Japan-Asia Youth Exchange Program in Science

SAKURA Exchange Program in ScienceActivity Report

Open Application Course 2017

Produced and issued byPromotion Office of SAKURA Exchange Program in ScienceJapan Science & Technology Agency(JST)5-3, Yonbancho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-8666 Tel: +81-3-5214-8996, Email: ssp.press@jst.go.jp

SAKURA Exchange Program in ScienceHomepagehttp://www.ssp.jst.go.jp/EN

2018 Printed in Japan November 2018

Activity Report on Open Application Course 2017SAKURA Exchange Program in Science

Table of contents

Overview of Open Application Course 2017 ……………………………P1

Activity Report ● University…………………………………………………………P2Hakodate University, Hirosaki University, Gunma University, Keio University, University of Electro-Communications, Yokohama City University, Yamanashi University, Nara Women's University, Osaka Institute of Technology, Osaka University of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kagawa University, University of Occupational and Environmental Health

Activity Report ● Technical Junior College …………………………… P14National Institute of Technology, Miyakonojo College

Activity Report ● High School…………………………………………………… P15Osaka Prefectural Senri Senior High School

Activity Report ● Research Institution…………………………………… P16Japan Atomic Energy Agency

Activity Report ● Local Government ……………………………………… P17Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo

Activity Report ● Private Company ………………………………………… P18TORAY Industries, Inc.

Reference1. Statistical Data on Open Application Course 2017 …………………………… P19

2. Results of Participant Survey ………………………………………………………… P22

3. Media coverage …………………………………………………………………………… P24

Cover photo① Hiroshima International Center, December 2017

High school students from Chongqing in China experience how to wear Yukata (casual kimono)

② Shizuoka University Faculty of Science, August 2017Students from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology studying “Ultra steep terrain environmental science” and experience tea picking on holidays.

③ Takasaki University of Health and Welfare International Exchange Center, October 2017Students from the Ho Chi Minh City Medicine and Pharmacy University in Vietnam experience the mounting of nursing care device HAL.

④ National Institute of Technology, Nagaoka College, October 2017Students from the Neusoft Institute of Information in Guangzhou city, China experience Robot designing

⑤ Nihon University College of Engineering, February 2018Students from the Bakrie University in Indonesia are challenged to make a model of “Tensegrity” that is a concept of structural engineering.

1

Students from the Chennai Institute of Technology in India participate in a workshop on IoT (Kyushu Institute of Technology, November 2017)

The Open Application Course of SAKURA Exchange Program in Science is a program in which receiving organizations in Japan invite the youth of sending organizations from foreign countries and regions in a short period of time and conduct exchanges in the field of science and technology.

1. Outline

In the Open Application Course in FY2017, a total of 4 open calls were held for 35 countries and regions of Asian and Pacific Island Countries. A total of 5,180 people from 688 sending organizations visited Japan, and 196 receiving organizations in Japan cooperated with those sending organizations, and 540 exchange programs were conducted throughout the year.

<Application and Selection Results>1st Call 2nd Call 3rd Call 4th Call Total

ApplicationNo of Organizations* 85 104 94 78 206**

No of Applications 153 177 172 106 608

SelectionNo of Organizations* 79 95 84 64 190**

No of Applications 127 148 139 78 492

<Implementation Results in FY2017>No. of selections No. of organizations *

Single year plan 459

196**Multiple year plan*** 81

Total 540

*: Number of receiving organizations in Japan**: Value calculated by aggregating the multiple applications by the same

organizations as “1”***: Number includes the multiple plans that were selected in FY2016

2. Eligible Countries and Regions in FY2017

3. Eligibility of Participants

High school students, university or graduate students, postgraduate students, postdoctoral fellows, etc. who are 40 years old and under, basically visiting Japan for the first time, and having the nationality of the invited countries and regions.

4. Three Kinds of Exchange Programs

A. Science and Technology Experience CourseThe youth in Asia or others coming to Japan participate in the exchange program in the field of science and technology planned and arranged by a receiving organization of Japan. Duration of stay: Maximum 10 days

B. Collaborative Research Activity CourseThe youth in Asia or others coming to Japan conduct short-term collaborative research activity with Japanese researchers arranged by a Japanese receiving organization, including educational institutions, research institutes, private companies which independently conduct education or research and development activities related to science and technology. Duration of stay: Maximum 3 weeks

C. Science and Technology Training CourseThe youth in Asia or others coming to Japan participate in the training to intensively acquire the skills related to science and technology, that is implemented and arranged by a receiving organization. Duration of stay: Maximum 10 days

<Outline of implementation by course>No. of Programs No. of Participants

Course A 417 4,195 people

Course B 63 379 people

Course C 60 606 people

Total 540 5,180 people

Overview of Open Application Course 2017SAKURA Exchange Program in Science

Southeast Asia……………………11 countries… ……………… 2,327 peopleEast Asia……………………………4 countries / regions……… 2,154 peopleSouthwest Asia……………………7 countries……………………… 586 peopleCentral Asia… ……………………5 countries…………………………79 peoplePacific Island Country……………8 countries…………………………34 people* Please refer to Page 19 for more details.

2

Activity report (From receiving organizations)

Hakodate University invited 9 students and 1 faculty member from the Department of Food Science and Technology of Singapore Polytechnic, and implemented the program.

Based on the program theme, they conducted lectures, practical training, field trips, company and facility tours, etc. from the viewpoint of food science, nutrition science, ecology, and marketing studies on how the food of Hokkaido and Japan that is very popular in Singapore is made, how the quality is maintained, how it is distributed to Singapore, and what the reasons for the popularity are.

Japan is implementing thorough quality controls and hygiene management from the time of primary industries such as agriculture. It is not an exaggeration to say that Japan has world class technology in it. If this management technology is transferred to Asian countries, then it will be possible to distribute food at the same level as in Japan, and that can be said as the cornerstone to transfer the Japanese food culture to the world.

The level of food processing technology of Japan is high, and Japan produces a lot of processed foods, not only with flavor and appearance, but also by combining the functional and nutritional aspects based on scientific evidence.

Most tourists from other Asian countries say that “Food in Hokkaido is delicious”. The rich nature, four seasons, and materials nurtured in the climate of Hokkaido are considered as the main cause, and it is very significant to learn from the viewpoint of ecology and nutrition.

Program Seems Popular, and Continued Implementation Requested

Lectures were conducted mainly on the functionality of fishery products in Hokkaido, by getting the cooperation of Hokkaido University Faculty of Fisheries Sciences and Hakodate International Fisheries and Marine Research Center having exchange on regular basis. As fieldwork, they also visited places of primary industries such as farms and orchards and the fishery wholesale markets. In addition to learning, cooking experience with raw materials was conducted at a Vocational Food School. The students from Singapore were actively enjoying the food and flavor that they handled for the first time.

In Singapore, a lot of Japanese snacks are sold and people are familiar with them, hence a comparison of the same snacks in Singapore and Japan was made during the student exchanges, and group work was conducted to discuss the package, display, differences in flavor, etc.

Since the participants were very pleased and requested to continue the program, we have already started to implement its own program for the next year, based on the reflected points and improvement points received this time. We would like to thank SAKURA Science from the bottom of our heart for providing such a fruitful opportunity.

Hakodate University (Course A) September 2nd to 9

th, 2017

Singaporean Students Learn Food Science of Japan in Hokkaido

Visiting rice farmers

Cooking practice using functional food

Comparing and discussing the snacks in group work

Schedule Program Location

Day 1 Arrival and Welcome party Hakodate Univ.

Day 2 Bus tour Hakodate City

Day 3

Opening ceremony, Orientation Lecture on ecology of seafood and seaweed and scientific characteristics of food.

Hakodate City

Day 4

Lecture on international marketing of Japanese food industry. Student exchange through group work on common and different points between the two countries.

Hakodate City

Day 5 Field trip on food (Fishing harbor, agriculture farm, livestock farm, etc.)

Hakodate, Hokuto City, Nanae town

Day 6

Visit to Hokkaido University Faculty of Fisheries Facilities Visit to Hakodate Marine Processing Facility Visit to Hakodate International Fisheries and Marine Research Center

Hokkaido University

Day 7

Lecture on Japanese foodJapanese food cooking practice Presentation of study results by each group, and farewell party

Hakodate City

Day 8 Leaving Japan

3

Photo taken at the university main gate

ESR measurement experiment of sample

At the balcony of Miraikan

Hirosaki University (Course A) September 20th to 29

th, 2017

Convey Front-Line Research Methods to Competent Young Thai Researchers

Schedule Program Location

Day 1 Coming to JapanMove to Aomori

Day 2 Orientation preparation for meeting University visit

Hirosaki University

Day 3

Seminar on magnetic resonance studies, research meeting Equipment outline, demonstration of equipment

Same as above

Day 4 Aomori Sannai Maruyama site tour Nebuta Museum WA-RASSE tour

Aomori City

Day 5 Hirosaki City Apple Park tour Hirosaki Five-storied Pagoda tour

Hirosaki City

Day 6 Implementation of collaborative research

Hirosaki University

Day 7Preparation of results presentation, results presentation meeting Farewell party

Same as above

Day 8 Research results SummaryMove to Tokyo

Hirosaki University Tokyo

Day 9Visit to The National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation (Miraikan) Cultural observation of Asakusa

Tokyo

Day 10 Return to country

University

The Nakagawa Laboratory of the Graduate School of Health Sciences, Hirosaki University (Regional Innovation Studies) is conducting front-line research using X-band electron spin resonance (ESR) imaging, a rare technology in the world, one of the few in the world.

This time, a total of ten members from Mae Fah Luang University in Thailand, and nine excellent graduate students from Pharmaceutical Sciences of Chiang Mai University and Khon Kaen University which are affiliated schools of Hirosaki University, were invited, and we conducted research exchanges in the field of advanced science and technology, sponsored by SAKURA Science.

On the 1st day of activity, a courtesy call to the President, a campus tour, and a seminar on experiment method and equipment were held. From the next day, it was possible to smoothly conduct experiment measurements in the collaborative research, because the coordination about the specific contents such as measuring samples were already done through e-mail.

The research content made use of both the research on medicinal and antioxidant effects of medicinal herbs being conducted at the Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Khon Kaen University and the visualization technique using free radical Electron Spin Resonance (ESR) at the Nakagawa Laboratory, and had become a collaborative research that matches the needs and seeds of each research.

Everyone Made a Presentation after Analyzing Data

In the measurement experiment, graduate students were divided into three groups. For them, it was the first experience of the ESR method, and despite having some confusion at first, they were able to acquire the data in a short time. Only one group was not successful in the first measurement, but they received comments about the readjustment of their measurement sample from a supervisor in Thailand, and on the next day after receiving the comments, they made changes to the sample adjustment method, and finally acquired the data.

In the second half of the program, they compiled and analyzed the measurement data, divided into groups and held discussion. In the research presentation, everyone presented their research contents and introduced their graduating school. In addition to actively exchanging opinions about the research contents, they also exchanged information about their universities.

On the 9th day, they visited The National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation (Miraikan) in Tokyo and watched a 3D movie, a demonstration by a robot, a rocket engine, and then went to Asakusa. Because most people are Buddhist in Thailand, they showed special interest in the manners of worship and fortune slip at the temple.

