Hajime Sueta & Vehbi Duraku

Letters from Japan to Kosovo
an exchange offriendship e-mails

Kitakyushu (Japan) - Prishtina (Kosovo)
May, 2019

序文
このメールのやり取りは、「コソボ国下水道対策能力向上」研修が JICA 九
州で実施されたことが契機となっています。この研修の背景を当時（2013 年）の実施計画書で見ると次のようになっています。即ち、「コソボ国内を流れる
国際河川にはほとんど未処理の汚水が直接放流されており、自国はもちろん近隣諸国へも水環境汚染が懸念されている。一方、国内には、下水道処理に係る専門的な知識を有する技術者が数名しか存在しないことなどから、国内 7 地域で上下水道管理を担
う水公社 7 社を対象とした能力強化が喫緊の課題である。」というものです。
この計画に基づき、3 年間の研修プログラムの第一回が 2013 年 10 月から約 2 週間、JICA 九州で実施されることになりました。その当時、私は北九州国際技術協力協会（KITA）で開発途上国を対象とした集団研修「下水道維持管理システムと排水処理技術」を担当していましたので、このコソボコースも担当することになりました。
第一回目研修には 8 名が参加し、今回のメールやり取りをするヴェビさんも参加していました。コソボという国が小さいこと、また国別研修の良いところでしょうか、研修員は第一回目が終了した後自国で研修成果のワークショップを開いてくれました。研修員全員が首都プリシュティナに集まり研修成果を発表し、多くの下水道関係者などに研修内容を伝達してくれました。このワークショップの内容をヴェビさんから報告を受けた私は、KITA の広報担当者と相談し、この内容を KITA ホームページで紹介しようということになり、ヴェビさんとのメールが続くことになります。
メールやり取りの初期には、イタリアのペルージャで開かれる国際湖沼会議に私がオブザーバーで出席できる機会があり、足を延ばしてコソボへ行くことを決めました。目的は、第一回研修員と再会すること、下水道状況を自分の目で確かめることなどでした。私の子供くらいの年齢のヴェビさんが、私の父親のように私の 3 泊 4 日の滞在中の世話をしてくれました。一日で国内の主要な施設を回ることができるほど国が小さいこと、下水処理場見学では、それがコソボ唯一の処理場であることを理解しましたし、水公社にも伺いました。研修員全員との再会の機会を作ってくれ食事会を催してもくれました。また、コソボ紛争では多くのアルバニア人が犠牲になったということを関係者から聞く機会を作ってくれました。
このような旅行スケジュールをヴェビさんが私のために作ってくれまた、同行してくれました。

このような付き合いからメールのやり取りが今日にいたるまで続いています。
今回、ヴェビさんから、今までのメールを一つにまとめ、本の形式にして家族や同僚、友人に見てもらうのはどうだろうかという提案を受けました。この中には、研修に関することはもちろん、少しですが映
画、音楽、文化などについてもメールを交わしています。私の英語力は弱く、文章には頼りない個所が多く、また、間違いが非常に多いだろうことは理解しています。ヴェビさんが言うに、「英語は私達両者の母語ではありません。従って、表現が単純になっているため（特に私（末田）の場合は顕著だと自身で思っています）、かえって英語が母語でない家族や友人がより理解しやすいと思っている。」とあります。ヴェビさんの提案を受け、公開することに私は大賛成しました。このような小さな交流が日本とコソボで続いているということを知ってもらうことも意義があることだと思っています。
ヴェビさん、提案をありがとうございました。
末田 元

追記
このメールのやり取り集は、Yoko Yamane（山根容子）さんのメールから始まっています。
山根さんは、このコソボ下水道コースのコーディネーターを務めてくれました。
ヴェビさんが帰国後、研修内容について山根さんあてにメールを送信し、山根さんがそれを末田に転送したことが、このメール集につながっています。
ヴェビさんと末田の間を取り持ってくれたのが山根さんでした。

Preface
This e-mail exchange was taking advantage of a training course which was held in JICA Kyushu, in Japan. The titleof the course was “Capacity Development in Waste Water Treatment Sector” for KOSOVO. A background of thistraining course was as follows. That is, the domestic wastewater in Kosovo country is discharged into internationalrivers without any treatment. People are concerning about deterioration of water environment not only in the country
but also neighboring countries. But there are only a few engineers who have knowledges about sewage treatment in
Kosovo. Therefore it is an urgent task to develop capacity on sewage treatment in the Regional Water Companies in
Kosovo.
Based on this plan, the first training course of three-year project started in October 2013 in JICA Kyushu, Japan. It
was about two weeks training course. At that time, as I was in a Kitakyushu International Techno-cooperative
Association (KITA) as a course leader of “Operation and Maintenance of Sewerage System and Waste Water
Treatment Technique”, I was in charge of the Kosovo course, too.
In the first time there were eight participants joined this course and one of them was Mr. Vehbi (we called him“Vehbi San” in a Japanese way of saying). After the course finished they all got together in Prishtina, Capital city of
Kosovo, and held a workshop to present their knowledges got in the course. When I got the information from Vehbi
San I wanted to introduce the contents of the workshop in KITA website. I asked Vehbi San to send more
information to me. After that e-mail exchange starts and continues.
In the early stage of these e-mail exchange I had an opportunity to visit Perugia, Italy, I decided to go a little way
further to Kosovo. The purpose of my visit Kosovo was to meet my eight participants and to see the situation ofsewerage system in Kosovo with my own eyes. During my visit I stayed three nights four days in Prishtina, Vehbi
San who is younger than my son was taking care of me like my father. I realized the country is so small that I can goaround the facilities in one day, a sewage treatment plant that I visited was only one in the country, he made achance to be able to meet participants having a lunch and I could go to one of the Regional Water Companies. In thecompany we could discuss a sewage treatment plant which they are planning. And he introduced a person of hisbirthplace who suffered from Kosovo War. The person explained a severe situation during the war showing photos.
From beginning to the end of my stay, he accompanied me. I had these kinds of very important experiences.
This fellowship makes us exchange e-mail to each other so long.
This time, Vehbi San told me that he intended to have our e-mail exchange as "book" that he can represent to his
family, colleagues and friends. In this e-mail exchange not only training program but also about movies, music,
culture etc. are described. Since my English ability is not so good, I realized that there are a lot of mistakes in mywriting. But Vehbi San told me “For both of us, English is not our mother tongue, and our style of writing is anaverage one. As such, I think, it would be much more understandable to my family and friends.” According to his
advice I was willing to agree to his suggestion. I think it is useful for you to know that this kind of small cultural
exchange between Japan and Kosovo is going on.
Vehbi San, thank you so much for your idea.
When I started to write this preface, I was considering to get English proofreading to avoid mistakes as little aspossible. But I dear use my original sentences I wrote. Because of as mentioned above.
SUETA, Hajime-1-

From: Yoko Yamane
To: Kosovo Grup
Date: November 2, 2013

Dear participants in the training course "Capacity Building Development in Wastewater Treatment Sector" forKosovo,I just want to say thank you very much for your kind cooperation and active participation during the JICA training
course in Kitakyushu.
This time, unfortunately, I had less opportunity to directly communicate with you as I can speak only English apartfrom Japanese.
But I always felt that you were earnest to learn in Japan.
I'm glad that I could meet such a pleasant group.
I wish you a safe and comfortable journey back home and great success in your future.
Please take good care of yourself.
All the best,
Yoko

From: Vehbi Duraku
To: Yoko Yamane
Date: November 04, 2013

Dear Yoko,
The pleasure is all ours to have you a part of our training in Japan!
Despite the fact that we haven’t had the opportunity to communicate in person, we are more than satisfied to havethe perfect coordinator in our training in Japan. Furthermore, you do not have to communicate in person withsomeone, the reflection of energy and positivity it was very well understood from Kosovo Group, and for that wehighly appreciate you!!
P.s. For your information, all the members of Kosovo Group have arrived safe and sound in Kosovo.
Many thanks,
Kosovo Group-2-

From: Vehbi Duraku
To: Yoko Yamane
Date: December 17, 2013

Dear Yoko,
Firstly I hope that this e-mail will find you safe and sound!
How have you been so far, how is work, and how are all the colleagues in JICA-Kitakiushu?
Do you see Sueta San, how is he? I hope that you have not forgotten us J.
We as a group are in the process of preparing a workshop on which we will present the practices that we haveacquired while on our training in Japan. Therefore, there is a request form Beqir Vojvoda (Beqa San) for more
information about the laboratory analysis.
His question is: During our visit in the laboratory in Hiagari STP, does this laboratory make any organic compound
analysis, if so, what organic compounds are being processed in Hiagari STP?
Also, there might be other questions from our group in the days to come, and we hope that you fill find time toanswer us.
Tanks very much indeed and all the bests!
Kind regards,
Vehbi Duraku

From: Yoko Yamane
To: Vehbi Duraku
Date: December 18, 2013

Dear Vehbi san,Thank you for your e-mail.
I'm fine. I was involved in a JICA training course for India for a couple of weeks in Kagoshima away from home. I
came back home last Saturday.
I hope you all are well.
I don't have a chance to see Sueta san since the end of your course. Actually I went to Jica Kyushu only twice sincethen; when I picked up and sent the Indian group.
I forwarded your e-mail to him so that you can get the answer.
I wish you all the best!
Best regards,
Yoko

-3-

From: Hajime Sueta
To: Vehbi Duraku
Date: December 18, 2013

Vehbi San

Thank you very much for giving me a question.
Yamane San (Yoko San) send me your mail to me. I reply the question.
Before that, please forgive my poor English. If you don’t understand my explanation, please feel free to ask me.
The question is:
Does Hiagari lab. analyze Organic Compounds?
Yes, they do. I attached a table to this mail.
I’ll explain the table.
These standards are applied to factories which discharge waste water into a public sewer.
But according to Water Pollution Control Law, from No1~34 items’ standards are applied to discharged water fromsewage treatment plants. So, Sewage works administrator has to analyze these items.
All of these items on this list are analyzed in a Hiagari lab to protect a sewerage system against bad water quality
waste water from factories and .to make sure whether the treated water of sewage treatment plants is good or not.
Organic Compounds are：No 8～28 and BOD ,COD etc.
From 1 to 34, they analyze 2 times a year. Sampling points are inlet water and effluent (treated ) waterin a sewage treatment plant.
According to SEWERAGE LAW, Sewage works administrator have to analyze treated water from STP, 2times a
week. But heavy metals and chemicals like No 8～28 are not usually used in factories.
In this case, Sewage works administrator can reduce the times to analyze. But at least 2 times a year they have toanalyze. It’ a minimum.
Again, if you have any questions please get in touch with me.
From SUETA

From: Vehbi Duraku
To: Hajime Sueta
Date: December 18, 2013

Dear Sueta San,
I’m so glad to know that you have replied to us, and I hope that so far, you and your family are safe and sound! On
the other hand, let me thank you for your prompt e-mail, as usual you are always on time and prepared foreverything. To be honest, this is one of the things that I have learned while our training in Japan, and where ever I
go, I always tell to my friends and colleagues that Japanese people are very precise and always on time.
The information from your answer, from my point of view is complete and if other colleagues here in Kosovo would
like to have more detail information, I will let you know.
As I have mentioned on my e-mail to Yoko San, we are on the preparation phase to organize a workshop whereby
all the members who have been trained in Japan will present to water and wastewater sector in Kosovo, the bestpractices while our training in Japan. Maybe we will ask you further questions in the days to come, and hope we will
not bother you to do so.
Now let me get back to our friendship Dear Sueta San.

-4-

Having the opportunity to go to Japan, I think, this is one of the great things that happened to me so far. I have toadmit, that I was so impressed by you: the way you have treated us with great hospitality as well as the perfectorganization of our training. Most of all, I do miss our conversations. When I got back to Kosovo, my father was
waiting for me in my apartment in Prishtina, and I told him almost everything about you.
As you have mentioned, we are close to the New Year 2014. I also do remember when I was young, we were all
excited to wait the New Year, but now I do see that I am getting a bit old. What can I say, maybe that’s the beauty oflife, when you get old only then you understand the value of the moments that we experience in the past. But what I
want in my life is to really get old and having a good a normal life, same like you.
I am closing this letter, hopping that it will not be the last one, and I’m looking forward to hear from you!
Have a nice time my friend, all the bests to you and your family, and Happy New Year 2014!!
Kind regards,
Vehbi Duraku

From: Hajime Sueta
To: Vehbi Duraku
Date: December 19, 2013

Vehbi San,
Thank you very much for your kind and warm reply.
I feel very happy that I could have an opportunity to being with you (plural) in Kitakyushu-City, it was not a long
period though.
I hope your work shop will be good and fruitful.
By the way, in my Organization KITA has a homepage and KITA publishes KITA news two times a year.
There is an editor. This time he made a report about our course and will UP the report in our KITA homepage. I
attached PDF on this e-mail. I am sorry it is in Japanese, but you can feel the contents.
If you have a chance please ask JICA officer in your country. He or she will help you to understand the contents. It
will be UP on Jan.10th. Click KITA .
Our editor wants to know your workshop to make our homepage or KITA news more content rich.
Now there is a question to you. I want you to be a kind of reporter.
Could you let me know the following items? If possible.
1. The date & location of your workshop
2. What kind of people participated in the workshop and how many?
3. The contents (details) of the workshop
4. Group photos of my friends (participants)
5. How did you feel the workshop (impressions)
6. Availability photos in the workshop, etc.
I hope you have a wonderful NEW YEAR.
See you.
Your friend SUETA-5-

From: Vehbi Duraku
To: Hajime Sueta
Date: December 20, 2013

Sueta San,
Thank you for your e-mail.
I have seen the attached report, and as you mentioned, I could feel the content of it :).
Regarding the workshop which is going to be held on February 2014, there is no problem for me being a kind ofa reporter, and I'll send you the all the items that you have mentioned.
Have a nice time, and we will be in touch!
All the bests,
Vehbi Duraku-6-

From: Vehbi Duraku
To: Hajime Sueta
Date: April 02, 2014

Dear Sueta,
I hope this e-mail will find you safe and sound!
We are allright here as a group in Kosovo and things has gone well so far.
First of all I want to apologize for late respond, as I have been a father lately of our little girl.
Anyway, on March 4th we have successfully organized a workshop in Prishtina (Capital city of Kosovo). This
workshop was attended by more than 60 participants. There were representatives from each of seven regional watercompanies, Ministry of Economic Development, Water and Wastewater Regulatory Office, Water Task Force of theGovernment of Kosovo, Water Association of Kosovo, a representative of Donors KfW, Ministry of Environment
and Spatial Planning, Environmental Protection Agency, National Institute of Public Health.
Each of us has prepared its own presentation about our experience in Japan, as described below:
Nr
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9

The person that has presented
Shahe Kukaj
Myvedete Muja
Dafina Deva
Nezir Gecaj
Beqir Vojvoda
Lumni Sallahu
Lulzim Paqarizi
Vehbi Duraku
Lulzim Paqarizi

Presentation
Wastewater in Kosovo and JapanThe History of Wastewater in Japan
Maintenance of wastewater system in Japan
WWTP in Skenderaj and those ne Japan
Analysis in the laboratory
Wastewater treatment and sludge treatment in Japan
Wastewater treatment in Prizren
Wastewater tariffs in Japan and asset management in Japan
Sensibilization of citizens for wastewater

It is our opinion that the workshop was successfully organized and the participants were satisfied with theinformation that we have given to them through our presentations.
If there is a need for any further details, please let me know and I’ll respond to you as soon as possible.
Attached, you will also find some of the workshop’s photos.
Kind regards,
Vehbi Duraku

From: Hajime Sueta
To: Vehbi Duraku
Date: April 5, 2014

Dear Vehbi San
Faleminderit for your mail.
Sorry, it took a little bit long to reply you.
It is because it was difficult to open your attached file. Our KITA-NEWS editor could manage to open it.
First of all Congratulations!! Is she your first children? I hope she would be healthy and happy.
As I am getting older and older, these days I have become to feel an importance and value of health. So I hope yourfamily has a healthy and a happy life.
About your documents which you send me.

