On
14th of September, all the participant of kizuna-youth exchange
programme1st batch delegation from Malaysia gathered at Sekolah
Menengah Agama Persekutuan Kajang for a pre-departure camp. The camp started
with an ice breaking session on the first night and briefing by the
facilitators and the Japan Information Service represented by Mr. Isogaya on
the other day. Then on the evening, we practiced for the cultural performance
until the night. On the final day of our camp, which is on the 16th
of September, we took our Japanese Proficiency Examination for form 4 students.
After that, we went to the Concorde Inn KLIA for a pre-departure briefing by
our travel agent.
Miyazaki A before
departure at Kuala Lumpur International Airport
On
the 17th of September, we arrived at the Narita International
Airport around 7.00 a.m. When travelled to the Shinjuku Washington Hotel by bus
that took about 45 minutes. We were given our lunch and rest until 2.30 p.m.
Then we went to the TKP building for an orientation with the Japan
International Cooperation Centre (JICE) and our coordinators. We were briefed
on the flow our programme and the basics do’s and don’ts for the programme. On 5.00 p.m we had dinner according to our
groups.
On
the 18th of September, we checked out from the Shinjuku Washington
Hotel and then went to the TKP Building for a lecture on The Effect of Japan
Earthquake and order of recovery by Mr. Nogami Tatsuya from Meiji University.
The lecture was focused on the effect of the disaster which includes damages to
building, cost of loss, injury and death. Then on the second session we focused
on the recovery steps took such as cleaning up the debris from the disaster,
making temporary houses, and voluntary work. After lunch, we head to the Kasama
Ceramic Training Centre in Ibaraki for a lecture The Effect of Japan Earthquake
and order of recovery in Kasama. The journey took about 2 hours by bus. We were
lectured about the horrible loss of ceramic industry of Kasama city such as the
first kiln in Japan, ceramic roofs, merchandise, and the hardship of the
civilians from Kasama had to face from the earthquake. The had suffered a
terrible loss. Even though the loss was very big, they worked together to
prepare 10,000 bowls for peoples from areas that is more badly effected. When
the lecturer was asked why would the help others even when they are still in
trouble he answered “we are Japanese” which left a big impact to the
participants of this programme. Then we when to the President Hotel Mito to
spent our night there.
On
the 19th of September, we first visited the Kasama-yaki Kiln for a
visit and activity which is ceramic making tutorial which is given by a staff
there. We were also had been shown the Kiln that has been repaired after being
damaged during the earthquake. Even though the kiln was not in use anymore, it
was restored for it historic value. Then we visit the Ibaraki Ceramic Art
museum where ceramic masterpiece was kept. The museum was divided into three
parts which is the first floor, second floor, and the basement. The first floor
is where ceramics from artists which has been acknowledged by Japan as the
nation’s treasure is exhibited such as the masterpiece made by Miya Kyuwa. The
second floor exhibit is for local artists such as Kobayashi Hiroshi and his two
brothers Kikuchi Hiroshi and Komazawa Hiroshi to show their masterpiece.
Finally the basement was devoted for unique ceramic masterpiece from around the
world such as the wonderful panther sculpture made by Ogawa Yuhei besides a
work from international artist such as Robert Arneson.
Next,
we moved to Oarai by bus for a lecture on Tsunami Damages and Risk Management
by Mr. Tobita. From the lecture, we knew the damages done by the tsunami that
struck Oarai that causes many property loss but no life loss. This is because
the risk management there has been planned carefully such as providing sirens
in public areas and also warning receiver in every house in Oarai. There are
also special risk management team in every area to ensure the safety of the
civilians in Oarai from the danger of tsunami. We were also informed that Oarai
is a victim of rumors that states the area was effected by radioactive rays.
The rumour was surely not true as the condition there was in great shape.
The Oarai Culture Centre
One of the aquarium in The Ibaraki
Prefectural Oarai Aquarium
Later,
we visited Ibaraki Prefectural Oarai Aquarium which is the seventh largest
aquarium in Japan. The aquarium hold about 68,000 sea creature from 580
species. The strength of the aquarium has help if survive the earthquake
without any damage to the structure. The height of the aquarium from sea level
help it from being affected by the tsunami which is has a height of 4.5 m. Finally
we went back to the hotel for the day.
On
the 20th of September, we went to visit the Mito City hall by bus.
At the city hall, we get to see the damages done by the earthquake that struck
on the 11th of march 2011. The ground around the building fell about
20 cm because unlike the building, the ground around was not supported by
anything. The inside of the building is also partially damaged until it had to
be shut down because it was unsafe to use the building. The building is damaged
because it is still following the old building specification that states the
every building need to hold up until shido 5 earthquake which is then changed
to shindo 6. The earthquake that struck on 11th of march 2011 was at
the scale of shido 6 positive. A temporary building was build there to
accommodate the city hall and it was build on the same property to not take
other people’s property.
Damages of the Mito City Hall
After
that, we went to visit the Kairakuen-Park which is one of the 3 most beautiful
park in Japan. The park was build by a warrior from the Mito clan. The
‘Thousand Waves’ lake which is at the park is a manmade lake build for a
competition for the greatest lake in Japan during the Edo period. The lake was
3.5 times larger than the lake we see today. The Mito palace is also
accommodated in the park. The palace defence was strategically planned as the
north, south and east side is surrounded by the lake and a river then the west
side is heavily guarded by samurai warriors. We participated in a voluntary
activity to clean up the park to ensure its beauty.