Although it was a short period of time, it seems that they received strong influence not only from science and technology, but also from Japan. They would like to make further progress on research exchanges in the future.

4

Activity report

Visit to Think Together Co., Ltd.

Photo at the welcome party

MATLAB Course by Prof. Hashimoto

Sri Lanka is focusing on the sophistication of mobility systems as a national policy but has a shortage of advanced engineers and researchers in the related fields, and development of technical cooperation between Japan and Sri Lanka is expected.

In Gunma University Graduate School of Science and Technology, many automobile related researchers are enrolled, and hence the area around the university has accumulated automobile industries.

Furthermore, the Next Generation Mobility Society Implementation Research center (hereinafter, “Center”), which was launched in 2017, is expected to develop as a Japanese base for social implementation research of automatic driving.

This program was planned and implemented, with the aim of starting technical exchanges between Gunma University and Sri Lanka, based on the full cooperation of the Prime Minister's office of Sri Lanka and Japan-Sri Lanka Joint Comprehensive Partnership (JCP) Secretariat. Graduate School of Science and Technology and the Center took a leading part of it.

Regarding the invited students, the JCP Secretariat selected a total of nine students specializing in the fields of Electricity, Mechanics and Information from the University of Moratuwa, University of Peradeniya, and the University of Ruhuna, which are the top schools in Sri Lanka.

They arrived in Kiryu-city on October 15th, and on the following day, a seminar was held along with the introduction of Gunma Univ. In the beginning, students from Sri Lanka introduced themselves and their studies, and we were highly impressed by their intelligence level and ambitious attitude.

Exchange of Foreign and Japanese Students Actively Conducted

Practical trainings on automatic driving by the faculty of the Center, robot making practice by the faculty of Science and Technology, and MATLAB Course were conducted. They visited Think Together Co., Ltd., the venture company in Kiryu for electric car production, and the SUBARU factory. The students enthusiastically checked the leg room of the electric car. One of them said “I' m so zealous about learning this, as I am participating in Student Formula Tournament in Sri Lanka”.

On the morning of October 21st, they left Kiryu, and made a courtesy call to the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Tokyo and reported on their achievements. Then, they visited the National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS) in Tsukuba and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), and then left for Sri Lanka.

In the week hit by rain and coldness as well as typhoon, their health was a great concern, but fortunately they braved the bad weather and concentrated on the program. We hope that this program will be a help for the invited students to have a better future, and this program will promote technical exchanges between Sri Lanka and Japan.

Gunma University Graduate School of Science and Technology (Course A) October 14th to 23

rd, 2017

Science and Technology of Sri Lanka and Japan Building a New Future

Schedule Program Location

Day 1 Arrival and OrientationNarita tour Narita City

Day 2 Move to Kiryu, Orientation Kiryu City

Day 3

Special lecture by automotive researchers at Graduate School of Science and Technology and Center, Gunma Univ. Lab tour, Exchange meeting

Gunma Univ.

Day 4 Practical training Same as above

Day 5Practical trainingVisit to SUBARU (Ota City, Gunma pref.)

Gunma Univ.SUBARU

Day 6~7 Practical training Gunma University

Day 8

Move to TokyoCourtesyVisit to Embassy of Sri Lanka in Tokyo

Tokyo

Day 9

Visit to World Premier International Research Center Initiative Program center, National Institute for Materials Science,JAXA

Tokyo

Day 10 Leaving Japan

5

There have been exchanges such as the acceptance of students and faculty visits between the Media and Governance Studies of Keio University Graduate School and Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad (IITH). In the autumn of 2017, two IITH students were invited to Japan through SAKURA Science and they engaged in collaborative research.

Associate Professor Shigeya Suzuki was appointed for the research of block chain technology, and the research on quantum computing was Associate Professor Rodney Van Meter. Invited students were Mr. Venkata Naga Pranshanth for block chain technology and Ms. Shiraj Arora for Quantum computing.

The labos are located at Shonan Fujisawa campus (SFC) of Keio University. They came to Japan during the “SFC Open Research Forum” (ORF) that introduces the SFC research outside, so that they were able to learn about the overall research at SFC.

On the 1st day, we had an orientation at SFC for them. On the 2nd and 3rd days, they visited ORF, and also discussed research policy during their stay with the respective faculty members. From that time until they leave for India, they were fully involved in the research activities except weekends.

Participated in the Lab Seminars to Interact with Students As Well

During the period, Mr. Pranshanth who started the block chain research had consented with Associate Prof. Suzuki during the preparatory period to study the application of block chain technology in the computer network technology called SDN.

However, after coming to Japan and discussing more details, we had a doubt that the research might not be attractive to him who uses the technology. Unless it is an attractive research, it would lack persuasive force in terms of validity of the proposed technology.

Hence, starting with the discussion on the concept of proposing the actually used setting (use case) as a starting point, a course correction was made to a proposal with high utilization value, by advancing related research such as the concrete methods, and the foundation for future research was strengthened.

In promoting the research, they had the opportunity to communicate not only with the faculty but also with the other students. Specially appointed Associate Prof. Suzuki and Associate Prof. Van Meter mixed with the students belonging to each other's lab, and both joined the seminar. The international students have participated in both groups from the past, and with their participation, it became more international.

Although the program period was a relatively short, it seems that both students could advance the research one step further, while gaining some knowledge about Japan.

Keio University Graduate School (Course B) November 20th to December 10

th, 2017

Promote Researchers who Open Up New Network Architecture

University

Schedule Program Location

Day 1 Arrival

Day 2 Orientation, Visit the campus and research facility Keio Univ. SFC

Day 3

Visit to Keio Univ. SFC opening research forum Meeting with mentor on research goal and schedule

Tokyo

Day 4 Visit to Keio Univ. SFC opening research forum

Same as above

Day 5 Execution of research activities in the laboratory Keio Univ. SFC

Day 6-7 Free activity (Experience of Japanese culture) Fujisawa City

Day 8-12 Execution of research activities in the lab Keio Univ. SFC

Day 13-14 Free activity Fujisawa City

Day 15Symposium in the lab Execution of research activities in the lab

Keio Univ. SFC Day 16-18 Execution of research activities in the lab

Day 19

Execution of research activities in the lab Final announcement and summary of research activities

Day 20 Free activity Fujisawa City

Day 21 Leaving Japan for India

Associate Prof. Van Meter with his students

Ms. Shiraj Arora (left) trying Japanese food with Associate Prof. Suzuki

Participant Mr. Pranshanth and Associate Prof. Van Meter

6

In the clean room where MOCVD equipment was operated

Visiting the laboratory (Laser New Generation Research Center)

In front of BL36XU experimental facility

The University of Electro-Communications (UEC) has successfully performed the second fiscal year UEC Sakura Exchange Program in Science from October 15th to 21st, 2017, according to the UEC's multiple fiscal year plan with the topic, “To study the fundamental idea and practice of the most advanced science and technologies toward the future low energy and low carbon society” which was adopted by JST in 2017. The seven universities with higher educational level and reputation in five ASEAN countries and India which have received or have been ready to receive UEC's international internship students were selected. 　As a preliminary step before the travel to Japan, they followed the summary of the program and references, mutual member introduction, the fundamental knowledge of Japanese culture and language, visa and insurance processes offered by JST and airport pick-up.

They arrived at UEC campus in Chofu on Oct. 16th, had a courtesy call to President of UEC and tours to the representative laboratories relevant to the topic with lecture, discussion and introduction of current experiments. New viewpoints of studies covering IoT were added this year so that the effect of the program toward the future society would be enhanced. Further, they had the lesson of daily Japanese language for two days, the study tour of UEC Communication Museum where they could know and experience the R&D history of electronics, information, communication and computer technologies.

Observing the Advanced Experienced Facility in the West of Japan

Successively, they had tours to the external sites practicing the relevant advanced science and technology. On October 18th, they visited the world's largest third-generation synchrotron radiation facility SPring-8 and SPring-8 Angstrom Compact Free Electron Laser (SACLA) facility providing X-ray Free Electron Laser (XFEL) located at Harima Science Garden City in Hyogo Pref. After the introduction of SPring-8 by Japan Synchrotron Radiation Research Institute (JASRI) and tour to the facilities, they studied UEC's R&D activities of Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell covering the structural analysis of elctrocatalysts based on X-ray Absorption Fine Structure (XAFS) Beam Line BL36XU. On October 19th, they visited the international R&D hub Keihanna Science City between Kyoto and Nara and studied Keihanna Eco-City project toward the Next Generation Energy and Social Systems including a smart city model with CO2 reduction and energy saving through ICT. On October 20th in the morning, they visited National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT) located at Koganei in Tokyo and experienced the multi-sensory interaction technology in a virtual space where the energy would be saved and the mutual real-time machine translation of voice conversations in multiple languages, developed by NICT. On October 1st, we had a wrap-up meeting and they left Japan for their home countries.

As a remarkable event of the program, it was discussed and decided by themselves and UEC students who welcomed them at the airport to use Google Messenger over IP for their communication so that the roll call at transfer points, health management, confirmation of boarding in time and safe arrival at each returned airport were achieved without trouble. They thank JST and us for their experience of advanced science and technology in Japan. Most of them have referred in their reports to their interests in studying in Japan and they have strongly expected that SAKURA Science will continue.

University of Electro-Communications (Course A) October 15th to 21

st, 2017

Asian Students Learn Advanced Science and Technology

Activity report

Schedule Program Location

Day 1 Arrival, Orientation Tokyo

Day 2

Courtesy call to the university PresidentLab visit and exchange of opinionsLecture on Japanese language and culture, and discussion (Part 1)

UEC

Day 3

Lab visit and exchange of opinionsExchange with student experienced in International internship and overseas students from ASEAN.Lecture on Japanese language and culture, and discussion (Part 2)

Day 4

Travel by bullet train. Visit to Synchrotron radiation facility (SPring-8) at Institute of Physical and Chemical Research (RIKEN)

Hyogo Pref.

Day 5

Visit to “Keihanna Interaction Plaza” of Kansai Science City Promotion OrganizationMove to Tokyo

Kyoto

Day 6 Visit to NICT and Miraikan NICT and Miraikan

Day 7 Wrap-up meeting, Leaving Japan UEC

7

The Town Planning Unit of the Global Cooperation Institute for Sustainable Cities (GCI) of Yokohama City University(YCU) invited a total of eleven members including ten graduate students and a faculty member from the Khwopa Engineering College in Bhaktapur, Nepal, with the support from SAKURA Science. We conducted a study tour on the theme of “Urban reconstruction from disaster - Learn disaster resistant urban environment improvement”.

Nepal is in the process of recovering from the earthquake disaster in April 2015, and disaster-resistant town planning is one of the important tasks in the field of architecture and urban planning. Especially in the reconstruction of historical urban areas such as Bhaktapur, it has been demanded to simultaneously solve a wide range of issues such as preservation of cultural assets, improvement of urban environment, social and economic development, promotion of community participation, economic independence of citizens, and improvement of legal system for that.

In this program, an opportunity was created to present the earthquake disaster and reconstruction efforts of their country, and to exchange opinions with Japanese students, along with the introduction of some of the initiatives made in urban and town planning, disaster prevention and historical environmental preservation in Japan, through lectures and field trips.

