eVision
Lake Toya

Scenic beauty at the active

Volcanic caldera lake

Meet this year’s
e3 chairs
Find out what makes them leadersfrom their Inspirational stories

Salvatore& SAMA
Great tasting food close to campus

Professor Akira Suzuki

Hokkaido University’sNobel Prize Winner

Exclusive interview with the creator of Palladium Catilyzed Reactions

2011 Issue

eVisionLetter From the Editor
I would like to welcome you to the all-new eVision magazine for the e3 Program.
Compared to past issues, many things have changed, enough so to confidently say
this is an entirely different eVision. Along with a new name, we also have a new goal.
Gone are the days where articles were written by independent writers based on only
their interestes, hoping someone would also be just as intersted. Our new focus isyou, the readers. From the ground up, this magazine was designed with our readers
in mind, from article choice to the colors used.
You will see that we now have a few categories for the articles. While in this issue
we have four categories for your enjoyment, not all of the sections will be in the next
issue, or may change in length. Some other categories may take their places, or be
added on top of the existing ones. Why is this important you may ask. Well, that isfirst step in our transition into shorter publication cycles, adding more issues per
year than ever before.
I would personally like to thank a few people for their hard work in making thismagazine possible. First off, the former and current e3 chairs, without their support
there would be a few less pages. I would also like to thank Cheng See Yuan for his
photos of Nobel Prize winner Dr. Suzuki. Also indispensable is a non-e3 member,
Yurie, who helped with research on more than half of the articles. Finally, Dr.
Werawan, Professor Ueda, and Yuki Tsuji, without whom there would be no e3
program, much less this magazine.
It has been a busy time these last few weeks, but the efforts have been well worth it.
The first issue of the new eVision magazine features twelve articles in four categories
across 22 pages. This is certainly not the largest issue, but it may be the most diversein terms of content. Hopefully the next issue will feature many more articles, andmore photos and graphics as well.
While we have made many changes, or maybe because of it, the eVision magazine
will continue to evolve for some time to come. There is still a lot of work to do, from
improving designs to writing different articles with an e3 focus. It’s not just what
you see that’s changing; the way we work is becoming increasingly streamline anduniform, allowing more and better articles that fit together as one eVision. But there
are two things that will never change, our commitment to all of you, and the quality
magazine you deserve.
If you are ever interested in working for us here at eVision, don’t hesitate to ask. We
are always looking for more contributors, and whatever skills you can offer.
I hope you enjoy this new eVision magazine.

Lionel Sobehart
Editor in Chief

Featured Articles
Travel Review:
Lake Toya

4

Restaurant Review:
Salvatore

8

15 Minute Meals:
Japanese Style Salmon Meunière

12Interview:
Prof. Akira Suzuki

16

e3 SO Introduction:
e3 Chairs

18

Letters from the Professors:
Dr. Werawan, Yuki Tsuji

20

eVision Magazine
This magazine is made for e3 members by e3 members.
Published twice a year in spring and fall. Prints available on request.
Articles and photographs created by Lionel Sobehart. Phtophraphs of Dr. Suzuki by Cheng
See Yuan. Courtesy shots owned by their respective organizations.
Designs by Campus In Focus

4

Getting Around5

Noboribetsu:

The Valley of Hell and the Resting Place of the Oni

Tucked in the mountains between Lake Toya and Muroran is the small onsen village ofNoboribetsu and the seismically active Jigokudani. Fed by underground water, there are a large
number of natural and manmade springs, as well as hot spring rivers that run above the town.
While technically a village separate from Noboribetsu, Noboribetsu-onsen is generally called justNoboribetsu even by the locals.
Like most onsen villages, you have a great selectionof onsen hotels, for as little as 10000 yen a night withdinner and breakfast included. Rooms are usuallyavailable in both western and Japanese style, with dinnermenus matching the room type. In true onsen style, bathwaters are directly from hotspring vents, avoiding thereheat cycle that imitation onsen provide. Most hotels
in Noboribetsu also offer outdoor baths, which areespecially relaxing in the winter months.

The local specialty food is Jigoku Ramen, or HellRamen. Using treated spring water and an assortment of
spices, this ramen truly has the taste of hell. The pepper
spices in the dish set your mouth on fire, while theChinese spices keep it simmering all the way down. The
sulfur content of the spring water adds an egg like taste,
and the overall sensation of hell is completed with thetoppings and noodles. While not as visually pleasing asother local delicacies, Jigoku Ramen is a unique treat toany pallet.
A bus station with buses running to and from the
major cities, including Sapporo, is conveniently locatedin the middle of the town, and is in walking distancefrom most onsen hotels. Bus services are limited, often
only a few each day, but it’s possible to make a day trip if
you are interested in only visiting the steam vents and hot

springs. Hotel parking is often free, but parking at the
Jigokudani lots is 500 yen per day, and there is no public
parking within the town.
The spectacular reason why Noboribetsu stands above
the rest is the natural hotspring waters from Jigoku Dani,
the Hell Valley. Created by superheated ground water,Hell Valley is a set of interconnected hot springs andsteam vents, which have released enough toxic chemicals
to remove trees and most plant life in a very large sectionof the valley. This beautiful scenery is reminiscent of theworld renowned Yellowstone Geyser Basin, and is very
accesible from the onsen hotel area. The main steam ventsite is a five minute walk from downtown Noboribetsu,
and the main hotspring basin is a ten minute drive.
Local legend has it that oni, a type of demon, made theirhomes in the hills surrounding Noboribetsu. Throughout
the town are reminders of these legends, from gigantic
clubs and other weapons, to monstrous statues of the onithemselves. One of the more popular statues stands atthe entrance from the Lake Toya, and features a father
oni with his son. If you are lucky, you may catch aglimpse of the oni king Enma himself. A nearly two story
animatronic statue of Enma in downtown Noboribetsu
transforms into an angry oni every hour.
Once a year on the last weekend of September,
Noboribetsu holds an Oni Matsuri. Both nights feature aparade with oni floats
As with most onsen towns, Noboribetsu has a distinct
odor of sulfur. When getting off the expressway, you caneasily tell that you are close to the town. At the sametime, this smell reminds you that you are within an
onsen resort. Fortunately for those who can’t accustom
themselves to the smell, the rooms usually have filtered
air conditioning which greatly improves the air purity.
For a busy student, taking time to relax in the provided
yukata and strolling around the hotel resort may be justwhat the doctor ordered.

