Report: JENESYS Experiences and new things learnt in Japan 14/02/2017

Transcription

1 Name: Suk Jiang Kan Student ID Number: S University/College: The University of the South Pacific Nationality: Fijian JENESYS Tour date: 14 th February to 24 th February, 2017

2 Report: JENESYS 2016 Japan East-Asia Network of Exchange for Students and Youths (JENESYS) is organized by JOCA and funded by the Japanese Government. The aim of this program is to promote mutual trust and understanding between Japan and the Pacific Island countries and promote a global understanding of Japans history and diverse culture. Our program started on the 14 th of February to the 23 th of February and the schedule was centered on the program s theme Trade, Investment, and Tourism. There were 36 participants traveled to Japan to represent our home countries and learn about the Japanese culture in the Jenesys 2016 program. I was really proud that Jenesys Group 5 had people from all the 11 member countries (Marshall Islands, Solomon Islands, Palau, Nauru, Cook Islands, Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, Vanuatu and Micronesia.) Experiences and new things learnt in Japan 14/02/2017 We met at USP then travelled by bus to Tanoa Skylodge, Nadi, Fiji. The 17 of us in Fiji practiced our cultural performances. 15/02/2017 DAY 1 We flew from Nadi to Incheon, then Incheon to Narita Airport. As someone who had never been on the plane since 5 years old, the whole experience was amazing and I was very comfortable. During the flight on Korean Airlines, meals were given along with refreshments in between the meals by the lovely flight attendants. Nadi International Airport Upon reaching Tokyo in Japan, we were received by Suzuki, Chizu Kanada (Interpretor), Mori Katsuya (Course Coordinator) and Maki-san. We were taken directly to Shin Yokohama Prince Hotel by bus, but along the way we were given a tour of the many beautiful buildings and landscapes passing by. From left: Isimasi, Chizu Kanada, Suzuki-san, Maki-san and Mori Katsuya Shin Yokohama Prince Hotel, Tokyo

3 16/02/2017 DAY 2 After meeting all the participants, we all traveled together to Yoyogi National Olympic Memorial Youth Center to have our Orientation. Yoyogi National Olympic Memorial Youth Center In the Orientation, Yasuki Tukami (In charge of Jenesys 2016 program) and Hara Koji (JOCA, Director of Human Resources) talked about the purpose and theme of the Jenesys 2016 program, how we would promote the program, and important rules we must follow. I learnt that they sometimes sell alcohol in the vending machines. Yasuki Tukami and Hara Koji before Orientation Pacific Island Art Center Pacific Island Art Centre We received a lecture from Kurosaki, who promotes PIC and introduces activities. The centre started in 1996 and their purpose was to contribute sustainable economic development in foreign island countries. In the lecture, I learnt that 80% of the fish that Japan eats is imported from PIC s and that the Japanese Fish Market is the world s biggest fish market. We then visited the Sensoji Temple, which is one of the oldest Buddhist temples in Japan located in Asakusa. After exploring the area, we met under the huge lantern at the Kaminarimon (Thunder) gate. Sensoji Temple

4 17/02/17 DAY 3 Fisheries Cooperative Association The company is the leading fishing company in Japan. They export to Singapore, Thailand and Taiwan. I learnt that Swordfish was very popular and that Tuna may have a chance of becoming extinct in the future. Fisheries Cooperative Association, Okinawa We visited the Okinawa Sports Association which promotes sports related activities and trains teams for the 2020 Olympic Games. Tsugio Maehara (The Director) wants to invite rugby teams (for example Australia, Fiji and New Zealand rugby teams) to train in Okinawa as they have good facilities and warm weather. Tsugio Maehara giving a lecture Nishizaki Comprehensive Sports Park The sports park had a multipurpose court, baseball field, track and field, swimming pool with a waterslide, and a water amusement park Shinsui Koen. The swimming pool and waterslide was only open for summer. I learnt that the Athletes would bow before and after using the field as a sign of respect and gratitude. From left: Gushiken Manabu, Yoshikazu Ooshiro, Decery, Chizusan, Tio and Eddie standing in front of the Baseball field at Nishizaki Comprehensive Sports Park. Shinsui Koen (Water amusement park) Track Field

