A video conference was held yesterday between college students of Japan and the United States. The event clearly exposed the difference between Japanese students, who have few hopes of politics, and their American counterparts, who have strong expectations for change. Some Japanese students reacted enviously to U.S. participants who repeatedly said that with participation, politics can be changed.

The U.S. Embassy in Tokyo hosted the event. Some 170 Japanese and American students in Tokyo, Nagoya, Fukuoka, Naha, and Washington discussed “youths and politics.”

In reaction to a report that Japanese youths have little interest in politics and that they tend to regard lawmakers as “uncool,” an American student asked, “Why do you feel politicians are not cool?”Included in the U.S. side were a number of students who worked as volunteers in the U.S. presidential election. One Japanese participant asked: “If a candidate who has no vision for the country and is a poor speaker runs in the next presidential election, do you still think you will participate in politics?” The question was raised as if to ask, what would you do if you were placed in the position of Japanese youths?

An American student said: “Many young people were moved by the speeches of President-elect Obama and began to realize that we can make change if we take part in politics. I think we will remain engaged in politics to change the situation even if the next candidate is not attractive.” 

Source: ASAHI News / Hideo Matsushita