eVision6

Getting Around7

Lake Toya:

A Beautiful View from Every Angle

As one of the largest caldera lakes in Japan, the natural beauty of the Lake Toya Park is outstanding. Locateda hundred kilometers south of Sapporo, the Lake Toya hosts several active volcanos including Mount Uso, which
overlooks the lake. As the second largest lake in the Shikotsuko-Toyako National Park, it is quite a sight to behold. Dueto the caldera that surrounds the lake, it is almost circular, providing great views from any side.
A must see spot at the Lake Toya Park is the Showa
Shinzan, a mountain formed only seventy years ago. It
is one of the fastest growing volcanoes, as well as oneof the most important for geologists due to its sudden
appearance. Many of the records drawn by local postmaster Masao Mimatsu are still on display in the basestation.
While the top of Showa Shinzan is inaccessible, thebest views are from the top of Mount Usu. A ropeway
service is available from the foot of Showa Shinzan tothe observation station on top of Mount Usu for 1450
yen. The views from Mount Usu are spectacular, as themountain overlook Lake Toya, Showa Shinzan, and thenearby Uchiura Bay. The mountain is seismically active,
featuring steam vents and craters that are remnants ofthe most recent eruption in 2000.
The southern shore is home to the small town of
Toyako-onsen, where there are several small shops andrestaurants to visit. One of the top choices for lunch is
popular “Sobakura”, which offers tempura soba andtempura don. English menus are regularly given toforeigners, and vegetarian dishes are available for those
who cannot eat tempura. The soba ingredients are locallygrown, and made entirely by hand, producing unique
textures and tastes not found in mass produced ones. For
those that enjoy nato, nato soba is available as well. Prices
range from 850 yen for a simple soba dish to 1300 yen forboth tempura don and soba.
Transportation into the Lake Toya region is limited,with travel by car ultimately being the cheapest option
for most people. Parking is readily available for free in
the Toyako-onsen area, and for 500 yen in the Mount
Usu lot. Train transportation requires a transfer at
Muroran towards Hakodate, followed by a bus from the
Toya station to the Toyako-onsen area. The usual pathfor cars and busses is route 230, running from Sapporo
straight to Lake Toya. Travel by car is significantly easierand faster, as many of the lake’s best attractions are quite
far from Toyako-onsen.
For those wishing to spend the night, Toyako-onsen
is home to several onsen hotels that overlook Lake Toya.
Prices for onsen hotels in this area is relatively low,

however, the onsen have a more processed feel. For those
who want a more traditional onsen other options may bebetter. High end resort hotels are also available outside
the Toyako-onsen area, with one of the more famous
being the Windsor Hotel Toya Resort & Spa, which was
the site of the 2008 G8 summit. It is located on the ridge
just west of Toyako-onsen, providing spectacular viewsof the lake and town.
Within the caldera lake is a small island naturepreserve where Ezo deer can be seen and fed. Access tothe nature preserve is restricted, although groups may
enter with prior reservations. Reservations are 5400 yen,which includes the fifteen minute boat ride to the center

island. The local seagulls that roam the lake following
boats are quite accustomed to being fed, and may put ona spectacle in search of food. Those without reservations
can also visit the island to feed the deer that occasionally
venture to the fenced in areas.
Since it is within day-trip distance from Sapporo, it isa highly suggested place to visit on the weekend. There
are mountain trails available for the more adventurous
travelers, with the ones in the lake island being the mostremote. Most of the trails are fairly long, and may take up
the better portion of the day. Lake side streets and parks
are an option for the less nature loving travelers. The
beautiful scenery and peaceful town make wonderful
backdrops for a leisurely stroll. There is certainly
something for everyone in the Lake Toya area.

eVision8

Getting Around

Salvatore

Top Italian/Yakitori Around

There are few stores that can claim crown to two
entirely different dishes, but Salvatore somehow manages
to do that. Located in the remodeled Bridge complex,
Salvatore is a fairly popular store due to its great locationand top notch taste. The unique mixture of Italian dishes
and yakitori is refreshing, if a bit odd to imagine.
This is one of the few places in Japan that can offer
an authentic tasting Italian pizza. Hand shaped andoven baked, the taste is unmatched in Sapporo. In
true Italian style, the pizza is more than a pile of cheese
above a slathering of sauce, with actual mozzarella balls
sprinkled on a thin layer of sauce.
In addition to pizza, several other authentic tasting
Italian foods are available. The two dishes that would be
most recommended are the prosciutto dish and gnocchi
with sausage. While the dry-cured ham served at Salvatoreis actually Spanish jamón serrano rather than actual
Italian prosciutto, the ham is of the imported variety. It isa bit more savory than a traditional Prosciutto di Parma,
and also a bit more salty. For the average customer, thedifference will likely not be noticed.

