A beautiful project: “Grameen Change Makers Program”

Posted on by kiyoshi kurokawa

→Japanese

Three sophomores of Waseda University and their partners visited me in December last year.  When they traveled to Bangladesh they were extremely shocked by its situation and “wanted to find out what we can do, to eventually change Japan from there, and we are definitely doing it!” they said.

They returned to Bangladesh, saw more people, and one of them are already starting activities by taking one year leave of absence from the university.  I was unable to see this person, but the remaining two came over to see me and give me follow ups of their activities (their blog (in Japanese) is filled with passion and photos.)

Many plans are going on ? one of them is "Grameen Change Makers Program". This program shows their wonderful ability to think, move, and act.  Their ideas come from their local experience and we can also see their strong message to Japan from the plan.  I am also very pleased to know that they are having lots of advice from Professor Seiichiro Yonekura of Hitotsubashi University.

The point here is: "Local experience matters".  It is where you find what you have in yourself.  No meaningful contribution is possible without this, just as I have said in my recent column.

Also, it is a very nice thing to take a year of leave of absence from the University.  I would like to recommend taking a leave or joining in a student exchange program for a year to many university students as possible. Universities will supposedly not charge tuitions from students on leave, but I even think it is high time that universities, or even governments, consider offering financial supports for such cases.  (See article "Opening Japan Up to the World" by Kurokawa.  Registration at Science Magazine necessary.)  Companies could give scholarships, too.  Nothing but such communication/exchanges of youths are so crucially important for the upbringing of  human resources that shape the future of Japan.

I urge young people to join this "Grameen Change Makers Program" (this website is in Japanese) and ask everyone to support them.  Universities and companies, too.  The future of Japan depends on more and more expansion of such movements and activities.

Beautiful Japan (with her own problems)

Posted on by kiyoshi kurokawa

→Japanese

Dr. Nassrine Azimi, Director, UNITAR, Hiroshima office, is one of true intellectuals and good company I very much respect. We have been working together since her arrival to Japan some five years ago as you may see some of my earlier reports(Ref.1, 2).

She very much fell in love with Japan and Hiroshima, and also shares my concern on various issues of Japan. Recently, she wrote a stunningly beautiful Op-Ed on Japan in New York Times with a quote on my thoughts on reform in education.

I wish to share her Op-Ed with you. Enjoy it.

Cambodia, and coordinating new relationships

Posted on by kiyoshi kurokawa

→Japanese

Mr. Miki Watanabe is the Chairman and CEO of Watami Co., Ltd. whom I have introduced once in my past column.

He is trying to disseminate his message, "Let’s make dreams come true," to broad public, and practices it as a wonderful entrepreneur.  Mr. Watanabe is very passionate about education, and besides managing a school in Japan he is helping foundation of a school in Cambodia.  He has also published several books to encourage young people.

Mr. Heang Chhor, President of McKinsey Japan is also my friend.  He evacuated to France from Cambodia in that painful years of massacre, pursued education in spite of continuing hardships, and now is the President of McKinsey Japan. Mr. Chhor is a very earnest wonderful person.

I introduced these two people to one another.  Since I was abroad, I could not join them at the luncheon.  But I heared that they had a nice time together sharing same views and aspirations in many ways (Japanese site).

They have a common theme, Cambodia, so we can expect their co-operations.  I am looking forward to seeing it.

And "enmusubi (coordinating new relationships)" of wonderful people like them is very exciting as well.

Education and human resource development for promoting ‘Multilayered International Exchange’

Posted on by kiyoshi kurokawa

→Japanese

Over these 20 years and more, I have been pointing out the importance of having young people involved in competition away from home ground (Taryu-jiai) in the world.  Professional sports opened up their doors to the world too; Nomo in 1995 in Major League, FIFA World Cup and J League.  These sports earn high television viewerships in Japan just like in any other countries ? the goals and values of young people are changing to the same direction as the young people in the rest of the world.

