INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON YAKUGAI CREUTZFELDT-JAKOB DISEASE HELD
"Yakugai (drag-induced) Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD) Lawsuit" has now entered an important phase. The organizing committee, to which the JSA belongs, and the organizing committee of the 11th Tokyo Science Symposium held together the above symposium on November 11, 2001 at Hitotsubashi University, aiming to clarify the way to eradicate Yakugai CJD and to totally aid victims. 150 participants including three guests from England attended.
Mr. Baldwin (England, member of a local assembly), being bereaved his son as a result of CJD caused by a contaminated growth hormone, reported the course of struggle against the illness and the progress till he won the suit against the government, declaring the solidarity with Japanese Yakugai CJD victims caused by contaminated dura maters. Dr. Narang (England, virology, CJD researcher), reporting his research on scrapie, BSE (bovine spongeform encephalopathy), and vCJD (variant CJD), suggested the possibility to make vaccine from the virological viewpoint and that prion is not a cause but an effect. Ms. Turner (England, carer), as a representative from the CJD Support Network (inaugurated in 1995), reported its actual activities such as 24-hour telephone consultation. After these there were some reports from Japan concerning: the actual situation of Japanese Yakugai CJD victims, care and measures for patients and their families from plaintiffs and researchers, the attainment in the lawsuit, the number of infection to BSE in September (Prof. Onodera, Univ. of Tokyo).
The symposium deserves significance in timing and contents in viewing the opinion which Otsu (Shiga Pref.) and Tokyo district court judges accused defendants of their responsibilities three days after.
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) THINKING OF MIE PREFECTURAL POLICY AND CITIZENS' MOVEMENT
The research committee for pollution and environmental problems held a mini-symposium under the above title in Tsu City, Mie Prefecture, on September 8, 2001. The following two reports were given: 1) "Fishermen's movements against constructing nuclear power station, and local society - a background of Mie Prefectural governor's decision" (Dr. Ishihara, head of a marine museum), and 2) "Challenge of Mie Environmental Conference" (Prof. Pak, Mie Univ.).
Dr. Ishihara who presides over a private marine museum has continued the citizen's movement "Save Our Sea" for preservation of sea over 30 years. He reported that the activity of the struggle against the construction of Ashihara nuclear power station over 40 years. He mentioned that the role of women on the signature-collection campaign of over 8 hundred thousands signatures and Mie Prefectural governor finally withdrew the construction plan.
Prof. Paku who is a researcher of global warming is active as a representative of Mie Environmental Conference. The conference is organized by about 40 members and has a fund of 3 hundred millions yen offered by Mie Prefecture. The conference supports citizen's activities of environmental problems and also has own projects. The main project is "Campaign of no shopping bag at the checkout counter". She reported that the try and error activities on the campaign.
2) SYMPOSIUM "THE US MISSILE DEFENSE PROGRAM AND JAPANESE CHOICE" HELD
The JSA research committee for peace problems held the above symposium on September 29, 2001, in Tokyo, where 30 participants attended and discussed after the following two lectures.
Dr. Watanabe (aerospace technology) explained the details of technological questions on BMD (ballistic missile defense), illustrating that the Self-Defense Forces and Japanese private enterprises shrewdly involved universities in military research and development of missile. As he indicated, the ballistic missile cannot be intercepted because of 2-minute late to effectively intercept before the emission of warheads and dummies. It is not facile to control missiles with high cruising speed, which can be seen in the fact that the missile used in Iraq and Yugoslav could not be changed its direction nor crashed in case the targets were found public facilities by means of camera. He concluded with saying that the technology to efficiently intercept launched missiles is still not established.
