JENESYS2016_Batch 8_Economics_Japan

JENESYS2016_Batch 8_Economics_Japan

We had 8 wonderful days in JENESYS program in Japan from 18th to 25th of April.

The 1st day - 18th April

I met other 14 Vietnamese young leaders. We came to Narita airport at 7.10 am on 18th of April. The weather was a bit rainy because it was a storm yesterday. We checked-in Emion Hotel Tokyo Bay. In the afternoon, we took part in Group Orientation. I met all representatives from 10 countries in ASEAN and Timor Leste.

 I enjoyed first night in Tokyo. A view from my hotel.

The 2nd day:

In the morning, I participated in Key note Lecture about Japan's background and economy today. Mr. Hideo Kimura shared lots of useful and important information. Aging population of Japanese people made an impression on me. While countries in South East Asia have only more than 10 people who are over 100 years old, Japan has over 65,000 people. Japan, a country without natural resources, can still develop industries such as: steel, automobile, etc. Especially, Japanese people like to use domestic products. 

In the afternoon, we went to Minokamo, Gifu prefecture by Shinkansen - Bullet train KIKARI. It is the fastest train in Japan. Its speed is from 280 km/h to 350 km/h. The distance between Tokyo and Gifu is about 400 km so it took us 1 hour a half to go. 

The 3rd day: 

In the morning, we had Lecture on Economy, regional industry observation with Softopia Japan. It is an IT Hub in Gifu Prefecture. Softopia Japan houses many IT related enterprises and has excellent information infrastructure. They train and provide skilled personnel, who are capable of leading the development of local industries; and develop the Softopia Japan Area as “a hub for IT business networking” and “IT in Chubu Region.”

Softopia Japan seeks to revitalize industries in Gifu by advancing the IT capabilities of those who are looking to raise their productivity and competitive strength. In addition, they promote information services that support these industries.

Introduction Softopia Japan

Softopia Japan Project

The Softopia Japan Project refers to community informatization promotion measures in Gifu Prefecture with the aim of realizing Good Living Gifu, where industry, education, welfare, and all other areas are informatized.

Facility tour

3D printer

In the afternoon, we moved to Mono Washi Paper Museum to experience making paper by ourselves. 

Vietnamese team

In the evening, we had exchange meeting with business people. I had an opportunity to meet many famous and successful people in different sectors such as: food industry, commerce, home-stay servive, etc.

Group E

 The 4th day:

Greenhouse

In the morning, we observed production facility of Saladcosmo Corporation, the company which represents the region by production of Sprout vegetable. I learnt about complete system for hygine and quality management to produce safe, secure vegetable; concern paied to environment. Company produces organic products - brocoli, imports seeds from Indonesia, 150 workers, grows the vegetables for 7-10 days, no using fertilizer. 

Facility- automatic machines

Packing products

Sprout vegetables

In the afternoon, we visited Chicory village. It has educational facility with sightseeing aspects. They grow a vegetable called chicory. They contribites to and activates the region through running a home-cuisine restaurant, which can create employment opportunities for the elderly, efficient utilization of land, non-cultivated. In 2007, they had only 5-10 visitors. However, about 300,000 people visit here every month now. Saladcosmo provides job for 80% people in this village.

 Then, we had a meeting with Director of Yahiro Sangyo Co., Ltd and facility tour at 2nd plant. It is said that 60% of agriproduct such as: fruits and vegetables is disposed of based on the reason that they are below standard of Japan Agriculture Cooperatives (JA). The company contributes to reduce Mottainai (wasteful) agriculture resources by drying and processing bit only vegetables, fruits, mushrooms and others but also fish, shellfish, seaweed and food remains which are disposed of in vain.

In the evening, I met my host family. I stayed with them from 21st to 23rd of April. The host family Takeda- my mother is Takeda Yumi, my elder sister is Takeda Kairi. For first dinner, we ate sushi which consists of seeweed, perilla, sashimi grade salmon, sashimi grade tuna, pork, shirmp, cucumber, carrot. 




After having dinner, we drank matcha tea- traditional Japanese tea. My host family taught me how to drink tea in Tea ceremony.

The 5th day - April 22nd:

We digged the bamboo shoot by themselves. Total we digged more than 20 bamboo shoots. 

I really impressed on the man who is 70 years old but he is really strong. He can dig the bamboo shoot better than a 18-year-old boy. He does farming by himself. He is joy of living, he climbs the mountain faster than us, he always sings. He uses facebook and upload information every moment. 

For first lunch, we had outdoor barbecue  with other host family. His wife made pizza and his son made cake for dessert. 4 Vietnamese delegates: Trang, Van Anh, Huyen, Tung and one delegate from Timor Leste joined this party.

For dinner we ate  Okonomiyaki- kind of pizza. Kairi made it for us. This cake consists of flour, cabbage, egg, kinds of traditional seed in Japan. We mix and stir them. Then we put pork on the top of cake. We fried 1 side in 5 minutes, another side in 3 minutes. After that we put soy sauce, mayonnaise, dried fish, saltt.

  

 Besides, we ate Takoyaki. This cake has (octopus+ scallion + sticky rice powder). We met new friend who is from Brazil. She made pudding and we had delicious dessert. 

 

 


After dinner, we sang together. I played ukulele then other people sang Vietnamese, Japanese and English songs.

After that, we went to Onsen. This is a traditional custom in Japan. I really like the feeling when I went back home by car at 1 am on the road but it was really safe.

The 6th day- April 23rd :

In the morning:

I got up early in the morning. I walked around. I could see a lot of beautiful and traditional Japanese houses. 

We had breakfast: miso soup- a traditional soup, Natto is a traditional Japanese food made from soybeans fermented with Bacillus subtilis var. It is really good for health.

After breakfast, we went to the temple. We walked down to a dark way, we couldn't see anything. According to a legend, if you touch a lock on the way you go back you will be lucky all the year.

After that, we moved to Farewell party with all of host families. Vietnam, Timor Leste and Thailand had nice performance. Then we shared our feeling. We said goodbye together and I cried because I missed host family. 2 days were too short for me but I felt their enthusiam, kind and carefulness. I hope to see my host family soon in Vietnam or in Japan.

In the afternoon, we had a workshop to prepare for reporting session tomorrow.

In the evening, we walked around the streets near Washington Hotel and had indoor barbecue with members in Group E.

The 7th day- April 24th:

In the morning, we leave Gifu-Hashima for Tokyo by Shinkansen. 

In the afternoon, we had Reporting Session with other groups A, C and H. 

After that, we had Farewell party with all representatives from 11 countries in South East Asia and Timor Leste. We had happy and meaningful time together.

The 8th day:
We enjoyed last day in Japan. In the afternoon, we went to Narita airport to come back Vietnam. I never forget 8 days in Japan. I had a lot of fanstatic memories in the program.