THE NATIONAL COUNCIL MEETING CONVENED
The first national council meeting in the 38th term was held on May 25-26 at Meiji University, Tokyo, which was to discuss and decide activities in the line that the general assembly has adopted last May.
In the relation to main points of activities were addressed three special reports: 1) "Reconstruction and unification of national universities, and reformation of them into independent agency administration" by Prof. Miwa (Chair of the JSA committee of university problems, Chiba Univ.), 2) "The Constitution of Japan and war legislation problem" by Prof. Kaneko (member of the JSA research committee of peace problems, Rissho Univ.), and 3) "To build up our organization" by Prof. Kondo (chair of the headquarters' organization section, Ritsumei-kan Univ.).
The university problems were enthusiastically discussed following Prof. Miwa's report, and council members recognized that the ongoing situation is the greatest danger after the war and members of university faculty are entrusted with a social mission. It was also confirmed that to resolve university problem we must make clear the social role of university and pursue collaboration with the nation. The book "Objection! New Image of National University Agency" was for the first time introduced and budgetary steps for the publication were taken in order to respond to the urgent circumstances.
In the discussion of war legislation, an "Appeal for abandoning three bills related to national emergency legislation" proposed by the (JSA) headquarters was adopted, and it was confirmed to spread an "Appeal of scientific workers against three bills related to national emergency legislation". The list of members who signed the appeal was sent to the national office of collaborative appeal movement. To welcome new membership including young scientists and encourage their participation in various scientific movements, the proposal to establish the JSA committee of long-term vision was also approved.
Prof. Bato (plaintiff) explained a case of punitive dismissal for three professors that had occurred in International University of Kagoshima on May 29. Discussing recent rights' violations occurred in some universities, the council adopted an appeal "Claim for scientists' rights and assurance of their positions" and sent it to the authorities concerned.
2002 SCIENTISTS FORUM AGAINST A&H BOMB HELD IN KOBE
The above forum (15th annual meeting) was held on August 1 under the title "Let's realize a total elimination of nuclear weapons - Challenge to the global tide of militarization", which was attended by about 140 people including many citizens and presented by 6 reports and enthusiastic discussion.
In the first session, Prof. Fujioka (Ritsumei-kan Univ.) gave a report on the title "International movements of nuclear weapons - Thinking of the US's strategy of extraterrestrial war". He pointed out that the dependence on nuclear weapons has been rather increased after the terrorism on September 11, 2001, and we must urgently pursue an alternative resolution. He also discussed the US's developments of missiles and satellites for extraterrestrial war as a background of US's single-handed militarism.
In the second session, Prof. Noguchi (Nihon Univ.) reported the nuclear victims in Rongelap islands etc. in the Marshal Atolls. He reported that the large-scale developments of the nuclear weapons were made in the Marshal Atolls, and the significant enhancement of iodine 131 in this region. He also pointed out the distribution of Plutonium by the nuclear explosion tests, which is an important difference comparing with the accidents of nuclear plants.
A special report by representative from India was held in the third session. He gave a report with the title "Lessons from the nuclear militarization in South Asia". His report included a critical analysis of the present status of the confrontation between India and Pakistan. His report shows that to have nuclear weapons by both countries never resulted in stabilization, but the elimination of nuclear weapons is the unique solution.
After these three sessions, participants had a panel discussion on the theme "Nuclear weapons and peace questions". Prof. Wada (Kobe Univ.) reported on wartime legislation and peace constitution. He remarked that this legislation was essentially proposed to support the US forces which have been expanding to Asia-Pacific regions, and that completely conflicts with Article 9 of the Japanese constitution, which declares to renounce all forms of war. Prof. Kameyama (Ryukyu Univ.) reported on Okinawan US' military bases. His report included the US's plan to construct a new large-scale base on the sea off Nago City. Mr. Kajimoto (Gensuikyo: Japan Council against A&H Bombs) reported on non-nuclear policy in Kobe City. Since 1975, Kobe City has been refusing the foreign ships which do not submit a proof that the ship has no nuclear weapon. After these addresses participants had an active discussion. For instance, the importance of the Kobe's policy was emphasized as a possible way to realize the elimination of nuclear weapons based on local government. The importance of the education for peace was also pointed out.
