B.Communications student on study tour to Japan

Justin Camilleri in Japan (front row, second from the left )

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Tokyo, Japan invited 30 Europeans for a study tour that took place in November. The participants were chosen on the basis of an essay competition that was organised in their country. Justin Camilleri, a B.Communications student, was chosen from Malta on the strength of an essay entitled "The Role of Youth in deepening mutual understanding between Japan and Europe".  The other participants hailed from Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Denmark, France, Monaco, Finland, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Switzerland, Sweden ,Spain and the United Kingdom. The aim of the tour was for the European participants to contribute to future Japan-European relations by observing cultural viewpoints through lectures that were held at Chuo University by Professor Shunji YANAI, on the theme of International issues and Japanese foreign policy and by Professor Tsutonumu TANAKA, on the theme of Japanese Politics, Economy and Society.

There was also an opinion-exchange with Japanese university students on such themes as economic co-operation between Japan and Europe, security, regional unification, science, technology and the economy. Other themes that were discussed were the environment, a comparison on eastern/western philosophy, education and the media. In the first week, the participants stayed in Tokyo where they visited the Pansonic Center and were given a tour and talk by Mr Henry (Fernando) Matsumoto on the company profile of Matsushita Electric Co.Ltd. Another visit was to the NHK - Japan Broadcasting Corporation where the participants were given a lecture on Broadcasting in Japan by Ms Nahoko HAYASHIDA who is in charge of the International Relations department at NHK. Highlights of the tour consisted of a visit to the Diet Building (Parliament) in Tokyo and travelling to Hiroshima where the group visited the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum and were given a lecture by a survivor of the A-bombing. In Kyoto the group visited the town and the temples in Nara. For more information on the next Study Tour of Japan Essay competition please contact the Hon..Consulate of Japan, 19, Sir Luigi Preziosi Square, Floriana VLT 14 or on Tel: 21236703 / 21226523.