-7-

Thank you very much. The pictures you sent me reminded me of the time we learned together. And some of you
used a closing ceremony photo in the presentation. It still has passed 6 months, but the scene comes to my mind
clearly.
Now I want to ask you some items.
First. About each of your presentation title.
According to the titles in the table you showed, I can find many words "wastewater”, like wastewater system,
wastewater treatment etc. Is the meaning "sewage or sewerage"? Like Sewerage system, sewage treatment? When
we translate your documents into Japanese, it is necessary to check. Because when we say wastewater there aresome different meanings.
Second.
Our editor and I want more information to make a better KITA Home Page.
1 What was the title of this workshop?
2 How many hours did the workshop take?
3 What kind of reaction (comments, questions, etc.) the participants gave your presentations?
4 Your (or presentaters) thoughts on this workshop.
If possible could each of you give us a comment?
We would like to carry their comments on our HP.
Personal matter.
In Perugia, Italy the 15th World Lake Conference is held from Sep.1 to 5, 2014. Two of my friends will make aspeech in the Conference. They are Dr.Nakamura and Mr.Sato. When Ms.Muja-San came to study about Water
Environment Edcation in Kyoto, Dr,Nakamura gave a lecuture.
By the way, I will attend the Conference. I don't make any presentation, though.
Now Mr.Sato is planning to visit our schedule.
If there is a chance I'd like to see you again.
See you
From Sueta

From: Vehbi Duraku
To: Hajime Sueta
Date: April 7, 2014

Dear Sueta San,
Thank you for your e-mail and good wishes for my little family! Yes, this is our first child and as you know
whatever you experience for the first time, the feelings for it are extraordinary.
I’m glad to hear that you have noticed our photo in the closing ceremony, that photo was as the background during
the seminar, whenever there were speeches to be made, between presentations.
According to the difficulties you have had to know the exact meaning on what we have presented in our workshop,on the table below I’ll try to explain what it was about.
Nr
1
2
3
4
5

Presenter
Shahe
Kukaj
Myvedete
Muja
Dafina
Deva
Nezir
Gecaj
Beqir
VojvodaPresentation
Wastewater in Kosovo and JapanThe History of Wastewater in Japan
Maintenance of wastewater system
in Japan
WWTP in Skenderaj and those ne
Japan
Analysis in the laboratory

Terminology explanation
Shahe’s presentation was about the wastewater system, including:sewage and Wastewater treatment plants
Also in this presentation it was discussed for wastewater systems,
altogether sewage and WWTP.
This presentation was mainly focused on wastewater pipes
maintenance.
This presentation was focused only in Wastewater treatment plants
-

-8-

6
7
8
9

Lumni
Sallahu
LulzimPaqarizi
Vehbi
DurakuLulzimPaqarizi

Wastewater treatment and sludge
treatment in Japan

This presentation was focused on wastewater treatment plants andsludge treatment plants

Wastewater treatment in Prizren

This presentation was only for the WWTP of Prizren in Kosovo

Wastewater tariffs and asset
management in Japan
Sensibilization of citizens for
wastewater

My presentation was about wastewater tariffs in Japan.
This presentation was about for sewage and WWTP.

The tile of this workshop was: A workshop of Wastewater Treatment. The opening of this workshop was at 13:00
and lasted at 16:00, so it took three hours. After we have finished our presentations, I had a brief talk to Mrs.
Kanako Tenuri and asked her what you think of this workshop, and she replied to me that this is the best one that I
have experienced here in Kosovo. Another participant claimed that this is the first time I see when a group of people
that has been trained in Japan makes a workshop here in Kosovo and gives to us all the information that they could
get from there. Even though, till now there have been many study visits in Europe but none of them have madepresentations when they come back, therefore he thanked us for this good job. As I do recall, another participant told
me that he was impressed about the seriousness of this workshop, and most of all he was impressed that we were
mostly young people.
Regarding to my colleagues, I have to tell you that they were so serious during the preparation of presentations.
Before this workshop was organized, we have had more than five meeting together in order to have a goodworkshop.
Regarding to personal matter.
I am so glad to hear that you are coming in Europe. I think you should often do that, at least once year. For me it
would be a great pleasure to see you, but I do not know if you could make to come here in Kosovo. We (as a group)
would
be
more
than
happy
to
have
you
here
as
our
honoredguest.
I really would like to see you, if I’d had a chance, but I do not believe that my institution this year could be able tocover expenses for me to attend the conference in Perugia.
Anyhow, I do hope that you will have a great time there!
Have a nice time my friend, and I hope that I will see you again one day!
Kind regards,
Vehbi Duraku

From: Hajime Sueta
To: Vehbi Duraku
Date: April 14, 2014

Dear Vehbi San
Thank you very much for your detailed information.
According to your information, Mrs.Kanako Terui took part in your workshop and gave you brief words of praise.
To make our HP more eventful, I decided to get in touch with her and asked her to give us more information on theworkshop. I expect our HP editor will make a good HP with your documents and her comment.
Again, thank you very much.
There is a Turkish trainee who participated in a Sewerage-Maintenance Course last year wrote a report on how he
did Action Plan in his country. And he sent it to me. The report was edited by our editor and published in KITA web
page recently. We (editor and I) are considering making your report in such a way.

-9-

Please "KITA" CLICK and click "HOME" and click "Overseas Reports". You can see an example which we want tomake HP about your workshop and find my face. Since it will take a few months to publish your activities in our
KITA web page, please wait a little more.
Your friend
Sueta
PS
When I received your E-mail of April 7th, I send this kind of E-mails several times to you.
But every time my E-mails were undelivered. I don’t know the reason. This time I try to send this mail using myoffice’s PC. I hope this time go well.

From: Vehbi Duraku
To: Hajime Sueta
Date: April 14, 2014

Sueta San,I have received your e-mail. Thanks very much for your effort to make a publication of our workshop.
We will be in touch; I wish you all the bests!
Have a nice time,
Vehbi Duraku- 10 -

From: Hajime Sueta
To: Vehbi Duraku
Date: May 16, 2014

How have you been? How is your baby? I hope your family is doing well.
As I told you before I'll attend a conference which is held in Peruja, Italy.
I'm now making my itinerary to visit the conference. I think this trip is a best chance to visit your country. This
opportunity might be the first and last one to visit KOSOVO for me.
So, I've decided to visit Prishtina.
Rough itinerary is like below.
26 Aug. Leave Japan
26 Aug. Arrive in Rome in the evening
27 Aug. Leave Rome in the morning
27 Aug. Arrive in Pristina in the evening
stay 3 nights in Pristina (I'm concidering to stay Pristina Hotel where you made a workshop.
But not decided yet.)
30 Aug. Leave Pristina in the evening
31 Aug. Arrive in Rome in the morning stay in Peruja, Italy
6 Sep. Leave Rome to Fukuoka,Japan
Purposes of my visit are,
• To meet our members.
• To see your country (kind of sight seeings)• To see a sewerage situation in your country.
• This trip is not a official so I can enjoy my trip in your country freely.
I'm looking forward to meet you and our members again.
After my itinerary is confermed I'll let you know the detail information.
See you.
Your friend Sueta.
PS From Rome to Pristina, it is very time consuming trip, isn’t it.
I sent this mail in this morning, but there was an error to send. So I send this mail again.
From: Vehbi Duraku
To: Hajime Sueta
Date: May 16, 2014

Dear Sueta San,
This is great News :) :) :)... I am so glad that finally you have decided to visit our country.
There is no doubt that I'll organize to meet members of Kosovo participants trained in Japan as well as other topics
you have described.
I do not know what to say, I am just so surprised for your arrival :), and immediately have pictured in my mind how
is it going to be when you will be here.
Regarding to the trip from Rome to Prishtina I attach this picture that I have taken from Google maps.
I'm not sure if there is direct Airline from Rome to Prishtina, but I’ll make some research and I'll let you know.
Have a nice time my friend, and please do not hesitate to contact me whenever there is a need to do so.
Kind regards,
Vehbi Duraku- 11 -

From: Hajime Sueta
To: Vehbi Duraku
Date: May 16, 2014

Dear Vehbi San
Thank you very much for your quick reply.
My daughter who lives in Spain has come home. She knows well how to buy plane tickets on the net.
So I am now looking for better tickets with her help. Maybe in a week or so I'll be able to purchase air tickets.
Looking at a picture you sent me, from Rome to Prishtine is not so far. But according to the web information there is
not a direct flight.
Anyway I think this trip will be a wonderful one with you and our members.
Best regards
Sueta- 12 -

From: Hajime Sueta
To: Vehbi Duraku
Date: June 9, 2014

Dear Vehbi SAN
How are you?
My itinerary has been decided as follows:
25 Aug.
25 Aug.
25 Aug. and 26 Aug.
27 Aug. 10:55
27 Aug. 19:45
27, 28, 29 Aug.
30 Aug. 19:10
31 Aug. 9:45
31 Aug.～ 6 Sept.
6 Sept.

(in the morning) Depart Fukuoka airport(in the evening) Arrive in Rome
Stay in Rome
Depart Rome airport (Fiumicino airport)
Arrive in Pristina International airport
I use TK1862 & TK1019 flights (Transfer in Istanbul)
I stay 3 nights in a hotel named “Hotel Prima” in your city, Pristina.
The hotel address is, Lidhja e Prizrenit nr 24 Pristina.
Depart Prishtina International airport
I use SK 4810 & SK 4713 (Transfer in Oslo airport. waiting time is 8 hours!!)
Arrive in Rome
In Peruja, Italy
In the evening flight to Fukuoka

This was a first time to make this kind of itinerary by myself. But I could make it with a great help of my daughter.
Since my English ability is not so good, I’m looking forward to see you and talk a lot and see your country.
I think this opportunity help for me to make next Kosovo Sewerage Training Course. It’ll start middle of Oct.
After return to Kitakyushu-City, I’ll be very busy for the course preparation.
Please give my best regards to my friends.
Your friend,
Sueta

From: Vehbi Duraku
To: Hajime Sueta
Date: June 9, 2014

Dear Sueta SAN,
I am so glad that your schedule has been finalized :)Went through the itinerary, and seems to be well organized. There is for sure that within this period of time for threenights, you will be able to get to know my country. Today I'll inform my colleagues for your itinerary and give them
your greetings!
Have a nice time my friend and we are warmly waiting in our country :)Kind regards,
Vehbi Duraku- 13 -

From: Hajime Sueta
To: Vehbi Duraku
Date: June 26, 2014

Dear Vehbi SAN
Hi si jeni?
Today I’ll send a photo.
Last week, JICA Kyushu organized a concert tocommemorate the 25th anniversary of JICA Kyushu
establishment. It was held in a JICA lobby.
The content was a guitar duo and jazz songs. My friend, he isalso a KITA course leader, and I played some guitar musicfor 20 minutes. After that, jazz concert was done. Jazz
concert was a main event.
Since there was large turnout we felt very tense and couldn’t
put out a good result. You’ll see our strained faces on a
photo.
Japan football team in a world cup lost the games and couldn’t go to a next step. It because of a strained condition
like us, I think. Compare to us, the members did a lot and lots practices, but it was very difficult to have a goodresult. For me, this kind of concert makes me feel burden of my heart every time, but on the other hand it prevents
my blurring and forgetfulness which many elderly people go into, I think.
This practice include a course leader work is an energy source for me.
I am now making a new schedule for a next KOSOVA sewerage course in consultation with Mr.Nakamura, JICA
officer, and Ms. Terui in your country.
It’ll start on 17th Oct. I’m looking forward to see new participants.
Best regards,
Your friend,
SUETA- 14 -

From: Vehbi Duraku
To: Hajime Sueta
Date: August 3, 2014

Dear friend,
こんにちは、 お元気ですか？
First of all I want o apologize for not writing to you so far.
So, how have you been, how is your family and how is the work going?
As you are aware we have had the holy month of Ramadan. This month is only once in a year, and we do not eat anddrink from the sunrise till the sunset. This time the Ramadan month was in the middle of the summer, and it took
about 18 hours fasting. Anyhow, everything went well during the Ramadan month and we have celebrated the“Bayram” too.
There is some news going on here around me. It seems that I am going to participate again this year the training inJapan. To be honest, I do have mixed feelings. In one hand I am happy that I am going to visit again your country
and having lovely conversation of Japan culture with you, and on the other hand I feel sad because I might taken
someone else the chance to visit Japan. But this was not my decision, the Ministry of Economic Development ofKosovo have decided that there should be one person that has attended the training in Japan last year and therefore
could be able to transmit the continuity of the training to other participants of this year. According to theirinvestigation they have come to conclusion that I might be the most suitable person to maintain the continuity of the
training.
Have you taken your vacation, or have you planned to go somewhere and have some rest. Me and my little family
we are planning to go on the mountains in the beginning of September.
I hope this letter will find you safe and sound and I am looking forward to see you in Kosovo.
P.s.: The first group of Japan training was so glad when they heard that you going to visit us.
I was wondering, is it possible to send me the link of Japanese music that you like the most. I would love to hearsome you Japanese songs. Thanks in advance!
Kind regards,
Vehbi Duraku

From: Hajime Sueta
To: Vehbi Duraku
Date: August 4, 2014

Vehbi SAN
It’s great news isn’t it. I can see you in Kitakyushu-City again. I feel very happy.
Now I’m making a course schedule with a help of JICA officer, Mr.Nakamura.
He told me that Kosovo country is considering sending 1～2 former participants to a training course this year.
The reason is that you wrote an E-mail to me.
I thought you are one of the most suitable persons. Your country wants the course which will be made more grades
up than last time.
But I can’t provide your participants all new version lectures and site visit. Sorry.
But I’ll do my best. Please come and study again and enjoy here.
About my most like Japanese music.

