1. Name: Nur Aisyah Binti Mohamad Noor Azman

Matrics no: A189023

Date of arrival: 26th July 2024

2. What have you done?

5/8/2024

• On the sixth day, the week started with a lecture by Prof. Hitosugi and we proceeded with discussing our presentation. The whole day is used to prepare the presentation.  

6/8/2024

• On the seventh day, the day started with a lecture by another research student, Miss Araki. She was explaining her research with the forensic department on uterine contraction of pregnant women while vehicle driving and it was an interesting lecture. She also introduced us to another traditional food which is mochi.

7/8/2024

• On the eighth day, the day started with a lecture by Dr Nakai on trends in the perinatal care system in Japan.

• Then, we continued preparing the organs that we had put in paraffin last week. We did the slicing of the organ into a very thin slice to be put on the slide. Then, it will be stained in the machine. 

• In the afternoon, we had another lecture by Dr Masumitsu on practices of emergency medicine and medical care in Japan.

8/8/2024

• On the ninth day, we started with a lecture by Prof. Hitosugi. After the lecture, Prof Hitosugi went through our 3 autopsy reports and corrected our mistakes.

• Then, we did our final preparation for our presentation on statistics of job related injury or death in Japan compared to Malaysia. We presented at 2pm in front of most of the forensic department staff and got good feedback from them on our presentation.

• Since Prof. Hitosugi was not available on our last day which is 9/8/2024, we thanked him today and bid farewell. He also gave us our feedback forms and some gifts. 

• We ended the day by going to a summer event in Japan which is a firework event in Lake Biwa together with the students and lecturers from another department which is the Molecular Neuroscience Department. 

9/8/2024

• On the last day of this elective, I went for my fourth autopsy in the morning. It was a case of immediate death due to myocardial infarction. The body was found in the apartment. 

• Then, I had a farewell lunch with the forensic team at the department and we had sushi.

• After lunch, I observed my fifth and last autopsy. It was a case of suicide as the body is found in the lake with the neck strangled by a rope. I had the chance to be actively involved in this autopsy as I helped in cutting the abdominal aorta and the rib cage.

• Once the autopsy is done, we bid goodbye to everyone in the department. We thanked them so much for their kindness in teaching us patiently.

3. Your feelings and thoughts

My feeling for week 2 is I feel great as I am able to learn in depth about the statistics on job related injury or death in Japan compared to Malaysia. It is something that is actually really important in our aspects of life as most of us are working and there are risks for every job. This is an eye opener for me to be more cautious when working later on and follow all the rules and regulations provided.

4. How did you learn and apply the skill of decision making in your EP journey

I learned the skill of decision making during this elective posting journey from being the leader of the three of us who were attached to the forensic department. I applied it by making decisions on how to divide the tasks on autopsy reports and also ways to deal with the timetable that is always changing everyday. 

5. How did you manage your time throughout the EP journey

When I was in Japan, I needed to divide my time between the tasks related to the forensic team and also socializing with the Japanese students and exploring the Japanese culture. I managed my time during this journey by prioritizing tasks that needed to be completed earlier than the others. Usually, I will make sure I get the reports, slides and readings related to this posting completed by evening. Since my group members were always dividing our tasks, we got most of it done faster. At night, I will join the others to go to dinner, explore Shiga and more. This has made me able to experience this posting both academically and socially. 

6. Your plan for next week

My plan for next week is to explore another part of Japan which is Tokyo and fly back to Kuala Lumpur. I also planned on completing my padlets, reflective writing, poster and reports on my elective posting journey.

1.⁠ ⁠Your name, matric number, date

Name : Nurdarwisya Shafiah Binti ‘Ainuddin

Matric no : A185594

Date : 5/8

2.⁠ ⁠Your progress so far

Over the weekend, we ventured to Kyoto, a historical district in Japan known for its well-preserved traditional architecture and deep cultural significance. As we strolled through the charming streets, we indulged in a variety of street food, with matcha treats standing out as a highlight—they were truly delicious. Afterward, we made a brief stop in Osaka, where we visited iconic tourist destinations like Dotonbori, famous for its vibrant nightlife and giant neon signs, and Shinsaibashi-suji, a bustling shopping street.

