economy – Page 30 – Kiyoshi Kurokawa.com

Discussion about the sister cities /countries of Sendai city and Finland, aged society and then a much awaited active role of women in Japan

Posted on 2007/11/262014/10/01 by kiyoshi kurokawa

In the week of Nov 12, I had an opportunity to give speeches everyday in the week. On 13th (Tuesday), I was at the Future Innovation Forum. On 14th (Wednesday), I was at the Sir Martin Wood Certfication cermony in the British embassy and I gave a speech about the lifestyle related diseases on the 15th (Thursday).

The Sendai city is in collaboration with Finland. On the 16th (Friday), a symposium was conducted by both the hosts with a theme "The Aged Society." There seem to be several issues regarding it. The Finnish Ambassador to Japan, the Sendai city mayor Mr. Katsuhiko Umehara (he was at the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry before becoming a mayor) also addressed the symposium. One of the deputy mayors (2 out of 3 are females), Emiko Iwasaki (She is a doctor who is seems to have been to Africa. The mayor had recruited her which is amazing), myself and a person from Finland gave a keynote speech. In Japan we have major problems of declining birthrate and also delayed social progress of women. But nothing has been done about it. The women activity in Japan is in stark contrast to Finland.

In the afternoon, I headed to Tokyo for the speech "Scienctific technology and the nation" on the 50th anniversary of Asahi newspaper science department. I participated in the panel after the key speech "Out of the frying pan into the fire" given by Mr. Takashi Tachibana.

I was back to Sendai the next day. There was an invitation from Dr. Noriko Osumi at the Tohoku University meeting "The 6th Gender equality symposium" and a male delivered a keynote speech for the first time. The panel consisted of eminent people. According to Mr. Tateo Arimoto ( JST, Japan science and technology agency), the Education Ministry seems to have complained when the first President of Tohoku Universty, Dr. Sawayanagi Masatarou enrolled females for the first time in the University, which was unheard before.

Tohoku University has a support program for female researchers called the Science Angels. There was again a presentation and award ceremony of "5th Sawayanagi Award (Tohoku University Gender Equality Promotion Award)" and the 3rd award winner gave a presentation. All of you have done a wonderful work. I am very happy. Congratulations. I have presented the image of the Tohoku University at that time. Please have a look at it.

Photo1: Award winners of the Sawayanagi award

Both the Human Development Index and the Gender Development Index are as high as entering the Top 10 (UNDP etc.) of the world. The Gender Empowerment Index of Japan is ranked 43rd in the 75 countries of UNDP. It stands at the 91st of 128 countries in the recent World Economic Forum. It is a pity not to nurture the talents of women.

From Abu Dhabi－3; Dubai, and the Japanese environment technology.

Posted on 2007/11/222014/10/01 by kiyoshi kurokawa

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On Oct. 26th, I was in Abu Dhabi and then stayed in Beijing and arrived at Narita late at night. The following day, there was a meeting presided by Dr. Uzawa and I enjoyed this Saturday event. The next week Monday to Friday was very busy. Then I once again departed to Abu Dhabi in the early morning on Saturday.

This time it was a very different task. At both Abu Dhabi and Dubai about twelve Japanese companies collaborated under the leadership of Nikken Sekkei Ltd. to display and introduce the environmental techniques which are pride of Japan. I gave a speech from the point of view of a scientist.

However, to visit Dubai Airport and Abu Dhabi twice within ten days was something I never would imagine, despite the fact that there were many coincidences that led this to happen.

After arriving in Dubai, a reception at the official residence of the consulate took place. After staying there overnight, I went to Abu Dhabi again after a gap of "10 days." I met the Ambassador His Excellency Hatano, some businessmen, and the Director General of INSEAD Abu Dhabi School. I brought Japanese sweets for the students of the Japanese school as I promised at my previous visit and handed them through Mr. Yoshimura, the principal. At night there was an excellent Japanese display of the environmental techniques and a video introduction of a proposal of new urban development. There was also an interview with His Highness the Prince in between and after that I addressed to the gathering. The speech given by His Highness the Prince was very earnest and made us aware that more efforts were needed for education. A part of his thoughts now in action is to enroll the local students in the Japanese school and he seemed to be very thankful to Ambassador Hatano for sharing the same view.