Presentation on the Efforts of Earthquake Reconstruction in Nepal

After receiving a lecture on Yokohama City design, the students strolled around the town in Yokohama. In the lecture, they learned that Yokohama City had also experienced catastrophic damage by the Great Kanto Earthquake and the Great Yokohama Air Raid, survived and recovered from them, and learned about its reconstruction plans. When walking around the city while confirming the contents of the lecture, they were particularly interested in the maintenance of roads, buildings and various signs.

Next, they learned about the approach of disaster prevention town planning as a case study for the Machiya area in Yokohama where YCU is located. Walking in the district with the guidance of the president of the residents' association and the planner involved in the district, they checked the conditions of narrow roads and evacuation facilities, while receiving an explanation on disaster prevention town planning, and received explanation about the planning concepts and planning process.

Then, they moved to Tohoku Sanriku area to learn about the efforts of reconstruction from the Great East Japan Earthquake. They visited temporary housing, disaster municipal housing, high ground relocation area, newly established commercial facilities, etc., and learned about the reconstruction plan rooted in regional characteristics such as methods of housing and community rebuilding, industrial and commercial restoration, and measures to revitalize the region.

Finally, the participants made presentations at YCU about the earthquake reconstruction efforts in Nepal. It was a valuable opportunity for students of YCU to listen to actual stories from the persons experienced the disaster and reconstruction in Nepal.

Yokohama City University (Course A) November 14th to 23

rd, 2017

Nepali Youth Learn Disaster Resistant Town Planning

Strolling around in Yokohama

Preliminary review of visiting destination

Presentation about the disaster and reconstruction in Nepal

University

Schedule Program Location

Day 1 Arrival

Day 2

OrientationLecture on Yokohama City design, observation of city planning in YokohamaVisit to Yokohama Disaster Risk Reduction Learning Center.

YCUYokohama City

Day 3

Learn science, technology and planning methods for disaster reduction, disaster prevention and reconstruction Learn international urban cooperation projects

YCUYokohama City

Day 4 Learn environmental technology for sustainable urban development Tokyo

Day 5

Move to Tohoku. Observation of damage and reconstruction by the Great East Japan Earthquake.Learn disaster risk management

Northern Japan

Day 6

Visit to Rias Ark Museum at Kesennuma, temporary housing, group relocation area, fishing port, embankment, etc. Learn about the community-based reconstruction planning

Northern Japan

Day 7Visit to Yokohama Waterfront District, learn about urban infrastructure, etc.

Yokohama CityYCU

Day 8

Visit Kamakura City, a historical area in Japan. Learn about the historical City of Japan, its development and Japanese culture.

Kamakura City

Day 9 Student presentation and discussion YCU

Day 10 Leaving Japan

8

Training on water quality test

Group discussion

Training on the usage of rainfall-runoff modeling

Ten students and a faculty member from the Brawijaya University in Indonesia came to Japan through SAKURA Science. The training was given on the advanced technology of river basin management at the Interdisciplinary Centre for River Basin Environment at the Univ. of Yamanashi.

In Indonesia, rapid population concentration towards the urban areas is progressing along with economic development, and once a flood occurs immense damage is caused. Water treatment facilities are not sufficiently developed for the population concentrated in urban areas, and the deterioration of the water environment is a problem. In consideration of sustainable development for the future, an immediate introduction of river basin management is required by comprehensively considering the mitigation of flood and drought damage and water environment conservation.

The invited students were first trained on the usage of BTOPMC, a rainfall-runoff modeling (a program to forecast river flow rate from rainfall information) developed by the Univ. of Yamanashi. Under the guidance of Associate Prof. Ishidaira and Assistant Prof. Magome, they learned about the mechanism of rainfall-runoff modeling, and they by themselves calculated the river flow rate in Indonesia by using satellite remote sensing data and rain gauge data. They also conducted a study comparing with the observed flow rate and were able to master the knowledge and technology enabling them to apply the rainfall-runoff modeling to the rivers managed by them after returning home.

They visited the traditional river basin management facilities (Shingen embankment, Manriki forest) of Yamanashi. A lot of discussion was held about the aim for which these facilities were constructed about 400 years ago by Takeda Shingen, and they understood that those places have many inspiring points even in the present time.

Comprehensive Consideration of River Management

The students also received lectures on heavy rain disaster of Japan and its damage mitigation by Associate Prof. Souma and held group discussion on the way of integrated watershed management in Indonesia. They experienced a method to efficiently collect various ideas, through the discussion using their KJ method and brainstorming.

Subsequently, training was conducted on water quality testing. Under the guidance of Assistant Prof. Nakamura, they repeated analysis for a few water samples by various methods. They learned that it is not only during floods and droughts, but the usual water quality is also important considering environmentally conscious river management.

Finally, each one gave a presentation on the study results and exchanged opinions with Japanese students who had been working as teaching assistants. For the students of the Univ. of Yamanashi, it was a good opportunity to be exposed to the concepts of other countries. Through this program, it is expected that the exchanges between both universities will further deepen, and lead to the development of further collaborative research in the future.

University of Yamanashi (Course A) November 20th to 29

th, 2017

Indonesian Students Learn Technology of River Basin Management

Activity report

Schedule Program Location

Day 1 Arrival Univ. of Yamanashi

Day 2Discussion on program planExplanation and training on rainfall-runoff modeling

Same as above

Day 3 Explanation and training on rainfall-runoff modeling

Same as above

Day 4

Visit to Yamanashi Science MuseumVisit to traditional watershed management facility in YamanashiWater sampling in rivers

Yamanashi Science Museum and others

Day 5

Learn the history of watershed management in YamanashiLecture and discussion on similarities of water disasters between Japan and Indonesia.

Univ. of Yamanashi

Day 6~7Lecture and discussion on watershed management of Japan and its application in Indonesia.

Same as above

Day 8Training on water quality testVisit to Univ. of Yamanashi Isotope Analysis Facility and X band MP radar

Same as above

Day 9

Discussion and presentation Wrap-up meeting and exchange activities with the faculty members and students of International Watershed Environment Research Center.

Same as above

Day 10 Leaving Japan

9

Exchange meeting with Nara women's university students

Engaged on the final task in the computer lab

Photo at the program completion ceremony

Nara Women's University Faculty of Science (Course A) August 1st to 10

th, 2017

To Build Academic Exchange Foundation with Bangladesh

Faculty of Science at the Nara Women's University invited ten graduate students and one faculty member from the University of Chittagong in Bangladesh, an affiliated school of Nara Women's University, and conducted academic exchanges through SAKURA Science.

The Environmental Science Course at Faculty of Science, Department of Chemistry and Life Environment (Currently Department of Chemistry and Biological Environment) of this University was the receiving organization.

The program participants were graduate students studying at the Institute of Forestry and Environmental Sciences, University of Chittagong, and they are mainly engaged in interdisciplinary research on forest environments. In the training, lecture and computer training on mathematics of population dynamics using a nonlinear dynamic system by the faculty members of this university, and lectures on planetary atmosphere and geomicrobiology were conducted.

On the final day, presentations were given of themes selected by the participants themselves, and they gained experience by applying the knowledge and skills learned during the training for future research. It seems that the classes conducted from different perspective from the curriculum of the Institute of Forestry and Environmental Sciences, University of Chittagong could provide the program participants with a new viewpoint to study the environment.

The Head of Faculty of Science, University of Chittagong who accompanied the students from Bangladesh exchanged meaningful opinions on future academic exchanges with us. And we colud build a base for sustainable exchanges between the two universities.

Impressed by the Fantastic Landscape of Nara's Summer Festival

In the eight days of the program, exchanges with the students of this university, were organized to familiarize the visiting students with Japan and were conducted several times, in addition to the lectures, computer training in English, and theme presentation. All of the Bangladesh students were proficient in English, and it was a very exciting and good opportunity for the Japanese students to make exchanges in English.

There were numerous cultural relics with cultural value such as World Heritage Nara Park. During their stay, the famous summer event, “Nara Tokae Festival 2017” was held in Nara Park, and it seemed that they were very impressed by the fantastic landscape lit up by tens of thousands of candle lights.

For most of the program participants, it was their first overseas trip, and hence it seemed that there were many uneasy things at the beginning when they arrived at Nara. But, the students of Nara Women's University volunteered their support for the stay (food, shopping, etc.), and despite a short period of ten days, it seemed that they could fully enjoy their stay in Nara.

Some of the participants are aiming to become researchers, and it is hoped and expected that they will come back to Japan in the future and strive for further study.

University

Schedule Program Location

Day 1 Arrival

Day 2OrientationNara Tour and exchange meeting with the students of this university

Nara Women's University

Day 3 Special lecture (Introduction of examples of Population dynamics, etc.)

Same as above

Day 4Special lecture (Explanation of differential equation and exponential increase model, etc.)

Same as above

Day 5

Special lecture (Analysis method of nonlinear differential equations and application to population dynamics) Social gathering

Same as above

Day 6

Special practice (Practice of numerical solution of differential dynamic system using computer and practice of numerical solution of differential equations)

Same as above

Day 7Special practice (Visualization of numerical solution using image library, etc.)

Same as above

Day 8Task report on special lectures and practice, creation of science and technology exchange contents.

Same as above

Day 9Task report on special lectures and practiceNara Tour and exchange meeting with the Japanese students of this university.

Same as above

Day 10 Leaving Japan

10

Osaka Institute of Technology(OIT) invited ten students from the Kookmin University of Korea and conducted international PBL (Project Based Learning). PBL is aimed at improving various abilities (Problem solving, team work, creativity, communication, design skills, leadership, etc.) in a short period of time, by working on a given design task in a group.

The both university students were divided into four small groups, worked on a joint task entitled “Sustainable Design Workshop”. In the workshop to design Pod Architecture (small architecture) which has a reading space, it was required to show the design basis not only on design aspects, but also the simulation of wind and light, with the target site being the walking space near Kizu-gawa river in Osaka City. Korean students visited the target site of the design task on the first day and conducted a survey.

Site survey was a group action, but the exchanges between the students of Japan and Korea occurred naturally. In the evening, they visited “Nihonbashi House (Designed by a famous architect, Tadao Ando)”, and at night they had dinner together and deepened their friendship.

Finished All the Group Design Work, and Had a Intensive Workshop

On the morning of the 2nd day, we conducted a simulation lecture. The participants learned the basic operation of air flow analysis and daylight calculation and worked on the design task all day from the afternoon of the 2nd day to the 4th day.

Meanwhile, they gave interim presentation twice. Students wrote design key points on paper and whiteboard and gave explanations to us. Everyone was struggling to explain, but it seemed that they were trying hard to convey their thoughts.

The design work took place from the early morning to the last moment when the university was closed at night, but the entire group finished it completely, and showed their work in their final presentation.

On the 5th day, all the members went to Kyoto for an architectural tour and visited places such as Kyoto National Museum and Sanjūsangen-do (a Buddhist temple). At night, a farewell party was held, the best group was announced on the spot, and it became a wonderful moment.

On the final day, they visited OIT Umeda campus and its surroundings, and then the Korean students returned home.

There were a lot of delighted comments from the Korean students that they were able to learn Japanese culture and deepen their friendship with Japanese students.

