Japan‐East Asia Network of Exchange for Students and Youths 

Participants’ Handbook for JENESYS Programme 2008

(Aug 2008 – Jul 2009)

(For Participant)

JAPAN INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION CENTER

＊＊＊Table of Contents＊＊＊

【Chapter 1 JENESYS Outline】

１． Programme Outline

（１） Background and objectives （２） Implementation structure

２． Obligations of Participants

３． Japan International Cooperation Center

４． About ASEAN

（１） ASEAN overview （２） Japan and ASEAN

【Chapter 2 Introduction to Japan】

１． Outline （１） General situation （２） Geography （３） Climate （４） Events （５） Politics （６） Economy

２． Travel Information

（１） Currency and exchange （２） How to make a call （３） How to send a letter （４） Electricity （５） Emergency （６） Time differences

３． Japanese Lifestyle

（１） Eating a meal （２） Japanese houses （３） How to take a bath （４） Hot to use a toilet （５） Bedroom （６） Transportation

４． Japanese Culture （１） Tea ceremony （２） Ikebana

(Flower arranging) （３） Traditional sports （４） Traditional music

５． Education in Japan (High School) Attachment: Japanese Lesson

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1. Program Outline (1) Background and Objectives At the Second East Asia Summit (EAS), which was held in January 2007, Mr.

Shinzo Abe, the then Prime Minister of Japan, announced a plan to implement a 35-billion-yen youth exchange program. This is to invite about 6,000 young people to Japan mainly from the EAS member states (ASEAN, Australia, China, India, New Zealand, the ROK) every year for five years, with a view of establishing a basis for Asia’s stalwart solidarity by expanding youth exchange. Based on this plan, the Government of Japan launched the Japan-East Asia Network of Exchange for Students and Youths (JENESYS) Programme in 2007. Various kinds of exchange programmes including inviting and dispatching youths have been implemented in cooperation with concerned countries and organizations. This program is expected to deepen mutual understanding among young people who will assume important roles in the next generation in their respective countries.

(2) Implementation Structure

-funding -request for project implementation

【Depository of funds】

Japan-Korea

Cultural Foundation

ASEAN

Secretariat

Japan-China

Friendship Centre

SAARC

Secretariat

【Sub-contractors】

ＪＩＣＥ ＡＦＳ Japan Foundation

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

EAS member country

Embassy of Japan

commission of project implementation

etc

-proposal / consultation of project

nomination of participants

request for cooperation

request for cooperation

【Government of Japan】

The Government of Japan has granted a programme fund to the ASEAN

Secretariat and thus the ASEAN Secretariat is responsible for all aspects of the implementation of the JENESYS Programme in target countries.

JICE has concluded an agreement with the ASEAN Secretariat as one of the official agents, and is responsible for some of the short term programmes of JENESYS. This Educational Tour to Japan is also a part of JENESYS Programme and funded by the programme. JICE is to arrange and coordinate procedures of selecting eligible Educational Tour(s) to Japan with concerned government organizations of Singapore and Japan. 2．Obligation of Participants

Participants should understand thoroughly the significance of this project: to establish a basis for Asia’s stalwart solidarity by expanding youth exchange programmes. Participants are requested to fill out the questionnaires before and after travelling to Japan, to provide important feedback and facilitate the smooth implementation of the programme.

Also, participants are requested to cooperate with any further follow-up JENESYS programms or cultural relation programms held by the Embassy of Japan or JICE in the future.

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3．Japan International Cooperation Center The Japan International Cooperation Center (JICE) is a non-profit foundation,

established in March 1977. It celebrated it’s 30th anniversary in 2007. The main mission of JICE is to contribute to international communities by

implementing international cooperation activities. JICE is not only entrusted by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC), government ministries and municipal bodies, and universities to support their international programmes, but also aims to play an active role to cooperate directly with various educational programmes to enhance international understanding and development of education in various parts of Japan.

The main activities of JICE are as follows: Services related to overseas trainees from developing countries (such as engineers and governmental officers): interpretation of lectures, arrangement of study tours in Japan, provision of recreational programmes and health management advice, guidance for daily life in Japan, etc.

Implementation of youth invitation programmes Organizing publicity seminars Dispatch of competent personnel regarding international cooperation

Under JICE, in and around Japan, there are about 400 staff and about 1400

language specialists for over 30 different languages working in various areas such as technical training, international exchange programmes, teaching Japanese language, etc. 4. About ASEAN

(1) ASEAN Overview ①Name Association of South East Asian Nations ②Establishment On August 8, 1967 in Bangkok ③Basis of Establishment Declaration of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Bangkok Declaration) ④Membership

Original Members New Members ・Indonesia ・Malaysia ・Philippines ・Singapore ・ Thailand

(Established on August 8, 1967） ・Brunei Darussalam （Accession on January 8, 1984）

・Vietnam（Accession on July 28, 1995） ・Laos （Accession on July 23, 1997）

・ Myanmar （ Accession on July 23,1997 ） ・ Cambodia （ Accession on April 30, 1999）

⑤Objectives (a) Accelerating the economic growth, social progress and cultural development in the region. (b) Promoting political and economic stability in the region.

