EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEETING HELD IN TOKYO
On June 21-22 the executive council gathered to discuss the embodiment of the action policy adopted for the 39th term (from June 2003 up to May 2004). The discussion ran about the following points.
1) Research activity: The decrease of members belonging to chapter or section and the increase of individual members reduce competency of our association. It is now necessary to raise activities based on interests of scientists so as to bring abilities of individual members into play, and also to enhance members of research committee. The activity in university chapters, when national universities are transformed into independent agency-running ones, would be more significant, since the labor union could not cope with the request of corporations. They debated the coming 17th Comprehensive Scientific Study Convention, especially its working title “Thinking of the future of human kind and the earth”.
2) Academic system: The reformation bills for national university agency (enacted on July 9) were discussed about their contradiction in staff training that was pointed out in the Science and Technology White Paper, and in the relation of practical situation in independent-agency-running national institutes.
3) Social activity: It is significant to collect world people’s voice to totally eliminate nuclear weapons on the occasion of the 2003 World Conference against A & H Bombs and further develop a global action of blocking the usage of nuclear weapons, and we must notice that it is possible. We also should tackle recent issues such as distorted news report concerning North Korea and the movement of disimproving the Fundamental Law of Education.
4) International activity: Explained was a plan to open an international symposium ECSTA III (Exchange and Cooperation of Science and Technology in Asia) in 2005 for establishing peace in the North-East Asia, calling for participants from Japan, Korea, China, and Viet Num if possible, where will be discussed peace, nuclear weapons, conscience of scientist, overview of war, environmental problems etc.
5) Rejuvenation of organization: The report of the long-term vision committee was discussed. It claims to define the separate roles between headquarters secretary and branch secretary, and to utilize intellectual resources of members, through, for instance, drawing up members list.
6) Research fund: Though the action policy states subsidizing one million yen from principal amount, to restore principal it is necessary to ask for donation.
THE SCIENTISTS’ FORUM AT 2003 WORLD CONFERENCE AGAINST A & H BOMBS “FOR THE FUTURE OF HUMAN BEINGS WITHOUT NUCLEAR WEAPONS AND WARS”
The scientists’ forum was held on August 2 in Nagoya. 115 scientists including Dr. Kate Hudson from the United Kingdom participated in the forum.
Prof. Matsui (Nagoya Univ.) reported the influence of major power’s unilateral use of armed forces on world order, stressing that the Bush Administration has no reason to justify war against Iraq
Dr. Hudson mentioned that unity, diversity and international cooperation played a key role in the spread of anti-war movement. In the United Kingdom, two million people participated in the anti-war against Iraq campaign on February 15, 2003.
In the panel discussion, Prof. Kobayashi (Nanzan Univ.) addressed on the characteristics of Japanese emergency bills (Yuji Hosei). He pointed out that the bills could not be balanced with the Japanese constitution in principle, and stressed the importance of legislative struggle. Prof. Suzuki (Aichi Univ.) made a presentation on peace in Middle East and Islam. He mentioned that dividing policy conducted by Churchill caused today’s Middle East problem, and pointed out the broad possibility that Islam world flexibly has reacted in response to time and circumstances. In explaining the nuclear strategy of the United States, Prof. Sugie (Chukyo Univ., ret.) pointed out that every successive President prepared nuclear war while the United States stressed the nuclear deterrence. And he described the permanency of nuclear weapons as one of the characteristics of the Bush Administration. Prof. Kimura (Kagoshima Univ.) talked on new imperial order and war against Iraq. He explained the background of terrorist attacks against the United States on September 11 and formation of new imperial order which has brought a new type of war as seen in war against Iraq. In the meantime Prof. Kimura warned that the neo-conservatism is now on the rise.
Mr. Kai (Hibakusha, A-bomb victim) gave testimony as to the situation directly after the dropping of A-bomb and his struggle against disease, and presented his will to fight the A-bomb suit to the end. Dr. Sawada made a scientific explanation on radioactive dosage in the lawsuit for the compensation for damages.
