(Oita Godo Newspaper, April 19th 2009, morning paper)

 "Beppu Dance", which was held in conjunction to "Beppu Contemporary Art Festival 2000-Mixed Bathing World", started from April 18th. "Look Out for Dancers!!" was a program designed as a part of "Beppu Shopping District Dance Project".

The plan was designed in such a way, that while looking out for the dances that blend into the scene of the shopping district, participants can wander and walk leisurely around the city area. There were approximately 70 people gathering at "Platform 01", which was the starting point.

Those participants who had received the maps for "Look Out for Dancers!!" could leave after listening to the explanation from the staff. About 20 dancers had both energetic and quiet performances on the streets and alleys. The participants enjoyed those performances in the places that they would have never expected.

On that day, "Minato Night", one of the programs in Beppu Music was held in the 3rd pier of terminal building in Beppu International Tourist Port. There were performances by musicians and DJs coming from the prefecture and outside prefecture. There was energetic and enthusiastic live music from 8pm till nearly dawn.

"Look Out for Dancers!!" will also be held on April 19th, May 2nd and 3rd, most likely starting from 6pm. It is free. For further information or inquire, contact the executive committee office at 0977-22-3560.

Comment: It is something fresh to have surprises like the dancers suddenly coming out and it will somehow add to the vibrancy of Beppu Contemporary Art Festival. I wish that there will be more and more unusual and unique activities in Beppu City so that it could attract more publicity and become more well-known both nationally and internationally.

Katarina Marsha Utama Nugroho

Indonesia

Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University, APM 3

(Oita Godo Newspaper, April 11th 2009, evening paper)

 "Beppu Contemporary Art Festival 2009-Mixed Bathing World" was commenced on April 11th in Beppu City. It was the first time for such a large-sized international art festival to be held in the city. In each city in the prefecture, modern art, contemporary dance, and music would be displayed in various programs that would be held within the 2-monts period of the festival till June 14th 2009.

"Art Gate Cruise", the main program is a program in which the participants can see and appreciate the art works and performances by international artists displayed in various places within the city. On the first day, the ticket was free.

The art works and performances by the international artists can be found mainly in central district areas, Kannawa, Beppu International Tourist Center, and three other areas, which ten different places in total. While appreciating a gigantic wall painting with the motif of sea waves and flowers (width: 20 meters, height: 4-5 meters) and the atmosphere of more-than-100-years-ago traditional Japanese-style architecture, we can also enjoy the art works and productions and taste the vibrancy of the city, as well as the video installations of beautiful sceneries in Beppu that had been taken from different perspectives. There was also a workshop to broadcast the contemporary art.

Generally the price of passport, which was the ticket for the cruise (usable for 2 full days), is 1800 Yen, but for students the price is 1500 Yen. The free pass that can be used during the period of 2 months of the festival as many times as you want costs 3400 Yen. For Junior High School students and below, the passport is free. Especially in weekends, it is necessary to purchase the passport to attend the contemporary music and dance performances like "Beppu Dance" and "Beppu Music" programs. For further information or inquire, contact the executive committee office at 0977-22-3560.

Comment: Honestly, personally I think the name "Mixed Bathing World" is quite intriguing. In English, it might have another conotation to it and might raise some distorted ideas about the event. However, as intriguing as it is, it might contribute to the attraction of the event itself.

Katarina Marsha Utama Nugroho

Indonesia

Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University, APM 3

(Oita Godo Newspaper, April 11th 2009, morning paper)

This is the first time for Oita Prefecture to hold a large-sized international art festival "Beppu Contemporary Art Festival 2009 -Mixed Bathing World-" which officially starts in Beppu from today, April 11th. Last night, April 10th night, there was an opening reception in a hotel in Beppu City.

There were approximately 200 people attending the reception. The head of the committee, Professor Fukutani Masanobu fom Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University greeted the audience "It was because of the cooperation from many people, we are able to be here tonight, to celebrate our dream to create a lot of new things. I hope that many people will stay here for a while." Hirose Katsusada Governor, HAMADA Hiroshi Beppu City Mayor gave speeches to greet the audience, and after "Kanpai" (Japanese's "Cheers!") was done, SERIZAWA Takashi Director explained the outline of the festival, then introduced 6 international artists who would take part in this festival, like Sarkis from France.

