LECTURE MEETING FOR FUTURE SCIENTISTS
On 14 May, 2000, the above lecture meeting was held at the University of Tokyo. More than 30 persons including new graduate students participated in the meeting. Three talks by Dr. Kaifu (National@Astronomical Observatory), Dr. Inao (Gifu University) and Mr. Tabata@(graduate student, Waseda Unversity) were given and participants@discussed on the relation between science and society, and how@scientists should be.
Dr. Kaifu talked the history of his works in the development of the technique for astronomical observation, and how he has been making the image of Universe. He also remarked on the spread of science and on the problems in the ongoing reforms of universities. Dr. Inao emphasized the importance for philosophers to challenge the problems in the real society and to study the basis of individual fields of philosophy. Mr. Tabata talked how he became interested in studying constitution and emphasized the importance to learn classics for the research of social science.
In the discussion after the talks, about a half of participants made remarks on the problems in young scientists such as the decrease of interest in the relation between science and society, separation of
natural sciences and humanities.
The speakers also commented the importance for university to communicate with citizens, the importance for young scientists to recognize not only their own field but also the whole system, and so on.
The lecture meeting was a good chance to expand the JSA's activity, and three participants newly joined the JSA after the meeting.
THE COLLOQUIUM OF THE PROBLEM OF ATOMIC BOMB VICTIMS
The above colloquium was held on April 22, 2000, at Meiji University in Tokyo. About 50 persons participated. This colloquium has been held since 1990 to promote the research of unsolved problems on atomic bomb victims.
In the morning session, three reports were given : "The world situation in 2000 and the problems in abolition of nuclear weapons" by Prof. Asai (Meiji Gakuin University), "Problems in the low on supports for atomic bomb victims" by Dr. Ogawa (Japan Welfare University, ret.), and "The point at issue in the suit of atomic bomb" by Mr. Naito (lawyer). Prof. Asai remarked impressively that the movement to abolish nuclear weapons in Japan would become more persuasive when we try to change the politics in Japan itself, and the general disarmament could freely be discussed as well as abolition of nuclear weapons
In the afternoon session, Dr. Sawada (Emeritus Prof. of Nagoya University) reported on the estimation of radioactive ray by atomic bombs and its effect in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Dr. Noguchi (Nihon University) reported on the critical accident of JCO (a factory to dispose of wastes from atomic plants) and the acute symptoms by radioactive ray in the accident. Dr. Sawada criticized the Ministry of Health and Welfare because the method for estimation of the radioactive ray adopted by the Ministry cannot explain the fact that acute symptoms by radioactive ray appeared even in the region which is more than 2km far from the center of the explosion.
ACTIVITIES OF RESEARCH COMMITTEES AND GROUPS
The JSA headquarters organize a number of research committees and groups undertaken
on a nationwide scale, which are encouraging the members across th country
1) SYMPOSIUM "THINKING OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGICAL POLICY, AND HIGHER EDUCATION" HELD IN TOKYO
The committees of science and technological policy (chair: Prof. Akashi), and university problems (chair: Prof. Miwa) jointly held the above symposium on March 11 in Tokyo. Prof. Miwa (Chiba Univ.) gave an opening address, in which he stressed that the Japanese science and technological policy has changed since its establishment in 1995, and new science and technological policy will be formularized in accordance with the inauguration of Monbu-Kagaku Sho (Ministry of Education and Science) in next January that is resulted from a reshuffle of the central-governmental bodies. It is under such circumstance that we must think of higher education. Prof. Akashi (Komazawa Univ.) also explained the purpose of the symposium, which was followed by two reports: 1) thinking of science and technological policy in Japan (Prof. Akashi: Komazawa Univ.), and 2) development of science and technological policy, and change of higher education (Prof. Hosoi: Osaka City Univ.). Drs. Nomura (Executive Council member) and Irako (Tokyo Metropolitan Univ.) gave comments to the symposium, and they made a synthetic discussion to give an invaluable solution.
2) RESEARCH DEBATE CONFERENCE "TOWARD DISASTER SCIENCE AND DISASTER-PREVENTION MOVEMENTS IN THE 21ST CENTURY" HELD
The JSA research committee of disaster problems organized the above conference on May 21, 2000, in Tokyo. The committee has prepared the conference during a year, which is regarded as a result of attending the 5th anniversary of the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake Disaster and dispatching a research group to the Taiwan earthquake. The participants reached 38, including those from outside of the JSA.
