スクリプトは事前提出されたものですので、ビデオの音声とは異なる場合があります。

As a Bridge Across The Sea of Japan

NISHIMURA Ryosuke (Ichinoseki National College of Technology)

Have you ever been abroad? Though I have been studying foreign languages for many years, I had never been abroad for 19 years. At last, last summer, I had a chance to make my first overseas trip. It was to Shanghai,China. Everything I saw,heard,touched,smelled, and tasted was new for me. I visited Shanghai Expo. and some famous places there. I felt China is just rising now, and people have lots of energy and positive motivation. Also, I had an opportunity to meet one of my Chinese friends. I was so happy that she treated me nicely. Through the six-day trip, I felt strong affinity toward China.

On the other hand, I rediscovered the good points about Japan. I found one of them soon after I came back to Japan. As I arrived at Narita airport, I drank some water from a water server. I was moved by its clear and refreshing taste, though it wasn't special one. In China, I always had to pay money for safe water for drinking. But in Japan, water from faucets are all safe. We can drink water directly from faucets. I didn't notice this advantage while I was in Japan. Another example. All the people who work in the airport, stations, and stores are really kind and treated me with smile. I had thought it was natural, but my thought was wrong. In China, I saw few workers who smile to customers. I realized stance for service of Japanese is really nice. Through my experiences, I have come to love both Japan and China.

Soon after I came back to my home, however, I heard a serious news. The day before I left Japan, September 7, a Chinese fishing trawler hit a Japan's coast guard vessel near the disputed islands in the East China Sea. Japan's coast guard arrested the captain of the boat. Chinese government lodged strong protest against Japan over the detention. Though the captain released after few days, relationship between two nations became worse day by day. Many protest demonstrations were staged both in Japan and in China. The more I heard the news, the more depressed I became. Over 60 years have passed after the war. We have the same looking. But why can't we cooperate for Asian development together? I discussed the problem with my Chinese friends many times.

In the discussion, I found one of the biggest difference between Japan and China. It is historical education. While the discussion,I was ashamed because I felt lack of my knowledge about history. In Japan, most students have little interest in history, and I was one of them,too. We study history at school, just for entrance examinations. We seldom study each historical incidents deeply. In contrast, in China, historical education is valued, as it is important to stir nationalistic sentiment. Chinese students learn a lot about historical incidents, especially about war against Japan. The education is really different between Japan and China. It might be natural that Chinese people have a negative sentiment against Japan. It is not anybody's fault. Also, there is diversity of interpretation on history. Japanese people should understand these differences.

To be the same is not necessary. The most important thing is to know each other and accept differences. By doing this, we could find the key to solve international problems. I think Japanese young people should have more interest in the world and their own country as well. It will be the first step to make better relations. To be an international engineer, I will learn not only science, but also history,economy, and politics, and broaden my outlook on the world. And I will keep telling and discussing the truth with my friends...as a bridge across The Sea of Japan.