Speaking at his departure ceremony at the Japanese Embassy in Jakarta on Thursday, Katori said it is important for the youths to exchange information and share knowledge about the two countries, apart from studying and conducting research.
"I hope the youths can act as a bridge of understanding between Indonesia and Japan. Indonesian scholars can promote Indonesia to the Japanese and vice versa," he said.
Some 56 Indonesian students who have received Japanese government scholarships from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sport, Science, and Technology (MEXT) will travel to Japan on April 1. The students will have to study Japanese for a year, in preparation for classes.
The scholarship provides four levels of study programs; the research program (27 recipients), undergraduate (7 recipients), college of technology (13 recipients), and professional training college (13 recipients).
"As soon as you arrive in Japan, I hope you will study hard to achieve your dreams," said Katori.
"I want you all to seek many new experiences in the new places that you visit in Japan. I am sure the things you experience at this young age will be useful to you in future," he added.
On the first anniversary of the massive earthquake and tsunami in Japan, Katori has asked the students to participate in promoting the progress of Japan`s reconstruction.
"Soon you will be part of the Japanese population. So, we hope that you will notice and appreciate Japan`s reconstruction after the disaster last year," he noted.
(T.A060/INE/KR-BSR/H-YH)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2012
