14TH CSSC HELD IN SAPPORO, HOKKAIDO
The JSA's CSSC (Comprehensive Scientific Study Convention) is held in alternate years to construct a new frontier of scientific movement as well as scientific research in the country.
The headquarters organized the 14th CSSC under the theme “Thinking of the future for human being and the earth – Constructing of peace and safety society – ” at Hokkaido University from September 21 to 23 (2002).
There were eleven scientific sessions including two plenary sessions and a poster session. In the first day plenary session Prof. Kanekawa (Hokkaido Univ.) made a commemorative lecture, where he proposed a life style in cooperation with wild animals. The talk was on the basis of his ecological research on "brown bears" in Hokkaido. On the last day, held was another plenary session (panel discussion) on the theme "How we can construct peaceful and safety society - scientists' responsibility". There were three reports : 1) Prof. Kaneko (Rjssho Univ.) criticized the US-directing globalization and designed a peaceful society on the basis of the Constitution Article 9 (renouncement of war); 2) Prof Mishima (Hokkaido Univ.) criticized "mass production and mass consumption" in this country and stressed the necessity of its paradigmatic transformation into a small scale system, e.g. rethinking of Japanese agriculture to provide safety foodstuff's; 3) basing on the disaster of the Great Hanshin Earthquake, Prof. Murosaki (Kobe Univ.) proposed what science and technology should be in the future and discussed the necessary approach to risk-communication and research system for protecting disaster. Then the participants pointed out the ongoing problems such as new-liberalism, scientists and local community, public works, and national and local governments' stance against citizens' mind.
The scientific sessions were respectively discussed under the following themes: 1) prompt action for eliminating nuclear weapons, 2) environment, pollution and waste problems, 3) disaster, development and public works, 4) foodstuff problems, 5) medical care, welfare and bioethics, 6) fishery products, 7) thought, culture and science. 8) higher education and university, 9) scientists and their rights, 10) science policy and scientific works, and 11) male-female cooperative participation in society, respectively.
NATIONWIDE GATHERINGS
A number of gatherings are held by the JSA alone or in cooperation with other friendly organizations
1) 9TH STUDY MEETING OF A-BOMB VICTIMS' PROBLEMS HELD IN TOKYO
The JSA and the Japan Confederation of A-&H- Bomb Sufferers Organizations (Nihon Hidan-kyo) have jointly been organizing a number of study meetings of Hibakusha (A- and H- bomb sufferers) problems for 12 years aiming at elucidating the problem of Hibakusha aid law and the present situation of nuclear weapons. In this context, the 9th study meeting was held on November 16.
In the morning, were reported internal and external circumstances in connection with nuclear weapons. Dr. Fujita (Nagasaki Inst. of Appl. Sci., ret.) addressed on the history of arguments on the elimination of nuclear weapons in the UN General Assembly, emphasizing significance of the resolution in the 200 NPT (Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty) Review Conference to call on all the nuclear-weapon states for the implementation of their "unequivocal undertaking" to accomplish the total elimination of nuclear arsenals that had been submitted by the New Agenda countries. He also pointed out the negative role that the US and Japanese administrations played in nuclear weapon problem.
Dr. Kawai (JSA research committee of peace question) condemned the Japanese government for its baleful role to promote wartime legislation to support the US global strategy, and proposed a new signature-collecting campaign to make the nuclear-weapon states fulfill the "unequivocal undertaking".
In the afternoon, Mr. Iwasa (Nihon Hidan-kyo) and Mr. Takeuchi (attorney) outlined and legally explained the group motion for recognizing as radiation causality respectively. The Japanese government has been recognizing victims as radiation causality by making mechanical use of mathematical models DS86 (radiation dose estimate system in 1986) and probability of causation (statistic model of probability of disability caused by the influence of atomic radiation). It should be noted that the recognition was not to carefully examine actual condition of each victim. Both expressed their decision that they wished to make the class suit in preparation not collective but nationwide.