On the other hand, Japanese students answered, "we realized that we should improve out design skills, and communication skills including language." We will make use of those comments to improve international PBL from now on.

Osaka Institute of Technology Department of Architecture (Course A) June 26th to July 1

st, 2017

Conducting Design Workshop with Korean Students

Visiting “Nihonbashi House”

Working on design work in cooperation

Displaying in the final presentation

Activity report

Schedule Program Location

Day 1Arrival, Orientation, Site survey

Osaka Institute of Technology

Day 2Lecture on simulation, group wise discussion, model material purchase, design work

Same as above

Day 3

Group wise discussion, model material purchase, design workIntermediate presentation, work on design, model, and analysis, A1 poster creation

Same as above

Day 4Work on design, model, and analysis, poster creation review meeting

Same as above

Day 5 Architectural tour in Kyoto, Farewell Party Kyoto

Day 6 Leaving Japan

11

Osaka University of Pharmaceutical Sciences invited a total of seven members including two university students, four graduate students, and a supervising teacher from China Medical University.

In this program, excellent young researchers from China Medical Univ. were trained in the isolation and structure determination of natural organic compounds and were aiming to contribute to the development of new drugs by developing the drug from unused resources in China using the technology possessed by this university, while trying to increase the number of researchers from China to study in Japan.

The basis for discovering new drug seeds is to isolate and determine the structure of organic compounds from natural resources. The Chinese students worked on solvent partition using organic solvents, column chromatography, thin layer chromatography, high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and structure determination by instrumental analysis, etc., to isolate the natural organic compounds.

This work was done forming a team by 1 or 2 Japanese students and a Chinese student. The students from both countries had communications in English, but sometimes with gestures, or translation application in smart phone to promote research collaboration. Their smiling faces showed the exchanges among them were made.

This University possesses the latest instrument analyzers such as Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Equipment and X-ray Crystal Analyzer useful for determining the structure of natural organic compounds and conducts training about this equipment. The Chinese students were very enthusiastic about research, and it was impressive to see them doing the NMR spectra measurement every day and late into the night. Some of the students said that they wanted to conduct the research in Japan for a long time.

Spend a Fruitful Time for Future Collaborative Research

At the end of the training, the graduate students from China Medical Univ. made presentations on their research results. The questions and answers session by both the Japanese and Chinese students was very exciting, and the students were able to spend a meaningful time for future collaborative research.

After the program, both the Japanese and Chinese students exchanged contacts while parting reluctantly and felt that they had built a deep friendship through this training.

In the questionnaire, all the Chinese students replied that they were satisfied with the program and wanted to come back to Japan, and it seems that it was a very fulfilling program for them. It is expected that they will come back to Japan and be active as researchers in the future.

We would like to express our gratitude to SAKURA Science for providing a useful opportunity for international exchange, and to every person concerned with this program.

Osaka University of Pharmaceutical Sciences (Course C) December 10th to 19

th, 2017

Chinese Researchers Trained on Organic Compounds

Isolation operation of natural organic compound

Japanese and Chinese students immediately became friends

Graduate students reporting their research results

University

Schedule Program Location

Day 1 Arrival

Day 2

Visit laboratories and facilities at the university Discussion of collaborative research, Social gathering

Osaka Univ. of Pharma. Sciences

Day 3 Collaborative Research(Column Chromatography)

Same as above

Day 4 Collaborative Research(Column Chromatography, NMR)

Same as above

Day 5 Collaborative Research(HPLC, NMR) Same as above

Day 6 Collaborative Research(Structure Determination)

Same as above

Day 7 Visit to Kobe Science Museum and other places in Kobe city

Kobe City, Sanda City

Day 8 Visit to Osaka Science Museum Osaka City

Day 9 Seminar on research results

Osaka Univ. of Pharma. Sciences

Day 10 Leaving Japan

12

Kagawa University invited university faculty members, researchers and graduate students from Southeast Asia and conducted trainings on lifestyle-related diseases. A total of ten participants from Asia including Thailand (3 people), Myanmar (2), Brunei Darussalam (1), Vietnam (2), and Malaysia (2) were invited.

In addition to the lecturers of Kagawa Univ., one of the respective faculty members of Universiti Brunei Darussalam and Putra University in Malaysia, who came to Japan during the same period, participated as observers, and the training became a diverse gathering.

The program contents are as follows:

(1) Orientation and safety management, and lecture on the significance and interests of study and research activities in Japan were conducted.

(2) Current condition of lifestyle-related diseases in the participants' home countries, and the problem consciousness of each participant was reported as a country report.

(3) Current condition of lifestyle-related diseases in Japan, introduction on the outline of efforts for anti-diabetes project “Team Kagawa”, and deployment of Team Kagawa to Chiang Mai University in Thailand were given. They also visited specific health examination facilities.

(4) Lecture on treatment, complications and rehabilitation of lifestyle-related diseases, visit to rehabilitation special facilities, and lecture and practical skills on obesity exercise therapy were done.

(5) Lecture was conducted on rare sugar research which is an advanced approach to lifestyle-related diseases by Kagawa Univ., visit to rare sugar plant and rare sugar popularization activity were done.

(6) Lecture was conducted on ICT telemedicine which is an advanced initiative in Kagawa.

(7) Training was conducted by dividing the program tailored to the task of participants.

(8) As a final presentation, they looked back at results obtained from the training, and presented a proposal on the possibility and method of deploying in their countries.

Foster a Common Recognition in the Country Report and Link to Results

The remarkable thing is that they had the opportunity to present the issues about lifestyle-related diseases in each country as a country report in the beginning of the program. And they were able to conduct the subsequent discussions more smoothly and effectively as a common recognition matured concerning the issues between the participants and lecturers. The lecturers also asked trainees to share their problems and revised the program.

In the final presentation, all were convinced that it was a very fulfilled training for both the participants and the receiving organization as the results of such training were firmly reflected, and the Asian participants proposed new ideas.

It was possible to get a certain effect such as, deepening of exchanges further with this training as an opportunity, as well as starting the exchanges with Putra University in Malaysia.

Kagawa University (Course A) November 5th to 11

th, 2017

Special Training for Asian Researchers on Lifestyle-Related Diseases

Visit to Kagawa Pref. Preventive Medical Association

Visit to Kagawa General Rehabilitation Center

Completion Ceremony

Activity report

Schedule Program Location

Day 1 Arrival and Orientation

Day 2

Lecture on the efforts of Team Kagawa and current condition of lifestyle-related diseases in JapanIntroduction on the deployment of Team Kagawa to Chiang Mai Univ.Lecture on rare sugar researchCountry report presentation

Kagawa Univ.

Day 3

Visit to Kagawa Pref. Preventive Medical AssociationVisit Kagawa general rehabilitation center

Kagawa Pref.

Day 4

Lecture and practical skills on obesity exercise therapy, and lecture on complications of lifestyle diseases.Lecture on ICT telemedicine

Kagawa Univ.

Day 5

Visit to rare sugar production facility, health food production enterprises utilizing rare sugar, and remote medical equipment manufacturer

Kagawa Pref.

Day 6Visit to Kagawa Univ. HospitalPresentation and summary of training

Kagawa Univ.

Day 7 Exercise guidance tour, and attending a conference at the hospital

Kagawa Univ.

Day 8 Leaving Japan

13

The University of Occupational and Environmental Health, the only university in the world focusing on occupational health to protect the health of workers, invited a total of eleven members including eight under-graduate students, two graduate students and a supervising teacher from Fiji National University School of Medicine with the support of SAKURA Science.

The main aim of the program was to make it possible for them to observe the occupational health system of Japan, and recognize the significance and importance of occupational health, in response to the intention of Fiji National University’s wish to cultivate human resources to protect the health of working people in the future in Fiji where the basis of occupational health is weak.

The team arrived at cold Fukuoka Airport from Fiji where the average temperature in December is 25 °C, while getting excited by the cold that they had never experienced. The next day, the program started with the welcome greetings from the University President. Snow started falling in the middle of the opening ceremony, so the participants listened to the speech while watching snow over the window.

The program was composed while paying attention to the balance between lecture, observation and experience learning. The lectures covered a wide range, from the history of occupational health in Japan to an overview of the industrial physician system and the occupational health system, to disease prevention measures at workplace.

In the laboratory of the stress-related disease prevention center, the Fijian students checked their stress level and observed the results with interest.

Factory Visit as a Practical Study of Industrial Health

In the factory tour, they visited thinking of themselves as industrial physicians or occupational health staff. The factory tour was used as a practical training for the application of theory and practice of occupational health. They had discussions after the visit on what the source of hazards in the workplace are, where they are, and what is to be done to protect the health of workers.

Many faculty members of this university also participated in the closing ceremony. After the ceremony, it was impressive to see the Fijian students performing the Fiji's folk dance wearing the same uniform tailored for this program.

The guidance of the Department Chairman Donald Wilson, the leader of participants was attentive, and his students were enthusiastic and honest. Dr. Wilson was enrolled for a total of 11 years as a graduate student and then as a teacher of this university. And after returning to Fiji, he is struggling to cultivate human resources that will become the foundation of Fiji's occupational health. The Fiji National University School of Medicine and the University of Occupational and Environmental Health have a plan to start international collaborative research, and this program became the good start for it. We sent them off while expecting that they would be the second and third of Dr. Wilson.

University of Occupational and Environmental Health (Course A) December 4th to 10

th, 2017

To Protect the Health of Workers in Fiji

Students enthusiastically listening to lecture

Checking stress level

Photo at the closing ceremony

University

Schedule Program Location

Day 1 Arrival

Day 2Courtesy call to President and others.Orientation, Visit to on-campus facilities.

University of Occupational and Environmental Health

Day 3International collaborative research on occupational health and visit to Occupational health management lab.

Same as above

Day 4

Facility tour of the Stress-related disease prevention centerVisit to Respiratory pathology lab.Visit to Kitakyushu Eco Town, Kyushu General Health Center.

University of Occupational and Environmental HealthKitakyushu City

Day 5

International collaborative research on “Workplace mental health of Japan”, and visit to Mental Health Study lab. International collaborative research on “Corporate Social Responsibility” and visit to Occupational Health Management School lab.

University of Occupational and Environmental Health

Day 6Visit to Kitakyushu Museum of Natural History & Human History and Kitakyushu Environment Museum

Kitakyushu City

Day 7 Leaving Japan

14

The National Institute of Technology, Miyakonojo College in Miyazaki pref. invited ten students and a faculty member from the University of Technology, Yatanarpon Cyber City (UTYCC) and Myanmar Institute of Information Technology with the cooperation of the Ministry of Education of Myanmar and implemented a program with the support from SAKURA Science.

This program consisted of the creation of dynamic Web pages linked to IoT, exchanges with the students of this college, experience of Japanese culture, visits to local companies, and tours of science and technology facilities.

In the morning of the 2nd day, they made a factory visit to Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd. (Miyazaki Plant), and learned about the method of manufacturing tires. From the 3rd day until the 6th day, under the guidance of Associate Prof. Usui from the Dep. of Electrical and Computer Engineering of this school, two Graduate School Students (Dep. of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering) joined, and a dynamic web page linked with IoT was created which was the main course of training.