Once the weekend ended, we returned to Shiga and resumed our weekday routine. On Monday, we delved into forensic entomology, learning about the identification of fly larvae—a crucial aspect of postmortem investigations. That same day, a student gave a research presentation, and we began preparing for our own presentation. Tuesday started with another insightful mini-lecture by Hitosugi sensei, and in the afternoon, my friend and I took a leisurely walk around town. We stumbled upon a quaint little café, where we enjoyed traditional Japanese desserts, soaking in the tranquil atmosphere.

Wednesday was another busy day. We attended a research presentation by another student and later participated in sectioning histopathology slides from a previous autopsy case, deepening our understanding of forensic pathology. That evening, we joined international research students from SUMS for a dinner, which was a wonderful opportunity to exchange ideas and experiences.

Thursday marked our big presentation on "Job-Related Deaths in Malaysia vs. Japan," which we delivered in front of almost the entire forensic department. In the afternoon, we attended the Hanabi Festival near Biwa Lake, a quintessential summer event where the stunning fireworks display lit up the night sky.

On my final day at Shiga, we observed and assisted with two autopsy cases, after which we wrote reports detailing our findings. We then shared a farewell lunch with the department staff and, later that evening, enjoyed a farewell dinner with the forensic students. With heartfelt goodbyes said, we packed our belongings and headed to Kyoto, preparing for our next journey to Tokyo.

3.⁠ ⁠Your feelings and thoughts 

Looking back on my time in Shiga, I feel a strong sense of accomplishment and personal growth. Engaging in forensic work, from identifying fly larvae to assisting in autopsies, expanded my medical knowledge in ways I hadn’t anticipated. Presenting on job-related deaths in Malaysia vs. Japan was a challenging but rewarding experience, one that pushed me to think critically about the differences between healthcare systems. Beyond academics, I’ve grown to appreciate the cultural richness of Japan. Exploring Kyoto’s Ninnenzaka, briefly visiting Osaka, and enjoying quiet moments like sitting in a café with traditional desserts are memories I’ll treasure.

This entire journey has been transformative, offering me new perspectives that will undoubtedly shape my future. I’ve gained not only technical skills but also a deeper understanding of how different cultures approach life, work, and medicine. Although I’m excited to continue my travels in Kyoto and Tokyo, leaving Shiga felt bittersweet. The relationships I formed with the staff, students, and community made the experience more meaningful, and saying goodbye to them was harder than I expected. The memories and lessons from this time will stay with me for years to come.

4.⁠ ⁠How did you learn and apply the skill of decision making in your EP journey?

During my posting, I realized just how crucial decision-making is in both forensic medicine and daily life. In the forensic department, I learned to assess the situation, weigh the available evidence, and think critically about the consequences of each choice. For example, when assisting in autopsies, I had to decide which details were most relevant to focus on in the postmortem report. These moments taught me how to balance thoroughness with efficiency, a skill that will be essential in my future medical career.

Outside of the forensic work, I applied decision-making in personal situations as well. Whether it was managing my time between preparing presentations and exploring Japan, or deciding how to communicate effectively despite the language barrier, I was constantly evaluating my options. I realized that sometimes, decision-making means being flexible and open to new approaches, especially in unfamiliar environments. Each experience, from academic challenges to cultural exploration, sharpened my ability to make thoughtful, confident decisions, which I know will benefit me moving forward.

5.⁠ ⁠How did you manage your time throughout this EP journey? 

Managing my time during the posting was definitely a challenge, but it taught me a lot about prioritization and balance. With a packed schedule that included forensic work, presentations, and cultural exploration, I had to be very intentional about how I used my time. I made sure to allocate focused blocks of time for academic responsibilities, like preparing for my presentation on job-related deaths and writing reports for autopsy cases. I’d often set specific goals for each day, which helped me stay organized and ensure I met all the academic expectations. Fortunately enough, Japan during the summer has a longer day time meaning I have extra hours where I can spend exploring the culture.

