Global cadets conference kicks off

The National Defense Academy on Wednesday kicked off its first International Cadets Conference at its campus in Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, with 11 cadets from overseas taking part.

Each of the participating countries -- Australia, Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand and the United States -- sent one delegate to attend the eight-day conference. Twelve students from the academy are representing Japan. "We asked each country to join the conference in the hope that it will help our cadets brush up their talents and adapt to the current trend of internationalization," said an academy official in charge of the students' affairs office. "Subsequently, the conference is expected to contribute to building their confidence."

During the conference, participants will be discussing defense exchange as a confidence-building measure, information and security and servicemen's roles in world peace.