BELAIT

THE Greenfrog Humanitarian Relief Support Group (Katakijau) and Shizuoka Prefectural Overseas Youth Research Association of Japan (Shizuoka Group) organised an educational trip for Japanese students to Oil and Gas Discovery Centre (OGDC) in Belait yesterday.

The trip to learn about the sultanate’s oil and gas industry was part of the youth exchange programme for seven secondary students from Shizuoka, Japan, who were accompanied by Shizuoka Group president and vice president. Seven local Katakijau members volunteered as their guides.

The Japanese students said it was their first exposure to the oil industry.

“I had a really enjoyable time and we learned so much about the oil and gas industry in Brunei,” said 16-year-old Kaie Hamaguchi.

Shizuoka Group President Kazuaki Kato is fascinated by the Brunei culture and people. He has organised around 15 visit programmes to introduce Brunei to the Japanese since his first visit in 1991.

The programmes also aimed to acquaint Bruneians with Japan. “We are not only interested in Brunei culture, but we want to educate people about our culture as well such as Japanese calligraphy and our pop culture,” said Shizuoka Group Vice President Kazumi Kato.

Katakijau Secretary General Hjh Rossita Ajak said it was the second time they guided the Shizuoka Group in Brunei.

The group also visited the One Billionth Barrel Monument in Seria and saw the “nodding donkeys” (drilling rigs) for the first time.

The Brunei Times