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(c) Resolving various issues in the region. ⑥Background (a) Before the establishment of ASEAN, Southeast Asia had the Association of Southeast Asia (ASA), formed in 1961 by Thailand, the Philippines and the Federation of Malaya under the initiative of the then Prime Minister Rahman of Malaya. (b) Against the backdrop of the Vietnam War, active regional cooperation was encouraged. While the ASA remained dormant due to the political disputes between member nations, there emerged a fresh movement to form a new regional body encompassing Indonesia and Singapore as well. (c) On August 5, 1967, the foreign ministers of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand gathered in Bangkok. On August 8, they adopted the Bangkok Declaration, declaring the establishment of ASEAN. This dissolved the previous ASA ⑦Main ASEAN bodies

Organization of Main ASEAN Bodies

ASEAN Summit

|

ASEAN Economic Ministerial Meeting

(AEM) －

ASEAN Ministerial

Meeting (AMM) －

Other Ministerial Meetings

| |

Area Specific Economic Councils ASEAN Standing

Committee －ASEAN

Secretariat

ASEAN Secretariat Set up at the first ASEAN Summit in 1976. The Secretariat is positioned under the Standing Committee, and contains four bureaus (Economic Cooperation Bureau, Functional Cooperation Bureau, ASEAN Cooperation and Dialogue Relations Bureau, and AFTA Bureau). Its headquarters are located in Jakarta. The current Secretary General is the former Minister for Foreign Affairs of Thailand, H.E. Dr. Surin Pitsuwan (since January, 2008). ⑧Cooperation within the ASEAN region (a) ASEAN Vision 2020 Adopted at the Second ASEAN informal summit held in Kuala Lumpur in 1979, It is a future-oriented mid-term plan, setting the outlook for achieving regional development and an affluent standard of living through regional cooperation over the next 20 years. Characterized by its first specification of the goal: that by 2020 the whole of Southeast Asia is expected to become an “ASEAN community “ and also the view to achieve regional development and an affluent standard of living through cooperation in the region for twenty years until 2020 when an ASEAN community is expected to be established. (b) HPA：Hanoi Plan of Action（1999-2004） The action plan to achieve the ASEAN vision 2020 was adopted at the 6th ASEAN formal summit meeting in 1998 (Hanoi).

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It emphasizes the enhancement of greater economic integration, promotion of science technology, and development of information technology infrastructure, acceleration of human resource developments, protection of the environment and promotion of sustainable development and strengthening of regional peace and security through cooperation. (c) VAP：Vientiane Action Programme （2004-2010） Action plan adopted at the tenth ASEAN summit (Vientiane) to establish three ASEAN Communities (ASEAN Security Community, ASEAN Economic Community, and ASEAN Social and Cultural Community) by 2020. VAP is the second mid-term plan succeeding the Hanoi Plan of action. ⑨Politics and security (a) Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC): February 1976 (adopted at the ASEAN Summit)

An international agreement for maintaining and managing a peaceful relationship within ASEAN nations, based on the the Untied Nations Charter. Signatories：10 ASEAN members, Papua New Guinea （b）Vision for the Zone of Peace, Freedom and Neutrality (ZOPFAN)

The ZOPFAN vision was adopted in the 1971 Kuala Lumpur Declaration to establish a Zone of Peace, Freedom and Neutrality in Southeast Asia, free from any interference by outside powers. （c）Treaty on the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapons-Free Zone

Signed by 10 Southeast Asian countries as part of the effort to achieve the ZOPFAN Vision. Aimed at maintaining the region's peace and stability, preventing the proliferation of nuclear arms, promoting nuclear disarmament and contributing to the peace and security of the international community. （d）ASEAN Declaration on the South China Sea

Adopted at the 25th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting (AMM) in July 1992. It emphasizes the need to resolve all sovereignty and jurisdictional issues pertaining to the South China Sea by peaceful means without resorting to force, and urges all parties concerned to exercise restraint. （e）Border Definition

Efforts will be made to define national borders by peaceful means in the founding spirit of ASEAN. ⑩Economic cooperation

Promotes cooperation within the ASEAN region in the fields of trade and investment, industrial development, finance, food and agriculture, forestry, energy, transportation and communication, tourism, and service.

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�Cooperation within the ASEAN region

(1) Papua New Guinea attends ASEAN AMM as an observer.

(2) Those marked with "*" are participating as observers.

(3) Pacific island states / regions: Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Samoa, Solomons, Vanuatu, Tonga, Nauru, Kiribati, Tuvalu, Cook Islands, Niue, Micronesia, Marshall Islands, Palau

(4) Mongolia's participation was approved at the 5th ministerial meeting in 1998.

(5) North Korea first participated in ARF in July 2000.

ASEAN Association of Southeast Asian Nations

ASEAN PMC ASEAN Post-Ministerial Conference ARF ASEAN Regional Forum

APEC Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation PECC Pacific Economic Cooperation Council

SPF South Pacific Forum

(a) ASEAN Post-Ministerial Conferences (ASEAN PMC) ASEAN engage in opinion exchange at the ministerial level with non-ASEAN

countries concerning a wide range of subjects, thus strengthening mutual friendly ties and developing an environment of regional peace and stability. It is held annually after the AMM.

(b) ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) (1994- ) Aimed at reducing security risks through holding open dialogue and

discussions on the region's political/security issues. （c）ASEAN＋3

The ASEAN plus Three cooperation began in 1997 with the convening of the Second Informal ASEAN Summit hosted by Kuala Lumpur upon celebration of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of ASEAN, which included the participation of China, Japan, and Korea for the first time. Currently, there are 56 mechanisms under approximately 20 areas of cooperation. （d）EAS：East Asia Summit

As one of the measures to realize the future East Asia Community, ASEAN plus Three was called for to evolve into EAS. The participating countries total 16 members of ASEAN plus three: Australia, New Zealand and India.

