leadership – Page 28 – Kiyoshi Kurokawa.com

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.

Future of Japan and Korea. To learn lessons from Gozo Sato and succeed his legacy

Posted on 2009/02/262014/10/01 by kiyoshi kurokawa

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In my previous posting, I briefly commented on Dr. Gozo Sato, a doctor who has done so much for the medical education in Korean Peninsula in the early 20th century.A good report is written by Mr. Deguchi (Ref. 1 , 2 ), a journalist who kindly accompanied me to Seoul in October 2007.

After a year and four month from this visit to Seoul, on February 20, 2009, I organized a gathering at National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS) where I work, to find out what lessons we can learn from the works of Dr. Gozo Sato and to think what we can for the good of future generations.

It was a fantastic gathering. But I will leave it to the talents of Mr. Deguchi to cover and report the details in a wonderfully professional way. Mr Koiwai, Editor-in-Chief of Science Portal also nicely reports this meeting.

I felt unexplainable ties. Strangely enough, we found out many connections between the people who came in a mysterious way that is hard even to imagine.

For instance, the parents of Counselor Christine Nakamura whom I have met at the Canadian Embassy on February 18th – just two days before – was also there by coincidence.

It was a day filled with moving experiences. Thanks to all who came. And together, let us start a new collaboration to make the future of the two neighboring countries bright. Let’s listen to what the history tells us and take action (Ref.)

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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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!

From Davos-4

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

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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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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.

From Davos-2

Posted on 2009/02/032014/10/01 by kiyoshi kurokawa

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Weather is beautiful again today.

Meeting as a whole is on the web site – from varieties of sessions to reports. Enjoy them with ‘clicks’ when you have time.

Participation of young Japanese people from industrial sector is increasing steadily and becoming notable. Their words and presence are positive and I am glad about that. Since people of the world thinks that industries of Japan are represented by "Keidanren," it would be even better if young people increased more to liven up the place and impress the presence of Japan.

This year’s meeting has very different atmosphere from previous meetings because of market meltdown and the prospect of economy’s continuing downfall. People argue a lot about why finance relations are not punished for creating problems, when other industries will, as a matter of course, be given penalties should they put defective products into market. "Greed," "Loss of Style" may be the keywords. I heard much talk of this sort going on at personal levels. In the Gaza issues panel (see Webcast), the prime minister of Turkey stood up before the panel was over and left for home protesting that he was treated unfairly compared to President Perez of Isreal in terms of the allocation of time for speech, and the (bad) timing of speech. I haven’t seen that scene in person, but naturally it was a hot topic and judging from media reports, people in Turkey are paying much attention as seen in the frantic welcome at the homecoming of the prime minister. After watching the Webcast, what is your impression and opinion?

Photos2~4: Breakfast meeting. You might know some of them.

On 30th from 7:30am, I was invited to a breakfast meeting of "friends who worry that Japan is vague to the eyes of people in the world because it sends too little information," as they called it (Photos2~4). It is so moving. I think many of Japanese participants were told something like this, at least in private situation.

I also had opportunities to have lively discussions with various people, such as Mr. Okabe, Editor in Chief of Nikkei, Mr. Hayashi, Chairman and CEO of JETRO. Unfortunately, it is difficult to see each other in Japan because everybody is busy.

Photo5: Mr. Okabe, Editor in Chief of Nikkei (right) and Mr. Hayashi, Chairman and CEO of JETRO

As for myself, I had panels on Day 2 and Day 3. I fully enjoyed them, making lots of new friends at the same time.

I think part of the panels may be viewed at the website of Davos Meeting (29th, 30th, and the final day).

From media, Mr. Funabashi, editor in chief of Asahi Shinbun newspaper, Mr. Okabe of Nikkei newspaper, Mr. Fujisawa of NHK television, etc. were present. Ms. Waki (residing in London) from Reuter is also working actively as reporter every year recently.

From Davos-1

Posted on 2009/02/022014/10/01 by kiyoshi kurokawa

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I came to Davos meeting again this year. Surprisingly, I have been participating in this meeting for nine consecutive years. This year, I have been asked to join three panels – very busy.

