Posted on: Friday, July 23, 2004

Oldest Japanese-American student exchange to mark its 70th year

By Anna Weaver
Advertiser Staff Writer

The longest-running university exchange program between American and Japanese students begins its cross-country trip in Hawai'i on Thursday.

The three-day kickoff celebrates the Japan-American Student Conference's 70th year. Eighty participants from Japan and the United States, along with 70 alumni and their families, are expected to attend.

"There is no other conference and meeting that has continued for such a long time," said Haruo Yamamoto, chairman of the 70th anniversary committee of the Japan alumni association, in an e-mail. Yamamoto noted that it is also the 150th year since the signing of the friendship treaty between the United States and Japan.

"As organizer of this event, I am excited that many of our alumni adjusted their schedule with others and wanted to come to Honolulu for the same purpose," Yamamoto said.

The Japan-American Student Conference was founded in 1934 by students who wanted to promote mutual understanding between the two nations. This is the 56th year the conference has been held; World War II and financial reasons suspended meetings in some years.

It is the first year the exchange has included an alumni reunion.

The 2004 theme is "Re-Evaluating the Japan-America Relationship: Civic Commitment to Global Issues." Delegates will participate in small-group discussions, lectures and field trips, among other activities.

Hawai'i's portion of the exchange is sponsored by the University of Hawai'i's East-West Center.

Reach Anna Weaver at aweaver@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2455.