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At the Second East Summit in Cebu held in January 2007, 16 countries agreed to promote substantial cooperation in five priority cooperation areas (Energy security, Finance, Education, Avian Influenza and disaster prevention). Here, implementation of the JENESYS programme was announced by the then Japanese Prime Minister, Mr. Abe Shinzo.

(2) Japan and ASEAN

Japan and ASEAN have been cooperating over the past thirty years to contribute to regional peace and stability, and development and prosperity. Japan and ASEAN stand on equal terms and work on common problems in close cooperation.

Cooperation can be seen from transnational challenges against terrorism and crime, such as pirating, human trafficing, drug smuggling, and measures against natural disasters, preventing the spread of infectious diseases like HIV/ Avian Influenza, energy cooperation, such as the improvement of energy efficiency and energy saving, use of alternative or recyclable energy sources, promotion of human exchanges, to regional and worldwide problems of environmental protection or UN reformation. ASEAN has set the goal of establishing an ASEAN Community by 20151 and through these activities pledges to contribute to regional cooperation in East Asia more actively and to be positively involved in the realization of the future East Asia Community. A mutual objective is to build a stable and prosperous East Asia both for Japan and ASEAN and cooperation is necessary for all the countries with interests in the region’s future to realize it. Japan expects and supports ASEAN, which has become the driving force in regional cooperation among East Asia, to play an important role

Japan and ASEAN, utilizing ASEAN as a propulsive force, plan to promote positive cooperation under mechanisms of ASEAN plus Three (Japan, China and Korea), East Asia Summit (EAS) and APEC (Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation) so as to strengthen close cooperation in extensive strategic, political and economic problems where both share interests and anxieties.

〈The ASEAN-Japan Center〉http://www.asean.or.jp/eng/ The ASEAN-Japan Center is an international institution established in Tokyo on May

25, 1981 according to the agreement of establishment of ASEAN Promotion Centre on Trade, Investment and Tourism. Major objectives are (1) promoting exports, especially half-processed articles and products from ASEAN countries to Japan, (2) promoting

1 The plan to realize an East Asia Community was agreed to be accelerated by 2015, five years earlier than the original 2020 in ASEAN Vision 2020.

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investment including transfer of skills and techniques from Japan to ASEAN nations, and (3) promoting tourism to ASEAN countries from Japan.

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* Pictures and illustrations in chapter 3 are taken from ”Web Japan” provided by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. １．Outline

(1) General Situation

Japan Singapore （reference） Land area 377,923 ㎢ 699 ㎢ Population 126,116,000 4.48 million Capital Tokyo Singapore Language Japanese Malay, English, Chinese, Tamil Currency Yen （\） Singapore Dollar (S $)

（Land area and population is based on “Japan Statistics” by Statistics Bureau, Ministry of Public Management, Home Affairs, Post and Telecommunications）

【Map of Japan】

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(2) Geography

Japan is an island country located to the east of the Asian continent. The land comprises four large islands named (in decreasing order of size) Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu, and Shikoku, together with many smaller islands. The Pacific Ocean lies to the east, while the Sea of Japan and the East China Sea separate Japan from the Asian continent.

About three-quarters of Japan’s land surface is mountainous. The Chubu Region of central Honshu is known as “the roof of Japan” and has many mountains which are more than 3,000 meters high. Japan’s highest mountain is Mt. Fuji (3,776 meters) on the border of Yamanashi and Shizuoka Prefectures. （3） Climate

A major feature of Japan’s climate is the clear-cut temperature changes between the four seasons. From north to south, Japan covers a range of latitude of some 25 degrees and is influenced in the winter by seasonal winds blowing from Siberia and in the summer by seasonal winds blowing from the Pacific Ocean.

In spite of its rather small area, Japan is characterized by four different climatic patterns. Hokkaido, with a subarctic weather pattern, has a yearly average temperature of eight degrees centigrade and receives an average annual precipitation of 1,150 millimeters. The Pacific Ocean side of Japan, from the Tohoku region of northern Honshu to Kyushu, belongs to the temperate zone, and its summers are hot, influenced by seasonal winds from the Pacific. The side of the country which faces the Sea of Japan has a climate with much rain and snow, produced when cold, moisture-bearing seasonal winds from the continent are stopped in their advance by the Central Alps and other mountains which run along Japan’s center like a backbone. The southwestern islands of Okinawa Prefecture belong to the subtropical climate zone and have a yearly average temperature of over 22 degrees, while receiving over 2,000 millimeters of precipitation.

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Winter (December - February)

The temperature rarely drops below 0°C in the plains along the Pacific coast during wintertime. It is also quite dry and very often sunny. Central and northern Japan are highly reputed regions for winter sports. Southern Japan is comparatively mild and pleasant in winter.

Clothing: overcoats, sweaters, etc.

Spring (March - May) The plum blossom is a good sign that the cold winter will

soon end and spring is just around the corner, followed by the cherry blossom at its best in the Tokyo area between the end of March and the beginning of April to bring this beautiful season to a climax. Splendid views of mountains, fields and gardens all

blanketed in gentle pink abound in this season. Clothing: light jackets, light sweaters and other similar kinds of tops.