9
The gnocchi is a baked variety with a large amountof herbs and spices added for flavor. The outside is crisp
while the inside is still soft, a perfect blend. Within thesame dish, sausage links cut into small bite sized portions
are intermixed. While the inside is slightly dry, the spices
and gnocchi provide the needed balance.
In sharp contrast to the Italian food and atmosphere,
Salvatore also offers a large selection of yakitori. In
similar perfectionist style, the pieces are fire grilled andperfectly salted and marinated. These go great withpizza, especially margarita or vegetarian pizzas.
As with any other restaurant, there are a few caveats toconsider. As a popular store in a very accessible location,
wait times for a table will likely be well over half an hour,
and the time between ordering and getting the food isequally as long. But as a new restaurant, staff management
is not fully laid down, and orders may be lost. Both ofthese issues will probably recede as the restaurant ages.

n
Di

r
ne

Taste
Price
Store
Location

★★★★★
★★
★★★★
North 5 West 5

SAMA

The Best Soup Curry in Sapporo

As one of the Sapporo specialty foods, more than adozen soup curry in the Kita block alone. Each restaurant
is unique, and most have dishes you could not confuse
for another store’s. Even so, SAMA stands well above all
the rest.
The key ingredient in any soup curry is of course, thesoup base. While many restaurants use a thin, soup like
broth, SAMA uses a thicker base with a consistency closer
to pasta sauce. This makes dipping the rice into the soupmuch easier, and adds flavors to the other ingredientsin the dish. SAMA currently offers three soup bases atseveral spice levels.
Those who prefer spicier dishes should choose thetomato base, as the other spices included help give it
flavor even when choosing a very spicy dish. If you can’ttolerate spicy foods, the coconut base at 0 or 1 levels for
spice will give you a sweeter taste without much of anaftertaste.
SAMA takes the soup curry philosophy of personalized
dishes to another level. There are half a dozen primary
ingredients, from pork to nankotsu, and twice as many
optional secondary topping choices. All dishes comewith an assortment of vegetables, and a vegetarian

option is available. The rice portion size is also selectable,
especially useful for people with larger appetites. Everyonce in a while, as limited time flavor is released, andeach store location has its own specialties.
The Hokudai-mae branch offers an extra selection ofdishes in its menu not offered at other locations, bothmeat and vegetable dishes. These are the most popular
choices at SAMA, and among the best tasting. Anothergreat benefit is that they offer much more food for only asmall premium, making them one of the more economical
choices too. The only thing lacking is the typical Japanesenomihodai service, and the drink menu is very limited.
The store itself is a small, Caribbean themed floor withseating for roughly thirty or forty customers. The music
choice matches the decor quite well, though the inclusionof Japanese style seating does detract from the overall
feel. Reservations are not required, but the store may
be crowded during weekend nights. Unfortunately, thelocation is quite difficult to find, since the SAMA lacks
large signs that can be seen from a distance. Delivery isavailable in the vicinity of the restaurant, with over thephone ordering or by fax.

h
nc r
u
L ne
n
Di

Taste
Price
Store
Location

★★★★★
★★★☆
★★★
North 16 West 3

eVision10Life Guides
Visiting HomeA Guide to Make Visits Easier
Many e3 members need to or want to return to theirhome countries for vacation, yet finding out what to do
can be difficult when you don’t know the language.
Booking flights is easier than ever before, with mostairlines offering online booking. Your best resource
when searching online are travel sites and the airline
pages. Both are usually offered in English, and occasional
promotional pricing can save you tens of thousands ofyen. With the exception of nearby countries such as
South Korea and Russia, most flights will be routed
internally through Tokyo or Kansai. When your flight
has a domestic component, booking 45 days in advance
will give you access to highly reduced fares, often
cheaper than including the domestic component in yourinternational itinerary. All airlines that service the New
Chitose Airport offer this service, and many also have a
30 day version with slightly less discount.
If you have basic Japanese skills, the travel booking
section of the COOP store is able to provide flightinformation to any destination. If hotel accommodations
are also needed, the travel agents may be able to finddiscounted rates when reserving flights and hotels
together. When booking through COOP, some of theprices may not be the same as on the internet, so careshould be taken to find the best option.
Aside from airline and hotel accommodations, a few
other considerations should be taken into account.
These steps might be more important than the tickets
themselves. Without them, it would be better to not evenbuy the tickets.

11
The first thing that must be done after airline
accommodations is informing your sensei about yourtravel plans and completing required paperwork. If yourtrip will affect your research schedule, the sensei may beable to give some tips or help you reschedule experiments.
Additionally, the engineering office requires a temporary
travel form be filled out and signed by the sensei.
For students that have not traveled back to their homecountry before, a re-entry visa must be obtained from the
Sapporo Regional Immigration Bureau. If you plan on
leaving Japan more than once, a multiple-entry permit
should be purchased, which is valid until the expiration
date on the visa. Without this re-entry permit, you will
not be allowed back into the country until a new visa isissued.
A few extra steps can help prevent issues when returning
back to your room after a long stay. All electronic devices
should be turned off, and ones that do not need to beplugged in should be unplugged. Chargers, computers,
televisions, etc, even when turned off, draw a few watts ofelectricity, which can cost you several hundred yen overthe course of a few weeks.
Many items, like rice cookers, microwaves, and water
heaters, can also be fire hazards, and are better left
unplugged. However, electric water boilers and heating
should remain on, especially in winter, and set to at least
10C to prevent damage to pipes and ensure you haveheating upon your return. Since smells in a locked room
can intensify, make sure to keep the room clean and all
trash discarded before returning home. On the day of
departure, remember to lock up all windows and doors
to prevent unwanted pests from entering.

Joining clubs

A Guide to Trying New Things

Joining a Japanese club, or circle as they are known
here, is one of the best decisions you can make whileat Hokkaido University. Joining a club is easy, simply
search the circle.iic.hokudai website for one that interests
you, and email the listed contact. Just about anythingimaginable is available, from videogames and farming,
to fine arts and car racing. Occasionally, new circles will
be formed throughout the year, and these can be foundon the poster boards in the North Cafeteria.
While it can be a great experience, there are somecautions you should take to make sure you can makethe most of it. As with many aspects of living in Japan,
the language barrier is ever present. The members willusually know a bit of English, but unless you are able
to hold simple conversations in Japanese, it will be very

difficult to join in group discussions or properly discuss
your ideas. Taking classes at the ISC or even studying
with friends is highly recommended.
The cultural system in Japan also has a few quirksthat must be kept in mind. Japanese society is veryhierarchical, and this is not lost in Japanese circles. Careshould be taken to understand your role in the circle andhow to properly address the other members. As a generalrule, follow the examples set by other new members to
the club, though the use of polite speech may not be
required in some cases.
As a foreign student though, never forget that you
are not Japanese. Occasionally, acting too much likea Japanese student may result in certain actions being
considered an insult, even when it is an honest mistake.