Dr. Asai (international policy) pointed out that Bush Administration's unilateralism is the unity of the isolationism indifferent to other countries and the hegemonic internationalism under the leadership of the US. The BMD program, as a typical example, stands on the demands of industry-military complex, Wolfowits' opinion on transition to high-technological military system, and possibility of war with China. The US changes its interest from rascal states to China, since the US feels under threat of China that would get a blow of nuclear missile on the occasion of Taiwan emergency. The US's policy against terrorists is inconsistent on account of actions such as thinking much of the UN and the IMF to retaliate on terrorists soon after the terrorists-attacks, and asking Israel to resume peace negotiations, while the BMD program continues to be the nucleus of global strategy. His warning says that it is very risky for the Japanese government to uncontrollably go to the usage of military forces and the constitutionalization of the right of self-defense following in the brutal line of the Bush Administration.
3) ENVIRONMENT OF SETO-UCHI DISCUSSED
Since 1972, the committee of Seto-uchi (Seto Inland Sea) has organized the symposia related to the environment of Seto-uchi, which is to improve its environment. In September of 2000, the 24th symposium was held in Oita Prefecture on the main theme "Thinking of the 21st environmental construction in Seto-uchi", which had three scientific sessions: 1) public works in Seto-uchi and environmental conservation, 2) role of the law of Seto-uchi, its merits and demerits, and 3) how to reactivate Seto-uchi. In addition to the above, a poster session was taken place in the symposium, which was followed by an on-the-spot investigation in outskirt of Oita City (post-symposium tour). All the participants enjoyed symposium. The 25th symposium will be in Yamaguchi Prefecture in summer of 2002, where they will discuss many subjects including a nuclear powered plant to be constructed in the inland sea. The committee consisting mainly of scientists has been cooperating with the people's alliance protecting the environment of Seto-uchi, which is composed of general citizens including scientists. On September 1 and 2, the alliance organized a gathering in Hiroshima Prefecture, where they discussed a way of protecting the environment of Seto-uchi in participation of citizens and scientists.
4) ACTIVITIES OF THE RESEARCH GROUP OF FISHERY PROBLEMS
The research group of fishery problems was inaugurated in May 1997. During these 5 years the group published twelve booklets of "News of the research group of fishery problems". Here the group summarized activities referring to these five publications. For the past two years the group held a symposium among a limited number of people at Tokyo University of Fisheries at the opportunity of the spring meeting of the Japanese Society of Fisheries Science. Two topics, "Problems of workers in fishery" and "The recent trend of Study group for basic policy of fishery", were represented. At the 13th comprehensive Scientific Study Convention the group reported four topics concerning "The global food producing system-problems inherent in agriculture and fishery" under the session of "To the sustainable society, inquiring the system between environment and energy ? resources ? economy". The group has been aiming to exchange a view on fishery policy and environment widely and to raise problems to the society.
The group also gave an opinion about "Study group for basic policy of fishery" and "Basic Law for Fishery". These activities are in accordance with the aim of the group that is to discuss freely policy, technology and mythology concerning fishery. At the convention the group co-worked with "The group thinking of fishery in the 21st century" to organize an open forum. The group also tries to hold a symposium and to publish a newsletter aiming to bring both views of natural science and social science close to each other.
NATIONWIDE GATHERING
A number of gathering are held by the JSA alone or in cooperation with friendly organizations
1) THE GLOBAL WARMING AND THE KYOTO PROTOCOL FROM RUSSIA
The Ryukoku University chapter and the Academic Forum of the Rim of the Sea of Japan held the above meeting on global warming problem, where invited was Mr. N. Kosarikov, the vice-chair of pollution problem committee in the Russian Lower House. He indicated that Russia is an important partner in the warming problem on account of the considerable amount of emission of greenhouse gases and absorption of them through forests. The discharge of CO2, a comprehensive index of total air pollution, decreases in quantity with the stagnation of Russian industrial activities after the crash of Soviets, and the hot air problem arises. In this relation, he explains his opinion. 1) Although there is a danger that Russian economic recovery might take a CO2-intensive line unfit for environment, Russia strives to avert the danger in the emission sources such as power generation. 2) On account of Russian coming development and avoiding unfavorable trade, Russia will considerably limit the interchange of surplus emission reduction that will be gained during the commitment period. As a background, showed was a fluid situation that the federation budget for next year would increase by 50% than for this year. He also stated an idea of the interchange project of surplus emission credits relating the repayment of foreign debts that the federation and cities owe, illustrating the renewal of street lights, hot-water supply and thermal system undertaken in his home Nizhni Novgorod. There is nothing to impede the Russian Congress to ratify the protocol.
