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From La Jolla – Entrepreneurship meeting

Posted on 2009/03/272014/10/01 by kiyoshi kurokawa

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.

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 2009/03/252014/10/01 by kiyoshi kurokawa

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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.

Tahiti-3 (Captain Cook、Battleship Baunty、Lighthouse of Stevenson)

Posted on 2009/03/222014/10/01 by kiyoshi kurokawa

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Photo1

Tahiti is famous for Paul Gaugin (1848-1903) (Ref.1) but is well known for Captain Cook (1728-1779) also.

The three great voyages of Cook are without doubt extraordinary. He sailed to Tahiti in 1769 by the request from Royal Society to observe ‘Transit of Venus across the Sun’.

By the way, as you may be familiar from movies etc., in 1788 (nine years after Cook), Battleship Bounty known for “Mutiny on the Bounty” arrived at this very same place. A monument is built in memory of the Bounty (Photo2).

Photo2: Monument of Bounty landing

Lighthouse in Photos3~5 also stands at this place. This was built by the famous company “Lighthouse Stevenson” (founded by Robert Stevenson, 1772-1850), 100 years later in 1867 (first year of Meiji era).

Photo3: The lighthouse

Photo4

Photo5: Entrance of the lighthouse

I found a very interesting thing as I looked close to this lighthouse. It is shown in the photo on the top, an enlarged picture of something seen in the left part of photo5. In my next posting I will write about it. It is about the “Story of coincidence in history ? in relation to the Meiji Restoration.”

At about the same time, i.e. the early period of Meiji era, several lighthouses were build in Japan and major ones were designed by Richard Branton who was trained at “Lighthouse Stevenson.”

Tahiti-2

Posted on 2009/03/172014/10/01 by kiyoshi kurokawa

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Tahiti (Ref.1) is a place anyone would dream of visiting once in a lifetime, it’s image is a beautiful resort far off in the Pacific Ocean. Bora Bora Island in the Tahiti island chain is especially a popular destination for honeymooners.

This is a follow up of my last blog and I feel very lucky to have an opportunity to come to this place as an attendee of Pacific Science Association, a distinguished academic conference that has a history of 90 years.

Since I may not have so many chances to come back, it would be a waste if I didn’t enjoy the nature at least a little, like swimming in the coral sea or canoeing.

So, I made some time to drive around the Tahiti Island. I also drove to the foot of Mont Orohena （2,241m） stands high in the center of the island. Further in the heart of the mountain, there is a hotel called Le Relais de la Maroto Mountain Hotel and "marae" which is a sacred place for the local people where they do open air rituals for the local god (Ref.1).

I also went to the Gauguin museum (although I wasn’t able to go inside), enjoyed canoeing, and snorkeling in a small island far off.

Dr. Ichida said that there are not so many butterflies or birds here and the species are few.

But the blue sea, blue sky, white sand and green trees are fantastic and I recommend you to come here by all means.

I have uploaded some photos in Picasa for you to enjoy.

Tahiti-1

Posted on 2009/03/072014/10/01 by kiyoshi kurokawa

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Photo1

For the first time, I came toTahiti, a southern island far away from Japan. It was an 11 hours’ non-stop flight by Air Tahiti Nui from Narita. The Narita ? Tahiti Island(Papeete) flight flies twice every week.

I am visiting here to attend the Inter-Congress of Pacific Science Association. At the venue, they even had a large tent set up at the beach(Photo1), which was very nice in atmosphere. You could see Moorea Island, an island often used for movie location because of its very Tahitian view, was right before your eyes. The Congress was held last time at Okinawa two years ago as I have written before.

Photo2: Moorea Island

Since Tahiti is a part of French Polynesia the French government also strongly supported the conference and the number of attendee reached up to 800 people. Many of the speeches given on the opening day sounded very patriotic, maybe a bit too much, at least from my point of view.

