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Campus Asia Offers a Glimmer of Hope

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2014-07-17 11:50

The political climate in East Asia is a thundercloud. The voice of strong protests and mutual condemnations can be found on the Internet and in the streets. However, Japanese, Korean, and Chinese university students have been endeavoring to understand each other through the Campus Asia program. On July 5, 2014, an international forum examining the program’s results was held in Osaka and attended by the chief representatives from Dongseo University in Busan, Korea, Guangdong University of Foreign Studies in Guangzhou, China, and Ritsumeikan University in Kyoto, Japan. During the forum, they found a glimmer of hope for the future.
A total of 30 students, 10 from each university, were selected for the program. They travel between the countries to study language, culture, and history onsite. They also live together with their fellow students in the university dormitories. The initiative for the Campus Asia program came in 2009 during summit talks between Japan, Korea, China, and the program was approved for government funding.
At the forum, students from the three countries gave a presentation about their recent experiences in Japan. Yoshizumi Kohei from Ritsumeikan University chaired a discussion with students from the three other countries about “Controlling Anti-Japanese, Anti-Chinese, and Anti-Korean Sentiment.” The discussion moved beyond mere assertion of historical facts to examine how the interpretation of history may be shaped by cultural differences. The intense discussion began with heated rhetoric; however, one participant explained that “resentment towards one another disappeared when we began to understand our opponents’ way of thinking.”
Historical issues were not the only topics discussed. Xiao Rui from Guangdong University of Foreign Studies said she was surprised to see the strict recycling policies in Kyoto and the tendency of Japanese to criticize foreigners who break them. Xiao Rui said, “This might cause stress for some. However, when you understand why recycling was instituted in Japan, you come to accept the situation.”
The chief representatives from the three universities gave speeches at the forum. DSU President Jekuk Chang emphasized the importance of continuing effort, saying, “When the students become leaders in our society after graduation, they will spread their understanding of the East Asian point of view, which is not limited to the nationalism of just one country. This will help reduce conflicts between the regions.” President Zhong Weihe from Guangdong University of Foreign Studies discussed the importance of language teaching, saying, “Students can understand each other well when they are able to communicate in each other’s language.” Chancellor Kawaguchi Kiyofumi from Ritsumeikan University said, “Unfortunately, some young Japanese are shouting ‘hate speech’. They don’t think independently and often target ethnic groups, increasing the fear and anxiety of others. For future cooperation, the Campus Asia Program is important.”
The support from each government is limited and will shortly finish. Nevertheless, the chief representatives of the three universities signed an agreement to continue the Campus Asia Program. The future goals are for students to overcome difficulties and develop a commonly informed consciousness. The universities will strive to teach and develop young people who can understand and work with each other beyond national borders and to further the improvement of political relationships between the counties.