The climate in Abu Dhabi in this time of the year is very pleasant. It is somewhat like Los Angeles.

Photo1: At the Abu Dhabi Golf Club, from left myself, His Excellency Hatano, Director General of INSEAD Abu Dhabi school Mr. Peter Jadersten, my friends Mr. Nomura, Mr. Saito

Photo2: At the Abu Dhabi Golf Club, myself and Mr. Saito

Photo3: In front of the residence of the consulate, from left Mr. Saito, Mr. Nomura, myself

Photo4: Having omelet rice at the terrace of the consulate residence. From left, Mr. Korenaga, myself, Ms. Yoro, His Excellency Hatano, Mr. Saito, Mr. Nomura

25% of Japan’s petroleum imports are from Abu Dhabi. On the other hand, there is a future urban development plan called MASDAR over here which in the long run does not emit CO2 by using clean energy. It is incorporated very ambitiously. This ambitious project was also reffered to in the speech.

※A copy of the speech
"Planet in Peril: Nation with Clear Vision as a New Global Leader of Sustainable Urban Development, Abu Dhabi and the United Arab Emirates"

The following day, I gave another speech which was slightly different and referred to the recent ambitious project "Enpark."

I arrived at Narita at night on the 6th.

From Abu Dhabi-1, To Japanese school

Posted on 2007/10/292014/10/01 by kiyoshi kurokawa

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I returned from Seoul on 17th, and after spending a few busy days in Japan, I came to Abu Dhabi, the capital of United Arab Emirates（UAE）on 22nd in the afternoon. Approximately 15 Nobel laureates have participated in a conference called "Festival of Thinkers." I have been at the Dubai airport many times but this is the first time I am coming outside the airport. Coordinator of Japan delegation was Dr. Cassim, President of the Asian Pacific University.

On 21st late afternoon, I moved from Haneda to Kansai International Airport. In the lounge, I met Dr. Nassrine Azimi, who is joining us this time and we departed by a midnight flight. She is the director of UNITAR in Hiroshima. She is an intellectual cosmopolitan of many accomplishments, a native of Iran, and has completed her education in Switzerland. 3 years ago, soon after she assumed the office, I went to Hiroshima to attend a seminar (blog: Oct. 21, 2004). A storm was approaching then and there were a big earthquakes known as Chuetsu Earthquake in mid Nigata prefecture.

So it was nice to meet her after a long time and I really enjoyed talking with her about various topics. We also discussed about the panel at the conference and I introduced Professor Miyagawa of MIT by e-mail. Dr. Miyagawa is a member of the team which planned the Open Course Ware of MIT, and recently he has started a fantastic program called Visualizing Cultures with Professor John Dowers, a Pulitzer Prizes winner and the author of "Embracing defeat." I have a feeling that something wonderful will come out from the collaboration of Professor Miyagawa and Dr. Azimi. By the way, Professor Miyagawa is staying in Japan this year so I invited him to the National Institute for Policy Studies to give a speech to high school students of Musashi Gakuen. I will write about it in some other occasion(blog: Jan. 4, 2005）.

After arriving Dubai airport I traveled towards Abu Dhabi by car for about 90 minutes. There were many new constructions springing out from desert, and everything was very energetic. There was a feeling of "money can do anything." I heard that 60% of the cranes from all over the world were brought here. Leaving the suburbs behind, the car ran and ran through the highway in desert, and as we approached towards Abu Dhabi, trees and greens increased. So I was relaxed. It was also because some of the views reminded me of southern California. The green view s a result of the efforts of Zeid, late great emperor of Abu Dhabi who has taken initiative in tree plantation campaign of "green desert, green country." This is a great achievement.

I reached Abu Dhabi early in the afternoon and stayed at the Emirates Palace Hotel (for details, refer http://virtual-emiratespalace-uk.com/). The hotel was huge just like a Palace, with beautiful private beach. I hear that former Prime Minister Abe and many people from the business world had stayed here in the beginning of this year. I heard some stories about it, too. During my stay of three days, I could not understand the structural design of the hotel. I was tired just by walking inside the hotel.

Photo1-2: Hall and ceiling in Emirates Palace（There are many halls like this）

Photo3: Dr. Cassim and Dr. Ishikura

Photo4: Dr. Tayeb A Kamali, Vice Chancellor of HCT (Higher College of Technology), organizer of the conference and Dr. Ishikura.

