science – Page 21 – Kiyoshi Kurokawa.com

Heat-Pump, a highly effective energy efficient ‘cool’ technology

Posted on 2008/07/022014/10/01 by kiyoshi kurokawa

Heat-pump extracts heat from ambient air and deliver several-filds more energy, to generate heating/cooling, thus serves one of core technologies of energy efficiency and savings. Indeed, the majority of currently available products utilizing this technology are made by Japanese companies, but their efforts for global visibility and marketing have not been vigorous enough to capture, to a significant magnitude, the global marketplace where the technology is most and badly needed.

We recently campaigned on behalf of the Tokyo Electric Company for its heat-pump products, with two prominent academics, Professor Komiyama, President of the University of Tokyo and Professor Kato, among other prominent posts, Dean of Keio University, President of Chiba College of Commerce. One of such activities which appeared in Nikkei, a major newspaper among the Japanese business establishment, as noted in this website in Japanese. This advertisement in English has also appeared in the Wall Street Journal and in its Asian version per attached.

“GLOBE Tokyo G8+5 Legislators Forum,” a movement initiated by politicians throughout the world

Posted on 2008/07/012014/10/01 by kiyoshi kurokawa

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"GLOBE Tokyo G8+5 Legislators Forum" was held in Tokyo on June 28th and 29th. Japan was represented by Mr. Yatsu, the former Minister for Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan. Mr. Morley, the Minister of Environment of Mr. Blair’s regime, presided the 1st session on day 1 (I saw him at the G8 Environment Ministers meeting also), which started off with the greetings by Mr. Fukuda followed by key note speeches by Mr. Blair, the former Prime Minister of England, and Mr. Abe, the former Prime Minister of Japan. Everybody spoke very well.

Photo1　Greetings by Mr. Fukuda with Mr. Blair and Mr. Abe

Photo2　Key note speech by Mr. Blair

Photo3　Mr. Abe

Though this forum was founded in 1989, since after the Earth Summit held in Rio in 1992 it constituted mainly of the nonpartisan congress members of all the countries. Framework for "G8 Gleneagles Climate Change Dialogue" was formed during the Gleneagles Summit held in 2005.

Video messages from the U.S. senators, Mr. McCain, Mr. Obama, Mr. Kerry, and Mr. Snowe were also played. A common theme that their messages held was that "With the new U.S. President, the Parliament, the large-size U.S. corporations, more than 500 U.S. Mayors and U.S. State Governors participating, America will make a historic transformation towards ‘Cap and Trade’ and formation of a ‘Low-carbon Society’." Japan, it seems, is the only country adopting a wait-and-watch policy. It is vital that politics, the government, the corporations as well as the citizens be well-prepared.

Discussions during the forum were highly dynamic.

I had a speech on day 2 (photo4), though it was a bit difficult for me since the session was on forests and biodiversity. I heard the request for a lecture a week before, and considering the fact that my speech was to be interpreted simultaneously in 9 languages so I decided to use the lecture that I had delivered at Kobe as a basic document, prepared a manuscript by including the above mentioned themes and circulated its copies among the interpreters as well the participants (the manuscript contained many errors since I was unable to proofread it sufficiently) before I spoke.

Photo4　My speech on Day 2

Tony Blair and his team reports their outcomes

Posted on 2008/06/282014/10/01 by kiyoshi kurokawa

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On June 27th (Friday), the report "Breaking the Climate Deadlock" prepared by the team that Mr. Tony Blair represents, was presented in Tokyo. Mr. Blair is the first person who put "climate change" in agenda at G8 summit, and also has launched "Gleneagles Process" to tackle this problem. As a leader of the world he continues worldwide lively activities even after retiring from his post as a Prime Minister. I have written about it before, and his purpose this time, I assume, is to announce the results of these activities and to promote them in the G8 summit.

Photo 1　Mr. Tony Blair

Photo 2　With Mr. Blair and His Excellency Ngubane, Ambassador of South Africa

Photo 3　With former prime minister Mr. Abe

On June 28th and 29th, GLOBE International, an activity of legislators of the states in G8+5 will be held. I understand that Mr. Blair is going to give a keynote speech there also.

On the evening of 27th, a reception was organized at British Embassy in Tokyo in which many members of parliament from England were also present. After that, I moved to Roppongi Hills to be a part of the panel with 100 young people and Mr. Miliband, Minister of Foreign Affairs. Mr. Miliband is a 42 years old, up-coming star who is expanding the public relation activities by posting information on his personal Blog. The panel was focused mainly on these topics, but unfortunately, the duration was too short i.e. just an hour. I would like more of various programs like this to be organized. You can view the sight of the panel in his Blog.

Photo 4　Mr. Miliband and Moderator, Ms. Edahiro on the panel

Seattle, USA

Posted on 2008/06/232014/10/01 by kiyoshi kurokawa

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I am now in Seattle, participating in Pacific Health Summit which is held annually in June since last 4 years. I have attended the first conference four years ago, but could not make it to the 2nd and 3rd conference due to some other schedule.