To a participant's question about the Russian way to treat radioactive materials, Mr. Kosarikov only answered that Russia just had decided to accept reprocessing nuclear fuels.
2) CITIZENS' DEBATE "CAN WE REALLY DEVELOP UNIVERSITY INDEPENCENCY BY TRANSFORMING NATIONAL UNIVERSITY INTO INDEPENDENT AGENCY?"
The government plans to transform national university into independent agency, which necessarily collapse Japanese higher education's foundation. A comprehensive discussion was made to clarify the effect of transforming national university into independent agency on the future Japanese higher education, which was on November 5 (2001) in Tokyo in the presence of citizens, politicians, students and university personnel. At the end of the symposium, the participants adopted a resolution entitled "Transformation of national university into independent agency does not develop university independency". In the resolution, they point out a number of problems in the independent agency system, and warn that the system is in contravention of Article 23 of the Constitution and Article 10 of the Fundamentals of Education Act. Also, they insist that upon discussing the system, the governmental committee should take into account students' participation and their studying environment as described in the UNESCO Declaration for Higher Education. People in charge of higher education must be asked to basically discuss what university should be in the future on the basis of the Fundamentals of Education Act.
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) THINKING OF DAILY FOOD AND LIFE - FROM THE RESEARCH RESSULTS OF STOCKBREEDING
The Fukui branch held the meeting on September 11 at Fukui University where Dr. Kato (Fukui Pref. Animal Experiment Station) gave a talk on the above title. He talked about a change of the consumption of livestock products based on a change of the dietary habits. He added various commentaries such as history of stockbreeding, change of technology, ecology of cows, degree of self-sufficiency in foodstuffs, degree of self-sufficiency in grains, management of stockbreeding, and so-on, which is contrasting with those of the USA and EU countries. The consumption of livestock products has not a long history. It made a rapid increase with high economic growth and rising the income in the 1960s. According to the@data of consumption of meat in main countries, it does not necessary follow that countries of high GDP consume large quantity of meat. This is due to the difference of the food culture. Japan has a special dietary habit that rice is the principal food compared with other countries. The Japanese people's caloric intake is good compared to that of other countries and the average life expectancy of Japanese people is the best in the world. But we should not put too much confidence in that fact. It was only 40 years ago when the consumption of livestock products increased. Our ancestor had the dietary habit that was short of livestock products and fat stuffs. This genetic trait runs in the Japanese people. Today the life-style related disease (such as obesity due to excessive fat intake) and diabetes have been increasing. It is necessary to start investigating fat ingredients. He pointed that our dietary habit needs to be reexamined. We can't do better than take less fatty acid like linoleic acid and more fatty acid like alpha-linolenic acid. It was just the right moment that the first case of BSE (Bovine Spongeform Encephalopathy) was reported. Participants discussed enthusiastically current topics of BSE, low level of the degree of self-sufficiency in foodstuffs and food security, and enjoyed the worthwhile meeting.
2) MEETING "ESSENCE OF RETALIATIVE WAR AGAINST TERRORISTS AND SUBJECT IN ERADICATION OF TERRORISM" HELD IN TOKYO
On October 26 the Tokyo branch organized an emergent debate meeting under the above title. Prof. Kaneko (Rissho Univ., constitutionalist) gave a lecture entitled "synchronously multiple terrorist attacks and world peace question". According to him, the US's real intention of retaliatory war against Afghanistan is not to arrest Osama Bin Ladin, whom the Bush Administration suspects as a mastermind, but to get a foothold in Afghanistan, in order to access oil resources in Central Asia, and besides to test new weapons (for example, cluster bombs). He maintained that Japanese Anti-terrorism Bill aims at 1) exercise of the right of collective self-defense and 2) alteration of the military alliance between Japan and the US to NATO model. In conclusion he emphasized that instead of retaliation war Article 9 (Renunciation of war) of the Japanese Constitution should be followed. Article 9 declares: 1) Aspiring sincerely after an international peace based on justice and order, the Japanese people forever renounce war as a sovereign right of the nation and the threat or use of force as means of settling international dispute, and 2) will never maintain land, sea, and air forces, as well as war potential in order to accomplish the aim of the preceding paragraph. The right of belligerency of the state will not be recognized.