On the same day, I went to the Japanese school in the afternoon, as His Excellency Hatano, the Ambassador invited me. There were approximately 50 to 60 students from kindergarten to 9th grade. I would like to express my appreciation to Principal Mr.Yoshizaki, teachers from Japan and all local assistants for their hard work. Under the suggestion of His Excellency Hatano, four local children were also admitted in the kindergarten. I was told that the school plans to increase the number of local children in each class and the children’s parents appreciate the disciplinary rules, same meals being provided to every children etc. in Japanese school. Such kind of small things will become foundation of building goodwill, exchange of ideas and mutual understanding.

My speech was for about half an hour and mothers of many students were there also. It is very difficult to interact with an audience consisting students from 3years old to the students in 9th grade. However, I told them that I think the Japanese schools are very much blessed as compared to times when I was in Los Angeles when the Japanese School system (a supplementary school which opened only on Saturdays) began to take shape and the returnee student admission system several years later. I also told them that to experience things that people usually can not experience could be very helpful in future global era and my expectations to the children who will live in global era.

Photo5: Japanese school in Abu Dhabi

"Among the schools you’ve seen, which school was good?" was a very difficult question. Therefore, I told an experience when I had visited last year to Olympic Primary School in Kibera Slum (Reference 1) of Nairobi (blog: Jun. 27, 2006). Children in this slum area face a very hard life, where there is no toilet in their narrow houses, no kitchen, no electricity, dirtiness all around and they are struggling to stay alive every day. All the classrooms overflowed with the students and everyday they commute to school by walking for more than 1 hour. However, I saw a spark in their eyes, they were studying sincerely even in such hard conditions and the teachers were confident too. This school is from grade 1 to 8 and is the top school in Kenya. I told them about my comment "The most moving experience in my life, I see the future of the nation" which I wrote in the guest book. I hope someone will read this comment in the future. I do not know when it will happen but I am waiting for the news.

I was happy to answer the wonderful questions from the students. Problems senior students were facing were, naturally, mainly about career options. They were worried about their future like whether to go to Japanese school or about career objectives. It is very difficult for the children and their parents also. There might be some problems specifically because it is a full time Japanese school and not an International School.

For example, a girl in ninth grade who came from Egypt. She has a good command on Japanese as well as Arabic; however, she was not sure about her future career options. I recommended that, thinking about the future world, unless she has a definite reason or objectives to go to Japan, she aim at English speaking countries or perhaps the schools having English as the main language.

I understood by looking into the eyes of those children that they have a great potential and fighting with the uncertainties/anxiety of being between Japan and foreign countries. I was impressed. I wish everyone a great future and great dreams.

Photo6: At the ambassador’s residence, with the Ambassador His Excellency Hatano and Ms. Maria Yogo, Assistant Director of Japanese kindergarten (Maria Yogo is a Japanese name. She has many doctors in her family.)

Photo7: Dr. Ishikura, Professor of Lindqvist and Director of Nobel Museum with his wife.

Photo8: Dr. Kary Mullis, the famous Nobel laureate in chemistry, inventor of common Gene amplification methods PCR and his friend; Dr. J Barbour, a "Physicist and Author" who writes books on light etc.

In the evening, I had dinner at ambassador’s residence and it was a beautiful moment to meet old friends, be acquainted with new people at the assembly reception.

From Seoul

Posted on 2007/10/282014/10/01 by kiyoshi kurokawa

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I went to Seoul from October 13th to 17tth.

Departing early morning from Tokyo on the 13th, this is to join the reunion I organized of Mr. Sadamu Sasaki, the first grandson of Dr. Gozo Sato who devoted his life to the modern time Korean medical education and Dr. Sato’s 3 students (ages 83-86), which took place in the evening of 13th. Exactly one century has passed since Dr. Sato went to the Korean Peninsula as a staff doctor of a hospital. It also marks the 100th anniversary of the Korean Medical Institution (now the Seoul National University College of Medicine). Mr. Sasaki was born and lived in Seoul with Dr. Sato for his initial 14 years. He returned to Japan in 1945 after the end of the world war and this was his first visit to Korea ever since then. What a surprise, what a centennial coincidence. We also visited the house where Mr. Sasaki used to live.