This year’s theme was "Nutrition" and I participated in a panel on "Soaring Food Prices, MDG (Millennium Development Goals)." The host was Peter Singer from Toronto University, one of my old friends. The problem of nutrition and food is a global challenge. As the FAO conference held in Rome 2 weeks ago was not so successful, it may not be easy, but the topic is expected to be in the agenda of Toyako Summit to be held in July.

Photo 1 Dr. Kondo of HPI and Dr. Sunil Chacko

Photo 2 At the panel with Dr. Peter Singer on my right, Dr. Marc Van Ameringen, Director General of GAIN on my left(we were together in the Conference held in February.)

Recently, I am immersed in TICAD as well as G8 Summit, greenhouse, energy, poverty, development and issues in Africa, etc. It’s nice, I see same people (refer 1 and 2 ) on one hand and also get acquainted with new people on the other hand. The world is "flat" now and issues have become global. I feel that challenges that Japan and each one of us will face in the future will be very big. I also met Dr. Margeret Chan, Director General of WHO whom I haven’t seen since last year. She is also exercising great leadership skills.

Seattle is a very beautiful city with beautiful waterfronts and woods. The weather was fine and I enjoyed my stay very much. I even went to see the game of Mariners using my free time. This year their condition was not so good. Audience was small (almost 1/4th of the capacity of stadium), and Ichiro had 2 strikeouts. It was a boring match since the team lacked the "winning" spirit. But applause for Ichiro was greatest in his home ground and I think he will appear in the "All Star Game" this year too (last year he was the MVP). What a pity that Jojima was not a part of starting member! As expected, the replacement of the manager was announced on the next day.

Photo 3 Mariner’s Game

Photo 4 Ichiro at bat

G8 Science Ministers’ Meeting in Okinawa

Posted on 2008/06/172014/10/01 by kiyoshi kurokawa

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On June 15th, Science and Technology Ministers’ meeting was held for the first time in G8 summit history, in Okinawa. The host was Minister, Mr. Kishida.

The informal G8+5 Science Advisors’ Conference was held on June 13th and 14th and the main topic was "Brain Circulation." This is the extended version of Erasmus program of EU. There is awareness that for the challenges of coming global era, it is necessary to develop mutual understanding between the young people who are the pillars of the country’s future.

Photo 1 Dr. Nina Fedoroff, science adviser of U.S. Department of State

Photo 2　Dr. Wan, Minister of Science and Technology, China

Everyone is aware that short-term mutual exchange program of 1 year or so is necessary in the universities, graduate schools or at even younger ages. This is especially an important issue for Japan. I have repeatedly mentioned in the blog, that I think the biggest problem is that Universities in Japan are isolated even in this era, and young people are not aiming for overseas opportunities. Also the number of Japanese student studying abroad is decreasing.

On 14th, after a presentation related to clean energy by Dr. Steveｎ Chu from The Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) in the evening, there was a reception ceremony by Mr. Nakaima, a governor of Okinawa, and arrival of Minister Mr. Kishida.

Photo 3　With Minister Mr. Kishida and Dr. Baughman (OIST)

Photo 4　Show in reception

Cape Town

Posted on 2008/06/112014/10/01 by kiyoshi kurokawa

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After finishing TICAD in Yokohama, I left Narita on June 3rd in the afternoon and came to Cape Town near Cape of Good Hope at the southernmost Africa via Singapore to attend the Africa Conference on World Economic Forum. The conference is being held here annually for the past 17 years and this is the 18th conference, which is quite an achievement.

Dr. Sadako Ogata, the president of JICA, who is also one of the leading persons in the promotion of TICAD, is the co-president of this conference. She was very active during these three days, attending a number of panels every day. I truly appreciate her effort. Approximately 10 companies from Japanese business sector such as Tokyo Electron (chief executive, Mr. Sato), Hitachi, Mitsubishi Corporation, Sojitz etc, have participated. His Excellency Odano, the ambassador of TICAD also participated which had a very good effect of impressing the presence of Japan. No growth is possible in anything without the involvement of business. Number of conflicts taking place in entire Africa are reduced and the rate of economic growth is 5-6%. This is a place of good business opportunities. Japanese businesses should also get a grip.

I also participated in 2 panels, and talked especially about achievements of TICAD and expectations to G8, MDG, from the viewpoint of energy, food crisis, and development.

Photo 1　The sight of a Panel

Photo 2　 Conference by participants from Japan, with Dr. Ogata as main person

Photo 3　From the left side Dr.Tsuchiya from WEF, Dr. Kurokawa of JICA and Dr. Kondo of Health Policy Institute, Japan.

Photo 4　Mr. Haccyoji and Mr.Okada from Hitachi

Many attendants from Africa including Mr. Mbeki, the President of South Africa Federation, also participated in TICAD, so the presence of Japan here was strong which was great. But above all, it was the presence of Dr.Ogata. She is known and respected by everybody here as elsewhere and her comments always make a very good point. She is really the "Pride of Japan."

