Study Trip to Japan 2012 - Day Tour on 17 March

Day Tour on 17 March 2012 (Day 4)
The day when KNCT students were busy with graduation ceremony, we prepared ourselves to learn more about the Japanese histories and technologies while moving on to our next destination in Minamata City.

A. Minamata Disease Municipal Museum
This was the first destination of our day tour, Minamata Disease Municipal Museum, and we got to learn more about the Minamata Disease.

The Minamata Disease Museum was established in order to preserve the valuable resources related to Minamata disease, dubbed the “origin of pollution”. Moreover, in the hope that such a terrible case of pollution may never again occur in the world.

We went to see an introduction video which outlined the history of Minamata Disease. After watching the video, we know what Minamata Disease is and how it has affected human beings.

What is Minamata Disease?
Minamata disease is methylmercury poisoning caused by mercury contained in effluent released into the Shiranui Sea from the Chisso Minamata factory. It has resulted in the accumulation of methylmercury in the tissues of fish and other aquatic life which were consumed by the local population.

Minamata Disease Symptoms
Minamata disease in fetuses, children and adult
Minamata disease has a wide range of symptoms, including trembling and numbness in the limbs, convulsions, tunnel vision and so on.

Ending of Minamata Disease
In 1968, Chisso finally stopped discharging mercury, and Kumamoto prefecture began construction of a landfill in 1977 for the sludge containing mercury and sealed it off.

After watching the introduction video, we went around the exhibition area where each station presents panels, videos and photographs. Pictures were not allowed to be taken in the exhibition area.

After browsing the exhibition area, we went to listen to a true story experienced by Sugimoto Hajime. Sugimoto Hajime’s parents were affected by Minamata Disease and he told us how they live through it.

After that, we went to the Shore of Shiranui Sea where the mercury was discharged to.





B. Environmental Education And Intelligence Center
After visiting the Minamata Disease Municipal Museum, we went to Environmental Education And Intelligence Center where we learnt how this centre is promoting environmental protection for the earth.


They showed us an introduction video on what is currently happening in the earth and how they are going to resolve them.

After the introduction video, they brought us around the Eco Stage where visitors can have fun and learn about being environmental friendly through pictures, experience and quizzes.






After the Eco Stage, we went to look at the exhibition on how Environmental Education And Intelligence Center is helping us to become environmental friendly. The following are some of the pictures taken.




Example of being environmental friendly:
Using LED technology


We have learnt a lot on how to be more environmental friendly here.

C. Samurai Houses
After visiting the Environmental Education And Intelligence Center, we went to the Samurai Houses where we explored and found out more about Samurai in the past. The following are some picture taken by us:













After visiting the Samurai Houses, we had our dinner and headed back to our hotel as all of us were tired.

Posted by Bang Geng

Study Trip to Japan 2012 - Exchange Programme with KNCT - 2

We went to Kumamoto National College of Technology (KNCT) in Japan from 14th-19th March. When we first arrived at KNCT, we were first greeted by a great scenary of the school.


We later had a briefing about the project, and learnt that this was an exchange trip and we had a competition to build robots. We had to complete our robot in 3 days and at the end of the 3 days, we will have a competition among various teams. Team forming was mixed so TP students were separated and paired with KNCT students. When we first started on the project, we had no idea what to do or how to build a robot. We had to start by first producing a robot design and this design had to be deliverable using the limited amount of resource given to each team. We then had to create the robot after the teams were agreeable as we were sharing the resources so if one design used too much resource, other members would not be able to create their robots. Our team was lucky as the KNCT students were very helpful and helped us out in creating the engine and complicated engineering parts of the robot. The following is a picture of us at work.


The process of creating the robot was not simple as we encountered many problems and we had to perform tests to ensure each component of the robot functions smoothly before we assemble them together. However with the KNCT students assisting us, we manage to solve our problems quickly and effectively.


After our robots were created, we then proceeded with the competition. Each team battled with other teams to collect ping pong balls and the team with the most ping pong balls would win the round. Unfortunately, my robot encountered an engine failure on the first round which resulted in our team being defaulted to the loser’s bracket. The KNCT students assisted me in troubleshooting and within 15 minutes, we got our robots functioning again allowing us to become the champions in the loser’s bracket.