Summer (June - August)

The Japanese summer begins in June with a three to four week rainy season. This is an important time for farmers to plant rice. It becomes seriously hot and humid from July onward, and many Japanese enjoy bathing in the sea and relaxing at cool resorts in mountainous areas. Summer is when many interesting festivals and other events are held all over the

country. Clothing: light clothes (cardigans and other similar garments are handy, since air-conditioners are often used indoors)

Autumn (September - November)

Autumn always brings freshness with a light breeze and cool temperature after the hot and humid summer. All forests are dyed in glorious autumn colors. Chrysanthemums create beautiful displays with their abundance of flowers to enchant visitors to parks and gardens. Autumn is also the season for many

exhibitions, music concerts and sports tournaments in Japan. Clothing: light jackets, light sweaters and other similar kinds of tops.

(4) Events

There are some special traditional events which take place in local areas throughout the year in Japan. Celebrations and rituals differ from area to area. Here are some standard events. The New Year (January 1)

The New Year is one of the most important occasions for all Japanese. Relatives living far apart gather together to celebrate the New Year and wish for the future health of every family member. Quite a few people pay their first visit of the year to the shrines and temples with their families, or visit their relatives to deliver New Year’s greetings.

People eat specially prepared New Year’s dishes, such as Osechi-Ryori, beautifully arranged in lacquer boxes, or Zoni, soup with rice cakes, vegetables, etc. and send New Year’s postcards to their friends, relatives and colleagues to express their New Year’s resolutions as well as to give updates on their lives.

Setsubun

A ceremony held on February 3, the day before

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spring, in which people scatter roasted soy beans in order to drive away goblins and draw in happiness. People collect up and eat a number of beans that corresponds to their age, expressing the wish for good health.

Doll Festival

Families with daughters celebrate March 3 by displaying hina dolls on a stepped shelf to express the wish for their daughters’ good health and growth. The dolls are dressed in gorgeous kimonos modeled after those worn by women in the ancient Heian court. Hina (Empress) and dairi (Emperor) sit on the top of the shelf, followed by sannin-kanjyo (three ladies of the court), gonin-bayashi (five court musicians), zuishin (escorts) and eji (guards). Diamond-shaped rice cakes, sweets

and white sake are also displayed.

Cherry Blossom-Viewing People enjoy outdoor parties under the cherry

blossoms in early April. They sit on mats under the cherry trees, eating, drinking, singing cheerfully and viewing the blossoms.

Children’s day

May 5, also called “Boys’ Festival,” is a day to celebrate the healthy growth of children. Families with boys display a helmet replica or samurai dolls inside the house, and fly koinobori (carp streamers) outside. The carp is thought to be a lucky fish symbolizing success in life.

Star Festival

Tanabata is the Star Festival held on July 7. It is based on a Chinese legend in which Altair (the star of the herdsman) and Vega (the star of the weaver-princess), though separated on opposite sides of the Milky Way, meet once a year on this day. Children write their wishes on strips of fancy paper, which they put on displays made of the branches of bamboo trees.

Shichigosan

November 15 is the day parents take their sons (of three or five years of age) and daughters (of three or seven years of age) in exquisite kimono or suits to shrines to pray for their health and growth. (5) Politics

The Constitution of Japan, which came into effect in 1947, is based on the principles of popular sovereignty, respect for fundamental human rights, and the advocacy of peace. Japan’s political system is one of the forms of constitutional democracy. In accordance with the principle of “separation of powers,” the activities of the national government are formally divided into legislative, judicial, and executive organs.

The emperor is “the symbol of the state and the unity of the people.” The Constitution of Japan proclaims a system of repetitive democracy in which the Diet is “the highest organ of state power.” It is formally specified that the Diet, as the core of Japan’s system of governance,

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takes precedence over the government’s executive branch. The designation of the prime minister, who heads the executive branch, is done by resolution of the Diet. Japan practices a system of parliamentary cabinet by which the prime minister appoints the majority of the cabinet members from among members of the Diet.

The Diet is divided into two chambers: the lower chamber, or the House of Representatives, and the upper chamber, or the House of Councilors. The House of Representatives may introduce “no-confidence motions” with respect to the cabinet. The cabinet, on the other hand, is able to dissolve the House of Representatives. It is the Supreme Court that determines the constitutionality of any law or official act.

The Diet is made up of members who are directly elected by citizens of at least 20 years of age. The political parties, to which almost all Diet members belong, are the basic units of political activity. Thus Japan is said to practice party politics. The prime minister is chosen by the Diet from among its members. The prime minister then forms a cabinet, and the cabinet controls the executive branch of government.

(6) Economy

The Japanese economy is the second largest market economy in the world. In 2006 it recorded a real gross domestic product (GDP) of 553 trillion yen.

From the 1950s through the 1980s, the Japanese economy achieved remarkable growth. For about a decade following the collapse of the “bubble economy” in the early 1990s, however, GDP growth stagnated although there were a couple of minor upturns. The economy bottomed out in 2002 and since then there has been slow but steady improvement. In an effort to revitalize the economy, the Japanese government implemented a wide range of structural and regulatory reforms. Major changes also took place in the corporate world as companies streamlined operations to increase competitiveness. As a result of such efforts, Japan’s economy is in a recovery phase.

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２． Travel Information

(1)Currency and Exchange The unit of Japanese currency is the yen. Coins are available in

denominations of 1, 5, 10, 50, 100 and 500 yen and bank notes in four denominations of 1,000, 2,000, 5,000 and 10,000 yen.

