The trip that I have been waiting for several months has arrived, Saturday, 9 September 2006 the WMU Sasakawa Fellowship year 2007 leaving Copenhagen airport to Narita airport at Tokyo, Japan. This trip is arranged by the OPRF Japan as one part of activities for all Sasakawa fellows every year.

　

 The following day, 10 September 2006 we landed by SAS flight no. SK 983 at Narita airport, Tokyo, at about 09.30 LT, after an 11 hours journey that made me so sick of being sleepless. Our one week field trip has begun.

　

 Mr. Kudo, Mr. Ichikawa, Ms. Emi, Mr. Tagami, and Ms.Yoko conducted an orientation session at a meeting room in Tokyo Maritime museum until 13.30 LT, after delivering us several guidance sheets, gloves, and an amount of cash. They are absolutely well prepared, a respect at my first meeting for their professionalism. In the session, they presented us how the donor, Mr. Sasakawa earn those financial, and organize them well to the goodness of social life.

　

 I don't know, out of the right or wrong judgments, today I realize one positive side of the gambling. No religion allows this 'dirty' word in their lessons, however, to be closed minded is really not productive way of thinking. Simply talking, Mr. Sasakawa manages his boat race and donates some percents of its benefit to the social welfare. He contributes researches fund worldwide, donates his home country with several thousands 'shower cars' (these cars are dedicated to the homeless people who need shower, a simple thinking but deep appreciation of humanity) and much more.

　

 Back to my journey, after those all speeches at the orientation session, they hosted a lunch at the restaurant sited in the same building, it was great. They served us perfectly. The restaurant has labeled their food with porky and non porky food, and I consider it as their appreciation to the Moslem fellows, although we are not more than one third of the group. The food was fantastic, first class food; I can release my hunger after this way long flight with their taste.

　

 At 15.00 LT, we were directed to the hotel named Villa Fountain, a five stars hotel in the town. I got my room key and couldn't take any longer to take shower, and sinking my self in full warm water in the bath tub. All pains have been released, and now, I need a sleep.

　

 Monday, 11 September 2006 I woke up at 06.10 LT after a dead sleep last night, sinked myself in bath tub for a while and dressed up and went down to the lobby at 07.00 LT for a breakfast. Finally we left hotel at 09.35 and arrived at the MLIT office at about 09.55 LT

　

 Ms. Yakabe Fumi, one of WMU graduate welcomed us at the main meeting room in the MLIT office, and Mr. Fujiwara, the Directorate General of Maritime Bureau gave us his welcoming speech. After his speech, the microphone was delivered to me to give a speech on behalf of the students, and I was very nervous as the first time speaking in front of an important person in English.

　

 At the second session, we were separated up to three groups, and I was in group B which was presented matters on Maritime Education and Training in Japan. I have tried to absorb the presentation as much as I can.

　

 At about 12.55, we left the MLIT building and returned back to hotel, having our lunch at a Japanese restaurant and I ordered teriyaki with rice and seaweed. It was nice and enough to fill my stomach with the familiar food. After lunch with the teriyaki and Japanese rice with extracted seaweed, we went to The Nippon Foundation building in the heart of Tokyo, not too far from the ministry of land, infrastructure and transport of Japan that we visited in the morning.

　

 We were arrived there at about 15.50 and directed to a meeting room wait for the most important host, Mr. Yohei Sasakawa. This will be a precious moment for all of us to see the generous man in earth who willing to spend his money to fund our tuition fee and much other social welfare. He is the man with his famous words 'all mankind are brothers and sisters', what a wonderful words.

　

 Right at 16.00, Mr. Sasakawa entered the room, and everybody were hypnotized by his charisma, a rich man with his popularity in the world but he shows so simple in clothing, his smile makes him down to earth. He really shows his consistency with his wise words, we are all brothers and sisters...

　

 Then, one by one all students who come from 18 different countries introduced themselves to Mr. Sasakawa. In my turn, simply I said that on behalf of my families and my institution, I want to show my gratitude for his kindness giving me the chance to be chosen as one of his fellow. After that, I presented him a placard with my office's name on it; hopefully there will be a beneficial relationship between my institution and his institution in the future.

　

 The reception itself adjourned at about 17.30 as the party for the same reason has been waiting for us, therefore we moved to another room in the same floor. It was really great moment for me and other fellows as most of the important persons in the maritime industry in Japan were there. I met two different Professors from different famous Universities in Japan, the director general of the maritime bureau, and important persons from different institutions in Japan; in short it was important moment for me to expand the network. We sang our school song, and again having party with great food. Most of 'ichiban' food was there served for us, the 'important' guests from WMU. The party last at 20.00 and we returned back to the hotel.