At the same time, I knew I didn’t want to miss out on experiencing the culture and beauty of Japan. So, I carved out time in the evenings or weekends to explore places like Ninnenzaka in Kyoto, Osaka’s Dotonbori, and attend the Hanabi Festival at Biwa Lake. By setting clear boundaries between work and leisure, I was able to fully immerse myself in both my studies and the cultural aspects of Japan. This approach helped me maintain a balance between academic commitments and personal experiences, making the most of my time during the posting.

6.⁠ ⁠Your plan for next week (Phase 4)

Next week, I plan to explore Tokyo and fully immerse myself in the city's rich cultural and modern experiences. I'll visit key spots like Shibuya, Asakusa, and hopefully some lesser-known areas to get a deeper sense of the city. After that, I’ll be heading back to Malaysia, which will mark the end of this incredible journey.

Once I’m back, I’ll start preparing my report on the forensic posting, gathering all the information and experiences I’ve collected. I’ll also work on my reflective writing, where I’ll focus on the personal and academic growth I’ve experienced during this elective, tying together everything I’ve learned from my time in Japan.

3. Your thoughts and feelings

   I found myself enjoying every single activity that they have taught us during the whole week. I got to do various experiments and procedures with my friends as well as gained knowledge on how these various experiments are related to their research. This whole week has enhanced my understanding of neuroscience related diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. The guidance from the researchers as well as my peers made up a wonderful experience for me.

4. How did you learn and apply the skill of decision making in your EP journey?

   During my posting in both NCDs and MNRC departments, I have learnt that the skill of decision making plays a significant role especially when it comes to obtaining accurate results from the experiments that we have done. For example, during our presentation about NCDs epidemiology and trends in Malaysia, my peers and I took into consideration the reliable resources available that we can choose from in order to obtain the most accurate trends of the diseases in Malaysia. That was when decision making skills were being implemented. Other than that, I have applied the skills of decision making in my daily life during our stay in Japan. To decide which train stations and bus stations we had to take, I had done research on it before so that the journey will be a lot easier and saves us a lot of free time. I had also applied this skill whenever we wanted to go to places to eat by doing some surveys of the restaurants. In conclusion, I believe that this decision making skills require a lot of practices in order to create better outcomes.

5. How did you manage your time during this EP journey?

   Managing my time especially in a foreign country was difficult as I have never been in Japan and it took me a lot of time to understand every single thing. As I had so many things planned for this trip such as doing this EP project, as well as explored the traditional cultures of the country, I learned on what to prioritize and what can I put aside first. For example, I prioritize the tasks that have been assigned for us first by having discussions with my friends before we want to do something in our free time. We made sure to achieve at least one objective of the tasks before we could end the day. We also divided the preparation of the presentation among us equally so that we can each focus on different points and made sure we fully understand our presentation.

6. Your plan for next week

   My friends and I had already planned to stay a few days more in Japan before going back to Kuala Lumpur. We made the most of our time to explore the beautiful cities of Kyoto and Tokyo and indulge into their delicious and amazing food.

4. How did you learn and apply the skill of decision making in your EP journey?

   During my elective posting journey, decision making was crucial. I had to carefully weigh my options before choosing both the Molecular Neuroscience Research Center (MNRC) and the Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) Epidemiology Research Department, as these aligned with my interests in exploring different fields of medicine. Navigating the language barrier with my Japanese colleagues encouraged me to be more proactive and courageous in my communication. I realized that effective collaboration depended on my willingness to engage, despite the challenges posed by language and cultural differences. Balancing my academic schedule with personal exploration of Japan required thoughtful planning. I wanted to immerse myself in the local culture while maintaining my enthusiasm for my studies. This meant making deliberate choices about how to allocate my time, prioritizing both my learning and my desire to experience the richness of Japanese culture. Through these experiences, I developed the ability to make better decisions that supported my professional growth while enriching my learning journey.

5. How did you manage your time during this EP journey?

   Time management during my stay in Japan, especially during the summer, was quite different compared to my experience in Malaysia. With longer daylight hours in Japan, I realized the importance of making the most of my time and not letting any moments go to waste. On weekdays, we had scheduled classes at SUMS, but I made it a point to explore nearby attractions in the evenings and at night, such as local malls and lakes. This gave me the opportunity to relax after a busy day and immerse myself in the beautiful surroundings.

