Report on the Japan Foundation Secondary School Study Tour June 2003

It is with great pleasure we submit our report on the Japan Foundation study tour to Japan.

The tour was one of so many highlights. From the moment of arrival the hospitality was exceptional. We were accommodated relatively near the Japan Foundation headquarters in Tokyo and spent most of the first day in a series of lectures related to the programme and the Japanese education system. We were formally introduced to the other members of the study tour at this point. The other participants had travelled from all parts of the globe including the Middle East, Africa, Europe and Oceania and Asia. In the afternoon we were treated to a look at the outer gardens of the Imperial Palace. The evenings were essentially free time and a great opportunity to try the local cuisine, something that we came to look forward to each evening.

We had a brief introduction to aspects of Japanese culture on day two before visiting the National Diet. The architecture was most impressive. A performance of the traditional 窶廳abuki窶・at the National theatre with the back stage tour included was an interesting look at traditional Japanese culture.

We left Tokyo and flew to Hiroshima, a city we had heard so much about and one we looked forward to seeing. At Miyajima Island we were lucky enough to see a traditional wedding as well as the many temples. The visit to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum was a highlight and something we will remember forever. The time spent reliving the tragedy was incredibly moving. The message of peace was no more evident than here. The afternoon trip to Himeji Castle was an opportunity to get some exercise. We negotiated the tiny steps with care and thoroughly enjoyed the artefacts and the skill with which the castle was constructed.

Kyoto, the historical capital city was brimming with many traditional sights. We had the opportunity to try our hand at traditional fabric dying. Most of us managed to create something worth taking home.

Once the Kyoto visit was complete, our group was divided into three smaller groups. Two of these groups went to other prefectures, while the third stayed a little longer in Kyoto before returning to Tokyo.

The trip to the Prefectures was a definite highlight. The administrators were so incredibly hospitable and we felt at home immediately. In the Gunma Prefecture personnel were so generous and participants enjoyed a week of visits to schools and other culturally important places such as the Museum of Modern Art and the Gunma Prefectural Museum of History. The school visits were obviously a highlight. We were most interested in the differences between the Japanese system and our own. The educational issues facing Japan appeared to be similar to New Zealand in many ways. Student motivation, falling rolls and funding concerns are common to all systems it seems. Mention must be made of the elementary school visit where members of our team were treated to a traditional dance experience and lunch served by the students in the classroom.

The children practised their English as they interviewed us and they made us feel very special when they wanted our autographs. The students really impressed us with their warmth and enthusiasm for learning and life. The school environs made us appreciate the wide-open green fields of many New Zealand schools.

During our Prefecture visit we had the opportunity to stay at a traditional Japanese Inn (Ryokan). We were met at the gate and escorted to our traditional rooms, then helped to dress in kimono and Japanese shoes before being served green tea. Dressed like traditional Japanese we were transported into town. It was raining heavily and our green umbrellas identifying us as Group B, together with our Kimono made for an interesting sight. The Ryokan visit will be remembered for the exquisite nine course meal, the great company and the luxury of the mineral pools. The hilarity and laughter that came with observing people from all nations cope with the fact that no bathing costumes were allowed in the pools. Of course the infamous Karaoke was in action that evening along with the table tennis table. The night of traditional Japanese culture was a highlight and gave us further understanding of the Japanese way of life.

Our home stay hosts had put a great deal of thought into how best to show us the real Japan and Group B participants came back with stories of extreme generosity and bearing many special gifts. Our experiences ranged from sightseeing, shopping in the 100yen shop, preparing rice balls and visiting beautiful gardens. Each person will remember the special time spent with their Japanese family.

The group with the extended stay in Kyoto and Tokyo focused on the face of contemporary Japan. From Kyoto they had visits arranged to the brand new Vocational Museum (yet to be officially opened) and the modern 窶腕obotised窶・Kansai-Kan of the National Diet Library. Returning to Tokyo on the Shikansen (窶話ullet窶・train) there were visits to the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation (including a meeting with 窶連simo窶・ the humanoid robot), the Fanuc robot factory, and the Edo-Tokyo Museum and the National Museum of Japanese History. A special highlight was the day trip to Mt Fuji where we were treated to an unseasonably clear view of this impressive and significant mountain. This group also visited an upper secondary school in the heart of Tokyo which was very interesting as was time spent at a reception put on by the Overseas Education Society of Japan. Our final day as a smaller group we spent the day at Tokyo Disneyland which left us with many impressions of Japanese society today.

Spending time with educators of many cultures was a wonderfully unique experience and one we are most appreciative of. We learnt so much about different education systems, other ways of life and made many new friends.

The Japan Foundation objectives of promoting mutual understanding and the deepening understanding of Japan are noble indeed and we thank them sincerely for an opportunity of a lifetime. We also wish to thank the Prefectures, the other Japanese agencies and ACENZ for their support. The excellent orientation day organised by ACENZ meant we were well prepared the study tour.

We encourage the continuation of this study tour programme as we feel the benefits for all of the participants; the contributing schools and communities are immeasurable.

We wish to pass on a heartfelt thank you to everyone involved in the study tour programme.

Julie Earl HOD Social Science Matamata College Matamata
Tony Booker HOD Social Science St Peter窶冱 College, Palmerston North
David Jones HOD Social Science Makoura College Masterton