5 18/02/17 DAY 4 We were at Unten Port before moving to Iheya Island (population of 1250) by ferry. Ishihara Osamu (orchestrates movement of local cooperatives which invigorates local economy in Iheya), mentioned that the population was aging rapidly due to urbanization and that Home stay will grow into a beautiful industry, as they do not have to sacrifice the natural environment for Tourism. Iheya has good priorities in mind while promoting Tourism: sustainability of islands is important! Home Stay Experience Juma Beach Group 1 with Kado-san (Director of JOCA in Okinawa) and Ishihara Osamu I was with Elizabeth, Youvaleen and Cristina during the home stay. Our Host family consisted of Oka-san (Emiko Agaria), our Oto-san (Father), Kotomi (their daughter), Oba-Chan (Grandma) and Rika-san (translator). We experience a bit of the farm life by using spoons to remove the stalk off pumpkins, which was a good and tiring experience. We visited Juma Beach then learnt how to make Tempura (battered seafood and vegetables) for dinner. Oba-chan told us she didn t want us to leave and the house would be quite without us there. After sharing some videos from our home countries, we performed our cultural items. The family played the Sanshin (a traditional instrument) and a Kachashi dance (traditional dance) for us. At one point in the night, they were really surprised that I knew the Pineapple-pen song. Tempura for dinner We had a little to no communication barrier as we knew a bit of Japanese, and the Kotomi and Rikasan knew a bit of English. We were all really happy with the communication going on and found it to be a wonderful and memorable experience. Futon spread out on tatami mats for us to sleep on Dessert: Beetroot jelly

6 19/02/17 DAY 5 Breakfast! Somen champuru at the top left We had Somen champuru (stir fry dish which is specialty of Okinawa) for breakfast. Later, we visited their farms and found out that the vegetables we had for dinner was grown in their own garden. We visited two popular tourist attractions: Kumaya Cave and Nentohiramatsu Park. I learnt that Kumaya Cave is a natural monument of Okinawa and is a very spiritual spot. Nentohiramatsu Park was beautiful and had an old pine tree which was nearly 300 years old. Kumaya Cave Us in front of Nentohiramatsu Pine tree The Home stay experience was very enlightening and a memorable one as we found a deep level of understanding and bonded with each other. Also, tearfully saying goodbye to our host families was probably the most difficult part of this program. Thus, I was glad we only stayed one night at the Home stay family, or else I would have refused to leave the island and the friendly people. When we reached Okinawa, we visited Road Station Kadena and then Mihama American Village I thought the prices of the souvenirs were quite pricey but it was most likely due to the fact they were tourist spots. Road Station Kadena Mihama American Village

7 20/02/17 DAY 6 We visited Shurijo Castle where we saw some priceless artifacts and learnt about the history of the Ryuku Kingdom. Shurijo Castle, Okinawa We had lunch at Ishimeshokudou, where we had some pork feet (another specialty in Okinawa) and tempura. Pork Feet We shopped for souvenirs and snacks at Naha s Kokusai Dori (International) Shopping Street. This street is the main tourist shopping street in Naha. Naha s Koksuai Dori Shopping Street We went for the School Exchange program where we visited Kohnan High School, which is one of the 5 private schools in Japan. I learnt that the students of Kohnan High had a plan to bring in income and invigorate their people s spirits by planning to process beef jerky and sell it to visitors and locals. We shared conversation with the lovely students and found out some similarities and differences between the youths in Japan and the PIC s. Group work at Kohnan High School The Students singing a Japanese song

