The members of Batch 1999 were Mr. Naotaka Kawamura (second visit), Mr. Yasufumi Ueda (second visit), Ms. Kazue Kimura, Ms. Rie Imai, and Ms. Mayuka Nakahira.

The focus of their visit was Biliran Province, mainly to trace the places and some personalities described in the memoir of Mr. Kennosuke Nakajima, a Japanese radio operator stationed in Biliran town during World War II. Other places visited include Tacloban, Palo, and Sta. Fe.

When I came here in 1997, I was very sad to know that many people were killed in Leyte during World War II. I thought that the war was really undesirable for every ordinary person.

This time, I found another aspect of the war. In Biliran, the Filipinos had good relations with Japanese soldiers. No battle occurred in that island. It was very different from the situation in Leyte Island.

If Filipinos and Japanese could become friends with each other, why did Japanese soldiers massacre Filipinos in some islands of the Philippines during World War II. If the students of Tokyo International University could enjoy party time with the students of SHS (School of Health Sciences), why did Filipinos and Japanese hate each other (during the war)?

War is (fought) on a nation-to-nation level. We have to think seriously why war or massacres happen. The fact that people can live peacefully on the same world is a truth. But the fact that people all over the world have fought each other from ancient times to the present is also a truth. Why?

We have to rebuild our global society on the basis of the interest of the ordinary people (such as) residents of Biliran who have good wartime memories, Filipino victims of the massacres, and soldiers who were forced to kill each other. The global citizens' point of view is the most important thing for a peaceful world.

Rebuilding the world based on the global citizens is not so easy because they have less political power than power groups. We have to empower them as citizens. The activities of both our seminar and AQUA (a Japanese NGO) are very important in this context.

This is the second time (for me) to visit the Philippines and I got used to be here this time (around). I was confused (during the previous visit) because I did not know what I could do to (help) improve and develop the Philippines. That was the first time (for me) to visit a so-called "developing country" and I could not face the inequality between rich and poor (though) I am from a "developed country." When children came to our bus to ask some money, I could not even look at their faces. I was just confused and sad.

After I went back to Japan, I learned more about citizens' movements, the construction of the world of capitalism, and Japanese domestic politics, and I came to conclusions of my own. My recommendation is the making of a society of "global citizens."

In the past, there were only nation-to-nation relations. Behind this, many people were killed in wars or forced to become depressed economically and socially. To solve the problems of the world, I believe that everyone should become a "global citizen."

A "global citizen" thinks and acts globally and locally and (his/her) conviction is based on living people's benefit. This is not based on nationality or religion but on one's value as a human being. This might sound like an ideal (state), but I think it is important.

So I would like to support the education of "global citizens" in my life. Education makes people and people form societies, so I think we need to improve education to reform societies. This is what I found out after I came to the Philippines.

This time (around), I could talk to many people and found something in common between us.

Before I came here, I read Mr. Nakajima's book (about his experiences as a Japanese war veteran who fought in the battle of Leyte) and changed my mind about World War II. His book was written (from) a personal (not national) point of view. I was impressed by the book and excited to come to Leyte and Biliran.

When I talked to Mr. Sasaki's fiancee, the Chinese lady and Nene's sister, I found many aspects of war. The Chinese lady told us that the time of the Japanese occupation was great, but Nene's sister had an unforgettable hardship at the same time. Everyone had their own history and the war should not be judged only from one point of view and value. This is the most important lesson I got from this study tour.

I am very happy to see the people who shared with us their (wartime) experiences. I would like to learn more about the past to search the hopeful future.

This was the very first time for me to visit the Philippines. It gave me a precious experience and a great chance to see the Third World not only in textbooks but also to feel it myself.

My first impression of the Philippines was that I felt like I was in the (United) States rather than in one of the Asian countries. I think that the Philippines has been greatly influenced by the US for a long time until now.

I learned several aspects through this study tour, especially in the following points:

1. Japan's ODA (official development assistance) and its result;
2. Sides of World War II from US side, Philippine side, and Japanese side; and
3. Role of local and national governments.

I would like to write about these three points for my report.

First of all, I have studied about ODA since last year, and I found some criticisms of Japan's ODA, (including claims that) it is not used properly for people living in the (recipient) area. Some articles mentioned that ODA is "tied" and that this assistance is for the Japanese company or multinational company rather than for the Filipino people.

However, I noticed that (the criticism) is not always true, because the money from ODA plays an important role in developing rural areas. For instance, (the town of) Santa Fe's irrigation (system) and school buildings. Without this assistance it would be impossible for this area to become independent economically and socially.

Even though Japan's ODA has some problems, I realized that we need to continue this assistance to have good relations with developing countries and advanced nations. I think what we can do about the ODA criticisms is to monitor what JICA does and to have communication with local people to find out what they really need for their living.

