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- Introduction of ANMC 21 Training Programs
| ANMC21 operates a variety of training programs for administrative officials or specialists from member cities. In this issue, we will provide an introduction of the 窶廝usiness Management and Pipeline Technology of Waterworks窶・training program that took place in September this year. |
窶廝usiness Management and Pipeline Technology of Waterworks窶・Training (Implementation Report)
Inspecting a work site where pipes are being laid out using the PIP Method.
In Taipei, installation of water pipelines has just about been completed and the city is currently in the middle of sequential updates. One of the problems Taipei is facing is the high rate of leakage within its pipelines. Tokyo窶冱 water leakage rate is 3.1 percent (as of the end of the 2008 fiscal year), but in Taipei the rate exceeds more than about 25 percent. As Taipei had made a request in advance of this training program for the pipeline maintenance management and leakage prevention technologies needed to solve its problems, the program followed a curriculum that would meet the city窶冱 needs, introducing the knowledge regarding the issue and initiatives being carried out by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government窶冱 Bureau of Waterworks, thus matching the needs of the trainees and allowing for an extremely advantageous training program to be carried out.
Going into the details of the training program, the 17th saw a detailed lecture on such topics as the flow of how to go about designing water pipes and carrying out quantity surveys, which was followed by inspections of actual work sites, including one site where pipes were actually being laid, another inspection of a site where a road had been dug out and pipes exchanged and yet another site which was using the Pipe-in-Pipe (PIP) Method, where installation of new pipes is made into deteriorated pipes without digging into the road, except at pressure points.
On the 18th, the program was held at the Bureau of Waterworks窶・Training and Technical Development Center, where such things as practical skills were displayed, including a leak inspection using a leak sound detection bar and an electronic leak detection device, operation of correlation leak detection equipment and a demonstration of leak countermeasures adapted to use a split ring (a ring that stops water flowing). Following that, there was a lecture at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Office on the maintenance management of water pipelines and water supply equipment.
Here, we introduce an interview with Mr. Ku Chan, one of the trainees who took part.
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Interview Associate Engineer Mr. Ku Chun
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—Please tell us a little about your line of work, Mr. Ku.
I work for the Technical Division at the Taipei Water Department窶冱 Research
& Development Section. We are primarily involved in the study of engineering
technology but are also concerned with research of household water supply
systems and in developing specifications. |
Associate Engineer Mr. Ku Chun |
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—What were your objectives in participating in this training course?
I had three main objectives. The first was to study the technology used in water leakage inspections, particularly the methods used in inspecting larger pipeline leakages. The second was to study the management and maintenance technology used in treating valves in water supply systems. The third was to visit work sites and the training center in order to learn about how to improve the implementation of technology used by staff on-site.
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—How did you find the training this time around?
Visiting the work sites was invaluable from a reference point of view and I was deeply impressed with the working methods and technology of the staff as well as the importance they attached to safety.
In terms of vocational training, while Taipei does have its own training facility centers, having now visited Tokyo窶冱 Bureau of Waterworks I have to say that the scale and training programs here far surpass those in Taipei and the equipment here is superb. These sorts of facilities play a significant role in the vocational training of on-site staff. I think Taipei should also be trying to take a few more steps in this direction.
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—How do you plan to reflect this at the municipal administration level? |
We will write up a report on our learning experience here and submit it to our department director for reference in policy planning. It will also be released over the Internet so that it can be distributed to all municipal administration staff in the hope that through reading it, it might further enrich their experiences.
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After the inspection trips and lectures had been completed, questions came
flying in, one after the other, passing on just how keenly passionate the
trainees had been about learning in what was an extremely lively training
program. We hope the program will become even more of a driving force for
waterworks projects in Taipei, and wait wholeheartedly for the
participants from the next city to go through the training.
