With the Nov. 6 elections around the corner, international media outlets have been eager to learn how young American voters are responding to the ubiquitous campaign rhetoric.
Last week, three Washington D.C.-based reporters from Japan met with eight George Mason University students from both sides of the political aisle at the Schar School of Policy and Government for a lively roundtable conversation.
Noboyuki Tanaka of The West Japan Daily, Tomonori Ishikawa of the Tokyo Shimbun and Koichi Hirahata of the Hokkaido Shimbun Press spent 90 minutes asking students for their feelings about the Trump administration, what changes they would like to see after the elections and how they feel about the state of political media integrity.
"The students were very well engaged and well-spoken," Tanaka said. "Even though they were from different beliefs, the conversation was very civil."
The participating students were: Yuki Kato, Matt Borja, who is a member of the Honors College, and Maika Ito (each majoring in government and international politics); conflict analysis and resolution major Ashley Stewart, public administration major Emma Salas; global affairs major Yoko Nagashima; economics major Connor Barth; and music major Toru Kokubo.
"I felt honored to represent my country before a foreign audience," Barth said. "The interviewers were careful to ensure my opinions were heard and respected."
Photos by Ron Aira.