SYMPOSIUM "TOMORROW'S UNIVERSITY IN JAPAN" HELD IN TOKYO
The governmental plan of reforming all the national university has been
realized. It was also accelerated according to the data presented in the World
Competitiveness Yearbook in April (2001) by the International Institute for
Management Development, showing that Japan ranked lowest among 49 economies
surveyed with regard to university education meeting the needs of the economy.
The MEXT* Minister A. Toyama 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 including
privatization as well as integration and reorganization. She is now realizing
the plan (Toyama Plan: ref. The Bulletin of JSA #82), under which Japan's
higher
education would necessarily be beyond recovery. Such governmental attitude is
positively in denying university autonomy and academic freedom on the
intervention of government. In order to establish a tomorrow's university to be
welcomed by the people, many university personnel have extensively been
challenging university problems, for instance, by proposing a university charter
(Osaka Univ., Okayama Univ., Yamagata Univ., Univ. of Tokyo etc).
On December 8, the headquarters organized a symposium to think of a tomorrow's
university, where three key-reports were made as follows: 1) thinking of
academic freedom and university autonomy on the basis of university history (Dr.
Igasaki, Toyama Intl. Univ., ret.), 2) constructing a university image in the
21st century (Prof. Kasuya, Hitotsu-bashi Univ.), and 3) tomorrow's university
image on the basis of the Constitution and the Fundamentals of Education Act
(Prof. Hamabsyashi, Prof Emeritus of Hitotsu-bashi Univ), which was followed by
many comments (discussion of university charter, cooperation of local area with
university, ex-national institute having been transformed into independent
agency last April). Participants strongly criticized the governmental policy
that all the national university going to be reformed.
* MEXT: Ministry of
Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
"THE 7TH ANNIVERSARY MEMORIAL OF THE GREAT HANSHIN-AWAJI EARTHQUAKE" HELD
On January 17, 2002, the above memorial was
held in Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture, in which
the JSA participates as a caretaker of "the
Liaison Conference for the Help to Earthquake
Victims and the Improvement of Earthquake
Disaster Countermeasures". The conference
organized "Early Morning Memorial Service",
"Summit at Quake-Stricken District",
and "Symposium and Hyogo Prefecture
Gathering" together with the Hyogo Prefectural
Conference of Reconstruction.
The memorial service is held at 5:47 on January 17 every
year at Venus Bridge Park on a hill in Kobe City. The silent pray after a
trumpet performance and the floral tribute during reading the sutras were
observed. In the organizer's address, Dr. Kawai (ex-secretary general of the
JSA), representing the conference, expressed his condolences and pointed out the
significance of Hyogo's fight in the nationwide movements on disaster problems.
Hundreds of participants pledged acting for more improvement of help and measure
for disasters.
In the summit, the 2nd round following last year, were given the
reports from eight districts. The victims
talked dilatory reconstruction, plight to
repay loans and problems caused by high-handed
replanning of streets. In Tottori Prefecture,
not only the local government offers housing
fund, but also the civil corporation in reconstruction
is proceeding. In Miyake Island, under the
condition of no indication of when, let alone
how to return to the island, they complained
of present living plight and anxiety about
the future. What surprised participants was
that Kure City (stricken by the Geiyo Earthquake)
demanded that victims should pay the massive
repair to stonewalling, or contribute the
land to the City. Thus they were forced to
choose donation to move municipal dwelling
houses.
The symposium's
theme was to estimate the Japanese Government's response to the "concluding
observations" that the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights of the
UN made relative to the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake Disaster. The
observations state that care for the aged, the physically handicapped and poor
people must be improved because of its inadequacy. Although the Government
regards the observations include factual errors, the situation is just as the
Committee observed.
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) COMMITTEE OF STUDYING FOOD PROBLEMS
The JSA committee of studying food problems
consists of 12 members and cooperates with
the committee of food policy of the Tokyo
branch. Prof. Miyahara represents the committee.
The committee holds up the main theme as
"safety of foods" and aimed to
discuss extensively the main cause, the background
and the science and technological problems
to menace the safety of foods.
