The fourth week of the JICA training course relating new variety I coordinate has now passed. This week, participants conducted a field practice using special rice just before harvest in a paddy in Tsukuba City specially designed for this training.

The field training was aimed at creating new test guidelines for NERICA rice (an interspecific hybrid between Japanese rice (Oriza sativa) and African rice (Oryza glaberrima)), a new type of rice that is expected to be spread in Africa and other regions. This practical training involves creating new guidelines rather than using existing ones. The trainees, who are also working diligently, are preparing to create these new guidelines when they return to their home countries. While the hot weather continues, the day of the field training was cloudy with a slight autumnal breeze.

JICA training course, I’m currently coordinating, is now third week and just halfway of total course. This week’s focus was on practical training in Hiroshima and Okayama area, where participants measured and observed the differences in the characteristics of cultivated　Madagascar periwinkle and compiled reports. This included both greenhouse and outdoor training under natural light. Despite the heat, no one got sick, and on Thursday they held a presentation and received feedback and opinions from Japanese experts. This made for a productive training experience that couldn’t be gained through just sitting in classroom lesson.

On Friday, we were scheduled to visit the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum and Hiroshima Castle before returning to Tokyo. However, due to a typhoon, Shinkansen train schedules were disrupted, preventing our return to Tokyo. Instead, we had to stay overnight in Hiroshima. Since the weather in the Hiroshima area was beautiful, we decided to take advantage of the opportunity to visit Miyajima Island, with only those who wanted to.

It was a bit of a challenge to negotiate the schedule changes and explain things to the participants, but thanks to this, we were able to see Miyajima at sunset, and we returned to Tokyo on Saturday. Starting next week, we’ll be back to Tsukuba for various practical training sessions in the rice fields.

The second week of the JICA training course I am coordinating has just finished. Participants and I were in Tsukuba this week, and the curriculum included lectures at seed and seedling facilities, as well as facility tours and practical training. It has been hot all week, but as most of the activities were indoors, we managed to get through it safely.

At the welcome party, the participants enjoyed origami and calligraphy, as well as Japanese sweets and sake tasting in masu sake. Our team will soon be moving to Hiroshima and Okayama, where outdoor training will increase, so I want to be even more careful about managing participants and my health.

The first week of the JICA training course, which began this week, has now concluded. This week’s lectures were largely introductory. We visited the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, where officials in charge explained the basic Japanese government position. During the opinion exchange session based on that, I found myself almost overstaying something while interpreting, even though it was an area I was familiar with. There were moments when I realized I needed to be more careful and respect my duties as an interpreter.

At the weekend, I guided the participants to Meiji Shrine, the Imperial Palace, and Asakusa. While these are places, I’m familiar with, since I was guiding participants and not tourists, I tried to emphasize the cultural and religious background and political systems that influence modern Japan. However, since the trip took place in scorching heat (over 35°C), I prioritized the participants’ health and tried to avoid overly formal talk and for joyful.

I hope that my presentation will provide some insights for the participants as they continue their long training. Some of the photos were taken by JICA staff who assisted as guides. I usually guide alone, so I don’t get to take many photos of myself guiding, so I’m quite happy about this.

I’m currently staying in Tsukuba as the coordinator of a JICA agricultural training course. This six-week course focuses on strengthening the protection of new varieties, which are intellectual property in the agricultural sector. We welcome eight participants from Southeast Asia, Central Asia, Africa, and Europe. The course mainly has activities on Tsukuba and Tokyo, and visits fields and research institutes in various locations, including the Chugoku region (Okayama and Hiroshima), and the Tohoku region (Morioka, Yamagata, and Fukushima). The participants will learn about Japan’s diverse natural environment and agriculture, as well as how to protect and cultivate the new varieties that result from them.

My primary role within the curriculum is interpreting and itinerary management. However, I also occasionally serve as a tour guide at the locations we visit as part of our cultural training. While this is a challenging job, it’s also rewarding, and I’m excited to begin today. Since this is an agricultural training course, we’ll not only visit rice fields and greenhouses, but also be doing a lot of hands-on training there. Therefore, especially in this hot season, it’s important to pay close attention to the participants’ health. To that end, I’m trying to stay in good health and moderate my daily routine.

Heartwarming Days of Exchange

The delegation from Brunei, who we stayed with for about a week, returned home. On the last day of their three-day homestay in Mie Prefecture, host families prepared a lot of halal Japanese food for the Bruneians, and held a grand farewell party for us, including dressing us in kimonos, performing a typical Bruneian dance, and dancing the Bon Odori dance with everyone.

We felt lucky just to be able to see Mt. Fuji from the bullet train returning to Tokyo, and then, at Tokyo Station, Doctor Yellow train arrived at the platform next to us. We were really blessed with good weather on this trip, and it was a truly lucky week. The group finished their presentation and left in high spirits for their home country. Although it was a short visit, I hope that this visit will help promote mutual understanding between Brunei and Japan, and that Japan’s excellent culture and agricultural technology will be conveyed to Brunei.