Update from our Peace Scholar in Japan.

Dear Rotarians,

I have now been in Tokyo, Japan for two months, and I wish to provide an update of this time and show how the generous support of Rotarians has helped me and the other Peace Fellows, during this time.

After a long and tiring flight I arrived to the very warm welcome of Rotarians from my host district, Totsuka in Yokohama (about two hours from Tokyo), including the Club President and his wife, and my Host Councillor. As traditional in Japanese culture, we exchanged gifts, receiving a hand fan to help with the hot summer, giving some tea and shortcake biscuits; before being given a ride to my hostel.

The following week, I met up with the other Peace Fellows in Class 23 at the International Christian University (ICU) during our three weeks of intense language learning held at the campus, who come from Australia, Gambia, Philippines, Cyprus, Nigeria, India, and Azerbaijan. Part of these three weeks included cultural events, Sado – which is a traditional tea ceremony, and a visit to Sanja-sama a shrine in an area called Asakusa, one of the most famous Shinto shrines in the city. 

On the second week of September, university opened with a matriculation ceremony and courses began which includes mandatory courses Peace and Conflict studies, and Development, Conflict and Peacebuilding. On these two courses, for example, we are learning about different concepts of peace and their effectiveness, the role of nation and state, and what development means including the theories around this. Lessons are largely seminar based, where this structure allows the professor to guide a discussion and for peer to peer learning, due to the diversity of the class it has been valuable to learn from other people.

Outside of studies; I have been enjoying visiting parts of the city and trying new foods, there have been lots of religious festivals over the summer, and with my host I watched a football match. I have also joined some local groups visiting on cultural trips to visit a traditional town and on a hiking trip, and at a local farm that also works with school children.

I am looking forward to the remaining half of this semester and gaining more knowledge on Peace Studies; in addition, I have events with the local Rotary Club including a presentation of my time here, and a regional meeting.

Many thanks again for all your support,

Jamieson Temple