education – Page 32 – Kiyoshi Kurokawa.com

From California-1, UCLA after a long time

Posted on 2007/12/102014/10/01 by kiyoshi kurokawa

Dec. 4th, I flew to California. First of all, I had lunch at Napa Valley Grille at Westwood, with my ULCA mentor, Dr. Kleeman(Photo1) and his wife. Then, I went to the newly established California Nanosystems Institute（CNSI）(Photo2). This is yet to be fully opened but some work has already started. There are joint research programs with the University of Tokyo and National Institute for Materials Science(NIMS) at Tsukuba, and I am happy to hear it. I met there Prof. Matsui of Kyushu University Silicon Valley Office was also visiting. Since the research conducted over here is a joint work related to medicine, engineering, and chemistry, the research laboratory is constructed right in the center surrounded by these departments, and various ideas are applied to the system of how the researchers will participate. This NanoTech Center aims to collaborate with Bio and also works in collaboration with Univ. of California Santa Barbara (The place where Mr. Nakamura Shuji who discovered Blue Diode was head-hunted) which focus mainly in the Nano material area. I met several researchers and also met 2 Japanese scientists. They are doing very interesting research projects. They are involved in their research from past 10 and 20 years, respectively. They are working hard. I wish both all the best.

On the next day, I met Dr. Gerald Levey, Vice-Chancellor of Health Affair and Dean of School of Medicine. We knew each other for some 12 to 13 years. We greeted each other and talked for an hour. Then I had a meeting with the professor of pediatrics, Dr. McCabe(Photo4), who is a friend of Dr. Eto of Jikei University, both work in the same field, thus genetics of pediatrics deseases. Dr. McCabe raises horses at the Doublestrand Ranch from the time he was at the Colorado University. He is not only brilliant but the scale of activities is big. I am envious.

Photo1　With my Mentor at UCLA, Dr. Kleeman.

Photo2　In the UCLA California Nanosystems Institute(CNSI).

Photo3　With Dr. Gerald Levey

Photo4　With Dr. McCabe, Dr. David Lundberg(In-charge of UCLA-CNSI international cooperation administration).

I still miss my university where I studied for quite a long period. The penetrating blue sky of California which seems to beckon me to come back. The unending bright campus, the University town, Westwood, I miss every part of it. This is my 24 hours visit to UCLA, that I feel I wished I could come back.

I headed towards the airport and went to San Francisco. By the way, the flight was late by around 2 hours and I reached in San Francisco at 5: 30 pm.

Japan-Arab conference at the Alexandria library

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

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I arrived the Kansai airport from Haneda on the evening of Nov. 19th. Then I flew to Dubai and now arrived at Alexandria, Egypt. This was my 3rd visit to the Dubai airport in last 4 weeks. I arrived at Alexandria on the 20th at 11:30 and headed directly to the Alexandria Library. This about 2300 year’s old library is the world’s first scientific academy, and the magnificient buliding was reconstructed 5 years ago. The contents have also been reinforced under the leadership of Dr. Serageldin, the library chief. He is also my friend and has developed several excellent programs. I am also a member of the Board of Trustees of the library for past 3 years and I visit this place for the meeting conducted in spring.

I arrived to the Library just in time. I had an interview from 1:00 pm with Mr. Helal, the Education Minister of Science and Technology. I have met him several times in past few years. He is a scholar and a splendid person. There is a considerable support from Japan. It is delightful to hear that an opera house is being constructed recently in addition to the plans of establishing a science and technology institute with the support of Japan. I mainly discussed about the academic exchange with Minister Helal.

Photo1 On the library terrace

There were about 120 people from Japan and 150 people from Arab countries participated in the Japan-Arab conference. The conference had various sessions and sub-sessions and a full discussions were conducted about a wide range of topics, such as politics, economics, science, technology, environment, health care, culture, and art, etc.. From Japan, the group was headed by honorable former MInister Mr. Taro Nakayama besides honorable former Ministers, Mr. Koji Omi, Ms. Yuriko Koike. From the business sector Mr. Jiro Nemoto of honorary chairman of Nippon Yusen, Mr. Sadao Umeda of chairman of Kajima Corporation. Dr. Masahisa Yamauchi, a professor of Middle East politics, Mr. Daisuke Nishimura, a foreign ministry environment personnel, and Mr. Youji Yamada, a film director who directed "The Twilight Samurai" was also present since this film was to be shown there. I chaired the environment and water panel and went to several panels. I was happy that several people I know had come as representatives from the Arab world.

