Story by Mdpn. John Kirk Shadi Magsael
Photos by Mdpn. Cj Earn Anthony Gonzaga and Mdpn. Jeason Deaรฑo
A delegation from the Japanese government visited the grounds of John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University (JBLFMU) last September 3, 2026 for an academic and simulator training observation.
Capt. Asami Shimada from the Maritime Human Resource Institute of Japan, Capt. Koki Matsushima from the Japan Agency of Maritime Education and Training for Seafarers, and Mr. Sohei Goto from Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, visited and observed the delivery of trainings and classes within JBLFMUโs facilitiesโespecially the simulators-based classrooms.
Being part of the universityโs internationalization program, their visit was for the purpose to understand, observe, and study the current condition of simulation-based training among maritime students in the country.
The Japanese government is eyeing to reduce the duration of the Onboard Training Program among deck cadets into nine months instead of 12 months through the use of simulators.
However, this initiative is still being studied, as the maritime institutions in the country rely upon the decision that will be made by the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA).
โI would like [for] our guests to understand that [here] in the Philippines we rely very much on what is dictated by the MARINAโ Capt. Luis Evidente, Ph.D., Executive Assistant to the CEO for External Affairs, said in the meeting to formally introduce the concerned topic.
This endeavor aligns with the universityโs commitment to the following United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs): Quality Education (UNSDG 4), Decent Work and Economic Growth (UNSDG 8 ), and Industry, Innovation, Infrastructure (UNSDG 9), and Partnership for the Goals (UNSDG 17).
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