The Japan and South Asia Youth Forum 2002
"What Japan and South Asia can do Aiming at Peace and Stability in the World"
Group D
Expanding Mutual Understanding And Cultural Exchange
- What kind of image do South Asia and Japan have towards each other?
- What are the obstacles in order to reach deeper mutual understanding beyond stereotypical views between Japan and South Asia?
- How can we expand exchanges between Japan and South Asia (youth exchange, intellectual exchange and tourism)?
- What kind of image do South Asia and Japan have towards each other?
Views of the South Asian participants
As far as the images about Japan are concerned the South Asian people understand that after World War II Japan's development in the economical and technological sector has been unprecedented. This is a model for the entire world especially South Asia. America is perceived as an ally of Japan resulting in the Japanese foreign policy often being influenced by American.
Japan has been assisting in the development of the South Asian countries in different sectors through various means viz, grants soft loans, Japanese volunteer services etc. It has further improved the ties through cultural and intellectual exchange programmes, scholarships etc.
Views of the Japanese participants
The Japanese participants did not have much information about South Asia but they had a little information about cultural and religious information, for example the tourist sites of Buddha in different South Asian countries, about music and films of India.
Further they were concerned about security in South Asia, due to conflict between Pakistan and India and ethnic war in Sri Lanka.
However the participants felt that there was an inappropriate dissemination of information by the media and lack of credible source of information.
- What are the obstacles in order to reach deeper mutual understanding beyond stereotypical views between Japan and South Asia?
The Japanese side noted that they did not have proper information about the South Asian culture, History, Civilization, Religion, and environmental sites which is considered a big obstacle between the mutual understanding and cultural exchange.
The language barrier is also considered an obstacle towards mutual understanding. The South Asian people are comparatively more conversant in English than the Japanese. Some of the Japanese participants pointed out that their formal education did not cover the contemporary issues.
The South Asian Countries allocated a large part of their budget for defence against social and infrastructural development. The South Asian participants were of the view that South Asia did not figure among the high priorities of Japanese foreign policy. This is also an obstacle in the way to reach the deeper mutual understanding and cultural exchange.
The South Asian embassies, the Japanese opined were not working effectively to disseminate information about their culture and civilization.
- How can we expand exchanges between Japan and South Asia (youth exchange, intellectual exchange and tourism)?
Formation of a Youth Club (South Asia - Japan Youth Club).
During the discussion session the need was felt for a friendship club. It was resolved unanimously that a South Asia-Japan Youth club must be formed to interact with each other. The club's web site will have the information and links regarding Culture, Civilization, History, Education System admission procedure etc. for the benefit of the Japanese and South Asian people. This club will also carry out group discussion sessions on the net.
For this purpose Seven (7) participants from the seven countries of South Asia and eight (8) participants from Japan have volunteered and form the core team who will coordinate the club activity.
It has also been agreed by the participants that they will work under the aegis of South Asia-Japan Youth Club towards arranging financial assistance through industrial and governmental organizations and scholarships and college festivals, seminars.
Suggestions to the Governments of South Asia and Japan:
It is resolved that the Governments should work on a more credible and transparent system for the dissemination of information regarding their culture, history, civilization and eco-sites (environmental locations) .The South Asian participants were of the view that Japan is spreading its culture through different channels but on the contrary the South Asian countries are lacking.
It was resolved by both Japanese and South Asian participants that there is a need to introduce more fellowship programs for the youth of Japan and South Asia on a reciprocal basis. Further more, the South Asian participants felt the need of AIEJ entrance examination centers in South Asia .The enrolment procedures in the Japanese universities should be made more foreigners friendly. It was resolved that the Japanese universities should consider reserving a few seats for the South Asian youth. It was also resolved both by Japanese and South Asian delegates that Japan and South Asia should start more fellowship programs for their youth in their respective countries.
Pop Culture
Pop culture provides a common ground for the South Asian and Japanese Youth to interact and resolved that there need to be more exchanges between all South Asian countries and Japan.
The delegate's answers and views to the formulated questions were resolved by the forum.
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