28 Participants from 10 countries to attend two week JAL scholarship programme

The JAL Foundation will hold its 30th Scholarship program in Japan for university undergraduates from 10 countries in the Asia-Pacific region between November 17 and 30 with 28 participants.

Originally planned for the summer, the program was postponed because of the SARS outbreak. Japan Airlines launched the scholarship program in 1975 as an introduction to Japan for university students from the Asia Pacific region. Since 1990 the JAL Foundation has arranged the program, which has evolved in scope over the years.

With the 28 students taking part this year, the total of participants since the program started in 1975 is 1,179. This year's participants are from Australia (3), China (2), Indonesia (3), Korea (3), Malaysia (3), New Zealand (2), Philippines (3), Singapore (3), Thailand (3) and Vietnam (3).

This year's discussion theme is to "Make sure of the attractiveness of Japan" and the program organizers have invited students who have a keen interest and concern for Japan and Japanese affairs. 

The 2003 program includes:

Understanding Japan: In a 3-day study period in Tokyo (November 18-20), students will learn about Japanese inbound tourism trends, current social topics and environmental studies now in progress, among other topics, with visits to the Tokyo Edo Museum and NHK Studio Park.

Kanazawa symposium: In Kanazawa, Ishikawa prefecture, on the Japan Sea coast, participants will spend four days (November 21-24) including a two days' home stay with local Japanese families. The Kanazawa program also includes a one-day symposium at Seiryo University, Kanazawa.

Kyoto student sessions: From November 25 until 28 the group will be based at Ritsumeikan University in Kyoto, where the program includes discussions between local students and the visiting scholars. They then return to Tokyo where the program ends on November 30.