An online conference was held between Al-Farabi Kazakh National University and Tokyo University

An online conference was held between Al-Farabi Kazakh National University and Tokyo University on 8^th and 9^th of March 2022. Participants were first, second- and third-year students of Oriental Studies faculty, majoring in Japanese language of KazNU and Tokyo University students that are taking course on Central Asian studies. The University of Tokyo is a public research university located in Bunkyō, Tokyo, Japan. Established in 1877, the university is the first Imperial University and currently is one of the top-ranking universities in Japan and the world. The online conference was divided into two days. On the first day of the conference student were introducing their respective university to each other. As both KazNU and Tokyo University being one of the top universities in respective countries, students found many common points when discussing their university and studies. Additionally, students from Kazakhstan showcased how people celebrate International Women’s Day in Kazakhstan, as it is not celebrated in Japan. Japanese students were very interested in this holiday and noted various cultural differences between Kazakhstan and Japan. KazNU students prepared a video showing how International Women’s Day is celebrated in Kazakhstan and how cities in Kazakhstan become filled with various kinds of flowers and gifts. Students noted the importance of International Women’s Day as not only recognition of women around the world, but also celebration of Women’s achievements and importance of discourse regarding Women’s rights. On the second day of the online conference students discussed the current crisis in Ukraine. Students presented their opinions on the situation as how it is presented in Kazakhstan and Japan. The discourse was proved to be fruitful, as students from both universities were able to expand their view on the topic and gain a new perspective. In the end students at both universities agreed that peace is crucial and hoped for a soon resolution of the conflict.