- 15 -

You are the first person to ask me such things. So, now I’m considering the musics. There are so many musics.
By the way what does the meaning of “the link of Japanese music”? The word “link” I don’t understand..........
I want to tell you one thing.
There is a person, named Mr. Mark Lekgjonaj, who took my Sewerage Maintenance course last year here
Kitakyushu-city.
He lives in Tirana, Albania and a very nice guy. He and I exchanged some E-mails and one of his mails (Report)
was in a KITA web-site as an overseas Report. When I told him that I’ll visit Kosovo, he’ll go to see me in Pristinaduring my stay in your country. If you are arranging my schedule, could you consider his visit?
You can see his overseas report in a KITA home page.
Click “KITA”, go to Overseas Report, and look at “Oct.25.’13 Mr. Mark”
Your Report will be UPed on 12th Aug. Thank you very much for your cooperation.
I think, since this article is very good, I’ll bring this copy to each my friends as one of the souvenirs. It’ll make ourreunion more eventful, I think.
By the way, how many souvenirs I should bring. Please feel free to tell me. Although I can’t prepare good ones.
See you.
Your friend,
SUETA
From: Vehbi Duraku
To: Hajime Sueta
Date: August 7, 2014

Sueta SAN,
Thanks for your e-mail!
I felt so happy when I realized that there is a person from Albania who wants to see you here in Kosova. I havestarted my communication with him, and I am waiting his response. Regarding my arrangement with him, there isno need to worry about; I'll inform him in details with the agenda while you will be in Kosovo. If you can remember
our talks while I was in Kitakyushu, we discussed that Albanians in Kosovo with Albanians in Albania are brothers,
but it was history that has separated us for one century. So, having him with you as our guests, it such a pleasure forus.
About the link I have mentioned of Japanese music, it has to do with the link of youtube where I can click on it andlisten to the music you suggest to me. As an example I am sending to you the link of a video where you can see
American people singing Albanian folkloric music, hope you will enjoy it.
The link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lTaE6KeTUm0
Went through the report of Mr. Mark Lekgjonaj, it was very nice idea publishing it. I' am looking forward to see thereport of ours.
I think that for each of the participant with one souvenirs it will be enough. Many thanks that you are being so
careful.
Looking forward to hear from you...
All the bests,
Vehbi Duraku- 16 -

From: Hajime Sueta
To: Vehbi Duraku
Date: August 8, 2014

Vehbi SAN
After I sent you an E-mail, I asked Ms.Yamane, who was a coordinator in my Kosova course last year, the meaningof “link”.
She replied me,” I don’t know much about “link”, but if I were you, I paste youtube URL music.”
According to your and her advice, I paste URLs from youtube.
First one:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hj4JmfRC_PM
The song title is “Birthday”. This music was composed and songwriter by SADA, Masashi and he also sings thissong.
The reason I like this music is, the lyric is very warm and heartfull. In this lyric there is the word “I’m very happy to
be born here”
When my mother was in a terminal ill and in bed in some hospital, I remembered this song and I encouraged her
telling “you had a hard life but looking back on your life I think you have a splendid life. Isn’t it true?” It means“you are very happy to be born here”.
This time I don’t have enough time to tell you the meaning of “Birthday” lyric more; someday I’ll tell you about it.
The second one:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZVe87Nt4MHU
This song is composed by an OKINAWA musician. OKINAWA is situated far south of Kyusyu Iceland. Becauseof that OKINAWA had been isolated from Japan for a long time and has created an own culture. The melody isdifferent from Japan.
The third one:
http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=yuotube+%e9%ab%98%e6%a9%8b%e7%ab%b9%e5%b1%b1&qpvt=yuotu
be+%e9%ab%98%e6%a9%8b%e7%ab%b9%e5%b1%b1&FORM=VDRE#view=detail&mid=708A25D0C7926876
0C73708A25D0C79268760C73
I wander if you can watch this site because this URL color is different from upper two URL and very long. I’m not a
PC person, sorry.
The musician is named TAKAHASHI, Chikuzan who played SYAMISEN (three-string music instrument).
He (1910-1998) was half blind. He traveled (or strolled) many places with his instrument to get some money to live.
In front of houses he played music and got some money or some foods. I think he played his music even in a very
hard situation, I mean very snowy day like that.
In this era they were minors and their job was despised.
He made many people recognize the splendor of SYAMISEN music. I don’t listen to this kind of music so often but
whenever I listen to this kind of music, I can feel the heart of Japan.
Since you asked me my favorite music I could think about Japanese music anew. Thank you for giving me an
opportunity to think about.
I listened a music you sent me. It sounds like Alabic. According to the melody or scien (singers countenances arelook happy and they are dancing), I think this song is for praying a good harvest.
About Mr. Mark:Thank you very much for you have started to contact him. I wander how you found his address. I was thinking, after
you gave me my schedule in your country I would tell him that and arrange his visit. Thank you again. If you have
any troubles please let me know.

- 17 -

These days I sometime wach youtube about your country. Some sciens back ground music sound like Alabic. To tell
you the truth I don’t have a clear picture about Alabic music.
I hope this mail travels safe and sound to you.
See you.
Your friend,
SUETA

From: Vehbi Duraku
To: Hajime Sueta
Date: August 14, 2014

Dear Sueta SAN,
Thank you very much for your last e-mail.
I did look the URL, the English version of the report, and I liked it. Many thanks to you too :), for your great job andcommitment.
Since the day of your arrival it is getting closer, I was planning if I could come to the airport and pick you up withmy car, and then send you to the Hotel. Otherwise, my telephone number is +377 44 345 429, and please feel free tocall me anytime you need. Please do not hesitate to call me!!
I'll also try to get in contact with Mr. Adem Tusha and I'll inform him about the report.
Please write for anything you might need regarding to your trip!
All the bests my friend and I am looking forward to see you!
Kind regards,
Vehbi
P.s: Enjoyed very much the music you proposed. I really did, all of them. Essentially the third one, I enjoyed themost, and I did look to other music he had played. That kind of instrument it really describes the heart of Japan.
Thanks very much for your detail information the songs, it really made feel more when I heard them.

From: Hajime Sueta
To: Vehbi Duraku
Date: August 11, 2014

Dear Vehbi SAN
Arranging my stay in Pristina, I’m over the trouble to you.
Today I got an e-mail from Mark SAN. I’ll transfer his mail to you.
Considering his condition to come to see me, I think 30th is better. Because if he comes to the 29th, he doesn’t haveenough time to see me and after meeting he has to return to his home. It’ll be very tough for him.
I hope you would get in touch with him and arrange our schedule.
Your friend,
SUETA- 18 -

From: Vehbi Duraku
To: Hajime Sueta
Date: August 11, 2014

Dear Sueta San,
Thank you for your e-mail!
There is no need to worry about. I just got in touch with Mr. Mark. I wrote to him to the e-mail you send it to me
and I'll inform him with every detail needed.
We only wish you are going to have a safe flight from Japan to Italy and then to Kosovo.
Have a nice time, and please write to me if there is a need of any kind of information you might need.
Kind regards,
Vehbi Duraku

From: Hajime Sueta
To: Vehbi Duraku
Date: August 14, 2014

Dear Vehbi SAN
Thank you very much for everything for me.
It took a long time to up your workshop report on our KITA web site.
Please look at this site. This is an English version.
http://www.kita.or.jp/english/doc/report/report_20140710.pdf
Since you taught me how to send musics on youtube, I used this attach method.
I am getting PC knowledge a little by little by the helps of many people.
Thank you.
One more information.
There is a training course called “Industrial Pollution Control Management”. This is not a course which I am
assigned to.
This course also made a report like you did.
In this report a participant named Mr.TUSHA Adem from your country wrote a report.
He is working in a Ministry of Environment and Spatial Plannig where Ms.MUJA SAN is also working.
Please look at this site, too. And tell him that his report has uped.
http://www.kita.or.jp/english/doc/report/report_20140620.pdf
My visit to your country is near at hand.
As I don’t bring a PC with me during my trip (I don’t have a laptop computer), there is no way to get in touch withyou. Could you give me your mobile number for an emergency, if possible?
See you.
Your friend, SUETA- 19 -

From: Vehbi Duraku
To: Hajime Sueta
Date: August 14, 2014

Dear Sueta SAN,
Thank you very much for your last e-mail.
I did look the URL, the English version of the report, and i liked it. Many thanks for your great job and commitment.
Since the day of your arrival it is getting closer, I was planning if I could come to the airport and pick you up withmy car, and then send you to the Hotel. Otherwise, my telephone number is +377 44 345 429, and please feel free tocall me anytime you need. Please do not hesitate to call me!!
I'll also try to get in contact with Mr. Adem Tusha and I'll inform him about the report.
P.s: Enjoyed very much the music you proposed, I really did, all of them. Essentially the third one, I enjoyed themost, and I did look to other music he had played. That kind of instrument it really describes the heart of Japan.
Thanks very much for your detail information about those music, it really made feel more when I heard them.
Please write for anything you might need regarding to your trip!
All the bests my friend, and i am looking forward to see you!
Kind regards,
Vehbi Duraku
From: Hajime Sueta
To: Vehbi Duraku
Date: August 18, 2014

Dear Vehbi SAN
Thank you for your Tel number.
Now I’ve begun to prepare packing for my trip.
Last time I send some URL to you.
“HANA (Flowers)”, “Birthday”, and three string instrument music.
The lyrics of HANA and Birthday song are very good, really good.
So, I translated the lyrics. Although my translation is not good, I hope you could get a feeling of the lyrics.
See you.
I’m looking forward to seeing you soon.
Regards,
Sueta- 20 -

From: Vehbi Duraku
To: Hajime Sueta
Date: August 19, 2014

Sueta San,
Thanks very much for the lyrics. I listened to them last night with my wife and little girl. While hearing the musics I
translated the lyrics to them into Albanian. They enjoyed it. My wife liked very much the voice of a singer in thesecond URL.
I can imagine how important might sound to you the lyrics of the song "Birthday" regarding to the experience you
have had with your mother while she was in the hospital. We will talk more about it while you are in Kosovo, I'dlove to hear that.
Otherwise, could you please tell me what is the local time of your arrival in the Aeroport of Kosovo "Adem Jashari".
As I told you, I'd like to pick you up with my car. Is it OK with you to!?
Have a nice time my friend and please feel free to write me for any kind of details you might want to know.
Greetings from Prishtina,
Vehbi Duraku
From: Hajime Sueta
To: Vehbi Duraku
Date: August 19, 2014

Dear Vehbi San
I'm very happy to hear that you enjoyed the music with the lyrics.
Thank you very much for your offer to pick me up in an International Airport”Adem Jashari” with your car.
My arrival time at “Adem Jashari” is: 19:45 local time on 27th Aug.
Flight number is: TK1019 Turkish Airlines
I will wait for you at Prishtina International Airport “Adem Jashari” .
Again, thank you very much.
Your friend,Sueta- 21 -

From: Vehbi Duraku
To: Hajime Sueta
Date: August 31, 2014

Dear Sueta San,I do not know how to start this letter.
Now that you are not here in Kosovo, I can realize and think more how beautiful was having you in my country,
So thank you very much again!!
I have to tell you that all the members were so satisfied for your visit and we really enjoyed being again together :)Please let me know if you have traveled safe and sound.
I am looking forward to hear from you.
All the bests my friend,
Vehbi San
From: Hajime Sueta
To: Vehbi Duraku
Date: September 8, 2014

Dear Vehbi San
Thank you very, very, very much for your kind and warm hearted hospitalities, translate, guide and so on.
Sometimes you were as my father, as a translator and as a guide from the beginning to the end. And every time you
took care of me.
Like, during a long talk with people I met like Mr. Ramadan and Lulzim San’s boss, you sometimes confirmed me“Are you understanding what he mentioned?”. It was a great help for me to be able to continue the conversation withthem.
And you translated my talk which is not clear into proper Albanian. Without your help I couldn’t talk with him andI couldn’t get great experiences.
I could meet every participant and talk with them. They gave me a warm welcome my visit. It was also a great
pleasure for me.
When my friend offered me a World Lakes Conference held in Italy, I had a little hesitation to visit your country.
Now I felt very happy to be able to visit your country. I could learn a thing that ordinary travelers don’t learn orvisit like Adem Jashari’s house and your home town with your explanations. Thank you again so much.
After I left your country I met many Japanese who participated in the conference in Perugia,Italy.
When I told them I visited Kosova, all people asked me “Is it a safe country? or Are national conditions stabilized?”
like that.
I told them “It is very safe; I didn’t feel any fear during my stay. And the condition is very stable. Please visit andsee by your own eyes.”
One of my friends who supported me to visit the Conference was stolen wallet to a pickpoket in Rome, and anotherparticipant was stolen his passport to a picpoket. Stabilized countries are not always safe. The condition may not bestabilized.
Last but not least, thank you very much for your warm hearted hospitalities.
Dete San also took care of me from beginning to the end. Please give Dete San my compliments.
I am looking forward to see you here in kitakyushu soon.
PS. Musical instrument, Kosova Plaque and Cookies traveled safe and sound with me.
Your friend,Sueta- 22 -