Finding the Perfect Job

A Guide to Finding One and Keeping It
Occasionally, members of the e3 community need tofind a part-time job to help cover expenses, or to put alittle extra cash into their pockets. Luckily for students,
there are provisions in the student visa laws that allow
part time work.
The first step for any student on a visa that wishes tofind a part time job is the application for a “Permission
to Engage in Activity Other that Permitted by the Status
of Residence Previously Granted” permit. In contrast
to its very long name, this is a simple form that can be
filled out at the regional immigration office. This allows
you to perform any job you are qualified for, aside fromworking in adult businesses even pachinko parlor work.
An exception for this is work within the university as ateaching assistant or similar, which generally requires
only the professor’s signature.
Searching for a job may be difficult, as most notices
are entirely in Japanese. One solution for this is to visit
the International Student Center helpdesk, where you
can find help for all aspects of life in Japan, including job
hunting. The ISC generally has jobs where foreigners arewelcome or even preferred, with lower emphasis on theability to speak Japanese. Talking with lab members is agreat way to find out about which jobs are good, as well as
a great opportunity to get to know the lab better. Other
options include work related websites, campus noticeboards, and job magazines.
When deciding on a job, there are several factors
to keep in mind. Under Hokkaido law, the minimum
hourly rate is 705yen/hr and jobs with salaries lower than
this should be ignored. Certain fields offer higher wages,
but even with the work hour limit, this minimum wage
allows for an extra 76000yen/month, enough for housing
and food costs. Some employers will also cover some of
the transportation costs or provide overtime pay for latenight work.

preferable to slightly better jobs very far away. The work
environment itself is also very important, as it can mean
the difference between a worthwhile job and a few hoursof hell that pay you. While Japanese employers are more
open to non-Japanese than they were in the past, some arestill reluctant to allow foreigners to have the same duties
as their Japanese counterparts. Working for an employer
that is accepting of your role is crucial, and will makethe job vastly more enjoyable. Some issues will be present
regardless of the employer, as customers, especially older
ones, may not be accustomed to foreigners and may makethings difficult.
There are a few useful skills that may improve yourchances for a well-paying job. Japanese language
proficiency is among the top, as most jobs will involve
speaking with clients and Japanese coworkers. Whilecollege level proficiency is not required, being able
to properly understand clients and instructions is amust. Proper greetings and business Japanese varies byprofession and even store, so the employers will teach you
the proper code of conduct, which you will be expected
to follow to the letter. In most cases, English language
proficiency is also a must, as most employers will assume
all foreigners will speak English, and may have you incharge of foreign customers.
Keeping your job can sometimes be just as difficult asfinding it, especially if you are accustomed to working
in another culture. One of the most important parts ofworking in Japan is timeliness, especially on the first day.
In addition, time management will often be required,with busy restaurants being the most difficult. Unlike
most European countries, there is no break requirement,
and breaks should not be taken unless permitted by theemployer. While long shifts may have built in breaks,
shorter ones are not likely to have any rest periods.
Occasionally, employers will have rules which may seem
strange, outdated, or inefficient, but these rules should be
followed without fail.

Income alone does not make a job a good one, and a
few other factors are very important. Long commuting
times may increase the effective number of work hours,
as well as decreasing the effective salary. Finding lower
waged jobs close to campus or close to home are usually

Overall, part-time jobs in Japan can be a rewarding
experience, and not just in the financial sense. If you planon working in Japan after graduation, it can be a great
first experience in the Japanese workforce.

The number one issue is a lack of respect when talking
or writing to certain, older members, or the use of keigo
when it is not needed. In the first case, it can be seen as
an attack on their authority, especially if you are a newmember or they were recently elected, while the secondcase can be confused with sarcasm. Other problems canalso arise, but all can be prevented by simply keeping a bitof your foreign flare.

As long as others understand you are different, they
will generally be accepting of those differences. As longas others understand your enthusiasm and commitment
to the group, they will welcome you in. As long as you
join a group to have fun, you will enjoy your time morethan you ever imagined.

eVisionDaily Life12

13
For a great tasting healthy meal in less than 15
minutes, the three recipes below are perfect. They canbe cooked individually, or for a more balanced dinner,
all three at the same time. Add in a bowl of miso soup
to complete the meal.

Fifteen Minute Cooking

Three Japanese Recipes for the Busy Engineer

Few engineers are expert cooks, so dinner for busy
engineers often means sacrificing either taste or healthyeating. Instant foods are usually unhealthy. Dining at
restaurants daily is expensive, and convenience store
food is significantly more costly than the ingredients. But
there are better ways.

All the ingredients are readily available in yourlocal grocery store, and most can be used for multiple
servings. As with most Japanese meals, you shouldmake sure to cook the rice ahead of time to minimize
waiting times. Eating with hashi is recommended, but
a fork works just fine as well.

Transportation Made Easy
The fastest transportation systems available in Sapporo are the public train and subway. The hour and a halfbicycle ride from Asabu to Makomanai can be done in less than thirty minutes using the Nanboku line. In winter,
it is the only way to travel long distances.While individual tickets can be fairly expensive, there are many ways toreduce the costs to more affordable levels. Even better, these methods also speed up your travel time by reducing
the need for buying tickets.