Photo1 from left Dr. Ishida, Mr. Sasaki, Dr. Ju, and myself

Photo2 With Dr. Ju （Vice Chairman of the Korean Academy of Sciences）

Photo3 At the Korean Medical Institution

Photo4 Keijo Imperial University School of Medicine (now the Seoul National University College of Medicine)

I hope that this visit helps to further our understanding of our history between the 2 closest countries and opens a new door to the future. The detail of this visit is reported in Mr. Deguchi’s mail magazine （Oct. 10 and 17 edition） who joined this trip: his background is a journalist, thus write much better and professionally. As he wrote properly of our encounter, the story is much real and very touching; I hope you have a look.

The following day, Mr. Sasaki, Dr. Ishida and I strolled around places associated with Dr. Sato. At night, we had a “luxurious” dinner where fresh fish were cooked in front of us at the fish market.

Photo5 At the fish market in Seoul

On the 15th, I met with a charming woman scientist, Dr. Narry Kim of the Seoul National University (Photo 6). I wanted to pay this visit because I recognize her outstanding achievement on micro RNA. I wanted to know how she could establish her independent research as an assistant professor while being a mother of 2 children. I will touch upon this on a different occasion. There are things that I can’t disclose at the moment, but please look forward to the story sometime later.

Photo6 With Dr. Narry Kim of the Seoul National University

On the 16th, I joined the World Knowledge Forum held at the Walkerhill Sheraton. The following day, on the 17th, there was a Keynote Lecture by Mr. Colin Powell, the former Secretary of State of USA. With no paper, no memo, he talked for 45 minutes right off the reel about Vietnam War, his stay in Korea, his visit to the former Soviet Union during the Cold War, his visit to China, his secret rendezvous with Gorbachev before the end of the Cold War, etc. He shared some specific episodes with us and talked about the current China and expectations for the future. It was such an outstanding well constructed and presented speech with full of grace.

As for me, I joined a panel with Dr. D. Bangalore who is playing an active role in India and Silicon Valley, and Yoko Ishikura who is my co-author of the book “How to build a world class career.”

After this panel, I went straight to the airport to catch a flight back to Haneda.

The young people and the leaders of the world, and Sir. David King of the British Embassy　～Issues and Expectations of Japan as seen from the world

Posted on 2007/10/152014/10/01 by kiyoshi kurokawa

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This is an activity report from October 7th to 9th from the following day after I returned back Japan from the selection of UNESCO-L’Oreal prize in Paris. 8 o’clock in the morening on October 7th, I went the BioCamp. This is a “Camp” conducted once in a year by Novartis, the global company, for about 40 young Asian people since 2005 （Refer:1, 2）. The first camp was conducted in Taiwan, and the keynote was addressed by Dr. Yuan T Lee, the 1986 noble prize winner in chemistry. The second camp was conducted in Singapore, and the keynote address was given by the Science Minister Mr. Philip Yeo. And this time, Mr. R. Horwitz of MIT, the winner of medical student noble prize of 2002, and I made the keynote address. There were probably about 40 participants and the male : female ratio was 5 : 5. Amongst them, there were 15 participants from Japan and the ratio was 7 : 3 which shows the large number of male participants （this means that there were more female participants from other countries）. I was a bit sad as I had just selected a woman researcher in Paris the previous day.

I came to know later that the event was telecast in the "Mino-Monta’s" morning show on the following day for about 90 seconds, included some parts of my speech. The program reported this camp as an example of that the private enterprise’s contribution towards the growth of young people.

I had to go Kyoto just after the address. There was the 4th STS Forum. There was a short greeting by Prime Minister Fukuda in the morning session. I could not reach in time for his speech and so I participated from the afternoon session. This year, the event attendees have considerably increased to about 4 times. It was a wonderful opportunity to meet the leaders, friends and have new acquaintances （Picture1～4）. The discussion, such as about problems and policies of the world, have progressed quite well since the last year’s conference. After all, there is no doubt that the climate changes or sustainable society are the main issues of the world, from the last year’s conference. In this world’s issues, there are huge expectations to Japan, I think・・・.