The conference proceeded as follows: The keynote address entitled "The actual situation and tasks in disaster research and disaster prevention" by Prof. Murosaki (Kobe Univ. , chair), special report "Issues in disaster act and disaster jurisprudence" by Prof. Ikeda (Tokyo Met. Univ.), and reports on results of research and disaster cites in several districts. The key words discussed were "urban disaster prevention" (Mr. Oya), "the JCO's accident" (Prof. Nguchi), "relief of Hanshin victims" (Mr. Deguchi), "movements of the liaison conference asking relief of disaster victims and improvement of disaster measures (of which the JSA is a member) " (Mr. Kinoshita) , "explosion of the mountain Usu" (Mr. Seino), "rezoning and disaster prevention" (Mr. Fujii), and so on.
On the whole the viewpoint of social science in disaster problems was clarified, especially, as we are facing practically a critical phase in compensation and shelter problem in the Hanshin and Usu districts, where the discussion was focused on how we establish the legal and institutional foundation. As a matter of course, strongly criticized was the Japanese government treating financial companies warmly but disaster victims coldly.
In the council, it is important to win the point without compromise, on account of the report that the government is prone to take in convenient opinions precluding scathing ones.
In the Usu problem, since it is difficult to estimate further transition, although forecast of explosion was successful, the problems of shelter life, unemployment and permanent move from dangerous houses were selectively discussed. The conference agreed with the opinion to request that the communication among researchers, administration, and victims should be guaranteed with real time information flowing and disaster measures should be constructed not only from hardware and prohibition aspect but from software aspect like as providing compensation system and esteeming residents' autonomous decision.
Furthermore were discussed "independent managed agencies problem", curriculum worsening in elementary and medium education, poverty of research and education budgets, and their negative influences on disaster prevention education.
3) SYMPOSIUM "JAPAN'S DEPENDENT STRUCTURE ON THE U.S." HELD
On April 15, 2000 in Tokyo, Peace Issues Research Committee organized the above symposium. The first presentation was "Japan's Dependent Structure on the U.S. and Roles in Post War Period" by Mr. Kudo (economist). Dividing the post war period into three parts, he explained the characteristics in each part. The first period was until Vietnam War (1973) when the economic cooperation as a part of the U.S.-Japan Security Treaty was established. During the Vietnam War, Japanese capital was retrieved and strengthened. In the end Japanese capital was connected closely to the U.S. capital through oil, nuclear industry and space development projects. The next period was from the latter half of 1970s to the middle of 1980s when Japan contributed not only economically but also politically to construct an international order led by the U.S. After the retreat from Vietnam, the U.S. made use of Japan for its strategy toward Asia and Japanese capital also welcomed it as global strategy. In addition Japanese government shared the U.S. military cost to Asian region. The third period was from the Plaza Accord up to the present when adjustment was made to the U.S and Japan economic war. The expansion of Japanese export triggered economic war. In the end the Plaza Accord including financial deregulation made Japan adjust and keep dependent relationship with the U.S. In political perspective, this adjustment led to the New Guideline.
The second presentation was "The Present Status of Dependent Structure on the U.S. and Future Perspective" by Mr. Sato. He analyzed mainly on the problem of low-altitude flights by the U.S. airforce. In these days, the maneuvers of the U.S. military in Japan have become harder. The low-altitude flights have been repeated in 21 prefectures across Japan. The number of fighter crash has been increased after 1990. The roaring sound would make people be terrified and lead to the destruction of nature especially for birds. Now there has been nationwide opposition movement for this problem besides the argument concerning security treaty.
DISTRICTS AND BRANCHES' ACTIVITIES
The JSA consisits of 47 branches which are grouped into 9 districts, and they are independently
and/or cooperatively carrying out their activities in addition to the headquarters' ones
1) LECTURE "THINKING OF THE 10TH DAM IN THE RIVER YOSHINO" HELD
The Kochi branch held the above lecture on March 11 in the center of Kochi city, to rethink of the relation between natural environment and big construction projects. Residents in Kochi Prefecture are very interested in natural environment problems such as the removal of the Saga sluice gate (called Iechi-gawa dam) in the River Yoshino. Several citizens known through newspapers or other devices inquired about the lecture. After the lecture of Prof. Nakajima (Tokushima Univ.) an enthusiastic discussion followed.
The reasons of the success of the movement in Tokushima in rejecting the 10th dam construction in the River Yoshino were found to be: 1) discussion without prejudice, 2) steady accumulation of actions, 3) each citizen's sound learning. These indicate what environmental protects are, and suggest something in thinking of the movements in Kochi.
Participants' impressions: "I found that it is important to rethink of public enterprises with resident participation"; "I found that in planning river improvement it is important to utilize the capability of keeping water of mountain"; "I had a great impression to see that the discussion was proceeding on neutral ground, and I esteem residents' effort in the movement of local referendum though they are our enemy (constructor)"; "I feel an atmosphere of crisis that the river is changing with environmental pollution and river improvement."