In October 2000 when people have opened up
argument on the genetically modified (GM)
crops, Dr, Kawaguchi reported "The outline
of argument on GM crops". In January
2001, Dr Kuno argued on "multinational
agri-business of GM crops" based on
the social scientific view. The committee
started studying food problems of Japan.
In April Dr. Kawai reported "How the
Japanese fishery comes to life again in the
21st century", and discussed on the evaluation
and problems of the basic law for fishery
and the relationship between global warming
and fishery resources problems.
In July Dr. Mikuni reported on
"Thinking of main grains". The supply and demand policy of rice, wheat and
soybean based and also the foods sovereignty and management were discussed based
on the basic law for foodstuff, agriculture and rural area.
In September the members talked on their
own situation, and discuss the theme of the
symposium and session at the 11th Tokyo science symposium, and finally decided
the theme as "Are the foods, agriculture
and health in the 21st century safe?".
In November at the session held in the symposium
were presented three reports: 1) "The
global warming and its effect on foods production
in the world" by Dr. Taniyama, 2) "Market
internationalization and the system for food
safety" by Dr. Mizote and 3) "Thinking
of foods to enhance the real human health"
by Dr. Esashi. These reports were influential
for further activities.
2) COMMITTEE FOR POLUTION AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS
The committee published "Kankyo-tenbo (a review of environment), Vol. 2"
in January 2002. The book consists of ten
reports, i.e. on global warming, clean energy,
traffic problems, pollution by chemical substances,
the measures of EU for environment, environmental
education, sustainable society etc. The symposium
on waste and pollution of harmful substances
was held on 9-10, February in Tokyo as a
committee's regular meeting. About 30 people
attended the meeting. The reporters and the
titles are as follows: 1) Prof. Kitayama
(Waseda Univ.) "procedures for social
economic circulation in EU", 2) Mr.
Onozuka (Tokyo Metro. Res. Lab. Public Health)
"Cadmium density in the rice carried
to Tokyo", 3) Prof. Hata (Osaka City
Univ.) "Increasing pollution of urban
soil and under-ground water".
The committee will make a demand document
on the bill for prevention of soil pollution,
which is laid before the Diet. In the regular
meeting the publication plan of "Kankyo-tenbo Vol. 3" and action items for 14th JSA Comprehensive Scientific Study Convention
at Sapporo. The next regular meeting will
be held at the end of August.
3) MINI-SYMPOSIUM "INTERNATIONAL LABOR STANDARDS AND SCIENTISTS' RIGHT"
The JSA committee of scientists' rights problem
published "Data Book on Rights" in 1995 and "White Book on Rights" in 2001 to make clear the scientists'
rights problem and the terminus ad quem. In this term the committee, on the basis
of these fruits, is intending further to
publish a book "the Declaration of Rights and Positions". The symposium entitled above was
held on February 23, 2002, in Tokyo with
the aim at profound comprehension on ILO's
function.
Mr. Teramoto
(ILO Tokyo branch) surveyed the organization of ILO and its role in institution
and promulgation of international labor standards (conventions and
recommendations). Although international labor standards are intended for
workers in a general sense, the Committee of Experts, thinking great deal of
education's role and signification involving 55 million teachers and 1 billion
children in the world, issued a few recommendations (1997, 2000) in
collaboration with UNESCO.
Mr. Murakami (Tokyo social medical research
center) gave a talk entitled "The rights of scientists and technicians and ILO".
In Japan the rights of teachers, researchers and technicians in universities,
national and public research institutes, and institutes of private companies are
menaced with transformation into independent agency and restructuring. He
stimulated the significance of establishing international fundamental labor
standards such as working hours, employment and right of association.
The
participants reconfirmed that the JSA needs to feature largely in promulgation
of the activities of ILO viewing the reluctance of Health and Welfare Ministry
and Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, which hold
jurisdiction over ILO and UNESCO.
