SYMPOSIUM "JAPAN-US SECURITY TREATY AND WARTIME LEGISTRATION" HELD IN TOKYO
April 28 (2002) marked the 50th anniversary of the San Francisco Peace Treaty
and the Japan-US Security Treaty coming into effect. Under these two treaties
that were concluded in a de facto martial law situation, Japan technically
became an independent country, but it was incorporated into a military alliance
with the US, and became a dependent country on the US, controlling Japan's key
parts of its foreign relations and economy as well as occupying the land for the
US military forces. In 1960, the Security Treaty was revised to the current one
that includes provisions on joint military operations between Japanese and the US forces. The text of the Security Treaty remains unchanged, but the 1997 Guidelines for Japan-US Defense Cooperation transformed the Treaty into one of allowing joint military operations between the two forces to be held even though there is no direct military attack on Japan.
The Treaty's 50th anniversary just coincides with the submitting
of contingency (war nation) bills by the
Koizumi Cabinet to the Diet session in April
(but suspended till next Diet). Why is the
Koizumi Cabinet rushing to enact such wartime
bills? It is because the US, the only super
power with a desire to continue world domination
with its military power, is strong pressure
on Japan. The US Bush Administration has
been arrogantly urging Japan to implement
the legislation by appointing R. Armitage,
the Deputy State Secretary, demanding Japan
to accept the right to collective self-defense
and to enact wartime laws, since the aim
of the contingence bill is to make Japan
capable of taking part in US-launched wars
in "situation in area surrounding Japan"
by responding to a reinforced security treaty
system under the new Guidelines requirement.
The contingency bills include that an "armed
attack on Japan is being predicted"
as one of three possibilities of invoking
the new law (an attack being predicable,
or potential threat, or actual attack). The
bills call for authorizing the prime minister
to classify the "situation" and
to order to mobilize the public. Prime Minister
Koizumi stated that a situation in area (worldwide)
surrounding Japan should include possible
armed attacks.
The governmental plan to build a war-fighting
nation is unacceptable for the nation who
were resolved to build a society that cares
for human rights and freedom in order to
prevent the government from fighting war
again. The wartime legislation, which forcibly
mobilizes Japanese people for US war, clearly
shows that the Japan-US Security Treaty means
much harm and no benefit to the people. By
concentrating the Japanese ambition for peace
and human rights, and foiling the wartime
bills, we will lead Japan to repeal the Japan-US
Security Treaty and then create a peaceful
world in the 21st century.
On April 28, the headquarters, with aid of
the research committee of peace question
and social activity division, organized the
above symposium on the title "The 50th anniversary of the Japan-US Security Treaty
and wartime legislation. There were two main
reports: 1) Fifty years since the establishment
of the Treaty and its present day's evaluation
by Prof. Sugie (Emeritus Prof. of Chukyo
Univ.), and 2) Danger of wartime legislation
by Mr. Sato (Secretary General of Central
Committee against the Security Treaty). Participants
then made enthusiastic discussion, since
the symposium was held just after the government's
submitting the contingent bills to the Diet.
The gist of their talks is shown above.
SYMPOSIUM "UNIVERSITY AGENCY AND UNIVERSITY CHARTER" HELD IN YAMAGATA
The first Japanese university was established in 1888 according to the Imperial University Ordinance,. Then the Imperial Rescript of Education was promulgated in 1890, under which the imperial state realized university education to cultivate the gentle subject as lamb, where only militaristic education was carried out under the thought of the loyal and patriotic sentiment. Under the University Ordinance enacted in 1918, the role of university was to educate the thought of the state of imperialism, while university research necessary only for the state's militaristic development was admitted. Consequently, university stuff and students were forced to help enlarging the World War.
On the lesson from the World War, the people completely rejected any militaristic education and research under the Imperial Constitution before the World War, and promulgated new (peace) Constitution (1946), Fundamentals of Education Act (1947) and School Education Act. Then new university system was started in 1949, aiming at establishing university autonomy and academic freedom, which has never been seen before the World War. However, the state-run national universities have left the most serious defect, in which university stuff have little been present in the process of its establishment and management, because of their complete dependence on the state's policy. It means that university is forcibly controlled by the state power and therefore could never be independent of the power. Under such circumstance, university autonomy and academic freedom would not basically be achieved.