Photo3: Opening Session

There were so many topics connected to Pacific Ocean such as climate change, coral reefs, wild life diversities, human society v.s. nature preservation, etc. and I think it was what characterized this Pacific Science Association Inter-Congress.

Dr. Ichida, who is an expert on bird watching from the BirdLife International and Professor Isao Nakajima, Director of eHealth, ITU, also came and they each delivered wonderful speech on relations between avian influenza and migratory birds, and the feasibility of observation of the birds.

Photo4: With Dr. Ichida

Photo5: Dr. Nakajima at lecture

At night, receptions were held by different hosts every day. The first night was co-hosted by the Chairman of this meeting, President of French Polynesia, and High Commissioner. The second night was hosted by PSA and President of French Polynesia, and the last night was a farewell party hosted by PSA with performance of charming Tahitian and Polynesian dances.

I have uploaded some photos on Picasa for you to enjoy.

Embassy of Canada and France

Posted on 2009/02/252014/10/01 by kiyoshi kurokawa

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On the 18th, a reception to welcome Dr. Arthur Carty, former Science & Technology advisor to the cabinet and his Nanotech team of about 6 people was held at the Embassy of Canada. We all enjoyed a very lively time. His Excellency Ambassador Fried, who was appointed to the Ambassador to Japan last September was also present so I had the honor to talk to him on various topics, such as the "Young Woman Scientists Exchange Program" between Japan and Canada, which I started 5 years ago as President of the Science Council of Japan to commemorate the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. It was a great opportunity to meet old friends and get acquainted with new people.

19th was a dinner at the Embassy of France with Dr. Nathalie KOSCIUSKO-MORIZET, Minister of Forward Planning, Assessment of Public Policies and Development of the Digital Economy. So I was involved in conversation of mixed languages of English and French for two days, but unfortunately, I don’t speak French at all.

Photo1: From right, Minister Kosciusko-Morizet, His Excellency the Ambassador Philippe Faure, myself, Minister of French Embassy Dr Jean-Louis Armand, in charge of science and technology.

Photo2: Minister Kosciusko-Morizet and myself

By the way, the photographer of these photos has a good taste, don’t you think? His blog is great, too.

The Minister has her blog ( 1 , 2 ) to dispatch information, comments, etc. which is very impressive. She commented on us in the blog also.

This day, there was also a reception for the gathering held in honor of Dr. Gozo Sato. I will report to you in detail soon in a separate posting, but Dr. Sato is a physician who has contributed tremendously in the history of the Modern Medical Education of Japan and Korea. The meeting was planned to learn about his works and to think on how to extend his will to the future generation of the two countries. I had the honor to greet all participants. I look forward to coming days.

From Rome, Drafting Global Health Agenda of G8 Summit

Posted on 2009/02/162014/10/01 by kiyoshi kurokawa

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Photo1

On 11th, I went to Paris by the usual Air France last flight departing at 21:55. I have been on this flight so many times for these 3-4 years. You are able to work full day before going to Narita so it is convenient for flying to Europe. London, for instance, it may even be possible to make it for a morning meeting if connection is good because you will arrive by 9:30 or so.

I arrived at Rome via Paris at 9:00 on 12th. The hotel was elegant St. Regis Hotel I joined with Mr. Banno who arrived from New York and together we prepared for the next day’s “Global Health Forum”. This Forum is held under the auspices of our Health Policy Institute and Aspen Institute Italia . Other institutions such as Rockefeller Foundation, etc. are also giving support.

We are trying for the first time to reflect the process of "Global Health Summit; Toward TICAD, G8 and Beyond" (which we have organized last year) to the G8 Summit which will take place in Italy this year. For this purpose, we held a preliminary meeting last December (Ref.1, 2). Next day, the 13th, the meeting started at last. Venue is within this gorgeous hotel. The opening was "Welcome Speech" by Professor Petroni of Aspen Institute Italia, the joint organizer, and myself. In the end of my speech, I mentioned that the Global Fund was founded through the active work of Japan and Italy at 2000, 2001 Summit, and that the host of 2001 Genoa Summit was current Prime Minister Berlusconi .