You can buy yen at foreign exchange banks and other authorized money exchangers in Japan or at international airport’s currency exchange counters. The exchange rate fluctuates daily depending on foreign currency markets.

* It is highly recommended to have exchanged money before assembly/arrival in

Japan as it is difficult to secure time to exchange money in Japan throughout the programme. (2) How to make a call (a) Domestic calls

Public telephones accept 10 yen and 100 yen coins and/or telephone cards. A local call (within Tokyo's central 23 Wards and some other metropolitan cities) costs 10 yen per minute. If you put in two 10-yen coins and speak for less than one minute, one of the coins will be returned to you. No change is given for partial use of a 100-yen coin. Prepaid telephone cards cost 1,000 yen from vending machines, kiosks at train stations, and convenience stores. Charges for inter-city calls vary according to the distance. Telephone numbers in Japan consist of an area code and a phone number (exchange number + subscriber's number). For example: (03) 1234-5678.

(b) International calls

A direct overseas call can be made from a public telephone displaying an international and domestic telephone sign. These phones are not widespread, but can be found at airports, hotels, and other key facilities. Direct dial calls can be made via a telephone company using the company's access number.

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Access and Inquiry Numbers

Telephone company Direct dial Collect & operator-assisted

Inquiries

KDDI 001-010 0051 0057

SoftBank Telecom 0061-010 - (0120)-030061

NTT Communications 0033-010 - (0120)-505506

(3) How to send a letter

Postcards and stamps are available from post offices, convenience stores and kiosks at train stations all over the country. Post boxes are usually located at street crossings, in buildings and public facilities. The opening slot of the post box may differ depending on the size of mail that the post box is designed to accept. Also, staff at the hotel front desk will be able to assist and post your letters for you. (a) Domestic Mail The rates for regular sized letters (14 to 23.5cm long, 9 to 12cm wide and up to 1cm thick) and postcards are as follows. Mail that has different measurements costs 120 yen for up to 50 grams and 140 yen for between 50 grams and 75 grams.

The rates for domestic letter mail Postcards 50 yen Letters, up to 25g 80 yen Letters, up to 50g 90 yen

(b) International Air Mail

International mails can be classified into letter post (letters, aerogramme and postcards), parcel post, and EMS (Express Mail Service). Foreign parcel post can be sent between Japan and most other nations. The maximum weight for a single package is usually 20 kg but it depends on the destination. The type of contents of a parcel accepted, however, and the maximum measurements of a single parcel differ by destination. EMS is the fastest way to send documents and parcels to over 100 countries and territories worldwide. A tracking system, providing prompt information on the package's delivery status, is available for 35 countries.

Destination Asia Oceania Postcards 70 yen 70 yen

Aerogrammes 90 yen 90 yen

Letters, up to 25g 90 yen 110 yen Letters, up to 50g 160 yen 190 yen

(4) Electricity

The voltage used throughout Japan is uniformly 100 volts, A.C. There are two kinds of frequencies in use; 50 Hertz in eastern Japan and 60 Hertz in western Japan (including Nagoya, Kyoto and Osaka). There are no columnar-shaped plugs or 3-pin plugs used in Japan but 2-flat-pin plugs are used instead. It is therefore advised to purchase a plug adapter beforehand.

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Reference：shapes of plugs used in the world Type A in Japan

TYPE

PLUG SHAPE

OUTLET SHAPE

(5) Emergencies

Japan is known for its clean, safe urban areas and for the quality of its healthcare and public safety infrastructure. Still, as is the case with travel in any unfamiliar place, it always pays to exercise common sense, and to be familiar with the resources at your disposal should you experience problems or need assistance. In an emergency, your country’s embassy is often a good first point of contact.

Address of Embassy of Singapore Address: 5-12-3, Roppongi, Minato-Ku, Tokyo, Japan Phone: +81-(0)3-35869111 Fax: +81-(0)3-35821085 Office Hours: 0900H to 1730H Monday to Friday (1230H-1330H for lunch time) * Emergency numbers and other information Police: 110 (reached from any phone) * In Tokyo, the Metropolitan Police have an English help line, available Monday through Friday except on holidays, from 8:30 a.m.-5:15 p.m. at 03-3501-0110 Fire/Ambulance: 119 (reached from any phone) Tourist Information Center: 03-3201-3331 (Daily 9 a.m.-5 p.m.) * (Also available at Narita International Airport and Kansai International Airport) (6)Time Differences

All of Japan is in the same time zone, 9 hours ahead of G.M.T. Daylight Saving Time is not practiced in Japan. There is a time difference of 1 hour between Singapore and Japan (Japan is 1 hour ahead.).

3. Japanese Lifestyle

*Please read thoroughly the following information on Japanese lifestyle/customs, which will be very useful during your home-stay experience in Japan.

(1) Mealtimes

The most traditional Japanese meal is a serving of plain white rice, along with a main dish (fish or meat), some kind of side dish (often cooked vegetables), soup

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(either miso soup or clear broth), and pickled vegetables. The modern Japanese diet is full of variety these days. Western, Chinese and other ethnic dishes from around the world are popular.

Before eating, Japanese people say "itadakimasu," a polite phrase meaning "I

receive this food." This expresses thanks to whoever worked to prepare the meal. After eating, people once again express their thanks for the meal by saying "gochiso sama deshita," which literally means "it was quite a feast."