   On weekends, we took full advantage of our time to experience other provinces of Japan, like Kyoto and Osaka. We carefully planned our trips, outlining specific places to visit and activities to explore. This level of preparation ensured we maximized our time during these trips, allowing us to fully appreciate the rich culture, history, and cuisine of each location. By organizing our itineraries in detail, we could fit in as much as possible, making our weekends both enjoyable and educational.

6. Your plan for next week?

   My plan for next week is to explore more places in Japan since our elective posting at SUMS has already ended. We plan to explore Tokyo, the capital city of Japan, and buy some souvenirs before returning to Malaysia.

1. Name: Siti Noor Masyitah Balqis binti Ibrahim

   Matrics Number: A180877

   Date: 9/8/2024

2. Your Progress So Far

   During the second week, we started doing our elective posting in the Molecular Neuroscience Research Center Department (MNRC). Here, we were welcomed warmly by the whole department and had a briefing session with Prof. Ishigaki, the head of the department. He mainly briefed us about research that they have done and are currently working on which is mainly on Alzheimer’s disease. Prof. Ishigaki also gave us a tour of their building and the animal sanctuary that holds the mice and monkeys that aid in their research. In the afternoon Ms. Asraa, one of the PhD students of Shiga University brought us to the laboratory and also animal sanctuary to have a look at the mice they do experiments on.

   On the second day, Mr. Yanagisawa introduced us to his previous research studies on a monkey’s brain. He had shown us the immunofluorescence picture of the monkey’s brain infused with the human TAU protein. At noon, Ms. Asraa guided us to do an immunohistochemistry experiment on a mouse brain. We were taught how to cut the mouse brain into smaller sections and perform all the meticulous steps.

   On the third day, Mr. Fujioka and Mr. Guo taught us how to cut the mouse brain using another machine that was more advanced. We got to look at the fragments of the mouse’s brain clearly.

   On the fourth day, Mr Moniruzzaman taught us on how the Alzheimer’s disease is associated with the presence of lipid droplets and their formation. In the afternoon, we had a short cultural exchange session with Mr Ducky. After the class in the evening, the whole department had brought us to the Hanabi festival around Biwako lake to watch their annual fireworks festival, which was breathtaking.

   On Friday, we had a center progress meeting where Mr. Moniruzzaman presented his current research study. After the meeting ended, we had a little farewell session with the whole department where we took pictures and exchanged gifts with each other.

3. Your thoughts and feelings

   I really enjoyed my time in this department as we were introduced to new knowledge regarding Alzheimer's disease and was intrigued by their very interesting research pertaining to it. I was also very happy to be given the opportunity to do various experiments with skilful PhD students. Ending the week with the fireworks festival made it even better.

4. How did you learn and apply the skill of decision making in your EP journey?

   Throughout the two weeks of elective posting in this university, covering both NCDs and MNRC departments, I have learnt the importance of decision-making in various ways. For example, we got to witness how these researchers choose their data carefully to make sure the outcomes of their research are accurate and reliable. In addition to that, we also had to prepare a presentation regarding the NCD trends in Malaysia. This is where we applied the decision-making skills that we have learnt from them to our research. We learnt to choose where to source our pieces of information to ensure that the data we share are reliable as well.

5. How did you manage your time during this EP journey?

   During this EP journey in Japan, managing time was surely a slight challenge as alongside gaining knowledge from respectable lecturers, it was also our first time in this country, hence we were always excited to explore the unique places and cultures of Japan. So we had to balance our time well to make sure that we were able to enjoy the best of both worlds. In order to do that, we made sure to delegate the tasks we were given in class equally and provided a time every day to discuss the taught topics before we got to enjoy the free time afterwards.

6. Your plan for next week

   Since we have finished our EP journey at Shiga University, we have planned to explore the city of Tokyo for the remaining 5 days in Japan. We booked a shinkansen from Osaka to Tokyo and only then will fly back to Kuala Lumpur.