2) INDEPENDENTLY MANAGED AGENCY DISCUSSED
On March 25, the Hokuriku district (Toyama, Kanazawa and Fukui branch) also organized a joint-research meeting under the title "The 21st century's university and the problem of reforming national university into the independently managed agency". Prof. Okada (Kyoto Univ.) was invited to give a keynote lecture about the above theme. Then six reports were made : 1) the problem of the independently managed agency in Kanazawa University, 2) the case in Fukui University, 3) a movement of Fukui University graduates' association, 4) the problem of the independently managed agency and researches in Faculty of Science of Kanazawa University, 5) the case in Toyama University, and 6) Japanese university - the past, present and future. After the presentations, all the participants exchanged their views from various sections and fields. The meeting was reported in local newspapers next day, suggesting that we have to much more open the ongoing problem to the public and to carry out a joint-movement to establish acceptable university management in the presence of the people.
On the other hand, the Kyoto branch also held a general science symposium on March 18 at Ritsumei-kan University in Kyoto, where they discussed what university should be in the 21st century by reviewing the 10 years' succession of university reform in Kyoto. Dr. T. Iwai (Japanese modern history) gave a keynote speech entitled "Change of democracy and university for 50 years after the World War II". He indicated that the post-war democratization in Japan has retained the Tenno system and bureaucracy, and its negative effects remain unsolved now, nevertheless universities have greatly contributed to the democratization of Japanese society. He in conclusion stressed that our autonomous and democratic reformation of universities becomes more and more important. A number of the university reform examples and processes over ten years were then reported by the participants from Kyoto University, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Kyoto University of Education, Kyoto Prefectural University, Doshisha University, Ritsumei-kan University and Bukkyo University, respectively
3) FUTURE FOR JAPANESE UNIVERSITY DISCUSSED IN NAGOYA
The Tokai district (Shizuoka, Aichi, Gifu and Mie branches) held the symposium on "Future for Japanese Universities: Their Public Roles for Research and Education" at Aichi University on April 16 with approximately 30 participants. In order think of the competitive environment and strong governmental control toward the universities, four reports in their presentations emphasized that to reform universities we should propose the positive vision for their social and public roles in research and education.
Prof. Ishii (Shizuoka branch) stressed that severe competition threatened universities' important roles on the pursuit of truth or succession of traditional culture by extinguishing uniqueness and creativity. Recently a large number of universities have tried to survive by establishing popular departments such as information, foreign language or environment.
Next Prof. Horie (Gifu branch) reported what happened to Ogaki Women's College where the College Board had forced to close one of the departments without faculty members' consensus. In the end the College Board fired him. He explained that Board's excessive intervention and controlled management would threaten the university system as a whole.
Also Profs. Yamada and Takayama (Mie branch) made a report on "Committee for the 21st Century" established in Mie University. They pointed out the tendency that universities became nervous about government's request before discussing their essential roles to the public and society.
Meanwhile Prof. Ifuka and Hiroki (Aichi branch) explained the transition of universities' roles. Since most universities now focused on general education rather than liberal arts, their fundamental roles and purposes such as pursuit of truth and value became faded.
In an open discussion, there was an important comment that universities might repeat the same mistake as Japan Railways (JR) had made in the process of privatization. JR had focused much on efficiency and restructuring without the clear vision for Japanese transportation system. In the discussion of independent administrative corporation, we should clarify the positive vision for the future. From now on we would like to keep and deepen our discussion how the Japanese universities should be in the future.
5) PEACE TALKS IN KOCHI
The Kochi branch held the above under the auspices of the Union of Teachers and Stuff in Kochi University. Dr. Fujita (Prof. Emeritus of Kochi Univ., international relations) gave a lecture entitled "the 21st century towards the world without nuclear weapons". He described that in the United Nations New Agenda countries has have taken the initiative in the elimination of nuclear weapons, criticizing nuclear powers and the follower Japan. However, he concluded that the countries against total ban of nuclear weapons are obliged to be isolated.
CONTRIBUTION
THINKING OF HUMAN'S EMBRYO CELL CLONING
It was at the end of 1998 that University Hospital in Seoul has succeeded in cultivating a human embryo using human cells in one of the first experiments of its kind. It was reported that they cultivated a human embryo in its early stages using an unfertilized egg and a somatic cell donated by a woman in her 30s, whose experiment was last seen dividing into four cells, before the operation was aborted. If implanted into a uterine wall of a carrier, one can assume that a human child having the same gene characteristics as that of the donor would be produced.