From: Vehbi Duraku
To: Hajime Sueta
Date: September 8, 2014

Dear Sueta San,I am so glad that you have arrived safe and sound in Japan. Once again thank you very much for visiting us.
I was asked by Mrs. Kanako about your visit in our country, and her request was please make his visit as fruitful as
possible. I do recall that I have answered to her: What we are going to do to Sueta San it is going to be just areaction to what he has done to us during our stay in Japan. And I do not believe that we have achieved that, because
you have done more for us during our stay in Kitakyushu.
On the other hand, I have to admit that I was so glad that all participants as well as other people you have meet they
were friendly and so kind with you.
Have a nice time my friend and thank you so much for everything. I hope to see you soon!
All the bests,
Vehbi
From: Hajime Sueta
To: Vehbi Duraku
Date: September 11, 2014

Dear Vehbi SAN
I send a CD which have photos I took in your country to your office yesterday.
The photos are all that I took there. It’ll take 1～2weeks to get you.
Please copy them and distribute my friends.
See you.
Your friend,Sueta- 23 -

Sueta’s visit to Kosovo in 2014

Mother Teresa statue in Prishtina

Adem Jashari memorial complex in Prekaz

WWTP in Skenderaj

The political bridge in Mitrovica

The monument of Albanian League in Prizren

Memorial complex under construction - Krusha e Madhe

The source of Drini i Bardhe River – Peja

A coffee with Mark - Prishtina- 24 -

From: Vehbi Duraku
To: Hajime Sueta
Date: October 7, 2014

Dear Sueta San,I hope you have had a nice time so far.
I want to thank you very much for the photos you have delivered to us.
Went through all the photos and I have to admit that they all were good ones and will remain as good memories.
Actually we are on a preparation process on coming to Japan, we just have to wait until we get the schengen visas
and the travel to Austria on October the 13th.
I hope everything will go as well as the last year training.
Have a nice time my friend and see you in Kitakyushu.
Kind regards,
Vehbi Duraku
From: Hajime Sueta
To: Vehbi Duraku
Date: October 8, 2014

Dear Vehbi San
Your arrival at Kitakyushu-City is near at hand.
I think you are busy to prepare to come to Japan and to get a course.
I hope all of you would come to Kitakyushu-City safe and sound.
I’m looking forward to seeing you again. Have a nice trip!
Your friends,
Sueta
From: Vehbi Duraku
To: Hajime Sueta
Date: October 18, 2014

Dear Sueta San,
Thank you very much for the effort preparing the agenda tour to Hiroshima.
Hereby we confirm that there are 9 participants who would like to join the tour.
Only one participant is not willing to come.
Thanks in advance,
Vehbi Duraku- 25 -

From: Hajime Sueta
To: Vehbi Duraku
Date: October 18, 2014

Dear Vehbi SAN
OK.

I’ve understood.

I’ll buy 10 tickets for 9 participants and me.
Have a good weekend.
See you on Monday.
Sueta- 26 -

From: Vehbi Duraku
To: Hajime Sueta
Date: November 10, 2014

Dear Sueta San, dear friend,First of all, let me inform you that we have all arrived safe and sound in the Airport of Prishtina.
From the very beginning of our training in Japan, I have had different conversation with participants. Some of them,where a bit skeptic if this training could be successful, or if they could learn anything. And my answer to them was:Well, I will tell anything now, you will see by yourself how is it going to be.
During our flight back from Japan to Kosovo, all the participants, each of them, they were just amazed by thetraining and all the time they mentioned you how professional you were and how friendly you have treated us.
And of course, at this point I took my time and add many other good words for you and for Japan in general.
What I want to say is that my vision about the impressions’ of Kosovo participants is how I excepted, and this has isall because of you, because you played a very important role during all the training.
Thank you very much Sueta San for being so friendly to us, and helping us in any way possible. I look forward tohear from you, and see you again!
Kind regards from Prishtina – Kosovo
Vehbi

From: Hajime Sueta
To: Vehbi Duraku
Date: November 11, 2014

Dear Vehbi sanSafe and sound, I am relieved.
How is your family? I think they were eagerly looking forward to your return. According to our Japanese way ofsaying “waiting to make their necks long”, like animal meerkat.
By the way, my report in your country was uped on our KITA web site. Please look at it. It is in Japanese, but I usedlots of photos you can feel an atmosphere of my content.
http://www.kita.or.jp/doc/report/report_20141020.pdf
And one another thing. One of my former participants who took a sewerage maintenance course in Kitakyushu City
send me his report. His report also was updated on KITA web site. Please look at this, too. It is an English version.
http://www.kita.or.jp/english/doc/report/report_20140929.pdf
I am expecting that I can introduce each of my members report like his one. Please get in touch with me, and please
give my best regards to everyone.
Your friend,Sueta- 27 -FIRST YEAR TRAINING IN JAPAN - 2013- 28 -

SECOND YEAR TRAINING IN JAPAN - 2014

- 29 -

From: Hajime Sueta
To: Vehbi Duraku
Date: December 2, 2014

Dear Vehbi SAN
Our KITA editor YOSHIMOTO and I sent a DVD by using “Large amounts data transmission system” the otherday.
The DVD contains a training scene of MANHOLE pump field trip in KAWACHI.
Since this was a first time that we use this system to send a DVD to a foreign country, we are worried about whether
you could receive it or not.
If you failed to receive it we’ll send it to you in a postal system. Please let me know.
In Kitakyushu-city, today is the coldest day in this season. The influenza has been epidemic.
I think your country is in a winter season. Please take care of yourself, your baby and your wife.
PS: The other day Agron SAN (Dreshaj) sent me some photos on Drini River where we visited.
And gave me an information about the place we visited on Google map.
It helps me to understand where we visited.
When you have a chance to be able to meet him, please give my regards to him.
Your friend,
SUETA

From: Vehbi Duraku
To: Hajime Sueta
Date: December 2, 2014

Dear Sueta San,
Thank you very much for the letter! As always, it is a great pleasure for me getting news from you!
Regarding the DVD, I am a little bit confused. Do you mean a DVD with data on it that you have tried to send it
through e-mail!?
Till now I have not received any kind of DVD with the data that you have described on your e-mail.
Could you please be more specific, where did you send that DVD? Afterwards I'll let you know, and then could give
you a suggestion whether you should deliver it through postal system.
Yes, in Kosovo nowadays it is winter season. Still haven't reached the coldest temperatures, even though we have
faced the minus temperatures. During this time, me and my wife, we are paying a lot of attention to our little
daughter. So far, she was safe and sound :).

- 30 -

Regarding Agron Dreshaj San, I am so glad to know that he has started the communication with you through e-mail.
He is a very good friend of mine; we have been in studies together. I do meet him regularly, in monthly basis, and hehas mentioned to send you photos. As soon as I communicate with him I'll give to him your regards.
Have a nice time my friend and all the bests!
Vehbi
From: Hajime Sueta
To: Vehbi Duraku
Date: December 3, 2014

Dear Vehbi San,
Thank you for your reply.
What I used a system to sent a DVD is like below.
I asked Mr.Yoshimoto, our editor, for an advice on how to send the DVD(the heavy one), and I dicided to use thisfree of charge system.
If you want to receive the DVD by this system again, please let me know.
I’ll send it to you.
If it is difficult to receive, I use postal mail system as I said before.
This year has almost finished. These days I feel that the time pasts very fast.
Is it because of my age? Many elderly people say like this.
See you,
Sueta
From: Vehbi Duraku
To: Hajime Sueta
Date: December 3, 2014

Dear Sueta San,Can we please try one more time to send to me the DVD by this system. If this time doesn't work, then we should
use the postal mail.
Indeed, we are in the end of this year. Time goes by very fast, even for me. Yesterday when we were having lunchwith colleagues, we discussed that how come that so fast the New Year has almost arrived.
Have a nice time my friend and all the bests!
Vehbi- 31 -

From: Hajime Sueta
To: Vehbi Duraku
Date: December 5, 2014

Dear Vehbi San
I sent a DVD using a large file transportation system just before this mail.
If you could not receive it, please let me know. I’ll send it to you by postal system.
From my office,
SUETA

From: Vehbi Duraku
To: Hajime Sueta
Date: December 5, 2014

Dear Sueta San,I am very delighted; I have received the DVD Video.
Enjoyed it very much while watching. There are so many good memories from Japan !!!
There is one question? Can I deliver this DVD video to my colleagues (participants in the training) through USB
stick?
Thanks a lot once again!!
Vehbi- 32 -

From: Vehbi Duraku
To: Hajime Sueta
Date: December 29, 2014

Dear friend,
It is a great pleasure for me to wish you and your family Happy New Year 2015, and remembering the good things
that we have had together during 2014. Once again, me and my all colleagues were honored to have you as our guest
in Kosovo in August 2014, and I want to thank you very much for visiting us. At the meantime we have had such anice time in the second training in Japan 2014. For all of these and many other good things that I have notmentioned, I want to wish health happiness and all the bests to your and your family in 2015.
Happy New Year!
Kind regards,
Vehbi

From: Hajime Sueta
To: Vehbi Duraku
Date: December 31, 2014

Dear Vehbi San
2014 was a great year for me. It’s of course I could visit
your country and received a lot of warm hospitalities
from you and my friends.
It became my unforgettable special memories. Thankyou again.
Mr.Yashimoto, a KITA editor, sent you 10 copies of
CDs the other day by postal system.
In the CD is not only KAWACHI site visit but also youractivities during a course etc.
Please give it to our members as a new year’s gift (?).
Have a good NEW YEAR.
I’m looking forward to meeting you again.

From Sueta.

- 33 -

From: Vehbi Duraku
To: Hajime Sueta
Date: February 18, 2015

Dear Sueta,
How have you been and is work going on so far?
It has been a long since we exchanged e-mails for the lasttime. I hope that during this time, everything is fine for you
and your family.
Nowadays, here in Kosovo it is very cold. Yesterday wehave celebrated the 7 th anniversary of Kosovo's
Independence.
Let me inform you, that we as a group have started to meetwith each other and making the necessary preparation for theseminar which is being planned to be held on March the 5th2015.
Till now we have had two meetings, one in Prishtina and theother one in Gjakova. This Friday we are about to meet in
Gjilan.
In our meeting in Gjakova we have been honored to have as
a guest Kanako Terui. Therefore, please find some of thephotos taken during that meeting, at the meantime we havevisited the Water Treatment Plant of Gjakova, that was
rehabilitated few months ago.
There is a question that i'd like to ask. As you might beaware, I have tried to catch as much as I can notes during
our training in Japan. From those notes I have prepared adraft report in Word document (see the attached file). My
idea is, after I finalize this report, do you think that it is agood idea if we distribute it to the participants during theseminar day. The report is written in Albanian, but the titlesof it are in English, just to give you an overview on what it
is about.
Thanks in advance and all the bests!
Kind regards,
Vehbi Duraku- 34 -

From: Hajime Sueta
To: Vehbi Duraku
Date: February 22, 2015

Dear Vehbi SAN
Sorry for late reply.
I’m now in a Training course named “Operation & Maintenance of Sewerage System “.
It is a 2 month-course and it will end on 6th of March, the day after your seminar.
We (9 participants, Yamane-San and I) went to Tokyo and Kyoto for a Study Tour and returned yesterday (21st).
This is because it took time to reply to you.
Thank you very much for your document. It is very good especially you used lots of Japanese photos and comments.
Please use photos and documents you got in a Japanese lessons and site visits as much as you can.
I’m looking forward to hearing from your member’s activities which will be done at Seminar.

PS.
I attached some documents I could get in a JICA’s library.
Although this is for a hot country, it’ll help your understanding on Sewerage Maintenance.
There are two volumes. I send one by one because of PC capacity.
Please get in touch with me.
See you.
Your friend,Sueta- 35 -

From: Vehbi Duraku
To: Hajime Sueta
Date: March 9, 2015

Dear Sueta,
How are you doing, and how have you been so far?
Let me inform you that we, finally, have organized the seminar. My personal idea is that we have tried to organize it
in a best way possible, and we do think that it was a successful one.
During this week, I'll send you a detail report altogether with photos.
Have a nice time!
Vehbi Duraku

From: Hajime Sueta
To: Vehbi Duraku
Date: March 10, 2015

Dear Vehbi-san
Thank you for your mail.
Here in Kitakyushu, Spring is near at hand. We are now in SANKANSION(SAN=three,KAN=cold,SI=four,ON=warm) season.
It means that three cold days long after that four warm days come and this sycle is repeated several times , gradually
we have Spring.
The day before yesterday we had a splendid warm fine day, but today it is snowing outside.
By the way, my course named “Operation and Maintenance of Sewerage System”has just finished. It was a twomonth-course.
9 participants joined this course. They returned their home countries on Saturday. I missed them a lot like yourcase.
Now I have a little free time, but soon I have to prepare next course, KOSOVO one.
According to your mail you did a good seminar, I’m looking forward to getting your reports.
Our editor, Mr. Yoshimoto, is also waiting for your reports.
See you.
Your friend,Sueta- 36 -

From: Vehbi Duraku
To: Hajime Sueta
Date: March 18, 2015

Dear Sueta,
Let me thank you for your e-mail and kind explanation of the noun SANKANSION.
Here in Kosovo, we have been facing a long winter time and for mos of people it was a bit hard as they had to deal
with the flu.
Actually the weather is quite good, the Sun is shining and the temperatures are appropriate to take my daughter for awalk.
We beg your pardon for late response regarding the workshop that we have organized. Finally, we have completed areport for the workshop which you can find attached in this e-mail. We have tried to describe in general theworkshop, and we hope that the information on int will be useful for you.
Also you can find some photos of the seminar in rar format.
Kind regards,
Vehbi Duraku

From: Hajime Sueta
To: Vehbi Duraku
Date: March 20, 2015

Dear Vehbi San
Thank you for your Reports. I received them.
But unfortunately I and Mr.Yoshimoto, our editor, could not open your attached file, Internet one.
Since he is now trying to open your file, I was considering to reply you after I saw it.
It’s because I couldn’t reply soon.
He knows PC well; I hope he would open your file soon. If it is difficult to open, I’ll ask you to send it by an anotherway.
Ms. Terui sent a report of your workshop activity to Mr.Nakamura,JICA Kyushu officer, who is in charge of yourcourse.
He sent me her report.
Mr.Yoshimoto is now trying to edit her report to UP on our KITA website.
Japanese version will be UPed on early April and English version is about one month later.
Mr. Yoshimoto is now making a plan to up your workshop activitie’s report.
According to his plan your report will be uped on May or June on our website.

