Japanese participants are students of the COB Basic Seminars while American participants are a group of students from University of Missouri at St. Louis (UMSL) led by Dr. Allan Bird, Eiichi Shibusawa-Seigo Arai Professor of Japanese Studies at UMSL.

Students of the two universities are expected to discuss by email to develop topics of mutual interests, ranging from such personal topics as life at university and career aspiration to the latest business developments in the U.S. and
Japan and will prepare short presentations ahead of time. On May 19, conference participants will give presentations, respond to questions, and undertake discussions. The conference, including preparation, should provide an opportunity for students of both schools to learn from each other about their perspectives on subjects of mutual interests.

Each of twenty Basic Seminar classes at COB will also act as a "host family" to a student from UMSL by developing hospitality plans for a day, propose them to each of the UMSL students before their arrival, communicate among each other to find out students' interests and finalize a tour plan. The planning stage should allow UMSL students to develop further interest in Japan, while it should be a good chance for COB students to think thoroughly about what they want to show/tell the UMSL students. The actual tour part should provide an opportunity for students of both schools to learn from each other about their perspectives in a more casual/informal setting.