Also I have a good time with former Ambassador Mr. Arima Tatsuo, the busy Japanese government representative on the MIddle East Affairs. We had planed to meet up before but our timelines never matched until this time. Needless to say that Mr. Ishikawa, an ambassador to Egypt, and from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Katakura and Mr. Sudou, the former ambassadors to the embassy of Egypt, participated. This kind of gathering of three ambassodor was extremely rare as I was told. Also, an ambassador to Morocco, Ms. Haruko Hirose(Also introduced in the blog of Ms. Mayumi Moriyama, a member and worked as No.2 in UNIDO) had come over there. Since she is working with the United Nations for a long time, even a minor opinion she say shows a fine taste on international relations.

Photo2 In the Hernan Palestine Hotel. From right, Mr. Kaoru Ishikawa, Mr.Takaya Sudo(Chairman of Research Institute of International Affairs Disarmament Center, Former Ambassador to Egypt), Dr. Masayuki Yamauchi(a professor at The University of Tokyo), Ms. Aiko Douden(NHK Commentator), myself, Mr. Numata Sadaaki(Chairman of Japan Foundation Center for Global Partnership, Former Ambassador to Canada), Mr. Shinsaku Sugiyama(Councilor of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Middle East Africa Bureau)

Historically, there has been little religious conflicts between the Middle East and Japan. Since good relations are built from the past, it is a region in which mutual exchanges need to be continued.and strengthened The basic understanding with both parties is that current exchange with Japan is solely in relation to petroleum, and Arabs are not very aware of Japan and vice versa. It was agreed that there should be more and more exchanges in various fields. In addition to this, it was also agreed that the contribution of Japan towards environment, clean energy and water problems was immeasurable.

A congress member, Ms. Yuriko Koike, appeared live-broadcasting on the Cairo T.V. on the night of 21st about an hour. There was one to one interview in Arabic and the theme was about “global warming” and “CoolBiz” in fluent Arabic language which actually was quite something. A tree plantation is going on in the deserts from past 10 years and currently there seem to be 14,000 trees now. This year, the Cairo University is celebrating its 100th anniversary. Ms. Koike, a graduate of Cairo University, is quite admirable that she has many friends and influential people over here.

On the afternoon of 22nd, I left Cairo. Since I had a time at Dubai about 5 hours for transit, I had dinner with Ms. Lama Farsakh(Photo3). She is from Palestine and her husband is from Egypt. They have two daughters. We mostly talked about the Israel-Palestine issues.

Photo3 With Ms. Lama Farsakh

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

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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.

Beijing WHO, Discussion on medical policy with Dr. Uzawa at Tokyo and blog

Posted on 2007/11/022014/10/01 by kiyoshi kurokawa

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I arrived at Beijing from Abu Dhabi via Dubai on 24th October to participate in the conference of WHO Commission. This year’s conference was held at Geneva in January and at Vancouver in June. We are working hard towards the release of the final report which is scheduled next year. Things being at this phase, the programs were mainly closed sessions by the Commissioners.

On 24th, Vice Minister of Health that commensurate with Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare in Japan (Photo1) hosted dinner. The Vice Minister is a surgeon with specialization in liver transplantation etc. I hear that even today, he sometimes does surgeries in the hospitals. Dr. Chen Zhu, my old friend, whom I have known through IAP etc. for more than 5 years, is the Minister of Health. Unfortunately, we could not meet this time.

Photo1: Commissioner Yan Guo, Commission Chairman Sir Marmot, Vice Minister of Health and myself

26th was the final day of the conference. Late in the afternoon, many flights from Beijing airport were cancelled due to fog. Fortunately, my flight departed with just 1 hour delay and I reached Narita at 10:50 p.m. However, there was neither a bus, nor a train or a taxi at that time of a day. I couldn’t believe it! Is this an international airport in the capital of a country of "Giant Economy"?

Next day 27th was a rainy Saturday as typhoon was approaching. I have attended the anniversary symposium of "Life and Medical Sciences" at Doshisha University organized by Dr. Hirofumi Uzawa, whom I very much respect (I have mentioned his name many times in this site, so please search it). Dr. Uzawa wrote a prospectous of the symposium （PDF）which conveyed his great enthusiasm. In it, he mentioned about my "University Hospital Revolution." I was happy, honored and shy at the same time. Not knowing so, I have arranged to give the book to all the participants so it turned out to be a good timing.

Photo2: With the always energetic Dr. Uzawa.

I really enjoyed talking with him.

Afterwards, the speech of both Dr. Uzawa and myself (the beggining of my speech was also used in the Lecture at Helsinki this August) was introduced in a blog (only in Japanese) very positively. I was glad and sent comments of gratitude to the writer.

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.

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.

To the World Chinese Entrepreneur’s convention from Kobe

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

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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.

