April 3rd
I still remember when Mr. Stephen Cutting first came to my school to interview the students that had applied for Talkback Classroom. During the interview, he asked me the question "What is your image of Japan-Australia relations?". I answered "Maybe Japan sees Australia as a place to go on vacation but Australia sees Japan as a huge trading partner.". Since the topic of the forum was "Images of Japan in Australia and Images of Australia in Japan" at the time I never thought we would be investigating things like WWII that "shaped" the images that we hold of each other. Throughout the project I started noticing that the people we were interviewing all had something to do with our topic, all had something to teach us,and that they were all great people. Also, one day in a train in Tokyo, I remember Steve telling me that Talkback Classroom provides the opportunityfor students to learn something that they can't learn in a classroom at school. What Steve told me was exactly right and was learning so much during our learning journeys. The main thing that I learned throughout this project is that it is important to listen, look, and to understand both sides of the coin when forming an opinion about a conflict or disagreement such as whaling. At the start of the project I couldn't even form my own opinion about something so I found myself being really "Japanese" so I didn't talk at all during our discussions. During thediscussions we had beforethe forum I noticed that I was able to express my opinions and support them. The wholeproject has been a great experience for me and I hope thatthe thingsand skills that Ilearnedwill help me later on in life.I hope that this is the start of my relationship with Australiaand I look forward to seeother forums ofTalkback Classroom succeed.
March 12th
At the war memorial, we saw things that we would never see in Japan. We saw pictures, and we read and heard of the things that Japan did during the war. Since it was the first time in a museum that told the story from the other side, I got a totally different view on the war. The talk with Peter Stanley was really interesting; he gave us so many new views and facts. I learned so many new things like “military culture” and why the picture of the beheading of an Australian soldier was being displayed like it was. He also explained to us about Japan’s plan to invade Australia being a myth and why it was believed and why it is still believed. I will have a totally new mindset when I enter a museum, especially military museums. I wish we had more time to listen to Peter Stanley.
March 11th
We stayed at the Parliament House all day today. The background briefing really deepened my understanding of the topics that we have been exploring through. With each guest we were able to hear their opinions, and we were also able to get a story that we could relate to or a really good example so that we could really understand these topics. I was satisfied today with the fact that I was finally able to really get involved into the first interview we had with Andrew Dempster. Although I can’t say that I was able to get really into the other interviews we had today, each interview was very informative and I enjoyed listening to the people we interviewed today.After our interviews and lunch, we were able to see “Question time”. We were told that we were going to see “Question time” in the morning and I had absolutely no idea of what “Question time” was. Anyway, Tom looked really excited about it so I asked him what “Question time” was and I had a rough idea of what it was going to be like before we entered the chamber. When we were inside at first I couldn’t believe that I was in the same room as Kevin Rudd and that I was seeing him speak. Even though I didn’t know what they were talking about it was hilarious to watch them ask questions and yell at each other. The system of how the conference worked was really similar to the MUN conferences I participated in last year. The staff’s carrying the notes and them having the “Chair” or the “Speaker” and the “Points of order” were all the same. I was mostly surprised by the fact that some of the politicians (great adults) acted like teenagers. The atmosphereof the Australian Parliament was very different from the Japanese Diet that I have seen on Japanese TV. But anyway, I really likeit when it starts to get rowdy so I had a really great time.
March 10th
Today was a very short day compared to others. We went to theDept of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), Canberra Girl’s Grammar school, and the Japanese embassy.
DFATprovided us detailed information and facts that we really needed to know for the forum next Monday. I thought it was a really good meeting since it was the first time we really explored into multilateral issues like Taiwan.After the ministry we were at Canberra Girl’sGrammar school where we were able to get the Australian teenagers perspective on the issues that we have been discussing. We got totally different views of what we got in Japan. Also we heard comments about the cuteness factor they found in Japanese culture.At the embassy we were told about the relationship between Australia and Japan. The Japanese embassy was small compared to the Australian embassy in Japan. I found it a bit awkward to look at your own countries culturein a different country.After dinner we had a long discussion about preparation for the forum and everything else. I thought that it was a really constructive and enjoyable discussion and I hope that we will have more discussions like the one we had tonight. I still find myself not being able to get into interviews.
Monday 9 th March
We had our first interviews in Australia today. We had a 3 hour drive out of Canberra to Cowra where the POW camps were during WWII. About 1 hour into our drive and we were driving through the middle of nowhere; which is one of the things I like about Australia because a 1 or 2 hour drive will take you away from the city and you’ll be in the middle of nowhere.
Until today I knew there were breakouts in Cowra but I didn’t know any facts or anything about the treatment or about the war cemeteries. At our first stop we were informed about the breakouts through a small exhibition and a hologram at the information center at Cowra. We got numbers and an idea of what actually happened on the 5th of August, 1944.Next, we were at the sites where the camps used to be. It is regrettable that they tore the camps down right after the war since all you see now is some hills, a few signs, and a replica of one the watch towers. Lawrance Ryan, a local historian told us more about the escapes and we were able to ask him questions. Lawrance joined us to the Japanese war cemetery where there were the graves of the Japanese that died in Australia during the war. It was a very, very beautiful place and the thing that moved me was that the whole place was established by the former Australian soldiers who had every right to hate the Japanese. I just can’t imagine being able to do that for the people that you fought against and the people that attacked your country. Lawrance mentioned a movie called “Broken Sun” which is based on the breakout in Cowra. I really want to see the movie when I have the opportunity.I was also moved by the stories we heard today about the treatment of the Japanese POWs. In our previous research we read about the treatment of Australian POWs by the Japanese which wasn’t a very nice thing to do and I had also read about how the Americans treated their POWs during the war in Iraq. So I had an image that bad treatment of POWs just occurred everywhere. But in Australia that didn’t happen. They treated the Japanese just like the Italians and in hospitals, they treated them the same way they would treat other patients. They actually gave the Japanese POWs rice to eat even when the locals couldn’t get to eat rice. I thought that was something that wouldn’t happen in every POW camp.