3) 50TH MEETING TO THINK OF CONSTITUTION AND PEACE HELD
On November 3, the Miyazaki branch held the above meeting under the joint auspices of Miyazaki Association of Democratic Lawyers. Prof. Ryuichi Ozawa (Shizuoka Univ., constitutionalist) gave a lecture on the theme "Let's cut open the 21st century with Japanese constitution-Towards the world without terror and war". He emphasized that Japanese constitution was not forced by the US, but was originated in experiences of being oppressed by the government in prewar times. Besides he pointed out a great danger of Antiterrorism Bill, because the US's retaliation on Afghanistan is not only against international laws but also unacceptable to the UNSC, while he called attention to a fact that a Bill to revise the Self-Defense Forces Law has an intention of promoting Wartime Legislation.
4) 11TH TOKYO SCIENCE SYMPOSIUM HELD
The Tokyo branch held was held the above symposium at Hitotsubashi University in Tokyo on November 10 and 11, where 11 group meetings opened and about 350 people including JSA members, citizens and students attended. The themes of the meetings were as follows: 1) the education on environmental problems in China and Japan, 2) problems on history textbooks, 3) challenges in Japanese economy in 21st century, 4) research methods and contribution of young researchers, 5) meal, agriculture, and health in the 21st century, 6) positive actions by women in the 21st century, 7) disasters in Tokyo - volcano in Miyake Island and large earthquakes in Tokyo, 8) activities of citizens and contribution of scientists - pollution by heavy elements and garbage disposal, 9) from the century of wars to the century of peace, 10) human rights in the place of work and future industry, and 11) making local community by participation of citizens. Organizers of this symposium suspected that it might be difficult to open so many group meetings. However, these meetings were successfully held and many good reports and presentations were given, thanks to the cooperation with citizens and JSA members in many usual activities. For instance, people in Miyake Island reported the disaster of volcano and the problems in public supports for returning to the island. Workers in large companies reported the activities against infringements on human rights and dismissal in the companies' restructuring. Reports covered not only the criticism to the present situation but also how to make the new society and new era. The JSA Tokyo branch hopes to develop the activities based on the success of this symposium.
5) DISTRICT SYMPOSIUM "LOCAL AIRPOT: DEVELOPMENT OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND FINANCIAL QUESTION" HELD
The district of Kinki (Shiga, Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, Wakayama and Hyogo) held the district symposium on the theme "Thinking of development of local government and its financial question on the basis of local airport construction" in Kobe City on November 17. Operated in the Kinki area are Osaka and Kansai Intl. Airports in Osaka, Shirahama Local Airport in Wakayama, and Tajima Local Airport in Hyogo. Kobe Local Airport in Hyogo is under construction, and Harima Local (Hyogo) and Shiga Local (Shiga) are under investigation. Prof. Nakayama (Nara Women's Univ.) gave a keynote lecture on the subject. Every local government has persisted in the mega-project to constructing local airport in each Prefecture, as if every local government were always competitive, resulting that all the local government is indebted in citizens for a large sum. He stressed that local development should be free from mega-project in the future and then changed to acceptable policy for all the citizens, which must therefore be discussed in the presence of citizens. There were many reports and comments in relation to the above keynote speech, which was followed by enthusiastic discussion against the mega-projects involving great risks for citizens.