　

 In the following morning, we departed from hotel where we stay at 07.30 and arrived at the PARI (Port and Airport Research Institute) which is located at the coast side of Tokyo bay. About 500 meter before the entrance, we dropped at a monument to memorize Gen. Perry of US navy who was the first foreigner ask Japanese government at that time (1850's) to open the port, as it was an isolated port under the kingdom of Japan.

　

 Then, at 10.00 LT, we were presented by a staff of PARI (Port and Airport Research Institute) with a general view on the PARI activities. Soon after that the staff guided us to the 3D shake pond (an earthquake simulation), Tsunami simulation, Pollution prevention simulation and a seawater impacts to many different materials, it was a great institute.

　

 In the following session, we visited MDPC (Maritime Disaster Prevention Center) site to see the fire extinguishing drills, but we really had a hard time when traveling from shore to the site because we have to boarded a small boat on the moderate sea, some of us got seasickness. Today is really a hard day, long journey to the hotel and hard activities in the site. We returned to the hotel at about 17.30 LT after a day long tight schedule.

　

 I woke up at 07.00 because I should take a fast shower and take my luggage to the lobby since they will be carried to Hakata by truck where in other side the people will go by plane tomorrow morning. Right at 07.20, I brought my luggage to the lobby room, and hand them to the courier.

　

 At 08.30, we left hotel, departed to Tokyo port by train. We visited Nippon maru, a tall training ship operated by NIST (National Institute for Sea Training) and another diesel training ship called TS Seiun Maru. We were guided to the engine room and the crew accommodations onboard two ships, those were great training ships that we should have.

　

 The session itself adjourned at 12.00, and we were free to go anywhere we want, a city tour might be arranged, the last day to be spent in Tokyo city as tomorrow will be depart to Hakata, Fukuoka Prefecture. As I have my experience in Tokyo and its surround years ago when I was seafarer, I prefer to stay at hotel while my colleagues take walk and city tour.

　

 It was early morning when we left the Villa fountain hotel heading to Haneda airport to fly to Hakata. The flight took about one hour and forty five minutes and another guide has been waiting for us in Hakata.

　

 We arrived at about 10 o'clock and Ms. Myo wada our guide has been there to guide us during our stay in Hakata and its vicinities. Lunch was our first schedule and it was great restaurant with best foods. After lunch we visited NAMURA shipbuilding in IMARI, a famous shipbuilding produced thousands tons size ship, and we were lucky because one almost finished built ship was allowed to be seen onboard. h this shipbuilding we really impressed in how efficient the business run and environmentally friendly. Right at 17.00 LT, the bus left NAMURA shipbuilding to the Takakura hotel.

　

 In the following day, we visit Yawata Steel Corporation, a large steel manufacturer. We learned the factory processes iron ore to steel plates, it was incredible and had never imagined how complicated the processes are. However, as it is a high caution area, we were guided through the factory on bus tour and guided by one of its staff.

　

 On the midday, we left the steel factory and having our lunch on the bus. The next destination was Hakata port. We embarked a catamaran ship and took a short voyage within the port area. Hakata is a big port with impressing development, and lucky we were directed to the container operator and received brief explanation on how they developed the port. Good lesson for today.

　

 Saturday morning, at early morning about 6.15 LT we left the Takakura hotel to the Hakata train station to ride the famous Shinkansen bullet train. We would leave Hakata to Himeji Castle and finally checked in New Otani hotel at Kobe. The journey will be finished soon.

　

 We were again received a warm welcome from Japanese maritime experts, many professors were attending the farewell party at 19.00 in the same hotel. it was distant less and personally I felt that I am already the part of their families. We talked friendly and eagerly show our friendship in the party.

　

 We have many sites visited in this trip, and most of them really offered us challenges to learn and gain more knowledge to apply this knowledge in our home countries. Our gratitude to Mr. Yohei Sasakawa, OPRF staffs, and all who have welcomed us in this trip and made us feel at home. Hopefully this friendship will never end, and broaden our network in servicing maritime world for the benefits of mankind world wide.