Even Sumo, the 'National sport' of Japan, have internationalized totally and the last two matches in the last two days of latest summer tournament were done by non-Japanese only.  The rates of number of foreign rikishis (sumo wrestlers) were in grand total 7%, Makuuchi 30%, Sanyaku 40%, and Yokozuna 100%.  Nevertheless, I don't think Japanese are being especially furious or anything about this.  Japanese also cheer for their good plays, and at the same time this in effect spreads the value of Japanese cultures to the world.  People liking Japan will increase through such experiences.

Yes, the basis of a nation is human resource development and this is the most important task for the future of Japan.  For the coming global age nothing is more needed than to urge young people to see the world outside ? in order to recognize the differences or variety of people of the world, the value of oneself and to build up global networks of friends and colleagues for their future.  This is the recommendation I have been proposing repeatedly in my website.

In this year's January/February issue of 'Foreign Affairs,' Dr. Anne Marie Slaughter, Dean of the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs at Princeton University, wrote a wonderful paper.  When I compare this with the universities in Japan, I feel very uneasy and worried about the future of Japan.  Dr. Slaughter was appointed to the Director of Policy Planning of the U.S. Department of State starting from the end of January.  A nice selection!

Recently, I participated in a meeting at the World Bank.  The content of my discussion is highlighted in its website.  I take this as a sign that people are supporting my view.  It is about the importance of 'Multilayered Brain Circulation.'

Now, can Japan change? Ozumo-nization of universities and industries are so tardy ? too many professors and CEOs are interested in domestics only, don't you think?

Please search within this website by various key words as the ones I have highlighted in Bold.

From Toronto-2

Posted on by kiyoshi kurokawa

→Japanese

It’s Saturday, May 2nd and the "swine flu" news are all over the place.  In the afternoon, I went to the University of Toronto again, this time to the Massey College.  The College is located just on the opposite side of yesterday’s Munk Center.  I went to see my old friend, Dr. John Dirks  who is in charge of the Gairdner award.  It’s been 5 years since we met last time.  Dr. Arimoto joined us from Washington DC where he was participating in the AAAS meeting. We spent approximately 1 hour in an old fashioned, elegant, somewhat small library of the College.

As I have reported in this blog, in the year of the 50th anniversary of the award two Japanese scientists-Drs. Yamanaka and Mori-were awarded so I went to pay a courtesy visit.  I also heard about the awarding ceremony that will take place in October as well as various events being planned in celebration of the anniversary.

After this, I had an opportunity to see Prof. Jun Nogami.  Dr. Nogami is the leading scientist of Canada Nanotech, nano-materials and I met him at the Canadian Embassy in Tokyo this February when he was visiting Japan with Nanotech research promotion inspection party of Canada.

Mvi_17331

Photo1:  At the Massey College with Drs. Dirks and Arimoto.

Img_1735_photo2

Photo2:  With Drs. Nogami and Sunami.

Then, discussion with Dr. Peter Singer (Ref. 1, 2)  on common topics including the agenda of next year’s G8 summit to be hosted by Canada.

In the evening, Prof. Ito Peng, her friend, Drs Arimoto, Sunami and I enjoyed nice dinner at "Sotto Sotto".  The dessert was of course "Ice Wine."  I was told that Japanese are the best customers.

From Toronto-1

Posted on by kiyoshi kurokawa

→Japanese

Img_1731

Photo1:　With Dr. Naylor, President of the University of Toronto

Departing from Washington DC, I arrived in Toronto on May 1st.  5 years have passed since my last visit.  The main purpose this time is to visit Munk Center for International Studiesof University of Toronto

After checking in at Le Royal Meridien King Edward Hotel and taking a short rest, I took off for the destination.

First destination was a meeting with three people from MCIS, Janice Stein (Director), Judith Wolfson (Vice-President for University Relations) and LJ Edmonds to discuss on this year’s "Japan-Canada amity 80 years anniversary" plan with my colleague at GRIPS, Dr. Sunami.  Both parties suggested focusing on "Innovation" in a broader sense.  By the way, the three persons from Canada were all female, PhD, Lawyer, Government official respectively, representing a variety of careers which is truly impressive.

