Japan-Palau Alumni Series: Vol.16 Mr. Wridon Ngiralmau

Mr. Wridon Ngiralmau is one of the successful alumni of the Japanese Government Scholarship offered by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology (MEXT) to bring Palauan students to further their education in Japan since 1982. He went to study in Japan under the Specialized Training College Scholarship from October 1991 to March 1994.
 
His education in Japan started at Bunka Institute of Language in Tokyo for 6 months where he learned Japanese before going to Denki Kaihatsu Kogakuin to study Electrical Engineering. We asked Mr. Ngiralmau if he found learning the language difficult and he said, “It’s always difficult to learn a new language but learning Japanese was interesting because many Japanese words are used daily in the Palauan language”.  After successfully completing the language school, he moved on to study electrical engineering at Denki Kaihatsu Kogakuin for 2 years and graduated with a diploma in March 1994.
 
Participating in homestay programs and fun events such as matsuri (festivals) made his life in Japan memorable. He said “I never felt homesick because I lived in a dormitory during high school years. I like all Japanese food except natto (fermented beans). I tried natto on two occasions just to make my homestay family happy.”
 
After returning to Palau, Mr. Ngiralmau worked at a Japanese company called Bussan Electric Company that was working on a project in Palau before entering the government sector. After this, he decided to make time to study more, and received an Australian government scholarship to further his studies in Electrical Engineering. After returning, he worked for Palau’s electricity company formerly known as Public Utilities Corporation from 1995 to 2000. He worked in Palau Public Utilities Corporation 2003 to 2021 where he eventually became a Power Plant Superintendent.
 
Currently, Mr. Ngiralmau is a board member for several organizations such as the Bureau of Land and Survey Licensure Board, Palau Community Action Agency, and is active in supporting non-profit organizations and private schools.
 
Through his work he had opportunities to visit Japan a few times. When asked about his favorite place to visit if he went back to Japan, he said “Shibuya”. He is particularly fond of Shibuya’s famous cross walk, a place that he frequently passed through when he was living and studying in Japan. Also, Mr. Ngiralmau enjoys fishing and farming and tells us that if he has the opportunity to visit Japan again, he would like to visit the farms in the countryside. Life in Japan taught him values and way of thinking that shaped him and made him who he is today. Some of the things he practices are being punctual and sharing accurate information among members of his group.
 
As it is the 30^th anniversary of Japan-Palau diplomatic relations, Mr. Ngiralmau says that he wants to see more Palauan’s go to school in Japan and have a chance to work in Japan after they graduate to gain more experience and learn the Japanese work ethics. He believes that Palauans who study in Japan have more chance of returning to Palau and to contribute to the community.