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- Introducing ANMC 21 Joint Projects
| The 窶弸outh Leaders for Tourism窶・exchange project has the objectives of sharing information about the current state and initiatives being undertaken within the tourism industry of each Asian city, and promotion the formation of a human network of young people who will become the core of future development in Asia. This fiscal year, the project was held for five days from September 8 to 12 and four young people from the Tokyo Metropolitan University visited Singapore窶冱 Ngee Ann Polytechnic (technical college). On this trip, each of the four participants set their own theme and observed local tourism policies while engaging in cultural exchange. Upon their return to Japan, they used the experiences they had gained through the exchange project to make proposals regarding Tokyo窶冱 tourism policies. We bring you a report from among those who took part. |
Report Mr. Hiroto Higa, Department of Tourism Science, Graduate Schools of Urban Environmental Sciences, Tokyo Metropolitan University Made observations about tourism policies from the point of view of 窶忖rban development.窶・He proposed historical township areas should be maintained but also be given a lived-in feeling such as having an environment where business can continue.
Arriving at Changi International Airport! Foreign students came out to welcome us. |
Report Ms. Kaori Yamasuge, Department of Tourism Science, Graduate Schools of Urban Environmental Sciences, Tokyo Metropolitan University Made observations about tourism policies from the point of view of 窶徃uide boards and signs easy for foreigners to understand.窶・She proposed improving guides and signs by having multilingual displays and functionality while also showing consideration for design.
The Singapore Flyer
(the world窶冱 largest Ferris wheel)
繝ｻThere are easy to understand displays in multiple languages;
繝ｻThere is frequent use of pictograms;
繝ｻThere is a harmony between design and the landscape; and,
繝ｻRemoval of surrounding obstacles makes it easy for information to be found.
Looking back, I would suggest to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government that there is lots of room for improvement when it comes to things like the design of such items as guide signs and achieving harmony with the surrounding landscape, and thought such things as whether or not Tokyo should also think about removing obstacles from around guide signs. To allow for not just foreigners, but also the disabled or the elderly to enjoy traveling around at ease, I felt there is a need to come up with effective guide signs themselves, as well as maintain the areas around the signs and, from the perspective of a broader area, achieve harmony with the surrounding environment.
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Report Mr. Yukichi Kobayashi, Faculty of System Design, Department of Aerospace Engineering, Tokyo Metropolitan University Mr. Kobayashi reported on 窶弋he Success of the Exchange Camp.窶・
At the beach on the island of Sentosa.
Going to Singapore allowed me to become aware again that Tokyo is a city with that particular charm.
Problems are breaking out all over the world, such as global climate change and conflicts. I think it is not possible to solve these problems without international cooperation. I want to take what I learned and felt in Singapore on this trip and use it to give me power to work toward solving the many problems that have broken out throughout the world.
* Mr. Kobayashi made observations about tourism policies from the point of view of 窶從ightlife scenes as a tourism resource.窶・At the report meeting held upon participants窶・return to Japan he proposed making use of original Japanese lighting culture visible in such objects as lanterns and paper lanterns, as well as urged the nighttime opening of tourist spots, a joint effort with communities to create nighttime landscapes and called for the use of warmer lighting colors in street lighting.
Participants had a busy schedule where they learned about such things as urban planning in Singapore, took part in a tourism workshop, visited tourism-related organizations and gave presentations based on various themes, yet also managed to have a great time mixing with other students and appear to have returned home just that little bit more grown up. We hope it will prove to have been a valuable experience for those young people who carry the future.
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- Major Cities窶・Cutting-Edge Approaches
| An Introduction of Cutting-Edge Approaches Taken by ANMC 21 Member Cities |
・茨ｼ托ｼ宇rom Delhi: The Commonwealth Games, the Olympics of the British Commonwealth
 India Gate, a symbol of Delhi, India窶冱 capital.
In the Commonwealth Games, in addition to ordinary Olympic events such as swimming or athletics, there are also sports popular within the Commonwealth, such as Rugby Sevens, lawn bowls and netball.
This will be the first time that India has ever hosted the Commonwealth Games, and Delhi窶冱 only experience in holding an international sporting event has been two occasions in the past when the Asian Games occurred there. In preparation for the Games, the National Capital Territory of Delhi Government is moving ahead with the upgrading of lifestyle infrastructure within the city regarded as one of its important projects and plans such measures, for example, as the introduction of low-floor buses, an increase of elevated roads, the laying down of a subway system and the setting up street lighting that satisfies international standards.
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Street food stalls in the vibrant city of Delhi.
