Japan Field Study Trip 2011

On Sunday 14th of August 2011, 24 Sasakawa Fellows, representing 14 different nationalities, together with WMU Registrar Ton Smaal arrived at Kansai Airport in Osaka, Japan for the Class 2011 Study Trip upon invitation by the Nippon Foundation and organised by Ocean Policy Research Foundation (OPRF).


Given the disastrous earthquake and tsunami of 11 March 2011 and the subsequent cancellation of the field study trip in May, it is even more remarkable that only five months later, the Fellows were given the opportunity to visit and learn about the country, culture and maritime industry of Japan. Thanks to Dr. Sasakawa’s strong will, the unlimited efforts of the Nippon Foundation and OPRF to make this study trip possible… For us!


During the bus trip to our hotel in Kobe we immediately witnessed the impressive infrastructure of the cities of Osaka and Kobe, its major port areas, bridges and highways.


August 15th
Marine Technical College, Kobe
Our first visit was at the Marine Technical College in Kobe. It is the only governmental institute of vocational training for mariners under the direct control of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT). Here we were welcomed by Prof. Toshio Hikima, former professor of WMU, who explained enthusiastically about the Japanese maritime education and training system.


August 16th
Nippon Survival Training Center (NSTC)
NSTC is the first private training facility in Japan which has been established to;


1. decrease human loss at accidents on sea;
2. correspond to international approach;
3. develop knowledge, skills and competences of marine and maritime human resources.


We were able to observe several spectacular practical training exercises such as the Freefall Lifeboat Safety Operation Training and Helicopter Underwater Escape Training (HUET) and more.


Japan Coast Guard: Kanmon Kaikyo Vessel Traffic Service Center
The mission of Kanmon Kaikyo Vessel Traffic Service Center, Kanmon MARTIS, is to maintain and improve the safety and efficiency of vessel traffic in the Kanmon Strait. It has been established and operated by the Japan Coast Guard. The narrow strait, busy traffic and strong current, makes it a real challenge for navigators to safely pass this area. After observing the VTS-center ‘over the shoulders’ of the operators, we visited the Hinoyama Park, where the Kanmon Strait can be overlooked beatufully. The strong current was clearly visible with the difference in speed of ships going upstream or downstream.


August 17th
The Shimonoseki Shipyard & Machinery Works
The Shimonoseki Shipyard & Machinery Works utilised its favorable location on the Kanmon Strait to start operations in 1914, with ship repair as a mainstay business. This yard is very important for the local employment and community. It is located really among the houses of the city. When arriving by bus at the yard it is impressive to see a huge ship’s hull turning high above the houses. At the site, we visited among others the repair dock, interior shop, assembly and welding shop. It is remarkable that Shimonoseki Shipyard builds many different types of ships: ferries, car carriers, RORO boats, special-purpose vessels such as cable layers and ocean research vessels and aluminum-alloy high-speed boats.


August 18th
Heishin Kikai Kogyo Co., Ltd.
Heishin Kikai Kogyo Co., Ltd. has emerged as a leading manufacturer dedicated to design and manufacture marine equipments, including oil-water separators. Currently almost a third of new ships built in Japan (mid-size cargo ships) use their pumps.


In addition, Heishin Kikai Kogyo Co., Ltd. undertakes various R&D activities for effective utilization of idle farmland, improving Japan’s self-sufficiency in food products and to bring back young people, who have been moving away from farming in recent years. At the ‘Heishin Farm’ we were shown a video of the farm’s activities in supporting and distributing their food to the people suffering the March 11th disaster. Afterwards we enjoyed an excellent lunch, which was, of course, all covered with vegetables and fruit from their own greenhouse.


August 19th
Courtesy visit at the Nippon Foundation
Unfortunately Chairman Yohei Sasakawa already scheduled an overseas business trip in the week of our visit. Instead, we experienced a very warm welcome from Mr. Takeju Ogata, President of The Nippon Foundation and Mr. Shuhei Okazaki, Executive Director of OPRF. Mr. Takeju Ogata started with his welcome speech and spoke about the disaster area in the North of Japan, where he has got his roots and family. Such a personal story makes the disaster come really close and could only be answered with silence and respect.


After this overwhelming introduction, the students explained on their individual background and purposes of study at WMU. Mr. Rajesh Mittal from India provided a speech in name of the students. Though, it is meant to be a very formal meeting, we finalized in a question and answer session, for which Mr. Takeju Ogata and Mr. Shuhei Okazaki took all the time.


Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT)
At the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism students were informed on the organisational setup, policies and action plans of Japanese maritime affairs. Mr. Norifumi Ide, DG of the Maritime Bureau and Mr. Hideo Kubota, Director of Maritime Safety Standards Division paid the Fellows a warm welcome. Mr. Ivan Roldan from the Philippines expressed, in name of all Fellows, our gratitude toward MLIT. Finally Mr. Shinichiro Otsubo, Director for International Regulations, Safety Standards Division gave a very interesting lecture on Ship Recycling and the Hong Kong Convention.


Many Japanese organisations and institutes were visited this week. During the visits, we experienced the heart-warming hospitality of staff members of the host companies and institutes. There was really no effort left unfold to make our visit as interesting as possible. In light of the events occurred in March 2011, the valuable time spent on receiving our group is even more appreciated. Also even after the initial cancellation of this study trip in May, the Nippon Foundation and OPRF staff have been able to provide us an unforgettable week in Japan.


Also the enthusiasm and dedication of the whole organising team which was guiding us all week, was unlimited. Just some examples:


Mr. Kudo: Thank you for enabling us to share the Japanse culture and habits, by having the traditional tea ceremony at your house, by enjoying the hot springs of Beppu and by celebrating our friendship on the Night Ferry. We will not forget!


Mr. Shin: Thank you for bringing us to the basic finance source of the Nippon Foundation; the Power Boat races at Suminoe Stadium. Hopefully our losses contribute to the budget for next years’ study trip…


Ms. Emi: Thank you answering all our questions on Japan and all the hard work to make this week an unforgettable one for us.


Ms. Miyo: You were able to transform 15 different nationalities to keep pace with the famous Japanese punctuality within 24 hours! Moreover, as mentioned in the speech of Mr. Dallas Eric Laryea from Ghana at the Farewell Reception: We will definitely miss the way you do the head counting in the bus.


The Sasakawa Fellowship program has now provided 465 fellowships for students from 53 countries to study the M.Sc. program at WMU in Malmö, Sweden. Japan has been the biggest supporter of WMU for years. Not only in number of fellowships, but also by;


- funding professional chairs to enable WMU to provide the teaching and research capabilities required by the maritime industry;
- funding upgrade in IT-facilities;
- committing sponsorship and naming opportunities for our relocation to the Old Port Building in Malmö.


On behalf of the Fellows of Class 2011, I would like to thank Dr. Sasakawa, the Nippon Foundation, OPRF and the (host) institutes from the Japanese maritime industry for their continuous support, now for over more than 22 years already and hopefully many more years in future.


Ton Smaal
Registrar, WMU