Tuesday, August 7, 2001
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Fifty budding reporters paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi at the Prime Minister's Official Residence. Chosen from among elementary and middle school students in Okinawa Prefecture, the "Okinawan budding reporters" are promoting youth friendship exchange bonding Okinawa with the mainland through reporting activities in various regions on the mainland. This summer the budding reporters from Okinawa will visit regions on the mainland and in winter budding reporters from the mainland will visit Okinawa to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the program, which first began in 1962. This program contributes to broadening mutual understanding and friendship bridging the sprit of the mainland and Okinawa. Prime Minister Koizumi stated before the budding reporters, "In 1972, the year Okinawa was returned to Japan, I was first elected as a Member of the House of Representatives. 1972 is a year I will always remember." The Prime Minister further remarked, "Study hard, play hard and relay your impressions frankly to your friends." |