2) SUMMER SCHOOL 2002 OPENED IN ZAO
The JSA summer school has been held every year, and has provided young researchers with good opportunities to discuss their researches, JSA activities and so on. The school was held in Zao, Yamagata Prefecture, from November 2 to 4, 2002. This meeting was called 'summer school', even though heavy snow already covered the area. Participants were 30. most graduate students, research associates and PhD fellowships, less than in previous summer schools. Participants had three presentations by senior researchers: 1) "Researches in a university" by Dr. Katayama (Tohoku Univ.), 2) "Researches in a national institute" by Dr. Aoki (National Astronomical Observatory), and 3) "Why are we making a university charter?" by Dr. Koizumi (Yamagata University). After these sessions, participants enjoyed an excursion to Yamadera temple, which is quite famous because of the Haiku by Matsuo Basho. An important characteristic of this summer school is that participants themselves had enough time for discussions. The first self-introduction was made using posters which presented their studies in graduate schools. This promoted the following discussions thorough the meeting. Graduate students in doctor course made advice to M.A. course students.
ACTIVITIES OF RESEARCH COMMITTEES AND GROUPS
1) ACTIVITY OF THE RESEARCH COMMITTEE OF DISASTER PROBLEMS
The research committee of disaster problems tackles four problems in the 38th term (June 2002 – May 2003).
1) Aiding disaster victims of the Great Hanshin Earthquake
When the Great Hanshin Earthquake occurred, many organizations and associations came to disaster area from all over the country to aid disaster victims. These organizations and associations have banded together as "Zenkoku-Sai-Tai-Ren (The National Liaison Committee Appealing for Aiding of Disaster Victims and Improving of Disaster Measures)" since January 2000. The JSA tackles improving legal systems of "public support for disaster victims and reconstruction of their daily life", as an executive association of "Zenkoku-Sai-Tai-Ren".
2) Disaster problems of another area in Japan
For some years, there were disasters of earthquakes and torrential rains in some area in Japan. The Geiyo Earthquake occurred on March 26, 2001, which caused 2 lives loss and more then 620 houses completely or partially destroyed. In Kure City, Hiroshima Pref, whose damage was the most serious, many of houses built on the sloping ground were destroyed completely or partially. The research committee members tackle disaster research and an aiding of disaster victims in this area.
3) Disaster problems in Tokyo metropolitan area
In Tokyo metropolitan area, there are two problems, disaster prevention against a great earthquake and disaster of eruption in Miyake Island. In Miyake Island, Tokyo, a volcano has been in eruption since July 8, 2000. The research committee participated actively in a symposium for thinking of the Tokyo Metropolitan government.
4) Activation of the research committee
For activation of the committee, they make best use of a mailing list for communication of members, and exchange information about disaster problems.
2) ACTVITIES OF THE COMMITTEE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY POLICY
The committee has studied the Japanese science and technology policies and made comments and proposals on them, which analyzed the policies and actions of Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology and Council for Science and Technology Policy after enforcement of the Science and Technology Basic Law (STBL). The committee also studied the effect of reorganization of Ministries and Agencies on the policies. The outcome was presented in the CSSC and published in "Report: the new trend of the science and technology policy" (May, 1998). The committee will published the 3rd report on the analyses of the recent science and technology policies and the proposals for enactment of "Science Basic Law " and revision of STBL.