The forum was designed to make enough time for discussion, including the session of the panel discussion, which enables the participants to attend the discussion more actively than in the previous meetings.
After the forum, some participants commented that the role of scientists in the movements to eliminate the nuclear weapons should be discussed again. This comment should be included in the discussion to plan the next forum.
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) 25TH SETO-UCHI SYMPOSIUM HELD IN YAMAGUCHI
The committee of Seto-uchi (Japanese Inland Sea) has been working for preserving its environment since its establishment in 1972 [ref. JSANOW #134]. The 25th symposium was organized at Yamaguchi Prefecture Seminar Park in Yamaguchi City on August 31 and September 1 under the main theme "Thinking of the Seto-uchi's environment in the 21st century". At the beginning, Prof. Mizota (Yamaguchi Univ.) gave a keynote speech of the symposium, which was followed by a special lecture by Prof. Fukuda (Okayama Univ.) on the title "The last paradise Suo-nada (the sea of Suo) for inner bay's shellfish habitant", where he introduced his investigation of the rare species at the area. Dr. Harada (Yamaguchi Res. Center for Horseshoe Crab) reported the present habitation status of horseshoe crab in Yamaguchi Prefecture, which has been becoming extinct in Seto-uchi because of the inland development accompanying by different types of pollution. Also, Prof. Onari (Tokuyama Col.) gave a special lecture entitled "Role of the micro-bubble technology for fishery cultivation and marine environmental purification". In the scientific sessions, they discussed: 1) reactivation of local area (nuclear power generation, fishery, etc.), 2) the Seto-uchi law and environmental protection (waste dumping, dredging, water environment and its utilization, construction of airports etc.), and peace and safety life in Seto-uchi, and 3) reports basing on the on-the-spot investigations (Yamaguchi Prefecture Bay and San Francisco Bay), respectively. At the end of the symposium, the participants adopted the Yamaguchi declaration and an appeal against the plan of founding a nuclear power plant in the Kamino-seki peninsula in Yamaguchi Prefecture.
2) THE COMMITTEE OF MEDICAL CARE AND YAKUGAI PROBLEMS
In the 37th term (2001) the committee has devoted its power to clearing up and resolving Yakugai (drug-induced) CJD (Creutzfeldt-Jacob Disease) problem. The Yakugai CJD lawsuit was first filed by Mr. and Mrs. Tani in 1996, and then families of 20 victims went to Otsu and Tokyo district courts. The committee has consistently supported the suitors, and held three national symposia and international symposium (Hitotsu-bashi Univ., Nov. 2001) in collaboration with suitors, counsel, and supporters. As informed, on March 25, 2002, Yakugai CJD lawsuit concluded as an amicable settlement in plaintiff's favor. Then signed confirmation stipulates apologies of defendant, the government and companies, to make compensation and support for victims (establishment of the support network), to take an expeditious action to avoid danger in case of necessity, and to make satisfactory education on Yakugai in medical and pharmaceutical sciences. The contents, having a great significance in resolving Yakugai problems, should be realized.
The committee's task in the 38th term is as follows: 1) to consecutively support victims, 2) to bear a part in building up the CJD support network established in June 30, 3) to investigate the amendment bill of Medicine Act presented by the government, 4) to clarify how to help victims caused by blood products and the way of prevention and eradication, 5) to publish the results obtained in national and international symposia, 6) to clear up and resolve hepatitis caused by medicaments and severe drug eruption, and 7) to hold a session in the 14th Comprehensive Scientific Study Conference (Sapporo).
3) THE RESEARCH COMMITTEE OF ATOMIC POWER PROBLEMS
The laying pipes of the No.1 nuclear reactor in Hamaoka nuclear power plant were destroyed by hydrogen gas explosion in November 2001. The explosion mechanism is still unknown according to the final report on the accident by Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency. The occurrence of such an accident shows that the technology of a light water reactor has not been accomplished. A regular meeting of the committee discussed the following themes: 1) recent accidents of nuclear reactor, 2) economic problem of Rokkasho nuclear fuel cycle plant project, which needs more than thirty nine hundreds billion yen for construction, 3) project of International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor at Rokkasho-mura, and 4) merger of Japan Atomic Energy Research Institute and Japan Nuclear Cycle Development Institute. The symposium on nuclear power generation was held in Tokyo this year, where they discussed the ongoing problems: reorganization of administrative organs and plutonium cycle system. They agreed that since the accumulation of plutonium in spent nuclear fuel is severe problem, the policy of plutonium reprocessing should be discussed intensively.
