George Mason University student Kaloyan Kostov recently returned from a ten day trip to Japan as the inaugural winner of the CEPEX Japan Studies Award. Kaloyan began his trip with a brief internship at the Sojitz Research Institute in Tokyo where he drafted a report on the Asia Development Bank. On a visit to the U.S. Embassy in Akasaka, Kaloyan had an unexpected opportunity to have a short personal meeting with Ambassador Roos. In addition to being able to meet with members of the Japanese Diet, World Bank experts, U.S. Embassy staff and Japanese corporate executives, Kaloyan had some time to explore the many sights and sounds of Tokyo. A fan of Japanese video games and computers, Kaloyan especially enjoyed shopping and sightseeing around the areas of Harajuku, Shibuya and Akihabara.

During the second half of the trip, Kaloyan visited Gunma Prefecture by shinkansen, in order to experience life in rural Japan. In Gunma, he took his first dip in a Japanese onsen, hiked Mt. Myogi, and slept peacefully on a futon for the first time. He also had the opportunity to use his Japanese skills with the many locals who graciously hosted him there. “This experience was absolutely incredible for me,” Kaloyan said upon his return to Virginia. “I am very grateful for having been selected for the award.”