The 9th Japan Study Trip holds a special place in my heart because it doubles as my graduation trip. I was recruited by Sokichi Morioka (MPP 2019), this year’s team leader to assist him in planning and running the student-led initiative. It was a great honour and privilege to be given the opportunity to join the trip twice. Despite the overwhelming response and budget constraints, twenty four MPP, MPA, MIA and PhD students from 13 countries made it through the rigorous selection process.
We curated the site and company visits based on this year’ theme, Japanese Science, Technology and Innovation. Morioka-san aims to showcase Japan’s rapid transformation toward “Society 5.0” where the ultra-smart society will be even more connected through Internet of things (IoT) technology and have access to solutions that can significantly improve the people’s quality of life. The study trip was designed to showcase Japan’s readiness to demonstrate and embrace this global technological shift.
KYOTO: Where tradition meets modernity
Once we touched down at Kansai International Airport, we kicked off our journey by visiting Advanced Telecommunications Research Institute International (ATR) where we were introduced to a prototype of geminoid, a humanlike android, which is modelled after its creator, Professor Hiroshi Ishiguro. ATR demonstrated how human brain waves were able to directly control the geminoid’s movements. We were astounded at how these extremely advanced forms of A.I are becoming a reality.
Later during our visit to the Kyoto University, Associate Prof Masashi Taketani from the Centre for Advanced Policy Studies provided us with a detailed overview and challenges on Japan’s environmental policy. He brought up the case of the big pollution disease known as the Minamata Disease as pivoting point in Japan’s effort enacting strict environmental protection measures.
Our time in Kyoto would not be complete without being taken by the charms of its beautiful landscape. We were overwhelmed with sublime cultural experiences from our visits to Kinkaku-Ji (The Golden Pavilion), Kiyomizu-dera (Pure Water Temple) and Arashiyama. What appealed to me the most from visiting these cultural sites was experiencing a heightened state of tranquility and a deep sense of appreciation for beauty. Japanese architecture and interior design demonstrates how efficient and creative Japan is when it comes to expanding the full potential of its resources. We also very fortunate to be accompanied by a group of Kyoto University students throughout our time in the ancient capital of Japan.
In the evening, we indulged on the illuminating combination of music, dance and magic by the cast of GEAR, a ground-breaking non-verbal performance theatre. I was particularly impressed by actors’ ability to break the fourth wall by using technology embedded in the performance. Doing so added a different element to the performance and enhanced the interaction between them and the audience.
TOKYO: Fast forward to Society 5.0
For first-time visitors to Japan, the Shinkansen ride to Tokyo was one of the key highlights. Once we arrived in Tokyo, we went to visit MORI Building Digital Art Museum, where we were dazzled by dynamic digital artworks that formed a “never ending world” by teamLab Borderless. One of the exhibits featured artwork that will only reveal and dissolve itself according to the number of people viewing it. The darkened rooms elevated our senses as the sensors detected our movements and incorporated them into creating a unique experience as we did our tour.
On the next day, we visited a line-up of innovative startups such as WOTA. WOTA took the centre stage with its water infrastructure solution. WOTA Box, the shower package for shelter, is developed to maximize water usage by recycling 98% of wastewater. The portable solution is designed to provide access to safe and clean water in times of disasters.
When the team was discussing about company visits, I mooted the idea to bring the students to visit SBI Ripple Asia, a fintech company offering next-generation payment platform powered by DLT (Distributed Ledger Technology) after I watched its presentation during the Singapore Fintech Festival 2018. To cut a long story short, we succeeded in arranging a visit to the fintech company. SBI Ripple Asia together with a consortium of banks, is currently in the midst of further commercializing RC Cloud, the world’s first payment platform which unifies domestic and foreign exchange using blockchain technology.
We concluded our site visits in Tokyo by visiting Tsukuba Science City, the center for research and education in Ibaraki prefecture, located northeast of Tokyo. In Tsukuba, we toured JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency), Japan’s national aerospace and space centre and Cyberdyne , a robotic and technology company known for developing and distributing HAL 5 robotic exoskeleton suit. A selected number of students were able to experience firsthand wearing the HAL-FL series, the wearable robot designed to improve the lower limb’s performance. The series is developed to assist elderly or stroke patients in walking and standing by transmitting bio-electric signals to their muscles through sensors attached to their skin.
LEARN HARD: Meet, greet and present!
In conjunction with the Singapore Embassy in Tokyo and University of Tokyo, the students were invited to a meet and greet dinner function with Japanese politicians, government officials, and civil servants. The trip would not be complete without visiting METI (Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry) and meeting Director Daisuke Asano, the MPA alumni who organised the very first Japan Study Trip in 2011. The discussions during the visits centered on aging population and managing the rising cost of elderly care. It is a major public policy issue that both Japan and Singapore share today. There is an increasing urgency in incorporating more technology to reforming immigration and foreign labour laws to ease the bottlenecks. Another hot public policy topic featured in the talk was Japan’s commitment in innovating its public education system. Japan has been embracing new teaching methods developed by private tuition centres that incorporate a daily-performance tracking system (for students) in their online-based courses.
To conclude the end of the study trip, LKYSPP students presented their analysis and recommendations on specific Japan’s policy issues during GraSPP day, a student-led seminar organised by the students from the Graduate School of Public Policy (GraSPP), University of Tokyo. The student groups from LKYSPP and GraSPP incorporated their experience and insights generated from the site and company visits to present their views on healthcare, innovation and technology and tourism. In the seminar, LKYSPP was represented by Dr Reuben Ng, a behavioural scientist whose area of teaching covers data analytics, behavioural insights, and policy innovation. He showcased Singapore’s drive and commitment in enhancing its economic performance by creating a hospitable ecosystem for startups to take up root in the country and as a platform to springboard their business.
Lastly, we hope that the next generation of students will be inspired by our Japan Study Trip and continue to uphold this fine tradition. Founding Dean Kishore Mahbubani mentioned in his book, "Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy: Building a Global Policy School in Asia," that he was always particularly impressed by the study groups organized by the students. The Japanese students' level of dedication and passion left such a lasting impression on him that he dedicated a few paragraphs praising the study trip.
As a parting word, my Japanese sensei prefers her students to say “Ja mata ne” (see you again) rather than “Sayonara” (goodbye) because we should not close the possibility of meeting each other again. I am sure this study trip will not be my last visit to Japan. Ja mata ne Japan!