April - Month of a new beginning for MSP
27 April, 2019
It's been six months to April since we came to Japan. April began with a busy schedule, packing, procedures related to moving out, state of curiosity about the life at Hiroshima revolved in the mind of everybody. Amidst these puzzles feeling of missing the joyful life we spend at Tokyo and intellectual touching of GRIPS was deepened by a farewell lunch which was offered by Professor Michishita for us on 02nd April, we could recognize a joyful being within a security specialist during the party as the professor went on with formal talks with us.
The journey of MSP altered course to Hiroshima on 4th April 2019. We said goodbye to GRIPS and Tokyo staying for six months, we really missed association of GRIPS faculty members and other Japanese and international students in the institute. MSP course participants left from Tokyo by Shinkansen on 4th afternoon. Professor Furuya came to the platform to say goodbye and extend his wishes for a safe journey, he remained on the platform till the train leave from there and I saw he was waving at us until we disappeared from his sight. We arrived Hiroshima in the evening of the same day and taken up by JICA staff bus to Hiroshima International Plaza (HIP) located in a scenic background in Higashi Hiroshima.
Futoshi San gave us a short briefing on arrival at the HIP, he further instructed us with a smile to deal with Akagi san for getting further details about Hiroshima as he is much familiar with the life there because he has spent more than four years in Kure as an officer under trainee in the JCG Academy. I must remember very sincerely the support given by these two gentlemen to make the new lifestyle comfortable in the new place.
We were warmly welcomed by the director general, deputy director general of CIC, and MSP course coordinator to JICA ms. Harumi Higashiyama on the following day morning in a brief conference. Then we paid our courtesy call to the superintendent of JCGA in the evening of the same day followed by a brief introductory interaction with professors and familiarization tour around the academy. We all were impressed by the discipline and the conduct of the training officers in the academy.
Saturday the 6th April was another memorable day for us. Akagi San accompanied us to visit the most famous historical site and tourist attraction in the world, that is the ancient Torii Gate, the Atomic Bomb Dome and Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima. All of us except Japanese friends have seen these places through movies and documentary films. On this day we had an opportunity to visit these places and spend some time in the peace park. Futoshi san and Akagi san briefed us the background of all sites. We all felt the sympathy on those who lost lives and wounded in the atomic blast as our Japanese friends are given briefings on the atomic explosion occurred in 06th August 1945.
We participated as invitees in our ceremonial uniforms to witness the entrance ceremony of newly enlisted cadet officers to the JCGA held on 07th April and given the opportunity to visit the training ship Kojima in the afternoon of the same day. Lectures for spring secession I were commenced from 08th April and students were given the chance to register for courses until 17th. Meanwhile, procedures related to moving in, national health insurance, and national pension were completed at the city office on 12th. We were hosted in a welcome party offered by the superintendent of JCGA and faculty members on 18th and we got an opportunity to exchange our ideas with professors and cadet officers during this occasion.
Another site seeing trip and an outdoor barbeque party was arranged on the initiates of Akagi San on 27th April at the dawn of the golden week vacation in Japan. On this day we visited the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Kure museum, Ondo no seto, Alley Karasukojima and reached the destination Okunojima by ferry, where we had barbeque party. In this month full spirit of the all participants were shown at all occasions and were ended up with ever growing mutual understanding and widening network with new Japanese friends by reaching objectives of the MSP programme.
Finally, I must extend my gratitude on behalf of all MSP course participants to both of our Japanese friends for their heartwarming treatment and hospitality, further I must remember JCGA Superintendent, faculty members, supporting staff, and JICA HIP staff with thanks for their efforts in making our stay a thriving one till we finish the course successfully.
(Prepared By: Lieutenant Commander Buddhika Ajith Godakanda)