Donichi Card

The best solution for weekend travel
This weekend-only card is now available in any ticket machine for just 500 yen,making it the most cost effective solution for those traveling on the weekends. Travel
to and from any station in the subway system are covered until the last trains at
midnight. The card is especially useful if you plan on multiple trips or if a one-way
trip costs more than 250 yen. You can also purchase similar tickets on weekdays for
800 yen from any ticket machine.

Japanese Style Salmon Meunière

Makes two servings, approximately 10
minutes work time.
2 Pieces unsalted salmon
2 Slices of butter
Wheat Flour
Salt and peppers

1. Season the salmon slices with salt andpepper on both sides. Be careful not to

overpower the taste of the salmon.

2. Prepare a pan by melting butter at
medium heat.

3. Fry both sides thoroughly until theoutside is crisp.

4. Serve hot with soy sauce and sesame seed

Prepaid “With You” Card

Affordable solution for the infrequent traveler

Also available from any ticket machine, prepaid cards offer 10%
discounts on ticket prices. They can be purchased in multiples of1000 yen, and can be adjusted at the ticket adjustment machine if theamount comes up short. Using the card also saves time, since it only
needs to be purchased once.

IC cards

spinach.

Inarizushi

Makes 8 servings, approximately 5 minutes work time.
1 Cup of white rice
8 Inarizushi shells
30ml Rice vinegar
20ml Plain white sugar
5ml Salt

1. Cook one cup of rice, using sushi level.
2. Mix rice vinegar with sugar and salt in a small bowl until
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

dissolved.
Hand mix the vinegar solution into the cooked rice until
thoroughly mixed.
Let the rice cool until near body temperature.
Prepare the inarizushi shells by draining any liquid andopening the pocket.
After splitting the rice into eight equal sections, compact
one section and carefully insert it into the shell. Take care
not to rip the shell.
Close the shell by folding one flap over the other; place
onto a plate with the flap side down.
Repeat the last two steps until all are finished.

Sesame Seed Spinach

Makes 2 servings, approximately 3 minutes
work time.
200g Fresh spinach
2 Tablespoons ground sesame seed
2 Teaspoons soy sauce½ Teaspoon Mirin cooking sakeSalt

1. Boil spinach for about 1 minute in a sauce
pan halfway filled with salted water,
placing the stem first.

2. Prepare the sauce by mixing the sesame,soy sauce, and sake in a small bowl.

3.
4.
5.
6.

Cool the spinach in a cold water rinse.
Shake off excess water in a strainer.
Cut the spinach into 3cm long pieces.
Mix with the sauce in a small bowl, evencoating is not needed.

For the frequent traveler
JR lines and subway lines have two separate rechargeablecards for transportation. The SAPICA cards are a newer,
easier to use version of the prepaid cards, with a 10% pointback system that automatically uses points when possible.
Unregistered and registered versions can be obtained fromthe SAPICA labeled ticket machines, or from ticket booths
in several major stations. Registered cards can be reissued
if lost, though a card fee will be assessed. The KATICA/
SUICA card system is available for JR line trains in the
Sapporo area and to the New Chitose Airport. While there
is no point back system available for this card system, it canbe used and recharged at most convenience stores nationwide. It can also be used for transportation throughout
most of Honshu, as well as parts of Kyushu and Shikoku. Both card systems are available for 2000 yen with a 500
yen deposit included.

SAPICA monthly passHighest savings for the daily commuter
In addition to IC cards, SAPICA system offers a monthly pass for heavy commuters. For about 13000 yen, youhave unlimited subway access. This card makes sense if, over the course of thirty days, you plan on taking two
or more trips a day. In general, this is not recommended over the simple IC card, unless you are a very frequent
traveler.

eVision14

Engineering News

15

Remembering and Rebuilding
A Brief Update on the Efforts After the Tohoku Earthquake
Just a year ago, Japan was a very different place,cautious about the destructive power of earthquakes,
but confident in the ability to mitigate casualties. At
2:46PM on March 11th, Japan, and the rest of the world,
learned that careful planning is not always enough. The
six minute long, Magnitude 9.0 earthquake had a humanand economic toll that will not be forgotten. After six
months, the casualties stand at 16000 dead, another 4000
unaccounted for, and over 100000 buildings destroyed
and almost 200000 damaged. Thousands of factories
were damaged or left inoperable due to destroyed
infrastructure, and many others.
In some areas, entire villages were wiped off the map
from the earthquake generated tsunami. With waves inexcess of 10m in certain areas, the tsunami was several
times larger than initially anticipated, and the tsunami
defenses were unable to cope with the larger waves. While
many people promptly evacuated to higher ground, asignificant number were unable to reach designated areas
in time. As the waters began to recede, the debris fromdamaged buildings further damaged the few buildings
standing. As many of the areas hit used petroleum or
gas heating, the ruptured tanks and pipes fed large fires
which spread to the wooden debris. Even areas previously
thought to be safe from such disasters, including the
Sendai Airport were overrun with water. For hours on
end the world watched in horror as the waters just kept
moving, flooding everything in its path.
Aside from the immediate issues, the looming threat of
total meltdown at the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power
plant had both immediate and long term consequences.
Not long after the quake set off emergency SCRAM
procedures at most reactors in the Tohoku region, waves
from the earthquake generated tsunami knocked out
backup generators at the Fukushima plant. With the plant
isolated due to damaged power lines, the plant could not
be properly cooled, and the internal temperature rose due
to decay heat. Along with the temperature rise, hydrogengas was formed from the fuel cladding and accumulated
in the containment buildings, causing small explosions
outside the containment area. As an end result, hundredsof thousands of terabecquerels of radioactive isotopes,
mainly in the form of radio-iodine, were released into
the atmosphere and oceans. While there was no coreexcursion, the radiation released will have a lasting effecton the local environment.