DISTRICTS' AND BRANCHES' ACTIVITIES
The JSA consists 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) EXCHANGE MEETING OF YOUNG RESEARCHERS HELD IN TOKYO
According to the investigation by the government, 12,375 persons graduated doctor course of graduate schools in 2000, but only 6,911 among them could find jobs. The rate of finding positions (55.9%) is now rather worse than in 80s, in which the problem of the low rate (62.1% in 1980) was in controversy. The government aimed to increase postdoctoral fellowship up to 10,000 in 90s, and has already achieved this, but this does not resolve the difficulty for graduate students to find positions as researchers. The JSA Tokyo branch had a meeting to discuss activities in young researchers on September 22, 2002. Young researchers who recently took a doctor's degree participated in this meeting. In the meeting, young researchers presented their researches, and discussed problems in the JSA activities. Participants agree that the JSA must play an important role in investigating the present research conditions. Through such investigation, essential problems in universities and institutes are expected to be resolved. The meeting aims to propose new activities to answer young researchers' requests, based on the previous activities, and organize new JSA which researchers in a variety of fields are attending. A current plan is to make chances for young researchers themselves to discuss these matters, and to investigate the basic problems in conditions for researches. This meeting also has plans of publications and opening symposia on this issue.
2) 10TH SYMPOSIUM ON ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEM "ITER AND FUTURE OF AOMORI PREFECTURE" HELD IN AOMORI
Rokkasyo-mura in Aomori Prefecture is one of the proposed sites of ITER (International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor) like Canada and Spain. So many people from overseas visited for study, which encourages a number of international meetings in Aomori. The government of Aomori Prefecture makes strong action for setting ITER. The habitants however have no interest in ITER and no information for ITER problems. The technology of ITER is not established and the project is still in experimental stage. It is not determined that who bears the budget which is estimated five hundred to thousand billion yen for the construction and the infrastructure. The ITER project should be discussed calmly. The reports in the symposium were as follows: 1) "ITER safety problems and nuclear power policy" by Mr. Iwai (The JSA Research Committee of Atomic Power Problems), 2) "ITER project from the viewpoint of finance and community encouragement in Aomori Pref." by Mr. Shikauchi (Aomori Prefectural Assembly), and 3) " ITER project and domestic economy" by Mr. K. Akimoto (Aomori Junior College). About 50 people attended the symposium and mainly discussed the safety problems of ITER.
3) LECTURE MEETING "WHAT SCIENCE EDUCATION IN JAPAN SHOULD BE" IN OKAYAMA
Many university students in this country have shown their decline in scientific knowledge and talent, and accordingly science education programs suited to their abilities have been discussed in all universities. On November 11 (2002), the Okayama branch members exchanged their views of the program, where Prof. Masaki (Univ. of Tokyo) gave a talk on the basis of biological education in his university. The gist of his talk was as follow. About 70% of high school students take a course of biology lecture (mainly introduction to biology), where few of fundamentals of biology for understanding molecular and evolutionary biology is included, and only 10% of them can lately study such an advance course of lecture, which means that only small percentage of high school graduates can understand contemporary biological contents and most of graduates left can not read and understand a so-called genetic information on newspaper and TV. It is a pity!
At present, about million of people are matriculated at universities and colleges, in which most have no fundamental for biology. Therefore, many universities have recently opened preparatory lectures before entering regular courses in university, where they teach biological fundamentals that should be studied in high school. A basic solution of biological education both in high school and university must promptly be discussed.
