St Gallen Symposium

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Click here for the photos of St Gallen town

From Washingon DC to Zurich via London Heathrow, and then about 50 min. on car, I arrived at the beautiful town of St Gallen at about 4pm, May 11th.  Swiss in May is beautiful, and the weather is wonderful (but unfortunately it was raining tonight and tomorrow’s forecast is cloudy plus rain).  I took a walk around the town for a while.  Asparagus is in season at the market now.  In the evening, I went to the reception.

This is my third participation at the St Gallen Symposium, first in 2007 (in Japanese) and second in 2008.  The Symposium has a history of 41 years, and everything is organized by the students of St Gallen University.

The purpose of this event is an ambitious one; to invite global leaders in business and other sectors to talk and exchange views with the youths.  The age range of participants broadened a bit from last year- focusing graduate students and young people up to 30 years old from the original focus to undergraduate students, plus a special group of people categorized as the ‘Future Leaders’.

I am very pleased to see more Japanese students coming each year.  Selection of the participants are through submission of English essays. Quite a number of foreign students studying in Japan also join in the ‘Japan slot’.  This is good.

This event is hosted by undergraduate students of the St Gallen University.  They are all dressed properly, very good mannered, and take care of things in a crisp, friendly way.  Their hospitality makes the overall atmosphere quite pleasant.

I think it is wonderful that the students meet many global leaders in person and the future leaders-to-be who are of the same generation as the students.  Through the process of planning this event, they meet many people, effectively broaden views, recognize the difference, or find their own goals. 

The theme of this year’s Symposium was ‘Just Power’  (Ref.1).

I participated in the Work Session2；　What values for a world out of joint?   It turned out to be a very lively, enjoyable session because I limited my talk to just 20 minutes, focusing on major prospectives of world affairs, and spent rest of the time in dialogue with the audience.

Then I had a couple of interviews, and after dinner I continued to enjoy talking with young people until late at night (at around 1am).  Basically, I make it my policy to focus on young people in my activities.

The Symposium had many good panels; such as ‘One-on-one: Ribal Al-Assad’ in the morning of 12th,  the two sessions in the beginning of 13th;
‘Mega-Diplomacy’ by Parag Khanna and a panel on 'War and Peace at Edgy Times'.  I learned a lot from these exciting sessions.

I was interviewed by Dr. Khanna (Ref.1) and his wife last year in Tokyo.  They are both journalists/researchers – quite an impressive couple.  His new book ‘How to Run the World: Charting a Course to the Next Renaissance’  published early this year is causing a sensation.  Of course I purchased a copy at once.  It was a pleasant surprise to see him at St Gallen as I was corresponding with him via emails only a month ago, yet did not expect him to see him here.

The panel on ‘War and Peace’ was somewhat humorous since the panelists talked so much making the host to be at a loss.  Dr. Galtungs known for peace and conflict studies was especially outstanding here.  I think Norway is a great country in that it produces so many people such as Dr. Galtungs.  Considering its (small) population, Norway seems to have a high rate of producing such global leader personality as Drs Godal  of Global Health or Brundtland, who serve as the leaders of international arena by continuously working to address the difficult issues of the world.  In a way, it is like having 50-100 Ms Sadako Ogatas in one nation.  I wonder whether this has to do with their being home to the Nobel Peace Prize Conferring Institution, or they have a tradition of dedicating to such activities…
  
By the way, at a meeting like this, the way the participants speak, their expressions, their witty dialogues in particular, are something to learn from.  For example, Q&A session is a very good time for such learning.  Putting aside whether you speak as good as they, being present at such place at an early stage of life provides you a wonderful opportunity to think about your goals, or to realize that there are so many wonderful colleagues just about your age.  There are many opportunities outside, so I urge all of you youths to seize any opportunity, and go out to the broad world.

Browse through the various web sites of the St Gallen Symposium and enjoy the videos and photos.

Sadly, I had to say Sayonara to St Gallen in the morning of the 2nd day, to fly back to Japan.