NATIONWIDE
GATHERING
A number of gathering are held by the JSA alone or in cooperation
with friendly organizations
1) "PEACE AND DEMOCRACY" DISCUSSED IN TOKYO
Japan and the US had signed the first bilateral
defense plan (war plan) under the 1997 Guidelines
for Japan-US Defense Cooperation. Already
put into practice was the concept of the
defense plan when Japan and the US held the
joint command exercises in February, pointing
out that the exercises were for the practical
application of Japan's military support,
including the use of harbors and airports,
including the mobilization of medical workers
in the event of war in an area surrounding
Japan. In order to realize such cooperation
more effectively, the government submitted
the bills (wartime legislation includes penal regulations against civilian
disobedience in addition to a number of war
practices) to the Diet on April 17.
Submitted were three bills: 1) a general
law to provide for basic plans for dealing
with outside armed attacks; 2) a bill to
adversely revise the Law on the Establishment
of the Security Council of Japan, and to
adversely revise the Self-Defense Forces
(SDF) Law to give SDF activities top priority;
3) a bill to free the US Forces in Japan
from the Japanese domestic law and regulations.
The preamble says that when Japan is attacked,
the Security Council of Japan chaired by
the prime minister will make a basic contingency
plan to be approved by the Cabinet, followed
by the establishment of a task force led
by the prime minister to carry out the plan
and give instructions not only to central
government bodies but to local government
and public institutions. The bill to revise
the SDF Law includes a provision that citizens
who refuse to cooperate with the war will
be punished, and the SDF will be allowed
to use weapons even before they are officially
ordered out. The framework of the laws says
that several other laws are necessary and
should be arranged within two years for imposing restrictions on the people's life, supporting the US Forces' activities, and stipulating treatment of prisoners.
Under such circumstance, we must severely
discuss wartime legislation for the purpose
of helping the US forces' operation. First
of all, we must summarize the fifty years'
relation between Japan and the US on the
basis of the conclusion of the Japan-US Security
Treaty (1951). Hei-min ken-ren (the liaison
conference for studying peace and democracy),
to which the JSA belongs, organized a new-year
study meeting on January 10 in Tokyo. Discussed
were two reports: 1) Japan Self-Defense Forces'
research development of NBC weaponry (Mr.
Abe, Japan Peace Committee) and 2) problem
of history textbook and its aftermath (Mr.
Tawara, Net-21 for Childhood and Textbook),
which was followed by some comments and discussions.
Hei-min ken-ren also organized an emergency
esymposium on February 25, 2002. Prof. Kaneko
(Rissho Univ.) gave a discourse entitled
"Article 9 of the Constitution is the
nation's treasure - We are strongly against
the movement of adversely revising the Constitution!"
According to his explanation on the recent
situation around the Constitution, press
reports show even the Democratic Party commenced
to examine amendment of Article 9 of the
Constitution and most of the Diet members
have an intention to revise in spite of the
major dissent voices of the nation. As the
Hague Appeal agenda demands "Every Parliament
should adopt a resolution prohibiting their
government from going to war, like the Japanese
article number nine", the significance
of Article 9 is extending over the world.
Finally the professor appealed "Guard
and extend the Constitution" from the
standpoint of united front.
Dr. Kawai (ex-secretary general of the JSA)
gave a lecture on the problem of unidentified
ships, explaining the legal difference among
territorial waters of a state, contiguous
zones and exclusive economic zones. The chase
and warning shot in the territorial waters
have a legal background, while since those
in an exclusive economic zone have not, they
would raise an international problem, he
said.
As for questions on dispatch of the
Self-Defense Forces (SDF) troops cast in
the discussion, there was pointed out a
possibility that political parties claiming
to guard the Constitution would
eventually allow dispatch of the SDF. The
symposium ended by confirming it vital
to protest the Constitution on the standpoint
of united front.