One of the features of these Games is that they are to be held under the concept of the 窶彳nvironment.窶・For instance, standards have been set up requiring consideration for the environment be shown when constructing new sports facilities or refurbishing them, and there are plans to plant such items as many plants within the city, or near the sporting facilities where events will be held.
As there is only one year to go before the Games are to be held, there
is still some anxiety about issues such as delays in infrastructure
construction for sites, but Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, who
entered her third term in office since last December, has pledged to make
preparations for the Games her highest priority.
Approaching the hosting of its first global-scale international
sporting event, Delhi can be said to be on the brink of a major
transitional stage. |
・茨ｼ抵ｼ宇rom Tokyo: Tokyo  2009 Asian Youth Para Games held
The Tokyo2009 Asian Youth Para Games (AYP) are an international sports competition where Asian youths with disabilities compete in such sports as athletics, swimming and table tennis, and were held this year in Tokyo from September 11 to 13. The AYP are one of the few cases, even on a global level, where games are held for youths.
This year窶冱 AYP, the second time the competition has been held, saw 806 people take part, coming from 29 countries or regions centering on Asia. Competitions were held in six sports: athletics, boccia, goalball, swimming, table tennis and wheelchair tennis. Competition was fierce, resulting in such achievements as two new world records being set in athletics and swimming events.
On the first day of the AYP, we headed out to the boccia site to show some support, as well to interview the Malaysian team, whose huge contingent of 84 members followed only the Japanese and Iranian teams in numbers.
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★ What is boccia? |
| Boccia is an indoor sport where players bowl a ball and compete to see who can get closest to a white target ball thrown into the court. Concentration and strategy play a part in determining the victor, but it does not require a great deal of strength or rapid movements, making one of its features being accessibility to even those with severe disabilities. In Japan, a boccia association was set up in 1997 and organized education and strengthening commenced, resulting in an appearance at last year窶冱 Beijing Paralympic Games, the first time this had happened. |
Scene from a Boccia game |
Interview Malaysian team participants
Boccia athlete: Tan Kung Chin, 16. |
—Boccia athlete: Tan Kung Chin, 16.
Asked her impression of the Asian Youth Para Games, she answered cheerfully, 窶廬 really like Japan!窶・Questioned about her feelings toward the match, Tan seemed to be frustrated. 窶弩e lost, so I feel really sad,窶・Tan said. Tan still had one game left remaining at the time we talked to her, so we wished her good luck, saying that she could win the next match, to which she responded with a bashful look on her face.
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—Boccia Team Manager : Mr. Dr. Mohinder Singh
Our boccia athletes for these games was team made up from the six best members selected from three centers for the disabled located within Malaysia (there is one center each in the southern, central and northern parts of the country). It is the athletes窶・first international competition, so they are fairly nervous.
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—Malaysian Team General Manager: Mr. Muk Shin Bong
The Malaysian team has only won two games (as of the afternoon of the first day of competition), so we have not achieved the results that I had thought we would, but we are on a par with the other teams that are competing, so I think that there is still a chance. The organization of this event has been wonderful and the accommodation facilities have also been extremely comfortable. I am very grateful for the hospitality of the Japanese people. |
From left, Mr. Bong, Ms. Jeanne Abdullah, Dr. Mohinder |
—VIP Participant: Ms. Jeanne Abdullah・・ormer first lady of Malaysia・・/div>
I express my respect for the participating athletes. I assume it takes an even greater effort than most people just to take part in the events, and the athletes have concentrated hard to come here. Looking at this event must make you realize just how wonderfully God has created mankind. By coming out on my own volition to support an event such as this one I hope that I can be of help to the athletes.
Many warmly watched over the Tokyo 2009 Asian Youth Para Games, which finished safely. Left in their wake was plenty of emotion and new encounters. |
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- Tokyo Company Introduction
Bringing a 窶廴ade in Developing Nation窶・Brand to the World
Motherhouse窶冱 Challenge (2/2)
Motherhouse Co. & Ltd., the company we introduced in our last issue
that does business in developing countries such as Bangladesh, is a company
that plans, produces and controls the quality of apparel products and general
merchandise, as well as doing such things as the marketing of these within
Japan.
Part 2: A Cyclone Comes And Then On Into the Future
In this issue, we will talk about how Motherhouse was hit directly by a cyclone.