The festival is planned to continue until June 14th, within the period of two months. On the first day, from 10am there were displays of international artists' masterpieces in various places in the city. The display was actually the main program "Art Gate Cruise" which was opened to public for free. The map showing the places of attraction could be found in the Information Centre at Beppu Eki Mae Doori. In the afternoon, from 2 o'clock Memorial Symposium was held at Beppu International Tourist Center, which was called "The Gate to the Art that Exists in the City-Welcoming Artists to Art Gate Cruise", and the entrance was also free.

Generally the price of passport, which was the ticket for the cruise (usable for 2 full days), is 1800 Yen, but for students the price is 1500 Yen. The free pass that can be used during the period of 2 months of the festival as many times as you want costs 3400 Yen. For Junior High School students and below, the passport is free. Especially in weekends, it is necessary to purchase the passport to attend the contemporary music and dance performances like "Beppu Dance" and "Beppu Music" programs. For further information or inquire, contact the executive committee office at 0977-22-3560.

Comment: This is the first time for Beppu City, our beloved small city, to hold such a large-sized art festival, inviting artists from outside the prefecture and even from other countries as well. I think the way the set the price for passport is good, the free pass for two months is more appealing than the two-days pass, as it is much cheaper to buy the two-months pass. In a way, it encourages people to spend more time in Beppu and stay longer, which is actually one of the main purposes of this festival, as one of the efforts to revitalize Beppu.

Katarina Marsha Utama Nugroho

Indonesia

Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University, APM 3

(Oita Godo Newspaper, March 26th 2009, morning paper)

The moving-in of Professor SANGA Ngoie Kazadi (56) from Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University to "iPlaza", which was built to support the venture enterprise in the field of Information Technology (IT), had been decided. Together with other new tenants, he received the official documents in the the ceremony on March 25th at the Prefectural Government Office.

Professor Sanga came from the Democratic Republic of Congo in Africa, and his specialization is Geography Information System (GIS). In iPlaza, through the utilization of "GIS Integration System" he puts together various maps and atlas, in order to manage and analyze the information regarding the resources in the area (such as Onsen), and makes the multifunctional electronic database. He is designing a scheme of the upbringing of human talents, for those students and graduates who are aiming to start enterprises and manufactures.

Besides, surveys and user registrations through internet will support Kokowan Oita (Representative: OONO Keiichi), a site which support online business. Resonant Solutions (Director: SHUTO Kanji), who creates "Learning Facility" also moved in to iPlaza.

The tenants were decided to examine the business plan. The period of tenant is three years at most.

Comment: The fact that Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University is located in Beppu City can become an added value to the already charming Beppu City. If the local people and the university continue to strengthen the cooperation with each other, both sides will be able to bring about benefits for each other. A group of people from diverse background could improve the life in Beppu City through knowledge transfer, just like Professor Sanga.

Katarina Marsha Utama Nugroho

Indonesia

Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University, APM 3

(Oita Godo Newspaper, April 8^th 2009, evening paper)

 "Mixed Bathing World" 2009 which started from April 11^th in Beppu City involves a number of leading artists in the world for the first time. Contemporary art, contemporary dance, music and other forms of art will be displayed and exhibited for a period of two months. While making connection to Onsen, which is called "natural art", as a symbol of culture, the event is aimed to allow free and peaceful exchanges in Beppu, in order to promote the current city revitalization project in the city.

The sponsors of this event are Beppu City and the committee who organized this event. The purposes are: 1. To develop culture and art by inviting international artists. 2. To fuse the resources in Beppu with Contemporary art into "Art Tourism", so as to support tourism development and city revitalization. 3. To nurture human talents, and so on.

And according to the volunteer guides, there are programs that connect "Art Gate Cruise", and "Beppu Navigate", as well as workshops.

