NEWS

On Saturday, May 18, 2013, Japanese Prime Minister ABE Shinzo visited APU and spoke with students at AP House*. On May 17 Prime Minister ABE delivered his second speech on the government’s growth policy during which he mentioned the need for university globalization and reform in order for universities to compete globally. Held on the following day, he visited APU as a successful example of global education that has attracted students and faculty from around the world.

During his visit to AP House, Prime Minister ABE received an introduction from Resident Assistant (RA**) team leaders and heard about the life of House residents and the role of the RA team. He then met with a group of six House residents for approximately 30 minutes and inquired about their reasons for choosing to study in Japan and their dreams for the future.

Prime Minister ABE made the following comment: “We are moving ahead with university globalization and aim to make Japan an easier place to live and study for foreign students. By providing an environment where students from all around the globe and interact and learn more about the world, I believe that APU is a successful example of global human resource development”. In response to his question about the reasons for studying in Japan by an international student in fluent Japanese, the Prime Minister responded by saying that “I am surprised at your level of Japanese proficiency. Armed with your mother tongue, English and Japanese – languages of the Asia Pacific region – you’re truly global human resources. Language is used differently in different cultures, but by learning this through experience, as you have, will no doubt serve you well in the future out there in the business world”.

The Prime Minister then inquired about difficulties international students face when studying in Japan including the Japanese language and culture, and the need for scholarships. Prime Minister ABE then made the following comment before the meeting came to a close: “In the future we hope to increase the number of universities where students can study exclusively in English. However we also want to develop greater student support systems and promote more opportunities for students to study Japanese. Our aim is to see more universities like APU developed in Japan”.

Since its establishment in 2000, APU has been accepting students from all over the world and engaged in the development of globally-minded graduates with the skills to succeed on the international stage. APU aims to continue producing graduates for the future of the Asia Pacific region.

*AP House
Located next to the campus, AP House provides accommodation for 1,081 students from approximately 57 countries and regions. International students spend their first year at AP House in order to adjust to the customs and rules of life in Japan (as of May 1, 2013).

**Resident Assistants (RA)
The RA team promotes exchange opportunities and offers 24 hour support to House residents. There are currently 64 RAs at AP House (as of May 1, 2013).

Related link:
Prime Minister Abe’s visit to APU