The resulting images of the hydrogen explosion anddamaged coverings set the media on fire over concerns
a second Chernobyl was happening in slow motion.
Reactor building after reactor building was damaged, andradiation levels jumped drastically. Almost immediately
after the first series of explosions, the central government
enacted a 20km exclusion zone where forced evacuation
was carried out. In reaction, many countries expanded
the zone several fold, with some including France and,ironically, many parts of Eastern Europe, which did notforce evacuations when the Chernobyl incident sent many
more hazardous particles into the atmosphere, recalling
foreign nationals and moving operations out of Tokyo.

The Sendai Airport just five days after the earthquake, with the runway and some gates cleared of debris. (Image courtesy of USAF)

Even as the worldwide media focused on the direct
impact of the problems at Fukushima, the indirect effectsof the combined earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear plantissues continued to plague Japan long after March. Soon
after the events at Fukushima, the Japanese government
forced a mandatory inspection of nuclear reactors,
effectively cutting capacity by 25%. Factories acrossTohoku were unable to meet demand due to long lasting
power shortages, and those that could were hamperedby over reactive governments across the world barring
shipments. Major cities including Tokyo were forced
to implement rotational blackouts, and transportationroutes throughout the area were hampered long after the
infrastructure was repaired. The tourism sector, bothinternal and international, plummeted in March, andthe travel recall of foreign nationals in the area further

escalated the decline. While the immediate financial
losses from the quake were in the trillions of yen, the side
effects will eventually be in the tens of trillions of yen.

summer months. Even the coverings on the damaged
nuclear plants have been completed, and long-term
decommissioning plans are being established.

But after six months, Japan is also starting to see life
slowly return to some form of normalcy. Even as earlyas three months after the disaster, the cleanup andrebuilding phase was already well underway. The Tohoku
Shinkansen, which had started service less than a week
before the earthquake, was running at full service within
two months, with the main issue in operation being
the lack of power during spring and early summer. The
Sendai airport, which the world watched be swept undera river of debris, was operational for aid flights within aweek, and to commercial flights just one month after that.
Even in the hard hit town of Kesennuma, buildings thatwere lightly damaged have been repaired, and cleanup
for the remaining areas is nearly completed. The town of
Rikuzentakata, largely leveled by waters more than threetimes higher than the barriers were built for, became
the first to close the doors to its emergency shelters after
the completion of a massive temporary housing project.
Most of the infrastructure to the town has been restored,
and a few stores are open for business.

But even as the situation improves in leaps and bounds,
there are areas where progress has still eluded thosedesperate for a better life. In Rikuzentakata, which wasdevastated by the tsunami has seen little rebuilding,and a large portion of the town may never be rebuilt.
While the fisheries of the town are mostly operational,
the ports and residential areas still rest in ruins, and the
few temporary residences are far too small for an average
household. Many of the younger people displaced havepermanently relocated to other areas, accelerating thecollapse of many of the older, more traditional towns.

In the case of the Fukushima nuclear plant, manyof the warnings about radiation contamination were
overplayed, as recent findings show. As much as 80%of the radioactive isotopes were carried away fromJapan into the Pacific Ocean, where it dispersed andconcentrations were greatly decreased. After six months,
the radio-iodine released has been mostly converted
into stable, harmless xenon gas. While many are stillconcerned about the effects of cesium radio-isotopes,
the concentrations are under the detectable levels, withthe highest concentration being only 5.3 MBq/km2 inFukushima. For comparison, the amount of radiation anaverage body gives off from just from natural potassium
is 4.4kBq, and in a city like Sapporo, you would have astaggering 7.2MBq/km2 from people alone. As a result,many governments have begun to ease restrictions fornationals.
Factory production in all but the hardest hit areas are
finally at or nearing pre-quake levels. Car and electronics
manufacturers have resumed peak production, with someof them recovering as quickly as July. The petrochemicalindustry, which produces a wide range of products
including plastics, has actually seen a large increase dueto the rebuilding needs. The power situation also is slowly
improving, with TEPCO announcing that it will likely beable to meet peak power demand this winter, preventing
blackouts, which can be more harmful in winter thanIn the financial sector, external forces are prolonging
recovery. The recent turmoil in Europe’s banking industry
has driven up the price of the yen, greatly cutting into
Japanese exports and profits overseas. Efforts by Chinesemonopolies to raise the price of rare-earth metals andlithium have forced many Japanese companies to spendbillions of yen on research to replace these metals withcheaper alternatives, a tough path for companies that areWork crews place the last piece of covering in the damaged Unit 4
Reactor of the Fukushima Dai-ichi Plant. (Image courtesy of TEPCO)

still recovering from financial damage of the quake. The
tourism industry, devastated by the travel restrictions
over the fears of radiation, has not recovered at all evenas the situation at most major cities is indistinguishable
from a year ago.
As we remember the past, we keep those lost in ourhearts. As we live today, we help each other and makea difference in whatever way we can. As we look totomorrow, we hold great hope for the future. There arestill hurdles to clear, paths to rebuild, and tomorrows toplan, but the people living here in Japan are strong.

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Engineering News

17

Interview with Professor Suzuki Akira
Discoverer of Palladium Catalyzed Boronic Acid Reactions

is in the bonding of graphene for the creation of ultra-fast, ultra-efficient computer processors. This amazing
technique Professor Suzuki discovered has helped change the frontiers of chemistry, while improving our lives
at the same time. In the short time allowed for the interview, Professor Suzuki enlightened us with his views on
life, education, and progress.

Q

In what ways can a Nobel prize winner influencesociety?

Of course you know Nobel prize is so big award.
So big name, honors. So I think that is you know oneof highest honor for all of scientist like chemist, thephysicist and the medicinal science and the otherpeople also. I don’t know exactly but the people said
our coupling reaction that is this time I give a Nobel
prize.
Our Suzuki coupling reaction makes a lot ofimportant chemicals, important products including
pharmaceutical products, medicines, drugs andalso very useful agro-chemicals. My doctor told me
to take a hypertensive blood pressure medicine, so
my home doctor wrote me the prescription. So I givethe prescription to the pharmacist and pharmacist
understood organic chemistry. “Oh Professor
Suzuki this medicine made by your reaction!”; youknow I felt very happy.

