JRYC 17th Conference, Japan here we come!

Tokyo, Japan

This August 14^th – August 22^nd 2018, a delegation from JRYC Rwanda side will attend The Japan Rwanda Youth Cooperation 17^th Conference, a conference that will be held in Tokyo, Japan.

The conference is part of the cooperation’s mission to enhance a mutual understanding between Japanese and Rwandan university students through culture exchange, study tours and collaborative social initiatives on both sides.

This year’s conference follows the footsteps of last year's conference, Japan Rwanda Youth Cooperation 16th Conference, held in Kigali - Rwanda in August 2017, which was a huge success to the cooperation, and will cover daily meetings with JRYC members, study tours (details below) and exploring Japanese culture.

Among others, we shall have a pleasure to visit the following places:

1. Rwanda embassy in Japan

In July 2012, Rwanda and Japan celebrated the 50th Anniversary of Establishment of Diplomatic Relations. Rwanda opened an Embassy in Tokyo, Japan in 1979 but was later forced to close it 1999 due to the financial difficulties consecutive to the 1994 genocide against the Tutsis.  Japan opened for the first time a fully-fledged Embassy in Rwanda in January 2010.  Prior to 2010 Japanese Embassy in Nairobi was also the Embassy of Japan in Rwanda.

During the conference, we will visit Rwanda Embassy with aim of grasping the actual context of perspective of Japan from the Ambassador's point of view.  It will also be a great opportunity for us to share our objectives, what we envisage in the future and our recorded success in the framework of changing Rwandan image among Japanese students and Japanese community in general. 

For more about the embassy, visit: http://www.japan.embassy.gov.rw/index.php?id=2

2. TEPIA Advanced Technology Gallery

TEPIA Gallery

TEPIA, Association for Technological Excellence Promoting Innovative Advances, does research on the trend of advanced technology such as machinery, information technology, new material, biotechnology, energy, etc. to transmit information about the latest advanced technology which can help solving important issues including global environmental problems or creation of new industries, using interactive and easy to understand means.

Robotics at TEPIA

For more about the gallery, visit: http://www.tepia.jp/english

3. Yasukuni Shrine

Yasukuni Shrine

Yasukuni is a shrine built by the order of Emperor Meiji to honor all Japanese soldiers who sacrificed their lives for their country.

The origin of Yasukuni Shrine is Shokonsha established at Kudan in Tokyo in the second year of the Meiji era (1869) by the will of the Emperor Meiji. In 1879, it was renamed Yasukuni Shrine.

When the Emperor Meiji visited Tokyo Shokonsha for the first time on January 27 in 1874, he composed a poem; "I assure those of you who fought and died for your country that your names will live forever at this shrine in Musashino". As can be seen in this poem, Yasukuni Shrine was established to commemorate and honor the achievement of those who dedicated their precious lives for their country. The name "Yasukuni," given by the Emperor Meiji represents wishes for preserving peace of the nation.

Currently, more than 2,466,000 divinities are enshrined there at Yasukuni Shrine. These are souls of men who made ultimate sacrifice for their nation since 1853 during national crisis such as the Boshin War, the Seinan War, the Sino-Japanese and Russo-Japanese wars, World War I, the Manchurian Incident, the China Incident and the Greater East Asian War (World War II). These people, regardless of their rank or social standing, are considered to be completely equal and worshipped as venerable divinities of Yasukuni.

Yasukuni Shrine in ancient times

Japanese people believe that their respect to and awe of the deceased is best expressed by treating the dead in the same manner as they were alive. Hence, at Yasukuni Shrine, rituals to offer meals and to dedicate words of appreciation to the dead are repeated every day. And, twice every year; in the spring and autumn, major rituals are conducted, on which occasion offerings from His Majesty the Emperor are dedicated to them, and also attended by members of the imperial family.

Thus, Yasukuni Shrine has deep relationship with the Japanese imperial family. Also, five million people visit the shrine every year since it is known as a central institution for commemorating those who died in wars.

For more about the shrine, visit: http://www.yasukuni.or.jp/english/index.html?mode=skip

4. The Koreans in Japan Historical Museum

First Koreans to go to Japan

The Korean History Museum in Japan was founded in 2005 to reflect to the story of first Koreans to live in Japan. Nowadays the overseas Koreans are said to be 7 million, but the Koreans in Japan have a special meaning historically. In retrospect, the history of Japan dates back to ancient times, it is said that around 1897 it was Korean laborers who came to Japan for the first time. This year will have 121 years since then. As a result of being forced to come to Japan in various forms during the process of Korea consolidation and colonial rule, more than 2 million people came to Japan before the liberation, 600,000 people after the liberation have been living in Japanese society. 

For more about the museum, visit: http://www.j-koreans.org/index.html

5. Koishikawa Botanical Garden

Koishikawa Botanical Garden

Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo have two Botanical Gardens, the main garden in Tokyo (Koishikawa BG) and the satellite garden in Nikko, Tochigi Pref. (Nikkok BG), of which purpose is to contribute to research and education in plant sciences. The Botanical Gardens are open to the public.

The Botanical Gardens are not only the oldest in Japan, but also have a prominent and long history by worldwide standards. The Botanical Gardens originated as the Koishikawa Medicinal Herb Garden, which was established in 1684 by the Tokugawa Shogunate. There are many historic plants and ruins that indicate the long history of the Botanical Gardens.

The Botanical Gardens were the birthplace of modern scientific research in botany in Japan after the Meiji Restoration.

For more about the garden, visit: https://www.bg.s.u-tokyo.ac.jp/koishikawa/eng/

6. The Tokyo SkyTree

Tokyo Skytree

Tokyo Skytree is a broadcasting, restaurant, and observation tower in Sumida, Tokyo, Japan. It became the tallest structure in Japan in 2010 and reached its full height of 634.0 meters (2,080 ft) in March 2011, making it the tallest tower in the world, displacing the Canton Tower, and the second tallest structure in the world after the Burj Khalifa(829.8 m/2,722 ft).

The tower is the primary television and radio broadcast site for the Kantō region; the older Tokyo Tower no longer gives complete digital terrestrial television broadcasting coverage because it is surrounded by high-rise buildings. Skytree was completed on Leap Day, 29 February 2012, with the tower opening to the public on 22 May 2012.  The tower is the centerpiece of a large commercial development funded by Tobu Railway and a group of six terrestrial broadcasters headed by NHK. Trains stop at the adjacent Tokyo Skytree Station and nearby Oshiage Station. The complex is 7 km (4.3 mi) north-east of Tokyo Station.

For more about the Skytree, visit: http://www.tokyo-skytree.jp/en/

During the conference we will also meet our Japanese friends and current/past members of JRYC - Japan side. Their commitment and their participation contributed to the beautiful association we have today.

During the 16th Conference in Rwanda

Upon return, we hope to share the lessons learned from Japan with the cooperation's members and carry the initiative forward. 

Important notice!

1. We shall keep you updated on a daily basis during the conference! Follow us on Twitter (@JRYCRwanda) and Facebook (@JRYCRwanda) for more information!

2. If you will be in Japan by the time of the conference and you want to join us, kindly contact The JRYC - Japan side for assistance. 

3. For a quick recap of the JRYC 16th Conference, visit these links:

http://www.jrycrwanda.blogspot.com/2017/08/it-was-our-pleasure-to-host-jryc-16th.html

http://www.cass.ur.ac.rw/?q=japan-rwanda-youth-cooperation-16th-conference

http://www.rw.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_en/00_000153.html