Trip to Qatar: ICAE2023

Hi, this is Zhao Han.I've just returned from Doha, where I attended the 15th International Conference on Applied Energy, and it was quite an interesting experience!

Had the chance to present my research through oral presentations, which was a bit nerve-wracking but also a great learning opportunity. The conference itself was full of discussions about the latest trends in energy and related sustainable development strategies. Meeting other researchers provided me with valuable insights into the challenges facing the field. My presentation, while a bit stressful, felt good to contribute to the ongoing conversation. Furthermore, connecting with professionals from different parts of the world opened up opportunities for potential collaborations in the future.

After the conference, I took some time following the organizers as they explored Doha's cultural scene. Visited the local art museums, which offered a unique perspective on Qatar's history through art. Also, checked out EXPO, a global showcase of innovation, and got a glimpse of some cutting-edge technologies. Delving into the local culture was a laid-back and enjoyable experience. Tried some delicious Qatari food, wandered through the lively souqs, and had some interesting conversations with both locals and fellow researchers! Looking back, this trip was more than just a conference—it was a blend of learning, exploring, and making connections. Finally, a special and sincere thank you goes to Prof. Kawasaki. Without his support, I would not be able to present my research and gain such rich experiences at this large international conference!

タイ現地調査(2)

B4の中村です。前回に引き続き、タイ現地調査のブログを書かせていただきます。今回は、生活力の低い私が初めての海外でやらかしてしまった失敗を中心にまとめることで、今後初めて海外に行かれる方、そして何より自分への戒めとなる投稿にしていこうと考えております（レベルの低い失敗も多いですがご容赦ください）。

事前準備
見知らぬ土地に行くときには事前準備が大切です。特に海外の場合は、日本国内では当たり前とされていることが通用しない場合もあります。
まず、渡航先の気象情報を調べると良いです。日本は今冬の初めで気温も10℃前後ですが、タイは赤道の近くに位置しているため、この時期でも30℃近くありました。私は日本の感覚で長袖の着替えを複数持って行き、荷物を無駄に増やしてしまいました。国や時期によってはさらに極端な気温であったり、あるいは雨季に入っている場合などもあるため、事前の調査を忘れないようにしましょう。
次に宿泊する宿のアメニティも調べておくと良いです。日本の宿で標準的に用意されているものが世界各地の宿で必ずしも用意されているとは限りません。今回宿泊した宿では、歯ブラシやカミソリなどが置いてありませんでした。また、洗濯は1着ごとにお金がかかるシステムになっており、多めに着替えを持ってきていなければ出費がかなり増えてしまうところでした。

まとめ
・渡航先の気象情報は事前に調べよう
・宿のアメニティを確認し、必要なものは揃えておこう

健康面
海外で体調を崩すと悲惨なことになるのは想像に難くないでしょう。異国での医療サービスは言語、費用などの問題がつきまといますし、精神的に不安にもなります。何より、貴重な海外での時間を無駄にしてしまうことになります。かく言う私も、今回の渡航先で体調を崩してしまい苦しい思いをしました。
体調不良の原因は多岐に渡りますが、海外において特に注意して欲しいのは食事です。海外では、自国ではなかなか見られないその国ならではの料理を楽しむことができますが、慣れない食事に体が拒否反応を示してしまうこともあります。タイに関して言うと、甘さや辛さなどの味付けが日本よりも激しく、特に辛さに関しては「普通」か「辛め」かで「普通」を選択しても日本人にとってはかなり辛いです。それが美味しさの元ではあるのですが、私の体はそれに耐えることができず、嘔吐や下痢などの症状で現地調査を一日離脱することとなってしまいました。その上胃腸薬などを持ってきていなかったため、調査チームの皆さんに薬を買ってきてもらう手間をとらせてしまいました（その節はありがとうございました）。ここ数年の体調不良の中でもトップクラスに辛かったので、皆さんも気をつけましょう。