For the main programme "Art Cruise", the participants have to rely on maps and walk to Kannawa, Beppu International Tourist Centre, and other central districts. While enjoying special products from three different areas, they were actually attending what is known as "Exhibition through Tourism". They also had the opportunity to enjoy the new art works by Sarkis (France), Yinling of Joytoy (Tokyo).

Also, in Beppu, there are old empty apartements which were utilized as places of gathering. They are knowns as "Thrilling Mixed Bathing Apartment" which became the actual spots to create new products as well as to appreciate the arts, visited by nearly 100 local artists who stay for a while in Beppu.

"Beppu Dance" and "Beppu Music" are being held mainly during weekends at various places, such as central districts, central community centres, and Beppu International Tourist Port, Hachiman Choken Shrine, and some other places.

Comment: Mixed Bathing World, being one of the projects of city revitalization in Beppu City attracts people outside to come and enjoy the art exhibitions and performances, and hopefully the tourists would stay for a period of time in Beppu. This is the right timing for tourists to come to Beppu, because the Holiday Houses were just opened to public. This festival indeed could be one of the great opportunities to introduce Beppu's beauty and attraction to people outside.

Katarina Marsha Utama Nugroho

Indonesia

Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University, APM 3

(Oita Godo Newspaper, April 3^rd 2009, evening paper)

(Taipei, 3 days of cooperation) During three days, Japan and Taipei settled a mutual agreement about "Working Holiday System" for the young generation in both countries. While working, the youngsters can stay as long as only one year at the same place and then they can have working holiday.

In Taiwan, Japan's comics, dramas, and fashion are popular to the large group of youngsters whom are usually called "Harizu". And the people in this group comprise of junior high school, high school, and university students who are learning Japanese language. The size of the group has increased to approximately 200,000 people. Because of this, the protest to remove the ban regarding working holiday with Japan had become stronger and since this year is "The Year to Promote the Relationship between Taiwan and Japan", the people had been making effort and enforce power to realize the action in a short period of time.

Following up the intention to realize the agreement, the representative of Taipei's economy and culture in Japan was welcomed in Tokyo Metropolitan area for three days, to finalize the administration and documentation of the agreement, regarding the acceptance of 2000 people per year reciprocally.

In 2005, Taiwan and Japan have removed the requirement of visa for entry to both countries. In a year, there are approximately 2,500,000 people who go back and forth to Japan and Taiwan. Furthermore, both Japan and Taiwan had agreed to recognize the validity of each other's driving license.

Comment: Actually, this is a good opportunity for Japan and Taiwan to strengthen their diplomatic relationship. Moreover, this policy involves young generation. If the relationship is built between the young people in both countries, it means that the relationship that is built up right now will be maintained in the future as well.

Katarina Marsha Utama Nugroho

Indonesia

Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University, APM 3

Oita Godo Newspaper 28th March, morning edition

Nakatsu's Ichimoto city, Matanigawa high school (Yamamoto Isshuu principal and 123 people), attended a lecture of Mr. Tsubaki Daisuke, a JICA staff member of a youth overseas cooperation, sharing this experience with Ms. Kawazaki Michiko the participant from Oita prefecture to help catering a lecture as her duty.  This school in order to build a link of educational route, therefore it is important to learn the way of professional who has passed this road before, then it was created as a lecture, continuing about the way of life learning lecture. Due to there are lots of students who are interested in working in an international stage, therefore, there is the 1^st year teacher, as a person in charge of this event, Ogawa Kunio who has been abroad to Seria for the youth section training with Mr. Tsubaki entrusted students and present with him together in this event. Firstly, the 2^nd year students around 76 students have attended the lecture, Ms. Kawazaki told all the story and overseas experience in Japanese language for example, Vanuatu, the story from Oceania, the place that Mr. Tsubaki was in the middle of south America; Ecuador, to have a cultural exchange by being a baseball coach over there.

