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Li Run Lu
Third year student at School of Political Science and Economics

On a trip to Hakone with my mother (right) and my landlord who treats me like a son

There are four reasons why I decided to study abroad in Japan. One reason is the history between China and Japan. China was Japan’s teacher for nearly 1,000 years but in the modern era, the pupil Japan surpassed its teacher. I wanted to investigate the origin of Japan’s amazing progress. Another reason is culture. I am interested in the similarities between China’s “town protectors” and Japan’s samurai. I am also interested in the fashion culture of Japan’s youth. The third reason is governmental politics and geopolitics. A relationship with Japan is vital for China to maintain economic growth. The fourth reason is a book titled No One’s Perfect by Hirotada Ototake. I was born without a left arm and this book gave me courage and inspired me as a child. I chose Waseda because of Ototake’s description of the Waseda Campus as an “environment of freedom.”

I am an economics major and founded a study group for finance called “Kinyu-sha” where I serve as vice president. I am also a member of a basketball club and a soccer club, and started practicing Kendo. I am treated equally and do not receive special treatment because of my disability. These activities have shown me the many good sides of Japanese people. Japan’s barrier free environment and welfare services for the physically handicapped are very impressive.

With friends from the basketball club (far left)

Japan is my second home. I was born in Beijing, educated in the U.S. as a child, and now study in Japan. No matter what the future may bring, my experience in Japan is an important step for me to become a global citizen.