まとめ
・食事に気をつけよう（慣れた食事を挟むようにすると良いかも）
・薬はできるだけ色々持っていこう

空港での所作
皆さんは空港をよく利用しますか？私は国内線の利用ですらここ一年の間に初めて経験したような初心者なのですが、そうでなくとも飛行機の利用の際には注意すべきことがあるので、（主に自分向けに）書き留めておきます。
まず、時間に余裕を持った行動は言わずもがな大切です。飛行機は座席を予約する都合上、電車のように「次に乗ればいいや」というわけにはいきません。フライトの時刻から逆算し、移動や保安検査、必要ならばお土産を買う時間など全ての空港内での行動を考慮してタイムマネジメントする必要があります。今回私は帰りのフライト前日に、当日のタイムスケジュールの確認を怠り、全体の計画を数十分遅らせてしまう遅刻をしてしまいました。最悪の場合はフライトに間に合わず多額の飛行機代が発生してしまう可能性もあった案件なので、深く反省し次回以降に生かしていきたいと思います。
また、保安検査も油断していると危ないです。今回私は、行きの保安検査で、持ち込み荷物の中になぜか入れていた消臭スプレーを没収されてしまいました。この反省を活かし、帰りの保安検査では引っかからないように気をつけていましたが、お土産に空港で買ったマンゴースティッキーライス（マンゴーとご飯を一緒に食べるタイの料理）が植物検疫に引っかかり、またも没収されてしまいました。個人的には「空港に持ち込めないものを空港のお土産品として売るな！」とツッコみたくなりましたが、ルールはルールなので、お金を無駄にしたくなければ、持ち込めるもの持ち込めないものをしっかり調べておくようにしましょう。

まとめ
・時間に余裕を持って行動しよう（報連相をしっかり！）
・保安検査に引っかからないように対策しよう

最後になりますが、多くの人にとって人生でそう多くない海外経験を良い思い出にするために、皆さんも手間を惜しまず、しっかりと事前の準備をするようにしましょう。B4の中村でした。

タイ現地調査(1)

こんにちは。B4の中村です。11月11日〜17日にかけて、川崎先生、M2のLeonさんと、タイのアユタヤで世帯訪問調査を実施しました。洪水常襲地帯において貧困と教育、心理的影響などの関係性を理解するために約20の世帯に訪問しましたが、どの世帯でも私たちの調査に真剣に協力してくださり、人々の温かさを実感しました。

私にとっては初の海外＆現地調査であったため、洪水常襲地帯とそこに住む人々の生活を初めて直接目にすることによって、自分が取り組んでいる研究への解像度が上がりました。特に印象に残った写真などを紹介していきたいと思います。

上の写真のように、外壁の色が変わっている家がいくつかありますが、これは過去に洪水が到達した高さを表しています。高床にして洪水対策をしても、そのさらに上を洪水が襲い浸水してしまっていることがよくわかります。

また、この写真からは川の両岸で洪水に対する脆弱性が大きく異なることがわかります。向こう側に見えるコンクリート壁は過去の洪水被害がきっかけに作られ、その先に広がる学校や商店などが集まる重要な地域を守っています。しかし、その壁が建設された影響で、雨季の河川増水の影響が全て手前側の住居などに来てしまっています。行政の治水計画の良し悪しを考えさせられる興味深い写真です。 このような貴重な機会をくださった川崎先生はじめ、今回の調査に関わってくださった全ての方々への感謝の言葉で締めくくらせていただきます。 ありがとうございました（ขอบคุณมากครับ）!

Dam Expedition Diary: the Japan Society of Dam Engineering's Dam Visiting Event

Hi everyone, this is Pitri. It is my first time writing a blog article here, so I excited to share my story. Enjoy reading!😊

In early September 2023, I had the incredible opportunity to participate in the Dam Visiting event organized by the Japan Society of Dam Engineering. This event promised a unique adventure, featuring visits to two remarkable dams, Nanma Dam and Kusaki Dam, along with collaborative discussions on the development of infrastructure for tourism in the dam industry. This experience was truly unforgettable, filled with awe-inspiring construction marvels and picturesque landscapes.

(Sept 4th) Day 1: Nanma Dam - Amidst the Storm

Our journey began on a rather stormy note, as heavy rainfall greeted us on our visit to the Nanma Dam. Despite the weather, there was an undeniable sense of excitement in the air as we approached the dam. Nanma Dam was a work in progress, allowing us to witness the intricate construction process firsthand. The sight of massive machinery and skilled workers tirelessly toiling in the rain was truly remarkable.