(2)

A typical morning meal A typical evening meal

Step 1, 2 and 3

First, hold the upper chopstick like a pencil, about one-third of the way from its top (1). Next, place the second chopstick against your ring finger, holding it with the base of the thumb. It should be pointing the same direction as the first chopstick (2). Move the upper chopstick with your thumb, index, and middle fingers (3). Pick up food between the lower and upper chopsticks.

[How to Use Chopsticks]

(2) Japanese houses

When you enter a Japanese house, you remove your shoes and put on slippers to avoid getting the floor dirty. When you go into a tatami room, you take off your slippers and leave them in the corridor.

In Japan, land area with a suitable living environment and convenient transportation is limited, so housing density is high. It is difficult for Japanese to own a house with a yard; consequently, many people live in high-rise apartment building.

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(3) How to take a bath

The Japanese are very fond of the furo, the hot Japanese-style bath, because they can not only cleanse themselves but also relax and soak away the stress of the day. Besides a tub, the bathroom also has space with a drain to wash one's body.

When the Japanese take a furo at home, they normally heat the water in the tub to around 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit). They clean themselves with soap outside the tub first, washing themselves down with a hand-held shower. They do not wash themselves in the tub. This way, the water will stay clean and can be used by others later.

Public bath　①

Japan has more than 2,000 hot spring resorts all over the country. Hot spring water is said to be good for the treatment of chronic disease (rheumatism, neuralgia, gastro enteric disorders, and respiratory disorders) and the promotion of health. Japanese people enjoy spas, particularly open-air baths set in natural surroundings.

Public bath ②

H o t sp rin g

(4) How to use a toilet

There are two types of toilets in Japan: "Japanese style" toilets and "Western style" toilets. Public washrooms are usually equipped with Japanese style toilets, but the number of public washrooms with Western style toilets has been increasing,

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especially in tourist areas. Public washrooms with both Japanese and Western style toilets are also commonly found.

In Japan, people use toilet paper and do not use water for cleansing. As toilet paper is sometimes not provided in public washrooms, it is recommended that you always carry a small pack of tissues with you. Similarly, as paper towels or dryers are not always provided to dry your hands, it is recommended that you carry a handkerchief. Many modern toilets feature luxury options such as a heated seat, a built-in washer and dryer and an automatic lid opener.

Used toilet paper should be flushed into toilets, and nothing else should be flushed other than toilet paper. After you use the restroom, it is sanitary to wash your hands at the sink. Be careful not to leave the surroundings wet (especially at your home stay house).

How to use a Japanese-style toilet

１１ 22 33

FLUSH!FLU SH !

Western-style toilet （washer/dryer seat）

FLUSH!

STOP

DRY

Bidet

CLEANSE

(5) Bedrooms At night, people may sleep on either a bed or a soft, cotton-filled mattress

called a “futon”. Beds are standard pieces of furniture in many homes, but those who use a futon fold it up and put it away in a special closet. This allows the bedroom to be used as a living room or dining room during the day.

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(6) Transportation

Japan has an efficient public transportation network, especially within metropolitan areas and between large cities.

[Trains]

Japan's four major islands, Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu and Shikoku are covered by an extensive and reliable network of railways. Trains are a very convenient means to explore Japan for foreign visitors. Also, Japan is very proud of its high-speed train system, “Shinkansen”, or "bullet train," which is known and admired throughout the world. It transports large numbers of people to faraway destinations quickly and safely. (a) Buying a ticket

For short-distance trips, tickets are best purchased at vending machines

For long-distance trips, tickets can be purchased at ticket counters in train stations.

The 500-series Shinkansen.

.

Ticket vending machines with map of lines and stations

(b)Passing through ticket gates

After buying the ticket, you can proceed through the ticket gate. Automatic ticket gates can be found in busy stations. Insert the ticket into the slot, walk through the gate and pick up the ticket at the other side. If you insert an invalid ticket, the gate will close and an alarm will sound.

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(c) Station platforms/boarding

Find your platform by looking for your train line and direction. The most important signs are written in Japanese and English, and increasingly also in Chinese and Korean. Wait for passengers to exit before boarding the train. Be careful not to block the train doors at stations, especially if the train is crowded.

Red – Don’t cross the street Yellow － Pay attention and stop crossing the street Green － look both ways and go/cross the street

Streets in Japanese cities are narrow, so pedestrians should walk carefully on the sidewalk. Where a sidewalk is not available, pedestrians should walk on the right side of the street.

There are lots of signals in the Japanese transportation system. The Following is the basic three-colored signal for pedestrians.

[Traffic Signals]

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4. Japanese culture2

(1)Tea ceremony Chado (or Sado), tea ceremony, originated in China and was refined by Sen

no Rikyu in 16th-century Japan. It is not simply a procedure in which the host ritually prepares tea and the guest ritually drinks it, each with a specific set of manners. Chado is actually a profound, complete art that requires a wide range of knowledge and a fine sensitivity; the purpose and philosophy of living, religion, and the tea utensils and art objects displayed in a tearoom are all a part of the art. Chado is deeply connected to Zen. By concentrating on making tea inside a quiet tearoom, people can reach a calm state of mind and reflect on themselves. There is an important concept in chado known as ichigo ichie. The philosophy behind it is that one should always do one's best when making tea for another, treasuring each encounter as an once-in-a-lifetime event.