6) 19TH JSA KYUSHU DISTRICT SYMPOSIUM "THE ENVIRONMENT OF ARIAKE SEA AND THE LAND RECLAMATION OF ISAHAYA GULF" HELD
On November 17-18th, a symposium on land reclamation of Isahaya Gulf was held in Isahaya city, Nagasaki Prefecture. In the session on 17th, a panel discussion by fishermen, town managers and researchers was held, in which more than 200 people participated. On account of the presence of panelists both for and against the land reclamation, not only citizens but also the mass media had interest in this event. In the beginning of the discussion, Dr. Higashi (JSA member) gave a general report on what has happened in Isayaha Gulf after keeping back seawater. Mr. Tanaka (mayor, Moriyama Town) mentioned the agreement to the land reclamation from the points of view of prevention of disasters, water supply and supply of land for agriculture. On the other hand, the chair of the Ariake Fishery Cooperative reported the decrease of the amount of fishes caught after keeping back seawater. The chairman of another fishery cooperative also pointed out the problem in the construction work using cement during the seaweed culture last year. Dr. Tsutagawa (JSA member) pointed out that people have interest in the changes in Ariake Sea after the land reclamation of Isahaya Gulf because this problem includes the question how to use the environment. From this point of view, he reported the problems on the methods of seaweed culture and the land reclamation of Isahaya Gulf. After these reports, participants had active discussion. In particular, they asked Mr. Tanaka many questions, because he was supporting the land reclamation, but the discussion on for and against the reclamation was not settled. After the panel discussion, the JSA Kyushu district had press conference and presented an appeal which requests to stop the reclamation and keep the environment of Ariake Sea by recovering the tidal land. Next day, participants had an excursion to see the land reclamation of Isahaya Gulf. They visited the observation platform at Siroki peak from which people could see the Gulf, and drainage gates for land reclamation.
CONTRIBUTION
JAPANESE HIGHER EDUCATION'S FOUNDATION WOULD BE COLLAPSED UNDER THE ONGOING GOVERNMENTAL REFORM PLAN
People who wish to privatize national university have repeatedly said as follows: scholars at Japan's universities have long been criticized for enjoying splendid isolation within their ivory towers. They continue: this may no longer be the case, as the university structure cannot remain immune to the dramatic upheavals roiling the nation, and the global shift towards knowledge-based economies increasingly makes universities as bodies tasked with developing human resources and as providers of research results with potential for commercialization - a key concept for determining a nation's competitiveness. On the other hand, according to the World Competitiveness Yearbook in April (2001) by the International Institute for Management Development, Japan ranked lowest among 49 economies surveyed with regard to university education meeting the needs of the economy. The Education Minister A. Toyama (Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology: MEXT) therefore said that this dismal state of affairs would be fatal to the country, so the government has no choice but to make the nation's universities more competitive through drastic change, which is undergoing on the basis of her plan (Toyama Plan, released in June, 2001). The following is the gist of Toyama Plan, indicating the outlines for a structural reform package for national universities in detail.
1) National universities should be subject to an aggressive reorganization drive - involving mergers and the regrouping of college and/or departments - in order to reduce their number substantially from the current 99 national universities.
2) Strategic management principles modeled on those deployed in the private sector should be introduced in an effort to turn universities into independently managed agency (or independent administrative corporation). These measures include the introduction of outside experts to participate in school management and the clarification of managerial responsibilities.
3) Universities should be sensitized to the concept of competition through the introduction of third-party evaluations, the details of which form the basis for disbursement of research grants and subsidies. Private universities are also included in the evaluations, which seeks to nurture the nation's top 30 universities, institutions or groups and turn them into some of the best institutions of higher education in the world.
In the early 1990s the government launched a reform drive, liberalizing conditions set on universities' organizational structure and curricula, and introducing a self-evaluation system. Gradual change, however, shifted into high gear in 2001 with the election of Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and his action agenda of reform without sanctuaries, which was accompanied by the above Toyama Plan for renovating universities.