Since Myanmar is also active in agriculture like Miyazaki Pref., a program that can save temperature data acquired by sensors in a database, and can be read on a browser was created, so that it can be linked to agricultural and industrial collaboration in the future.

The participants expressed that the lectures were very useful, and they got the opportunity to learn about college education in Japan, by getting hands-on experience along with the students of this school.

Students Interested in Japan by being Exposed to the latest Science and Technology

On the morning of the 2nd day, they visited Miyakonojo Municipal Okimizu Junior High School. At the school, they participated in English class, and made exchanges with the junior high school students through games. In the afternoon, an exchange meeting hosted by the student council of this school was held, and the participants deepened the exchanges with the Japanese students through calligraphy experience, appreciation of Japanese drums, and watermelon splitting.

On the 7th day, they observed the conservation activities of national ecosystem in the southern Kyushu and historical cultural resources in Miyazaki City, and visited the solar research facilities at Miyazaki University. The students listened to the speech of the researchers with great interest, and actively asked questions.

On the 8th day, after sightseeing in Kagoshima City and observing the volcanic natural ecosystem, a completion certificate was awarded, and farewell party was held. And, on the 9th day, they moved to Tokyo and visited Miraikan, and a car theme park, MEGAWEB. Though it was a short period, the participants deepened their understanding of science and technology in Japan, and it seemed that they have developed interest in the research activities in Japan.

National Institute of Technology, Miyakonojo College (Course A) August 30th to September 8

th, 2017

Burmese Students Learn Web Programming at a Technical College

Technical Junior College

Experiencing a tea ceremony

Status of web page creation

Visit to Miyakonojos Okimizu Junior High School

Activity report

Schedule Program Location

Day 1 Arrival and Orientation Miyakonojo Tech. College

Day 2Factory tour (Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Miyazaki Plant).Exchange with Japanese students.

Miyakonojo City

Day 3~5Design of web pages with Miyakonojo College Usui lab students

Miyakonojo Tech. College

Day 6

Visit Okinawa Junior High School and exchange with students,Exchange meeting with this school’s students.

Miyakonojo CityMiyakonojo Technical College

Day 7

Observation of conservation activities of southern Kyushu natural ecosystem.Visit to historical cultural resources in Miyazaki City, visit to solar research facilities at Miyazaki Univ

Nichinan City, and MIyazaki City

Day 8Sightseeing in Kagoshima City Awarding completion certificate and farewell party.

Kagoshima City, Miyakonojo College

Day 9 Visit to the Miraikan Tokyo

Day 10 Leaving Japan

15

Osaka Prefectural Senri High School invited five high school students from the National Experimental High School (NEHS) in Taiwan NEHS, is a high school established with the aim of educating the children of the people working in the companies, laboratories, etc. at the Science and Technology Special Zone in Taichung City of Taiwan. And it particularly emphasizes science education focusing on research activities and experiments in the field of science. They also conduct Japanese language education and used to be invited to the presentation meeting of the Super Science High Schools (SSH) in Japan.

Senri High School is a specialized high school that has the General Science Course and the International Cultures Course, and this program aimed to acquire experience in research activities in Japan through exchanges with universities, research institutes, and international students of Japan, in addition to exchanges through scientific exploration (task-oriented research) with this school which is designated as SSH and NEHS.

On the 2nd day they had orientation, and then participated in the “Super Global High School (SGH) Exploration Intermediate Presentation” conducted by the International Cultures Course. And next day, they participated in the “SSH Scientific Exploration Intermediate Presentation” conducted by the General Science Course, and the Taiwanese students conducted poster presentations.

Taiwanese Students Inspired by the Research of Japanese High School Students

On the 4th day, Taiwanese high school students visited the Institute for Protein Research at Osaka University and Industrial Technology Research Institute, received lectures, and made exchanges with young researchers and international students. They were able to experience research in the field of science and technology, and some Taiwanese students added “research in Japan” to their career choice.

On the 5th day, they visited Riken, or the Institute of Physical and Chemical Research in Kobe. They listened to explanation about the clinical studies on age-related macular degeneration using iPS cells, and the students actively asked questions. After that, they went to the damaged areas from the great earthquake in Kobe City, and could see the vigorous restoration of Kobe City. Taichung City, where the students live, was also damaged at the Taiwan earthquake that occurred in 1999.

On the 6th day, the Taiwanese students made a presentation at Osaka Science Day. At this event, the schools, includes SSH in Osaka gather once a year. Here also, they actively asked questions to the Japanese high school students and gave a great stimulus there. On the other hand, the Taiwanese students were inspired by the task-oriented research by the Japanese students, and they took notes eagerly.

Through these science exchanges, it is expected that the Taiwanese and Japanese high school students who participated this time will become scientists and engineers who can cooperate across the countries.

Osaka Prefectural Senri High School (Course A) October 16th to 22

nd, 2017

Science Exchange with Taiwanese High School Students

High school

Task-oriented presentation at Senri High School

Training at the Institute for Protein Research, Osaka Univ.

Participation in Osaka Science Day

Schedule Program Location

Day 1 Arrival Senri High School

Day 2 Campus orientation, Lesson experience

Same as above

Day 3Participate in the Scientific Exploration Presentation by General Science Course

Same as above

Day 4

Visit and participate in lectures at Institute for Protein Research, Osaka Univ. and Industrial Technology Research InstituteVisit to National Museum of EthnologyExchange meeting

Osaka city

Day 5

Visit to Riken KobeVisit to Hanshin Awaji earthquake disaster areaPresentation practice for Osaka Science Day.

Riken Senri High School

Day 6 Osaka Science Day presentation (Oral and poster)

Osaka Institute of Technology

Day 7 Completion ceremonyLeaving Japan

Senri High School

16

The Neutron Irradiation and Testing Reactor Center in Oarai Research and Development Center of Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) invited a total of ten young researchers and engineers from six Asian countries (Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand and Mongolia), and held a practical training using JMTR (Japan Materials Testing Reactor: Materials testing reactor operated by JAEA) and its related facilities.

JMTR has the world's highest-level power output as a test research reactor. It is possible to aim for a bottom-up approach in research and development about the test reactor in Asia, since JMTR has the experience of operating for many years, technical skills accumulated until now, and world's most advanced technology.

Training Composed of Lectures, Practical Training, Facility Visits

The Neutron Irradiation and Testing Reactor Center started the training for Japanese researchers and engineers in FY2010 to develop international nuclear human resources. It also started the training for young overseas researchers and engineers in FY2011 with the aim of developing overseas nuclear human resources, and of expanding irradiation use of JMTR. From FY2014 to 2016, those trainings were implemented together.

In this training, the center organized a program to deepen the understanding of participants, by implementing practical training and visits to related facilities after giving brief explanations and lectures on basic content. Lectures were conducted on nuclear energy, irradiation testing, neutronic characteristics of a nuclear reactor, safety management of nuclear reactor facilities, etc., with the fuel for nuclear reactor, which is the basis of design and safety evaluation of a power generation reactor, and materials irradiation testing as the main theme. Practical training in operations of a reactor simulator was also conducted.

On the 1st day of the training, each participant had a presentation on their work and home country. By knowing each other's background and deepening mutual understanding, communication among the members became smooth, and active exchange of information took place during the training period. Social gatherings of participants were held to deepen the exchanges. It is expected that this training will lead to future human resource exchanges and collaborative research.

The contents of each lecture and practical training, and the visited facilities are as follows:

[Lecture] Introduction of Japan Atomic Energy Agency / World's nuclear reactors for research, nuclear reactors for power generation / Utilization of nuclear reactor for research / Basics of reactor physics / Neutron irradiation behavior of fuel and materials for nuclear reactor / JMTR safety management / JMTR's irradiation facility and irradiation test technology / Post-irradiation test technology of JMTR hot lab / Development of high-temperature gas reactor and nuclear heat utilization research / Development of fast reactor[Practical training] Thermal design practice of irradiation facility / Practice of nuclear calculation / Personal dosimetry measurement practice / Practice of γ-ray nuclide analysis of environmental sample / Nuclear reactor simulator operation practice[Facility tour] JMTR / HTTR (High Temperature Engineering Test Reactor) / “Joyo” (Sodium-cooled Fast Reactor) / Environmental Monitoring Facility / Radiation Management Facility / J-PARC / JRR-3 / Tokai No. 2 Power Station, The Japan Atomic Power Company

Japan Atomic Energy Agency (Course A) July 23rd to August 2

nd, 2017

Young Asian Researchers and Engineers Learn Nuclear Technology

Research organization

Participants enthusiastically observing the facility

Implementation of practical training

At the completion ceremony

Activity report

Schedule Program Location

Day 1 Arrival

Day 2

OrientationPower generation reactor and research reactor of the world (Lecture)

The Neutron Irradiation and Testing Reactor Center

Day 3 Neutron irradiation behavior of fuel and materials for nuclear reactor (Lecture)

Same as above

Day 4Development of high-temperature gas reactor, nuclear heat utilization (Lecture)Fast reactor development (Lecture)

Same as above

Day 5

Post-irradiation test facility and post-irradiation test technique (Lecture)JMTR radiation equipment and post-irradiation test technology (Lecture)

The Neutron Irradiation and Testing Reactor Center

Day 6 Thermal analysis of irradiated capsule (Lecture)

Same as above

Day 7-8 Holiday

Day 9JMTR safety management (Lecture)Thermal design practice of irradiation equipment (Practical training)

Same as above

Day 10

Personal dosimetry measurement practice, γ-ray nuclide analysis of environmental sample (Practical training)Use of research reactor (Lecture)

Same as above

Day 11 Leaving Japan

17

Shinagawa ward in Tokyo invited a total of ten people including nine students and a faculty member from Mongolian technical college and implemented a program.

In Mongolia, a Japanese model technical college was established in September 2014 to train engineers. The purpose of this program was to promote long-term cooperation by conducting exchanges and collaboration in science and technology among Mongolian technical college, Manufacturers in Shinagawa ward, and Tokyo Metropolitan College of Industrial Technology, etc., as well as to support the securing of personnel, training of engineers and continuation of operations, for manufacturing in Shinagawa that has a problem in shortage of engineers.

Getting to Know about Shinagawa

On the 1st day they made a courtesy call to Mr. Takeshi Hamano, the ward mayor of Shinagawa. They received words of greeting from him, and then there was explanation about the history of manufacturing and the lack of engineers in recent years in Shinagawa.

From the 2nd day, they visited three companies, Katsumata Electric Works Corporation, Mitsuya Corporation, and Tokyo Shibori Seisakujo Co. ltd., to get exposure to the excellent technologies and products of Japan, and gained experience in manufacturing technology with guidance. The students were interested in products, machine tools, and machining technologies that they saw for the first time, and they persistently asked questions of the person in-charge.

Exchange Project with Tokyo Metropolitan College of Industrial Technology

The Mongolian students had a practice of manufacturing voltage converter with the students of Tokyo Metropolitan College of Industrial Technology. Following the explanation of the voltage conversion principle and its operational performance, they experienced checking the circuit diagram, hole drilling in a metal plate using a drilling machine in the factory, connecting a circuit using a soldering iron, etc. The Mongolian students learned those skills while receiving advice from the teachers and students of Tokyo Metropolitan College of Industrial Technology, and all the Mongolian students were able to complete the voltage converter.