To establish the 21st higher education to be able to contribute
to constructing sustainable society, each
university should have own university constitution
(university charter) to enjoy academic freedom.
Unfortunately, none of Japan's national university
has enacted own university charter, since
the state has governed them by its own policy.
Until enacting university charter, we could
not establish real university autonomy and
academic freedom, which basically be necessary
for constructing university for the people.
At the moment, especially important is to
let university independent of the state power,
since the government and business circle
intend to utilize university only for their
wish basing on patriotic sentiment.
Several national universities' stuffs have
recently been discussing how to establish
their own university charter so that they
could improve their own university. On April
19, the Yamagata branch organized a symposium
on the governmental reformation plan of national
university and the Yamagata University Charter.
The participants firstly analyzed the governmental
final report for reforming national university
to independent agency, and then Prof. Koizumi
(Yamagata Univ., member of drafting team
of University Charter) proposed the draft
of the University Charter, which contains
two parts: 1) what university should be -
consideration on the basis of university
autonomy and academic freedom; 2) how we
could realize the contents of the Charter
for the coming university reformation (realistic
plan to make better university system than
before). The movements of establishing university
charter have been expanding to many national
universities (Osaka, Yamaguchi, Okayama,
Miyazaki, Kanazawa, Shizuoka, Tokyo Univ.
of Agricul. and Tech, Fukushima, the Univ.
of Tokyo, etc.).
EMERGENCY SYMPOSIUM ON YAKUGAI CREUTZFELDT-JACOB DISEASE HELD
Facing up to the final stage of "Yakugai (drug-induced) Creutzfeldt-Jacob (CJD) Lawsuit",
the above symposium was organized on March
9, at Toyo Unviersity, Tokyo, by the JSA
committee of medical care and Yakugai problems, the Association of Yakugai Ombudzpersons, New Group of Pharmaceutical
Researchers and Technicians, and the National
Liaison Conference of Yakugai CJD Victims and Council. The symposium was
supported by the National Liaison Conference
of Yakugai Victims, two labor unions of Toyo University
and other 9 groups, and attended by around
80 persons.
Two reports on aids and helps for victims were given. Dr. Ueda (MD), who was bereaved his father as a result of CJD, pointed out necessary subjects to fix the support system for CJD sufferers and hence projects such as consultant on livelihood support, education, enlightenment and welfare. Dr. Itazu (South Coop. Hosp., Nagoya City) explained his experience that he told to seven patients about utilization of brain dura matters in his hospital against passive lines, emphasizing that swift response to a lot of latent victims is imperative.
Four reports on the pharmaceutical law amendment
were given. Mr. Fujisao (former representative,
New Group of Pharm. Researchers and Technicians)
surveyed the pharmaceutical law amendment
proposed by the Ministry of Health, Labor
and Welfare, pointing out its issue points
to emphasize that the government also has
to share responsibility at the time of permission
about drug medicines, although companies
primarily do. He also stressed the necessity
of capitalizing opinions of technicians in
the Ministry, and the mechanism and deliberative
assembly for safe surveillance. Mr. Nagai
(Yakugai CJD Council) reviewed the history of drug-induced
disease cases and their lessons to suggest
an appropriate revision of law that declares
the responsibility of the government and
disclosure of harm information. In relation
to the system of relief for victims caused
by products of human origin, Ms. Ohwaki demanded
to disclose the following: 1) establishment
of security in the process of manufacture,
2) donor selection, 3) look back system (save
of donor record), and 4) mixed pollution.
In relation to that of animal origin, Dr.
Horiuchi (Med. Fac., Gumma Univ.) explained
what the on-going research committee of the
government is examining, appealing the necessity
of prompt settlement of the system.
After enthusiastic discussion and the summary,
participants adopted an appeal to ask a prompt
relief for victims and eradication of Yakugai.
In succession to the end of symposium, establishment of "CJD support net work" with its caretakers was determined.
It is worthwhile to note that on March 25
"Yakugai CJD lawsuit" concluded as an amicable
settlement in plaintiff's favor, to which
this symposium undoubtedly contributed.