- 37 -

Forgive me that publication will be delayed.
Best regards,
Sueta

From: Vehbi Duraku
To: Hajime Sueta
Date: March 20, 2015

Dear Sueta,
Thank you for your confirmation.
I am sorry that you have been facing difficulties on downloading the files.
On my e-mail, I have attached two files:
1.
2.

Workshop file (A document in word)
Photos (the photos are zipped in rar)

Anyhow, I am attaching the document in word, hopping that you can download it easier in you own computer.
Please, do write to me if there is a need to send it again to you.
Thank you in advance,
Vehbi Duraku

From: Hajime Sueta
To: Vehbi Duraku
Date: March 20, 2015

Dear Vehbi San,I could dawnload a “Workshop file” easily. But “Photos” was difficult for me. Today I went to my office to get ahelp to downlaod the “photos”.
Mr. Yoshimoto easily download the photos. There were 17 photos I could see. I could feel the atmosphere of yourworkshop.
I feel very happy that all of you did the workshop this time again.
To do this kind of activities is very important for your country and for yourselves, I think.
I would like to thank for your efforts.
Best Regards,
Sueta- 38 -

From: Vehbi Duraku
To: Hajime Sueta
Date: May 4, 2015

Dear Sueta San,
How have you been and how is work going? Do you have a lot of work with trainings in Kitakyushu those days?
Here in Kosovo the weather is very good and the sun is shining all the time.
During this time I have been privately engaged by providing GIS tanning to the workers of the RWC “Prishtina”,
altogether with my brother who is a very good expert in GIS. In this training, I had a chance to say some words
about the Japanese experience from the presentation of Mr. Ishihara & Ms. Nishimura.
On the other hand, last week was set the cornerstone of WWTP that is about to be build near to Badovc Lake, whichis going to treat the wastewater for the villages Mramor, Busi and Sutjeskë. Those villages are located near to thelake, and till now its wastewater were discharged to the lake without any treatment.
The Badovci Lake is the water source for drinkable water for some parts of the capital city of Kosovo (Prishtina).
The amount of the project is 1.5 million Euros, from which 800,000€ are donations from Czech Government and
700,000€ is participating the Municipality of Prishtina. This project is about to be finished in the second half of theyear 2016, and the technology used in this WWTP is about to be all from Czech Republic.
Have a nice time and all the best!
Kind regards,
Vehbi Duraku

From: Hajime Sueta
To: Vehbi Duraku
Date: May 5, 2015

Dear Vehbi SAN
Thank you for your Mail.
First of all, here in Kitakyusyu-City, although beautiful
cherry blossom season has passed, fresh green leaves of trees
have come out and please our eyes. And pleasant wind withfragrance of trees incite me to go mountain stream fishing.
Now is one of very pleasant seasons in a year.
I found a Badovc lake, Mramor and Busi villages on Google
map.
These villages are not large, aren’t they? The sewage water from those villages is going to be treated in a near
future. How many people live in those areas?
I want to know much information about the WWTP, the capacity, water and sludge treating method, separate or
combined system, why these villages starts to make WWTP forerunner to larger cities like Prishtina, etc. I think- 39 -

you’ll participate in a third round of training course, could you bring that information for me at that time? I’m now
planning to make PPT about “a sewerage situation of KOSOVO “ for our NPO members.

Since our guitar concert is near at hand, I am making a practice very hard every day and a little preparation for yourSewerage Course.
I attached a photo. I took this one near SPINA supermarket next to JICA building. The cherry blossoms are very
beautiful, aren’t they?
I am looking forward to meeting you again.
Best regards,
SUETA, Hajime- 40 -

From: Vehbi Duraku
To: Hajime Sueta
Date: June 28, 2015

Dear Sueta,
Hello! How are you and how is work going on so far?
It has been a long time since we talked for the last time.
I am fine, and work has gone good till now. Altogether with my colleagues who have participated in Japan training
we have had a joint session in Peja city. There was Kanako too, and each of us has shared the experience from Japanand what we have realized from our action plans.
This year, there are going to participate 3 new members, and they are from Regional Water Company Prishtina. I am
sorry that I couldn't make to come this year in Kitakushu, but I do believe that you are about to have a successful
training this year.
I wish you a nice time and all the bests to you and your family!
Kind regards,
Vehbi Duraku

From: Hajime Sueta
To: Vehbi Duraku
Date: June 28, 2015

Dear Vehbi San
How have you been?
I’m a little bit busy these days. Because of, I’m helping an another course named Water Environment
Administration Course as an assistant leader.
It finishs on 7th July. After that I prepare KOSOVA course on the last stage.
I received a participants list and job report a few days ago. This time 9 participants join this course. 6 of them will
come again. I’m looking forward to meeting all of them.
As you said before I couldn’t find your name on the list. I feel very sorry not to be able to meet you in here
KITAKYUSYU.
I have prepared some lectures that you wanted during and after this course, like GIS, bacic planing of STP, basic
design of STP & pipe (lecture & practice) like that.
I wanted for you to learn these subjects with me, but all of participants have already had a preparing meeting in Peja,they will hand down a lot of information that they got here to you and your country.
The other day you sent me information on your work shop. Thank you very much for your activities. KITA UPedthe information on web-site. Unfortunately it is in Japanese.

- 41 -

But before the participants come, KITA editor make it in English one. When the English version completes I’ll
send to you.
I think these activities are very important for you and also for me. I hope someone would take over these very good
activities.
Please tell them, I’m looking forward to meeting them in KITAKYUSYU City.
Regards,
Sueta who misses you a lot.

- 42 -

From: Hajime Sueta
To: Vehbi Duraku
Date: August 9, 2015

Dear Vehbi SAN,
How are you doing?
It has passed a long time since I got your workshop report.
Japanese version has already UPed in KITA website. This time we UPed English version.
Please look at an attached file.
Thank you very much for your cooperation twice. And Kosovo team members will also have a third time workshop
in your country.
I am worried about who will be responsible for that.
I will distribute a copy of this overseas report to all participants at a first day of our course, and ask them to makeeffort to do a third time workshop and who will be a responsible to make report for me. I think this kind ofworkshop is very very important. Because you can review lectures that you got, to share knowleges with many
people and you can find missing parts you learned in the course and so on.
This time we have 5 days, 4 nights okyo travel. We visit trickling filter method STP and some other small STPs etc.
And this course provide them a Tokyo morning tour.
I feel very sorry that you can’t join.
Now here in Kitakyushu city it is very very hot. About 36 degrees C. And in addition that very humid. This climate
continues some more 10 days and gradually becomes the fall that most Japanese people like.
See you,Your friend Sueta

From: Vehbi Duraku
To: Hajime Sueta
Date: August 10, 2015

Dear Sueta SAN,
Thank you very much for the report. I went through it. Twice. And really enjoyed it.
How have you been so far, how is work going and I believe that already you have been prepared for the third
Kosovo's training.
Distributing the report to participants, I think is a very good idea, as they will know more about the importance of itand start to prepare themselves for the third seminar.
I do understand your concern on who will be responsible to inform you for the third seminar, but there is no need tobe concerned. I believe you will have good cooperation with the participants of the third training and they will havethe responsibility to accomplish any duty that comes from the Japan's training.

- 43 -

By the way, the weather here in Kosovo is very hot, in some places it almost reached the value of 40 oC. This is theholiday time, and most of us use those days for summer holidays. The majority of albanian Kosovars, go to theseashore of Albania, and some to Montenegro.
Thanks again my friend for your kind cooperation, I look forward to hear from you and I wish you a successful
training this year!
Kind regards,
Vehbi Duraku

From: Hajime Sueta
To: Vehbi Duraku
Date: August 18, 2015

Dear Vehbi San
My course has started. I met all participants on August 17 in
JICA Seminar room.
One of them gave me a present from you. It’s a KOSOVA Land
Plaque made of gem storns.
When I visited your country, all of you gave me some presents.
One of them was a KOSOVA Land Plaque.
I returned in my office KITA and I showed it to my colleagues.
They told me that the Plaque should be displayed on a shelf in
KITA’s meeting room. I thought it was a good idea for many
peaple to be able to know KOSOVA country.
I agreed them and the Plaque is on the shelf now. See attachedphotos. This is KITA’s meeting room and many presents fromvarious countries are displayed. KOSOVA country is shining on
the shelf.
This plaque from you, I display in my room as a memory of you.
Thank you so much.
Your friend,Sueta- 44 -

From: Vehbi Duraku
To: Hajime Sueta
Date: September 14, 2015

Dear Sueta San,I would like to start this letter by thank you firstly for the gift that Agron San has delivered to me. I did watch thevideo; it was quite interesting and have seen a part of our visit to sewage pump station.
Two days ago, I had the chance to meet Agron San, and he elaborated to me the experience of the final training inJapan. He told me that this year the lectures were very interesting. As you have mentioned in the previous e-mails,
this year there were lectures on GIS, basic planning of STP, basic design of STP & pipe (lecture & practice) and soon. The participants were very satisfied with the level of the preparation of these lectures. Regarding this, I just can
imagine how much effort was needed for you and for your colleagues to prepare those lecture. So, thank you verymuch for this!
Even though I couldn't make it to participate this year, with Agron San, I have managed to go through those lecturesand look closely to them, learning from them and if possible implement that knoledge in Kosovo wastewater sector.
Years to come, there is going to be the opening of the WWTP in Prizren, Gjakova and Peja, and we do honestly
want to have you as our honored guest.
Thank you for your time and consideration!
Kind regards,
Vehbi Duraku
From: Hajime Sueta
To: Vehbi Duraku
Date: September 20, 2015

Dear Vehbi San,First of all, I have to apologize that it took so many days to reply to you.
My PC didn’t work well especially on Internet. Now as it works well I can send a mail to you.
Thank you very much for your comment about our course.
I’m very happy to hear such kind of comment. During three courses, every time all participants studied hard andthey cooperated with each other to be able to get more and enough knowledges. Although I don’t know whether
everyone was satisfied with the provided contents or not,I tried to provide wide range of basic sewerage contents. The basic sewerage contents mean only hints of yoursewerage work project.
From now on, some of you have opportunities to use the knowledges. And you have to apply those knowledges foryour working project.
I think your study will start from now.
I hope your country’s sewerage condition would go better.

- 45 -

By the way, this is a kind of good news of me.
A few months ago I had a personal exhibition of wood-block prints in a café. My 17 works I exhibited. It was myfirst experience and I had a great time. Look at attached photos.
Like this I am doing very well every day.
If I have a chance, I want to see your new sewage treatment plant in your country some day.
See you,Your friend Sueta
P.S. Please give my regards to Agron San.

- 46 -

From: Hajime Sueta
To: Vehbi Duraku
Date: October 15, 2015

Dear Vehbi San
How are you doing?
In your country the cold season is near at hand, right?
In Japan we have a best season now. Clean sky, comfortable temperature, fragrance smell of some kind of blossoms
etc.
By the way, TERUI, Kanako San appeared on a TV program, titled “We found a Japanese in a village in the world”
In this title, “a village” means a place where Japanese rarely lives. The story is like this, entertainers, an actress andan actor,
visit Prishtina to look for a Japanese person who lives in there. They don’t have any information where the person
lives.
The only they know is her name and the city or village she lives.
So, they have to try to ask some passers on streets or go into shops to ask whether you know TERUI San or not.
After they met the TERUI San thy have an interview her the reason why you live in this city where Japanese people
rarely live.
This TV program is broadcasted once a week. This time was KOSOVO.
I attached some photos which I took from the TV scene.
During the TV show I saw some places I visited. It makes me nostalgic on your country.
See you,Your friend, Sueta- 47 -

From: Vehbi Duraku
To: Hajime Sueta
Date: October 15, 2015

Dear Sueta San,
Thank you very much for sharing this interesting experience with me. I enjoyed very much watching the attachedphotos. As you do emphasize sometimes, I could feel the atmosphere that Kanako San has experienced. She lookedvery excited by this interview. Indeed, most of the views that I have seen to these photos are the places that we havevisited together in Prishtina city.
On the other hand, I feel very delighted that you have managed the time to pick up your camera and make photos ofthis TV program.
Nowadays the temperatures here in Kosovo have changed; it has started to get cold. In my family, it is my duty to
prepare my little girl and send her to the kinder garden, as my wife wakes up a bit early to go to work. Therefore as
the days became colder, now I send my daughter with car, whilst two weeks ago we walked together. As acoincidence to your e-mail, in this very day October the 15th it starts the central heat in to our apartments in the cityof
Prishtina.
I do hope you are having a nice time in Kitakyushu and your family is safe and sound. Please give my best regards
to your colleagues in your work and to your family too.
Kind regards,
Vehbi Duraku
P.s: Today I have arranged a meeting with Agron San, and I'll let him know that I am communicating with you andgive to him your regards. Time to time, somehow, me Agron San and Valdet San, have maintained our friendshipwith each other. Even though we live in different city we do meet at least once in a month.

- 48 -

From: Vehbi Duraku
To: Hajime Sueta
Date: October 16, 2015

Dear Sueta San,I do beg your pardon for not asking this question before. What is your interest on movies and how often do you
watch a movie?
I have to say that I like movies a lot, and do watch at least one in a week.
While I was surfing on the internet, I saw a movie called "Last Samurai" in which plays the american actor Tom
Cruise and Japanese actor Ken Watanabe. Have you seen it? If not, I strongly you suggest to see it, and will give to
you the url to watch it for free in youtube.
Have a nice time and we will be in touch.
Kind regards,
Vehbi Duraku

From: Hajime Sueta
To: Vehbi Duraku
Date: October 16, 2015

Dear Vehbi San
Thank you for your reply.
As movies, I like to watch movies, but I rarely watch.
The reason is, it takes time about 2 hours to watch a movie. 2 hours is very important for me to practice guitar.
I started practicing guitar when I was 18 years old, I was a university student. As a student I had to study hard, italso needs a lot of time. After graduated a university working was added. Working, practicing and my hobby” wood
carving” , I managed the time of one day.
After 18 years old till now I continue this style of life.
One of my friends who do like to see movies and he has a lot of DVDs . he lented me some of them. I liked best wasa “Tokyo story” directed by Yasujiro OZU and “ Seven Samurais ?” by Akira KUROSAWA.
Aithough it is very difficult to go to see a movie , 3 months ago I went to a movie theatre. Audiences were under 10
people, but I relaxed very much.
At that time I thought “ Sometimes I need this kind of relaxtime” but after that I haven’t been able to go to a theatre.
Unfortunately.
Please send me your suggested URL. I’ve never seen it before.
Kind regards, Sueta
P.S. From now on I go to SHIKOKU to meet my university’s friend, a class association. One night two days trip.