Voluntary work at the Kairakuen-Park
Then we went to the Ibaraki Prefectural Government
Office. We had a talk on the matsuri or festivals that are celebrated around
Ibaraki according the 4 seasons in Japan such as the Kashima festival which
dates back 1,200 years ago that is celebrated in spring and the Ishoka festival
celebrated in fall. All matsuri are dedicated to build up relationship between
the citizens around Ibaraki. Then we when to the top floor of the building to
experience the bird’s eye view of Ibaraki. People can see the 360 degrees view
from the building.
View from the top of the building
Lastly, we when to the Sakuranomaki High school for a
school exchange program. They firstly introduced their school in general to us.
Then we share the daily life of Malaysian school which states our daily
schedule for school. We were also had the chance to have a question and answer
with them which one representative from both countries asked question to the
student from the other country to share our daily life as a student. Finally we
were given a tour by the students around the school to see the environment of
their school. Then we went back to the hotel to spent our night there.
Students from Sakuranomaki High School
On the 21st of September, we went to the
Haneda Airport by bus to take a flight to the Kumamoto Airport at the Kyushu
region. As soon as we arrive in Kumamoto Airport, we took a bus for about 2
hours to reach the town of Gokase. In the evening, we were introduced to our
host family for our home stay program. There
are a total of 9 families all together that are willing to take the
participants as a host famiy. My family consist of 4 members which is Satou
Kumao (father), Satou Yumiko (mother), Satou Yumiko (little brother), and Satou
Kana (little sister). I was on the same family as two other participants which
is Ben Yap and Hijaz. Before reaching our host family house, we when to a
school to see Satou Kana having her Kendo practice. Then we had our dinner at
their house and finally go to bed.
The Kendo team having their practice
Us with the whole Kendo team
On the 22nd of September, all the delegates
from Malaysia joined the Higenbana Matsuri or the Spider Lily Festival. The
festival consist of taking a walk around the area and preparing festive feast together. For this
festival, a special festive food which is Omochi is being prepared especially
for us. The festival when on from morning until around 3.00 p.m in the evening.
Higenbana matsuri is held to celebrate the change from hot season to cold
season.
Part of the walk for the Higanbana
Festival
The process of making Omochi
After
the festival, we went back to our respective host family. In the evening, my
host mother brought us to a Kagura performance near our home stay. The
performance consists of dancing, music and singing. The characters in the
performance is based on the mask that the performer is wearing. The Kagura can
only be performed by a male except for the character of the child. Every
performance has its own story and is told by dancing, singing and music.
Part
of the Kagura Performance
At
our host family house, we specially prepared ‘ketupat’ and ‘kuah kacang’ for
our host family. We brought the ingredients from Malaysia and prepared it for
them. Our host family enjoyed the meal as most of them love spicy food. Finally
that night we shared things about Malaysia with our family including tourism highlights,
animals, and a little about our school.
They
also shared things about Gokase. Gokase is a little isolated but is a famous
tourism spot for skiing and snowboarding. On the next morning, also will be
held a marathon heading to the Ski Resort as an annual event.
On
23rd of September, we went to the Kamigumi Elementary School for
their annual sports day. As the number students from the school are only about
50 people, there are also many events for family members. Many people from the
area gathered together for the event. There are also beautiful cultural
performances by all of the students such as the soran bushi. The delegates from
Malaysia also had a chance to join in some of the events held there.
Malaysian delegates at the Kamigumi
sports day
After
the sports day, we when to the Kijiya Hotel to prepare for the farewell party
that night. All the host families came to the farewell party at the Kijiya
Hotel. The event started with a feast for the host families and participants.
Then there was a dance performance by the Malaysian delegates followed by a
choir by all of the delegates. It was an emotional moment as it is time for the
participant and their respective host family to give their farewell.
Dance performance by Malaysian delegates
On the 24th of September, we went to the
Takachiho High School. The visit started with a general introduction to the
school. The speech is given by the vice principle. We were introduced to the
three fields of study and the co-curricular activities available at the school.
The school has a tea plantation as well as farm animals near the school for
practice to the students that are taking the field of production and
distribution.
The kendo team is also has proven to be one of the best
in Japan when they became the champion of the country 25 times. We were lucky
to be able to spend so practice time with the team. 30 of us had the chance of
trying out a martial art that is very unique.
Kendo practice
Other then the kendo practice, 16 of us also had the
chance to learn Japanese calligraphy. They learn from students that is a member
of the calligraphy club.
Finished calligraphy
After
that, we had an interaction session with all of the students from the
school. The performed the Kagura which
tell the story of a god hiding behind a stone. Then the Malaysian delegates
also had the chance to perform the dance and our choir. The ceremony ended with
exchange of presents by both side.
Finally,
we were given a lecture on prevention of natural disasters. We were taught to
deal with natural disasters before they happen. This includes identifying
affected areas and suitable temporary shelter.
Hands-on activity
In the end of the day, we
had a workshop to discuss our finding for the period of 8 days that we are in
Japan. Each group was divided into 3 smaller group for this workshop. Then the
discussion of the 3 small groups will be combined to form a group conclusion
that will be presented in Tokyo.
Group discussion
On the 25th of September, we headed to the
Kumamoto Airport to take a flight back to Haneda Airport. We have to be in
Tokyo for a presentation our discussion that we had earlier. We presented our
findings to Ms. Noor Hidayu from the human resource department and Mr.
Yoshiharu Kato, Senior Regional Coordinator. Miyazaki A and Miyazaki B which is
represented by Fazrul Amin and Aimanul Hakim presented their findings.
Group presentation
On the 26th
of September, we checked out from our hotel for the last time and went to the
Narita International Airport to depart back to Malaysia.
No comments:
Post a Comment