Written by Rina Rexhaj
Our second day started with sunshine and stunning views over Tokyo’s skyline and even Mount Fuji. After our petit déjeuner, we made our way to the first company by public transportation. The company we visited first was Givaudan, a Swiss multinational company known for being one of the world’s largest producers of Flavors, fragrances, and active cosmetic ingredients.
After an interesting presentation on Givaudan’s innovative processes and how their business works in Japan, we were treated to a hands-on experience. The team gave us an opportunity to taste three flavours and guess what the tastes were. Afterwards we could also try their aroma machines where we smelled five fruits and afterward guessed the combination of two fruits. It was a fascinating exercise, and the different combinations were surprisingly complex, and it gave us a deeper appreciation for the science of sensory perception.
After an extensive Q&A session, we said goodbye to Givaudan and headed to a nearby shrine, which is a traditional Japanese site dedicated to spiritual practices, where visitors can offer prayers, make wishes, and experience a sense of tranquillity. It was a beautiful contrast to the business side of our trip.
After lunch we made our way to the second company of the day which was Mediterranean Shipping Company. MSC has grown to become a global leader in container shipping, with a strong presence in over 150 countries. The company operates one of the largest container fleets in the world, offering both container transport and logistics services. In addition to the shipping operations, MSC also runs MSC Cruises, a luxury cruise line. After we got greeted at the lobby, we were introduced to the team and then heard an interesting presentation from Masahide Kai about the MSC Group and its values and company culture, especially in Japan. After the presentation we had a networking session where we could talk to some of the staff. This experience was great since we could interact with MSC Japanese employees and hear how they work and how they like the company. All of us had some great conversations which made us appreciate this visit even more.
To wrap up our day, we made our way to teamLab Borderless, an extraordinary museum where art and technology come together in the most captivating way. Each exhibit offered a unique, even-changing experience. It was a unforgettable experience, where each of us had the opportunity to stay as long as we wished. With this our second they of the Japan Study Trip ended.