Speech at a wonderful young people’s meeting “Project 13%”

Posted on 2007/09/192014/10/01 by kiyoshi kurokawa

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Ken Shibusawa is one of my friends. He is a businessman who studied at UCLA Andersen Business School and is recently popular known as Eiichi Shibusawa’s 5th generation. The amount of information he sends out is substantial as in his blog "Alternative investment diary" (Japanese title:「オルタナティブ投資日記」) and "Thinking of Eiichi Shibusawa’s 『Analects and abacus』" (Japanese title:「渋沢栄一の『論語と算盤』を今、考える」). Also he has recently published several books related to Eiichi Shibusawa’s philosophy. Please look it up at Amazon.

A while ago, in the afternoon of Sunday, September 9th, I was invited to talk at "Project 13%" which is run by Mr. Shibusawa and went to International House of Japan, a historic building in Roppongi. About 150 people gathered mostly young people at a glance, and a lot of women. Most of them were entrepreneurs which is something unique for a lecture in Japan. I found it a different society from the Red Herring which I recently introduced, but most of them seemed to share the same spirit.

The lecture began with my keynote speech. I started by asking "Please raise your hand if you are 40 and above." Around 30% of the participants raised their hand and about 40% were women. I began to talk about innovation referring to this point.

Photo1: My speech. Casual Sunday afternoon.

After my speech was Kaoru Iokibe (University of Tokyo) followed by Naoko Nishizawa (Keio University) and Masakazu Shimada (Bunkyo Gakuin University). It was a panel by young energetic 3 scholars. Dr. Iokibe talked about "Shigenobu Okuma", Dr. Nishizawa talked about "Yukichi Fukuzawa" and Dr. Shimada talked about "Eiichi Shibusawa." They each introduced the great predecessors, shared their opinion and went into panel discussion (photo2). It is very encouraging to see such young and passionate scholars. Dr. Iokibe who talked about Shigenobu Okuma turned out to be the son of Dr. Makoto Iokibe, Professor of Kobe University who later became the President of National Defense Academy in Japan whom I introduced in my blog in August. No wonder, they have an uncommon surname and their academic field is similar. They were all wonderful, but time was not enough.

Photo2: Panel. From left, Dr. Iokibe, Dr. Nishizawa and Dr. Shimada. MC was Mr. Shunichi Ozasa (Bloomberg TV)

The last part of the lecture was a talk session between Mr. Shibusawa and Dr.Hiroshi Tasaka, Professor of Tama University Graduate School whom I have recently introduced on several occasions.

Photo3: Dr. Tasaka (left) and Mr. Shibusawa

It was a wonderful sunny Sunday afternoon. It’s been a while since I had a nice meeting, seeing a garden surrounded by shiny sunlight and refreshing nature. I met a lot of people. They all seem to have spent a happy afternoon.

There are a lot of blogs introducing this seminar of Project 13%, so let me introduce some of them (in Japanese only).

　「クロスワイズ代表取締役です☆」 (I am company executive of Crosswise corp.)
　「港区ではたらく女社長のblog」 (A blog of a female CEO in Minato-ku)
　「Capriのゆる～い日記」 (A loooooose diary by Capri)
　「team_yama with Toshi」 etc.

It’s exciting to see a lot of people full of energy.

Take care, to all the participants!

See you again!

To Top Management Seminar, Karuizawa

Posted on 2007/08/102014/10/01 by kiyoshi kurokawa

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I participated in Karuizawa Top Management Seminar which was held on July 13 in Karuizawa. Professor Reona Ezaki, myself and Professor Tasaka Hiroshi were the 3 members of the Panel and the topic was "Innovation and Human Power". Tasaka Hiroshi who was hosting the seminar is professor at Tama University and is managing Sophia Bank along with Ms Kumi Fujisawa. The report summary will be published on the site in the near future.

Dr. Ezaki is a very well-known personality and Dr. Tasaka who is an extrovert person with good social interaction has written number of books which are posted on his site and multiple blogs (both links are in Japanese). I asked him to come to the hearing of “Innovation 25 conference" to express his views. He is also supporting the Social Entrepreneur Activity through the activity called ‘Sophia Bank’ with Ms. Kumi Fujisawa. Isn’t it wonderful! Our interim report of “Innovation 25” also indicates the importance of these "Social Entrepreneurs". There was a series on this reported in Nikkei a while ago, too.

On the same day the honor lecture was delivered by Dr, Makoto Iokibe , former Professor of Political Science of Kobe University who was inaugurated last year to the President of National Defense Academy of Japan . He is a famous personality whose information is available on Wikipedia as well. When I was President of the Science Council of Japan, he helped me a lot as a member at international conferences etc. He told us many interesting things. I heard that lectures of President are organized every month. It is wonderful that Dr. Iokibe gives lecture every month as the provost. I was especially impressed by his comparison of the strategies Japan has adopted in Asia after its victory in Russo-Japanese war 100 years ago with Kandata, a thief which appears in the famous short story of "Kumono Ito (spider’s thread)" , by Ryunosuke Akutagawa.