Partnership and has been 
sending young students from the United States to Japan for the past 15 
years.
  The program, which was inaugurated by Prime Minister Zenko Suzuki in 
1981, offers outstanding United States high school students the 
opportunity to spend a summer with a Japanese host family through Youth 
for Understanding [YFU] International Exchange. As these young people 
assume positions in business, government, education, and other 
endeavors, they play a significant role in strengthening the bonds 
between Japan and the United States.
  In the past, 2 students from each of the 50 States of the United 
States were selected to participate in this exchange program. Because 
of funding reductions, only 1 student from each State now participates 
in the program. This is regrettable and represents a downward trend in 
international exchanges.
  The imbalance of exchanges between the United States and Japan is 
worrisome: there are 20 Japanese exchangees in the United States for 
every 1 American exchange student in Japan. And funding from Japan for 
exchanges is much greater than funding from the United States. I hope 
this imbalance can be corrected.
  Mr. President, the Japan-United States Senate Youth Exchange Program 
has been functioning in the best interests of the United States, Japan, 
and the individual student and family participants. I want to take this 
occasion to salute and encourage the efforts of both public and private 
contributors who have assisted and continue to assist this worthwhile 
program.

                          ____________________