When visiting the Shinagawa Industrial Platform (SHIP) newly established by Shinagawa ward in June 2015, the Mongolian trainees who are working at the companies in Shinagawa showed their motivation to come to Japan and the experience of living in Japan presented, in addition to the introduction of Shinagawa, facilities tour, and practical training at the workshop.

They also visited the Tokyo Metropolitan Industrial Technology Research Institute at Aomi (Odaiba) in Koto ward, and received project introduction. In addition to these programs, they had opportunities such as playing a Koto (a traditional Japanese stringed musical instrument) and tea ceremony experience, as well as visits in Shinagawa and other places in Tokyo by bus to gain wide knowledge of the Japanese culture.

Shinagawa ward will continue this exchange program from the next year onwards, and will promote efforts toward the next step.

Shinagawa-ward, Tokyo (Course A) September 4th to 11

th, 2017

Engineers Education Program to Strengthen Ties with Mongolia

Local Government

Presenting souvenir to the Mayor of Shinagawa

Plating practice at Mitsuya Corporation

Practice at Tokyo Metropolitan College of Industrial Technology

Schedule Program Location

Day 1Arrival Orientation, Courtesy call to the ward mayor

Shinagawa ward

Day 2

Shinagawa ward introductionTour of Shinagawa ward industry support facilitiesTechnical training at manufacturing sites

Same as above

Day 3, 4

Exchange with Tokyo Metropolitan Industrial Technology Research Institute (Manufacturing practice of voltage converter)Technical training at manufacturing sites

Same as above

Day 5 Tour of science and technology related facilities Tokyo

Day 6

Lecture on cost accounting, etc., Preparation for completion ceremony Cultural experience

Shinagawa ward

Day 7 Cultural experience Tokyo

Day 8Completion ceremony and social gatheringLeaving Japan

Shinagawa ward

18

Supported by SAKURA Science, the Global Environment Research Laboratories, Toray Industries, Inc. invited two science researchers from the University of Technology Malaysia and provided training on water treatment membrane technology which is the key technology for seawater desalination, and waste water and sewage recycling.

Problems surrounding water, such as water shortage and water quality contamination, etc., are big issues worldwide. To solve these problems, separation membrane technology, such as use of reverse osmosis membranes (RO membranes), is applied for seawater desalination, and waste water and sewage recycling as well. The seawater desalination process using the reverse osmosis membrane as a separation method without phase change can reduce the water production cost as compared with the conventional evaporation process. In addition, most of the components such as salts can be removed by the reverse osmosis membrane, and high-quality water can be obtained by filtering.

Reverse osmosis membranes used for seawater desalination are required to have high performance with respect to permeability of separation membranes and removability of salts. Regardless of such hurdles, Japanese manufacturers, including our company, make up the majority of the world market share of reverse osmosis membranes, and it is a field where the excellent science and technology of Japan is utilized.

In this program, different types of desalinations such as extracting fresh water from seawater (which comprises 97.5% of the water on the earth) were conducted, and the reverse osmosis membrane (used for water purification as well) was evaluated. Two researchers showed a strong interest in the cutting-edge technologies through the opportunity to have the experience of producing high quality water efficiently using the reverse osmosis membrane. We also had a discussion on their research results at the Univ. of Technology, Malaysia, closely exchanging information on technologies as an industry and academia interaction.

Getting a Better Picture of Japan's Advanced Sewage Treatment Technology

They visited Konan Chubu Purification Center and the Ohmi Environment Plaza in Kusatsu City, Shiga Pref. to get a better picture of the water treatment technology in Japan. At the sewage treatment plant, they were shown the sewage treatment facilities, the monitoring system and how to maintain water quality. In addition, they also visited Lake Biwa Museum (Shiga Pref.). They learned that the water in Lake Biwa, a valuable source of water for life, had been contaminated in the past, and observed the display of improvement activities for the water quality that had been maintained to this day. Not only did they obtain better understanding of water treatment membranes and water treatment technology in this program, but they were able to interact with our young researchers through social gatherings and experiences of Japanese culture on holidays. I hope to continue deepening human and technical exchanges between them in the future and to build cooperative relationships.

Toray Industries, Inc. (Course C) March 1st to 10

th, 2018

Training on Water Treatment Membrane Technology for Malaysian Researchers

Private Company

Discussion over the training outcomes

Observing displays at Ohmi Environment Plaza

Learning the Water Environment of Lake Biwa at Lake Biwa Museum

Activity report

Schedule Program Location

Day 1 Arrival and Orientation and safety education, etc.

Toray Industries

Day 2Visit the Global Environment Research Laboratories office and laboratories, etc.,

The same as above

Day 3 Voluntary research, visit Lake Biwa Museum.

Lake Biwa Museum, etc.

Day 4 Japanese culture experience Kyoto and Shiga

Day 5-6

RO tests and flat membrane evaluation(model water used, evaluation of initial performance and continuous operation performance)

Toray Industries

Day 7-8 RO tests and evaluation of elements The same as above

Day 9F Analysis of RO test resultsVisit Konan Chubu Purification Center and Ohmi Environment Plaza

Toray Industries, Konan Chubu Purification Center and Ohmi Environment Plaza

Day 10 Leaving Japan

19

Data Statistical Data

Universitystudent 1,904 37%

Postgraduate 1,584 31%

Facultymember679, 13%

Vietnam 438, 8%

Indonesia 352, 7%

Malaysia 316, 6%

Taiwan 295, 6%

Myanmar 184, 4%

Mongolia 142, 3%

South Korea 141, 3%

India 358, 7%

Postdoctoral 50, 1%

Researcher 286, 5%

Others 187, 4% High school student490, 9%

China1,576, 30%

Others701, 13%

Thailand677, 13%

Universitystudent 1,904 37%

Postgraduate 1,584 31%

Facultymember679, 13%

Vietnam 438, 8%

Indonesia 352, 7%

Malaysia 316, 6%

Taiwan 295, 6%

Myanmar 184, 4%

Mongolia 142, 3%

South Korea 141, 3%

India 358, 7%

Postdoctoral 50, 1%

Researcher 286, 5%

Others 187, 4% High school student490, 9%

China1,576, 30%

Others701, 13%

Thailand677, 13%*Pacific Island countries: Fiji, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga

① Numbers of Invitees by Country/Region

② Top 10 in Number of Invitees by Country/Region

③ Number of Invitees by Attribute

1. Open Application Course in FY2017: Statistical Date

Note: Total number of invitees in FY2017 was 6,611 including 1,431(direct invitees by JST)

Classification

Country and region

Course Attribute

TotalA B C High school

studentsUniversity students

Postgraduate students Postdoctoral Faculty

members Researchers Others

East Asia

China 1,374 98 104 126 465 586 8 207 90 94 1,576

Republic of Korea 117 13 11 12 64 53 0 8 4 0 141

Taiwan 260 24 11 37 101 126 1 28 1 1 295

Mongolia 133 0 9 39 58 23 0 16 5 1 142

SoutheastAsia

Indonesia 285 24 43 28 164 73 3 42 31 11 352

Thailand 527 67 83 134 213 205 7 86 27 5 677

Malaysia 222 15 79 8 153 98 3 37 4 13 316

Vietnam 347 24 67 31 213 69 5 64 52 4 438

Myanmar 123 10 51 0 73 37 5 47 14 8 184

Cambodia 74 0 4 0 42 5 0 16 9 6 78

Laos 40 0 8 0 27 2 0 12 5 2 48

Singapore 78 0 4 24 24 4 0 10 4 16 82

Philippines 97 16 17 0 63 34 2 14 12 5 130

Brunei 5 0 0 2 1 1 0 0 0 1 5

East Timor 17 0 0 10 0 0 0 2 0 5 17

Southwest Asia

India 255 76 37 32 108 155 11 37 12 3 358

Pakistan 32 0 2 0 8 23 0 3 0 0 34

Bangladesh 36 4 1 3 9 15 0 11 3 0 41

Sri Lanka 77 5 18 0 43 26 1 15 7 8 100

Nepal 24 0 17 0 11 21 0 6 3 0 41

Bhutan 11 0 1 0 10 0 0 2 0 0 12

Maldives 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Central Asia

Kazakhstan 23 3 14 0 17 10 3 6 3 1 40

Kirghiz 0 0 12 0 10 0 0 2 0 0 12

Tadzhikistan 0 0 12 0 0 11 1 0 0 0 12

Turkmenistan 0 0 10 0 9 0 0 1 0 0 10

Uzbekistan 5 0 0 4 0 0 0 1 0 0 5

Pacific Island Countries* 33 0 1 0 18 7 0 6 0 3 34

Total 4,195 379 606 490 1,904 1,584 50 679 286 187 5,180

(Unit: Person)

