Dean Brad Hamm, associate dean for undergraduate studies Bonnie Brownlee and sophomore Audrie Garrison are in Japan and Korea this month as part of the Roy W. Howard National Collegiate Reporting Competition study trip, joining eight other student winners for the international tour.

Scripps Howard Foundation sponsors the writing competition in conjunction with the School of Journalism to honor the memory of Roy W. Howard, who led Scripps Howard Newspapers from 1922-1953 and United Press from 1912-1920.


On this page, watch for regular updates of the group's activities and experiences, based on Hamm's phone calls to Beth Moellers, School of Journalism communications director, who compiled the travelogue.

June 22:

The Roy Howard winners learned lessons in journalistic preparation and persistence Thursday when the visited the Japanese Imperial Palace, nearly 73 years to the day Roy Howard made the same trip to the Imperial Palace to interview Emperor Hirohito, the first such interview ever granted an American journalist.

Trip leader Brad Hamm, dean of the IU School of Journalism and a Roy Howard scholar, told the group that Howard's persistence and strong relationships in Japan laid the foundation for him to get the interview.

"He aimed high because no one else had ever done it before. He wanted to do that as a journalist," Hamm said. "The second part is that he had built up all of the professional credentials so that it seemed natural for him to do it."

Among those credentials were that he had been to Japan before and met with Japanese journalism leaders at his home in New York. He had significant deep relationships in Japan and then when the time came it produced this interview, Hamm said.

But getting the interview required some persistence. Howard arrived in Japan in May with the hopes of interviewing the emperor that month. Eventually, he had to leave for China, but he came back through Japan before leaving for home. He got the interview and published the story in his papers on June 23, 1933.

The first two paragraphs of the story read "Japanese-American friendship, understanding and co-operation are of the utmost importance to peace, not only in the Far East, but in the world, in the opinion of his imperial majesty, Hirohito, Emperor of Japan.

"This fact was impressed forcefully on me today when I was granted the first audience extended to an American newspaperman by any Japanese ruler."

The day held even more surprises when the group appeared briefly on Japanese TV. After leaving the palace, the students we went to NHK Studio Park, a Japanese TV network much like the BBC. The group was watching the live taping of the Japanese interview show called Hello from Studio Park when the hostess, Yumiko Udo, came over to the group, asked where they were from and bragged that the show was developing an international following.

The group closed the day's activities by meeting with Dr. David Satterwhite, executive director of Japan-United States Educational Commission (Fulbright program), and current Fulbright journalist Charles Burres, a reporter with the San Francisco Chronicle. The two talked about current issues in Japan and Asia and then Burres shared his experience of covering Japan, Korea and China.

Next up: The group will return to Chicago on an afternoon flight from Tokyo. Because of the time difference, students will arrive in Chicago in the early afternoon on Friday. The student winners will be honored at an awards luncheon Saturday at the Hilton O'Hare before they return home.

June 21:

Newspapers and electronics with a side of sushi were on the menu Wednesday for the Roy Howard winners.

The group visited Asahi Shimbun, the second-largest circulation newspaper in the world. With more than 8 million subscribers, Asahi prints both morning and afternoon papers. The group met with Asahi's director of training programs who explained how they print and deliver the paper. Japanese readers commit to reading a newspaper at a very early age, the students were told. Despite that fact, Japanese newspaper circulation is experiencing some declines like other papers around the world. Readership is still extremely high compared to any other country, said trip leader Brad Hamm, dean of IU's School of Journalism.

Earlier in the day, the students visited the Tsukiji fish market, the largest fish market in the world. The market handles more than 2,000 tons of fish and other marine products every day. The students had a lunch of fresh sushi at the market.

They also visited the Akihabara electronics district, an area of Tokyo filled with hundreds of electronics stores ranging in size from huge to tiny. Hamm said he arranged the visit to show the students the variety of cutting edge technology available in Japan.

Next up: For the last full day abroad, the group will go to the Imperial Palace where Roy Howard was the first American journalist to interview Emperor Hirohito.

Later in the day, they'll go to NHK, a Japanese television network which is similar to the BBC.

June 20:

Roy Howard winners talked Japanese journalism with an editor and reporter at Japan's oldest newspaper, Mainichi Shimbun.

Junichi Shiraga, an editor, and reporter Yoji Hanaoka talked with the students for about an hour. Hanaoka, who is based in Osaka, but travels to cover disasters worldwide, told the students about covering the 1995 Kobe earthquake which killed more than 5,000 people. He also shared his experience of covering the tsunami in Sri Lanka.

After chatting with the journalists, the students toured the presses as the afternoon edition of the paper was being printed. The press that they observed generates 150,000 copies per hour. Mainichi Shimbun has five similar presses which are located six floors below ground to limit the noise.

Mainichi Shimbun has the third largest circulation in the world and prints about 4 million newspapers in the morning and then another 1 to 2 million in the afternoon. Another of the paper's claims to fame was that it was the first paper to offer home delivery.