Cyclone Sidr struck southwestern Bangladesh in November 2007, causing tremendous damage, including the loss of over 1,000 people窶冱 lives. Motherhouse President Ms. Eriko Yamaguchi was in Bangladesh at the time and she promptly proceeded to the disaster area to provide support.
窶廛oing business in a country, and then seeing that country damaged so enormously was not something where you could just sit by and do nothing about it,窶・Ms. Yamaguchi said.
Filed with that feeling, Ms. Yamaguchi actually went to the disaster area to see it with her own eyes and apparently handed over rice pots and blankets she felt were absolutely necessary.
However, on May 25, 2009, another large-scale cyclone Aila struck Bangladesh once again. Ms. Ai Goto, an employee of Motherhouse, headed out to the disaster area together with the company窶冱 Bangladeshi employees to provide support.
Below, Ms. Goto gives us fresh information about what it was like on the scene.
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・晃hat was it like in the places the cyclone hit directly?
窶弩e visited on June 8, so about two weeks had passed since the disaster. As for the scenes I actually saw, the closer we got to the disaster area, the more we could see fields that had been flooded by flood tides. From then, scenes of the disaster zone, such as collapsed houses and trees that had been blown over, spread out everywhere.窶・
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Scene taken the day after the cyclone hit |
・好id you have any set intentions in mind when you offered support?
窶弩henever we offer support, we always do so with the intention of providing 窶牢upport by actually going to the scene and finding out what is needed (things that are absolutely necessary).窶・br>
窶廡or instance, after both Cyclone Sidr and again this time, rice was already being supplied, but there were none of the rice cookers needed to cook it.
窶廣nd, people have this image of Bangladesh being hot, but it is actually really cold and there was a call for blankets, so we supplied blankets. It is a fact that, without actually going to the scene, we would not have known what there was a demand for. And we try to go to see things as they actually are for ourselves, and then hand things over directly to the people who need them.窶・
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・晃hat do you think about the current state of local crisis management countermeasures and issues that they need to take into account?
縲窶廣ccording to one of our local staff members, rather than crisis management countermeasures, the situation demands countermeasures for dealing with the wake of disasters. Even if countermeasures are taken in advance, Bangladesh has a chronic shortage of funding and food, as well as a lack of all sorts of resources and information, which means it is very difficult to make any sort of effective countermeasure. |
A collapsed house |
窶廬 think that if this situation of only being able to deal with something after it has happened continues, areas that have repeatedly been struck by disaster are unable to overcome the effects of one disaster before the next one strikes, inviting the result of an accumulation of damage.
窶廡irstly, there should be such things as maintenance of all types of infrastructure and securing of information routes, which is probably what is needed to improve on the current situation.窶・
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・晃hat do you think about a company窶冱 social responsibility?
We see our basic responsibility toward Bangladesh, as the country of production, as being:
| 1. | Providing employment to as many people as possible; |
| 2. | To send to the country as many people possessing superior technical abilities or knowledge so that they can contribute to raising the level of technical ability and knowledge locally; and, |
| 3. | As a result of this, we contribute to the development of the industries that our company is involved with. |
These are the three points we perceive as being our basic social responsibility.
And, in addition to that, there are actions that this sort of business cannot reach, such as street children or regularly providing support for disaster victims, and we are thinking of that.窶・br>
窶廴otherhouse窶冱 basic philosophy of 窶亙ntegrating with local people and sharing human emotions while aiming to establish a brand working globally and contributing to that country窶冱 sustainable development窶・is resonating with a growing number of people.
窶弋he 窶鷲ouse窶・in Motherhouse is not just a 窶鷲ouse窶・for street children, it is also on the way to becoming a 窶鷲ouse窶・where large numbers of people who want to actively engage in helping can gather together.窶・br>
Finally, Motherhouse President Ms. Yamaguchi was an overseas student herself by studying in Bangladesh. Do you have a message for students from overseas who are studying in Japan?
窶廬 want to pass on the message that we think those places lumped together under the term 窶賄eveloping nations窶・have wonderful resources and potential. And we think of that as we act. To all those people who have come from all the countries of Asia to study in Japan, we have heartfelt expectations that you will put your experiences in Japan to good use, and when you go back to your own country, you can make a contribution toward the future development of that country.窶・
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