Though the weather was far from ideal, it added a unique element to the experience. The rainwater cascading down the dam's face created a mesmerizing spectacle, reminding us of the sheer power and importance of these colossal structures in managing water resources.

(Sept 5th) Day 2: Kusaki Dam - A Serene Contrast

Our second day was a complete contrast to the first. As we arrived at Kusaki Dam, we were greeted by a brilliant sun and clear blue skies. The serene beauty of the surroundings was breathtaking. The dam was nestled amidst lush greenery, and the tranquil atmosphere was a stark contrast to the previous day's hustle and bustle.

We spent hours admiring the panoramic views, taking in the picturesque landscapes, and learning about the dam's role in providing water resources and electricity to the region. It was a moment of quiet reflection on the importance of these engineering marvels not only in managing resources but also in creating spaces of natural beauty for us to enjoy.

Nightttime Discussion: Infrastructure Tourism

One of the highlights of the trip was the nighttime group discussion on developing infrastructure for tourism in the dam industry. While this was a valuable opportunity, it was also a significant challenge for me as the discussion was conducted in Japanese. As a non-native speaker, keeping up with the conversation was not easy.

However, I was immensely grateful for the support and patience of my fellow participants. They were eager to help translate and ensure that I could contribute meaningfully to the discussion. This collaborative spirit exemplified the essence of the event, where individuals from diverse backgrounds came together to share their expertise and insights.

Making Connections: The Unexpedted Friendship

On the first day, as I struggled to communicate with my limited Japanese skills, I found myself in a conversation with a fellow participant. We shared smiles and a few awkward laughs, making the best of the language barrier. It was the beginning of a friendship that would add a another twist to my Japanese adventure.

As it turns out, my new friend was not just any ordinary individual. She was a talented violin player and a member of a her university orchestra. Little did I know that this newfound connection would lead to a memorable experience of me watching my first orchestra concert in Japan because she invited me to her concert. Now I am developing a new hobby which is watching orchestra concert because it was amazing and I love music in the first place so it was memorable.

This journey reminded me that sometimes the most memorable moments happen when we step out of our comfort zones and embrace new experiences. As when I left Japan, I'll carry with me not just the knowledge of dams and infrastructure but also the cherished memories of a friendship. That is all of my story, I excited to write another blog articles here. See you!😊

First trip to Nagasaki City

 

Hello everyone, this is Chang Liu from the Kawasaki group. At the beginning of this month, me and Leon-san went to Nagasaki City to join the water resource annual conference. As the schedule is fully occupied with meetings (especially with over 100 professors sitting in the same room), most of my time is spent in the conference venue.

 

But we still managed to have a short trip around Nagasaki City, covering some of the most popular places of interests: 1. Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum; 2. Nagasaki Museum of History & Culture; 3. Site of the Former Dutch Factory on Dejima; 4. Glover Garden; 5. Mt. Inasa night view.

 

1.     Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum

The residents of Nagasaki consider it their duty to make sure the horrors which they experienced due to the atomic bombing are never repeated. Because of this, the museum is designed in such a way that the audience can see just what effect the bomb had on the city, the reconstruction, and the lasting effects of the atomic bomb. The museum opens with a room dedicated to the city as it was just before the bomb decimated Nagasaki. A clock which stopped at 11:02, the precise time the bomb hit the city, is also on display to demonstrate how so many people were killed in an instant.

Fig. 1. Time line during the WWII

The final room in the museum contains videos and documents related to the Nagasaki bombing. We can also find answers to their questions and documents like Nagasaki's Peace Declaration. The most impressing part is the description of atomic bomb result and the reason behind it, especially the invasion war against China.

 

1.     Nagasaki Museum of History & Culture

The museum holds 48,000 items in its collection, including historical documents and arts and crafts, that tell the story of Nagasaki as the sole window opened to foreign countries during the period of national isolation. The museum also contains a reconstruction of part of the Nagasaki Magistrate's Office called bugyōsho, a local agency of the central government in the Edo period.The permanent exhibition features exhibits dealing with exchange with the Netherlands, China and Korea, and shows artifacts brought to Japan by foreign traders. It also focuses on "Nanban" (Portuguese and Spanish culture) and the introduction of Christianity. The museum shows the role Nagasaki played in post-restoration Japan in the diplomatic sphere, as well as being at the forefront of modern medicine, printing, ship building and industrial technology.