8 21/02/17 DAY 7 We flew back to Tokyo and visited Odaiba which is a very popular shopping district on the manmade island in Tokyo. Upon shopping, we came across a money exchange machine in one of the malls where it takes in your money and changes it to yen. Shopping district in Odaiba Our hotel Sunshine City Prince Hotel was connected Mall where we discovered a lot of cheap things. We had very little to no cash left, we were disappointed as there were so many things we could have bought. View from Sunshine City Prince Hotel, Tokyo new to a so 22/02/17 DAY 8 Nippon Travel Agency Hitoshi Sato (Manager of Public Relations) gave us a lecture about the company about how it deals with anything to do with Tourism. Nippon is the oldest travel agency in Japan and they just celebrated its 110 th anniversary this year. Kabira - Nippon Travel Agency's Mascot We had our Reporting session where we had 15 minutes for each of the groups to discuss on what our experiences were in the past days, and what our action plans were. Then we performed our cultural performances Group 4's presentation After that, we had our Reception dinner where we met the assembly members from our different countries, mingled with the people there and then performed our cultural performances again.

9 On the 9 th day, we travelled back to our home countries with incredible memories of Japan still fresh in our minds. The people in Japan were so warm and friendly, and the culture was very rich everywhere we went. Challenges A minor challenge was the practice for our Cultural performances. The music was not edited on time due to the fact that Ana kept giving the wrong versions of the songs to edit. Additionally, not everyone showed up for practice and this really interfered with our practice. Nonetheless, we practiced with what we had, pulled through, and the people we performed for seemed to really enjoy our cultural items. Promoting Our Culture I promoted my culture at the Home stay family by the souvenirs we gave, showing them videos of home and performing our cultural items. Also, I did the same at Kohnan High School, where I showed the students Fijian dances and food. At both the places I taught them the word Bula and Moce. The students and the Home stay family seemed to really like Fiji already. Hina-san wearing our souvenirs Group Number 1: The Cheerleaders Group 1 was the best group and we gave ourselves the nickname The Cheerleaders. We had a game plan where everyone had to be the group leader for each of the days and it worked out efficiently. The Cheerleaders had meetings on several nights to go through the activities we did during the day. Our reporting session went smoothly as everyone contributed ideas. The Group Leader Sam did an amazing job as he woke up early every morning to wake everyone up so that everyone would be on time. I had no issues with anyone in the group and I feel that we had grown very fond of each other. The USP Supervisors Nonu and Isimasi were very approachable and very caring. Isimasi took care of the rowdy boys and kept them in check. Additionally, when one of us was sick Nonu would come to check up on us constantly. They were like the Mum and Dad of our group.

10 The Japan Team/staff Our group coordinator was Mori-san and our interpreter was Chizu-san. Group Number 5 grew really fond of these two as they were the sweetest and they really cared about us. Logistics Traveling, food, accommodation and the places we visited was very well organized. Although time seemed short and we wanted to stay longer at some places, we had fun every step of the way. The JENESYS Team USP The Coordinator (Elisha Bano) was very helpful as she got us prepared for the trip to Japan. I haven t travelled outside the country since I was 5 years old, but with all the preparation and tips Elisha gave, I was very comfortable the whole time and adapted well in Japan. The Intern (Ana) was really kind to me, however, the only issue I had was with the music for the cultural performances. I wasn t sure if she was in charge of the music but it really set us back during some practice sessions. I recommend that she try communicating better with the other group leaders so there would not be any misunderstanding between them. Recommendations I have no recommendations as I found the whole program to be very organized. Promoting Japan in Fiji Action Plan: I will post pictures up on my Social media accounts (Facebook and Instagram). I will make a video of our cultural exchange in Japan and post it up on YouTube. I will also tell all my friends about my experiences and give them souvenirs from Japan. Overall, these 9 days of the JENESYS 2016 program was definitely an unforgettable experience. The program has made me learn to appreciate the natural environment in Fiji and the friendly people. Also, it has made me realize that we should practice sustainability in our Pacific Island Countries and preserve our unique culture. I would sincerely like to thank the Japanese Government, the Ministry of Current Affairs, the University of the South Pacific, and the Japanese Overseas Cooperative Association for this opportunity of a lifetime.