　

 1. I was very pleased to know when I was given the Sasakawa fellowship. The wonderful and dreaming part of that was to visit Japan and to meet Mr. Sasakawa in particular. I had heard a lot and read a lot about the land of rising sun. I knew that Japan had very tough time in the history especially during World War II when it suffered the nuclear attack. I used to study about Japanese naval wars for preparation of my military history paper for the military promotion examinations.

　

 2. Suddenly when I came to know that Sasakawa fellows are invited in Japan by the Ocean Policy Research Foundation it was one of the exciting news of my life. We received the programme and the D-Day came, I mean the Saturday 9th September 2006. We left Copenhagen airport for Narita Airport Tokyo. We all were very excited. Although it was a long journey but I wanted to visit Japan and for that I could have paid any price. Luckily I met a japans girl in aeroplane on the next seat. She was very nice girl and the first impression about the Japan was very nice and beautiful. She did not much English to speak but she used to laugh too much. That I experience in through out the Japan and I had seen every one with smiling face. I must say that our religion Islam teaches that Amongst u is the best one whose...is the best"...I found that in japans believe me more than in the most of the Muslim and I have no hesitation in accepting that.

　

 3. It was a wonderful experience that when we started our journey it was night in the Copenhagen and having seat near to the window it was a wonderful experience to have the sun after few hours and it was one o clock mid night in my watch as per Sweden time and there was sun in the sky when we are flying to Japan. From the window I had experienced a wonderful change like a night moon and clouds and the dawn and the sun shine. I was looking for the place from where the sun rises early in the morning.

　

 4. After a long 11 hours journey we landed at the Narita airport Tokyo. It was a sun shine there. What a wonderful airport it is. We were welcomed there and were taken to the beautiful area of Tokyo an artificial Iceland Diaba. A beautiful Tokyo Port, other beautiful buildings including. The Museum of maritime Science where we were taken for the briefing by OPRF.. Mr. Kudo, Mr. Ichikawa, Ms. Emi, Mr. Tagami, and Ms. Yoko conducted an orientation session. The first impression was that the whole trip will be well organized because it was so comprehensive and detailed briefing. We were give some instructions, future programe as well as 19000 yens for our expenditures during our stay. We were briefed about the boat racing from where this money for our fellowship is generated.

　

 5. We were taken to a have a delicious lunch it was really a nice time to have lunch after so hectic journey and briefing by a beautiful lady miss Emi. We had some free time to visit the museum before we were taken to our hotel. It is a wonderful and well maintained museum reflecting various aspects of maritime life and the Japan progression in the maritime field. That was the way to make the nation aware of the importance of the maritime industry. School children really learn and realize that what they have to do in future as for as maritime field is concerned.

　

 After a fruitful visit of the museum, we were taken to hotel named Villa Fountain, a five stars hotel in the town. It was very nice hotel. Most of our colleagues preferred to sleep but I thought not to waste time and went to see the Tokyo. Although it is difficult to know about the Japan's train system. You can easily lost in the underground railway net work but I tried to manage to know few areas and went around in the train. It was very nice experience to see such train system which carries so many people fore and aft to the Tokyo and away to their homes after work. Punctuality is main feature of the train system. You can get a train after may be every minute. A wonderful system I must say.

　

 6. Monday, 11 September 2006 we left hotel at 09.35 for MLIT. Ms. Yakabe Fumi, one of the old WMU graduate welcomed us at the main meeting room in the MLIT office. Mr. Fujiwara, the Directorate General of Maritime Bureau gave us his welcoming speech. After his speech, we were divided in to three groups, my group was presented matters on Maritime Education and Training in Japan. After this visit, we were free for lunch and then we had to go to The Nippon Foundation building where we had to meet Mr. Sasakawa. It was a very precious and memorable moment for all of us to see the generous man who had been working for the wellbeing of the humankind. I still remember his beautiful words that all mankind are brothers and sisters.

　

 7. We met Mr. Sasakawa. I found him more than I imagined. His polite way of talking. Understanding of the maritime problems and a generous point of view about the poor and brotherhood of the human being. I had seen in his eyes the beautiful future of the universe. We all were introduced to him one by one. On my question, he replied very humbly and told how to work efficiently being the Sasakawa fellows. After the meeting with Mr. Sasakawa we all were given a warm reception. I felt really very nice when every one was waiting for us. This reception was attended by many dignitaries of Japan and other diplomats. Only the Pakistani representative was missing because Pakistanis official has not yet realized the importance of the maritime issues. That is why we have reduced our merchant fleet from 72 ships to just 12. I wanted to make him aware of the fact that we can have some financial support from Japan as well as some scholarship for our students but any way I myself got this opportunity and talk to many people about this issue and I received very encouraging answers. Great moment for me was a snap with Mr. Sasakawa.

