Hello Everyone!
My name is Justin Juby and I am from India. I am currently a student and interested in AI and Machine Learning. I was invited to join the Sakura Science High School Program (SSHP) hosted in Japan, 9-15 July 2023.

It was my first time in Japan, which I had always dreamed of. I have been passionate about Japan since I was a child, and I am so grateful to JST and SSP for letting me know more about Japan and to experience its science and technology.

Let me share you my story day wise 🙂:

#DAY2: On day 2, we had a tour of Kansai International Airport (KIX) and Sky Museum. Hands on exposure and experiments on how aircrafts work and by controlling a virtual aircraft, witnessing models of Aircraft and so on. It was a new and wonderful experience.

#DAY3: We visited Kyoto Municipal Horikawa Senior High School in the morning. I was selected as a host for the World Cafe and conducted activities, interacted with students from different countries like Samoa, Tonga, Mongolia, Solomon Islands and Japan. I also got the opportunity to share my views in front of all the students there! Then we had a lecture by Prof. Hiroshi Kitagawa on Modern Alchemy and mixing of nano-elements. I also got to know about the dream team alloy which includes elements like RuRhPdOsIrPt.

#DAY4: On day 4, we had a session by National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) followed by hands on experiment on Fuel Cells. Mechanism behind it, why fuel cell is need of the hour. We had also built a simple hydrogen fuel cell from the materials given by them. In the evening, we visited the Dotonbori area famous for its Billboards, restaurants, and classic theatres. Walking along the riverside witnessing Japanese culture was once in a lifetime experience!

#DAY5: We had visited Osaka castle in the morning session. Exploring the castle and knowing about Japan’s ancient history was a bliss! In the afternoon session, we visited Osaka University and saw a live demo on Ocean Engineering and creation of artificial waves and got to know about EXPO 2025 which is going to be conducted in Osaka

#DAY6: On our last day, we visited RIKEN Centre for Biosystems Dynamic Research established inside KBIC (Kobe Biomedical Innovation Cluster). RIKEN itself was established in 1917. We saw animal model samples of C elegans and fruit fly. We also learnt about stem cells and IPS cells. The thing which was interesting was the invisible frog kept in a jar. Yes, indeed it’s invisible while looking from outside. But when fluorescent light strikes the liquid surface, the frog becomes visible. Also, by doing gene mutation, the frog was transparent. That is, we can record and test the processes going inside the frog without actually tearing it apart. In the afternoon session, we went to Osaka Metropolitan University (formerly Osaka Prefecture University) R&D Center for the Plant Factory to witness artificially growing crops and seeding techniques used in them. In the evening, we went to Expocity to end the journey on a happy and entertaining note!

It was a lifetime experience to be a part of Sakura Science Programme and to experience the culture and cutting-edge technology of Japan for which I am ever grateful to JST and MOI (ministry of India). I consider myself lucky for having been considered for this wonderful programme.