The end of the competition also marked the end of the project and our exchange trip with the KNCT students. Although we lost the competition, I am still glad as I have made many new friends during this exchange trip. We have mixed well with the KNCT students and some of us are even close enough to joke with each other like close friends do. Overall, the trip was enjoyable and we had lots of fun, I hope to come back to Kumamoto again in the future if I have the chance to experience the Japanese culture again.

Posted by Qi Yong

Study Trip to Japan 2012 - Exchange Programme with KNCT - 1

14th March 2012 --- First day in Kumamoto National Collage of Technology (KNCT)

Ohayo! After a 6-hour trip from Singapore Changi Airport to Fukouka Airport, Japan, we headed directly to KNCT.

Upon arrival, we were warmly welcomed by the KNCT’s students. And they conducted a well-prepared presentation regarding what were the activities for the subsequent days and the basic ‘survival technique’ in Japan. For instance, how to aboard and alight from the public transport.

Since that was the first time we met, we were not familiar with each other. Hence, they had arranged mini games such as ‘Memorizing Names’ and other traditional games to strengthen our bonds.
"Friendship is one mind in two bodies. Unknown Friends are the siblings God never gave us."
~ Mencius
Lastly, the day ended with a delicious Japanese-style feast where we had further interactions with the KNCT’s students
“Enjoy your life today because yesterday had gone and tomorrow may never come” – Alan Coren

15th March 2012 --- Second day in KNCT

On the second day, we took a train to KNCT. Unlike the modern MRT in Singapore, this is the typical public transport we often see in countryside areas.
After yesterday’s relaxation, we started on our project, Robot Making Session, where every one of us had our hands on the experience of making a Robot. Furthermore, the KNCT’s student had assisted us and they had contributed greatly in our project since it was our first approach.

You know what? We had Takoyaki for our lunch! Oishi ne! With KNCT pre-preparing the necessary ingredients, we had a fruitful experience in making this wonderful Japanese Cuisine, SPLENDID!

16th March 2012 --- Third day in KNCT

According to the schedule, this day was a FREE&EASY DAY!! Hence, the KNCT’s students brought us to several attractions to do some sightseeing, dining and last but not least, SHOPPING!!

One of the attractions was the Kumamoto Castle located in Kumamoto Prefecture, one of the three premier castles in Japan. With about 800 cherry trees, the castle becomes a popular cherry blossom spot usually in late March and early April. However, due to the abnormal cold weather, the cherry blossom was delayed and hence, we didn’t spot any. Still, we managed to see the breath-taking scenery from the top.

Subsequently, we went to a nearby Shrine. Unlike a temple, we had to do the following before entry:
Washed our left hand first, then washed our right hand. Then washed our mouth. DON’T DRINK. This means cleaning your body and mind before you enter Shrine.

Furthermore, we had also adopted the Japanese tradition by praying to the God of the Shrine. Each of us threw a penny into the offertory box. Make two deep bows. Made a wish in our mind. Then made two claps. Then one more deep bow.

18th March 2012 --- Forth day in KNCT

Continuing the previous robot making session, this time round, we had Temaki Sushi Party for our lunch! Oishi ne! With KNCT pre-preparing the necessary ingredients, we had a fruitful experience in making this wonderful Japanese Cuisine, splendid!

19th March 2012 --- Last day in KNCT

Finally, the day had arrived. After a final touch-up of our robot, the competition commenced. Under the intense environment, everyone was passionate in wining with their very own robot.
“After each game, I want to be able to say: I gave it all I could, I gave it my best” ~ Kai
Sayonara!! It had been 5 days since we first arrived in KNCT. Showing Japanese hospitality, the KNCT’s student had prepared a farewell party. In this, a formal graduation for the KNCT’s final year student and a prize ceremony for the Top 2 winning team of the Robot competition conducted.
Before the feast commenced, student representatives and teachers from both Temasek Polytechnic and KNCT presented speechs for their wonderful experience in there. And a gift exchange ceremonines were conducted to show appreciation of the many things they had done for us.

This unforgettable experience ended with the sparkling of the fireworks. “We only part to meet again.” ~John Gay

Posted by Kai Yiu