　

 8. Next morning, we were invited at PARI (Port and Airport Research Institute) which is located at the coast side of Tokyo bay. About 500 meter before the entrance, we dropped at a monument to memorize commodore Perry of US Navy. At that time the Japanese were reluctant to have any foreigner in their country and they have isolated themselves form the whole world. That was Commodore Perry who convinced the Japans rulers at that time for outward trade and relations with the other world. Then it was the first time when in 1850's Japanese opened their port for the foreigners. Then, at 10.00 LT, we were presented by a staff of PARI (Port and Airport Research Institute) with a general view on the PARI activities. Soon after that the staff guided us to the 3D shake pond (an earthquake simulation), Tsunami simulation, Pollution prevention simulation and a seawater impacts to many different materials, it was a great institute.

　

 9. In the following session, we visited MDPC (Maritime Disaster Prevention Center) site to see the fire extinguishing drills, but we really had a tough time specially ladies while traveling from shore to the demo site because of rough sea. And boat was very small. We were shown different firefighting demos. It was well equipped and well arranged center.

　

 10. Next morning our luggage was taken to Hakata by truck because we had to go to Hakata by a domestic flight.

　

 11. We were taken to Tokyo port by train for visit of Nippon Maru, a well equipped training ship operated by NIST (National Institute for Sea Training). I was astonished at first instant when Mr. Ichikawa told me that the train was with out driver and it was totally operated by the computer. It was very astonishing experience for me. I was assured that no Japan will create wonders in future. We were also take to another diesel training ship called TS Seiun Maru. We were briefed about the training of the cadet's onboard ships. This was very fruitful visit because it encouraged me to write to my government to negotiate with Japan Govt to take few of our cadets for sea training. After this visit we were set free to move around the Tokyo city.

　

 12. I preferred to go up to the Tokyo tower. That was a wonderful experience during the night. The whole Tokyo city was in front of me and I was just thinking about this great nation who was destroyed totally in WW II and now is the most developed country in the world.

　

 13. Next morning we left the Villa fountain hotel for Haneda airport to fly to Hakata. The flight took about one hour and forty five minutes to reach to Hakata. Ms. Myo Wada our new guide was waiting at the airport. After lunch we visited NAMURA shipbuilding in IMARI, a famous shipbuilding site which was building thousands of tons size ship. We were lucky because one ship was almost in its finishing stage. We were taken on the ship. What a wonderful experience was it. In this shipyard I was really impressed by the efficient and hard work of a family. The shipyard was very busy and was booked till 2010. After this shipbuilding site we were taken to the hotel Takakura. In the way I really enjoyed the beautiful land escape of Japan. Excellent roads and beautiful underpasses were really amazing. (Detail will be in my book) In the following day, we visit Yawata Steel Corporation, a large steel manufacturer. This part of the visit was somehow not much fruitful because we were unable to see the actual steel processing. During midday, we left the steel factory and took our lunch on the bus. The next destination was Hakata port. We embarked a catamaran ship and took a short voyage within the port area. Hakata is a big port with impressive development; it is expanding port and taking the burden of other japans ports especially in the container handling. This seems to be the door the Asian countries like old construction machinery was being exported to chine for the forthcoming Olympics. A wonderful reclaimed port. Well equipment and clean berths and channel. I am sure that one day this will prove to be the best port of the world.

　

 14. Saturday morning, we left the Takakura hotel to the Hakata train station to ride the famous Shinkansen bullet train. It was another amazing experience for me to ride on the bullet train. I was actually impressed by the punctuality of the train. I believe that I don't breath so punctual as that train arrived and reached at its destination. Our next destination was Himeji Castle and finally checked in New Otani hotel at Kobe. Visit of this castle also requires pages which I will narrate in my forthcoming book.

　

 15. We again received a warm welcome from Japanese people in the same hotel. I was feeling at home. At the end I would like to than every one who made this our visit a success, wonderful and memorable. It will not be fair if I don't mention two personalities in particular. One is Admiral Kudo and the other One is Mr. Ichikawa. I don't find words to say thanks to them for their untiring efforts for OPRF and for the WMU Fellows. I will remember this visit through out my life. I pray for Mr. Sasakawa for his generous and noble work which he is doing for the betterment of mankind.