Students offered jobs in Japan

PADANG, West Sumatra: Several Japanese companies have offered one-year job positions to students of the Japanese-language program at Bung Hatta University here.

The head of the Japanese language department, Amir Benson, said the offer prioritized students from needy families.

Antara quoted him on Sunday as saying that Japan had requested 150 students to work in various companies in 1999.

The department has already sent 100 students to Japan, most of whom have returned to continue their studies at the university.

Amir said the job opportunities in Japan were a main attraction to learn Japanese for young people in West Sumatra.

"Those learning Japanese increase from year to year," he said, adding the department tried to help students lacking funds.

Although the department opened with an enrollment of just 50 in 1990, the number had doubled by 1993. There are currently 160 students enrolled, he said.