Day 8: Saga University

This morning we met with staff and students at Saga University. After the war, the Japanese government decided to open at least one university in every prefecture in the country. Saga University was opened in 1949. Just as every university in Japan, an entrance exam must be taken by all those who want to be accepted. In our discussion, there was much talk about the entrance exams. This is a hot topic in the Japanese education system because exams are also taken to get into high school. It is known as “exam hell” because there is so much pressure to pass. Students have become very good at taking tests, but lack creativity and individuality. At this point in time, there is no good answer on what to do about the stresses of the exam system.

After our visit to the university, we headed to Ogi to meet mayor Shuji Eriguchi and the city council. Mayor Eriguchi is currently running for the House of Representatives and pictures of him can be found on streets throughout the prefecture. He told us briefly about Ogi. The town has 47,000 people and its major industry is agriculture and the cultivation of seaweed. His administrative theme for Ogi is slowing down and enjoying life, with an emphasis on sport and leisure. Because of this emphasis, there is a low degree of stress in Ogi. At the reception with the mayor we had our first taste of Yokan, a sweet that is produced here. It is made from sweet bean past and seaweed gelatin. On our way back to Saga, we stopped by the bay and witnessed the habitat of the mudskipper. Mudskippers are amphibious little creatures that hop around the mud in effort to find a mate. Pictures of the things are all over Ogi and Saga. They are even on man-hole covers and tiles in the sidewalk.