Participants were seated in circle around television screens for discussion. I will show you more photos once they are ready.

Photo2, 3: The conference

Photo4: Mr. Massolo, the Sherpa and Dr. Chan of WHO.

Photo5: Minister Tremonti.

Photo6: From right, Minister of Health, Dr. Hatem El Gabaly, WHO Executive Director, Global Health Workforce Alliance Dr. Sheikh, Executive Secretary of GAVI Alliance Dr. Julian Lob-Levyt, ActionAid International delegate Dr. Noerine Kaleeba(Dr. Kaleeba is from Uganda).

Many important people such as WHO Director General Dr. Margaret Chan, Aspen Institute Italia President and current Minister of Finance, Dr. Tremonti, Sherpa of Summit in Italy, Dr. Massolo gathered for this meeting. Mr. Keizo Takemi was also present. As we were acquainted with each other through participation in Toyako Summit, I informed him about the outcomes we’ve achieved so far. The members of this meeting were just outstanding. Everyone participated actively in enthusiastic discussions. At a time of such economic disaster, wouldn’t it be great if we could contribute to this year’s G8 Summit in Italy, however small the contribution is? It would also be good for the presence of Japan in global society.

On this very same day, our article “Italian G8 Summit: a critical juncture for global health” was published in The Lancet, February 14th, 2009; volume 373, number 9663,　p.526-7. We wrote this mainly from “Japan’s experience on Global Health”. Most contents of The Lancet are free for access On-line for any users with registration. I strongly recommend you to register. Here, I will provide links to the On-line version and PDF for your reference.

G7 Finance Ministers' meeting will start from tomorrow in Rome so tonight there will be a reception, I hear. Next week H8 meeting for discussion on health issues among G8 relations will take place as well as G8 Sherpa meeting. Naturally, people involved are moving very busily.

In the evening, Dr. Peter Singer (Univ. Toronto) (Ref.1, 2) , Dr. Rajeev Venkayya of Gates Foundation, Mr. Banno and I went to a nice restaurant well known around here.

Photo7: From right、Myself, Dr. Peter Singer(Univ. Toronto) , Dr. Rajeev Venkayya at Gates Foundation, Mr. Banno.

Dr. Vankayya said he had seen me more than a decade ago when I was Professor of Medicine at Todai. I started Chief Resident Exchange Program with University of Michigan then, and he was one of the visitors to Todai under this Program. What a coincidence!

Again from New Delhi

Posted on 2009/02/102014/10/01 by kiyoshi kurokawa

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I arrived at New Delhi from Davos via Munchen early in the morning of February 2nd. This is my 3rd visit during this past 12 months.

Many of you might feel that India is difficult to understand or mysterious. Let me introduce you an interesting blog (in Japanese only). It is quite fun with lots of humor.

Now, like last summer, I am here this time as a team member of Jeffery Sachs to participate in the meeting of international advisory council organized by the Minister of Health and Welfare of India which is held twice a year (I did not attend last February) (Ref. 1, 2). Main topic is "Rural Health".

Right after checking in at the Taj Mahal Hotel were briefings from Indian researchers and people from NGOs on current status, analysis, issues, etc. followed by discussions. After a short break in the afternoon was a reception.

Next morning, we worked for about five hours straight (even lunch was during the meeting) listening to the reports by government officials, discussing, exchanging views. Same as last time, the Minister had very clear understandings on almost all issues and was able to further explain or join in the discussions. He is a specialist of this field ? Rural health (medicine). He has an excellent understanding of the situation. I could clearly see even from the data that the project has developed remarkably (though yet much more to go) within this one year. It is truly amazing.