20

Organization name Single Year

Multiple Year

1 Sapporo Kaisei Secondary School 1 0

2 Hakodate Univ. 1 0

3 Hokkaido Univ. of Education 1 0

4 Hokkaido Sapporo Keisei High School 0 1

5 Hokkaido Information Univ. 1 0

6 Hokkaido Univ. 4 1

7 Muroran Institute of Technology 1 0

8 Hirosaki Univ. 2 0

9 Iwate Univ. 2 0

10 Tohoku Gakuin Univ. 0 1

11 Tohoku Univ. 8 1

12 Miyagi Pref. Furukawa Reimei High School 1 0

13 Akita Pref. Univ. 1 0

14 Yamagata Univ. 2 0

15 Nihon Univ. 2 0

16 Seishin Gakuen High School 1 0

17 Univ. of Tsukuba 4 1

18 Ashikaga Institute of Tech. 1 0

19 Utsunomiya Univ. 3 0

20 Gunma Univ. 6 0

21 Takasaki Univ. of Health and Welfare 2 0

22 Saitama Medical Univ. 0 1

23 Saitama Institute of Tech. 1 0

24 Saitama Univ. 6 2

25 Josai Univ. 1 0

26 Toyo Univ. 1 0

27 Waseda Univ. Honjo High School 0 2

28 National Institute of Tech., Kisarazu College 1 0

29 Chiba Institute of Tech. 2 0

30 Chiba Univ. 7 1

31 Toho Univ. 1 0

32 J. F. Oberlin High School 1 0

33 Ochanomizu Univ. 1 0

34 Kitasato Univ. 1 0

35 Kogakuin Univ. 3 0

36 International Univ. of Health and Welfare 2 0

37 Salesian Polytechnic 2 0

38 Shibaura Institute of Tech. 14 0

39 Tokyo Metropolitan Univ. 1 2

40 Juntendo Univ. 1 0

41 Sophia Univ. 2 0

42 St. Luke's International Univ. 0 1

43 Soka Univ. 1 0

44 Chuo Univ. 2 0

45 Teikyo Univ. 3 0

46 Univ. of Electro-Communications 3 1

47 Tokyo Medical and Dental Univ. 0 1

48 Tokyo Univ. of Marine Science and Tech. 3 3

49 Tokyo Univ. of Tech. 1 0

● University, Technical College, and High schoolOrganization name Single

YearMultiple

Year

50 Tokyo Institute of Tech. 2 0

51 The Univ. of Tokyo 8 3

52 Tokyo City Univ. 8 3

53 Tokyo Univ. of Science 5 7

54 Tohoku Fukushi Univ. 1 0

55 Nippon Veterinary and Life Science Univ. 1 0

56 Hosei Univ. 2 0

57 Waseda Univ. 2 0

58 Azabu Univ. 0 1

59 Kanagawa Univ. 2 0

60 Keio Univ. 1 1

61 Tokai Univ. 4 0

62 Meiji Univ. 2 0

63 Yokohama National Univ. 9 1

64 Yokohama City Univ. 6 1

65 Nagaoka Univ. of Tech. 4 2

66 National Institute of Tech. Nagaoka College 3 0

67 Niigata Univ. 4 0

68 Univ. of Toyama 3 1

69 Kanazawa Institute of Tech. 2 0

70 Kanazawa Univ. 5 0

71 Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Tech 7 1

72 Fukui Univ. of Tech. 1 0

73 Fukui Senior High School 1 0

74 Univ. of Fukui 1 2

75 Univ. of Yamanashi 1 0

76 Shinshu Univ. 2 0

77 Asahi Univ. 1 0

78 Gifu Univ. 1 0

79 Shizuoka Kita High school 1 0

80 Shizuoka Univ. 6 1

81 Shizuoka Institute of Science and Tech. 1 0

82 Chubu Univ. 1 0

83 Toyohashi Univ. of Tech. 4 0

84 Nagoya Institute of Tech. 2 0

85 Nagoya City Univ. 1 0

86 Nagoya Univ. 11 1

87 Meijo Univ. 1 0

88 Kogakkan Univ. 1 0

89 Mie Univ. 3 0

90 Nagahama Institute of Bio-Science and Tech. 1 0

91 Ritsumeikan Univ. 3 3

92 Kyoto Institute of Tech. 1 1

93 Kyoto Sangyo Univ. 1 0

94 Kyoto Univ. 4 0

95 Ritsumeikan High School 1 1

96 Osaka Medical College 1 0

97 Osaka Institute of Tech. 4 1

98 Osaka Dental Univ. 1 0

99 Osaka Univ. 10 2

Organization name Single Year

Multiple Year

100 Osaka Pref. Senri High School 1 0

101 Osaka Pref. Univ. 8 0

102 Osaka Univ. of Pharmaceutical Sciences 1 0

103 Kansai Univ. 5 0

104 Takatsuki High School 1 0

105 Kwansei Gakuin Univ. 2 0

106 Kobe Univ. 4 1

107 Hyogo Univ. of Health Sciences 1 0

108 Hyogo Pref. Kobe High School 1 0

109 Nara Women's Univ. 2 0

110 Nara Women's Univ. Secondary School 0 1

111 Nishiyamato Gakuen High School 1 0

112 Wakayama Pref. Hidaka High School 1 0

113 Wakayama Univ. 1 0

114 Shimane Univ. 8 1

115 Okayama Univ. 13 4

116 Hiroshima City Univ. 1 0

117 Hiroshima Univ. 5 0

118 Yamaguchi Univ. 1 0

119 National Institute of Tech., Anan College 1 0

120 Univ. of Tokushima 1 0

121 Kagawa Univ. 3 0

122 Ehime Univ. 6 0

123 Kochi Univ. of Tech. 1 0

124 Kochi Univ. 2 0

125 National Institute of Tech., Kitakyushu College 3 0

126 Univ. of Kitakyushu 4 3

127 Kyushu Institute of Tech. 10 2

128 Kyushu Univ. 9 1

129 Kurume National College of Tech. 1 0

130 Univ. of Occupational and Environmental Health 1 0

131 Fukuoka Institute of Tech. 1 0

132 Fukuoka Dental College 1 0

133 Fukuoka Univ. 1 0

134 Saga Univ. 3 1

135 Nagasaki Pref. Nagasaki Nishi High School 1 0

136 Nagasaki Univ. 3 2

137 Pref. Univ. of Kumamoto 1 0

138 Kumamoto Univ. 10 1

139 Sojo Univ. 2 0

140 Oita Univ. 0 1

141 National Institute of Tech., Miyakonojo College 1 0

142 Miyazaki Pref. Miyazaki Omiya High School 1 0

143 Miyazaki Pref. Miyazaki Kita High School 1 0

144 Miyazaki Univ. 9 5

145 National Institute of Tech., Kagoshima College 1 0

146 Kagoshima Univ. 1 0

147 National Institute of Tech., Okinawa College 1 0

Total 390 75

④ Number of Implemented Programs by the Receiving Organizations

Data

21

Statistical Data

Organization name Single Year

Multiple Year

1 Tohoku Tabunka Academy Foundation 1 0

2 Remote Sensing Technology Center of Japan 0 1

3 The Takeda Foundation 1 0

4 Energy and Environment Science Education Promotion Institute 1 0

5 Kokusai Zenrin Association Corporation 1 0

6 Chinese Entrepreneurs in Japan (CEJ) 1 0

7 Japan-Thailand Economic Cooperation Society (JTECS) 2 0

8 The Japan-China Society 1 0

9 Cross-cultural understanding forum 1 0

10 Ibis feathers corporation 2 0

11 International Association for the Advancement of Industry-Academy-Research 1 0

12 Association for Communication of Transcultural Study 1 0

13 TOSHIBA International Foundation 1 0

14 The Japan China Medical Association 1 0

15 Development Association for Youth Leaders 2 0

16 Asia-Pacific Cultural Centre for UNESCO (ACCU) 1 0

17 Ishikawa Foundation for International Exchange (IFIE) 1 0

18 Nagano Techno Foundation 1 0

19 International Lake Environment Committee Foundation (ILEC) 1 0

20 Hiroshima International Center 2 0

21 Kochi International Association 1 0

22 Fukuoka Asian Urban Research Center 2 0

23 The Institute of Professional Engineers, Japan 1 0

24 Japan International Science & Tech. Exchange Center 4 0

25 Junior Chamber International Tokyo 1 0

26 Japan-Malaysia Association 1 0

27 Japanese–China Friendship Association 1 0

28 National Research Institute for Earth Science and Disaster Resilience 1 0

29 National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Tech. 5 4

30 Japan Atomic Energy Agency 1 0

31 National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO) 1 0

32 National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS) 2 0

33 RIKEN, Institute of Physical and Chemical Research 2 0

34 National Center for Global Health and Medicine (NCGM) 1 0

35 Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Tech. (JAMSTEC) 3 0

36 High Energy Accelerator Research Organization (KEK) 3 1

37 National Institute of Informatics (NII) 1 0

38 National Institute for Fusion Science (NIFS) 2 0

Total 56 6

● Incorporated OrganizationOrganization name Single

YearMultiple

Year

1 Yamashita Sekkei, Inc. 1 0

2 Toray Industries, Inc. 1 0

3 OMRON Corporation 1 0

4 Horiba, Ltd. 3 0

Total 6 0

● Private Company

Organization name Single Year

Multiple Year

1 Shinagawa ward, Tokyo 1 0

2 Toyama Pref. 1 0

3 Ishikawa Pref. 1 0

4 Ono City, Fukui Pref. 1 0

5 Shizuoka Pref. 1 0

6 Matsue City, Shimane Pref. 1 0

7 Minamata City, Kumamoto Pref. 1 0

Total 7 0

● Local Government

● Number of Implementing Organizations: 196

● Number of Programs: 540 (Single Year: 459, Multiple Year: 81*)

* Including the second-year implementations of multiple year program adopted in FY2016

Young researchers from Bangladesh participated in a supramolecular science training. Commemorative photo with a ninja at the Kumamoto castle on holiday.

Kumamoto University Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, November 2017

22

Very satisfied4,85194%

Student1,82135%

I do.1,33226%

I strongly do.4,56888%

I strongly do.3,66871%

Comparatively satisfied3156%

I do.591, 12%

Neither Yes nor No140%

Neither Yes nor No opinion19, 0%

I don’t20%

Researcher2,25144%

Corporate employee3667%

Others71914%

No opinion1583%

I don’t.220%

No response 20%

Answerers Participants of Open Application Course in FY2017 including supervisors

Questionnaire Method Filling in the form at the end of each program

Number of Answerers 5,180 people

Gender Male: 53% Female: 47%

2. Results of Participant Survey

Data

2) Do you wish to come to Japan again?

4) Do you wish to share information on science and technology of Japan and study opportunity in Japan after returning to your country?

Very satisfied4,85194%

Student1,82135%

I do.1,33226%

I strongly do.4,56888%

I strongly do.3,66871%

Comparatively satisfied3156%

I do.591, 12%

Neither Yes nor No140%

Neither Yes nor No opinion19, 0%

I don’t20%

Researcher2,25144%

Corporate employee3667%

Others71914%

No opinion1583%

I don’t.220%

No response 20%

1) Are you satisfied with the visit to Japan and the program?

3) (For those who answered “I strongly do” or “I do” in the question 2) In what capacity do you want to come to Japan again?

I think towns in Tokyo are very busy, but very orderly. Even though Japan is a developed country, people are surprisingly polite and kind, and I never felt lonely and never got lost during my stay.

(Male college student, 20, India)

The measures for an aging society is a theme that must be worked on all over the world. But in Japan, active measures are already in progress especially in the field of nutrition. As a person aiming to be a nutritionist, I would like to keep learning from Japan.

(Male university student, 20, Indonesia)

After coming back from Japan, I started to have a wish to study AI at the University of Tokyo. I saw robots which appeared in my dream and thought that I should teach the children in my country how to operate robots.

(Male University student, 20, Kazakhstan)

The scenery that I saw in Hokkaido was exactly the same as seen in YouTube and really beautiful, and I was surprised at the high standards of living in Japan. I would like to learn about mining which is my specialty and would like to propose the methods to solve environmental issues.

(Male university student, 21, Cambodia)

5) Comments

23

Results of Participants Survey

I am happy that I could visit Japan which was in my dream and knew about Japanese culture and lifestyle. I could absorb the idea of unique things in Japan, and I would like to use it in the future.

(Male college student, 19, Singapore)

People in Sri Lanka have a wonderful nature and wisdom, but after coming back from Japan I noticed that we can’t make use of those things in real life.

(Male college student, 23, Sri Lanka)

I learned how Japanese people recovered from the Great East Japan Earthquake. I think that it is important to share responsibilities and respond orderly like Japanese, even if problems arise.

(Female graduate student, 25, Thailand)

There is no such occupation as industrial physician in my country, but I really feel the necessity of industrial physician to protect the health and safety of workers and to improve productivity.

(Female university student, 40, Tonga)

I saw and experienced the things that I have seen only in textbooks. The contents of the program such as lectures, facility tours, and experiments were wonderful.

(Male graduate student, 26, Nepal)

I had the best experience in my life in Japan. The program was full of exciting events, and Japanese culture was interesting as it is completely different from ours.

(Male college student, 19, Pakistan)

I studied about the social issues and learned the method to find a sustainable solution.

(Male university student, 21, Bangladesh)

I am seriously thinking to pursue PhD in Japan in the future, and I was able to proceed with preparation for it during this program.

(Male graduate student, 24, the Philippines)

I experienced the latest technology in an advanced country like Japan. I feel that I visited a fantasy world.

(Female university student, 22, Bhutan)

I was very surprised that subway is very convenient and fast. In future I would like to return to Japan, and hence decided to start studying Japanese language.