The MEXT accordingly calls for the reorganization and consolidation of the 99 national universities while deeming that roughly 30 universities, regardless of whether they are state-run, be recognized as Japan's top schools and /or activities, which would have dibs to receive subsidies for doctoral course research after evaluation of a committee. The MEXT also insists that the grant system is seen as an effort to concentrate resources on the institutions seen as most promising in surviving international competition. Since the Plan is fiscal and administrative reforms, its real impact on boosting the quality of education and research at universities is quite questionable.
The MEXT also emphasizes that main aim of the proposed merger of national universities is to develop them into unique universities in a competitive environment. Sixteen universities have already reached merger agreements and 13 universities and colleges are currently in consolidation talks. Although many national universities, especially medical colleges and their neighboring universities, are feeling strong pressure from the MEXT, do we acknowledge that such oil-and-water marriage just giving large entities is an opportunity to reactivate university education and research? The MEXT should take note the scientific achievements of small universities and their contributions to local areas for a long time, although naturally less than those of universities of large scale. To boost up the quality of higher education, under which the coming generations can necessarily enjoy a sustainable society life, the MEXT should discard competitive manner of management and then establish the system to brig about individuality on the basis of non-competitive manner, where a substitution only one for number one concept would be advised.
The Toyama Plan also calls for transforming state-run universities in independently managed agency (or independent administrative entities), which will give them greater autonomy as well as more responsibility regarding their management. The proposal suggests systemizing the participation of intellectuals and experts outside the university in executive committee and changing the pay system for teaching staff to increase emphasis of performance, which predicts a greater emphasis on research. We must stress the importance of supporting free and creative studies while at the same time strategically improving academic competitiveness. (Contributed by S. YUASA)
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.36(No.12)(2001)
[Title-page message]
Iida K.: Careful reading on the present day
[Special issue: Democracy in contemporary Japan]
Itoh Y.: Toward a new democracy: From the debate of political philosophy in the world
Fujino M.: Parliamentary democracy and electoral system
Ueda M.: The challenge of popular voting
Yamada R.: Democracy in daily life: Civil society and democracy in contemporary Japan
[Colloquy]
Shimizu D.: Seismic geology for human life scale
[Series: Break a new century]
Asano S.: From sociology to study on social environment
[General]
Kondo K.: Problems of transportation policy for city development
[From laboratory]
Saito Y.: Education in cooperation
Vol.37(No.1)(2002)
[Title-page message]
Takahama S.: An essay "Education and social welfare"
[Special issue: Youth of the day]
Ogiso Y.: A sociological perspective on the low self-esteem of Japanese youth
Watanabe K.: Affairs of youth and labor in present-day viewed in the light of carrying out a vocational
training for wooden builder in Tokyo architectural college
Saito T.: "Hikikomori (social withdrawal)" and Japanese youth culture
Suzuki T.: Discourses upon youth in contemporary Japanese society and conception of generation
[Colloquy]
Nakanishi H.: Big cities and transportation in the Netherlands
[Series: Break a new century]
Aoki W.: Chemical evolution of the universe in 10 billion years
[General]
Hosoi K.: National higher education policy at an early stage of the 21st century and an independent
administration agency
Iwama K.: Two myths of Mao Te-dong
Vol.37(No.2)(2002)
[Title-page message]
Ueyanagi T.: Ability in settling disputes peacefully
[Special issue: Nanotechnology]
Morita S.: Observation of Nanostructure-scanning probe microscopy
Okubo T.: Nanoworld fabricated by chemistry - Nanomaterials and nanospaces
Kataoka K.: Nanotechnology in medicine - Development of nano-structured device for gene delivery
Matsui Y.: Trends in science and technology policy of nanotechnology
[Colloquy]
Matogawa Y.: At a turning point of space efforts in Japan
[Series: Break a new century]
Shibusawa S.: Phytotechnology and precision farming
[General]
Okanouchi T.: The Afghan war for WTO
The Committee of the 2001 JSA Summer School: A report on the 2001 Summer School of JSA for
young researchers in Nara
[From laboratory]
Kawai H.: Comments for the thesis "Research for tau neutrino and university"