In the 75th anniversary, MCIS and SCJ (Science Council of Japan) co-organized a conference under the theme of "Gender Issue" that produced an outcome of Japan-Canada academic exchange program for female researchers (this web-site is in Japanese only) .

Img_1729

Photo2:　With Drs. Stein and Sunami at the Munk Center

"Asian Foodprints", a series of conferences under the auspices of Munk Center and Asia Institute happened to be open so we decided to have a quick look into them.  The first conference was organized under the theme of "understanding cultures through food" and this year’s theme was "China, Hong Kong."  It appeared to be very interesting.

After this, I left the site for a meeting with the President of University of Toronto.  In my last visit five years ago, I had a lunch at the President’s office with current President Birgeneau of UC Berkeley, who was then just about to take on the new appointment.  This time, it was Dr. David Naylor (the photo at the top) who succeeded Dr. Birgeneau just recently.  Dr. Naylor is MD, and was the Dean of School of Medicine very much like myself.  Still young, but has an impressive career and had lots of topics common with me so the meeting turned out to be a lively interesting conversation.

Then, a dinner of "understanding cultures through food" hosted by Munk Center and Asia Institute.  A large number of guests were invited, including Dr. John Wong (Director), Professor Ito Peng , Drs. Stein, Wolfson and Edmonds.  It was a wonderful event overall.  Next year’s theme will be Japan.  At the dinner I had an opportunity to see Mr. Yamashita, Consul General of Japan in Toronto, President Suzuki of the Japan Foundation and his wife.

In July, His Majesty the Emperor and Her Majesty the Empress will visit Canada.  I am delighted to report to you that this was also a hot topic at the event.

President Obama’s speech and science & technology policies

Posted on by kiyoshi kurokawa

→Japanese

I am now in Washington DC.  In the evening of 27th, the night before my departure, I saw and heard in Tokyo via internet the speech of President Obama on Science and Technology Policies given at the National Academy of Sciences annual meeting.  President Obama is the fourth president to address the National Academy and it has been 20 years since the last.  You are able to see, hear, and read the transcript of the speech at this website.  It is a strong message with clear vision for the future that has great content and wonderful structure.

President Obama set a goal of investing 3% of the nation’s GDP to R/D of Science and Technology.  Also, as the most important policy for the future, he showed a clear commitment to education in math and science through raise of budget with quite a concrete description on how this will be done.  These policies are based on recommendations from independent "think tanks" such as National Academy so their objectivity is trustworthy and evidence is clear.  Budgets were set to carry out these policies. Such process is important.

In today’s economic crises, a "clear message for the future," i.e., clear vision and commitment for the future, is very important.

For the large scale supplementary budget or new budget of Japan during this economic crisis, I would recommend 1) budget for the care of current bleeding 2) budget to create jobs for the next 2-3 years, and support social infrastructures such as social securities, health care, etc. (in short, provide a sense of being safe), and 3) more investments on new industries and their growth that can draw picture of the future society – i.e. basic research providing the "bud" for the possible new industries and education – (although I don’t think it pays to invest in current education system expecting it to provide good education for students of the global age.  In the first place, Japan’s budget for teachers is too small when compared to other OECD nations・・・) and so on.  Policies made by ministries and governmental offices are not enough to make changes.  Take a look at recommendations that were given by experts to the Prime Minister at the Kantei (residence of the prime minister).  See for yourself how much those recommendations (in Japanese only) have the viewpoint of "1, 2, and 3" as I have described above.  Apparently everybody is trying hard.  My recommendation is also uploaded in the section of "low carbon and environment."

The leadership and message of policy makers have power to encourage so many citizens, but・・・.

