Russia-Japan students' conference opens in Vladivostok

VLADIVOSTOK, August 23 (Itar-Tass) -- A Russian-Japanese students'
conference has opened in Vladivostok on Tuesday. Problems of the two
countries' educational systems and demography are in the focus of
attention of its participants, ITAR-TASS learnt at the press service of
the Far Eastern Federal University.
Besides, young people of the two countries will discuss the influence
of Russian culture through art and literature, as well as sport on the
Japanese and the influence of Japan's nuclear power plants on ecology in
Russia.
Such a conference with support of the Fund "Russian World" is being
held for the 23rd time. Its aim is to acquaint the participants with the
life and culture of young people of another country and exchange opinions
on urgent issues. The conference is held both in Japan and Russia in turn.
This year 13 students from the Tokyo University Vasedo will live three
days in the families of Vladivostok's participants in the conference and
spend time with them. And next year Russian participants will leave for
Japan to familiarize themselves with today's life of youth there.
According to director of the Fund "Russian World" Alexander Zubritsky,
the conference will enable young people to know the traditions and culture
of Russia and Japan. "A sea Russian Centre will open on board the sailing
vessel Nadezhda these days, which will, undoubtedly, promote the
strengthening of our friendly relations," he said.
The first conference was held in Moscow and Leningrad in 1990, and the
second - - in Tokyo and Nikko in 1991. Beginning from 1994, the Russian
part of the conference is held in two cities - - Vladivostok and
Khabarovsk.