4) THE RESEARCH COMMMITEE OF POLLUTION AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS
From August 31 to September 1, the Research Committee of Pollution and Environmental Problems held a symposium on the title "Environmental problem in Shiga Prefecture" in Tokyo.
In the symposium, there were three reports as follows: 1) problem of dams around Lake Biwa, 2) waste disposal problems in Shiga, 3) groundwater pollution in Shiga. The reports showed many of problems, e.g. futile 7 plans of dam construction, problem of dump of factory waste in Rittou City, Shiga and groundwater pollution around Lake Biwa which is worst one in Japan. Participants discussed those problems lively.
In the meeting, the members of the committee checked up the progress of publishing Kankyo-tenbo (a review of environment), Vol. 3 and Kankyo-shiryo Shusei (integration of documents of environmental problems). They also discussed environmental problems both domestically and internationally, which the members reported: 1) problems of an artificial island on Hakata Bay, 2) coal fired power plants, and 3) condominium building in Ichikawa City, Chiba Prefecture. In addition, the members reported environmental activities of national and local governments, NGO and society-associated environmental problems.
5) BIOETHICAL COMMITTEE'S ACTIVITY
The governmental bodies have proposed different guideline for advanced technology of medical care, to which the research committee of bioethics has respectively presented public comments. On the other hand, the achievements of human gene analysis has affected the thinking of concept of life and simultaneously led to develop a new bio-business including gene-technological industry. In the future, so-called market-orienting theory tramples down real bioethical consideration and consequently lets life commercialize to make a venture. In order to overcome such capitalistic theory, the committee is going to propose the ground theory for constructing human-orienting bioethical consideration. As for the clinical ethics in question, the committee has no intention to adopt the clinical ethics as seen in the US and others (autonomy first: since all the patients should be autonomous, they should accept their medical care on the basis of self-determination and self-responsibility), but in stead proposes a medical care system in which the possible patients' advocacy should be encouraged in order to support their autonomous ability. Those research activities and results will be reported in the future Bioethical Symposium.
6) UTILIZATION OF URBAN FARMLAND DISCUSSED IN TOKYO
The research committee of foodstuff problems has been studying in cooperation with the foodstuff policy committee of the Tokyo branch, where they discussed the safety problems of foodstuff and the ample supply of foodstuff. The committees held a research meeting on the above theme on July 27, where Prof. Goto (Musashi Univ.) gave a keynote report on how to utilize a farmland available in the urbanized zone. The main point at issue is the various concerns of the people in the urbanized zone for agriculture that recently become striking. Based on a wealth of his investigation of the actual conditions, he introduced needs of the people in the urbanized zone that were not only the supply of agriculture products but also direct connection with agriculture. As to the latter, he touched upon how to utilize a farmland in the urbanized zone and explained its placement in the law system and the problem of reconsidering the farmland law system. He showed the triangle and placed farmers, citizens and farmland at each vertex and their interrelationships, farmland-citizens (environment), citizens-farmers (culture) and farmers-farmland (agriculture products) each side. His working hypothesis that the general public's concern for farmland shifts from life to life (living) was very interesting.
There were various discussions as follows. It seemed necessary to add labor and education to the triangle and place agriculture in the industry. In the Metropolitan area, it is worthy of notice that agriculture volunteers and administrative organs are contributing to preserve farmlands. What are problems concerning on the deregulation to the farmland law system in the "Regeneration plan for food and agriculture" that the Ministry of Agriculture Forestry and Fishery brought up.
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) SYMPOSIUM "PROTECT NATURAL FEATURE OF JAPAN SEA"
The symposium was held on June 8-9 at Toyama Science and Culture Center in Toyama City. About 50 participants attended the symposium. Main report entitled "Pollution of heavy oil and sludge in Japan Sea" was presented by Prof. Tozaki (Kanazawa Univ.), which was followed by general reports as follows: 1) marine pollution of Japan Sea by plastics, 2) state and regeneration of Kahoku lagoon, 3) natural historical data and countermeasures of oil pollution, 4) volunteer activities of removing waste oil at Noto Peninsula, and 5) relief of birds injured by heavy oil in Fukui Prefecture. On the afternoon of June 9 more than 10 participants made a field trip to Nyuzen fishing port. The resent haul of fish in this area remarkably decreases, where a lot of sludge is piled on the sea bottom. Since the sludge was discharged by the construction of two dams on Kurobe River, the relation between the sludge and the decrease of the fish haul should be investigated in the future.
