Tongan student Unaloto Tapu says she was fortunate to travel to Japan through her studies in Samoa at the University of the South Pacific and see the impact of the Hiroshima bombings.

She is one of the recipients of the JENESYS program. Her journey was about peacebuilding and cultural harmony. 

Unaloto said her experience in Japan was nothing short of incredible.

"I feel so fortunate to have experienced firsthand the warmth, kindness and hospitality of the Japanese people, from the moment I set foot in Narita Airport, to my homestay family in Hiroshima, to different museums in Tokyo until the day I have said my goodbye," she said. 

"One of the Japanese cultures that I liked the most is “respect”, whereas bowing is the traditional form of showing respect and greeting people but it can also be a sign of appreciation or a gesture of apology. It was every day in Japan I have seen people bowed their heads to me, a form of respect I have never seen anywhere else I have been to, except Japan.

"The highlight of my cultural experience was the space sharing with my homestay family in Hiroshima. An experience that deeply enriched my visit and gave me a unique perspective on daily life in Japan. Through this homestay, I was able to interact with local culture, food and customs firsthand. My stay with the Yamashita family was unforgettable because of the family’s friendliness and warmth. 

"I also had become used to the routines of everyday life, like taking off my shoes when I went inside and adhering to the rigid meal. The local cuisine was also a highlight, especially the Hiroshima-style “okonomiyaki”."

According to Miss Unaloto, moving from Tokyo to Hiroshima was the most impactful experience of her trip when visiting the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum and Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park. 

"I had heard about the tragic events of 6 August 1945 when I was still in high school but nothing prepared me for the emotional depth and significance of standing in a place that holds so much history and hope for peace," she said. 

"The exhibitions in the museum not only detailed the physical destruction but also highlighted the human stories of survival, loss and hope, reminding us of the significance of preserving the peace. I have also experienced hearing firsthand stories from a survivor or “Hibakusha”, the testimonies of resilience, the face of unspeakable pain demonstrated the bomb’s long-term psychological and physical repercussions."

Her one week spent in Japan has made her consider going back to Japan one day for further studies. The JENESYS program is fully funded by the Government of Japan, and JTB Corp is the implementing agent of the program.