From La Jolla – Entrepreneurship meeting

Posted on by kiyoshi kurokawa

→Japanese

Img_1588_2

Kauffman Foundation  is a group focusing on "Entrepreneurship" (so to say "Entrepreneurial mind" or "Spirit of enterprise" (as in the book "5 propsitions of Web age" by Mochio Umeda.) ? since it is not just about businesses・・・.) that held Global Entrepreneurship Week around the world and as I have reported to you in this blog, several programs were carried out in Japan also at National Graduate Institute of Policy Studies (GRIPS) where I work and at Kyoto with cooperation from Honda foundation.

Kauffman foundation and UCSD (University of California San Diego) jointly opened a 2 day conference hosted by U.S.A. inviting Great Britain, Japan, and Canada under the theme of "What Industry Wants from Universities."  Several attendee from each country (naturally people from U.S.A. were dominant because they were from the host country.) gathered to have great discussions over various topics including policies.  The program was nicely planned and contents were very good.  It was truly a worthy meeting.  Especially, I would like to point out that British people contributed much in keeping the discussion in good mood by their witty comments.  Their sense of humor is outstanding.

I will write about the meeting once the report is posted on the web.

Img_1595_photo1

Photo1: With participants from Japan
(more photos are uploaded on Picasa)

Participants from Japan were Dr.Sunami from GRIPS, Dr.Harayama from Tohoku University, Dr.Kneller from RCAST, University of Tokyo, and Dr.William Saito.  They are unusual members, I would say.  All are working in Japan for these few years, but their main education or career path were at overseas.

Nice weather and campus, jolly fellows.  I was very much in a refreshed mood.  After the conference we had a tour at Calit2.  We saw only a few people around though brobably because it was Saturday.

In San Diego, WBC which Japan also participated was about to start.  Wasn’t it great that Japan won the championship?

Anyway, after all, California is a bright sunshine state.  It’s so nice.

Tahiti-4 (About YOSHIDA Shoin)

Posted on by kiyoshi kurokawa

→Japanese

Highland_s

In my last column of "Tahiti-3," I uploaded a photo of a plate hanging at the entrance of a lighthouse.

It reads: Robert Louis Stevenson, Tahiti 1888.

‘Great were the feelings of emotion as I stood with mother by my side and we looked upon the edifice designed by my father when I was sixteen and worked in his office during the summer of 1866.’

The moment I saw this, I felt "This is it!"

Robert Louis Stevenson (1850-94) is a British writer known for "Treasure Island," "Strange Case of Dr. Jykyll and Mr. Hyde" etc., but his parents and grandfater were legendarily famous lighthouse design engineers.  Lighthouse desin was his family profession.  Robert was physically weak and had tendency for sickness so he was incapable of fulfilling the family expectations.  However, he was gifted with talents of literature.  In 1874, while he was staying in France in attempt to recover from illness, he fell in love with an American women 10 years older and with a child.  He goes to California in 1879 in a very weak condition, risking death, and marries in 1880.

Stevenson returns to England with his family from 1880 to 1887, but when he father died in 1887, goes back to the United States with his mother and family.  Next year in 1888, he sets off for a cruise to southern Pacific Ocean.  It is in this year of 1888 that the words were engraved on the plate at Tahiti.

Stevenson died in late 1894 in an island of Pacific Ocean at age 44.  Explore for information in Wikipedia etc.  The story is very attractive.  You will find history of a man.

Why did I think "This is it!" when I saw this plate in Tahiti?  It has something to do with YOSHIDA Shoin(1830-59).  I was thinking for years on how and when to introduce you this strange relationship between Shoin and Stevenson.  Likewise, I also thought very much about the right time when I introduced in my blog the lecture of His Majesty the Emperor in England on the 300th anniversary of the birth of Linne (May 2007).

YOSHIDA Shoin played an important role in forming spiritual peg for the structuring of modern Japan.  Many activists fighting for Meiji Restoration were nurtured at Shokason Jyuku, the school he founded.  Stevenson was the first to write about Shoin.  His article was published in March 1880 (Cornhill Magazine 41) under the title of "Yoshida-Torajiro" (Shoin was commonly known as Yoshida-Torajiro).  Later, it was made into a (chapter of a) book "Familiar Studies of Men and Books" published in 1882.