Picture1　From left myself, Dr. Yuan T Lee, Dr. Yoshikawa and Dr. Waldvogel

Picture2　From left myself, Mr. Charles Vest and Mr. Youngsuk Chi

Picture3　From left myself and Dr. Serageldin, Egyptian ambassador and Alexandria library superintendent

Picture4 Mr. George Atkinson and Ms. Nina V. Fedoroff, the science advisor of Ms. Rice Secretary of U.S State Department

After the STS Forum, I came back to Tokyo on the 9th and I headed towards the University of Tokyo, Institute of Medical Science, from the Shinagawa station. I participated in the speech about the vaccine development with Mr. Seth Berkley, a founder of International AIDS Vaccine Promotion Plan （IAVI）. （We know each other since the Davos Economic Forum in 2 years ago, and we both participated in this STS Forum）

In this evening, I went dinner with the Science Advisor of British Prime Minister, Sir. David King. Of course the topic was mainly about the G8 summit in July 2008 in Japan. 4 of my staff （member from the Cabinet Secretariat, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, General Council on Science and Technology and Science Council of Japan） were also participate.

Japan is the host country for the G8 summit, and deals with the problems of the world, How are we trying to solve the climate changes and the problems in Africa? How about Japan’s leadership in Asia? I feel this might be a crucial moment for Japan at the beginning of the 21st century・・・.

In the G8 summit in Germany, Japan’s contribution was very high though （comparatively I do not think the evaluation within and outside of Japan was good. It is as usual because of lack of communication strategy）, then what can Japan do about the climate change, now? In addition to this, TICAD will be held in May 2008 in Yokohama. In spite of the marvelous opportunity for taking leadership about the Africa issue, it is irritating that "intention of the nation (National Policy)" was not conveyed to the world in any of the themes.

I feel this is common sence of the world that Japan cannot be seen in the "rapidly moving world." This can be said that because of the unexpected change of the cabinet, though.

Well, what do you think about this? It’s tiring, isn’t it?

UNESCO-L’Oreal prize and incredible female scientists

Posted on 2007/10/152014/10/01 by kiyoshi kurokawa

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There is a cosmetic company named L’Oreal. I arrived in Paris in the morning of October 4th. I was invited as a selection committee member of the UNESCO-L’Oreal prize conducted by UNESCO to commend incredible female scientists.

The hotel I staied was Hilton which is near Arch of Triumph, the Japanese embassy, and the OECD Office of Japan. I had lunch with the UNESCO Ambassador Kondo in the official residence and got acquainted with Mr. Akiba and Mr. Sakashita of the Science council and also accompanied by Mr. Shigeru Ban, who is a world famous architect （Picture 1）. Presently he visits Paris every 2 weeks each month for the construction of the second centre which he won in an international competition.

Moreover, Mr. Kondo, the ambassador, has also a deep knowledge of culture and has also a book to his name called “Paris from the Malmasion Woods: 24 essays about the diplomacy and culture.” Rising above all the expectations, he was deeply involved in the World Heritage selection of Iwami Ginzan at the conference of UNESCO in June. The perspective of “environment” was highly evaluated. This is an era. At the end of June, when ambassador Kondo left Paris CDG airport for a conference at New Zealand, I was waiting at the airport for a flight to Tokyo and so we had dinner together.

Picture1　From right- Mr. Saka, myself, Ambassador Kondo, Mr. Akiba

The selection for the L’Oreal prize was on the 5th, the selection committee head was Nobel prize winner Gunter Blobel and committee members were past award recipients all of whom were great people. An old friend Mr. Nalecz（from Poland） was the representative from UNESCO. I met him after 3 years. 5-10 people were recommended from each continent（North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Africa-Arab） and since all were incredible it was difficult to choose. 5 people from each region were selected after a lively discussion. Please see the web site for the result. A grand business plan seems to be planned with the ceremony in Paris on the tenth anniversary of UNESCO-L'Oreal prize next March. Up till now, Ms. Tsuneko Okazaki and Ms. Fumiko Yonezawa of Science Council of Japan, had participated as the Japanese winners.

Picture2　With Mr. Nalecz

Picture3　Selection Committee

In the evening, I went to the Radio France Philharmonic Orchestra concert. Myung-Whun Chung is the musical director here. The second number of the Brahms Concerto for Piano was played. The conductor was Gustavo Dudamel, and Piano by Leif Ove Andsnes. After the performance I excused myself and went to the Paris CDG airport. I left for home by Air France at 23:30 from the same CDG airport where I had met ambassador Kondo last time.

