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HKU students join young leaders tour of Japan to learn about reconstruction efforts and disaster preparedness following the 2011 earthquake and tsunami

03 Apr 2018

An experiential learning opportunity led by the HKU Department of Japanese Studies saw ten students travel to Japan’s Miyagi Prefecture in March 2018 to witness the devastation caused by the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and ongoing efforts to rebuild the area. The seven-day Young Leaders Tour of Japan was initiated by Dr Janet Borland with the aim of encouraging students as future leaders to think about global issues such as natural disaster recovery, disaster preparedness and corporate social responsibility. Following the success of the inaugural tour last year, the 2018 tour was once again supported by Mitsubishi Corporation.

Dr Janet Borland (right), Assistant Professor Department of Japanese Studies, Dr Maki Wan (second from right), ‎Deputy General Manager of Planning and Business Development for Mitsubishi Corporation Hong Kong Limited, and the ten students participating in the Young Leaders Tour of Japan visit the Ikebukuro Life Safety Learning Center in Tokyo.

At MORIUMIUS, children from Ogatsu Primary School shared stories and photos with HKU students in a special presentation which showcased the natural beauty of their hometown in Miyagi

The Young Leaders Tour involved visits to several revitalization projects in Miyagi, including MORIUMIUS, a residential eco-activity centre for children located in the town of Ogatsu which was deeply affected by the 2011 earthquake and tsunami. Opened in 2015 in a renovated primary school building, MORIUMIUS promotes the importance of sustainability and provides a model for regional revitalization in Japan. Students also spent time at the Akiu Winery established by an architect who gave up his career following the earthquake to open Miyagi’s only winery as a means of revitalizing the community and bringing more tourists to the area, as well as at the GRA Strawberry Farm which uses sophisticated technology to cultivate premium fruit and exports to places including Hong Kong. In Tokyo, students visited the Ikebukuro Life Safety Learning Center to learn about earthquake and fire safety, as well as first aid. In addition, students visited Mitsubishi Corporation’s offices in Sendai and Tokyo to learn about its involvement in reconstruction efforts in Miyagi and its corporate social responsibility initiatives, particularly in the area of sustainability.

Students will share their learning experiences in a special photo exhibition throughout the month of April at HKU. Members of the media are cordially invited to the opening of the exhibition. Details are as follows:

Date: April 4, 2018 (Wednesday)
Time: 6.30-8.00pm
Venues:
Room 4.36, 4th Floor, Run Run Shaw Tower, Centennial Campus (Ceremony at 6.30pm)
Ground Floor Gallery, Run Run Shaw Tower, Centennial Campus (Reception at 7.00pm)

The Young Leaders Tour of Japan Photo Exhibition is part of a series of events held in conjunction with Japan Month at HKU 2018. Other activities include a violin performance in the University Museum and Art Gallery and Japanese Studies student performances. For details, please visit http://www.smlc.hku.hk/.

For media enquiries, please contact Ms Angela Chau, Executive Assistant, Faculty of Arts, Tel: (852) 3917 4633 / email: ackchau@hku.hk.