Center of topics is of course the collapse of the financial market and serious depression of the economy. The first day’s highlight was the Opening Plenary by Putin of Russia. Seats were full by 30 minutes before it started. His message was aggressive from the beginning to the end. Putin must have given people impression that working with him would be tough. His strong attitude continued through even to the questions and answers session. Check it on the web site.

Prior to Putin’s Plenary was a lecture by Premier Wen Jiabao of China. Lectures were great, but also they handled questions and answers with wits and tacts. It is an important factor in occasions like this.

Photo2: Mr. Putin

At the 2nd day breakfast meeting I was invited to, former President Clinton showed up and gave a speech for about 10 minutes. I happened to be seated at a table beside him, so he shook my hands – to my delight.

Photo3: Mr. Clinton

Plenary of the morning ended with Tony Blair, Ms. Nooyi of Pepsi (who graduated from IIT, a prestigious University in India. ref 1, 2 ), President Simon Perez of Israel, etc. Very impressive.

Photo4: Mr. Blair (to his left is Ms. Nooyi)

Photo5: President Perez

I spent four hours of that afternoon with the board members of chemical industries, attending as Advisors with people like Dr. David King, Science Advisor to Prime Minister of England until 2007. Other attendants from Japan were Mr. Yonekura, President of Sumitomo Chemical, and Mr. Kobayashi, President of Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation.

Photo6: From right, President Anzai of Keio U., Professor Ito of U. of Tokyo, Professor Mori of Harvard, Dr. Mahbubani, Dean of National University of Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy and his wife, President Dr. Simmons of Brown U., and myself.

The evening event was "Japan Night" hosted by U. of Tokyo and Keio U., same as last year. I had an opportunity to see two female presidents, as President Allison Richard of Cambridge U. and President Ruth Simmons of Brown U.. I am wondering whether it is time for me to be excused from Davos. I would like to see more new people, young leaders participating from Japan also.

Again and again from London

Posted on 2009/01/312014/10/01 by kiyoshi kurokawa

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Once again I returned to London where I have been just last November (Ref. 11/14, 11/15)

As always, the flight was Air France departing from Narita at 21:55 arriving in Paris at 4:30. It was at this Charles de Gaulle airport lounge at about 5:30 am that I listened to the historical victory speech of Barack Obama on television as he was elected the next president.

Photo1: IPPF Panel

Photo2: From Japan Embassy, Mr Miyagawa and Mr. Ishii , myself, IPPF Africa Regional Office Director Tewodros Melesse.

Although the topic I am raising today may not be so popular, it is an very important theme among today’s many social and health related issues. I came here this time to give a keynote lecture at the annual meeting of nations and organizations supporting IPPF, a global NGO on family planning (Ministry of Foreign Affairs participated from Japan). It is a great responsibility, considering that we are now in the midst of such economical crisis. I worked on the draft of the speech till midnight, and read it. I did this because I wanted to hand the manuscript of the speech. Administrative works of Japan was done by JOICEF headed by Ms. Sumie Ishii, Secretary General of JOICEF (who represented NGO at last year’s Toyako Summit and has done a remarkable job). Thanks to her. My lecture seems to have been well received, to my relief.

Photo3: With Professor Michael Marmot

Photo4: With Minister Nishigahiro, Minister Oka, Mr. Castleton, etc.

Right after arriving at London in the morning of the day before, the first thing I did was to have an interview with Dr. John Baddingotn, Scientific Advisor to Prime Minister Brown. Then visited WHO Commission Chair Sir Michael Marmot at his office where I left for lunch at the official residence of Minister Nishigahiro with Minister Nishigahiro, Minister Oka in charge of economic affairs, vice president of Royal Society, and Dr.Lorna Castleton in charge of international affairs. As there were so many topics to talk about, time passed before I knew.

Photos 5, 6：London Tower

At night, was invited to a dinner with the executives of IPPF and speakers at a restaurant right beside the London Tower.

After giving lecture at IPPF, headed for Heathrow Airport in the afternoon to depart for Davos. Arrival at the hotel was at about 10pm. There seemed to be more snow here this year comparing to last two years.