All posts by Thomas Greve

訪問地, 大阪府吹田市

Company Visits in Suita City

In Suita city, Osaka Prefecture, the World Campus – Japan class had the opportunity to visit several companies that are located in this area. Below are reports from 2 of our participants.

Company Visit
1. The Malony Co., Ltd.

I visited Malony Co., Ltd. on the March 17th. The company is known for producing the famous Malony (noodles made of corn and potato starch), which you can find in most supermarkets throughout the country. Production of these started in 1964 and they sell especially well during the wintertime, when used by most Japanese in Nabe (Japanese kind of Hot Pot).

We got to talk to the general manager of the sales division of the company, got an overview of the company’s development and had the chance to ask questions. Another fascinating part was when we got to see the different stages of how noodles look like while being produced. First it looks like a thick, clear and soft sheet of gummy. This is then cut into long noodle strains of about 2.5 meters, before the noodles are cut into their original size.

It’s been a fun and informative day. We all had to wear white protective clothes and a hat because of hygiene reasons, which made all of us look like smart chemists. I had the chance to take home a couple of long noodle strains to proudly show to others.

We learned that the company does not really expand to the international market for the time being. It would be very hard to compete against the local market in a different country, since the success of a food company is especially depending on dietary needs in the region.

(Sophia Potter, Germany)

2. The Asahi Broadcasting Company

I went to the Asahi Broadcasting Company (ABC). ABC is a local television and radio station, which primarily produces TV programs and radio for the Kansai Area for approximately 21 million people.

Our tour began with a round table discussion where our initial questions were answered. We learned that Japan has 7 key stations throughout the country plus many local broadcasting companies.

While visiting the master room, where the TV shows are brought on air, one could already see the change from analog to digital TV. In fact, ABC will move to a new building this year because they will be getting new equipment for this rapidly growing digital age. Another very interesting opportunity was to watch an on air radio interview, because you could see the radio moderator live in action.

After the lunch at the company cafeteria, we went to see the ABC symphony hall, which was the first concert hall exclusively built for western classic music in Japan. Not only the sound quality but also the huge pipe organ was astonishing.

(Katharina Haack, Germany)

熊本県荒尾市, 訪問地, 地域学習

Arao City Theme – Community Revitalization

Not only can the word revitalization be rather difficult to pronounce, the term is often equally as tough to explain. In the city of Arao, the World Campus — Japan participants were able to learn first-hand through daily activities at the cultural center including guest speakers such as Mayor of Arao, Mr. Junji Maehata, and his chief of revitalization, Mr. Junji Maezono, visits to Saiyoji Temple, Manda Coal mine and Shodai arts + crafts center.

As a method of looking closer at revitalization as a theme, WCI participants took one day to participate and learn from business owners and leaders in the community. According to the Mayor’s office, from an economic standpoint the businesses in the neighborhood represent such a large part of the cities motivation behind attempting to revitalize the community. Participants were divided into groups and worked along side owners in small restaurants and herb gardens, as well as a small winery. The day proved to be very effective and participants and business owners learned a lot from the cultural exchanges they shared.

Over the years, the city of Arao has gone from being a huge source of resource to merely a town known for its unique coal mine history. Revitalization has become so important due to the change in universal energy source from coal to petroleum. The well-known coal-mine, which once not only provided energy to the town, also provided employment to many Arao citizens. Once the coal mine closed, citizens and their families moved to near by towns to find work and a new life.

As a native Chicagoan, I was exceptionally interested in revitalization as a theme. As Chicago moves toward the next Olympic bid, I am constantly surprised at the amount of revitalizing our local government does in order to gain the nomination. Although revitalization speaks of changing from a local perspective, it is a theme used globally in communities worldwide.

Our participants which currently in this session represent over 10 countries and 5 continents shared similar sentiments about their communities. It seems as though globalization is a main factor for communities around the world attempting to revitalize or renew their communities peeking the interest of other and renew the pride in current citizens.

(Faith L. Walls, the United States of America)

プログラム説明会の案内

WCI visit to Europe

Gent

After a three week visit to Europe which brought Bob Sloat to Switzerland, Germany, Luxembourg, Belgium, the Netherlands and Denmark, we would like to extend a heartfelt appreciation to the WCI alumni, friends, supporters and upcoming participants who welcomed Bob along the way for presentations and meetings regarding the World Campus — Japan program.

In addition, a special thank you goes out to the following institutions:

  • Switzerland: St. Gallen University, the University of Zürich, Volkshochschule Beider Basel, HWZ Hochschule für Wirtschaft Zürich and the Swiss – Japanese Society
  • Germany: Schule Schloss Salem
  • Luxembourg: Université du Luxembourg
  • Belgium: Universiteit Gent
  • The Netherlands: The Tanuki Organization at the University of Leiden as well as the AIESEC student organization in Nijmegen
  • Denmark: The Copenhagen Business School, the University of Copenhagen and the University of Roskilde
熊本県荒尾市, 訪問地

Visiting the Saiyoji Buddhist Temple

On March 7th, we had the pleasant opportunity to visit the Saiyoji Buddhist temple in Arao. World Campus — Japan participants were split into two groups. One group prepared a traditional lunch with the temple staff, while the others played with the children in the nursery. Acknowledging my lack of culinary talent, I decided to have fun with the youngsters!

WCJ-class by the Saiyoji Budhist Temple

The capable staff of the nursery cares for 100 children ranging from young infants to five-year olds. Although the nursery is right next to the temple, it is not necessary to be Buddhist to enroll your child in the school. Payment is really flexible depending on the financial status of the family.

After a quick tour of the school in our tiny green slippers, we joined a class of three-year olds to create masterful works of ceramics. The creative clay cups made by the toddlers look a lot better than mine but looks aren’t everything. All in all, everyone had a wonderful time with the cute children.

After a delectable lunch, made by the more skillful chefs in the group, six female members had the chance to try on kimonos. Although it was an arduous task to put on, they all looked enchanting in the traditional Japanese wear.

Later in the afternoon, we were fortunate enough to listen to a lecture on Buddhism by Mr. Kamehara, the head monk of Saiyoji temple. The talk was quite interesting as he described the history and different sects of Buddhism. Although there have been many transformations as Buddhism traveled from India to Japan, the fundamental message of peace and mercy was preserved. We all have different religious backgrounds but everyone was still eager to learn even just a little about another religion.

As thrilling as this day was, it is just a typical day in WCI!

(Guang Yeung, United States of America, Colorado)