- 49 -

From: Vehbi Duraku
To: Hajime Sueta
Date: October 16, 2015

Dear Sueta San,
Thank you for sharing your experience upon movies and the explanation of your style of life. I have to admit, it isquite interesting!
Regarding the first movie "Tokyo story" it is the first time that I have heard of it. I did look for it in the internet andwatched the trailer. It was really interesting movie and the subjects that it treats "An old couple visit their children
and grandchildren in the city; but the children have little time for them". I'd like to watch this movie, as those issues
that the movie treats are quite common as well here in Kosovo.
The second movie "Seven Samurais" by Akira Kurosawa, I did watch it while I was a little boy. At that time i
couldn't understand the movie that much, but now, I do know that the director Kurosawa is one of the greatest
directors of all time in Japan and it is well known all over the world for his unique way of movie making.
Why do I like movies?
I think about this question quite often, and sometimes I am afraid if that is a bad habit. But other times I do thinkthat has it beneficiaries.
Nowadays the film industry has developed and changed a lot. From understand movies, first of all, I do practice
my English by hearing it. There are movies by which you can learn the culture of other countries (such is that themovie I suggested to you https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYzXhfcx3GY).
There are also movies that are based on true story therefore you can know something about the history of one
country or a particular issue that has happen once upon a time.
And all of those are transmitted to viewers like me in a best way possible (the work of the director) in a short periodof time of one and a half hour or two hours.
The reason why I suggested the movie above is that almost all the participants that attend the training in Japan haveseen that movie. By this, I mean the participants from different countries, and in a way you can realize what they doknow about Japanese culture. Even though I might be wrong, but this is my opinion.
I hope you are about to enjoy the movie and please let me know what your impression were about it.
Have a nice time and all the bests!
Vehbi Duraku
P.s: As I mentioned yesterday I had a friendly meeting with Agron San, and he gives to you the best regards!

- 50 -

From: Hajime Sueta
To: Vehbi Duraku
Date: October 26, 2015

Dear Vehbi SAN,First of all, sorry for late reply.
I got your E-Mail on Octorber 16th. I was in the midst of practicing a Guitar Concert then.
Since it finished 24th, I did have an enough free time to see a movie that you recommended.
On Sunday I clicked an URL (you-tube) that you sent me, but it didn’t open because of a copyright of Warner Bros.
(When I got your mail I opened it on the day you sent, the URL opened then. But I didn’t have time to see a long
story movie, I decided to see it after the concert would finish.)
I went to a lental DVD shop to lent a DVD, the Last Samurai. The cost was 100yen.
Thank you very much for recommended me to see this movie. It was very interesting.
The movie took about three hours? and after the movie finished there was a director’s comment about two hours.
The total hour was 5 hours. But I enjoyed it from the beginning to the end.
My impression. The scenes are very beautiful and showed also Japanese atmosphere very much even though thevillage scene was taken in New Zealand.
And as you talked to me that “you can learn the culture of other countries “ , this movie makes many people not
only Japanese also foreigners to consider a foreign culture. I do understand the deeper meaning of many scenes thanforeigners. For example there were many “Bow”scenes , each bow have each meaning which I can feel thedifference. But you can feel or catch the different aspects that I can’t feel. I think, it is important to talk with eachother on a subject to understand with each other. Tom Cruise and Katsumoto are finaly connected by a deep bond.
It’s not only they understand each other but also Tom relies on Katsumoto with his sincerely.
As English is not our culture, I can’t express my opinion well in English. But I tried to express.
Your ask “what your impression were about it” made me a time when I was a child. When I was an elementary
school boy, around 10 years old, there were school events. One of them is to go to see a movie. Some of teachers
took us, all pupils, to a movie theater on foot near our school. Once or twice a year.
A beginning of Disney movie, it starts like this, a brush moves on a screen and beautiful colourfull scenes appear.
We were surprised. The Disney picture was another world for us. We were looking forward to going to see a movie.
But it was not only to see a movie. There was a home work. After finishing the movie we had to submit a report ofan impression about the movie.
I always thought if there is no homework the movie will be more fantastic.
I wrote a little bit long. I stop my fingers from keeboads.
Tomorrow I visit my wife’s niece who lives in Korea. Two nights three days trip.
Sincerely yours,
SUETA, Hajime- 51 -

From: Vehbi Duraku
To: Hajime Sueta
Date: October 27, 2015

Dear Sueta San,
Thank you for your e-mail, and the description of your impression about the movie.
Interesting, I did not find it at all that your e-mail was a long e-mail, really enjoyed reading it. I read it twice.
The day I proposed you to watch the move, in that very day, altogether with my wife, and times to times with mydaughter, we have watched the movie "Last Samurai". For me it was the third time that I have watched the movie.
Interestingly, it was not boring at all, and really enjoyed it.
My wife asked me, why you watch this movie again. I explained to her that this time I want to watch because afriend of mine (you) is watching it. And I wanted somehow to know how you would feel when you watch the movie.
I want to thank you again for explaining the movie.
My impression for the third time that I watch this movie, in a way also related to you.
1.

The scene where Katsumoto says to Tom Cruise "I am going to miss our conversation", I recall it when I
told you, while in Japan, that I am going to miss our conversation. Indeed I do really miss our talks when
we talked about Japanese culture and many different topics.

2.

You have mentioned the "Bow" scenes. The scene where the Katsumoto gets into his knee and bow to theEmperor. I remembered when in my first time in Japan you explained to me that if a Japanese person want
to show the deepest respect and consideration, it gets to his knees and bows in front to that person.

3.

The third scene is when Katsumoto with his soldiers delivers Tom Cruise after he has been in "prison"
during the winter time. In this scene, while Katsumoto standing in his horse, and then Tom Cruise salutes
him. Katsumoto moves just a little bit his head, without moving his body. Even though they are friends
now, as Katsumoto is in the city in front of all people he wants to retain his attitude and seriosity. From
this, I think, the director shows that Japanese people are reserved they do not express to much their
feelings.

And the connection of this scene with my story with you, is when I visited Japan for the second time. I do remember
when I first sow you for the first time, in my second visit, in front of your colleagues, even though you were excitedthat we have arrived in Japan, in a way you behold yourself and did not express to much of your feelings.
I do beg your pardon, I might be wrong with this description, but this is how I felt when watched it last week.
I hope you are going to have a nice time in your wife’s niece visit.
All the bests and we will be in touch.
Kind regards,
Vehbi Duraku- 52 -

From: Vehbi Duraku
To: Hajime Sueta
Date: December 22, 2015

Dear Sueta San,I hope you have had a nice time so far and your family is safe and sound.
During this time of the end of the year, I would like to thank you for good moments during 2015 by being a goodfriend on writing through e-mail and for your tremendous effort for the last training for Kosovo participants on
wastewater treatment plants.
I do wish to you and to your family all the bests with all the best wishes for a joyous season and a very Happy New
Year!
Kind regards,
Vehbi Duraku

From: Hajime Sueta
To: Vehbi Duraku
Date: December 2, 2015

Dear Vehbi San,
Thank you very much for your New Year’s greeting.
Now in Japan, it’s a preparation season of New Year’s cards.
In Japan, New Year’s cards are supposed to be delivered on NEW YEAR
DAY, Jan. 1st or after New Year’s Day.
I wrote and sent about 150 post cards for my friends. My New Year’s cards are
now in a Post Office and many officers are sorting them to deliver on New
Year’s Day, I think.
Since next year is a Monkey year, my design of the post card is Monky (Pleaselook at an attachment).
This doll is made of paper and inside is hollow (papier- mache). It is very light. But the bottom of the inside of thedoll has a weight. For the reason the doll never collapse.
There is a Japanese saying, 7 korobi 8 oki. Korobi means collapse, Oki means rise or get up. Even if it collapses 7
times, it rises 8 times.
Always rising after a fall. Never give up! Try again! The meaning is like this.
2016 is near at hand.
I hope you, your family and your country would have wonderful and pleasant coming year.
Sincerely yours,
SUETA, Hajime- 53 -

From: Vehbi Duraku
To: Hajime Sueta
Date: March 3, 2016

Dear Sueta San,
How are you and how have you been so far?
I do hope that this letter will find you and your family safe and sound!
Nowadays the weather here in Kosovo is quite warm and shiny after the soft winter that we have had this season.
Being such, after I finish work altogether with my daughter I walk from the kindergarten to our apartment.
I would like to inform you that last month, with the help of JICA office from Prishtina we have organized the third
seminar in a row, on sharing the experience gained in Japan for water and wastewater treatment.
I do found it reasonable to share those moments of the seminar with you, and we do hope that you will take this asign of respect and gratitude that we all have in general for Japan, and especially for your commitment toward us.
A brief report of a seminar you can find it attached by this e-mail and I hope you can feel the atmosphere that wehave had on that day.
Have a nice time and all the bests!
Kind regards,
Vehbi Duraku- 54 -

Photos during the last seminar held in Prishtina- 55 -

From: Hajime Sueta
To: Vehbi Duraku
Date: March 5, 2016

Dear Vehbi San
Thank you very much for your E-Mail. I traveled safe andsound.
A training course “Operation & maintenance of Seweragesystem” that I was assigned finished on 4th March.
The course was about two months. During this course since
I was a little bit busy, I couldn’t reply for your mail soon.
Sorry.
After the third deregation returned to your country, I
worried that who would make a report similar to theprevious one.
Because I know that you’ll have a work shop in a same way as before. and I want to know the situation.
Now I could get the report for your effort. Thank you, again.
Ten presenters whom I dear all made good presents, I think.
I am grateful for you all to have this kind of work shop every time.
I want to introduce your report on our KITA website like previous one. Is it allowed ? And I want to sent this to
JICA-Kyushu officer Ms. Kataoka who was in charge of the third course.
Today it feels like spring has come. My room temperature is 20C without heater. But soon it’ll be cold. My wife issuffering from pollinosis. This is her annual event in spring.
I attached a photo. On January I held an exhibition of my woodblock print work in a small cafe. My participants
who were taking my course went to see my works all the way from KIC.
Like this, I am doing well.
Your friend,Sueta- 56 -

From: Vehbi Duraku
Sent: March 6, 2016
To: Hajime Sueta

Dear Sueta San,
Thank you for your answer and the attached photo.
I am so glad to hear that you are doing well, and as always you are quite busy on providing training on wastewater
treatment and sewerage maintenance. What a pleasant feeling this might be, when your wisdom and knowledge forwastewater treatment is being distributed all over the world by providing training to different participants.
We as the state of Kosovo are very honored to have you as our training leader, and yes it would be a great pleasure
to have our report published to KITA website as well you can send it to JICA-Kyushu officer Ms. Kataoka.
I do not know how I have forgotten to mention in previous e-mail that I
have started to learn guitar. Almost every day when I do come back fromwork I do play with my guitar approximately one hour. My teacher onlearning the guitar is "youtube" and it is way to exiting how theknowledge can be delivered through internet. Finally have learned to singa "happy birthday song" to my daughter and sometimes we do sing it
together. She is just two years old now. Please find attached a photo ofher.
Thanks for your time and great collaboration, have a nice time and all the
bests!
Kind regards,
Vehbi Duraku- 57 -

From: Vehbi Duraku
To: Hajime Sueta
Date: April 17, 2016

Dear Sueta San,I wish that this letter will find you and your family safe and sound.
It was in the news these days that a powerful earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.3 has struck southernpart of Japan, in Kumamoto region.
I have understood that there were deaths and people trapped inside buildings.
Went to google and found out that Kumamoto is around 100 km away from Kitakyshu. I really wish that you andyour family went safe and sound through this earthquake and we do all pray for the lives and people who sufferedthose days.
Looking forward to hear from you.
Kind regards,
Vehbi Duraku

From: Hajime Sueta
To: Vehbi Duraku
Date: April 18, 2016

Thank you very much Vehbi San,My family is safe and sound. And there was no damage to myhouse at all.
But the earthquake was (although it is still working andcontinuing) very heavy in my area, Kitakyushu.
It was on 16 Apr. 01:25, my was house shaked very hard. It wasa tremor with an intensity of 5- (five nimus) on the Japanese
seven-stage scale.
Kumamoto (it is 2 hour drive from here) was 6+ tremor.
Because of this earthquake 41people passed away and about 10
people are now missing.
I attached a picture which was on a newspaper. A landslide
covered a main road in Kumamoto Pref.
Disaster recovery activities are now working at a rapid pace.
Thank you very much for your concern.
Best regards,
SUETA , Hajime- 58 -

From: Hajime Sueta
To: Vehbi Duraku
Date: April 29, 2016

Dear Vehbi San,
How are you doing?
The other day you sent me your report of a workshop. Based on your report I wrote a small article and it was
published on a KITA News.
Please look at the News. Since this article is a result of your effort, I want to send this News to you by postal mail.
KITA_NEWS_English_20.pdf
Is it correct that your office address is,
Water & Wastewater Regulatory OfficeStr. Ferat Dragaj, Nr. 68 Prishtina10000

KOSOVOAnd let me know how many copies you want. After I received your reply I’ll send them as soon as possible.
In Japan Golden Week, it means long vacation, has started from today. Some workers have continuous in 10 days
holiday.
As I don’t have any works now, I am now in charging period for next course it starts on next Januanry.
Since everyday is Golden Week for me, I am now planning to visit Beijing, China with one of my friends.
Kind Regards,
Hajime Sueta