Brad Hamm, dean of the Indiana University School of Journalism, attributed the high circulation rates to the strength of the papers and high Japanese literacy rates. American papers, nearly all of which are struggling to retain younger readers, are taking a page from the Japanese, Hamm said. In January, a number of papers including the Los Angeles Times and the Seattle Post-Intelligencer began running manga, Japanese comics which are similar to anime, but aren't animated. The decision to add manga was made with the hope that they would interest younger readers.

Prior to visiting the newspaper, students went to a Japanese bookstore, Kinoauniya where they browsed the magazine section. By mid-afternoon the group left Osaka for a bullet train ride to Tokyo. They are staying in Ana Hotel in Tokyo.

Next up: The students will work their way up the ladder of print circulation leaders with a visit to the 8-million circulation Asahi Shimbun, the second largest newspaper in the world. The group will also check out new technology at Akihabara, the famed electronics shopping district in Tokyo.

June 19:

Monday was a day for exploring Kyoto, which was the capital of Japan for more than 1,000 years.

The Roy Howard winners visited the Ryoanji rock garden, which is estimated to be about 500 years old. The rock garden is designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

The also saw Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion), another World Heritage Site. In the afternoon, they went to the Heian Shrine and gardens and the Kiyomizu Temple.

Back in Osaka, the group went to Namba, an area that is popular with young people. There they ate "shabu shabu," a style of meal where vegetables and thin-sliced beef are cooked in boiling water at the table.


Next Up: Tuesday,they visit Mainichi Shimbun, one of the top three largest circulation newspapers in the world. Roy Howard had strong connections to journalism leaders at Mainichi, including a family connection. Howard's son, Jack, worked for the newspaper in Japan. Also, the group will return to Tokyo by bullet train for the final segment of the trip.

June 18:

On Sunday, June 18, 1933, Roy Howard arrived in Osaka, Japan to meet with newspaper leaders, visit friends and travel to nearby cultural sites.

Sunday, 73 years later to the day, the Roy W. Howard reporting winners arrived in Osaka.

The students spent Sunday traveling from Korea to Japan. They left the Hotel Lotte on an airport shuttle at 5:50 a.m. They arrived at Tokyo Narita Airport before noon, then took the airport express train to the city.

There, they boarded the world-famous Shinkansen, the Japanese bullet train, for a three-hour ride from Tokyo to Osaka. The bullet trains can reach speeds of more than 200 miles per hours. The trip from Tokyo to Osaka passes through major cities such as Nagoya and Kyoto, but also provides great views of the Japanese countryside, rice fields and mountains.

At dinner, the group was joined by Roy Howard's granddaughter, Pam Howard. She will accompany the group in Japan.

The students enjoyed a traditional Japanese meal in a private room in an Umeda restaurant. Umeda is a highly developed area of businesses, train stations, restaurants and shops in Osaka where the students are staying.

The dinner included many small dishes, such as Japanese vegetables, sushi, tofu and chicken. Dishes are shared by everyone at the table. In traditional Japanese style, students removed their shoes at the entrance of the private dining hall.

Next up: Monday, the group will make a day-long visit to nearby Kyoto, the capital of Japan for more than 1,000 years.

June 17:

On Saturday, the final day in Seoul, the group visited Gyeongbokgung Palace in the morning. Gyeongbokgung was the main palace in Seoul from 1392 to 1910.

Though the palace buildings and grounds were destroyed during invasions over 500 years, the site includes rebuilt housing, dining hall, meeting rooms and a garden for royalty.

Students were given free time in the afternoon to explore on their own.

Some went to the Namsan Seoul Tower, which overlooks the city from the mountaintop. At night, visitors can see the lights of the city for miles from both the tower and from a cable car which travels up and down the mountain.
Other students went to the Folk Village or an art museum.

Next up: Sunday the group travels from Korea to Japan for the final week of the trip.

June 16:

Why carry cash when you can use your cell phone to buy groceries?

The Roy W. Howard winners visited SK Telecommunications outside Seoul, South Korea, Friday and checked out cell phone technology that Koreans are already using. The cell phone works like a credit card and allows users to make purchases at vending machines and stores.

It is hard to describe, but it isn't futuristic, said Dean Brad Hamm. It is important that the students see the level of sophisticated technology in use in other countries.

Students also got to make video calls via cell phone in the SK Telecommunications showroom. Earlier in the visit, the students watched videos about the company, its current goals and about how telephone service works within South Korea.

The students started out their Friday when the Samsung bus picked them up at the hotel and took them to the Samsung complex in Suwon, which is about a 45-minute drive outside of Seoul.

Samsung employees took a group photo at the entrance of the building in front of a sign welcoming the winners. By the end of the tour, the students were presented with mouse pads which incorporated the group photo.

While at Samsung, students checked out cell phone with TV screens, 80-inch TV monitors (which cost up to $100,000), advanced household electronics including a laptop computer weighing only two pounds and "smart" refrigerators and washers.


Next up:
Students will visit an historic palace in Seoul Saturday morning and will have some free time for small group shopping and exploring trips.

More traveling is on tap Sunday as the group flies to Tokyo and takes the bullet train to Osaka.