Friday 30/01
All I can say about this week is that it was very, very educational. Each one of our many interviews gave us new information and a new view. If it wasn't for this program I would have never had a chance to talk with the people we met this week and discuss the topics that we dealt with.
One thing that really impressed me this week was when Professor Sekine from Keio University said, "It is very important to look at many societies to really understand multiculturalism.” I think the same thing can be said when teenagers like us try to understand and state an opinion about topics like the ones we investigate in Talkback Classroom. I think there is a need to look and listen to both sides of the argument to really understand and form an opinion about these topics.
When we go to Australia, I think we will hear the opposite of what we heard in Japan. Mr. Cutting told me that I might get a little confused but I think after we have finished all of the interviews in Australia, I will have a true understanding of these topics that we are investigating. To have a true understanding of these topics when we finish the whole project, I really need to put effort into reading about these topics and expanding my vocabulary by the time we go to Australia in March. This week has been a really good experience for me because we were able to discuss the topics we don't learn about in school. We don't learn and discuss these topics in school. I think the skills I acquired throughout week are something that we don't learn in school and that they will help me later on in my life. I hope to do better when we are in Australia.
Thursday 29/01
Today wasn’t as tough as the other days. We visited the Yasukuni shrine, Yasukuni museum, and my school.
First, we went to the Yasukuni shrine. I had heard about the Yasukuni shrine so many times in the news but today was the first time I ever visited it. I was disappointed after I looked inside the shrine because I expected to see something like the names of the war criminals or something else. The appearance of the shrine itself wasn’t much different from other shrines in Japan.
The interesting thing about the Yasukuni museum was that it only showed Japan’s view in WWII. Also, the fact that they worshipped the war criminals like gods was really surprising.
I think there is a need to change the museum because it only shows Japan’s view and not the view of other countries like China, Korea, and Australia. Australia wasn’t even mentioned in the whole museum. I think there wouldn’t be as many conflicts concerning Yasukuni shrine if there was more information about the views of other countries and more information about the country’s suffering in the museum. Unfortunately, I don’t think these changes will happen because the whole reason Yasukuni shrine and the museum exist is because it is there to worship these war criminals and not to condemn them.
If I hadn’t done the reading before we visited the museum I would have gotten the impression that Japan didn’t do anything wrong in the war.
I thought that the discussion at my school was good because we had the chance to listen to the voices of people that are about the same age as us. We just got so many new ideas.
Tomorrow is our last day in Tokyo with Talkback Classroom.
Wednesday 28/01
Today we had the opportunity to meet Ms Midori Suzuki from the National Museum of Tokyo, Ms Omi from the Ghibli Museum and Mr Kobu from the Japan Whaling Association. I felt that I finally really got into the interviews so today was the first day I really felt satisfied after conducting the interviews.
I learnt so much from the people we met today. For example, I didn’t know that sales from whale meat were put back into supporting the funding for scientific whaling. I think that this is a fact that everyone should know.
With regards to the Ghibli Museum, I really liked the concept of “hito wo egaku,” or “Portrait of the People.” I didn’t know that the Ghibli stories were made especially for people. For example, many people that work for Studio Ghibli were having children, so Hayao Miyazaki (the director of all the Ghibli movies) thought that he would make a movie that those kids would be able to enjoy.
I really liked their approach to anime. Ms Omi said that, “anime is not the meal, but the snack.” This means that anime is not something that you need to live, but it’s something that you should only enjoy. You don’t eat a snack for a meal.
Tuesday 27/01
Today was a really long and tiring day, but it was a great experience because we got to talk to such intelligent and interesting people. Each of the people we talked to today were really cool. Their lives, their jobs and their expertise. What impressed me the most was something that Prof. Sekine said. He said that you have to look at other countries’ societies to be able to understandnd multiculturalism. Looking at other countries is to me a very important thing.
It was my first time in a place like the Australian Embassy. I thought the jobs there were very interesting. I’m not too sure what I want to do when I finish my schooling, so it was a great opportunity to see what kind of work you do in an embassy.
I think that after these two days, I can see how much I could improve my communication skills. This whole Talkback Classroom program is really helping me to improve this.
Monday 26/01
Today was a pretty long but successful day. I was astounded by the fact that there are so many people that have different opinions on the same subject, and that they are all able to talk extensively and knowledgably on their views. Talking to the camera will take some getting used to, because talking into the camera sort of puts you on the spot and you have to be able to collect your thoughts very quickly. I feel like I am losing my English! I just hope that I can improve during the week.But mainly, I was astounded by the knowledge of the three people we interviewed today. They seem to be very well qualified. Tokyo Institute of Technology is probably in the top two universities in Japan. The thing that surprised me was that when we interviewed Roger Pulvers, he estimated that only 2 percent of the Japanese soldiers during WWII would have been willing to commit suicide “for the emperor!” I guess that the soldiers in WWII were just normal university students like those you see today all over the country; in fact all over the world.