Megumi Gunji was fascinated by adventure novels as a young lad.
Books detailing grand journeys and escapades piqued his wanderlust.
He dreamt about travelling away from the shores of his beloved homeland to foreign spots, teeming with excitement he so desperately craved.
There was one problem that got in his way.
“I realised I suffered from severe seasickness,” the 70-year-old told this newspaper.
Though his dreams of sailing his own yacht were suddenly dashed, Mr Gunji directed his time and energy to marine diesel engineering.
The decision culminated in decades of work in Japan, after which he felt the need to broaden his horizon. In the end he decided to enlist as a volunteer for the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
His time as a JICA volunteer has taken him to Bangladesh and most recently, Fiji, where he teaches at the Fiji National University’s Pacific Centre for Maritime Studies.
Mr Gunji grew up in Omiya, Saitama, about 30 minutes by train from Tokyo, and later made a home for himself in Kawasaki City in Kanagawa Prefecture.
“I graduated from the marine engineering department at the Marine Academy in Toba, Mie, in 1975.
“After reading an adventure novel in which a young man crossed the Pacific Ocean from Japan to the US, I became interested in yachts and dreamed of travelling to many countries on a yacht.
“However, I realised that I suffered from severe seasickness, so I decided to become a marine diesel engineer.
“After I got a license as a marine engineer, I participated as a JICA volunteer and worked in the fisheries academy in Bangladesh for three years.”
After returning from Bangladesh, he got a job at an engine manufacturing company to improve his skills as a marine diesel engineer. He worked overseas in Europe, US and other places for about 34 years, after which he rejoined the JICA volunteer program.
Today, he works in the marine engineering department of the Pacific Centre for Maritime Studies.
His main responsibilities include maintaining and managing the training workshop and assisting students (FNU).
“The people at my workplace are very kind, so I am able to live here happily without any problem. I hope to treasure these good relationships.
“I felt lonely at first, but I am grateful for the help I received from many people. I will be returning to Japan in April of this year, so I hope to enjoy the rest of my time here.”
Spending time in Fiji with locals has also helped him create cherished memories with Fijians, particularly students.
Mr Gunji shared that as part of his work, he once visited a large container ship at Suva Port.
“Our university graduates were working on board the ship as navigators and engineers, and we were warmly welcomed. I was impressed to see our graduates working on a large ship on an international route and felt that Fiji’s future is bright.”
He also expressed his willingness to continue being involved in a job that involved passing on skills to young people in the shipping industry.
And for young dreamers, especially those who wish to sail the seas, Mr Gunji says ‘a positive mindset is paramount’.
“Please continue to build up your healthy mind and body. I think it would be good to gain experience by carefully completing your current tasks, such as studying and/or working and then aim to go abroad. Do not worry, you can do it.”