Picture 4　Evening Orchestra

Come to think of it, this L’Oreal prize has excellent global advertising communication strategy. In the global era, this type of special contribution from industries is considered very important as CSR, and is evaluated as intangible value. Hence, it is necessary that the Japanese industries contribute likewise more and more.

Insufficient “Investment” Funds are not sustainable for new growth industries of Japan

Posted on 2007/10/092014/10/01 by kiyoshi kurokawa

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I was invited by JASDAQ and gave a speech on the 3rd of October. There were approximately 700 people participating. The people were over flooded with enthusiasm but I thought a little more vigour could have been better. Why it was so is hard to explain but it left a docile impression. The host, Mr.Tsutsui, director of JASDAQ and Mr. Izuka of THine Electronics, Inc. (THine) who participated in the panel were with me at Dailian also as I introduced to you a while ago in my blog (click here for article of the interview of Mr. Izuka in Japanese). The panel members were Mr. Eikou Harada, president of MacDonld’s Holdings Japan, Mr. Mineo Fukuda, executive vice-president of Jupiter Telecommunications (J:COM), Mr. Testuya Iidzuka, director of THein and myself under the chairmanship of Mr. Tsutsui.

Japan invests extremely small amount to new or growing industries compared to economically larger countries such as in OECD (Figure1-2: why are these graphs not widely used and get known to the media?). I get an impression of "slackness" under the influence of the economic growth driven by more than 30 years of mass-production of standardized goods since 1960’s, cheap energy sources like oil ( until the oil shock of 1974), culture of consumption, the logic drawn from the supplier side as Freeman and Perez put it "the paradigm 4." The feeling is especially strong for these several years since the economic recovery this time came along with the economic growth of Asia, even though the basic restructuring of Japan’s framework is still far from accomplishment. This could be dangerous. Books like "Company rots from its head (published in Japanese only)" or "Tenacity of one finger decided the contest (published in Japanese only)" etc. by Kazuhiko Toyama points out the same problem. Although the world is changing rapidly, it is not able to change as the past experience of success is becoming a barrier. People with vested interests who have the old experience of success are becoming too prominent in the high social status and forming the big opposing power. What I feel is that although the field is still strong enough, the enterprises are not utilizing it enough.

Figure1: Poor Quantity of Fund Supply for venture ?1: Transition of VC investment balance of Japan, America and Europe

Figure2: Poor Quantity of Fund Supply for venture ?2: Venture Investments in 3 stages in various countries (GDP ratio) (1998-2001)

Source: Investigation of investment trend for the venture capital 2005
Note1: Conversion for the United States is 1 Dollar=107 Yen
Note2: Conversion for Europe is Euro= 139 Yen

Regarding its social background, I write a lot about it in my blog. My speeches can be also used as a reference. In these 40 years, the framework has been completed using the 3 poles of Japan, America and Europe. However, the composition is such that with the rapid growth of Asia, Japan in Asia is chased for the success. To seclude in pride or relief is not an option.

The "investment" is not only about the country’s money or the tax system. They are only policies that are intended to prime the pump. In Japan the "government, industries, bureaucracy" with "big vested interests" has become too accustomed to the old experience of success and the centralized indirect finance of the mega banks, that their mentality became used to "financing" but not "investment." Even if financing is considered, the mental make-up is becoming such that they are not able to do the investment. The "stakes which come forth" (a Japanese idiom for "brilliant people who speak up") with spirit of great entrepreneurship are so few in the Japanese society. The situation is not good for new industries. It is difficult to be competitive about the industrial structure and economic growth in the paradigm of the new Global era. Since the industrial revolution, we saw the history repeat again and again in industry and economy. The new generation (regardless of age) must come.

In the age of speeding information, the world knows much better about the Japanese situation. Think carefully about the above 2 graphs. How should it be interpreted? I am afraid that, as usual, "too little too late" policies derived from the old narrow personal experiences and logic of vertically divided thinking will probably come up. Can’t we change after all? Recently Japanese isolation and Japanese sinking are discussed in the media. Maybe it is so. There are a bunch of people in the authorities who always count reasons for not doing something, who have never experienced a serious match.