(Male college student, 21, Vietnam)

Japan is a country that I’ve been aspiring since my childhood, and I love the spirituality of Japanese people and landscape. I think it is wonderful that people concentrate on everything and respond seriously.

(Female college student, 21, Malaysia)

In Myanmar, SAKURA Science is very famous, so everyone would like to participate. I’m happy to have been able to make it possible. I was surprised at the advanced technology, culture, and wonderfulness of the people. When I return to my home country I will recommend this program to my friends.

(Female graduate student, 30, Myanmar)

I used to have a wish to study abroad in the US, but after visiting Japan, I wish to study at a Japanese university in the future. I fell in love with Japan.

(Female high school student, 17, Mongolia)

I was able to conduct experiments using the brand-new equipment that are not available in my university and acquired new skills. Although Japan is an advanced country, the environment is surprisingly clean.

(Male university student, 20, Laos)

In Taiwan, dysphagia (difficulty in swallowing) is not considered as a serious problem yet, and this time I learned about prevention and care about it. From now on, I think that I can provide better care for patients suffering from the same symptom.

(Female researcher, 28, Taiwan)

I could learn how to do experiments and how to use tools. I did not know about molecular biology, but now I can understand what I am doing in the lab.

(Male university student, 26, Korea)

Japan is far beyond my expectations. When I came to Japan, I was surprised at the fact that there are many differences between China and Japan, and in the future, I would like to deepen my understanding of Japanese culture and education.

(Female university student, 20, China)

I was able to know how Japanese learned and worked. I would like to request the Japanese government to enable more young people from our country to study in Japan.

(Male high school student, 19, East Timor)

24

3. Media Reports

Data

Date Media name Title Related organizationApr 21 The Science News The SAKURA Exchange Program in Science JSTJune 28 Jiji dot come Training of SAKURA Science Held in Minamata Minamata City officeJune 29 Chunichi Shimbun Chinese students learn Yokkaichi Pollution and recovery Ibis feathers corporationJuly 2 Mainichi Shimbun 8 Mongolian students learn medical treatment Shizuoka Pref.July 4 The Ise Shimbun Vietnamese students learn science education of Japan Mie Univ.July 6 Nishinippon Shimbun Training to learn Minamata disease starts Minamata City office July 10 Bunkyo news Japan-China Science and Technology Symposium JSTJuly 11 International Trade Japan-China Science and Technology Symposium JSTJuly 14 Chunichi Shimbun Deepening exchanges with East Timor at Ina City Salesian PolytechnicJuly 29 Mainichi Shimbun 40 students join in Summer camp Souzouseino ikuseijukuAug 28 Tokyo Shimbun Mongolian students visit manufacturing industry Shinagawa ward, TokyoSep 1 Fukui Shimbun Ono city invited students from East Timor Ono City, Fukui Pref. Sep 5 Yamagata Shimbun What is the mechanism of avalanche? NIEDSep 5 Hokkaido Shimbun Lots of seaweed, Delicious! Hakodate Univ.Sep 7 Yomiuri Shimbun Myanmar students exchange at Miyakonojo Tech. Miyakonojo Tech. CollegeSep 7 Hakodate Shimbun Food needs/Learn from Confectionery Hakodate Univ.Sep 7 Yahoo news Food needs Learn with confectionery Hakodate Univ.

Sep 8 Miyazaki Nichinichi Shimbun Burmese Students Absorbing Technology Miyakonojo Tech. College

Sep 12 Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun Shinagawa ward supported employment experience of Mongolian students Shinagawa ward, TokyoSep 27 Fukui Shimbun Exchange with Vietnamese students, Fukui Univ. project Univ. of FukuiSep 27 The Akita Sakigake Let's learn! Cultivation technology of Akita Akita Pref. Univ.Oct 14 Hokkaido Shimbun Space Science class Hokkaido Information Univ.Oct 17 Hokkoku Shimbun Komatsu Awazu plant, Visit by Thai students Ishikawa Pref.Oct 30 Yomiuri Shimbun High school chemistry contest Nagoya City Univ.Nov 7 Toyama Shimbun Indian students make Pref. Visit Toyama Pref.Nov 16 Yomiuri Shimbun International exchange with Thai high school Miyazaki Kita High School Nov 18 Fukui Shimbun Exchange through science with Thai students Fukui High School Nov 23 Gifu Shimbun “Let’s Learn in Gifu” Asahi Univ.Nov 23 Yomiuri Shimbun Chinese group’s Courtesy call to deputy governor Institute of Professional Engineers

Nov 24 Nihon Kougyo Keizai Shimbun Company observation and Courtesy call by Zhejiang Tech. School Institute of Professional Engineers

Nov 29 Yahoo news Exchange with students from East Timor at Ina City Salesian PolytechnicNov 30 Nikkan Kensetsu Shimbun Exchange with Zhejiang group The Institute of Professional EngineersDec 7 Chunichi Shimbun Welcome Students from East Timor Salesian PolytechnicDec 11 Bunkyo News Debriefing meeting of SAKURA Science in Beijing JSTDec 31 Gifu Shimbun Cooperation of Asahi Univ. and Peking Univ. Asahi Univ.Jan 1 The Science News 78 programs selected in SAKURA Science JSTJan 11 Nikkei Shimbun Making the best use of experience/personal connection Salesian PolytechnicJan 14 Nihonkai Shimbun Indian college students met Mayor of Matsue city Matsue CityJan 16 Chugoku Shimbun 10 Indian students’ Programming Training Matsue CityJan 21 San-in Chuo Shimpo Collaboration with India Matsue CityJan 26 Shizuoka Shimbun Indian College Students Visit Hamamatsu City Hall Shizuoka Univ.Jan 27 Chunichi Shimbun Indian College sign for Collaborative research with Shizuoka Univ. Shizuoka Univ.Jan 29 TV Miyazaki Univ. students of Sri Lanka visit advanced tech site. Univ. of MiyazakiFeb 1 Tokamachi Shimbun Asian young doctors visit Niigata City Niigata Univ.Feb 8 Chunichi Shimbun Chinese students in exchange project at Toyota Cross-cultural understanding forumFeb 13 Nikkan India Keizai ICT personnel of Government agencies in India visit Japan JSTFeb 15 Mainichi Shimbun Training program for Kazakhstan and Kirgiz Tokai Univ.Mar New Food Industry School cafeteria in the world (1) - Peking Univ. Asahi Univ.Mar 8 Chunichi Shimbun Introduction to latest environmental technology Ibis feathers corporationMar 9 Chunichi Shimbun Students of East Timor visit Ohno Ono City, Fukui Pref. Mar 23 FM Fukui The SAKURA Exchange Program in Science Fukui Univ. of Tech.

● Main Articles Covered by Domestic and Overseas Media

<Domestic media>

Open Application Course in SAKURA Science FY2017 was covered by many media. The total number of media coverage was 141 (83 in domestic media, 58 in overseas media).

25

Media reports

Date Medium name Title Related organization

Mar 22 ELTIEMPO (Colombia) Icetex lanzó becas para estudiar en JapónColombia es el primer país latinoamericano elegido para participar en el programa Sakura Science. JST

Apr 8 Hualong Network (China) The Science and Tech. Bureau actively promotes the Sino-Japanese youth science and tech. exchange program JST

Apr 10 MALANG TIMES (Indonesia) Nurul Faiza, dari Kamar Mandi Menuju Jepang JST

June 6 Viet Nam News (Vietnam) VN, Japan issue joint statement on deepening partnership JST

June 22 The Statesman (India) Young scientist Deepika looks to skies for glory JST

June 27 Chinese Review Weekly (China) Establishment of Artificial Intelligence Research Association JST

July 4 Xinhua News (China) Mr. Wan Gang attended the China-Japan Science and Tech. Exchange Symposium JST

July 21 Daily Times (Pakistan) NUST student delegation to visit Japan Tohoku Univ.

July 22 THE HINDU (India) A visitor’s learnings Saitama Univ.

Aug 21 Sina (China) School of Mathematical Sciences successfully concluded the SAKURA Exchange Program in Science Niigata Univ.

Sep 8 People China “Let us strengthen youth exchange” by Kazuki Okimura JST

Sep 17 THE TIMES OF INDIA Like science? Japan says ‘Yokoso' JST

Sep 20 People's Daily Online (China) Okimura Kazuki was elected for the first batch of foreign experts at the People’s Daily International Research Center JST

Oct 3 Record China (China) [Exclusive interview] Mr. Kazuki Okimura “One Belt, One Road Initiative shows the open attitude of China” JST

Oct 9 bdlive24.com (Bangladesh) Kumamoto Univ.

Nov 6 Record China 2017 China-Japan female scientist conference JST

Nov 28 People's Daily Online (China) Farewell party for the team for China-Japan young scientist exchange JST

Nov 30 Record China (China) Result report meeting of “the SAKURA Exchange Program in Science” was held at Beijing. JST

Nov 30 KLIK SANGATTA (Indonesia) One Week Miracle in Japan Tokyo Univ. of Science

Dec 4 GMA NEWS (Philippines) Pinay student wins global science video contest JST

Dec 7 Bellevision.com (India) Mangaluru: Nitte Univ. researchers selected to visit Univ. of Miyazaki Univ. of Miyazaki

Jan 9 Canara news (India) Alva's Engineering Students to Visit Japan in Student-Exchange Program Kumamoto Univ.

Jan 18 People's Daily (China) Promotor of SAKURA Science, Kazuki Okimura JST

Jan 20 INH News (India) Balod News-Vivek Prakash Sahu Japan-Asia Youth Exchange Program in Science JST

Jan 28 Bisnis.com (Indonesia) Kanazawa Univ. Alokasikan 1.510 Kursibagi Mahasiswa Internasional JST

Feb 6 Science and Technology Daily (China) Enhancing cooperation level and promoting innovation ability JST

Feb 14 Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka) Science SL undergrads gain in youth exchange program Univ. of Miyazaki

Mar 9 The Navhind Times (India) Learning in the land of the Cherry Blossoms Toyo Univ.

Mar 14 Chinese news (China) Lanzhou Univ. of Technology delegation visits Japan for exchange in “the SAKURA Exchange Program in Science” Nihon Univ.

Mar 20 People's Daily Online (China) Deputy Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan JST

Mar 22 The Statesman (India) My experience at Festival of Innovation and Entrepreneurship is overwhelming: M Laxmi JST

Mar 29 Optics journal (China) The SAKURA Science activities by Nanjing Tianguang Institute ended successfully Kyoto Univ.

<Overseas media>

• Published Articles

Hokkaido Shimbun, September 5, 2017

Chunichi Shimbun, February 8, 2018

“Super News” on TV Miyazaki, January 29, 2018

Published with permission from Hokkaido Shimbun, Chunichi Shimbun, and TV Miyazaki

Japan-Asia Youth Exchange Program in Science

SAKURA Exchange Program in ScienceActivity Report

Open Application Course 2017

Produced and issued byPromotion Office of SAKURA Exchange Program in ScienceJapan Science & Technology Agency(JST)5-3, Yonbancho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-8666Tel: +81-3-5214-8996, Email: ssp.press@jst.go.jp

2018 Printed in Japan November 2018