From: Vehbi Duraku
To: Hajime Sueta
Date: April 29, 2016

Dear Sueta San,I am so glad to receive this e-mail from, knowing that you are safe and sound and have started your normal work
after the earthquake struck the southern part of Japan.
I would also like to thank you for the report you have send to me through e-mail. Regarding the address of ourinstitution it is correct and I still can receive the hard copy of the report in that address. I do not know if that cancause you an increase in the cost of the delivery, but if it is OK five (5) copies are enough. And if that is to muchthen you can send me just three (3) copies.
I did read the report, and every time gives me joy whenever I do recall the good memories I have experienced inJapan. So, the article deals with the second workshop that we have had in Prishtina. I do hope that in the days tocome there is going to be published also our third workshop.
How is your guitar hobby going on so far? As I told you in my previous e-mails, I have started to practice a bit myguitar. These days I have been practicing a lot on learning the song "Dust in the wind" from Kansas. I am sending to
you
the
video
of
it,
how
it
is
playedbyaproffesional
guitarplayer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6caUN3HLJSIThank you very much for your time and consideration.
Kind regards,
Vehbi Duraku- 59 -

From: Hajime Sueta
To: Vehbi Duraku
Date: May 2, 2016

Dear Vehbi San
Today I sent KITA News to you (your office) by postal mail.
Although this time my article about your workshop was published on the KITA News, on our KITA website there
are also your two workshops.
Please look at these sites.
http://www.kita.or.jp/english/doc/report/report_20150722/index.html (this is 2nd workshop)
http://www.kita.or.jp/english/doc/report/report_20140710/index.html (this is 1st one)
About my guitar activity. On June 4th we have a guitar concert. This time we four members play quartet.
Every weekend we get togather and practice, practice and practice.
Quartet in C (Allegro) - Fernando Sor – YouTube
See you,Hajime Sueta

From: Vehbi Duraku
To: Hajime Sueta
Date: May 26, 2016

Dear Sueta San,I would like to confirm you that I have received the postal mail and I'd like to thank you very much for your effort.
I am so glad to hear that you are doing a healthy life and was impressed that you were traveling from home to workby bicycle. That is a habit which is worth following.
Furthermore, a copy of the report I have delivered to Agron and Valdet, as I met them yesterday. They gave you best
regards! Another copy of the report I have delivered to the director of my institution and he is keeping it on his
shelves.
I enclose this letter by wishing to you and your family all the bests!
Kind regards,
Vehbi Duraku- 60 -

From: Hajime Sueta
To: Vehbi Duraku
Date: October 19, 2016

Dear Vehbi San,
How are you doing?

Are you and your family well? I hope so.

It has passed a long time that you send me a report that your member held a workshop in your capital city.
The other day your Report has UPed in our KITA website. Our editor told me that “Sorry for being late to UP” andalso told me “Please apologize to Vehbi San”. I commented a little as usual on your report. Please read it.
report_20161005.pdf
Yesterday, a sewerage course, two week course, for Vietnam ended. It was not my course, but I assisted a course
leader. I participated several times in the course, and at the end of it I suggested the participants to have a workshop
like you held. “Why don’t you have a workshop on sewerage knowledges that you got in this course, all member
gathering in Hanoi City ?”.
This idea was that you gave me. JICA officer told me “JICA want to try to support this idea”.
I expect the Vietnam participants have a session like you had.
Thank you very much for your effort as a reporter on your workshop.
As you know one of our annual event, a guitar concert, will be held 10 days after.
I am practicing very hard every day.
How is your guitar progress? I understand you are enjoying your guitar play.
Kind regards,
Hajime Sueta
From: Vehbi Duraku
To: Hajime Sueta
Date: October 19, 2016

Dear Sueta San,
Receiving letters from you is like opening birthday gifts!
Such a pleasure to hear that you are doing well and working as always with passion.
Me and my family are safe and sound so far, thank you for asking, and I am glad to hear the same for you.
There is nothing to say sorry about, please give our deepest regards to the editor for the effort on publishing report,
thank for your comment as well.
I did read the report, I enjoyed it and I liked it. It is a great honor for us to suggest the Vietnamese participants totake into account our experience on making workshops. Thank you for advertising our country!!
Regarding the guitar concerts, firstly I do wish you a lot of success, as always you left nothing to any kind ofinconveniences as you practice a lot. I do play guitar every night, and sometimes together with my daughter we sing
the song "you are my sunshine" being such, this makes me the happiest person in the world, as I never believed that
someday I could be able to sing a song to someone, especially to my daughter.
I enclose this letter, by letting you know that whenever I do met with participants who have been trained in Japan,
we always do mention you.
I wish you all the best.
Kind regards,
Vehbi Duraku- 61 -

From: Hajime Sueta
To: Vehbi Duraku
Date: January 1, 2017

Dear Vehbi san
New Year has come.
How your family is’s New Year’s Day? I understand you andyour family has a wonderful New Year ’s Day.
In Japan most of people eat SOBA noodle (buckwheat
noodle) on New Year’s Eve.
My wife and I also ate the noodle. As Soba noodle easily
breaks or comes apart compare to other noodle, it means that
Soba drives out evil spirits that we had a year. We can throw
away the evil splits and be able to start New Year.
According to our custom, New Year’s cards are supposed to
be delivered on New Year’s Day or after.
So I sent my Greetings today.
Regards,
Sueta- 62 -

From: Vehbi Duraku
To: Hajime Sueta
Date: January 2, 2017

Dear Sueta san,Thank you very much for your e-mail and kind wishes.
I saw the photo of Soba noddle, it looks delicious. I hope that you have had a nice celebration night on New Year's
Eve. The meaning of i,t is quite interesting and meaningful as well. I do believe that all people from all over theworld should eat Soba noddle in order to have positive thoughts and doing no harm to each other. 2016, was a hard
year from my point of view and the World has suffered a lot unfortunately.
I do also thank you a lot on describing the wood-block print. It is really surprising to see that you are active in many
ways, being an expert of wastewater treatment, playing guitar and your passion on art . Look forward to have an
active life this year, like a cock a doodle do.
Till now, I and my family are safe and sound. On New Year's Eve we always go to our birthplace, Krusha e Madhe,and spend time with our family.
Kind regards to you and your family.
All the bests,
Vehbi Duraku- 63 -

From: Hajime Sueta
To: Vehbi Duraku
Date: May 4, 2017

Dear Vehbi San
How are you doing these days. I think you and your family
are fine.
May has come. And May 5th is a national holiday named“Children’s Day”.
I attached some “Koinobori” photos.
This day was originally celebrated in order to wish thehealthy growth of the boys in the family.
Koinobori (carp streamers) are flown outside as symbol ofstrength and courage.
According to a Chinese legend, a carp climbs up a waterfall
and at last it becomes a Dragon. So carp is considered very
courageous one and have a strong mysterious power.
When I was a boy, my father used to raise the Koinobori
outside of my house. But these days few houses display the
Koinobori, especially in an urban area. Because the poleheight is over 10m it is difficult to set Koinobori pole.
I took these photos on the bank of ONGA River which
separates Kitakyushu City and another City.
A top of the pole is a streamer and below it there is large
black carp. This is a father. Next to the father is a red carp, amother. Next to the father is a small black or red carp. This isa boy or a girl. All over the world parents always take care ofchildren. Right?
A climate of May is very comfortable. It is one a very nice seasons in Japan.
Please take care of yourself. See you.
Regards,
SUETA
PS We have a girl’s day. It is on Mar. 3rd. It is not a national holiday, though.
Family who has a daughter decorates this kind of dolls set. I took this photo in JICA Kyushu.
Members are participants who joined my Sewerage Course this year.

- 64 -

From: Vehbi Duraku
To: Hajime Sueta
Date: May 8, 2017

Dear Sueta,
Thank you for your e-mail, and I beg your pardon for late
response.
It is very kind of you to explain "Koinobori" photos andenjoyed the mythology.
Children imagination is very strong, I think, and having in
mind that a correlation of a carp that climbs a waterfall
becomes a dragon, this really increases the childimagination and strengthens its effort to be more successful
and courageous in life.
Nowadays in Kosovo it is raining a lot, even today that I am
writing to you it's raining outside.
Actually it is the year 2017, and it is the last year of thetariff process 2015-2017 as we set the tariffs in Kosovo forthe three year basis. This means, that in this year (after each
three years) we as a institution are very busy on preparing
altogether with regional water companies the plan for thethree years to come (2018-2020).
This tariff process is going to have it challenges as it isassumed that WWTP in Prizren is going to be operating in2018 and there will be tariff increase for the customers.
On my personal scope, I do play guitar in my apartment
regularly but the progress is very slow. I do not know how
your experience was, but I do find guitar a very hard
instrument to learn. Besides the technique that one shouldhave I do realize that training the ear is very difficult too.
I attach a photo of me and Agron, while visiting Tirana thisyear altogether with our families. For sure, those parents allover the world do take care of their children. There is also aphoto of me playing guitar in the mountain of Peja city.
Have a nice time my friend and all the best.
Kind regards,
Vehbi Duraku- 65 -

From: Vehbi Duraku
To: Hajime Sueta
Date: December 10, 2017

Dear Sueta san,I hope this letter finds you safe and sound and that work and everything around you is going well.
Wanted to write you a letter before, not just because I have to do so, but because I really like exchanging e-mails
with you and let you know what is going on with me in particular and to Kosovo in general.
I continue to work in the regulatory office and till now we have had a lot of engagements in our tariff process. On
the other hand, the wastewater sector it has some progress as well. Prizren now is in the construction phase of the
WWTP and it is expected to start its operation in 2019, whereby Gjakova is also going to start the operation of the
WWTP in 2020. Those things I understood while they have submitted into our institution their plans for the years
2018-2020. Peja is also showing some progress in WWTP as they actually are in the phase of tender evaluation
process.
There is also something else that I wanted to discuss with you. The guitar. Only now I can imagine how lucky I waswhen I attended for the first time the guitar concert, while you were performing in Japan. I continue to practice
guitar in daily basis, it’s not that much but I like the feeling on practicing guitar. Till now I have not attended any
classes from a guitar teacher, everything that I know is what I learn from the internet. So I am self learner and myprogress is very slow.
I have watched a lot of videos in Youtube about the guitar performances, and till now I have to say that I like verymuch Pepe Romero and John Williams. It is so relaxing to hear and watch them playing. Their "tromelo" is so clean
and fluid, so to speak.
On my first stages I bought an acoustic guitar, because when I handled it, it seems to me that the neck of the guitar
was a bit thinner than the classical guitar and the strings where not that high from the neck. Therefore I had theimpression that it was a bit easier to play. With the passing of time, while me ear was trained on hearing more about
guitar performacnes, it came to me that the classical guitar has a more soft and rounded sound, and then decided tobuy a classical guitar. I have bought my new guitar a month ago :).
What about yourself, do you continue to deliver wastewater training and how is you guitar going, are you
performing in the concerts?
I wish to you all the best!
Kind regards,
Vehbi Duraku

From: Hajime Sueta
To: Vehbi Duraku
Date: December 10, 2017

Dear Vehbi San
Thank you very much for your E-Mail to me.
According to your information your country’s sewerage system is going well. I am very happy to hear that. But after
finish construction of sewage treatment plants (STP), tough issues like operation, maintenance, sewage fee, sludge
disposal etc. are waiting for you.
I hope you solve those issues one by one.

- 66 -

Great!! You bought a classical guitar. It produces more soft and warm tone, isn’t it?
When you were in Japan you asked me “I watched many many movies, it is one of the reasons to enhance English
ability. Do you watch movies?”
When I was around 20 years old I started to practice Guitar lesson under a guidance of some teacher. Every week I
went to take a lesson to the teacher’s studio. The teacher gave me a new piece of music to practice. During one or
two weeks I devoted to master the music.
About 60% of completion (not master the music), the teacher gave me a new music score. It is a little bit difficult
than before. I started to practice the score. After 60% completion, a new score comes, ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ continues
repeatedly.
And beside of that there are two concerts every year. So there was no time to go to see movies.
Fortunately or unfortunately, next year’s our guitar concert will be a final. Since our group member’s average years
is 75 years old, our teacher decided to close our group.
On the last concert, I am a member of trio music, we play “Spring Sea” with a trio. This music is composed forJapanese traditional music instruments, SYAKUHACHI and KOTO.
Please listen to the music.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M0qM5zrWock
On New Year days, this music is played or broadcasted on TV in all over Japan.
After closing our group, my friends and I will continue to play our favorite music with relax and enjoying.
My course is near at hand. I will be busy for the preparation.
I hope you and your family has a wonderful NEW YEAR.
Best regards,
Sueta- 67 -

From: Hajime Sueta
To: Vehbi Duraku
Date: February 24, 2018

Dear Vehbi san,How are you doing these days? How your family, how is is your classical guitar practice? I think everything is goingwell.
One of my annual events, my training course “Sewerage system & maintenance” finished yesterday. It was sevenweeks; seven participants from seven countries joined my course.
I had a great time with participants during the course. But unfortunately there was no participant from your country.
By the way, there is one thing that I want you ask. Do
you remember Mr. Itoh (next to Mr. Lulzim San:
attached photo) who helped me to organize a Kosovo
Sewerage training course you joined is now working
in Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.
He is now in charge of International Development
Propulsion Section. The Ministry entrusted a survey
work to Maezawa Industries, Inc. As an attached letterfrom Maezawa, a person who wants to visit toinvestigate your country’s sewerage condition and so on.
Mr. Itoh made a telephone call to me and asked me to
meditate between Your country and Maezawa. Maezawa
Inc. wants to meet persons in WWRO, Ministry of
Economic
Development,
RWC”Hidroregioni
Jugor(Prizren).
Ifpossible
could
you
meet
TokutakeSanandreceivehisrequests?
I attached E-mail address of Tokutake san. I wish you would contact with him. I think his this time job will be an
opportunity to help your country’s water environment better.
Please get in touch with him and discuss with him the details.
These days warm days is continuing and “san-kan si-on” (3 cold days continue after that 4 warm days continue)
weather near at hand.
If I have a chance I want to visit your country again to see Prizren STP and a STP in near Prishtina.
Sincerely yours,
SUETA, Hajime- 68 -