2) STUDY MEETING "KANAGAWA PREFECTURE AND NATIONAL EMERGENCY LEGISLATION" IN KANAGAWA
The Kanagawa branch held a regular study meeting where Prof. Konno (Kanto-Gakuin Univ.) lectured as follows. Kanagawa Prefecture is the next largest prefecture occupied by the US forces after Okinawa in the sense of facilities and holding the highest operation abilities among oversea bases. The USFJ (US Forces Japan) Army's headquarters is deployed in Zama City and the Navy's one in Yokosuka City. Yokosuka is not only the homeport of carrier battle group led by flagship Blue Ridge and carrier air wing Kitty Hawk but also a quasi-homeport of the 7th Fleet Submarine Force, whose mother ship Frank Gable homeports Guam. Also in Kanagawa there are Atsugi Navy Airport, Tsurumi Oil Depot, Sagami Supply Depot (Sagamihara City), Ikeko Habitation in conjunction with US military base Yokosuka, and distinguished technology to support advanced base operations.
These bases have been practiced, aside the Korean War under the occupation of the US Forces, at the times of the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, the antiterrorist Afghan War and etc. On every occasion, the air of wars has been repleted at bases in Kanagawa and around the roads connecting bases. More than 100,000 US soldiers injured in Vietnam were transferred to the US Army hospitals at Camps Negishi in Yokohama, Zama, Asagiri, and Oji, and damaged military cars, airplanes and combat vehicles were landed on Yokosuka and Yokohama to repair in Sagami Depot, again committed to battlefields. In the Gulf War, the carrier battle group made a sortie from Yokosuka and Japanese marine sweepers were dispatched. In the Afghan War, support vessels of the Self-Defense Forces participated in the US's operation in the Indian Sea and the Arabian Sea. It was informed that the workers for oil companies were rushed to deliver at once.
All usage of the US bases was for wars of the US, indicating that Japanese cooperation has by and by come closer to participation. The national emergency legislation is the final stage, which should therefore be blocked to make a substantial contribution to the world peace.
3) DISCUSSION ON "UNIVERSITY REFORMATION AND UNIFICATION - ITS MOVEMENTS AND STRATEGY" IN SAITAMA
On July 6, the 29th annual convention of the JSA Saitama branch was held. The convention had a lecture on the above title by Prof. Yamaguchi (Saitama Univ.). There is a plan to unify Saitama University and Gunma University (a national university in the neighboring prefecture of Saitama) under the pressure to reduce the number of national universities by the Government. The speaker talked as a member of Saitama University about the intension of the university's headquarters, problems in news reports by press, and the question of the unification of their universities.
In the process to make a plan for the unification, the discussions in the universities themselves on academic freedom and autonomy of a university are not included. Discussions by students and citizens were also not enough. This matter should be discussed more actively as a problem related to citizens. The speaker not only criticizes the current plan of the unification, but also pointed out the above weak-point of the movement.
4) SAFETY PROBLEMS OF FOODSTUFF DISCUSSED IN KYOTO
The Kyoto branch held a regular meeting for the individual members on July 20, where they discussed the above theme. Mr. Shiomi (Department of health of Kyoto Prefecture) gave a keynote speech on food poisoning. The food poisoning (over 500 sufferers) occurs 2,000 - 3,000 times every year across the country, which becomes more widely and extensively. This is caused by a variety of poisons included in food materials, e.g. salmonella, vibrio and campylobacter follow. These agents are heat labile, but it is not easy to thoroughly heat frozen foods.
