On August 13, 2026, students of the Undergraduate Program in Japanese Literature, USU, and students of the Faculty of Policy Studies, Chuo University, Japan, once again held the STUDENT FORUM. During this activity, representatives from each student group gave presentations. Students from the Undergraduate Program in Japanese Literature FIB USU gave their presentations in Japanese; meanwhile, 17 students from the Faculty of Policy Studies, Chuo University, Japan gave their presentations in Indonesian.

The presentation themes in the forum included:
a. Religion in Japan and Indonesia
b. The Use of SNS (Social Media) in Japan and Indonesia
c. Conditions and Situations During the Pandemic in Japan and Indonesia
d. Ways of Living Together with Minorities in Japan and Indonesia

The Student Forum was opened by the Dean of FIB USU, Mr. Mhd. Pujiono, M.Hum., Ph.D., who warmly welcomed the students from the Faculty of Policy Studies, Chuo University, Japan, and praised their enthusiasm in learning Indonesian and their willingness to visit FIB USU, Medan.

The Head of the Undergraduate Program in Japanese Literature FIB USU, Mr. Alimansyar, M.A., Ph.D., in his remarks, stated that the Student Forum has been held since 2018 as an in-person activity at FIB USU. However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the activity was conducted online. He also expressed his gratitude to Prof. Kato, the Lecturer PIC from the Faculty of Policy Studies, Chuo University, Japan, who continues to bring and accompany Japanese students to FIB USU every year.

Similarly, Prof. Kato expressed his appreciation to the Undergraduate Program in Japanese Literature for maintaining good cooperation from year to year. He also expressed his hope that this cooperation would continue in the future.

Finally, after the Student Forum presentation session concluded, 17 students from the Faculty of Policy Studies, Chuo University, Japan participated in a homestay for 3 nights and 4 days at the homes of designated students' families from the Undergraduate Program in Japanese Literature. The homestay aimed to provide the students of the Faculty of Policy Studies, Chuo University, Japan with an opportunity to learn about and observe the actual lives of families in the North Sumatran community.

Certainly, this provided both groups of students with many learning experiences and opportunities to exchange information about Indonesia and Japan.