OREANDA-NEWS. July 20, 2012.   Sony Corporation today announced that it will invite 30 high school students from the cities of Tianjin, Changsha, and Kunming in China to Japan as part of its "Sony Student Project Abroad (China) 2012" program. The eight-day program is being run in cooperation with the All China Youth Federation, China's largest youth group, and will take place from July 23rd to July 30th.

 Now in it’s sixth year, the theme of this year’s program is “Building a better society through the spirit of consideration.” Environmental conservation, which has been an ongoing theme since project’s introduction, is again a central element of this year’s program, and participants will engage in a range of acitivities intended to enhance awareness of this key issue. These will include a study session on the advanced energy conservation technologies incorporated in the Sony City Osaki building (located in Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo), and also an “AR* Workshop” in which the students will use Sony Tablet devices** to explore points of environmental interest surrounding the “Sony ExploraScience” interactive science museum, located in Daiba, Tokyo. As part of the program, students will also travel to Kesennuma City, Miyagi Prefecture, one of the areas affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011, where they will engage with local residents and high school students to learn about the ongoing recovery process, as well as local environment and industry. These acitivies will aim to provide participants with an insight into the spirit of consideration and kindness that have enabled people affected by the disaster together to overcome numerous challenges, while also providing the Chinese and Japanese students with the opportunity to explore the beauty of Kesennuma.

 The 30 students will also participate in various other forms of cultural and personal exchange, including homestays with the families of Sony employees, interaction with high school students of Kesennuma City, and traditional Japanese artistic performances. These activies are intended to also further their knowledge and understanding of topics ranging from environmental issues to Japanese art and culture.