June 15:

More than 50 years after journalist Roy W. Howard met with Gen. Douglas MacArthur at the border between North and South Korea, writing contest winners followed his path.

Howard visited the border area in 1953 during the Korean conflict. Winners of the contest bearing his name went there Thursday.

While at the DMZ, the students went into the Third Infiltration Tunnel where North Koreans had attempted to cross the border. The tunnel was discovered in 1978. It is 240 feet below ground and was likely built with the intention of invading Seoul.

Also on the agenda was a visit to Dorasan Station, the last train stop in South Korea. The station was built with the hope that train service could be restored to North Korea and eventually to Europe.

It was a powerful visit, School of Journalism Dean Brad Hamm said. The students could clearly see the gap dividing the nation, the military presence and the reminders of war.

After visiting the DMZ, the group went to Maeil, the largest business newspaper in Korea. Hamm said they were surprised that chairman and publisher Dae-whan Chang acted as their host. Chang, who has a Ph.D. from New York University, talked with the students about the operation, which not only publishes the 1 million circulation Maeil business daily, but also owns the 24-hour cable channel Maeil Business TV news. Maeil publishes books and weekly magazines and just started a radio service.

The students toured the press area, saw the next day's paper being printed and watched a live broadcast at the TV facilities.

Another host at Maeil was staff reporter Bak-Won Chang. Chang will spend a year at the School of Journalism as a visiting scholar.

Next up:
Friday, the students will focus on technology and new media with a visit to Samsung Electronics in Suwon in the morning and tour of SK Telecommunications in the afternoon.

June 14:

The first full day in South Korea was a whirlwind of media visits and technological exploration for the nine Howard winners and two trip leaders.

The group was wowed by a visit to "Future Home" in U-Dream Hall at South Korea's Ministry of Communication and Information. "Future Home" shows how current technology can be applied to daily living. Students toured the home room by room to learn about its features. The home uses voice command technology to make life's little snags disappear. If you tell the house you are leaving, it asks if you want a live traffic or weather report. It closes the blinds and turns off the lights while you are away.

The students were astonished by the technology, dean Brad Hamm reported.

Earlier in the day, the group visited the Chosun Ilbo, the largest and oldest Korean daily newspaper. Editors told the group that true press freedom finally occurred in 1987, so that only one generation of Koreans has experienced it. But they said they still feel pressure from the South Korean president. They believe that recent policies restricting the amount of market share each paper is allowed have been designed to limit the power of the three major daily newspapers which have all been critical of President Roh Moo-Hyun.

After leaving Chosun Ilbo, the group had lunch at the Korea Press Institute and toured the Korean Press Foundation which helps educate journalists within the country and internationally. The students met some journalists from abroad who were attending a four-week journalism education session at the Institute.

Afterward, they toured Korea's Press museum called the Presseum, where they saw early printing presses and learned about the history of reporting, photojournalism and editorial cartoons in Korea.

Students then took their first subway ride in Seoul to visit SBS-TV, where they saw a video presentation about the network and listened to a talk about the way SBS is using cell phone technology to provide traditional television content. The students toured the SBS news facilities and broadcast rooms for TV and radio. Then, they watched a taping of a television drama.

Meanwhile, Hamm and associate dean Bonnie Brownlee, along with Korea University professor Taik Sup Auh, were invited to meet SBS President and CEO Kugjung Ahn. They talked for nearly an hour about SBS-TV's plans in the new broadcast and digital age.

Auh, who received his master's degree and Ph.D from IU, is retiring from Korea University this year and will close out his career as a special visiting professor at the IU School of Journalism in the fall.

SBS-TV president Ahn later met with each of the students and presented company gifts to them. The day ended with a buffet dinner of traditional Korean food on the 21st floor of the Royal Hotel overlooking downtown Seoul.

Next up:
Thursday, students will take a charter day trip from Seoul to visit the Demilitarized Zone between North and South Korea.

June 13:

The Roy W. Howard National Collegiate Reporting Competition winners and trip leaders arrived in Seoul, South Korea, Tuesday just in time to help South Koreans celebrate their country's win over Togo in the World Cup soccer match.

Thousands of red-shirted fans sang national songs and jammed the streets in front of the city hall while watching the game, broadcast from Germany, on giant television screens.

The journalism group, which includes the nine national winners, dean Brad Hamm and associate dean Bonnie Brownlee, is staying a the Hotel Lotte, just one block from the city hall celebration.

Hamm, winner Christine Won from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and Kyunghee University journalism professor Young Min shook off their travel weariness to watch the match with the crowds. Won speaks Korean, so was happy to translate the action as well as the celebration. They saw Korea score the winning goal as thousands of fans cheered and fireworks shot off from the tallest building downtown. A rock concert followed at midnight.

Next up:
Wednesday, the group gets down to business with a visit to Chosun Ilbo, South Korea's largest newspaper, and to SBS-TV, a commercial television outlet.




For more stories about Roy W. Howard, the competition and this trip, read:

a story about the winners;

an article about the contest;

information from the Scripps Howard Foundation Web site;

an article about Audrie Garrison's award;

an article about Roy W. Howard's ties to the School of Journalism.