 

Washington DC: A Solid 30 Hours Visit and Sense of Fulfillment

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I left for Washington DC on May 9th (Mon), right after the ‘Golden Week’ holidays.  Arrived at 2pm on the same date, checked in to the hotel, took a brief rest, and headed to the Carnegie Institution of Science to see Dr Richard Meserve (Ref.1), a long time friend. Dr. Meserve is also one of the key persons of the nuclear power plant policies of the United States, so I came to see him to discuss issues related to the Fukushima nuclear plant.  I understand that Mr Fujita (in Japanese), member of the House of Councillors, visited him just recently, too.

After the visit which was for about 40minutes, I went on to CSIS.  Here, my purpose was to discuss with them the progress of the project with our HGPI  (Ref.1),  which I have reported to you earlier, (click here for the video), as well as to discuss how we could collaborate on the “Japan’s Recovery Plan After ‘3.11’”  by CSIS announced on April 20th.

After having a discussion for about an hour, I went to the National Academies of Sciences. Here, my focus was to exchange views with experts of the Science Academies on nuclear power/radiation and international relations; Drs Michael Clegg (Foreign Secretary), John Boright (Executive Director, International Affairs), Kevin Crowley (Senior Board Director, Nuclear and Radiation Studies Board), Richard Bissell (Executive Director, Policy and Global Affairs Division) joined.  I have been in touch with both Michael Clegg and John Boright for about a decade or so, from the time when the scientists started to be active in presenting policy recommendation for the global age, when I was serving as the vice president and later the president of the Science Council of Japan; and of couｒse in the last two months on Fukushima.

They had understood well about the purpose of my visit, and it helped much in having a very constructive discussion.  It is very important, especially at time of crises, that you have such good personal relationship with mutual trust with experts of the world.

I do understand that there are many hurdles, but we must be aware that the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant issue is not only in itself a great issue to the world, but how Japan handles this and all of the other problems that stem from it – such as risk management policies and their deployments, the effects of radiation on health, environment, agricultural or industrial products, or emission of radiology to the ocean – the entire response of Japan as a whole is being watched by the world.  When unpredictable crisis issues arise, the way the nation reacts and handles is a test and determines, like it or not, the most fundamental credibility of that nation.

In such circumstance, setting an independent commission consisting of international experts is a crucial, very important political process in securing the credibility of a nation today.

Look, for instance, at the BSE problem in Great Britain that started in the 1980s.  It took nearly 20 years for them to regain trust, even after they referred and acted to the independent EU committee and waited for their conclusions.

As the world goes global, international credibility/mutual trusts of nations is becoming increasingly important, and in this context how Japanese government reacts to the nuclear power plant issues, how it keeps the process of treatments/decision makings open, transparent, subjective is evermore crucial.  However, I regret to say that the government, companies, media, and the scientific community of Japan failed to recognize this at all. Therefore, it seems to me that they are unable to make any trustworthy, speedy actions or decisions and focusing instead on domestic circumstance, making policies that are too nearsighted.  The world at large recognizes somehow not-so-appropriate responses of Japanese leadership, which underlies, in my view, a quick decline of the reputation of Japan and spreading of unfavorable rumors or misinformation that harm the Japanese products and industries.

Next morning from 7am, I had a breakfast with Ambassador Fujisaki, and then spent the rest of the day having discussion with 10 or so of experts of an Aging Society Think Tank.  At lunch time I enjoyed a short but nice conversation with Dr John Howe, President of Project Hope, who just arrived at Dulles Airport from Johannesburg, and Drs Darrel Porr and Frederic Gerber (Dr. Gerber also came directly from Johannesburg) who was with us in Japan just last week, thanks to the thoughtful arrangement of HE Fujisaki.

After the lunch, I returned to continue discussion and made my presentation, then at 5pm, just before the closing, left for the Dulles Airport to fly to Zurich via London where I will head for St Gallen.