- 69 -

From: Vehbi Duraku
To: Hajime Sueta
Date: February 25, 2018

Dear Sueta San,I want to thank you first for your kind e-mail and wishes.
Till now, work has gone well and my family is good too. There are a lot of things going on in my institution as wells
as in the wastewater sector.
There is a lot of joy playing in my classical guitar, even though there is not a considerable progress but I keep
practicing it every day. Nowadays I am deeply attached to the "Asturias - Isaac Albeniz" and I have started to learn
this piece. I find it very difficult to play, but I kind a like it.
For sure I do remember quite well Mr. Itoh, and of course that I will try to help as much as I can, to arrange themeetings in Kosovo. I will be in contact with Mr. Tokutake and will meet him as well.
It would be an honor to have you back in Kosovo, you are most welcomed.
Kind regards,
Vehbi Duraku
From: Hajime Sueta
To: Vehbi Duraku
Date: February 25, 2018

Dear Vehbi San
Thank you very much for your reply.
Although this project might be only one little step, I think, I hope this project will be continued and to be able toimprove of your country’s water environment.
By the way you’ve started to practice “Asturias”; it is one of the famous pieces in Classical Guitar World. Originalis a piano piece, isn’t it?
I don’t remember well though, once I tried the piece when I was young. It was very difficult for me to play well.
Now I have the piece, I want to try again.
Best regards,
Sueta- 70 -

From: Hajime Sueta
To: Vehbi Duraku
Date: March 9, 2018

Dear Vehbi San
First of all thank you very much for your adjustment and explanation for Japanese delegation.
I hope this work will continue and become fruitful for your country.
By the way you started a practice of Asturias. When I was young I tried the practice, but I don’t remember how wellI played.
After I got your mail, I practiced again. It is difficult to play well, I think.
In the middle of the piece there are long passage using triplets. To play these triplets you need to practice Arpeggios.
I attached some pieces of Arpeggio, you may have already and practicing.
And I also attached Scale practice pieces.
These two, Arpeggio and Scale, are very very important for you to practice every day.
When I was young I used to practice these pieces every day for one hour.
Since these pieces are little bit heavy using by E-Mail, I divide into two.
Please continue to play Asturias.
Sincerely yours,
Sueta

From: Vehbi Duraku
To: Hajime Sueta
Date: March 10, 2018

Dear Sueta San,It was a pleasure meeting the delegation from Japan. I enjoyed a lot accompanying them; I trust we had a nice time
together. On the other, let’s hope that this investigation will bring good cooperation between our countries in future.
You can imagine that I am in the very first phases on learning guitar, even though I have listen and watched a lot of
performances through youtube, so my judgment might not be adequate, but I find that "Asturias" it is on the range ofdifficult pieces to be played. Nevertheless, it is so beautiful!!
In your e-mail, you have mentioned some new words, in the world of guitar, such as: "triplets"; "arpeggios" and"scales". All of this I have encountered a lot, during my surfing in the internet, especially on youtube.
For example, the link that I am going to show you now, it has helped me a lot on practicing with my right hand,arpeggios and triplets. The link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-9O9RNLskw.
While surging in internet, a lot of times “scales” were mentioned. To be honest, I haven't practiced scales a lot, forthe time being there is only one scale that I know, the "the C major scale". Nowadays I have understood that scales
are so important for a guitarist.
On the other hand, let me get back to your attached documents. Please bear in mind, just like a little kid that goes toschool and in front of him there are books that doesn't know how to read, but there is a teacher who teaches to thekid the letters first, and then the kid after a while knows how to read. So, to be honest, I do not know how to readmusic. I beg your pardon but I do not know how to read the attached documents. Till now, I have learned guitar only

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by myself, that is why my progress is so small, but I won't stop because I find a lot of joy when there is something
new that I learn. Attached I am going to show a page of a document on how I read music (asturias), I suppose they
are called "guitar tabs". Basically, this is how I practice music pieces.
Last but not least, I am well aware that you are so busy on your daily activities, and recommending me about guitar
it might take to you some time. Therefore I am grateful on helping me!!
Say hello to you family and friends and all the bests.
Kind regards,
Vehbi Duraku

From: Hajime Sueta
To: Vehbi Duraku
Date: March 12, 2018

Dear Vehbi San
I saw three movies. Your daughter is interrupting your play, ROMANCE you are playing, Iren’s arpeggio
demonstration.
It has past three and half years since I met your daughter. How your daughter has grown up! Time flies.
When I saw your play, I noticed that your hands are very large compare to mine. Large hands are very
advantageous to play guitar.
I envy you.
In your mail you told me that you are using Tablature scores. Since I've never used tab. scores, I can’t read thescores like you can’t read scores which I am using.
In my experience, there is not so many tab. scores, right? Isn’t it difficult to get a score you want to play?
This time I attached tow sheets. Arpeggio and scale sheet translated to tab. Please refer to the sheets I attached.
If you have any questions please feel free to ask me.
I've been playing or practicing a guitar for over 50 years. Even now I can’t play well though, playing guitar healed
me a lot when my feelings became depressed.
My guitar helped me a lot. From now on it will heal me.
Please enjoy your guitar.
Kind regards,
SUETA, Hajime- 72 -

- 73 -

From: Vehbi Duraku
Date: March 13, 2018
To: Hajime Sueta

Dear Sueta San,
Thank you for the explanations. I have received the documents, printed them out, and took it to my apartment. Now
I am going to practice scales and arpeggios a little bit more.
Yes, my daughter has grown up. That's the beauty of life, things are always in change and time flies. Three and ahalf years ago, I didn't know how to handle the guitar and who would have thought that in this day we are going totalk about "Asturias".
I hope you will visit Kosovo, and if so, then I will play the amateur version of Asturias for you (with a lot of
mistakes).
Have a nice time and we will be in touch.
Kind regards,
Vehbi Duraku- 74 -

From: Vehbi Duraku
To: Hajime Sueta
Date: June 18, 2018

Dear Sueta San,I hope you are doing well.
I have seen a photo of Mr. Tokutake with you on Facebook, while reporting about the sewerage investigation of
Kosovo.
Is there any news about the future cooperation between our two countries. Mr. Tokutake has also mentioned that hehopes to come again to Kosovo with you. It would be a pleasure to see you again in Kosovo.
Have a nice time and all the bests!
Kind regards,
Vehbi Duraku

From: Hajime Sueta
To: Vehbi Duraku
Date: June 18, 2018

Dear Vehbi San
How are you doing?
Thank you for your information.
The other day Tokutake San came to see me all the way from Tokyo to explain a report about an investigation ofyour country’s sewerage situation.
He also showed me a picture. I found you; Lumi San and Lulzim San were in it in a room of “Hidroregjioni-Jugor”.
I remembered a day when I visited there.
Tokutake San told me that at a later day he would explain the report of the investigation to Ministry of Land,
Infrastructure and Transport and JICA.
I hope these organizations would help your country’s sewerage situation. And I hope I visit your country again.
Sincerely yours,
SUETA, Hajime- 75 -

From: Hajime Sueta
To: Vehbi Duraku
Date: December 12, 2018

Dear Vehbi SAN
How are you doing?
In Japan winter season has come. Usually the winter is very
cold, but this year we had very warm days in this winter.
Suddenly very cold day attacked us. It was 8th Dec. The day
we had a guitar concert in a Cafe.
Since the Cafe is very tiny, only 9 customers come to listen
to our music. We played about one hour.
During the play, we had sandwiches, snacks and drank wine.
It was a wonderful time. See attached photo.
One month ago I visited Myanmar. It was my personal and private tour.
I stayed there about one week. The main purpose is to get on a railway train. Although I am not a crazy person toride a train, some Japanese news paper introduced the Myanmar train which moves very slowly (15km/hr) and in the
train there are many kinds of salesperson who sell foods, glasses, newspapers, calendars・・・・・・・, and itsays there are daily life of the common people in the train. I decided to visit there.
During one week staying there, I could feel relax and enjoy the Myanmar atmosphere and had a lot of experiences.
I attached some photos.
This travel has restored energy into my body, from now on I do a preparation of Sewerage Maintenance Course
which starts on Jan. next year.
Best wishes for the next year!
Best Regards,
Sueta
P.S. In Japan, we call December "Shiwasu". “Shi” means a priest or monk at temples and "wasu" stands for"running" in Kanji character.
Usually, they sit back and move slow, they have their staff go on errands. but in December, at the end of the year,
there are so many Buddhist events, so even priests or monks have to run around. That's why we call December"Shiwasu".
Even the monks have to move around here and there in Dec. It is busiest month of the year in Japan.

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From: Vehbi Duraku
To: Hajime Sueta
Date: December 15, 2018

Dear Sueta San,
Thank you for you kind e-mail.
I am doing well and I hope you have had a prosperous 2018. Time flies, the new year has come.
Glad to hear that you are doing well with work and still performing with guitar.
The travel to Myanmar I assume it was an amazing experience for you, as I could see from the photos, it looks reallyan interesting place.
As for myself, I am still working at the Regulatory office. In the beginning of the next year the WWTP in Prizren isgoing to be under operation. This means that also the wastewater tariffs are going to get higher.
From my perspective of view, this is a turning point for Kosovo, because from this project is going to benefit theenvironment.
Our rivers are in bed condition, only 2 percent of wastewater is being treated. We have been harming theenvironment harshly the last years. The lack of action on dealing with the environment issue, now it is coming backto us. Nowadays we are facing one the most hazardous air quality in Prishtina. We were so selfish all this years on
polluting the environment.
As for the guitar, I still do practice. Asturias its a hard piece to play properly, and I need more time on practicing it.
If you ever are going to come to Kosovo I will perform for you. If not, next year I will video-record myself and thensend it to you.
I continue to meet regularly Agron and Valdet. We often talk about the experience in Japan.
It is always a pleasure exchanging e-mails with you, it brings me back the good memories and important lessons I
have learned in Japan.
Happy holidays and all the bests to you, your family and friends!
Kind regards,
Vehbi Duraku- 77 -

From: Hajime Sueta
To: Vehbi Duraku
Date: December 31, 2018

Dear Vehbi San
May this New Year bring happiness and joy for you and your family!
In Japan new year cards are supposed to be delivered on New Year’s Day or after the day.
A post office delivery-person will deliver dozens of the New Year cards to my home soon today.
The New Year has just started.
SUETA, Hajime- 78 -

From: Vehbi Duraku
To: Hajime Sueta
Date: January 8, 2019

Dear Sueta San,
Thank you very much for the warm wishes also thanks for the New Year Card and kind explanations.
Dharma does have a very good message that people should persist to achieve their goals.
All the best to you and your family!
We will remain in touch.
Kind regards,
Vehbi Duraku- 79 -

From: Vehbi Duraku
To: Hajime Sueta
Date: March 13, 2019

Dear Sueta San,I have an idea.
Please have a look at the attached document.
Kind regards,
Vehbi Duraku
From: Hajime Sueta
To: Vehbi Duraku
Date: March 15, 2019

Dear Vehbi San
Thank you so, so, so・ ・ ・ ・much!
・It is 68 pages. Thank you very much for your efforts, again.
It is a great idea. I agree with you.
Now I realized that you & I exchanged so many mails.
I remembered many things like I visited your country, you did workshops, Japanese songs, about Guitar (yourdaughter disturbed your play), ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・. ・ ・These mails make me want go to your country again.
In Prizren there is new STP which is working now and there is a small STP in Pristina you mentioned.
If I have a chance I visit your country to meet my many friends and go see these STPs.
Thank you again,
Vehbi SAN.
Your friend,
SUETA, Hajime- 80 -

From: Vehbi Duraku
To: Hajime Sueta
Date: March 18, 2019

Dear Sueta San,
Thank you very much for the kind words. I am so glad to hear that you liked the idea.
As you might have noticed, my intention is to have our e-mail exchange as "book" that I can represent to my family,colleagues and friends.
But, prior doing this, there are two things that are needed to be done:
Could you please write one page or two as a preface, with some hints that I have mentioned. Maybe you can add
more details if you find reasonable.
1.
2.

In order for our e-mails to be read from third parties, I need to have your permit.
I do believe that my family and friends will find our e-mail exchange very interesting, and might happen
that they also want to make friends with Japanese people.

Thank you for your kind understanding.
Kind regards,
Vehbi Duraku

From: Hajime Sueta
To: Vehbi Duraku
Date: March 17, 2019

Dear Vehbi San
I received your mail.
You want to have our E-mail exchange as “book”. I’m very happy to hear that. It is a good idea.
OK. I write a preface. Since this kind of work (write a preface of E-mail exchange as “book”) is my firstexperience, I need days to think about a content. Could you give me some time?
After I finished to write the comment I‘ll send to you .
Now Kitakyushu is in a season of SAN-KAN SHI-ON (as you know, cold for three days, after that worm for fourdays, it is repeated several times).
Spring and cherry blossom season is near at hand.
See you.
Your friend,
SUETA, Hajime- 81 -

From: Vehbi Duraku
To: Hajime Sueta
Date: March 18, 2019

Dear Sueta San,
Please take your time and think.
I believe you do understand now the idea.
Basically there are 6 years of exchanging e-mails, and as you have mentioned we have discussed about workshops,
music, culture of respective countries, movies, your trip to Kosovo, our training in Japan etc.
For both of us, English is not our mother tongue, and our style of writing is an average one. As such, I think, it
would be much more understandable to my family and friends.
Last week, Mr. Kadri Veseli, the President of Kosovo Assembly had an official visit to Japan on the occasion of the10th anniversary of diplomatic relationship between of Kosovo and Japan. In his speech he mentioned thatfriendship does not recognize geographical distances. What we have heard in news, this year there are intention for
the Japan Embassy to open in Prishtina. It seems that the relation between our two countries is getting stronger. I amvery happy for this.
Tomorrow, 19th of March 2019, we are invited to participate to the Anniversary Event “10 years of JICA
Cooperation”, all the participants that have been trained in Japan are invited to take place in this occasion. I am
looking forward to meet my friends there.
By the way, I want to let you know, I have practiced a lot the two scales that you have translated into "tabs" for me.
I have a feeling that my fingers know where to go, when practicing those scales. Whenever I touch a different note,
somehow how my ear does recognize that I am playing a different note. I will continue to practice the other scales.
Have a nice time and we will remain in touch.
Kind regards,
Vehbi Duraku- 82 -