2 weeks in Korea

Hi! My name is Ryuma Miyoshi and I am the last writer of this blog. I am now senior in Keio University and my majors are Corporate Law and Accounting, which are boring, but useful.

For the last 2 weeks, I was in Korea, participating in an international youth program called "BroSis Project." Many young people came to Seoul from all over the world, most from Korea, but some from China (including Taiwan), Japan, France, Italy, Greece, Turkey, Russia, Kazafstan, Uzbekistan, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonasia, Mexico and Brazil.

We studied and researched about "Sustainable Development" in this program as well. It was some coincidence.

I am very sorry that I don't have any pictures on this blog because I have just bought my digital camera yesterday! During the program, I was using disposable cameras as I didn't have much time and money to buy the digital one. I can show the photos I took later when we meet in the LF2007.

It was an awesome experience and I really want to tell you everything, but I can't explain all of it in this blog as it might be too long for you to read.

I will just write down one of the things that I thought were impressive. That was...

"Korean people are such hard workers and strong drinkers!"

Some Korean participants stayed up until 4 or 5 o'clock almost every night to finish the report or to chat with other participants. Also they spoke very good English, though they had very few experience staying abroad. Some even spoke good Chinese or Japanese as 2nd foreign language.

More over, though they drank a lot of Soju and Don-don-ju (Korean typical alcohol, am I right?), they recovered in the morning as if there was nothing special last night.

I heard that Chinese people use good English and never got drunk, too. Oh, I am now really scared... Oh, Budha or mammy or daddy or whoever, please help me!

I hope you enjoyed reading this blog. See you in 2 weeks! I can't wait to see you.

Good night and good sleep.

Ryuma

Sports Festival

Hi. I'm Yusuke Matsukura from Keio University. I still can not believe I've became a Senior and age of 22. People call me "Daniel" so you are welcome to call me by that name. (It's my christian name)

Today, I'm here to talk about sports.
Yes!! We do have time to play sports during this forum. We are planning to do " Dodge Ball" and "Futsal"(the smaller version of soccer) So ladies please practice "Dodge Ball", gentlemen come practice Soccer.

There will be a prize offered for a winning team!!

Not sure how to play Dodge ball, maybe this video will give you some idea.
http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=bhBk78Vee60&mode=related&search=

What is the most popular sports in your country??

In Japan, its whether baseball or soccer. (I think. For the boys)

At this moment, the "Koushien" (National Baseball Tournament for Highschool Students) are taking place. Only 1 school from each prefecture are allowed to participate in this tournament.(2 from Tokyo and Hokkaido)

So its such a honor to play at Koushien that it has become the goal for every single highschool baseball player.

Because Koushien is a win or go-home tournament, their efforts are highly overwelming the professional baseball game and it has created many legends.

I hope you know about Daisuke Matsuzaka which is playing for Boston RedSox in Major League Baseball starting this season.

He is so famous and beloved by Japanese people because he was the Hero of the Koushien.

Daisuke at age of 18, won the championship game achieving no-hit and no-runs. http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=o8wvxtAWmQI

Did you know that Ichiro was playing in Koushien as well? He was a pitcher when he was playing at Koushien. Now you know where did that lazer beam came from.

In soccer, Japan was 2 time champion of the Asian Cup but finished 4th this time losing to Korea. Oh shit, not this time in Leadership forum.

Basketball are also getting famous after the influence of "Slum Dunk"

Maybe you've seen it in your country as well.

Japan has created its professional league called bj league from last year but it is not good enough to even compete for Olympics yet.

There was 1 Japanese player called Yuta Tabuse who played for NBA. Although he never lost during his highschool career earning the reputation of best point guard ever played in Japan, he remained to play only 4 games in NBA.

But yeah, He gave us a dream.

Anyway, I'll look forward to see you guys.

Let's have fun playing sports!! ciao!

Hello ! I am Seung Joo Min from Korea. I came to Japan 5 years ago.
To telling the truth , I have been quite depressed about putting myself into different condition since last year. I feel that I was left behind in study and friends at then. But now, I may say that I have overcome those difficulties through learning about social welfare, which guide us to learn about the spirit of human happiness and true love.
After two years of learning at Rikkyo university , I learnt the importance for being open-mind to others and myself. Also I got a lot of friends to discuss about the matter. So I feel that my cheerful and sociable personality has been recovered by these various encounter.
So that I really desire to share in the joy with all the students coming to Rikkyo !
Also , I am capable of playing the role cross-culture-bridge with bounteous ability to
Communicate whit others by singing , playing the piano and dancing. So let me do my best ! Thanks a lot !

My Family is living in Korea. I have one elder brother. He is also university student. We are Catholic. I like singing while I am playing the piano. And love traveling.
During summer vacation, I went on a trip. It was Just small trip ,in Japan. I went to Huzi mountain with my Korean friends who are living in Japan now. I was so impressed when I climbed the mountain. Huzi mountain is really beautiful mountain I think. In Korea, we also have it like Surak mountain. That’s image is like this picture. Can you imagine it?