My visit to Washington DC was only for about 30 hours, tightly packed schedule, but it turned out to be an extraordinarily fulfilling stay.  I thank Ambassador Fujisaki and his staff at the Japan Embassy in Washington DC, and many others for their kind and wonderful support.

I hope this trip will be of some help to the current situation of Japan…..

 

The Fragiligy of Japanese Elites, How to Make Leaders

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The whole world was watching Japan, holding breath, ever since after the 3.11.  I have been sending out series of hard comments in my blog (Ref.1,2), too.

Although what I have been saying was nothing new,  I have been saying the same things (in Japanese)for a long time, it seems that the management of the Fukushima nuclear power plant disaster by Japanese authorities made my points – the weakness of Japan ? becoming clear to the world.

The world media do not seem to report anything about Japan recently except for the nuclear power plant issue, though..…

The conduct of Japanese scientists also ruined the credibility of this nation.  Speaking in Japanese (not English) did not prevent the audience of the world to understand what are said and written.  My overall impression however, is that the comments by the Japanese scientists, especially on the nuclear power plants, were too vague and incomprehensible.  I know there are tons of reasons for this, but still, I have to say..….

In the morning edition of Nikkei Newspaper of May 9th, my comments (in Japanese) appear.  I would appreciate it if you could read this and think a little about it.  People are sending me many e-mails and messages on this article.

Here is another article (in Japanese) on Nikkei Newspaper quoting my comments, which was published a bit earlier.

Golden Week is Over, Now to Washington DC and St Gallen

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My Golden Week, I must say, was no holidays at all, packed with meetings with people even on Sunday, the 8th.

Next morning on Monday, the 9th, I left home early in the morning to take a flight from Narita to Washington DC, had meetings with various people in the afternoon right after the arrival, and then went on to the reception in the evening.  Quite busy, at least I wish I had a bit more of free time.  What keeps me going on is the notion that it is important to do such activities for Japan, especially in this circumstance.  I am, in a way, working as a sort of ‘Permanent Global Part Timer (permanent part timer’ (‘freeter’ in Japanese) is a popular word in Japan which refers to a person who takes a succession of casual jobs in preference to steady full).

On 10th, the 2nd day at Washington DC, I was at the Brain-storming of a think tank on Ageing and Health, where I also gave a presentation of 30 minutes or so.  Right after the meeting, I rushed to the airport to fly to Zurich via London.  My visit to Zurich is for the St Gallen Symposium (in Japanese)　(Ref 1).

To see the forecast of good weather seems to be the only pleasure I have at hand.  My trip this time is so packed with schedule.

Project Hope: New Team Arrives from US

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I have been reporting to you on Project Hope several times in this site.

A new team consisting of 5 members arrived from US in the afternoon of May 6th (Fri), the last day of the consecutive holidays we have in Japan as “Golden Week’.  We started the next day with a briefing.  George, who had also participated in the relief activities in Iraq with Fred, his predecessor, took initiative at this briefing.

I decided to join in the party in Saturday evening. All guests were Japanese, but two of them were doctors currently working in Missouri and NYC, and 3 (1 of them was male) were nurses at UCLA.  They all have medical license of the US. Dr. Shimabukuro, whom have I introduced to you earlier, advised them to participate in our project.  Dr. Kaku of PCAT who was with us last time, and a medical student of Todai who just returned from Iwate were present, too.  Dr. Hayashi is working in Iwate now.  This time, as was the last time, PCAT is supervising and advising the Japanese side.　

This new team plans to be in Japan for 2 weeks to visit several areas in the Iwate Prefecture.  There activities are truely encouraging.

These activities, as they expand, will support the recovery of the disaster stricken places, people’s health, and eventually the creation of new Japan.

I firmly believe that such activities in an open, international team will eventually, though slowly, change the mind-set of our youths to be a global citizen.

Two Lessons from the Visit of Dr Basri: Taking Children to the Disaster Hit Area, Mr Kazuhiko Toyama’s Company

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I have explained to you about how Dr Basri arrived with a very short notice to Japan  on Saturday, April 23rd.