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) CIVIC SEMINAR "THINKING OF AFGHANISTAN QUESTION" IN TOKUSHIMA
The above civic seminar was held by the JSA Tokushima branch on 28 November,
2001. Firstly, Prof. Mizushima, studying international economy in Tokushima
University, gave a talk entitled "The society and economy of Afghanistan - the
background of the problems and the solution". In the talk, he reviewed the
geography, history, and the culture of Afghanistan. For instance, the decision
in the society is usually made by the meeting of the leaders of individual
tribes. He also pointed out that the violence by the Crusade is still kept in
their mind. These were quite useful to understand the present situation of this
country reported by media. He insisted that we should pursue a solution which is
not from the point of views of western countries, but based on a sense of values
in Middle-east region.
Next speaker was Prof. Aiba (Tokushima University,
international politics), who gave a talk entitled "Thinking of the US attacks on
Afghanistan - the background of the terrorism, the international laws, and the
Japanese correspondence". He pointed out that the hegemonism of USA is one of
the backgrounds of the terrorism which targeted USA. He discussed on the US
attacks from the point of view of the international law, and emphasized the
importance of the collective security of the United Nation. He insisted that
Japan should pursue the cooperation under the United Nation as well as the idea
of the article 9 of Japanese Constitution.
More than 60 people participated
this seminar, and discussed actively after these two talks. This seminar, as
well as the activities of the JSA Tokushima branch, was reported in the TV news
program by NHK.
2) REGULAR MEETING "DEVELOPMENT OF SCIENCE AND COMMON SENSE LEARNING FROM PREDECESSORS' WISDOM FOR HER CHILDBIRTH" IN FUKUI
The Fukui branch organized a regular meeting
on December 11 at Fukui Prefecture College,
where Prof. Okawa (Fukui Pref. Col.) gave
a talk on the above theme. Now that the reproductive
technologies which have been contributing
the sterility treatment are still developing
remarkably as the most advanced technology,
the plan that produces a cloned baby for
a couple not capable of bearing a child was
announced in January 2001. Through all times
the mechanism of childbirth has never changed,
and people's earnest hope is "to survive
and leave offspring". Predecessors have
been concerned in "birth of new life"
with their wisdom and wish for pregnancy,
childbirth and growing up in good health.
Mr. Hashiura who edited the compilation of
Japanese customs and manners for childbirth
and growth told that "the customs and
manners for childbirth and growth is really
to confirm the each step from a birth of
one life to it's grow, and the method in
itself". The customs and manners that
have been passed down from predecessors with
their long term wisdom include the one capable
of explanation based on today's scientific
knowledge and the other like superstition
without scientific evidence. The root, however,
is admiration of life. The reproductive technology
no doubt expands choices of childbirth for
sterile couples. Its future is not only sterility
treatment but also application for health
trouble which has been recognized to be hard
to cure. Further development is expected
in order to improve the human life and health.
But how far scientific development is demanded
and applied to get a good living. Someone
fears that scientific development in future
might destruct the very important things
for life. What on earth does human's knowledge
and science and technology bring for the
moral development?
We should give a look on "thinking of
life" appeared in the customs and manners
of predecessors once again, expecting that
the development of science in the 21st century establish the common sense. for
life. A common sense to think of the meaning
of science development in the 21st century is needed.
3) THE REGULAR MEETING "PROBLEMS OF JOBARU RIVER DAM" IN SAGA
Jobaru River is a branch of the Chikugo River, which flows into Ariake Sea.
Some programs to construct a multipurpose dam up to this river have been
proposed. However, people in the region have questions to these programs.
This meeting was proposed by the JSA members,
who experienced a debate on this dam problem
with the students in Saga University. 26
persons, most of whom were students, participated
in the meeting. One of the staff of the Ministry
of National Land and Traffic, who promotes
the dam program, and a researcher studying
problems on water also attend the meeting.
Firstly, Prof. Tsutagawa (Saga Univ., economy)
reported the history of the dam problem.
After his report, several students presented
their opinions concerning this problem. A
Chinese student in Saga University talked
that he prepared for the previous debate
studying many documents, but could not reply
quickly to the opinion that the dams which
recently have been removed in USA are not
the same as the Japanese dams from the point
of their height. He talked this experience
with regret, but participants understood
his eagerness. Problems in the flood control
and usage of water were also actively discussed.
