JENESYS 2.0. 2013, Japan Experience!

May 25, 2013

Delegates from DKI Jakarta and West Java gathered at 12.00-14.00  in Rama Tour office, Pullman Hotel and set off together to the Japanese Embassy to get a briefing. At 16:30 all delegates from all over Indonesia (36 people) arrived at the Embassy of Japan to get a briefing from the embassy, Jenesys 2.0 Batch 1 alumni, and direction from Kemenpora. In the evening, the Indonesian delegation departed using the bus to the Soekarno Hatta airport. Before taking off to Japan, Indonesia delegation got a dinner at the airport restaurant and were handed the passport, visa, ticket and other related documents required in departure.

May 26, 2013

Around 10 am, the Indonesian delegation arrived at Narita International Airport and then picked up towards the Nikko Narita Hotel. We were greeted by our country coordinator, then we were briefed about the program. After lunch, we took some break to resume the activities in the afternoon. The whole Jenesys delegates from all ASEAN countries depart from Hotel to the Cultural Center Shibayama to be given an orientation about the program by JICE. On this day, the Indonesian delegation was officially divided into 12 Group which will undergo either a different content program, location and hotel. Each country is represented by each of three delegates from all member countries of ASEAN. My group was Group D and it took place in Shizuoka Prefecture. Each group is accompanied by a Group Coordinator from JICE, and another coordinator from each prefecture. On this day was also conducted the elections of Group Leader, and I was given the privilege to sharpen my leadership skills because I was selected as Sub-Group Leader to lead the 27 participants in Group D.

May 27,  2013

All participants gathered at the House of the National Olympics Memorial Youth Center to listen to lectures from several speakers such as: Mr. Yoshikuni Ohnishi as the Secretary-General of ASEAN-JAPAN Centre. The next presentation was delivered by Mr. Songkane Luangmununthone as the director of the Trade and Investment Division and the final presentation was delivered by Mr. Axioma Dananjaya as director of tourism and youth exchanges ASEAN-Japan Centre.

After lunch the participants were invited to visit the famous Asakusa shrine. In Asakusa, the participants were given free time to conduct exploration on the Japanese culture as well as to buy Japanese souvenirs.

Up in the afternoon, we moved to a hotel in Tokyo region, Harumi Grand Hotel. After dinner, all participants were given free time to explore Tokyo with a note to go back to the hotel at 22:00. We and some friends from Indonesia, Brunei, Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia then decided to pay a visit to Shibuya, a fashion and shopping center in Tokyo. To reach Shibuya, we used the facilities at the Tokyo Subway public transportation which is convenient and easily accessible.

May 28,  2013

On this day each group went to each prefecture. Our group set out to use the Shinkanzen express train heading to Shizuoka City which took about 1 hour 15 minutes from Tokyo. In the afternoon, we headed the regional administration building, Shizuoka Rosei Kaikan Building. There we were greeted by representatives of Shizuoka local government. We also get an overview of learning about Shizuoka Prefecture, industrial and trade policies in Shizuoka and Shizuoka cooperative relations with ASEAN. Shizuoka Prefecture has quite a lot contribution in Japanese GDP income. Shizuoka is a place of international class Multi National Company, like Honda, Toyota and Daihatsu. Shizuoka is also known as the number one producer of green tea in Japan, high income is also earned from high rate of Shizuoka green tea exports. The impressive thing that we can learn is the government policy that strongly supports the development of small and medium enterprises in Shizuoka.

After getting  reviews from the local government, we did a workshops in a form of focus group discussion (FGD) to discuss what action plan will be presented at the end of the program. At this workshop, the Group was divided into 3 small groups and then discussed the outlook for Japan-ASEAN before attending the program, things encountered and learned throughout the program, and in the end the proposed action plan.

May 29,  2013

On this day, the delegation was taken to the Port of Shimizu. Port of Shimizu is an important door in the activities of Japan's exports and imports to several countries overseas. We learned that the port mainly exports motorcycle, car, and manufacturing products. The port has a very good security system and advanced technology. They have a recovery system in case of an earthquake or snow storm, so it will not slow down the pace of port activity.

After visiting the port, our group had the opportunity to visit the University of Shizuoka. There, we were greeted by Professors and students of the university. We then were divided into small groups to listen to the presentation and discussion with the students. Group presentations which were given by them were about Mount Fuji, Japan's summer festivals, the hospitality of the Japanese people, and traditional Japanese food. On this occasion, we also exchanged business cards to establish long-term friendships. Indonesian delegation also distributed Indonesian souvenirs to introduce Indonesian culture.