Fig. 2. Cargo transported at Nagasaki port

Fig. 3. Places of trade investigation

1.     Dejima

Spanning 120 m × 75 m (390 ft × 250 ft) or 9,000 m2 (2.2 acres), Dejima was created in 1636 by digging a canal through a small peninsula and linking it to the mainland with a small bridge. The island was constructed by the Tokugawa shogunate, whose isolationist policies sought to preserve the existing sociopolitical order by forbidding outsiders from entering Japan while prohibiting most Japanese from leaving. Dejima housed Portuguese merchants and separated them from Japanese society while still facilitating lucrative trade with the West.

Following a rebellion by mostly Catholic converts, all Portuguese were expelled in 1639. The Dutch were moved to Dejima in 1641, albeit under stricter control: the open practice of Christianity was banned, and interactions between Dutch and Japanese traders were tightly regulated. Until the mid-19th century, the Dutch were the only Westerners with exclusive access to Japanese goods, and, to a lesser extent, society and culture. Dejima consequently played a key role in the Japanese movement of rangaku (蘭學, "Dutch learning"), an organized scholarly effort to learn the Dutch language in order to understand Western science, medicine, and technology.

Fig. 4. Inside view of Dejima

After the Treaty of Kanagawa in 1854, which fully opened Japan to foreign trade and diplomatic relations, Dejima was abolished and later integrated into Nagasaki city through land reclamation. In 1922, the "Dejima Dutch Trading Post" was designated a Japanese national historic site, and there are ongoing efforts in the 21st century to restore Dejima as an island.

 

1.     Glover Garden

The Glover Residence is noted for its blend of Western and Japanese elements and is an example of treaty port building. This type of architecture closely resembles one-story bungalows used by foreigners in Hong Kong or Shanghai and imported to Japan by British traders. Rather than following contemporary Victorian styles, this type of building more closely reflects the Georgian aesthetic popular in Britain during the previous generation.

The stone-floored verandas, latticed arches, and French windows are several of the distinctive foreign elements included in the residence, while Japanese influence can be seen in the tile roof with its demon-headed tiles intended to ward off evil. The roof was modified by adding unmistakably British chimneys.

Fig. 5. Sightseeing of Glover Garden

The house was built by a Japanese carpenter, Koyama Hidenoshin. The plan for the house, which is still preserved, is unsigned. The plan uses feet instead of Japanese measurements. The basic construction of the house is Japanese, despite its foreign elements. It consists of traditional Japanese roof supports and post-and-beam frames set down on boulders.

Fig. 6. Culture Park inside Glover Garden

1.     Mt. Inasa

Mount Inasa (稲佐山, Inasa-yama) is a hill to the west of Nagasaki which rises to a height of 333 metres (1,093 ft). The Nagasaki Ropeway allows visitors to travel to the top from Nagasaki. A short walk from the cable car station are several buildings that house transmitters for TV and radio stations that serve Nagasaki and the surrounding area.

There is an observation platform that is popular with tourists as it provides extensive views of Nagasaki's "10 Million Dollar Night View" (1000万ドルの夜景, Issenmandoru no yakei).

Fig. 7. Night view of Mt. Inasa

The rest of the trip is full of meetings and discussions. Among those findings, Prof. Sayama’s investigation of RRI model performance on Japanese mountainous areas is most interesting to me. As he improved the mechanism of lateral flow to correct the bias of overestimating accumulation time in his model.

Fig. 8. Poster discussion at JAHS

Apart from that, the presentation of Leon-san is also quite interesting, attracting a lot of attention and discussions.

Fig. 9. Presentation of Leon-san

Finally, I would also like to include my little findings at Nagasaki Station.

Fig. 10. Inundation countermeasures taken around Nagasaki Station

As it’s always suffered by inland flooding during Monsoon season, the government is now working on building a new sewage system (huge pipe as you can see from the picture). While the meeting took place, the working site is fully covered and we might see the effect the next year.