Dr Basri arrived at Haneda airport from NYC via Narita airport.  We had a briefing for 30 min. from around 4:30pm, and I saw the 3 Basris off for Akita airport.  From Akita airport, a car picked them up and took them across the Tohoku district to Miyako city at midnight and I received an e-mail report of their arrival right after they safely checked in to the Jodogahama Park Hotel (Ref 1).  (Both links are in Japanese).

The next day, they visited several disaster stricken areas, handed the aid goods they brought from US, and spent the last night at Morioka city.  Early in the next Morning (Monday), they left Morioka for a flight to Haneda Airport via Akita Airport.  I invited them to our office of HGPI, and had a de-briefing for about 30 min.  I heard that the cherry blossoms were beautiful at Tohoku.  Dr Basri and I busily continued discussion near the Tokyo Station and then hurried to the station to catch the Narita Express for 13:33, which they intended to board.  However, the train did not run because of the schedule change due to electricity saving, so they had to buy tickets for a different train, and I finally succeeded in seeing them off to Narita.  I am glad that I was able to attend them all the way to the platform of the station.

Dr. Basri took his two children to the stricken area of Japan because he believes that being at the site in person; to see, walk, and feel the place first handedly, is very important and practiced his belief.  This is the basics of education, and I was very impressed by his action.  Their trip was for 3 days and 2 nights in Japan, a hard packed schedule, but the children were very tough and high spirited.

The request by Dr Basri was challenging in that it was such a short notice, and the place was hit by the great disaster  which made everything quite difficult.  I was able to satisfy his request in only 2 days somehow, because I remembered Mr Kazuhiko Toyama (please search by the key word ‘Kazuhiko Toyama’ in this site), a person whom I have introduced to you so many times here in my blog.
　
Immediately after the quake and Tsunami, Mr Toyama called me on phone.  He said that one of his companies, Fukushima-Kotsu (in Japanese) ‘need many radiation detectors to ensure the safety of the bus drivers (from the nuclear plant radiation)’ and he asked for my advice.  From our conversation, I was told then that he also manages the Iwate Prefecture North Bus Company, Ibaragi Transportations, and Jodogahama Park Hotel  so I called him for his help.  Mr Toyama kindly arranged entire itinerary in two days and sent instructions to make the trip of Dr Basri and his children possible.  Dr Basri was very happy about it.

I was impressed with the speed of Mr. Toyama’s arrangement, the courteousness and attentiveness of the local staff such as sending us confirmation of the arrival of the guests.  Mr. Toyama cared much about his bus drivers from the beginning of the nuclear breakdown, and I heard that the effect of the disaster to the bus operation was kept to minimum.

My point is that this is how business leaders should be, the basic focus required of good executives.  Mr. Toyama put into action his ‘the driver comes first’ philosophy even in this crisis, and I was impressed by his conduct.

There are many who speak or write such ideals, but I learned from this event that the true value/quality of leaders  (Ref 1) is unveiled at time of such unexpected crises depending on what actions they take.

This value/quality of a leader has to do with the ‘ability to fail’, a character that must be earned through overcoming of many failures in their young age.

‘SSR’ and the Responses of the Scientists/Engineers to the Great Disasters of Japan

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After the great disaster in Northern Japan, we – scientists and engineers – had to face numerous problems of all sorts, just like others.  Various experts made comments on the TV and other media.  What did their peer experts think of those comments?  Did they think that those comments made sense and science-based?

I think most people would agree that the press briefings of the government, TEPCO or Nuclear and Industry Safety Agency (NISA) were so clumsy and incomprehensible　detached from the public. It could be that the situation was too complicated that it was difficult even for the scientists or experts to make comments  in depths.

General impression was that, since the authorities presented only their own conclusions/results of their own interpretations without any data, analysis, nor basis of judgments, we felt or became suspicious there had to be some reasons for such conducts.  I believe this is true.  Many people responsible appeared to be simply trying to get away with excuses such as ‘not sure’ or ‘have not been confirmed yet’…

In this connected information age, however, if actual data releaved later, credibility of the authority and/or any organization will rapidly deteriorate.