The article was written 20 years after the death of Shoin, in English.  Who told Stevenson about Shoin?  The answer is found in the beginning of Stevenson’s essay.  It was "Taizo Masaki." 

Taizo Masaki was the first President of Tokyo Institute of Technology (the name was different then).  There are many sites referring to the relation between Masaki and Stevenson (Ref. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 ).

Also, a book by Midori Yoshida, titled "Mystery of Biography of Shoin Yoshida written before Japan. Passionate Japanese ? why Stevenson the great British writer?" is published (2000).  I advise you to search the sea of information and think about this mystery of relationship, the great Shoin, and "essence of education."

Where is Shoin of today in this troubled Japan?

Anyway, I didn’t even dream of coming across their relationship at Tahiti.

From Davos-4

Posted on by kiyoshi kurokawa

→Japanese

Dsc00566 Photo1

The first event of  31st was a speech by British Prime Minister Mr. Gordon Brown.  Next was Prime Minister Aso, whose speech also had impact (Ref. 1, 2).  I was glad that he touched upon topics which would be highly evaluated by the audience, such as Japanese aid to Afghanistan of building and reconstruction of schools/clinics combined with financial and human resource support, recovery of Kabul International Airport, activities at Palestine, increase in the volume of aids to Africa, etc.  These facts deserve to be actively publicized domestically and internationally, but that they are fresh news even to us in a place like this is something awkward.  Overall, the speech delivered strong message

Prime Minister Aso then had several interviews and lunch.  I was invited to the lunch also.  Here again, he exchanged views with many leaders of the world through active questions and answers.  To have lively conversation is very important.

Dsc00561_pmasoPhoto2~3: Prime Minister Aso at speech and lunch meeting.

Dsc00577_aso_speech 

Dsc00575_ogata Photo4: At the lunch, Chairman and CEO Hayashi of JETRO, Dr. Ogata and her husband, Director General Matsuura of UNESCO.

Surprisingly, "UNIQLO" sponsored the lunch that gained good evaluation.  The room was decorated with cool displays and many beautiful screens (see photo at the top).  I heard that the lunch boxes they served were also appreciated for its tastiness.  In short, the presence of Japan this day around noon was outstanding.  Good work, everyone!

It seems that Mr. Saito, Minister of Environment, accompanied the Prime Minister.  He chatted with Professor Daniel Esty of Yale, who happens to be my friend also.

Dsc00579_three_with_kkPhoto5: With Minister Sato and Professor Esty.

On February 1st, the final day of Davos meeting, I participated in Global Agenda Council.　

The last session was with Archbishop Tutu of South Africa （known for oppositions to Apartheit and following commitment to human rights issues, etc.  He was awarded Nobel peace prize for 1984）, having dialogues with young people.  As cleric and activist of human rights, his communication skill is high and the session was extremely interesting.

Dsc00599_panelPhoto6: Archbishop Tutu in dialogue with the young people.

The details are available in the summary PDF of this year’s Davos meeting which symbolized the age of turning point of the world.  Several photos are also posted on web.

Dsc00604_india_and_kkPhoto7: With Mr. Yunus

I happened to come across with Mr. Yunus at the lobby as I was checking out (Mr. Yunus is Nobel peace award laureate.  I have been introducing him in my speech, blog, etc. constantly as good example of social entrepreneur which is a strong trend in this global era.) .  He is founder of Grameen Bank that contributed to the financial independence of women in Bangladesh through Microfinance.  It was a good opportunity to inform him about our motivated young people in Japan.  He will be visiting Japan in March again.  We said good-bys hoping to see each other if our schedule meets.  It would be great if the meeting actually take place.

After talking with Mr.Yunus, I left the hotel for Zurich Airport to take flight to New Delhi.