U of M, Gustavus bringing home students studying in Japan

Two Minnesota colleges are bringing home students studying in Japan, because of safety concerns after last week's earthquake and tsunami and the current nuclear crisis.

The University of Minnesota says seven students in Tokyo will return within a few days. Four students studying in Osaka and Nagoya will be allowed to stay.

U of M spokesperson Dan Wolter said the move was prompted by a State Department warning that Americans should leave Japan.

"A number of Tokyo universities have closed, and there's just been an inconsistent supply of electricity and transportation in some of those areas," Wolter said. "So the university is deciding to opt on the side of caution here and is bringing those seven students back."

At Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, officials say they hope to have six students studying in Osaka home by Monday.

The college's vice president for finance, Ken Westphal, said the students and their parents are disappointed by the move.

"Even thought their immersion experience in Japan was wonderful, they do have to come home," Westphal said.

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