The talking of one personal experience became more and more exciting for the children. And also make some quizzes and get the answers from the students, for example, 'why do you want to be a group members overseas cooperation?' the answer from two students are 'I want to widen my vision', or 'It is not only one's matter but it's everyone's to have a better understanding about culture, from the first time of comparison today I've known this matter', then Mr. Tsubaki said in the last that 'If you have a strength, whoever also can be a staff member cooperation, and I think everyone here can be...'.

Comment: It is to be admired that here in Japan there are lots of JICA staff members who work for different matters such as culture, education, environment and so on. And they know how to support the people especially small kids to have the ability of thinkable and hold the same goal with them. The lecture's content sounds like an open talk from adult to their kids, the story of adventure but also can do some good things for social. In my university there are lots of these kinds of lectures not only from JICA but also UN, WWF, ILO and so on, which I'll always be there in the class room to listen some good experiences from all around the world.

PUNTHUCHAT Siripun

Thailand

APS3, Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University                                  

Oita Godo Newspaper 1st April, morning edition

At Bungo Tadaka city, Kusa area's Haruma company (Yamamoto Ryuchi Shinto chief priest), this year April, will come to greet in occasion of 1,200 centuries of Japanese apple flower he's asked to do planting that already bloomed, the tree he's planting is thin with violet blooming flowers along the tree. With the compound of ancient Shinto music and dancing temple, both sides of them are full with Japanese apple flowers that have planted.

The seed of this apple flower trees, at the same occasion it is the memorial to operate this place, Aomori prefecture trust between cities, in the end of the year 2006, the young tree had planted. The head office, Ksuga Taisha (Nara prefecture) had brought the pure breed from China and the trees have settled to present which was recorded since that time. 

Comment:  I have never ever seen the Japanese apple flowers tree before though, as I know is only apple which is a fruit that I love the most. Actually, after I finish reading this news I searched for photos of Japanese apple flowers it is beautiful like the sherry blossom flowers but I still wonder why they named it apple flowers because I found no apples on the trees! Anyways, its history is interesting as it keeps the relation between states Japan and China to be a memory and entrust each other.

PUNTHUCHAT Siripun

Thailand

Oita Godo Newspaper 1st April, morning edition

At Bungo, a large flower planting field at Ogata city at the place called Horajiri the waterfall circumstance, tulips flowers has been visited by people that come with enjoyment. From this week on, the city will represent the up coming spring event '2009 Tulip Fiesta' (from 4^th - 19^th) and has already started. This year also will be a good number of tourists to visit.

The Horajiri waterfall circumstance which is the place for growing and planting tulips, there are more than 100 kinds of tulips in variety approximately around 515 tulips. And those tulips depend on each kind of it that now full blooming and the whole kinds are around 314 kinds that will be blooming soon.  On week days also never seen this place without tourists, 31^st March also lots of tourists come. At the Shio, the direct support branch they said that 'Japanese sherry blossom flowers will be full blooming and at that period Horajiri waterfall circumstance we also have a tulip blooming to join this flower festival together, so just please come and enjoy the scenery'.  

Comment:  Japanese flower festival...Woww! And tulip is also the one of my favorite flowers which reminds me about Holland; moreover, the sherry blossom flowers will be full blooming soon that's such nice news for flower lovers. I wish I could visit there once.

PUNTHUCHAT Siripun

Thailand

Oita Godo Newspaper 1st April, morning edition

It has already been reached 14 years for the whole affairs that continued to the end. The Last Autumn, they were a people in charge of an Oita national sport tournament's preparation management so called 'a prefectural physical education tournament, bureau for handicap people of the entire country' which had closed on 31^st March, the mentioned bureau will be moved in the building in Oita. This Oita bureau has considerably opened since 1995, and started to be such place for holding meetings' preparation. For 42 years since a long period of the emperor's trophy and the first period of Japanese empress possession and other kinds of meetings had been such great successful for 14 years that it have reached and came to the end of their duties.

There are around 99 staffs had attended in this bureau. Miura Hiroichi, the president said about the bureau closing declaration that 'while we were a people in charge of 'Oita national and handicap sport tournament all the staffs were working hard with the honor feelings that we could hold up both of festivals with confidence by the motto 'if we try, we can do it' we always keep it in mind and try our best.'. Then, the entrance gate display signboard was removed, all the staffs was clapping their hands to shut the closing ceremony.

