[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 138 (Monday, September 30, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S12040]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  THE JAPAN-AMERICA STUDENT CONFERENCE

 Mr. LUGAR. Mr. President, today I would like to salute the 
efforts of a distinguished student organization that has been at the 
forefront of enhanced United States-Japanese cultural dialogue and 
understanding since 1934. I refer to the Japan-America Student 
Conference [JASC], which was founded 63 years ago by a group of 
conscientious Japanese and American students concerned about the 
cultural misunderstanding plaguing their countries' relations. The JASC 
continues to play a significant role in facilitating exchanges between 
American and Japanese university students.
  Over the years, the annual JASC student exchanges have produced a 
remarkable collection of American and Japanese leaders in business, 
government, journalism, and academia, leaders whose familiarity with 
their counterparts' culture has been instrumental to their professional 
success. This year, as we celebrate the 63rd anniversary of student 
exchanges under the auspices of the Japan-America Student Conference, I 
commend its leadership and all its participants for their dedication to 
the cause of cultural enlightenment and enrichment in United States-
Japanese relations.
  As a completely student-designed and student-implemented program, 
JASC organizes an annual conference to promote its mission of 
``Pursuing World Peace through Education, Cooperation, and Personal 
Commitment.'' Conference locations alternate between Japan and America 
and typically involve 30 to 40 university students from each country 
who come together for a full month to live, travel, work, debate, 
study, and socialize in the host country. Intensive round-table 
discussions on topics of fundamental importance to Japanese-American 
relations complement field studies in which delegates meet with 
government officials, educators, business executives, journalists, and 
other prominent citizens of the host country. Homestays with local 
families allow visiting students insight into the customs of the host 
country, while Japanese-American sharing of rooms in dormitories 
ensures intimate cross-cultural links.
  Following its tradition of consistently hosting outstanding Japanese 
and American students, this year's conference will focus on ``Exploring 
Our Roles in the Emerging Asia-Pacific Community.'' Students will 
explore issues in culture, trade, philosophy, science, diplomacy, 
history, and politics in an attempt to understand the fundamental 
changes forming Japanese-American relations on the verge of the 21st 
century. Because 1996's Conference took place in the United States, the 
Japanese cities of Tokyo and Kyoto will host next year's JASC from July 
20 to August 19.
  In accordance with JASC's standard practice, this year's participants 
were chosen by the organization's American and Japanese student 
executive committees consisting of students from each country elected 
by their peers. Although the respective Japanese and American Executive 
Committees receive guidance and financial assistance from the Boards of 
Directors of JASC in Washington and the International Education Center 
in Tokyo, students in the two committees independently plan and manage 
the conferences.
  Mr. President, JASC represents an effective and efficient means to 
address the intellectual deficit in Japan-United States relations. 
Although roughly 43,000 Japanese students are currently enrolled in 
American universities, less than 2,000 Americans are studying at 
institutions of higher learning in Japan. This gap must be reduced 
because we have as much to learn from the Japanese as they do from us. 
Therefore, I want to commend the Japan-America Student Conference for 
long dedication to improving ties between Japan and the United 
States.

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