A University of Tokyo student set to spend a year as an exchange student in Illinois this summer doesn't think English skill is the only thing that matters when going to the United States.
He thinks curiosity, knowledge and a spirit of adventure also carry weight when representing Japan in a new country and new environment. So he launched a study group to get just that kind of experience before leaving Japan.
The Japanese International Student Society, set up by Yoshihiko Kichikawa, 20, and other friends who plan to study abroad this summer, is delving into current events linked to Japan to get a grip on issues seldom discussed in class and gather international input that might prove helpful in the future.