(2) Ikebana (flower arrangement)

Ikebana is the art of beautifully arranging cut stems, leaves, and flowers in vases and other containers that evolved in Japan over seven centuries. To arrange the stems and flowers exactly as one wishes, a familiarity with many different ways of fastening and positioning them is necessary. Usually, three to five years are required to acquire these technical and expressive skills.

The choice of what flowers to arrange is guided by the desire to create harmony between flower and container and to find flowers that blend in well with their surroundings. Although layer after layer of flowers are used in Western floral arrangements, in ikebana, the key consideration is to use as few stems and leaves as possible in composing elegant contours that highlight the flowers' beauty. (3) Traditional sports (a) Sumo

In sumo, two people who wear nothing but a mawashi (loincloth), face each other in a dohyo (circular ring) and push, grapple, and try to throw each other over. The one who forces his opponent to the ground or pushes him out of the ring is the winner. Sumo began many centuries ago and developed into its present form in the Edo period (1603-1868). Rikishi (wrestlers) wear their hair in a topknot, which was a normal hairstyle in the Edo period. The referee, meanwhile, wears the same kind of clothes as a samurai of 600 years ago. Many aspects of Japan's traditional culture can be seen in sumo. For example, the wrestlers throw salt into the ring to purify it before they begin their match, as the dohyo is considered a sacred place. Sumo has a long history, and it has been called Japan's national sport. The number of foreign wresters from Mongolia, China, Russia and elsewhere is now increasing, while there were only Japanese before. (b) Judo

Judo is a martial art that was started in Japan, and it is now known around the world as an Olympic sport. Judo was established in 1882 by combining jujitsu, a form of wrestling, with mental discipline. The roots of jujitsu lie in sumo.

2 Part of articles in 4. Japanese Culture are cited and extracted from Kids Web Japan（http://web-jpn.org/kidsweb/index.html）

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A match takes place in an 8 x 8 meter to 10 x 10 meter zone (within the red line in the picture) with one chief referee and two assistant judges. Contestants grapple with each other to compete skillfully using 67 throwing techniques to throw the opponent to the ground and 29 grappling techniques to immobilize the other’s movement.

(c) Kendo

Kendo is very similar to Fencing. Two swordsmen fight, wearing armor-like protectors to guard the head, chest and arms, using bamboo swords. Today’s Kendo originated from Japanese swordsmanship, in which people fought with Japanese swords against opponents. Kendo is a sport that places great importance on etiquette. A kendo contest begins with the

contestants exchanging formal bows and ends with another exchange of courtesy. This courteous bow is called rei in Japanese. The motion expresses a person's wish for victory, respect to their instructors, and gratitude to the friends who practice with them.

（４）Traditional Music

The history of traditional music in Japan is rich and varied. Many musical forms were imported from China more than a thousand years ago, but over the years, they were reshaped into distinctively Japanese styles of expression. Instruments were adapted and newly created to meet local needs, and the most important of these were the shamisen, shakuhachi, and koto. The shamisen resembles a guitar. It's got three strings, and the pitch is

adjusted using the tuning pegs on the head, just like a guitar or violin.

The shakuhachi is a flute made of bamboo. There are four holes in the front and one in the back, and so it's sometimes called a "five-holed bamboo flute" in English.

The koto, meanwhile, is a large, curved wooden instrument with 13 strings. It’s played with picks worn on the right fingers, similar to those used in playing the guitar. The left hand presses down on the strings to bend notes and create other effects.

Sadly, modern Japanese rarely hear these traditional instruments being played live these days.

A number of elementary and middle schools hold classes in traditional music, though, and arrange outings to theaters and concert halls to see and hear traditional performing arts.

Shamisen

Shakuhachi

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７．Education in Japan（High school）

JENESYS ProgrammeJapan ‐ East Asia Network of Exchange 

for Students and Youths

～Education in Japan～

Japan International Cooperation Center (JICE)

Education System in Japan

1.Kindergarten: 1‐3 years (aged 4‐6)2.Elementary School: 6 years (aged 7‐12)3.Junior High School: 3 years (aged 13‐15)4.High School: 3years (aged 16‐18)5.University: 4years (aged 19～)6.Others: Junior College, Vocational Collage, etc

School types: national, public, and private

Compulsory

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Number of Educational Institutions & Students

2,835,242765University

172,726417Junior College

3,549,7395,321High School(Upper Secondary)

3,592,40610,915Junior High School(Lower Secondary)

7,132,87422,476Elementary School

Number of Students

Number of Institutions

Type of Institution

Source: Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology(FY2008)

Education Policy

The Seven Priority Strategies1.  Improve students’ basic scholastic proficiency in “easy‐to‐

understand classes”2.  Foster open and warm‐hearted Japanese through participation in 

community and various programs3.  Improve the learning environment to one which is enjoyable and 

free of worries4.  Promote the creation of schools trusted by parents and communities5.   Train teachers as “education professionals”6.   Promote the establishment of world‐class universities7.  Establish a new educational vision for the new century and improve 

the foundations of education

Source: Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology(FY2006)

◆Education Reform Plan for the 21st Century

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Japanese High School (1)

Advancement Rate: 97.8%No. of schools: 5,321No. of students: 3,549,739Course: (percentage of the number of students)

1.Full‐time course: ordinary course (92%)

2.Part‐time course: held at night and other particular time  (3%)

3.Correspondence course: students study at home and send completed assignments to their teachers by post or other communications  (5%)