Although the economic scale is 2nd in the world, Japan gives an "indifferent" or "irrelevant" or "nothing to do with" impression among the international society. It is predicted that China will get ahead of Japan in the GDP by 2010.

I predict that talented people with high ideals will eventually go abroad to pursue their career. It is a shame, but this is what global era is about.

After the speech, I headed to Narita and took off to Paris by the usual night flight.

From beautiful Hangzhou, city of West Lake

Posted on 2007/09/252014/10/01 by kiyoshi kurokawa

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From 20th to 22nd, I came to Hangzhou, which Marco Polo had described to be "The most beautiful city" in his book, "The Travels of Marco Polo" also known as Oriente Poliano (Reference: "About Hangzhou," "Culture of Hangzhou" and "How to make things enjoyable in Hangzhou"). The streets around the West Lake are marvelous with full of greens everywhere. When I walked around the West Lake town (about 12 km), there were many willow, camphor and platanus trees. The streets lined up with willow trees were very beautiful. I was impressed with the affluent greenery of this city (Reference: Hangzhou flower garden ).

You might have seen on television etc. but a very rare phenomenon of high tides with the height of 2 to 3 meters running several hundred kilometers up from wide river mouth gradually till it becomes narrow is seen in Sentoko at around 15th August as per old calendar (end of September as per new calendar). This phenomenon is also seen in the Amazon river. The timing is only a week from now; It is a pity that I have to return back immediately.

This time, I came for a keynote lecture ("Social policy for the aged society") at the annual conference of the Society of Internal Medicine in China. I met many old friends and we renewed our old friendship. There were Prof. Thomson from Department of Medicine, Monach university, Melborne, Prof. Drazen, editor-in-chief of New England Journal of Medicine, Prof. Kohler, director general of Secretariat of International Society of Internal Medicine of Bern (Switzerland), Prof. K.N. Lai, director of kidney, Department of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong and Pro. Zhaori, chief editor of a Chinese science magazine "Chinese Medical Journal." The host was Prof. Wang Haiyan (lady professor), president of Chinese Society of Internal Medicine, one of my old friends (Photo1). I felt reformation and international developments for global era in progress everywhere and its dynamisms were great. It is just wonderful and inspiring.

Photo1: At the reception, from left, Professors Lai, Drazen, Kohler, Wang, Thomson and myself.

Next day, Prof. Lawrence Tierney of UCSF, who attended my clinical lecture 2, 3 times in my Todai era and chief editor of "Current Medical Diagnosis and Treatment" whom I helped for chapter "Abnormalities in body fluid" arrived. As introduced also in "Learn in ‘Major leaguer’ "(Igaku-Shoin, 2002) by Dr. Matsumura Rishi, he is a wonderful teacher visiting Japan every year and traveling all over the world. He will be visiting Japan for about one month from next month.

Maybe the readers of my blog are aware that I go to various places in the world but usually don’t go for sightseeing. Regret to say I don’t have time for it. However, this time, all the lectures other than those by invited lecturers were in Chinese, so Dr. Zhangfei Shou (working in related hospitals of Zhejiang University, School of Medicine. Its Dean is Dr. Ba Denian whom I have introduced in my blog last week) took me to many places. I am very thankful.

We went to Ling Yin Temple (Photo2 and 3), Fei Lai Feng near it (Photo4) and then to Six Harmonies Pagoda (here, "Six" means heaven, earth, north, south, east and west ) (Photo5). Hangzhou is famous for producing tea and silk since long time ago. It is a sister city of Shizuoka city in Japan. We also visited museum of tea "Chinese tea museum." I felt relaxed in nature at this tea museum (Photo 6), it’s been a while since I had this feeling last time.

Photo2 and 3: At Ling Yin Temple with Dr. Shou (The frame "Ling Yin Temple" at the gate was written by Mr.Jiang Zemin)

Photo4: At Fei Lai Feng with Dr. Shou

Photo5: At Six Harmonies Pagoda with Dr. Shou

Photo6: Tea farm

Photo7: At West Lake with Dr. Shou

As like at Dalian last month, it is a pleasure to see an increasing level of exchange in academic and private sectors taking place between neighboring big countries.

The sites which I cited in my blog introduce many hands on blogs without limiting to official blogs. If you are interested, search for the sites which have good information.