Photo1: The advisory meeting. Indian side in front row, fifth person from left is Minister Rmadoss.

Photo2: Likewise, the advisory meeting committee side. From right, Prime Minister Dr Tore Godal of Norway, myself, Health Minister of Kenya, Dr. Sachs, Health Minister of Malawi, Health Minister of Rwanda etc.

Although background of the situation in India may be different and there could be many parts where even India might be better in comparison, Ministers of Health and Welfare from Kenya (Professor Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o, Minister of Medical Services), Rwanda (Dr Richard Sezibera), and Malawi (Minister Khumbo Kachali) also came to join in the meeting in hope to find some issues or references that apply also to Africa. The content of the meeting was very useful for them, so it seemed, that here again we succeeded in having active and constructive discussions.

I left the hotel in late afternoon for airport to return to Narita.

From Davos-4

Posted on 2009/02/062014/10/01 by kiyoshi kurokawa

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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.

Photo2~3: Prime Minister Aso at speech and lunch meeting.

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.

Photo5: 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.

Photo6: 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.

Photo7: 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.

From Davos-3

Posted on 2009/02/042014/10/01 by kiyoshi kurokawa

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Photo1

A new session of "IdeasLab with・・・" started this year, so I adjusted my schedule to create time to join in this session with Yale University.

Four professors presented summary of issues, each for five minutes (Power Point could be used, so "visual" effect was important), after which followed group discussions on each theme so as to produce a number of conclusions. Very nice style. Davos meeting is creative in many ways. At the Yale session, presenters were two professors on economics, my friend Dr. Daniel Esty（a member of Obama’s transition team, specialist of environment）, and especially Dr. Robert Shiller’s presentation about the history of collapse of housing bubbles was extremely interesting. The last presenter was President Richard Levin who started with recent scientific topics in Yale. Everybody was good, but Dr. Levin was especially impressive in・・・so to say "performance." Indeed he is a cream of the crop.

Photo2: From right, Professor EZ Ponce de Leon of Yale University raising an issue, Professor Richard Pascale of Oxford University acting as Facilitator, Professor Robert Shiller and Daniel Esty of Yale.

Photo3: Professor Shiller at presentation.

Among the discussions that followed, I mainly participated in the group of Dr. Levin, which was very interesting. Admitting the strength of American/European Universities and research careers that develop individual talents by systematically supporting constant competition away from home ground, the argument followed that this is exactly the point where Asia, especially Japan, is weak. All participants quickly agreed on this point, and I also repeatedly point this problem out on many occasions. Especially, at this timing when progress and global competitions are inevitable, one of our conclusions was to recognize the mission of higher education for developing talents and potentials of the younger generation.

Photos4～5：　Presentation by President Levin.

In the evening of 30th, I accepted invitation to seated dinner hosted by UBS where David Cameron, Leader of Conservative Party, gave speech. British politicians are extremely good at speeches.

After dinner I left the place to participate in a meeting of Cambridge University starting from 10:30pm. It was a small gathering, but opening address by Vice-Chancellor Allison Richard(I have explained why the head of Cambridge University has this unusual title in my blog in 2006) was charming, starting with comment on the 800th anniversary Cambridge is celebrating this year. President Komiyama of Todai, President Susan Hockfield of MIT were also present. The meeting continued till late at night as we enjoyed conversation.

Presidents Richard and Hockfield represent epoch-making changes in global age which I stress repeatedly in my blog. Both of them were Provost of Yale University before being recruited to the presidency of Cambridge and MIT respectively. Dr. Hockfield was successor to Dr. Richard at Yale, both personnel transfers having been managed by President Levin whom I touched upon earlier in this column(Dr. Levin told me personally several years ago that Provost is appointed by President.) . I am amazed by Dr. Levin’s outstanding insight.

In any organization or institution- universities, companies, government offices, etc. -leaders must be likewise. After all, ultimately, the essence is education. It is all about bringing up talents.