My ‘Epilogue’ of Mr Uda’s Book ‘Obligation to Dissent: Why Organization Fails’ – 1

→Japanese

I introduced in my posting of May 26th, this year, a new book ‘Obligation to Dissent: Why Organization Fails’ by Mr Sakon Uda, who served Project Manager of NAIIC. In this book, I contributed a 20 pages ‘Epilogue’. With permission of the Publisher, I will share my Epilogue with you.

Epilogue, ‘Obligation to Dissent’: What We Citizens Should Do Now
Kiyoshi Kurokawa, Chair of the National Diet of Japan Fukushima Nuclear Accident Independent Investigation Commission (NAIIC)

The Message of Mr. Uda’s Book

The Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident was unparalleled in history and was on the same scale as the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant accident. In the aftermath of the accident, many investigations and research reports were presented both in and outside of Japan. However, how have TEPCO and the Japanese government responded since then? The Japanese public must be wondering, what is really occurring now and what are TEPCO and the Japanese government doing about it?

Particularly, regarding the subsequent leakage of contaminated water from the power plant, many people in the Japanese public must be appalled by the lack of planning, the poor response and the lack of transparency throughout the decision making process by both TEPCO and the government. Around the world, experts in the field have been critical and major news agencies have often reported on the lack of planning and responsibility taken by TEPCO and the government.

What should we do? We must think about this. As this major accident was historically unprecedented, the difficulty in formulating a strategy is understandable. A solution will not simply arise by merely offering criticism. So then, what should we do? This is where we must bring together our knowledge and wisdom.

Throughout his career as a consultant, Mr. Uda, the author of this book, has advised on the reform of private sector companies. Moreover, starting with the privatization of the Japanese Post Service, he also has considerable experience diving into public sector organizations and pushing forward reforms.
In this book, Mr. Uda has presented the problem of being fixed in a certain mindset, which he faced in the post service reform and when leading the investigation as the Managing Director of Investigation of NAIIC. Not to be mistaken, this understanding was not derived from reductionist theories on Japan, such as “Nihonjin-ron” or “collectivism” but rather from a professional standpoint, which developed out of Mr. Uda’s extensive work in organizational reform and was informed by many examples observed throughout his consulting career.

→ My ‘Epilogue’ of Mr Uda’s Book ‘Obligation to Dissent: Why Organization Fails’ – 1
→ My ‘Epilogue’ of Mr Uda’s Book ‘Obligation to Dissent: Why Organization Fails’ – 2
→ My ‘Epilogue’ of Mr Uda’s Book ‘Obligation to Dissent: Why Organization Fails’ – 3
→ My ‘Epilogue’ of Mr Uda’s Book ‘Obligation to Dissent: Why Organization Fails’ – 4
→ My ‘Epilogue’ of Mr Uda’s Book ‘Obligation to Dissent: Why Organization Fails’ – 5
→ My ‘Epilogue’ of Mr Uda’s Book ‘Obligation to Dissent: Why Organization Fails’ – 6 (1)
→ My ‘Epilogue’ of Mr Uda’s Book ‘Obligation to Dissent: Why Organization Fails’ – 6 (2)
→ My ‘Epilogue’ of Mr Uda’s Book ‘Obligation to Dissent: Why Organization Fails’ – 7
→ My ‘Epilogue’ of Mr Uda’s Book ‘Obligation to Dissent: Why Organization Fails’ – 8

Schedule – September 2014

ICR Special Symposium 2014 : Japan and the World after 3.11
http://icrhs.tsukuba.ac.jp/archives/1227/#more-1227(in Japanese)

Date & time: September 28, 2014(Sun) 13:00-16:00
Venue: 5C216 Hall, 5C building, University of Tsukuba (Art and Physical Education Area)
Campus Map Art and Physical Education Area
Registration: http://ura.sec.tsukuba.ac.jp/TGSW2014/regstration.html

Contact: Mr. Noda, Institute for Comparative research i Human and Social Sciences
TEL: 029-853-4411 E-mail: office@icrhs.tsukuba.ac.jp

HPAIR 2014: Harvard Project for Asia and International Relations

→Japanese

On Sunday August 24, the day after HLAB 2014 ended, I visited Keio University in Mita.

This was to attend HPAIR 2014, an event also planned by the Harvard University students.

The panel on this day addressed the innovative topic, “What are the ways in which Asia addressed its aging population and widening disparities in socioeconomic status?” as part of the panel on “Health and Public Policy”. Some of the students who planned the event knew about HLAB.

There were many world-renowned speakers who gave lectures at the event.

I was also a panelist of the closing day, of the Academic Plenary, “Risk Management in Asia” of the International Forum on Tuesday, August 26th (see photo). I felt very energized by the large audience of around five hundred students who participated. After the panel, many students asked questions and we had a good time discussing and taking pictures together.

The last time that this event was held in Japan was HPAIR 2005 and I had the opportunity to give a lecture at that time as well. Mr. Tsuchiya, who had been at HPAIR 2005 representing Harvard University and later went on to work at The World Economic Forum and has been active in developing stronger ties with Japan, was at the event this year and I was able to catch up with him. Time flies by very quickly.

During the five days from August 22 to 26th, through the HLAB 2014, AYDPO 2014 and HPAIR 2014 programs, I enjoyed spending time with young people who will lead the future of the world. It was great to have the chance to talk with them and be moved by them.

I send my support and encouragement to young people who will take off in the world.