Comment: that's a sad news for me also as I was a participant in the Oita national and handicap sport festival before since last year, it still reserves a good place in my  memory. I want to say thank you to those staffs that they had arranged everything for us, from the first day of the preparation until the last day of performance, I had seen that everyone was working and trying their best. Now, it's closed but I'm confident that whenever they look at this place again they will have such nice pictures in their memories.

PUNTHUCHAT Siripun

Thailand

Oita Godo Newspaper 2nd April, morning edition

The hot spring metropolis has informed about the coming spring 'Beppu 8 hot springs festival' (Oita Godo Newspaper joint sponsorship) will be held within one day, started at Beppu city until 5^th April. Yawata Tomomi Shinto Shrine had arranged an activity of god, there are also local groups (the motivated sound group) and  (mythical bird group) were asked to carry on this matter for both of 2 groups to empower the festival in the beginning. There was a cheerful shouting voice sounded like 'Soiya' in the central and then went around the city. Hikiri is the implement tool used in the festival; at Ougiyama festival (on 3^rd day) the fire was put inside the tool to make an honorable fire for god.  And the opening of Beppu 8 hot springs festival, which is to be honorable for the god of fire, will be used at Ougiyama festival. The area nearby Beppu train station, underground train's assembly hall there was also 'the hot spring reception', food cart such as Negiyaki, Ichigaki ban, people and tourists also come and dance and participate together. Moreover, every hot springs business places at the municipal management on that day were asked to open and allow people to come with no charge, also can get on the bus or taxi service nearby.

Comment: I really want to be in this festival as I love keeping myself in hot spring water so much. I can't imagine that 8 hot springs would be like in what kind of festival but I think it should be a fun time to roam around with people in a crowded place plus yell together around the city just to release stress and empower ourselves. There are always lots of activities brought for people to participate in Beppu which I think I'm so lucky to live here because if I live in a big city perhaps I could not know what the real Japanese traditional life style is.

PUNTHUCHAT Siripun

Thailand

APS3, Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University                                  

Oita Godo Newspaper 3rd April, morning edition

Four students from Aoyama senior high school, Beppu city, they have developed candies as a new kind of article for commercial (goods) with the cooperation from Kawagoe Takeharu, a company president of Higashizouen, Houmotsu shop. For nowadays, Languedoch which is a tasty strawberry cream has become popular with the created band called 'I love strawberry in Oita'. The designed packaging is put into a pink package as its pretty look, the promoting which will be held in Oita was written on the top of the map, with a young style expression from all students.

There are putting together by the program called 'challenging task enterprise program' from Oita-Beppu satellite job café which is an exchanging between high school student and the company business in the city. Last year, 4 young first year students named Misaki Momoko (16 years old), Miyazaki Soyoka (16 years old), Yanagikawa Reiya (16 years old), Miyoshi Seika (16 years old), they had made a proposal with Houmotsu shop about the new commercial products, spent time for a half year on investigation, and researching, until the company turned to them and allow to manufacture the product. 'Though we feel good when I have some creative ideas and express it, but we have to take a responsibility to our opinion in working. Then, we could make a precious thing from personal experience.' said by all students.

Comment: I wish I could do like them someday, have my own idea and offer some companies to buy it. It is good to make the children realize about value; both money, and life value. They are acknowledging themselves directly and I'm pretty sure that they will become really smart and effective adult in the future, and then their parents would be proud of them a lot. Actually, the local government and social organizations such as the company business also gives them a chance to learn by themselves, makes them come up with an interesting idea and dare to change.

