REPORT ON THE JENESYS 2016 GROUP 1 DISASTER PREVENTION AND RECONSTRUCTION

Transcription

1 REPORT ON THE JENESYS 2016 GROUP 1 DISASTER PREVENTION AND RECONSTRUCTION 12 th 21 st OCTOBER 2016: TOKYO/IWAKI CITY, FUKUSHIMA, JAPAN JENESYS GROUP 1 LAUNCH ON 06 TH OCTOBER AT USP, SUVA JENESYS 2016 GROUP 1 WITH JOCA AND COORDINATORS IN IWAKI CITY, JAPAN LAST GROUP PHOTO BEFORE DEPARTING NARITA AIRPORT FIONA MORREL SUPERVISOR GROUP 1

2 INTRODUCTION JENESYS 2016 Group 1 participants consisted of two supervisors and twenty eight students from the University of the South Pacific (See Appendix 1). The 9 days experience and tour had allowed a deeper understanding of the unique lifestyles of the Japanese people. While the entire trip was aligned on the theme Disaster Prevention and Reconstruction, the greater insights of Japan also included visits to the cultural sites apart from the disaster management history site visits. The following table lists the different places that the group visited with brief comments of the activities. Day/Date Activities & Places of Visits Comments Thursday 13 th Oct. AM Orientation PM Reconstruction Agency Officially met with JOCA Visited the Reconstruction Agency and was astonished at what the agency has achieved in the last Friday 14 th Oct. Saturday 15 th Oct. AM Travel to Iwaki City PM History/Site Visit: - Great East Japan Earthquake Display Centre - Tsunami (Toyoma & Usuiso Area) AM Culture/ Disaster Management - Aquamarine Fukushima PM Cultural Exchange - (The Hula Dance Team) - Museum (Sekitan/Kaseki Kan (Fossil Museum) - Homestay 5years Visiting the earthquake display centre that displayed images from the most powerful earthquake that had a magnitude of 9.0 followed by the tsunami that caused immense damage from Tohoku to the Kanton region. Visited the Aquamarine Fukushima that was damaged during the tsunami Viewed the cultural shows that portrayed the different dances from the Polynesian countries. Had the opportunity to have a glimpse of the fossil museum. Sunday 16 th Oct. Homestay Participants spent a night with their host families Monday 17 th Oct. AM Cultural Experience (Cotton Products Program by local NGO) Tuesday 18 th Oct. PM Exchange Program (National Institute of Technology, Fukushima College) AM Travel to Tokyo City PM Disaster Prevention Site Visit (Sona Had a first glimpse on the cultural experience by visiting the cotton farm Visited and shared the insights of the National Institute of Technology, Fukushima College through exchange program. JENESYS group participated in various cultural items that represents their tradition and culture of the Pacific Country Visited the Sona Area, Tokyo and had a taste of what a 9.0 earthquake

3 Wednesday 19 th Oct. Area, Tokyo) AM History Site Visit (Asakusa Area) PM Reporting Session felt like while in an elevator Visited the Sensoji Temple at the Asakusa area. Had a glance of the religious culture of the temple and experienced first-hand the different types of people that visits this temple. Presentation by each group and wrapping up with JOCA The rest of the report summarizes the highlights of the group s activities in Japan, outlining how these new experiences of learning have contributed to shape [my] understanding of the Japanese culture and lifestyle. HIGHLIGHTS Environment A peculiarly clean environment with almost no evidence of littering was observed. The first glimpse of the nightlife was when we arrived at Narita International Airport. The refreshing cool air and the clean environment took us by surprise as we walked out of the airport to board our bus. The first sight of littering was at the train station at Shinjuku on our last night in Tokyo City. The cool and clear weather was impressive as the group enjoyed both the indoor and outdoor activities that were scheduled for the trip.

4 Natural Disaster The earthquake that occurred off the Pacific coast of Tohoku on March 11, 2011 was the most powerful earthquake ever recorded in the history of Japan with a magnitude of 9.0. The tsunami it triggered and the subsequent aftershocks caused immense damage from Tohoku to the Kanto region in Japan. Culture I. People The Japanese people have shown us a lot and have instilled in us the passion to do well and support each other. A unique visible of the Japanese people is their sense of humility, respect for other and their friendliness. For example, the welcome at the airport by our Japanese Coordinator and our Translator was very friendly, and the kindness that the host families showed towards each participant is a memory that will be cherished for a lifetime.

5 JOCA Representatives welcomes JENESYS October Group 2016 during Orientation Day. The bond that was created at the homestay with the host families will be forever treasured by each participant. The host families accepted the participants into their homes and treated them just like their own children, To this we are very thankful to the people of Iwaki. II. Traditional Customs It is admirable to see how the Japanese people continue to wear their traditional costume in Japan. This signifies the culture that they represent and it demonstrates their respect for the Japanese culture.

6 III. Food The food is totally different compared to the food here in the Pacific countries. The Japanese cuisine encompasses the regional and traditional foods of Japan. Deep fried shrimp tempura being served for dinner. The chocolates are considered healthy due to the absence of refined sugar and the use of healthy ingredients such as green tea.

7 CONCLUSION Firstly, I would like to take this time to acknowledge the people and Government of Japan through Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan (MOFA) for organizing this program, secondly to the Japan Overseas Cooperative Association (JOCA) for coordinating the program and thirdly I would like to acknowledge Mr Kinoshita Fumio and Mr Katsuhiro Utsumi for their assistance and guidance from the time we arrived at Narita Airport and throughout the nine days that they were with us. I would also like to acknowledge the JENESYS 2016 Committee for selecting me as one of the Supervisors for the October Group, a big thank you to my other colleague and buddy Mr Rupeni Tawake and to the twenty eight students that were selected for the October Trip, you all have made this trip a memorable and an unforgettable one. ARIGATOU GOZAIMAS

8 APPENDIX 1 NO. GIVEN NAME SURNAME NATIONALITY GENDER 1 Aman Prasad Fijian Male 2 Arci Uphaar Singh Fijian Female 3 Audrey Laura Pina Liti Samoan Female 4 Bralin Tari Vanuatuan Female 5 Broderick John Mervin Fijian Male 6 Christian Tutui Manepolo Solomon Islander Male 7 Esita Taubale Daveta Fijian Female 8 Fifine Tari Vanuatuan Female 9 Ghona Ghorepitu Solomon Islander Male 10 Ilaisa George Senimoli Fijian Male 11 Jenny Lobo Solomon Islander Female 12 Joycelyn Moote Kiribati Female 13 Joshua Vincent Sopapelu Fijian Male 14 New Year Lapuaosalele Vavae Samoan Female 15 Lavenia Kalolaini Duribalavu Fijian Female 16 Maneesha Rao Fijian Female 17 Monica Tatia Solomon Islander Female 18 Nikil Roylesh Nand Fijian Male 19 Marino Peter Tiamua Vanuatuan Male 20 Poonam Pritika Singh Fijian Female 21 Rangi-Taumata-Taputukura- Mariri Cook Islander Female O-Te-Rangi 22 Ratu Rovarovaivalu Vesikula Fijian Male Lawedua 23 Samuela Draunivudi Fijian Male 24 Shruti Saini Fijian Female 25 Suliano Cecil Waqabaca Fijian Male 26 Tarawa Taubo Kiribati Male 27 Tony Wale Solomon Islander Male 28 Watson Cyrus Anikawai Solomon Islander Male 29 Fiona Morrel Fijian Female 30 Rupeni Tawake Fijian Male