Inspiring to see mutual interest of Chinese and Japanese people

I was surprised recently to find how closely Chinese internet surfers follow what happens in Japan. A short Japanese TV program about a middle school aired early this month has touched many a Chinese citizen's nerve. The school's principal encouraged his students to speak to their classmate crush.

Some students texted words of affection to their peers rather than mouthing them aloud, as the principal said, thanks to social networking technology. The principal wanted his students to bare their soul and share their emotions. Several teens came forward hollering out their "love" in front of the whole school. One boy was delirious after finding the girl whom he "loves" has the same feeling for him; others were rejected and tearful.

The annual program is designed to help children speak about either their affection or anxieties.