Q

How do you deal with failure?

Generally speaking, we usually never obtained
a nice result. That is a usual case. But in such a case,
I tell you, never give up. Never give up. So, if today,
you get a very bad result in your study, visit a coffee
shop to drink a nice coffee. Then next you come toyour lab, you start again with a different feeling.
That is important.

Cheng Seeyuan

In April, a team of e3 members lead by Alvin Hernandez were able to interview Professor Dr. Akira Suzuki,
the recipient of the 2010 Nobel Prize in chemistry. Prof. Suzuki, along with Dr. Negishi and Dr. Heck, wereawarded Nobel Prizes for their work in palladium catalyzed organic reactions. These reactions allow the creationof carbon bonds where it would otherwise be impractical or even impossible. It has been used extensively in thepharmaceuticals industry and is even making its way into the production of electronics components.
The Suzuki reaction has lately been receiving more attention, as researchers find ways to generalize it andoptimize it. The reaction allows a more efficient way to create naproxen, a pain killer used in many over thecounter medications, as well as synthetic morphine for use in hospitals. In some cases, it is used to modify
existing drugs, like anti-viral and anti-bacterial drugs to combat drug resistant strains. What could take years
with classical methods can now be done in a fraction of the time. One of the more interesting applications

My case you know, I like beer or Japanese sake. In
such a case, I came home. I ask my wife. I drink it.
Then I eat food and I go to the bed. I think that is
an important thing. You know, if you continue withsuch a pessimistic feeling, that is not productive. So
I recommend that you never continue with such a
pessimistic feeling.

Q

What is your take on William Clark’s famousphrase, “Boys, be ambitious”?

Prof. Suzuki: Ambition is you know, is having avery high hope, high-leveled hope. And the students
become the very excellent people with hope. In sucha meaning, “Boys be ambitious” is very nice word.
But one of my American friends said, “ambition issometimes to take something, you know”. Kind of
not so nice meaning. But my British friend say `Ohthat is ambitious is very nice. So maybe it depends,
it depends on their feelings. But I don’t know exactly.
Japanese people feel ambition in nice meaning.

Q

What
is
your
internationalization?

take

on

education

I think that is very nice. Generally speaking,when I was a student, most of the Japanese students
could read books in written in English, and also
write in English. Even though they can write what
they want to show, but most of the students, cannot
understand spoken English. But that was oursituation when I was a student.
But now, in Hokkaido University, there are how
many foreign students? How are the Japanese
students in Hokkaido University? They understandmuch more, their situation is a little bit different.
But I think communication between people isvery important. So the most important thing is we
use the same language, like English. I always say
to students, Japanese students, you have to learn
English. Of course, not only the English, German,
French, other, Spanish, all other languages are ok.

Q

Do you think the administration of Hokudaishould do more to promote English language
education?

That is the most hopeful situation. If possible, andthere are some people emphasize in such a case,bilingual education is very nice. That is ideal. So
I ask you, a foreign student, to make time to talkmany with Japanese students in English. I always
say Japanese students have to learn English.

Q

What would you say your philosophy on life is?

Well I think you know... that is very difficult
question. But one thing love. Love is not only
between, you know, boy and girl. But we also havelove in our families, my wife and myself, myself andmy kids. Not only that. Myself and other people
including you. That kind of love, that is my love.
Love is also very important. If we have love, maybe
there will be no fighting, we will have peace. Also,
we should help each other. I don’t know. That isvery difficult question.

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Engineering News
Every year, e3 members elect a new group of chairs to represent e3 and make sure everything goes smoothly. The
academics vice-chair helps facilitate discussions with professors and other university members. The social vicechair help plan events, as well as bridging the gap between e3 and the regular students. The finance vice-chair makes
sure the e3 budget doesn’t run dry, and funds events. The main chair oversees the restand helps manage everything. There is usually one person per spot, but in this coming
year there will be two social vice-chairs, thanks to an unpresidented even vote at theannual election.

e3 ChairNiti Pitakteeratham
My house is located on the riverside, so that river had a huge influence
to my childhood life. Unfortunately, the river was polluted and became
dirty because of wastewater from industry. I have a strong intention totreat water and wastewater in order to recover that river. As my inspiration
is to treat the river next to my house, and fortunately that E3 offers a course which relates towastewater treatment and technologies, I decided to join this program.
From my experience in e3 family, most of us do not know each other. We might know only
those in the same division or from the same country. I would like to contribute my knowledge
and strength to develop and reinforce our association by bonding us together as a real family.
Besides experimenting, snowboarding with the dazzling snow of Hokkaido is one of my favorite
activities, so if there is a chance I wish I could do these activities with you guys.

VC Academics
Marco Armando
Engineers study various fundamental scentific concepts. By learning
engineering, we could understand almost all kinds of industries. I
completed my bachelor from the Chemical Engineering Program ofBandung Institute of Technology (ITB) in Indonesia. My specialty before
focused on process simulation and optimization. Although my educational background is not IT,
I like computer networking and programming very much.
Since I do not have my own family here in Japan and also do not speak Japanese well, I would
like to be in an English-speaking community. This is also one way to find a suitable community
which can increase my limited social activities because of academic tasks. It is simply because no
man is an island. With my computer programming ability, I would like to help e3 make more
efficient ways of dealing with academic matters.

19
Matteo Porta

VC Social
So Ishizaki
I had the lucky chanceof spending one year in
UK, at the University
of York: place in which
I made my first experience abroad, and met people
that became key elements in my life. Since then I
started informing myself about continuing mystudies abroad, with a particular attention forJapan, attracted by Japanese aesthetics and culture. I
wanted to move to Japan to learn about the language
and the culture and at the same time continue mystudies. Then came e3.
I’m receiving a lot from Japan and from Hokkaido
University, and it’s not for studying only; I’m surethat in Japan there are many students as worth as
I am of this scholarship. This program was born tocreate exchanges between different cultures and a
network of people from all around the world. Being
part of e3, I will try to transmit my culture, and at
the same time learn from others.