PUNTHUCHAT Siripun

Thailand

Oita Godo Newspaper 4th April, morning edition

Bungo-Ono city, spring season's flower festival has presented as 'Tulip Fiesta 2009' (Oita Godo Newspaper as a sponsorship) on 4^th, inside Ogata city along the road near a station the place named 'Harijiri Waterfall' circumstance became a place for holding the event.  There is a place like rice field with more than 100 kinds of tulips around 515 tulips planted there with its colorful appearance which can see in a wide range spreads over all this area it has brought a great number of people to visit and gather with enjoyment until this 19^th.

The open ceremony, Mr. Shijima Fumihiko the executive committee president, Mr. Eto Kousuke the vice mayor of the city also had greeting together. It started from the tape cut, the Ogata city's nursing home launched balloons into the sky, sang the song 'Happy Birthday Present' as they have been rehearsed very well for this event. There was also a lottery for 30 lucky people, the award will be given to who wear red and white as it is a color of festival to congratulate the birthday of this event.

Comment: I just saw the picture of tulip on the newspaper and it was so beautiful like a fairy tale...everywhere covered by red, yellow, white, and pink. In my country they also have this kind of festival but most of it located at the northern part of Thailand but for Japan I think most of the whole country they have arranged this kind of event for people, and that's good for family to have time together on holidays, moreover, when you see the flowers it light up you blue day very well.

PUNTHUCHAT Siripun

Thailand

Oita Godo Newspaper 4th April, morning edition

This current year in Oita, families that have infants are visited by house call 'Hello! Little baby house visit project and it is put into enforcement in order to solve the problem of raising child household isolation, and aims to bring about ill - treatment prevention. The target has considered to be focused on the whole families that have since birth - babies until they become infants.

The number of people in the year 2007, the babies born number (4,556 people) it was assumed at the same level, and those people were visited at their houses or working places per each person such as public health nurse, person in charge, children, committee, members, midwife, etc...There is a concerning at Childcare troubles consultation, offering information of raising children support, and understanding about rearing environment. The project cost is around 847,000 yen. And in Oita this year they also established an application period for mother, especially, pregnant women, and children care to get the service of health checkup.

Comment: This news makes me feel that Japan put the important to the human resource; the social welfare and hospitality are really supportive and effective for the Japanese citizen. Especially nowadays, the childcare problem becomes a big issue in Japan, so the official government or social organization has to find the way out as soon as possible.

PUNTHUCHAT Siripun

Thailand

Oita Godo Newspaper 5th April, morning edition

Under full bloomed sherry blossom flower trees, an expansion of heating battle in Hita city, at Go's an open - air classroom.  Kanyoshiyuki national building (13 people) on 31^st March, they came to this city, gathered at Hagio public park in order to hold the open - air Go's classroom. Under the full blooming sherry blossom flower trees, a spirit of many people to hit Go's battle from Hita city's Kenyoshinukiminkan Go's classroom. Under the sherry blossom flowers trees Go's classroom this time is counted as the 18^th time. There were 9 people who needed to continue the competition for 5 times more in the battle each person to become the winner.

The chairman of a Go guidance under a central Go organization of Japan in Hita city branch, Mr. Nagajima Chikara (87 years old) said with smiling face that 'the match, it is to be held once a year under the sherry blossom flower trees,  and become as a custom for us'. The participants' feeling to play Go has brought by all enjoyment and pleasure. And the result is as following; 1-Takao Shigeru (Minato city), 2-Takarazu Hiroshi (Tajima city), 3-Anyouji Yukio (Tajima city).

Comment: I think there are many people play this kind of game in Japan, they even launched the Manga about Go's high school student player which can make people in my country interested in this game. However, this game has a good point that whatever how old of the players are; elementary kids, high school kids, adult, or old people also. Moreover, it helps the players to have a good concentration in what they do. So, maybe today I'll buy some tools for playing Go too.

PUNTHUCHAT Siripun

Thailand

APS3, Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University                                  

Oita Godo Newspaper 5th April, morning edition

The result of Miss Beppu this year had already decided, Beppu hot spring festival was held in front of Beppu train station on 4^th April,   which could get interest from people and brought lots of people to come. These two young girls; Iwaya Risa -san (21 years old), a house keeper assistant from Oita prefecture and Zuchiya Mizugi -san (18 years old), the first year college student; studying in a prefectural institution of cultural arts, from Beppu city. The seniors put crown on their heads, Hamada city official entrusted and handed over the letter of appointment to them. The term of being Miss Beppu is two years.