 　　　　　　　　　　 【フォーラムのご案内】

　　　　　　　　　デジタルオブザーバトリ研究推進機構

　　　　　「2050年を見据えたレジリエントな社会の実現に向けて」

2050年を見据えレジリエントな社会の実現に向けて産学官がどのように連携すべきかについて両機関の置かれた状況などをふまえ、対談により課題解決に向けた方策を見出すことを趣旨として、東京大学デジタルオブザーバトリ研究推進機構と日立製作所の共催で下記の通りフォーラムを開催しますので是非ご参加ください。

このフォーラムでは川崎研究室の博士課程の学生、Zhao HanさんがLightning Talk に登壇します！

プログラムの内容の詳細につきましては添付資料をご覧ください。

■日時：2023年10月10日（火）14:00-16:40
■会場：東京大学伊藤国際学術研究センター地下2階　伊藤謝恩ホール
■主催：東京大学デジタルオブザーバトリ研究推進機構・日立製作所（共催）

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First time for everything: Presenting in Conferences!

It was said that "There is a first time for everything". And in my case, my very first presenting in a conference! 

Hi, it’s Leon again! Glad to be able to share a bit of my story to you all again! I am happy to announce that my study is progressing well, and the result was ready to be discussed by wider public. As to that, between 2nd to 6th September, I was attending and presenting to my very first conferences in Nagasaki City in Japan held by 水文・水資源学会/ Japan Society of Hydrology and Water Resources.  

Doing my first conferences, waiting for my turn to present was nerve-wrecking. My result has just been shown to small group of people in campus before. So, having my result shown to bigger audiences by many well renowned scientist and researchers in water field made me a little anxious. Long story short, my turn was up, and my name was called. I am really happy that my presentation went well. My study even received positive feedback and enthusiasm from the audience! Phew!

Anyway, I’d also share how calm Nagasaki City is – a very different vibe from Tokyo. Nagasaki is a calm small city stipulating many historical values in Japan. Rich in history has caused this city to have many interesting museums and historical building to visit. 

I visited several museums from Atomic Bombing Museum to Dejima and Glover Museum where it was heavily influenced by western culture. In this blog, I would like to highlight about the Atomic Bombing Museums. This museum encapsulates the story and remaining memories of inhumane event that killed and wiped hundreds of thousands of people in Nagasaki City in 1945. Inside the museum, photos of the victims and story of the survival who suffered from leukemia, cancer, and others side effect of radiation in the years followed by the bombing were shown. To observe and read the story was painfully heart aching. I sincerely hope that more tourists from all over the world can come to this museum and personally witness and feel the pain of the story – hoping that this horrific event will never re-occur in the future. 

 

To summarized, I really enjoy Nagasaki! If you visit Nagasaki, you must try the famous dish from this City – ちゃんぽん/Cyampong! Additionally, if you are a sweet tooth, don’t forget to try the castella cake, bubble tea, and dumplings from the Nagasaki’s Chinatown. 

As from my title quoted, there is always a first time for everything. If you think about it, the opposite will also be true that there is no such thing as the last time for anything. I hope that this valuable experience could be a stepping-stone for me to join and share more of my work to wider international audience. 

By then, I will keep trying my best!

 

See you all again very soon!

Thank you for reading.

Leon (15 Sept 2023)

My Musha-shugyo trip in London

Hi, I am Zhao Han, a Ph.D. student in the Kawasaki lab. I am currently on a short visit to UCL in London with the support of the Musha-shugyo Program and I am very happy to share some photos of the experience!

Big Ben, you can hear its sound every 15 minutes.

Passed by an accordion-playing busker dressed in traditional Scottish clothing.

I was very lucky to see the opening of Tower Bridge!

Britain's most famous food, fish and chips.

The famous Westminster Cathedral is very spectacular and majestic.

There are always many people queuing up to take photos with Platform 9 3/4 in King's Cross Station.

Saw Van Gogh’s famous painting, Sunflowers, at the National Gallery.

The destination of my academic visit, the Bartlett Faculty of the Built Environment, UCL.

UCL’s Student Center, although the fall semester has not officially started yet, many students are studying here.

September is the graduation season at UCL, and people wearing academic dress can be seen everywhere.

Finally, I am very grateful to Prof. Kawasaki for his support and encouragement during my application. Also, I'd like to extend my heartfelt thanks to Prof.Meng Jing and her team for hosting me and making this experience possible！