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) ACTIVITIES OF THE JSA COMMITTEE ON NATIONAL AND LOCAL- GOVERNMENTAL INSTITUTES
In April 2001, most of the national institutes were converted into so-called independently managed agencies (or independently administrative institutions). This means that individual institutes can (and must) re-construct their organization and wage system, which were commonly managed by the government before April 2001. Some institutes significantly changed the system to appeal their originality, while the changes are minor in some other institutes. One general trend is that most institutes request individual researchers to find the fund for studies by themselves. Corresponding to these big changes of the system, the JSA committee on national and local-governmental institutes has been trying to survey the status of researchers in individual institutes, and to find the key problems in the new system. This work is quite difficult, compared with that for the previous system, in which the main problems were common to national institutes.
One important problem is the tendency that researchers are strictly evaluated by their immediate results, which especially has an influence on the growth of young researchers. Another is that the policy to have one institute in each prefecture has been discussed, and may force some institutes to be integrated. This will significantly change the researches for the local problems, to which these institutes have been contributing.
2) WOMEN SCIENTISTS DEMAND POSITIVE ACTION PROGRAMME
In public offices as well as research world positive action to consciously and actively appoint minors to higher position is claimed, to that end women's affirmative action is expected. Women researchers work hard in several areas (Shizuoka, Aichi, Kyoto, Osaka, Okayama, Tokyo). For instance, a society in Tokyo organized last August, holding a monthly regular meeting, engaged in making a list of members, a questionnaire on hopes and policies that was reported in the Tokyo Science Symposium, November, and organizing a field work together with individual members.
The JSA committee for women researchers'
problems held a meeting with members of the
Tokyo branch on April 20 in Tokyo, prior
to which Prof. Ito, who is in charge of JAICOWS
(Japanese Association for the Improvement
of Conditions of Women Scientists), a member
of JSA, gave a lecture on the association's
activities. JAICOWS is an organization only
consisting of members of the Science Council
of Japan and its Liaison Committee members,
and therein plays a role of motive power
for circumstantial improvement for women
researchers. Its activities are anticipated
on account of recent social appearance as
the 18th Council established "multifaceted exploratory
special committee". In her lecture she
talked of the subject to develop activities
with other organizations in view of the limited
membership of JAICOWS.
In the meeting exchanged were opinions concerning
activity in the women scientists' session
in the 14th CSSC (Comprehensive Scientific Study Convention)
and that in "National Symposium of Women
Researchers' Problems" which is to be
held next year. The committee has a target
to alternately organize a session in CSSC
and national symposium. The meeting concluded
that in the 14th CSSC the session for women scientists should
be actively managed and designed together
with groups acting in Kansai district and
non-researchers women.
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) 2002 HOKKAIDO SCIENTIFIC SYMPOSIUM-RETHINKING OF FOODSTUFFS AND THEIR SAFETY MANNER
The Hokkaido branch held the above symposium on May 11 at Hokkaido University. What we as consumers hope is that we can make sure of the safety of foodstuffs and be confident of our life. But, nowadays, various problems betraying our confidence in foodstuffs such as E. coli O-157, Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), foot and mouth disease, environmental endocrine disrupters, genetically modified crops, dishonest tags, mislabeling scam and so on have been coming up. There is a flood of information concerning these problems. This causes to spur people to feel uneasy about foodstuffs. It is scientists' responsibility to disseminate information concerning which stuffs consumers can choose based on scientific proof. Thus the symposium was planned. Presented were the following four reports: "safety of foodstuffs on the basis of public health" by Prof. Takashima (Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido Univ.), "globalization of foodstuffs and safety assessment of chemical substances" by Prof. Miura (College of Medical technology, Hokkaido Univ.) and "consumers and safety of foodstuffs" by Ms. Kuramochi (Co-op Tokachi) and "safety of foodstuffs and description of contents" by Prof. Sasaki (Faculty of Economics, Asahikawa Univ.).
Prof. Takashima gave an outline of health injury caused by foodstuffs, such as food poisoning and oral infection disease and health control. He pointed out a tendency not to offer consumers any information in Japan, emphasizing the necessity of public information. Prof. Miura discussed the present situation and problems of harmonization of the food standard cord with the globalization of foodstuffs. He also explained the safety assessment of chemical substances. Ms. Kuramochi touched upon an occurrence of BSE in Hokkaido, the fourth case in Japan. She complained her uneasiness that the infection route had not been investigated. She is demanding that the government must give high priority to the public health and the safety of foodstuffs. Prof. Sasaki explained traceability necessary for securing the safety of foodstuffs and the guarantee of quality. As an example he touched upon the process of production and distribution of beef that mislabeling the producing district was disclosed recently.
