PW_3_2025

Professional Development

Steve presented the flag to Mr Masahito Kanetaka, President of IPA Japan with our IPA UK contingent

On to Osaka, where we were met by Mr Sakamoto, who had taken the time to travel from the other side of the town to collect us from the airport and drop us at our hotel. Exhausted, having spent 20 hours travelling, we still managed to grab a few sights, smells and sounds in the two days before the week began in earnest. Taking in too many sights to mention in one article, our very generous hosts treated us to an exceptional itinerary, with exceptional company, exceptional food and more celebration ‘party’ evenings than you can shake a stick at. Osaka, Hiroshima, Yokohama, Tokyo - each as amazing as the next, with a particularly moving time spent in Hiroshima. At every turn, we were made to feel special, from being applauded by IPA Japan members as we got off the coach to enter a hotel, being herded at high speed onto the bullet train, being toasted at a gala dinner, or being taken into the inner sanctuary of the Imperial Palace where we were treated to a rare display of martial arts, archery and motorcycle skills. Our hosts from all regions were unfailing in their tireless energy and friendship. A special mention must go to Mr Ryoji Suzuki. What an exceptional hard working and dedicated host and member of Section Japan. I have genuinely never felt so in awe of a group of people that I am now proud to call our friends. There were of course the obligatory speeches, gift exchanges and a fair bit of mischief from my partners in crime from Section UK (you know who you are) and I am now the proud owner of a very large collection of business cards from my new friends. Along with a whole sack full of presents. I also now have a Pokemon soft toy, I have no idea what that means, but my grandchildren love it. An amazing farewell party rounded the week off, where we had the strangest game of Bingo (everybody seemed to win a prize ), a Nippon Kendo Kata exhibition, finishing the evening off by saying our goodbyes to new friends from around the world. We had the foresight to book an extra few days at the end, which allowed us to fully immerse ourselves in sushi and sashimi, and to experience the absolute bonkers Tokyo Central Sation and Shibuya crossing. How do they fit so many people into such a small space? And keep it clean and safe? Would we go back again? The tickets are being booked for next September.

We arrived a few days before the official Friendship week began and were truly humbled by the welcome we received. Having had to connect via an internal flight from Tokyo to Osaka, our very first experience of Japanese culture and hospitality was with something as simple as the airport baggage handlers. Looking out of our aircraft window as we were pushed back from the terminal, we sat open mouthed as the baggage handlers lined up, bowed and then waved a cheery goodbye to us! I cannot imagine this happening in the UK.

Liz, Jane and Dave at the Imperial palace, Tokyo

POLICE WORLD Vol 70 No.3, 2025

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