Secondly, I was very impressed by the "real" war story from the people who are in Nakajima's book. War is very cruel and a bloody memory for any people and I was apt to avoid the reality that Japanese soldiers hurt innocent people and that many people (were) sacrificed in the war. But as I heard from people (who) actually (lived through) that war, I gradually felt "I have to know the reality of the war. I need to identify the real history!"

As I looked through a textbook which Filipino college students use in a class, I could easily find that some historical events or facts were eliminated, especially the US occupation era of the Philippines. (The same pattern is found) in Japanese history textbooks. Some historical events are not listed in these books and students hardly have a chance to face the real history.

For example, I have not been taught much about World War II and what Japan did in Asian countries. It is a shame that ordinary students were not given the opportunity to know this. But since I have been here in the Philippines, I will continue researching the facts to understand Japan-Philippine relations much deeper.

Thirdly, through visiting government offices, I was able to see how local governments successfully manage their affairs. I was most surprised (about) the close relationship between the mayor and the ordinary people (of Santa Fe town). They (people) talk to the mayor if problems exist.

I was especially impressed to see SHS (School of Health Sciences) students involved fully in activities to improve community life. When I saw their activities, I started to think how and what college students should be/do in society. The SHS students and Japanese university students have a big difference in terms of contributing their knowledge and skills to society. Now I feel that society depend a lot on students, because education makes people and people make society.

The local governments seemed to be successful, but I found some problems too. That is, villages with agriculture base are easily affected by the weather (phenomena) such as El Niño and La Niña, said to have been brought about by industrialization. The cause of development in advanced nations damages people who live in developing countries. I cannot help thinking that this is an unfair situation.

Another problem is employment in agricultural areas. In a farming area, I did not see any job opportunities but agriculture and fishery. Creating job opportunities is one key to vitalize the area's economy. But I cannot find a practical way about how they can develop their lives to co-exist with a beautiful nature and a new industry. It became a hard question for me. I need to think about this when I go back to my studies in Japan.

Lastly, I would like to thank Prof. Borrinaga and Mr. Litang for giving us an opportunity to learn and make this study tour very meaningful for us. Thank you for your hospitality. I hope I can come back to the Philippines in the near future. I really love this place, especially such a beautiful nature and friendly people. Thank you, again, and "I shall return!"

The opportunities for me to meet various Filipinos have turned my thoughts on the Philippines. This country was ruled by different (colonial) countries like Spain, the United States, and Japan. I thought its society was destroyed by the power of these countries.

But what I actually saw was not within my expectations. Despite being ruled by other countries, they are not only strong. I also observed their kindness. This was my first impression that I felt with my skin and saw with my eyes when I met these people.

By the way, my grandfather died two years ago. When Japan was at war with China, he went to Peking. He told me that war was not human. It was like hell that he could not expect. I realized this as I heard (stories) about World War II in Leyte and Biliran.

The situation was very different (between that time and now).

With this awareness, I gradually raised doubting questions for my life in the future. Firstly, what is happiness for people? Secondly, what benefit does war have on the people? Thirdly, what can I, as a student, do to protect my own life living in the 21st century?

The opportunity of visiting the Philippines made me realize the importance of (the knowledge of) history, politics and economics. I thought that this country has a lot of people who can build a new society for the people, and not (necessarily for) the nation.

My regret is that they do not have (a lot of) opportunities to make good use of their abilities. I felt strongly that the situation is different from Japan.

I realized that I should learn the ability to change our world for our (better) life.

When I arrived here, I got a lot of energy from people and from nature. Nature (here) is extensive and the people have large hearts. They have much energy to live.

In Japan, most young people do not have that (type of energy), because we have a lot of material (things) and we live with these material (comforts) every time, everywhere, everyday. We depend on material (comforts), and we are getting lazy because of these.

But in Leyte, the (people) are so open, they do not restrict (interaction) between each other. I looked at their style and I could feel that my soul became pure.

I spent six days here. I could touch various memories of the Second (World) War. These were mostly sad stories, but in Biliran the situation was different from that of other towns.

Through all the stories and memories I listened to, I saw some traces of Japanese soldiers. My thought was, at that time, humans were looking for a new style to live as humans through war. They fought each other killed each other through they were the same human beings. They and their countries did not have that thought about a common human(ity). They did not notice it.

But now I notice it (the thought of a common humanity). Many people are realizing and feeling it. Why? Because we had (fought) some cruel wars between countries.

We live in this world and this world is the only one for us. All people are the same. For me, you might be only one person in this world. But now, we are growing more humane with each (passing) time, each year, each age. The people are continuing to learn about "how to live in this world as humans." Like many other people, I am looking for this in my life.

I think our countries should not fight each other. We should solve (our problems) by communication and foreign policy. We should help each other, which is the natural thing for a human to do.

I hope I can keep in touch with students of SHS whom I met in Santa Fe. And we can write about each other country's culture, differences and similarities. I think with this act it is possible to change the world to have more peace, and for countries to better connect with each other. This is the new style (of relationship) for this world and for our future.

Thank you for everything. I am very glad for the opportunity to come here.