At the beginning of this meeting, the discussion
was similar to a kind of "examination"
to students. Participants, however, made
an active discussion beyond their position
throughout the meeting.
4) SYMPOSIUM "THE FORMULATION OF SOCIETY BASED ON CIRCULATION SYSTEM" HELD IN TOCHIGI
The Tochigi branch held the above symposium on 2 February 2002 at Utsunomiya
University. The theme of the symposium is problems of the rubbish in citizen's
life. More than 50 people attended the symposium and four reports were
presented.
The report titles and presenters were as follows: 1) "The state
and problems of the production of compost from garbage in Nogi-cho", Mrs. Tamura
and Uehara (Government office of Nogi-cho, Tochigi Pref.), 2) "Significance of
payment for rubbish disposal", Prof. Wada (Sakusin Univ.), 3) "Movement of
Tochigi COOP for acquisition of ISO14001 certification", Mr.Tachikawa, 4) "A
society based on circulation system and environmental education", Prof. Aoki
(Sakusin Univ.).
Manny discussions and comments were performed. It was
pointed out that the effort is needed to make concrete image of sustainable
society and circulation system in our society.
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.37(No.3)(2002)
[Title-page message]
Akiba H.: Love for children
[Special issue: Airport]
Nakayama T.: Construction plan for airport,
situation and problem - Focus on Kansai area
Iwamoto S.: Environmental and
financial problems of the Kansai International Airport
Ikeda K.: The
problems of finance and municipal airport in Kobe City
Kondo M.:
Cost-benefit analysis of Biwako Airport
[Series: Break a new century]
Ogasawara T.: Life science - Life and time
[Colloquy]
Itoigawa J.:
Episodes in the editorial meetings of "Journal of Japanese Scientests"
[Series: Break a new century]
[General]
Katahira K., Matsuyama J.,
Komatsu Y., Asakawa H., Makino T.: Liability for "Yakugai" (Iatrogenic) CJD and
problems on research and movement for the future
Kasai E.: Bovine spongiform
encephalopathy occurred in Japan in September 2001
[Appeal]
JSA opinion
for "the round-table conference report about the state of national teacher
training system university and faculty"
Vol.37(No.4)(2002)
[Title-page message]
Matsuda Y.: Rethinking of historical view
[Special issue: Family]
Asano F.: The family in contemporary Japan
and the future of sex division of labor
Ninomiya S.: Present and future of family
relation ? from a viewpoint of law
Nakanishi S.: Changing image and reality
of the family in 90’s Japan
Obinata S.: The future of the argument of
family
[Series: Break a new century]
Nakayama T.: Town planning for the 21st century
[Colloquy]
Nakajima S.: Recollect of my study abroad
and students of today
[General]
Imaoka R.: What we are rich in? ? A case
study of a nomadic society in desert Gobi
Tsutagawa M.: The environmental disaster
of the Ariake Sea and the large scale public
work in theAriake Sea
[From laboratory]
Ota K.: Practice for cropping rice with breeding
ducks and butchering them
Vol.37(N0.5)(2002)
[Title-page message]
Ito T.: Purpose of university education
[Special issue: Graduate students now]
Nakamura S., Yokoyama T., Suzuki M., Sugimoto
K., Matsushita M., Hatsuda T., Inoo M., Kondo
K.:Round table: Graduate students, how do
they live now?
Nagano Y.: The origin of humanity and human
rights
Nishimura I.: Consciousness toward problems,
hypotheses and continuous challenge ? Research
on affluent linkage of housing environment
[Colloquy]
Kaneko S.: Mori Ogai’s experiences in Germany
[Series: Break a new century]
Inoo M.: My way to philosophy
[General]
Ono A.: Archeology viewed from the so-called
fabricated Paleolithic excavation
Okada Y.: Present problems of an independent
administrative institution (IAI), National
Institute of Advanced Industrial Science
and Technology