I will be visiting Beijing again to participate in WHO meeting.

Am I “out of box”? “A stereotype breaker”?

Posted on 2007/09/202014/10/01 by kiyoshi kurokawa

→Japanese

In the morning of September 19th, I made a keynote speech at「BioJapan 2007-World Business Forum」 held at Pan Pacific Yokohama. The CEO of Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Dｒ. Maraganore from USA (whom I’ve met 3 years ago at his company) started by talking about "Progress in development of a new class of innovative medicines." His speech was followed by the CEO of Novozymes, Denmark, Mr. Riisgaard who talked about "Bioethanol – A sustainable contribution to the future energy supply," then I talked about "Innovation of bio technology: where is it heading to?".

There were people from OECD and the 6 of us had a pleasant talk over dinner the previous night. There were 2 people whom I have known for a while. It’s quite a small world.

By the way, Newsweek Japan (September 19 edition) published a cover story titled "Confession of a Tokyo Correspondent." In this report, David McNeil writes his hope to tell about "the true Japan." He is a Tokyo correspondent of the British Independent newspaper, but also contributes articles to other foreign newspapers. He is also a coordinator of "Japan Focus."

In the headline "Japanese authorities prefer to introduce their exotic character," there is a phrase as follows:
"・・・And they like to introduce people who destroy the stereotype of a no face Japanese working like a working drone in Japan, a giant machine. There are a lot of unique and talented people in Japan like Kenji Kawakami who presides Japan’s Unuseless Invention Society, Special Advisor to the Cabinet Kiyoshi Kurokawa, designer Jun Takahashi, composer Kazue Mizushima, Japanese Taiko drummer Eitetsu Hayashi etc. I’m lucky that I get paid by writing about them. ・・・."

So am I different from ordinary Japanese? I don’t care that much, but I’m honored that they see me "decently."

At night I had dinner with the British healthcare authorities and people from the British media like "Independent."

To the World Chinese Entrepreneur’s convention from Kobe

Posted on 2007/09/202014/10/01 by kiyoshi kurokawa

→Japanese

The World Chinese Entrepreneur’s convention was held for the first time in Japan in Kobe, and I was invited for a panel about healthcare.

Participants were Dr. Ba Denian, Medical President of Zhe Jiang University from Hangzhou, China (he has studied at Hokkaido University and also a member of Institute of Medicine), Dr. Edmund Lee, Professor of National University of Singapore and the leader of clinical pharmacology from Singapore, Dr. Maggie Ng from Hong Kong of the Juliana Chan Program who ran the RENNAL with me and the MC was Professor Masanori Fukushima of Kyoto University. Time may not have been enough, but the discussion was good. Regarding nation’s competitiveness, if I may say, it is a pity that Japan lags far behind from other countries. What is most important is not only researchers but for each and everyone to act based on an "entrepreneur spirit." As I keep saying, this is the core message of "innovation."

Well, in what language should I speak in this panel? I was a little concerned, so I attended the reception the previous day and asked for advice to the organizer of the panel, and decided to speak in Japanese with English slides. Of course there was simultaneous interpretation in Mandarin, English and Japanese. One of the participants, Dr.Ryuichi Morishita has quickly updated his blog about the Convention.

In the reception held the previous day, I met Mr. Yoichi Funabashi, former executive of the Nikkei Newspaper; Mr. Akira Kojima, former President of Philippines; Mr. Ramos; and friends and people related to Genron NPO. Ms. Kanae Yamamoto, Ministerial aid of Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry also showed up. I also met with First Secretary Mr. Liu from the Chinese Embassy who is temporarily transferred from the Chinese Health Office. Mr.Ramos wears glasses since he was President, but it doesn’t have lenses, it’s just fashion. Also, he says that he always has cigars with him although he doesn’t use it recently. This is not to actually smoke, but to give an "impression." Quite a man.

Photo In Kobe with friends. From left, Mr.Kojima, myself, next to one is Mr.Ramos

Next morning, I met with the mayor of Kobe, Mr.Yada and listened to Kobe’s future bio plans. They have built the groundwork, but how to make full use of it, that is the issue. I would like to extend my gratitude for President Yan Hao and Executive Director Kyo of EPS which is becoming one of Japan’s largest clinical service provider. Thank you very much.

I am leaving for Hangzhou from the 20th.