The Statistical Institute for Asia and the Pacific conducted a field study trip for the participants of the Fourth Group Training Course in Modules on Fundamental Official Statistics from 27 to 30 January 2009 as part of the curriculum of this six month training course. All 19 participants/official statisticians from 15 countries visited Aichi and Wakayama prefectures in two separate groups. 

The field study trip expanded participants’ learning through active hands-on experience and knowledge about statistical service in local government; increased participants’ knowledge and understanding of Japanese Family Income and Expenditure Survey (FIES) as well as historic events; and advanced technologies and cultural heritage of Japan.

The visit to the Local Government Office was one of the most important activities in this field trip. During the visit, the senior officials of the statistical offices of the local government offices explained the organization, responsibilities, and main statistical activities of both Aichi and Wakayama prefectures. The coordination of FIES at prefecture level with the Statistics Bureau in Tokyo and conducting the survey on sample basis in the prefectures was clearly and thoroughly explained during the visit as well. Through this opportunity, all participants were able to learn that the close collaboration between central and local governments is a paramount factor in producing high quality and timely statistics in Japan. Good and close communication among local government officials, enumerators and respondents is another critical factor.

The conduct of the field work stage of the FIES was explained in detail by the supervisors and enumerators, who were present at the field observation, for the benefit of the participants.
Visits to sample households to meet the respondents and observe how monthly income and expenditure data are recorded in a family account book were a very exciting moment for the participants. Other essential information such as savings, annual income and household characteristics are also collected in a well organized manner. A warm welcome and hospitality was received by the participants from the households who made participants exceptionally comfortable in exchanging their experiences. Participants were of the view that the cooperation extended for the FIES by the respondents was outstanding. The enumerators’ skills and knowledge in approaching the households were well understood during the discussions with both the respondents and enumerators.  

Sampling procedures adopted in selection of households for survey purposes and issues relating to non response and substitution of households were discussed at the request of participants. The visit to the Japanese country side household proved to be an excellent opportunity for the participants to test their knowledge and skills that they had learnt at SIAP and clarify doubts by asking questions from the authorities.  The question and answer session not only built their confidence on what they had learnt at SIAP but also was a great opportunity to learn good lessons on the efficient conduct of the FIES in Japan.

To learn in person the application of advanced Japanese technology into economic and social life was another objective of this trip. For Aichi group, the observation of a factory of the now largest car maker in the world, Toyota, gave a strong impact to the participants’ perception for its scale and efficiency. After the observation of production line, participants were astonished to watch new cars running out in every one minute, and they have learned that Toyota’s high quality and efficiency of production were supported by “Just in time system”, “Line stop system” and “Employer suggestion system”. For Wakayama group, a visit was arranged to Shima Seiki Mfg., Ltd., a fully automated knitting machine maker. The knitting machine produced there produces any knit ware from glove to fashionably designed women’s dresses completely automatically. Participants were surprised to realize that, with rolls of strings attached to the machine, well designed sweaters were coming out of machine directly in every thirty minutes. Both groups of participants also visited Japanese historical sites including medieval Samurai’s castles and watched traditional craftsmen’s works.

The participants were also given the opportunity to make remarks at the conclusion of each visit of what they observed and express their feelings. This provided them with opportunities to improve their individual development and confidence in dealing with different sectors of the society which is a vital requirement for statisticians in understanding and integrating with the rest of the disciplines in industry and society.

Now, participants are back from the trip with lots of knowledge and experiences which cannot be learned in the classroom.