Hiroshima University has accepted students from our partner universities and other institutions in Taiwan and China for the Japanese Language and Culture Special Program.

Since its implementation in 2010, this program has aimed to help overseas youths who have an interest in Japanese language and culture to deepen their understanding of Japan and to encourage them to come back to study at HU.

This winter, we accepted 36 students from Taiwan from January 14th to 27th, and 36 students from China from February 3rd to 18th.

Outside of Japanese language classes and practical lessons on Japanese culture such as “kendo” (Japanese fencing), “furoshiki” (Japanese wrapping techniques) and “kendama” (Japanese cup and ball game), participants had the opportunity to interact with HU students. Participants were also able to go on educational field trips to Itsukushima Shrine in Miyajima, a world heritage site, and Sake Breweries in Saijo, thus deepening their understanding of Japanese culture and society. They also had the invaluable experience of visiting the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum and the Atomic Bomb Dome, and were able to learn about the preciousness of peace.

In this program participants learnt a lot about Japanese language, culture, and society through lessons in class, educational field trips, and interactions with Japanese students. We hope that in the future many of the program participants from Taiwan and China will come back to study at HU, and form a bridge between Japan and their countries.