During the period of being Miss Beppu they are conducted to work with two people; who were chosen as Miss Beppu in the previous fiscal year as PRs together = 4 people. The place as an assembly hall itself on the same day got crowded with a food cart and flea market, moreover, the expert of hot spring's award ceremony and karaoke contest also held there. On the last day, 5^th April, at the assembly hall, the final festival was decorated to look like hot spring festival.

Comment: It is a really interesting festival; I think it's good for promoting Beppu city and can increase a number of tourists, moreover, it is to better a relationship between the citizenship; within their families or between the citizenship and the city official by doing activities therefore they will get to know each other that what their citizen want through people in the festival and cooperated by Miss Beppu. This is important to develop the city effectively.

PUNTHUCHAT Siripun

Thailand

APS3, Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University                                  

(Oita Godo Newspaper, March 6th 2009, morning)

On March 5^th, Yamaga Primary School in Yamaga Town in Kitsuki City (Principal: Mr. ITO Kazunari, 178 students) sent glutinous rice that had been grown by thirty-two 5^th grade students to Cambodia for aid.

Under the guidance of Abe Ryotsukasa, the 5^th grade students whose school is near the rice fields, got to experience the process of planting and harvesting rice. The thirty kilos of glutinous rice obtained was sent to Cambodia through the World Food Program from the United Nation.

The official ceremony to send the rice was attended by four APU graduate students from Cambodia, Mr. Abe, and the 5^th grade students. The Cambodian students gave presentations about the hunger in Cambodia to the 5^th grade students and showed them videos as well.

KONO Takumi, 10 years old, said that "I am happy that the rice that I have grown can help the people who are hungry". It was the 8^th time that the students of the school to send rice to Cambodia.

Comment: In my opinion, this activity is very good and enlightening for the primary school students, as from a very young age, they are taught about making contribution to society, about helping the less fortunate people. If children are taught to do charity from a very young age, most likely they would grow into adults who care to make a difference in society.

NUGROHO Katarina Marsha Utama
Indonesia
APM2, Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University

(Oita Godo Newspaper, March 24th 2009, morning)

On March 23th 2009, Japan Tourism Agency Relay Symposium (supported by Oita Godo Newspaper) was held at a hotel in Oita City with Mr. KUWANO Izumi as the chairperson of the symposium. The symposium was attended by approximately 500 people consisting of government officials and people who are related to Oita tourism activities.

During the panel discussion held, the Director of JTB Corp, Mr. SHIMIZU Shinichi acted as the coordinator for the four leaders to exchange their opinions. The Chairman of the Tourism Oita Association Mr KUWANO said "We viewed Oita Prefecture and tourism as one, and we were getting intimate with our neighboorhood so that we could promote Oita." Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University's President, Mr. Monte Cassim suggested that "Tourism is romance. It is possible to turn history and culture into romance and stories" and he encouraged them "to utilize APU more".

Governor HIROSE mentioned that the concept of tourism in Oita area had been developed more strongly. In 2008, the number of tourists increased by 3.7% when compared to the previous year. The average number of days of staying in Oita Prefecture was 1.45 days. The current challenge is to increase the number of days.

Mr. HONPO Yoshiaki, the Commissioner of the Japan Tourism Agency summarized that "For a better future in tourism, it is true that we need to appeal each city in the prefecture, but if we do not increase the number of days of the tourists' stay we cannot maintain the improvement. The solution to it will be romance and stories".

Comment: Tourism is one of the most important activities that can boost Japan economy and it has become even more crucial in this period of financial crisis. I have noticed the vibrance of city revitalization project in Oita Prefecture, and enjoyed getting involved in the projects. Hopefully, Oita Prefecture is progressively becoming more appealing as one attractive tourist spot in Japan

NUGROHO Katarina Marsha Utama
Indonesia
APM2, Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University