May 30,  2013

The third day in Shizuoka Prefecture, we took a trip to Tokai Meiji Co., Ltd, one of the largest company in Japan's food, snacks and chocolates sector. We are guided by the employees to observe Meiji chocolate production process that is capable of entering international markets including Indonesia. In this observation, we were demonstrated how advanced production machines able to process the products with highly efficient rate, so company get the maximum quality and quantity. The orientation and philosophy of this company is the customer satisfaction not only limited to profit orientation. The Company also appreciate the professionalism of the workers because the work environment was so comfortable and clean so as to maximize the working energy and spirit.

The second visit was to the radio, TV and local newspaper located in Shizuoka Broadcasting System (SBS) Building. When we came it was the time to produce the afternoon edition of the newspaper, there we were invited to see the process of making newspaper began form the editing process until the printing process. Inside the building we also got the opportunity to On Air in the SBS Shizuoka Live Radio Programme. We get a few minutes to introduce ourselves. The broadcaster also feel interested and asking about the hijab I wear. In addition, they also took a photo of our Group and then published it in the local newspaper the next day.

After that, we returned to the hotel for a brief rest and prepare for the evening; there will be performances and cultural exchanges from each country with local Japanese community. We went to a building, there has been present several local society and students from Shizuoka. The event began with remarks from community representatives of Shizuoka, followed by cultural performances from each country delegation. Each delegate displays its culture in the form of dances, songs, or other arts. The three of us as the Indonesian delegation performed “sinden”, dances and songs which were packaged in a "Dolanan Java" performance.

After the performances of delegates JENESYS 2.0, local communities also provide an explanation about the Japanese culture and  by holding quizzes also games. After dinner, we had the opportunity to meet, greet and socialize with the local Japanese people. On this occasion, I introduced some Indonesian food that I brought from Indonesia like “Dodol”  and cassava chips. I also explained to about Indonesia through a pop up card media that I created. At the end of the show, I also distributed some souvenirs from Indonesia. Through such cultural events like this, it is expected that there would grow a sense of tolerance among nations with understanding to the various culture of each country. In addition, to get to know each other so as to establish a good relationship in the future.

May 31, 2013

In the morning we visited a agro-tourism place, which is the plantations of tea Nihondaira Ocha kaikan. There we can directly experience the traditional culture Japan by plucking tea leaf. We were guided on how to pluck the tea leaves so the good quality can be assured. We were also given the knowledge about the best time of plucking tea, when the tea grew for the first times within the season, which is known for tea type 1. We were also served with a dish of green tea and tempura made from tea leaf.

Trip continued with visiting the historical Shrine in Shizuoka and also Japan namely Kuno-zan Toshugu. This place is above the hill so to get there, we should took the cable train or gondola. This temple was built as a memory of a Shogun dedication in Edo Era which managed to bring peacefulness and unity in Japan on the year 1600, named Tokugawa Leyasu. This building is very traditional because it was used as a staying  place by the third child of Tokugawa Leyasu namely Hidetada. Kuno-zan Toshogu was built with a mix styles between Shintoism and Buddhism. However after-based government Shogun ends, imperial Japan decided to separate both religions. So the Buddhism ornaments and style was abolished and was remodel with the influence of  Shintoism. But Japanese has a high tolerance on both religion.

After visiting the shrine, we did the second workshop for more than 3 hours. In this workshop was also done the selection for representatives of the groups who will perform the presentation on the last day. I was selected to became the presenter in the action plan along with two friends from Indonesian and the Philippines. On the night in hotel, we work on the preparations of presentation such as making action plan reports, power point slide show, also a video which will be displayed during the presentation.

June 1,  2013

On the last day of the program, at the morning we got ready to go to the train station. By using Shinkanzen, we returned back to Tokyo. On the trip we get a chance to see Mount Fuji, the highest mountain in Japan which has become a well-known icon of Japan. After arriving in Tokyo we headed to a hotel to present the results of the workshop and action plan to be carried out. After the presentations were done we went on a trip to Nikko Narita Hotel to get home tomorrow morning.

June 2, 2013

After breakfast, Indonesian contingent gathered to return to Indonesia. This morning, many of us are sad and even cried because we have to separate with our firnds. But it was also a proof that the purpose of the program succeeded because it increases the friendship and sense of belonging of ASEAN youth.

After traveling for more than 7 hours, the Indonesian delegation arrived at Soekarno Hatta International Airport. We did a quick review before parting and some delegates proceeded to their respective areas.