When I was highschoolstudent,I
hoped
toengagein work involving
environmental improvement. I chose Environmental
Engineering as my major 5 years ago, hoping toprotect my hometown, my home city, including
the earth. Now, I am interested in environmental
policy, hoping to approach and consider legislation
on environmental improvement. After I graduate
Hokkaido University, I want to work at environment
ministry, working on environmental improvement
legislation. I am also interested in studing about
policy or economy and work towards a Ph. D. at aforeign University.
I want to relate to and communicate with diverse
people, including students from other countries.
And then, I want to practice English through e3
program, please talk with me!

VC Finance
Kira Aguilar
I didn’t become an engineer; I always feel like one because, since forever, I’ve
listened that engineers are the kind of people that solves problem and help others.
And that’s what I like to do: solving problems and helping people in whatever
they need. We are supposed to be the ones who are constantly improving ourlifestyle and being part of that is almost an honor for me. Also, I love airplanes
so I think I have everything I need to be happy in my career.
Because I wanted to study in Japan but I didn’t have enough Japanese skills to attend classes in Japanese, I
think e3 was kind of a dream come true for me: going to a great University, interesting laboratory and attend
classes in English with Japanese teachers. And so far I think is a really good program since the teachers
speak really good English and the program is really concerning about international students as well. InitiallyI just wanted to be part of the e3 SO in order to offer some help and be able to build a friendship with otherinternational students. Then, I realized that they were really well organized with well defined positions so I
nominated myself for the Finance Vice Chair because I think I have the skills when it comes to managing
budgets. I feel really committed to do my best.

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Engineering News

21

Mission Statement of the e3 Program

Werawan Manakul
Coordinator for the English Engineering Education Program
Everybody makes decisions. In fact we have to make decisions
almost every minute that we are awake. From the very moment
we open our eyes in the morning we have to decide whether to
get up now or continue to sleep a bit more. Decisions that wehave to make can be simple ones and have a short-term impact
like getting up in the morning or may be more complex and havea longer-term impact like continuing to the PhD program or
getting a job after obtaining a master’s degree.
We make decisions based on our experience, available options
or predicted consequences.
A woman decides to marry a man who loves her but her heart
is with another man who does not love her. Does the woman
make a right decision?
A professor allows his failed student to graduate because thestudent has already got a job promise from a company. He knowsthat if he does not allow his student to graduate, his student
would lose the job and the company would in the future be cautious in offering jobs to students from his laboratory.
Does the professor make a wrong decision?
There are no right or wrong decisions. A right decision now may turn to be a wrong one as time passes. What is
important is how we feel after making decision which is entirely up to ourselves. We often care too much about thereactions and opinions of those around us and forget paying attention to our own feeling. Just remember that all
decisions contribute to and are an integral part of our development.

Yuki Tsuji
Academic Affairs Office
On the brilliantly sunny morning of my first day at
Hokkaido University, I thought it was really nice to join
Hokudai, surrounded by beautiful nature as I walked
through calm Gingko Avenue fully covered by fresh snow.
My life at Hokudai was filled with a series of surprises forme from the very beginning. First time I joined an e3 event,I felt like I was outside of Japan and somewhere abroad, since
I could hardly find Japanese students and the only language
I heard was English. Before I came to Hokudai, I knew that
there were many international students in Hokudai, but I
really came to know how that looked when I took part in theevent. I was also amazed that the event was so well organized
by SO representatives and the task group.
I am proud of working with Dr. Werawan and Professor
Ueda here as a member of e3, in this beautiful campus withlots of international students from all over the world.

Engineering education is an investment in a nation’s future. When Japan re-opened
its door to the world during the Meiji restoration, the government made a significant
investment to modernize engineering education. Since then Japan has emerged to
become one of the forerunners in various engineering fields.
Engineering education at Hokkaido University started in 1876 with a clear objective
namely to develop human resources who could take a lead in the development of the
newly reclaimed island of Hokkaido. At present it is tasked with a new objective, toensure that engineering students are educated in a way that prepares them to meetchallenges brought about by globalization.
Thanks to the government policy to reform the university research role, the numberof Japanese students particularly those in engineering fields who proceeded to themaster program increased sharply during the 1990s. However the number of doctoral
students remained low due to limited job opportunities preferring postgraduate
degrees.
Though it is crucial for the university to have excellent doctoral students, equallyimportant is the University’s responsibility to disseminate research findings andproduce competent human resources for the society. What is the best way to shareadvanced knowledge in engineering that Japan has with other countries when mostof its publications is in Japanese? What is the best way to introduce diversity to theuniversity so that Japanese students can experience differences in cultures, languages
and learning environment? What is the best way to make our engineering education
accessible to all? The answer is to introduce a program with English, a widely usedlanguage, as a medium of instruction.
That was the concept behind the founding of the e3 program in 2000. Since then e3
has been bringing in excellent English speaking students with diverse educational andcultural backgrounds, a sharp departure from the past when international student
population consisted largely of Japanese speaking students from East Asia. This canbe seen in the number of countries from all over the world our students come from.
Following its establishment, the University’s lack of readiness and seriousness toembrace internalization became evident. e3 has been able to bring about a numberof changes including lecturing in English to Japanese students. Several professors
have already merged their Japanese classes with the e3 classes, while others are in theprocess. Progress towards a truly internationalized education is occurring at a greaterpace than ever before.
It would be wrong to describe e3 as an engineering program for international
students when it is in fact a program for everyone to learn and benefit from.
Werawan Manaku
Coordinator for the English Engineering Education Program

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