Caring and hospitable Japan: A home away from home

Sidharth Moirangthem *

Caring and hospitable Japan: A home away from home

I was one of the 22 students who visited The Land of Rising Sun (Japan) from 7th March to 15th March 2016 under the aegis of the Japan's Friendship Ties Programmes, JENESYS (Japan-East Asia Network of Exchange for Students and Youths) 2015.

On 6th March, 2016, at 15:00 hrs. All the members of the Indian contingent met at IGI Airport, New Delhi. I was the last one to arrive at the airport. Other group members had already finished their respective medical check-up. I was rather overwhelmed with joy to meet my fellow participants. Indeed it was my first experience of meeting outsiders in the absence of my family elders.

At the airport I met a Manipuri student, A. Deepu who was representing the Ahmadabad Region. His presence in the group gave me a sense of security as we both belong to the same State. Our group was allotted a separate queue for necessary security checks and was ably assisted by JENESYS INDIA's Agents. After getting the due clearance from the Immigration Counter, we boarded the Japan bound flight at 20:00 hrs (IST). At around 22:00 hrs, the flight in which we were travelling passed over the valley of Manipur (as indicated in the flight's satellite map). It was indeed a very nostalgic moment.

The next day on the 7th March 2016: 06:10 hrs (JST, Japanese Standard Time), we arrived at the Narita International Airport, Japan. On our arrival, we were welcomed by the Officials of JICE (Japan International Cooperation Centre). The Indian Contingent, which consisted of 28 members (22 students, 4 adult students and 2 supervisors), was divided into four groups and identity cards were distributed.

From the airport we were taken to the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation, which displays the latest scientific innovations including the Miraikan Robot and UNI-CUB Robot developed by the Honda Robotics. Then we proceeded to a mall at Koto-Aomi, Tokyo where we did a little shopping and had our lunch, my first encounter with chop-sticks and the Japanese delicacies. After the lunch we visited the Local Government of Tokyo, from the office building of the Government we had the view of the entire Tokyo city.

I presented a booklet titled "Manipur and Japan: an Eternal Relation" compiled by me to one of the officer of the Local Govt. For two nights we were accommodated at the Shinjuku New City Hotel, Tokyo. There all the participants of the SAARC countries 2nd Batch (India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri-Lanka, Bangladesh and Maldives) gathered and introduced each other.

On the second day, we had an orientation programme on the various activities which we had to do during our short stay in Japan. After the programme we visited the Toyama High School, Tokyo. Each participant was allotted three students to act as guides during the Student Exchange Programme. We experienced the Japanese school life by interacting with Japanese students.

I presented another copy of the booklet to the Principal of the school, and Pena-recital (Pena, one of the folk stringed-instrument of Manipur, which I start learning from the age of 10 yrs from Oja Mangi whom I affectionately call Pupu), in the school auditorium for which I received a standing ovation, deafening claps from my foreigner audience and at the same time they were also surprised, after seeing me with Manipuri Traditional Pena Dress (ie, Khamen chatpa (a kind of dhoti).

I spoke on the topic Japan's relation with India in general and Manipur in particular during the Great War of 1939 -1945 which impressed the Japanese audience and created a curiosity in their minds. Later I had an interaction with my Japanese fellow students with regard to the activities of the Japanese armies in Manipur during the Great War. On the third day at the Nishisinjuku Conference Hall, we attended a lecture on Japan's Development since 17th century by Kazuyuki Sasaki, Senior Assistant Professor, Meiji University.

The lecture highlighted how Japan developed by leaps and bounds, from Tokugawa-Shogunate Era to a highly industrialized Modern nation. During the course of the lecture Prof. Sasaki mentioned that the country had become garbage free by successfully overcoming the pollution problem. In the interaction session that followed the presentation I enquired about how Japan managed to become a garbage free country, he explained that Japan overcame the problem by strictly adhering to the PPP (Pollutant Paid Pollution) Method, where the polluter pays the penalty for pollution. After the presentation we paid a short visit to Shibaura Water Reclamation Centre, we were greatly amazed by the Japanese expertise in reclamation of sewage water.

For the first time in my life I got an opportunity to travel by a bullet-train which travels at a speed of 180 km/hr and proceeded to Fukushima Prefecture and accommodated at Aizu Kogen Resort Inn Daikura, Minamiaizu. The snow fall which enveloped Fukushima swept me off my feet. We began the day with a snow fight at Minamiaizu-Gun with all the participants, followed by a travel by snow-bike and a delightful lunch.

We made a short trip to the biomass broiler where snow etc, is being utilized for generating renewable energy, followed by a press-briefing on the initiatives of JENESYS and JICE and the overall response of the participants, where I shared my experiences in Japan and appreciated JENESYS and JICE for giving me such an opportunity to enlighten my understanding of Japan.

On the 5th day of our stay, we visited Tsuruga Jo Castle, one of the most beautiful historical architectures in Japan, which displays a collection of medieval Japanese monarchs' armouries, dresses and head-gears and it instilled in me an interest in Japan. We got an opportunity to paint the Akabeko, the legendary cow known as a cute traditional toy in Aizu area, Fukushima. The organizers took us on a sightseeing tour by the Aizu Railway, the enchanting natural beauty along the track enthused us.

In the evening, all the participants were introduced to their respective Host Family and taken to their homes for a short-stay to deepen our understandings on Japanese life and develop trusting relationship through activities with host families. I stayed for two days with a family at Takatsuehara-Yaso, Minamiaizu. During my short-stay I learnt a lot on traditions and customs of Japan, I was indeed treated as their own family member making me to feel at home away from home.

I was rather impressed by hospitality of my Japanese Host Family. There I learnt Japanese Calligraphy and Origami (paper-toy-making). On the day of our departure, all the Host Families and participants gathered at an auditorium of a hotel at Sakai, Minamiaizu, we presented cultural dance of our respective countries. I had to bid a tearful farewell to my Host Family as I couldn't prolong my stay with them. At Tajima, we attended a Courtesy Call with the Town Officers and had an interaction session pertaining to sustainable development of Minamiaizu.

On the 8th day, we returned to Tokyo by "Shinkansen" bullet-train and proceeded to the Pasona Urban Farm, a working environment with "Symbiosis with Nature" providing eco-friendly mechanisms in the office, where 200 types of fruits and vegetables are grown in the office walls and ceilings, a healing spot where one can enjoy all four seasons while living in the city.

During the Reporting session at Sumida-Yokoami, Tokyo attended by Embassy members and Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) of following countries: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri-Lanka. I delivered a speech on behalf of India sharing our experiences in Japan. His Excellency Ambassador Dr. Sayed Mohammad Amin Fatimie, Afghanistani Ambassador to Japan, welcomed, appreciated and bid fare-well to all participants.

I was indeed lucky to have a chit-chat with His Excellency Ambassador; he whispered to my ear that India and Afghanistan have a natural relationship. Just before the departure we had an informal fare-well dance party and then proceeded to the airport. Time has come for us to bid fare-well to Japan that hosted us, made us feel at home away from home. Soon we arrived at Indira Gandhi International Airport; none of us was ready to bid fare-well as all of us were swept away by a sad feeling that soon we will be separated from each other.

The experiences which I have gained from the trip to Japan will remain with me till my last breath. What I admired most was their hospitality, respect for fellow beings, industriousness, cleanliness and sense of hygiene and sanitation.

Last but not the least I earnestly appeal to my beloved Indians in general and Manipuris in particular to visit Japan whenever they get an opportunity, to see the country and to learn about their way of lives.