Twenty-sixth Sasakawa Fellows of Class 2007 had conducted study tour for one week in Japan from 9-17 September 2006. During that period of staying in Japan, we have visited interesting different places in which we absorbed more knowledge to supplement what we had studied at class.

　

 Our first official visit program started from visiting Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MLIT) on 11 September 2006. Shortly arriving, we were warming welcomed by H.E Director General of Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. He delivered and gave a brief explanation of the Ministry. After meeting with H. E Director General, we were divided into 3 groups to meet with specific division of Ministry, which was a great opportunity for us, as following:

　

Group A　Maritime Administration as a Flag State (Ship)

Group B　Maritime Administration as a Flag State (Seafarers)

Group C　Maritime Administration as a Port & Coastal State

 In my group (Group A) we had an excellent explanation of the current situation of the shipping, policy making process and current activities in Japan and the last presentation is about the ship survey system in Japan.

　

 International Shipping Division is work for development, improvement and adjustment of international shipping and also deal with international agreement on shipping. Inspection and Measurement Division and Safety Standard Division are deal with technical issues on ship safety and prevention of marine pollution from ships. The former is more in charge of implementation matters such as rule-making and safety policy and the latter does enforcement matters such as technical survey and certificate.

　

 Even though time was very short and limited but we have got an overview of the topics above mentioned and we have shared and exchanged our experience and knowledge with each other relating to some question and answer. Thank you to ministry's staffs who present. We were very impressed by the explanations of those officers and grateful for their time.

　

 After we finished visiting the MLIT about 12.30 pm. we came back to the hotel. In the afternoon we went to the building of The Nippon Foundation to meet our sponsor Mr. Yohei Sasakawa. After the meeting another important event took place in the same building in the reception room where a nice reception was held specially prepared for Sasakawa's Fellowships. That is the end of our activities of this day.

　

 After having a long trip we arrived to Narita Airport safely. We met Mr. Ichikawa and the tour guide at the airport and we directly went to Museum of Maritime Science to have an orientation about the content of study programme and we had a chance to visit the museum as well.

　

 Our field trip actually started on September 11, 2006 with visiting Ministry of Land Infrastructure and Transport. After that we had a courtesy visit to Mr. Yohei Sasakawa in The Nippon Foundation. At the beginning of the meeting all students had an opportunity to introduce them, thanked to him for giving them such a chance to study in WMU and also they touched upon their goals for future. Mr. Sasakawa mentioned that he was very happy to see us there and he was appreciated to hear about us.

　

 After introducing ourselves, Mr. Sasakawa told us the history of The Nippon Foundation, the activities of the Foundation, in which countries they also provide fellowships and at the end he answered the questions which had been asked from the students.

　

 Then, we had a great and well organized reception with distinguished guests. The reception was started with calling our names and we came up to the podium in order to sing the WMU song. After, Mr. Yohei Sasakawa, General Director of Maritime Transportation and Mr. Kudo made a speech about the importance and meaning of that meeting. Actually, The Nippon Foundation invited the senior officials from Embassies of certain countries that we are from therefore we had a chance to meet and conversation with our embassy staff during the reception. Furthermore, we had an opportunity to know and exchange information with distinguished professionals from maritime field especially well-known Japanese Companies, the staff from The Nippon Foundation as well as ex-WMU Students. It was a very fruitful and interesting day for us.

　

 Japan Coast Guard (JCG) was established on 1 May 1948 specializing in "Maritime Crisis management" for such big country with many many islands like Japan.

　

 Japan Coast Guard has the missions of Maintenance of Maritime Order, Rescuing Ships and People in Distress at Sea, Preventing Maritime Disasters and Protecting the Marine Environment, Ensuring Maritime Traffic Safety and Cooperation with Relevant Domestic and Foreign Organizations.

　

 Moreover, upon the requirement of its job of such difficult duties in severe conditions at sea, staffs of JCG are required to have such complex and specialized knowledge and skills to perform their tasks. It has its own Education and Training facilities such as Coast Guard Academy (Kure, Hiroshima), Coast Guard School (Maizuru, Kyoto), Moji Branch, Coast Guard School, Miyagi Branch Coast Guard School and so on.

　

 The JCG has its branches almost all over the territory of Japan with modem facilities and longtime experiences. The first impression of mine about the JCG comes from the Just-In-Time actions in any accident or danger at sea. With the modern equipments and well trained people, the JCG will keep the security and good health for the coastal areas of such an Island country like Japan.

　

 Along with the new development of technology as same meant as such new development of crimes, the JCG's missions are to continue the effective implementation of the increasingly diverse operations, and at the same time, to build a new JCG that reflects the voices of the Japanese people while flexibly responding to our changing times.

　

 For my personal observation the development of JCG has to keep pace with the generation development to serve the new and more sophisticated of economic, social, political and technological developments.

　

 After a long flight and the change of time, this morning, most of us feel tired and sleepy. Perhaps we need more time to sleep.

　

 Our first tour is going to Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. It is very interesting when we meet a WMU graduate, Ms. Fumi, who works in the Ministry. During later trip, Fumi accompanies and helps us a lot.

　

 After general introduction, we are divided into 3 groups. I belong group 3, we discuss about Japan Coast Guard, Port State Control, and Port and Harbour system.

　

 My major is Port management, so the topic about Port and Harbour is really interesting with me. We are introduced about the port system in Japan. There are many ports, totally more than 1.000 ports throughout Japan. With a country like Japan, the demand to import and export material, good is very high. Therefore, ports have important role in the economy. We also know something about the port operation in Japan. And, one project attracts us a lot - the super-hub port project, with the overall goal is to surpass other major port in Asia in terms of cost and service. Many of us, especially PM students, are very concerned with that project. Understanding that, a chief official of International Affairs Office, Mr. Masao Kanno, tries to find the detail of the project and provides for us in the party at night. Thank you very much Masao Kanno.

　

 We finish the first tour. Now, we are eager for the courtesy visit to Mr. Sasakawa in the afternoon.