About seventy participants consisted of scientists, engineers, consumers and students discussed enthusiastically after lectures. One opinion was that waver in confidence of the safety of foods comes from the fact that the society attaches high priority to the economic efficiency, and also a kind of moral hazard. Further discussion on agriculture serving the foods and the safety of foods was required.
2) NEW GRADUATE STUDENTS WELCOMED
On May 11, the Kyoto branch held a welcome symposium for new graduate students at Ritsumei-kan University in Kyoto. Graduate students and postdoctoral fellows attended the symposium and held a debate about their study strategy and methodology.
In this symposium, two junior researchers who entered employment in university in this April were invited as offers of topics. Dr. Tanayama (Hagoromo Univ. of international studies) talked on a method to set subject of research, relation between theoretical and surveillance study and a life as scientist. Dr. Suzuki (Otani Univ.) talked on her history of research and her activity in JSA. Either opinions assisted participants to think about their lives as scientist. Especially, new graduate students were able to learn to construct their subject of research.
The JSA Tokyo branch held a welcome meeting for new graduate students in University of Tokyo on June 8, 2002, which more than 20 people attended.
In the first session, Dr. Kato (Keio University, astrophysics) gave a talk for young researchers based on her own experiences. She talked that she could find no model of female scientist when she started the study, because the number of female astrophysicists was quite small. She also talked her experiences on the use of the different 'last name' from that of her husband, and her activities to distribute information to female researchers using Web pages. She advised attending graduate students to make a good group of researchers in which they can criticize each other about their studies.
In the second session, the participants discussed how to determine the theme of study and how to proceed with it. Graduate students presented their troubles like "Some students around me have started their doctor course, but seem to lose the purposes to study", "It is sometimes not easy to discuss with common base even in the same special field, because the studies are extremely subdivided", etc. A graduate student asked Dr. Kato how astronomy contributes to society. She answered that the most important contribution is to teach the latest knowledge on the universe in lectures. She also commented that staff must teach the students, while students must grow, and encouraged the students to study actively.
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.6)(2002)
[Title-page message]
Tanaka T.: Existence of women scientists raises the quality of science
[Special issue: Japanese educational innovation]
Igasaki A.: The past and future of educational ideal
Nakano A.: Japanese school in the educational history and possibility of innovation
Hosoi K.: Historical perspectives of higher education in Japan
Hirahara H.: The present condition and problems to be solved of reform of educational administration
[Colloquy]
Suemoto M.: Calligraphy learning by adults
[Series: Break a new century]
Ikeda Y.: New development of functional rubbers and elastomers
[General]
Nakanishi H.: Dialog among civilizations and peace in the middle east in a globalizing world
[From laboratory]
Nakajima A.: A house is not a home
Vol.37(No.7)(2002)
[Title-page message]
Tomii T.: A notion of coexistence
[Special issue: The 2002 FIFA World Cup and modern sports]
Ohno A.: 2002 FIFA World Cup and supporter movement
Susa T.: World Cup and development of athletic performance in Japanese soccer
Nishio T.: World Cup as the Korea-Japan co-hosting
[Colloquy]
Hori S.: Peace declaration movement in our research institutes
[Series: Break a new century]
Kimoto K.: Sociology of family and work from gender perspectives
[General]
Kinoshita S.: Japan's participation in the U.S. led retaliatory war and the war-renouncing constitution
Kaneko M.: On the Article 9 of the Constitution of Japan
Vol.37(No.8)(2002)
[Title-page message]
Takei H.: After the simultaneous and multiple terrorism - A dangerous feature of the nuclear policy of Bush's administration and Japan
[Special issue: Japan in the international society]
Tsuruta M.: Globalization and international order
Ishikawa Y.: The business world's strategy toward Asia to promote "emasculation"
Hayashi H.: Can Japan overcome its past? : War responsibility and the issue of reparation
Kanemaru Y.: Some views about internationalization of higher education in Japan: The personal opinion from the observation in APU
[Colloquy]
Furunari H.: Pacific students in University of Tokyo
[Series: Break a new century]
Irifune T.: Structure, material and dynamics on the earth's deep interior
[General]
Utagawa M.: Recent decision of rule relating Kyoto protocol and Japanese domestic measure to prevent global warming