Six students from Koshigaya Chuo Junior High School of Saitama Prefecture visited the Embassy today as part of their school’s excursion curriculum. This will be the first visit by junior high school students this year. The group was warmly welcomed by Assistance Administrative Officer Matsui, Administrative Officer Kusayanagi and Economic Attaché Suenaga.
After a brief tour of our humble little mission, the group was welcomed to the conference room where they were shown a short DVD presentation of FSM, after which they were given a brief orientation by the Economic Attaché of the historic, economic, and cultural background of FSM.
The students themselves, having conducted their own preliminary research, came prepared with some tough questions which included; Why hasn’t industry develop (in FSM)? Why hasn’t FSM kept to the Gentlemen’s Agreement (in regards to Presidency)? Why is your country so dependent on import to the extent of deficit?
The session also touched on FSM-Japan relationship as well as the scheduled PALM VI that will be held in May this year. The students were also urged to take active participation in international exchange programs and to visit the islands.
After an hour long briefing, the students concluded their short visit with a photo session and took a final tour of the embassy, taking photos of island posters and handicrafts.