The above experiment should strongly be criticized from the social, legal and ethical points of view, because any production of human cell cloned must completely be prohibited, for which all the necessary guideline should be made. Such a guideline must internationally be agreed without any national or local exception. In case of interesting in human cells' development, an embryonic stem cell should be utilized in place of human cell cloned, for which the following could be alternative under a legally restricted control.
On August 16, the British government bowed to scientific opinion and gave the green light to the cloning of human embryo cells for the first time, but only for medical research, allowing scientists to extract cells from embryos up to 14 days old and use them to grow skin and other tissue. The government's legislation of course must outlaw human cloning for reproductive means, ensuring scientists are banned from making a cloned baby as the basic ethical code. Approved is the law as expected, the government will be the first to allow publicly funded cloning of human embryo calls. Medical groups said that allowing cloning could help find cures for previously untreatable diseases and therapeutic cloning could offer a tremendous opportunity for curing untreatable patients under the presently medical approaches. At the heart of matter is the removal of preprogrammed cells or stem cells from embryos less than 14 days old. Scientists have discovered that such cells are capable of developing into any kind of tissue, including nerves, muscles, organs and bones. Relaxing the law on stem cell cloning will therefore open the possibility, one day, of growing healthy tissue to treat people with degenerative disease such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and cystic fibrosis. The stem cell research opens up a new medical frontier, new treatments of chronic diseases and injuries, and the relief of human suffering.
At present there is no law that expressly forbid human cloning using the technique that produced Dolly, the sheep, as such advances were not envisaged when the last legislation was drafted. In practice the Authority never allows reproductive human cloning even in every research unit.
ARTICLES OF "JOURNAL OF JAPANESE SCIENTISTS"
The Journal of Japanese Scientists or NIHON NO KAGAKUSHA (in Japanese) covering all the
scientific fields is monthly published and distributed to all the members and other readers
Vol.35(No.6)(2000)
[Title-page message]
Furomoto T.: Virtual reality and media literacy
[Special issue: Global standard, its light and shade]
Usui T.: Globalization as a possibility
Takada T.: A critical review of the American standard
Oguri T.: Globalization of accounting standard and its impact
Tsuchida K.: Globalization of "competition law" - Internationalization of the American model and its limit
[Colloquy]
Kaneda T.: Environmental favorable to the bringing-up of children - In reference to the changing government policy in childhood education and care
[Series: Break a new century]
[General]
Wada S.: The constitution of Japan and constitutional revisionism
Hashimoto K.: Ethos of community organizing - Practice of direction committee members in Kanazawa City in prewar days
Nonaka I.: Problems concerning the accounting standards of the independently managed agency
Vol.35(No.7)(2000)
[Title-page message]
Nagaya H.: From the centenary of the birth of the cinematograph to the coming of the 21st century - The audiovisual policy of the European Union
[Special issue: Society and conservation of nature in Hokuriku district]
Kawano S.: Change in atmospheric environments and impacts on the regional vegetation in Japan - An example of Hokuriku district
Mori T. and Sasaki C.: Present condition and subject of conservation of Naka-ikemi wetland in Tsuruga, Fukui Prefecture
Ikariyama H.: Harmful effects of the Tatsumi dam project
Yokohata Y.: Some problems on forest improvement in the Kureha Ridge in Toyama City from 1991 to 1993
[Colloquy]
Ishigami M.: A fear for Kiinyuu-dam project
[General]
Sato M.: The values of inconspicuous life in rivers and the sea
Kimura A.: Kosovo conflict "as situations in areas surrounding Europe" - On the legitimacy of NATO air strikes against Yugoslavia
Asami T.: Safety principle for nuclear industry
Vol.35(No.8)(2000)
[Title-page message]
Ono M.: Prime Minister without holiday, policemen without union
[Special issue: Actual situation of the theory of war]
Osamu W.: New militarism of Japan and new wars
Okabe M.: A history of war in modern Japan
Takashima N.: The background of "the theory of war" and the school textbook that praises the emperor Hirohito
[Colloquy]
Takahashi H.: "Shumoku-kowa" (a scientists saloon) in Nagoya
[General]
Sugie E.: The way to the abolition of nuclear weapons: Activity of the New Agenda Coalition
Miwa S.: Some issues on the establishment of the university evaluation machine
Nagasuna M.: Toward the success of the 13th Interdisciplinary Congress of Science at the end of this century
Japanese patent office group of JSA: On business model patent
[Resolutions]
Situation in connection with scientists and the JSA's activity in the 36th term (June 2000 to May 2001)
The second statement not to convert national universities into the agencies on the basis of the general rule