On the 15^th of September, we had a tour to the Nippon Steel Corporation, Yawata Works which was started operations in 1901, marking the first step in the Japanese steel industry. Japan Iron & Steel Co., Ltd., formed with Yawata Works as the nucleus, was split to Yawata and Fuji Steels in 1950 under the Law for the Elimination of Excessive Concentration of Economic Power. Twenty years later in 1970, the two companies merged again and the present Nippon Steel Corporation was born.

　

　

 Nowadays, Yawata Works is one of ten steel works of Nippon Steel Corporation and is located in Kyushu Island, North East of Fukuoka. In 2005, it produced around 3.9 million tonnes of crude steel and 4.4 million tonnes of steel products. Its products include hot rolled steel sheet, tin plated steel sheet, cold rolled steel sheet, galvanized steel sheet, electrical steel sheet, spiral steel pipe, rails, shape steels and sheet piles.

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 The sketch diagrams show the production of Iron and Steel [1] and the Continuous Casting Process [2] to produce finished products. The blast furnace is running with inside temperature between 2000℃ to 2200℃. Yawata Works has four units of blast furnace to be used alternatively. The molten steel is transported by using a special kind of railway wagons called torpedo car with silica lining inside the tank.

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 After we finished the study from the Nippon Steel Corporation, Yawata Works and taking a group photo in front of the main building and then visited to the Port of Hakata on the afternoon of the same day.

　

　

 Hakata bay has very well designed by the nature. Since its natural location it is economically viable. It is not only a bay but also a port. This port acts as a hub to America, China, Korea and many other countries as well. On the other hand it has precious ferry service and many other large conglomerate warehouses also. Because of these all reasons actually it is a diamond for the Japan.

　

 Hakata port is a tool port. It means all the equipments and the land belongs to the local government and those are operated by the private companies. But there is not a bunker service according to the seminar held for us. I think there should be a bunker service. According to my point of view there may be inconveniences when applying the ISPS code to this port because of the large uncovered area. Whenever attempt to develop this port as a hub port these deficiencies should be considered.

　

 Although the facts above are as mentioned, I am still feeling the fresh breeze of Hakata bay.

　

　

　

 Early in the morning on September 16, 2006 I got up early from bed, I was so excited because this was the day we were visiting the Japan's famous Himeji Castle. I will have the chance to visit the shooting location of the famous movie "The Last Samurai".

　

 We travel by train and by bus going there at about 1030H we arrived at the portal of the castle as we walked along the way through the castle we were given a briefing and information by Ms. Miyo explaining some interesting part of the castle. Climbing the stairs of the castle is not an easy task it is a seven story building mostly made of wood. I was amazed and wondered how the Japanese made the castle that it was able to survive for 400 years against time, environment and other element of destruction.

　

 According to history it was built in 1346 by Akamatsu Sadanori mainly as a fortification purposes against the local shoguns during that time. For me as a foreigner, I could conclude that who ever built this castle possesses a great power during that time. And its design reflects the ingenuity of the people that time because according to Miss Miyo in her explanation on some place we passed by she pointed out that there was a reason behind the design, for example the wall that affairs to be dead end, if you are an enemy or intruder with the knowledge inside the castle this could destruct your sense of direction and many other things.

　

 As we climb up to the top of the tower, we met Japanese nationals who were very friendly and smiling. Even though we could not understand with each other because of language barriers a simple act of friendly gestures made me conclude that good impression.

　

 The Himeji Castle experience is a memorable one for me, as a matter of fact I kept the Himeji stamp. This is a priceless piece of souvenir that once in my life I have visited the Himeji Castle the one of the World Cultural Heritage.

　

 Saturday the 16^th was the seventh and last day of our Field Study Trip in Japan.

　

 After six (6) days of gaining Japanese maritime sector experience, this one day was set apart for experiencing Japanese culture at the Himeji Castle.

　

 We woke up in Fukuoka and boarded a bullet train (which was a first experience for many of us) to Hyogo Prefecture which journey took us about 3 hours.

　

 Himeji Castle is located at Himeji in Hyogo Prefecture. The Castle is known as "Shirasagijo" which means the White Heron Castle. This white castle has a tower that goes high in the sky. Around it, a number of turrets and plaster walls are arranged to give it its elegant curves. This beautiful outline reproduces the graceful figure of a heron about to take wing at any moment.

　

 It is the oldest surving mediaval Japan castles. It was conceived and constructed during the Nanboku-cho era of the Muromachi period.

　

 However, it was constructed in its present shape in the 16^th Century. This Castle is the only excellent castle which architecturally represents Japanese culture and, at the same time, has handed down its original design at the time of construction. The present Himeji Castle has the castle interior consisting of "Daitenshukaku" (main castle tower) and three "Shotenshukaku" (small castle tower).

　

 Himeji was considered the vital point for the government and defense of the western part of Japan in those days. It has built in equipments for defense such as "Ishiotoshi" (stone-throwing), "Hazama" (loophole), "Shinobi-gaeshi" (spike), which is inlaid with sharp cutting edges at places where an enemy is likely to invade, and "Musha kakushi" (warriors' hiding-place), where warriors can hide behind the wall, are arranged everywhere. Therefore, in time of war, it served both as an observatory and a command tower.

　

　

 However, in time of peace it had a prestige of a castle and it was used a as living mansion for a "Daimyo" and also as a warehouse for arms and provisions.

　

 The main castle tower looks to be five-storied but is actually a seven-storied structure. The basement is constructed inside the stone wall of the main castle tower. This was a secret art of fortification.

　

 The Castle has many gates which designed a kind of secret path to hide a passageway "Komon" which could be said to be one of the structural defense tactic.

　

 One of the key beauties of Himeji Castle is the stone wall. Western castle had never had such stone walls. This wall is surrounded by water. . This was designed so as to make it difficult for an enemy to invade.

　

 The astonishing beauty of the Castle and its peculiarity has attracted film making industry as it can be seen in films like the Last Samurai 2003 and You Only Live Twice 1967.

　

 The Himeji Castle has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Japanese people have every reason to be proud of their culture.