I came to Japan right after graduating high school. And then enter Japanese language school in Shjinzuku. I really studied hard for one year. After graduating that school I went to the Philippines to study Asian culture. I was living there with Korean sisters who are volunteering in Manila. They are taking care of orphan and the homeless. Actually I am interested in international welfare work. So I want be international social worker and work for foreigners in Japan. I hope that I can help them live as comfortably as possible. Actually I am not sure about my job but I really want to be a person who can help others especially the weak in society. There are so many people who need help, in the world. If I can help them my life also become worthy I am sure. For them I need to study hard Japanese and global language like English. Even though there will be difficulties and matters to solve myself. However, God is always with me as long as I believe him. Also my family and sisters are praying for me. So I will try dreaming come true and would not disappoint them ! 　정말 반갑습니다 그리고 진심으로 환영합니다 !
By Min

My Opinion about "Graying Society"

Hi! I’m Mariko Fujihara from Keio University. Just call me Mariko. I’m a student of literature, especially specializing in modern English novels.
At school I’m taking teacher-training course other than my major.
The other day I visited an old-aged home in Odawara to look after the inhabitants, which is one of the obligations to gain a teacher’s license in Japan.

For 5 days I had to do many things which were the first experience for me; the assistance with meals, taking bath and using toilettes. Besides, I was perplexed to see elderly people who had Alzheimer’s disease. At first I was at a loss not to know what to do about nursing care, and not to know about how to communicate with elders. Nevertheless, I tried to speak to them as possible, even though sometimes I was ignored. As time went by, they spoke to me little by little and told some stories to me. I was immensely touched to know that they finally opened their hearts to me.

My experience at the old-aged home made me think of the issue about “graying society” in Japan quite a lot. I look into the issue from cultural and educational standpoints. I would not lament the decreasing population in Japan. It’s because we have great human resources, the large number of aged people, who now have time and energy to give their help to the community. Schools have been criticized in that they’re not open to the community. I think they should be more open to volunteers, that is, aged people with various rich experiences, skills and specialties to pass on to the younger generations. It’ll enrich our culture.

In my view, able-bodied people rarely know how to act toward the disabled elderly or old people who cannot communicate. Many are usually embarrassed by those who are physically or mentally impaired. Unfortunately, our society provides neither any real help for those who are handicapped (I’m not quite sure whether ‘handicapped’ is a suitable word or not) nor a place to which they feel they can usefully belong and contribute their skills. To make matters worse, plenty of people who are not disabled are unprepared for coming into contact with the disabled. But we should recognize the elders as ordinary people and should not ignore them. On one hand, there is no need to stare at them but on the other hand, it’s hurts them if we look away in embarrassment.

In addition, we should always respect their independence and not rush in to help them. If we want to help them, we should ask them precisely what we can do for them. Finally, we should appreciate what they can do in the community. There are many things they can do to be of use to society. And they often have different and valuable insights to offer.

Meiji Shrine

Hi, everyone!!

I am Takashi and study law at the Keio University. I'm really happy to join this forum.

I'm in charge of one of three or four city tours, and in this tour, we willl go to 'Meiji shrine'. Last Monday, I went there with tourists from western countries and went over this place. So, today, I would like to explain about Meiji shirine to you.

Meiji shrine is dedicated to the divine souls of Emperor Meiji and his consort, Emperor Shoken. After their demise, people wished to commemorate their virtues and to venerate them forever, and so this shrine was constructed, and their souls were enshrined in 1920. The original Meiji shrine was burnt down in air raids during the Second World War. The present shrine buildings date from November 1958.

This area is covered by an evergreen forest of 120,000 trees of 365 different species, which were donated by people from all parts of Japan when the shrine was established. This 700,000 square-meter forest is visited by many people both as a spiritual home of the people and as a recreation and relaxation area centre of Tokyo.

Emperor Meiji was born in 1852. During the Meiji Era (1862-1912), Japan flourished the Meiji Constitution, established parliamentary institutions, promoted friendship with overseas countries, and fostered the development of the nation in every cultural field. It was the most glorious and prosperous period of all the Japanese history of more than 2,000 years. It was in that period that the bases of modern Japan were built up.

This is an outline of Meiji shrine. Last Monday, we had a great time there. Meiji shrine is a really quiet place and good to know Japanese traditional culture.

I am looking forward to spending time with you during this forum, and I hope that you will join this tour!!

HANABI

Hi!! I'm Maki from Rikkyo univ. I can't sleep cuz it is too hot in my room. I think this is a crazy summer in Japan. I can't stand this temperature and humidity. What do you do in hot hot summer in Korea or China?? Do you go swimming?? boating?? or just keep being in the cool room?

In Japan, HANABI-Taikai which is fireworks is kinda popular event!! We usually go to see HANABI with friends or boyfriend/girlfriend. I went one of fireworks with my culb members last Saturday. It was held in Saitama. I had really hard time there. Because I had the charge to take our spot. Me and my friend went there 7 hrs before fireworks starts.

Guess how hot it was there!!! It was like 40 degrees. I almost died.... We went there 12:00 although there were already bunch of people. We finally saved the spot for 30 people. And we waited for 7 hrs. That was long.

←I waited while easting fish.

when we go to fireworks, girls usually wear YUKATA which is an informal cotton kimono for the summer season. Some boys like to see girls in Yukata. I don't know why but I guess they feel something. Anyway fireworks was way fun!! It is hot outside, it is sooooo crowded, and too much work to save spot but it is still fun!! I wish we had fireworks during forum.

←YUKATA many patterns and many colors

Pictures

I'll upload the pictures because mailing list didnt let me.

So here you go.