In the afternoon of the 2nd day, I left the conference, as the weather was too good and came down to Cape of Good Hope. It was like California, since there were many places just like Santa Monica and Malibu.

Photo 5　Cape of Good Hope, from the left Mr.Okada and Mr.Hacchoji from Hitachi.

I went to Abu Dhabi via Dubai after finishing the 3 days conference. Visited His Excellency Ambassador Hatano, discussed with the government officials related to university and the person in charge of health policy etc., thus spending 20 hours, I finally started my return journey. On June 8th, I arrived in Japan in the evening.

Our Article in Nikkei Shinbun on Global Health Summit

Posted on 2008/05/302014/10/01 by kiyoshi kurokawa

We organized in February, "Global Health Summit; TICAD, G8 and beyond" with World Bank and other leading agencies on Global Health. The program could be seen through our website. To disseminate our core messages, we published them as an article in Nikkei Shinbun, leading press widely read by business sector of Japan.

I hope you will enjoy and support our messages. Now appears in English.

　Japan Should Demonstrate Leadership in Global Health
　（JAPAN ECHO.　June 2008 pp51-53.）

G8 Dialogue at United Nations University

Posted on 2008/05/202014/10/01 by kiyoshi kurokawa

United Nations University(UNU) with its Institute for Advanced Studies(IAS) hosts a series of lectures "G8 Dialogue" in support of the role of Japan, that hosts 4th TICAD(Tokyo International Conference on African Development) in later this month in Yokohama and G8 Summit in Toyako, Hokkaido, early July.

I was invited to talk on Global Health and its excerpt is attached for your interest. The lecture can be viewed on the web.

　Global Health: What is Necessary to Make it Possible?（PDF）

Meeting with Mr. Bill Gates

Posted on 2008/05/092014/10/01 by kiyoshi kurokawa

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I flew to Jakarta in the morning of May 7th to participate “The Government Leaders Forum ?Asia” organized by Microsoft, and delivered Keynote speech in the panel ‘IT and Healthcare.’ Perhaps there are some 20 Japanese participants who included Vice President of Keio University, one of IT-gurus of Japan, Prof. Jun Murai, and Mayor of Hiroshima City, Mr. Akiba.

This series of Conference began in USA, in Europe, and now the forth year in Asia. Plenary speakers were included Indonesian Minister, Dr. Surin (we met three times in the last 2 months), Director General of ASEAN and two senior executives of Microsoft. Then followed by three panels in Day 1. In Day 2, speeches of President of Indonesia and Mr. Bill Gates will be delivered, but I had to leave Jakarta in the evening of Day 1, so that I will miss the program of Day 2. Thus, I was out of Japan for only 44 hours.

After my panel session, I had a private meeting with Mr. Gates for about 30 minutes discussing several issues of our common interest that included Global Health Summit we hosted this February, G8 Summits and other global issues and IT in education and healthcare (photo: his staff and assistants were understandably very nervous). He is very smart and sharp and quietly looking into documents I handed out to him. Mr. Oigawa, senior executive of Microsoft Japan told me that he has not seen Mr. Gates so relaxed and pleased in a meeting.

To Singapore, Paris and Cassis

Posted on 2008/04/302014/10/01 by kiyoshi kurokawa

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Departed for Singapore on 24th afternoon. Checked-in at the hotel around midnight. On 25th, there was a board of directors meeting of A*STAR. We moved crisply with the busy proceedings and discussions as usual, and visited newly established immunity laboratory in the evening. As Japan is strong in this field, I think that it is a good place for a young researcher to become independent. Also, I had a talk on the phone with Prof. Ito from Kyoto University virus laboratory who is working here.

Within 24 hours after arriving to Singapore, I left for Paris on 25th late at night. After relaxing the whole day, in the evening, I had been invited along with Dr. Mario Tokoro, president of SONY Computer Science Laboratory and Dr. Kitano from the French friends residing in Paris. So we five had dinner at the exclusive members club situated between Japanese embassy and British embassy at St. Honore. We talked on various lively topics and I was convinced that the people who are talking with, atmosphere, tradition and the environment of the place are very important. Such things are not possible even if we spent money and tried to imitate it.

The weather in Paris was wonderful. Atmosphere was pleasant and the trees were in beautiful greens. This is the best season to stay Paris in the year. The feeling was very good. I stayed in Paris in this season last year too. Sometimes, it is nice to spend time with relaxation in a foreign country. However, it was well enough busy schedules.

On 26th, I left from Gare de Lyon to Marseille. From there I went to Cassis. It was a small conference with the theme "Sustainability," organized by SONY laboratory. It was held at Camargue last year.

I visited UNESCO-L’Oreal in March, Minister Pecresse visited me and I was interviewed by French TV in April. I feel like I am being immersed in France these days.

Photo1 Cassis port

Photo2 Hotel where I was staying.

Photo3　Cassis Coastline

Photos 1～3 are senery of Cassis. This resort are surrounded by white cliff, it was like Zushi Japan. It is the place where airplane of Antoine de Saint Exupery, famous for "The Little Prince," was hit and sunk down.