SENDAI -- Understanding of Japan-U.S. relations can be enhanced in classrooms by making better use of educational materials on the Internet and multimedia technologies, leading scholars of the two countries said here Friday.
In closing the two-day 21st U.S.-Japan Conference on Cultural and Educational Interchange (CULCON), jointly organized by the two governments, participating university professors told a news conference that a group of researchers at universities of the two countries has been jointly developing a Web site that offers educational resources regarding U.S.-Japan relations.
The project began two years ago with the purpose of improving educational and cultural relations between the two countries by utilizing information technology, they said.
Patricia Steinhoff, professor of the University of Hawaii and a member of the group, explained that the material on the site includes pictures, charts, maps and audiovisual clips, and users can listen to narrations in both English and Japanese.
"Our hope is that this Web site will be used in Japan, in schools," said Steinhoff, adding that the education tool can be used during comprehensive studies classes at Japanese schools, in which students study topics decided at the schools' discretion.
CULCON, which aims to promote vital cultural and educational understanding of the bilateral relationship, has been held since 1962. It was initiated by an agreement between then U.S. President John F. Kennedy and Prime Minister Hayato Ikeda.