I notice recently that major Japanese media, seemingly repenting on their poor initial behavior, started to publish special issues focusing on the future. (They were all the same and looked terrible in the beginning, though).  The Nikkei Newspaper launched this week a series; ‘A New Start from The Crises’ Part 1 ‘Towards the New Japan’.  It looks pretty good.

In Part two, “A Technology Nation ‘In the Well’” (in Japanese), they quote my comments.  The concept of ‘Intellectually Closed Nation’ (Ref.1)(2005, in Japanese), (Ref.2)(2005, in Japanese), (Ref.3)(2006),  (Ref.4)(2006, in Japanese), (Ref.5)(2009), (Ref.6)(2009),(Ref.7)(2010) which I repeatedly touch upon in this blog and elsewhere, is introduced, also.

I expect all Japanese scientists and engineers to understand that their value (their responsibility is not limited to research only) is evaluated by the peers and the public of the wide world not only by how they behave in Japan but in the world.

I don’t want to sound self-seeking, but ‘Japan Perspective’, a report by the Science Counsel of Japan in 2005, under the supervision of President Yoshikawa and I served as Chair of the committee, points out clearly the basics of the issues on how Japanese scientists should connect with the society, not from vertical ‘silo’ points of views, but from a horizontal perspective.

It is crucial for all scientists and engineers to recognize their strength and weakness, to see the changes and needs of the society of our age, and to have a strong vision on how to address the issues of the society and put those visions into actions.

This, in short, is the SSR ‘Scientists’ -as a community- Social Responsibility’ in this global world, I strongly believe.

 

Our Collaboration with Project Hope Continues

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Click here for the photos of the disaster stricken area the doctors visited

I reported to you in my recent posting that our HGPI (Health and Global Policy Institute) and Impact Japan have been collaborating in a project with Project Hope since ‘3.11’.

 

Two teams joined us already and had been to the stricken zones of Sanriku several times.  Dr. Shimabukuro returned to Japan again (but then went back to UCLA right after…) to join for the second visit.  Several other Japanese doctors working in the U.S. are also participating in our Project Hope team.  They all are a great help.

 

At the breakfast meeting of HGPI, consisting mainly of the member companies, I  quickly reported how this project is going on.  Then, Drs Frederic Gerber and Darrel Porr introduced the background of the Project Hope, followed by an explanation of some of their activities of this joint project.

I closed the meeting with a brief comment on the basic ideas  on how to make plans for the health care in future.
 
The meeting was very well received by the participants.  Given the situation of the disaster hit area, we think this project will continue for quite a long period of time and therefore are planning another breakfast meeting for larger audience, and ask the members of this Project to give briefing sessions in the future..

 

Drs Garber and Porr left Tokyo off to Iwate Prefecture immediately after our breakfast meeting.

 

Then, 4 days after their return to Tokyo, we had another De-briefing.  This time, they met the governor of Iwate Prefecture, with an extensive discussions sessionwith the administration of Iwate Prefecture. Drs Hayashi (in Japanese), Kaku (in Japanese), and Yoshida also participated in this De-briefing.  I became acquainted with these three doctors at the PCAT who joined our re-briefing session, and George who just arrived Tokyo from Project Hope to join us.

Dr. Gerber told me that he was leaving for South Africa the next day to participate in the inauguration of planning of Nelson Mandela Children Hospital  (Project Hope is playing a leading role here, too).
Dr Hayashi is working in international settings (in Japanese) including MSF (in Japanese), Dr Kaku (in Japanese) is working in Haiti and other places, Dr Yoshida is currently working at Harvard School of Public Health and also is a mother to 4 children.

 

They are all working, thus thinking, globally, so their conversation resonated very well. Good Thing.