Typical examples are as follows. 1) Yukijirushi Foods Co., the factories authorized by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare caused the food poisoning at every steps of processing of foods, for which the Ministry is totally responsible. 2) Many lives were lost in the O157 E. coli infection occurred in the Kinki area. The cause was reported due to white radish sprouts. No agent, however, has not detected yet. It is suspected that the agent might be from frozen hamburger imported from the USA on a massive scale. But the cause has not fully been investigated for some unknown reason. Asahi Shimbun later reported "Beef equal to 180 million hamburger was collected in the USA". 3) Four (then five later) BSE infected cows were found in Japan. These were born in 1995. This incident could be prevented at the WTO's advises issued in the same year that prohibits the use of meat and bone meal. Japanese Government requested the EU to interrupt the evaluation, just when the EU is about to announce that in the evaluation of the degree of danger of BSE infection Japan is at the same level to the countries undergone the BSE infected disease. This attitude of the Government should be denounced. The heat sterilization of the BSE agents needs high temperature over 130 centigrade. But some feed tradesmen imported the meat and bone meal briefly sterilized by heating less than 100 centigrade. They have no sense of responsibility for the national health management. Many whistleblowers disclosed mislabeling of a producing district and falsifying of a good consume period. Furthermore, the facts of the sloppy system for buying BSE infected beef by the MAFF, neglecting consumers and loss of entertainment morals were also revealed.
The discussion included the defect of JAS (Japan Agriculture Standards), problems of indication, stiffening the penalties, consumer's right to know, necessity to establish the law for the safety of foodstuffs securing rights to choose goods, problems of the usage of food additives out of improvement and the dioxins content of foodstuffs.
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.9)(2002)
[Title-page message]
Hiromori K.: Language and science
[Special issue: Shift of scientific theories]
Inoo M.: Science wars and science studies
Iwabuchi T.: What is the current meaning of "paradigm-controversy "?
Abiko S.: Thomas Kuhn and his successors: From the closed to the open science
Umebayashi S.: On the structure of theory change in science
[Colloquy]
Matsushima S.: The battle on Fujisawa and the tale of Taira Clan
[Series: Break a new century]
Kikuchi S.: My expectation of engineering ethics
[General]
Ohmura M.: The viewpoint of youth in pedagogy
Inouchi Y.: Sand dredging in Seto Inland Sea and formation of sand banks
Vol.37(No.10)(2002)
[Title-page message]
Chino Y.: The problems of adult learning
[Special issue: IT and national life]
Iijima N.: Critical theory of the information technology revolution
Kuroda M.: E-local government and local autonomy
Sasaki N.: Information technology and people with disabilities - the possibility and subject
Matsuura S.: The role of NPO on the internet communication and consensus buildup
[Colloquy]
Hisada T.: Research of educational practices as a science
[Series: Break a new century]
Susuki T.: Institution, human being, and education - Some topics of my consciousness toward educational problems and study of education
[General]
Furomoto T.: Science Forum of 2002 World Conference against A&H Bombs: A good chance for total abolition of nuclear weapons - Beyond the tide of global militarization
Abe K.: Strategic studies of Self-Defense Forces for NBC weapons - Especially for biological ones
[From laboratory]
Sakuma M.: Adherence to "education" itself
Vol.37(No.11)(2002)
[Title-page message]
Oride K.: Now we rethink "the clinical and practical approach"
[Special issue: Proposals to scholastic ability problems]
Shiomi T.: The characteristic of contemporary discussion on achievement issue
Iwata Y.: How to support young people to study nature
Kudomi Y.: The society of education and students' academic ability in Japan
Takeuchi H.: Declining level of student achievement identified in the context of university entrance examinations
Watanabe T.: Poor science literacy fostered by self-complacent junior & secondary school education
Ohmi T.: The declining of the students' scholastic attainment in learning foreign languages
Kitabayashi M.: School education and the social function of science
Obinata S.: Historical perception and academic ability
Kitamura H.: Political cultivation, citizen, learning-attainments: From the point of view of contemporary democratic theory
Shimazaki T.: Philosophy and the problem of "academic achievement"
Kawai H.: "Scholastic ability decline of science" of natural science students
[Colloquy]
Himemiya T.: Thinking in Poland
[Series: Break a new century]
Kato S.: Theoretical-chemistry-and-quantum-mechanical approach to chemical reac
[General]
Hiroki S.: Adaptation and speciation in evolution - A critical speculation to Shirai, H's paper
Noguchi K.: The damage of the Rongelap people caused by nuclear explosion tests in the Marshal Islands