Source: Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology(FY2008)

◆General Information

Japanese High School(2)◆◆School YearSchool Year

(example)

AprilMayJuneJuly AugustSeptember

OctoberNovemberDecemberJanuaryFebruaryMarch

★A new school year starts                ★Enrollment ceremony

★Summer vacation 

(4‐6wks)

★Winter  vacation 

(2‐3wks)

★Spring vacation 

(2‐4wks)

★The 2nd term starts

★School events (school festival, sports day, field trip, concert, etc)

★The 3rd term starts

★School‐ending ceremony

★Graduation ceremony

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Japanese High School(3)

◇Modern Japanese◇ Japanese Classics◇ Chinese Classic◇ English◇History◇Geography◇ Politics◇ Economics

◇ Physics◇ Biology◇ Chemistry◇Geology

◇Mathematics  ◇ Arts (music, fine arts, calligraphy, etc)◇Health and physical education

Besides these, students also study moral education, special activities, integrated learning, and elective subjects. 

◆Curriculum

Japanese High School(4)◆School Time Schedule (example)

‐English‐Integrated Study‐15:10‐16:007

ArtHome EconomicsScienceHome RoomEnglish 14:10‐15:006

ArtScienceSocial StudiedMathematicsPhysical Education13:10‐14:005

LUNCH    TIME12:20‐13:10‐

ComputerJapanesePhysical EducationJapanese Mathematics11:30‐12:204

ComputerMathematicsHome Economics

Health Education

English Conversation10:30‐11:203

ScienceEnglishMathematicsPhysical EducationJapanese9:30‐10:202

EnglishSocial StudiesJapaneseEnglish ConversationSocial Studies8:30‐9:201

FridayThursdayWednesdayTuesdayMondayTime

*Social Studies includes  History, Geography, Politics and Economics.

*Science includes Physics, Biology, Chemistry and Geology.

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Japanese High School(5)★ Club activities ・・・ 2 or 3 times a week after class.<example>

★ Cram School・・・Many students attend 2‐4 times a week, to prepare for their entrance exam of university.

★ Work  (part time)・・・Some students work for extra allowance. (Popular place to work →Fast Food Restaurants, Gas Station, Convenience Sore, etc.)

★ Spend time with friends or go on a date!

◆After school life◆After school life

Art, Brass band, Drama, E.S.S., Flower Arrangement, Tea Ceremony, Photograph, Broadcast, Gardening, Handcrafts etc.

Culture

Basketball, Soccer, Baseball, Tennis, Volley ball, Swimming, Judo, Karate, Kendo, Athletics, Table Tennis, etc.

Sports

Japanese High School(6)

1.Interests・Pop culture (Japanese comics, music,etc)・Relationships with friends・Scholastic plans / Career options・Communication (cell‐phone and e‐mail)

2.Worries･ Study / Academic record・Scholastic plans / Career options・Appearance and Personality

(source: Japan Youth Research Institute March 2007)

Attitude of High School Students

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Japanese High School(7)School Uniform‐1

Majority of Japanese high school has their original school uniform.There are usually two types ,winter uniform (October～May) and summer uniform (June～September).

☆Examples of high school winter  uniform.

Japanese High School(7)School Uniform‐2

☆Examples of high school summer uniform.

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Japanese High School (8)Plans for after graduation

Source: Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology

FY2008 

52.8

15.319

12.9

0102030405060708090100

%

University &Junior College 

Specialtechnicalschool

Employment Others

Japanese University (1)Proportion of Major

Source: Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology

FY2008 

35.8

16.3 15.6

6.13.3 3 2.6 2.5 2.2

12.6

05

10152025303540

Social S

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ce

Engine

ering

Human

ities

Educ

ation

Scienc

e

Agricultu

re

Domes

tic E

cono

my

Med

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Pharm

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y

Oth

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%

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Japanese University (2)Major Universities in Terms of Number of International Students

Source: Japan Student Service Organizationas of May 2007

1,155(National)Nagoya University

1,171(National)Kyushu University

1,179(National)Tohoku University

1,221(National)University of Tsukuba

1,275(National)Kyoto University

1,300(Private)Kokushikan University

1,327(Private)Osaka Sangyo University

2,297(National)The University of Tokyo

2,352(Private)Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University

2,435(Private)Waseda University

Number of studentsName of University

Japanese University (3)Number of International Students by Nationality

Source: Japan Student Service Organizationas of May 2007

100.00%118,498Total0.40%471France

3.20%3,788Others0.40%480India

0.10%145Sweden0.50%538Philippines

0.10%159Saudi Arabia0.70%849Myanmar

0.10%167Uzbekistan0.90%1,110Mongolia

0.10%169Turkey1.00%1,181Sri Lanka

0.20%229Iran1.10%1,309Nepal

0.20%264Laos1.30%1,508Bangladesh

0.20%283Egypt1.30%1,596Indonesia

0.20%283Cambodia1.50%1,805U.S.A.

0.30%307Canada1.80%2,090Thailand

0.30%316Brazil1.80%2,146Malaysia

0.30%330Australia2.20%2,582Vietnam

0.30%337Russia4.00%4,686Taiwan

0.30%370United Kingdom14.60%17,274Republic of Korea

0.40%449Germany60.20%71,277China

% Number of students

Country/region% Number of students

Country/region

34

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Here’s a list of common greetings and useful expressions. Try saying them out loud!!

JAPANESE LESSON