4) TWO SYMPOSIA FOR NUCLEAR ABOLITION AND PEACE HELD
Symposium "The future of Bush administration's world strategy" was held in Nagoya University on November 24. About 30 members mainly from JSA Aichi branch participated in the symposium, which was chaired by Prof. Sadakata (International Relations, Nagoya Univ.) and Prof. Matsuda (Physics, Aichi Univ. of Education). There were made two reports on nuclear weapon in today's world politics, and questions and comments from the participants. The first report "Bush Administration and Its Unilateral Diplomacy: Relationship between the U.S. and Europe" by Assistant Prof. Ohta (International Relations, Kinjo Gakuin Univ.) criticized the U.S. unilateral action. He pointed out that the unilateral strategy was quite difficult to pursuit due to the structure of security system in NATO. The next report "Bush Administration's Plan for the Use of Nuclear Weapon" by Prof. Emeritus Sugie (International Relations. Chukyo Univ.) also criticized the U.S. nuclear policy which would intend to abandon the nuclear deterrent. He pointed out that the review of nuclear weapon, which was submitted to the Congress in January 2002, would perpetuate the nuclear weapon. Lastly, Prof. Emeritus Sawada (Physics, Nagoya Univ.) made a comment on the danger of nuclear weapon that was developed to penetrate through underground. He explained its scientific limit of ability to fully penetrate through underground and concluded that there would be more damages on earth than those in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Participants made a lot of questions regarding not only the U.S. nuclear policy but also the direction of the U.S. world policy or its relationship with global economy. Now we are standing at the crossroads either to accept the U.S. nuclear policy or to search for the world peace without nuclear weapon. On the other hand, the JSA Saitama branch held an extension lecture entitled "Urgent law legislation and nuclear war" on November 16, which was given by Dr. Hida (medical doctor, Hibakusha (A-bomb victim) in Hiroshima). Warning the possibility of using nuclear weapons at regional war, he emphasized that the ravages of Hiroshima and Nagasaki are not the past, because even now every year Hibakusha are dying of cancer caused by low level radiation syndrome. It is characteristic of nuclear weapons that damage extends over a long time.
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.12)(2002)
[Title-page message]
Esashi, T.: Consideration on the dietary life to make mental, physical and social health
[Special issue: Check again on rights of scientists]
The Committee of Scientific Workers’ Rights: Right of scientists in Japan—These 10 years
Hamabayashi, M. and Niu, K.: International standard of the rights of scientists and higher-education
teaching personnel
Irako, M.: Combined reformation and incorporation of four metropolitan universities with administrative
Leaderships
Katayama, N.: Surveying of the recent teacher dismissal cases at the private universities
Osada, Y.: NTT’s R&D and research workers’ conditions
[Colloquy]
Suzuki, M.: Recent activities clarifying negative effects of coal-fired power plants
[Series: Break a new century]
Nishioka, K.: Algebraic independence of functions
[General]
Doi, Y.: On the introduction of LRT into Japan
[From laboratory]
Takahashi, E.: The challenge of the cooperative seminar
Vol.38(No.1)(2003)
[Title-page message]
Noguchi, K.: On the Hiroshima A-bomb Yasui lawsuit
[Special issue: Human genome]
Shimizu, N.: Prospects of the human genome project
Sokawa, Y.: Dialogue on human genome
Fukuda, T.: Possibilities and problems surrounding gene and stem cell therapy research
Kurosu, M.: Bioethics of genetic information
[Colloquy]
Fukuzawa, K.: Ramble through the Awa-pilgrim road
[Series: Break a new century]
Kawahara, Y.: Gender studies through the lens of cultural anthropology
[General]
Fujimoto, B., Morisawa, M. and Saito F.: The first teacher’s training for special education in Vietnam
Fukui, M.: The thechers and the formation of the curriculum in the educational reform period after
World War II—Forcusing on the community school movement in Hongo, Hiroshima Prefecture
Vol.38(No.2)(2003)
[Title-page message]
Miyano, Y.: Thinking of pedagogy
[Special issue: Preservation of cultural and natural properties in San-in district]
Tanaka, Y.: On the result and problem of the preservation of cultural property in San-in region
Matsugi, T.: Recent excavations in San-in district and a new perspective of Yayoi society
Yagi, T.: Unified conservation of remains and countryside forest—Based on case of the Muki-Banda
remains
Matsumoto, M.: Preservation movement of Muki-Banda ruin
[Colloquy]
Yafuso, T.: Memory of an Asian student—Trial against the campus sexual harassment
[Series: Break a new century]
Tomono, A.: Regional contribution and student
[General]
Goto, M.: Some problems on the early evolution of humanoids
The National Network to Support Three Professors of IUK (International University of Kagoshima):
The striking characteristics on the affair of three professors subjected to disciplinary dismissal action in
IUK
[From laboratory]
Kamiya, H.: Fundamental and applications of fine powder technology