 

 

Science and Technology Policies in the Mid East: Lecture at The Middle East Research Institute of Japan

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There is a membership organization by the name of The Middle East Research Institute of Japan (MEIJ).  The Chair is Mr. Mikio Sasaki, former chairman of the board of Mitsubishi Corporation, and the President is HE Tatsuo Arima  (in Japanese), former Special Representative of the Government of Japan who had done a significant job for many years.

I was invited to give a lecture at its breakfast meeting on current status of higher education and science and technology policy in the Middle East.

MEIJ supported the Japan Arab Economic Forum held in Tunis last December, and I was invited there also.

Most of the members are from business sector, so I thought that my contribution on this theme would be somewhat limited, but I tried to speak as open mindedly and straightforwardly as possible based on my personal experience.

I assume that you already know from my postings on this web site about my activities in the Mid East/Islam such as Egypt, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, or Qatar (please search within this site by these key words..)  I focused my lecture on those activities, their relations with Japan, the revolution that took place one week after my departure from Tunis, and issues between the Mid East and Japan in coming years, particularly after the revolution.

I always appreciate such opportunities, since I learn a lot from exchanging open and straightforward views with people that are in very different areas than myself.

I would be more than happy if I could have other such opportunities.

 

More and More Dynamic Actions to Expand Links to the World

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East Japan Disaster and the actions of Japan to respond to this is a huge challenge which will determine the future of this nation.  The 'strength' and 'weakness' of Japan have been clearly seen not only in Japan but by the people of the world.  I don’t know how well Japanese people understand the background and the basis for those ‘strength’ and ‘weakness’ of Japan, but I do suspect that everyone thinks that ‘something is wrong’.  It goes without saying that ‘transparency’ is the basis of trust in this flattening, interconnected global world.  However, it seems that ‘Japan Inc’ is not disclosing the first hand information nor original data to the public and the stakeholders at press briefings or press conferences.  Subsequently the reactions of the stakeholders will be late, which will trigger damaging their trust to the government, eventually leading to a vicious circle.

For democracy to function, it is indispensable that broad range of information be distributed widely to the citizens, so that they have options to choose from in making decisions.

In this context, I would like to share with you my experience at two unique gatherings.

One is a dinner meeting with Mr. Robert Thompson, the Editor in Chief of the Wall Street Journal (WSJ), Mr. Jacob Schlesinger, the Japan Editor in Chief, their co-workers, and 7 or so of the ‘global minded leaders’ invited from Japanese government, businesses, or academics.  The discussion was heated from the beginning.  Naturally so, because they have been, for a long time, concerned and working to solve the problem of Japan’s so-to-say ‘mal adaptation syndrome’ to the globalization.  Since all discussions are ‘off-the ?record’, I have to have their names remain undisclosed.

By the way, participants from WSJ other than the Editor in Chief and Japan Editor in Chief, were several core staffs who all happened to be females.  These staffs had a very nice impression on us.  ‘This’, again, shows what we need to revitalize Japan.

Another one.  Foreigners working in Japan organized a joint networking event with CCJ- Chamber of Commerce of Japan (I serve this year as the ambassador of the American Chamber of Commerce in Japan …) in support of several NGOs of disaster relief.  The gathering was named ‘Giving Back to Japan’ and many Chambers of Commerce in Japan of the world participated.

I was given the honor of being invited to deliver a Keynote speech, and so chose the title of ‘Re-inventing Japan’.  This disaster is a ‘crisis’, and we must make it an ‘opportunity’ for not only putting into action many ideas to ‘reform’ Japan that were raised but remained undone, but also for ‘opening up Japan’ to the world.  This is the best way to honor the diseased.  It is crucial that we focus on nurturing ‘Global citizens’  (Ref.1,2)in the process of helping youths build their future career.  I introduced the activities of ‘Impact Japan’ which we founded for such goals.  I was, in return, introduced to people working for the children in disaster hit areas such as KnK Children Without Boarders or PA International .

The reception was very successful.  Another such gathering is scheduled to be held 6 months from now.

Let us cooperate with the people of the world and expand the links of networks – for ourselves and for the sake of youths, who will build the future of Japan.