NATIONWIDE GATHERINGS
A number of gatherings are held by the JSA alone or in cooperation with other friendly organizations
WOMEN SCIENTIFIC WORKERS ARDENTLY TALKED IN OSAKA
“The 11th National Symposium for Women Scientific Workers” was organized on July 12 and 13 in Osaka. The symposium inherits “National Symposium for Women Researchers Problem”, which the JSA held on the occasion that in 1975 the UN committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women offered the protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (adopted in 1979 by UN General Assembly, ratified in 1985 by the Japanese government). Although conditions that women play an active role in science has been step by step adjusted, problems such as sex discrimination in promotion and employment and balance between household affairs and childcare still remain unsolved.
Aiming at solving such problems, the symposia have been organized ten times. This time the contribution to civil life was treated for the purpose of utilizing women’s standpoint in science. Planning committee was made up from women scientists and technicians and representatives from civic groups, differently from preceding ones.
On the first day, after a commemorative lecture of Prof. Hasegawa (Waseda Univ.), a panel discussion entitled “We, women scientific workers, are in need” was performed, where participants from civic groups addressed on the issues of foodstuffs, health, and environment. On the second day young and senior researchers organized separately scientific sessions. After that, more than 160 participants discussed together and shared the slogan “Don’t worry alone, make up a network beyond age and specialization, and don’t forget who hews a path is yourself”.
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 COMMITTEE OF YOUNG SCIENTISTS' PROBLEMS
The committee has engaged in exchange among young researchers, and the deep problem that they, especially postdoctoral and doctoral students, have met rare employment opportunity. The graduate members of JSA have made a network among young scientists to organize the "Summer School for Young Scientists" every year with the committee. This year, "The Summer School 2003" was held in Nagoya from September 13 to 15, where they discussed their own research problems and peace problem. Considering increasing number of graduate students in Japan, the committee debates about utilizing the network, establishing study meetings for graduate students in other branches as in Tokyo, and supporting organization of the summer school in each district.
2) 26TH NUCLEAR POWER PLANT SYMPOSIUM HELD
The Research Committee of Atomic Power Problems held a symposium on August 24 at Chuo University in Tokyo, the main theme of which was “Is the electric power supply for the Metropolitan area safe under the suspending of the nuclear power plant operation?”
The reports presented were as follows. 1) “Logics of technician and citizen for the suppression of nuclear power plant accidents”. 2) “Examination and regulation for the safety of nuclear power plants”. 3) “Stress corrosion cracking and standard for maintenance of nuclear power plant”. The use of the stainless steel including low concentration of carbon was considered as an effective measure for the stress corrosion cracking. The report suggests that this measure is not effective and basic research development for measure is not adequate. 4) “Integration of Japan Atomic Energy Institute and Japan Nuclear Cycle Development Institute”. 5) “30 years posterior to the establishment of three laws of nuclear power resource development”. 6) “Demand for a drastic reconsideration on nuclear power development”. The nuclear power development in Japan has been progressed by private companies under the guidance of the national policy. The government should bear more responsibility for the recycling system of nuclear fuel and make independent check system for the nuclear power development. 7) “Large scale electric power failure in the Metropolitan area”. Steady electric power supply for the Metropolitan area was discussed. The power supply network among the nine electric power companies in Japan is not adequate, so that the power supply line among them can’t transport adequate electric power each other. It is little possible, however, that power debacle in the Metropolitan area as that in New York City may occur, on account of the power supplying condition in Japan. 8) “The closing of operation of Taiheiyo Coal Mine”. As Taiheiyo Coal Mine in Japan was closed in 2001, the coal mine will be submerged and the technique of mining will be lost. There is a local movement to maintain the mine. The report suggests that maintenance of mining technique is important for the Japanese energy policy.
3) ACTIVITIES OF THE COMMITTEE OF NATIONAL AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTAL RESEARCH INSTITUTES PROBLEM
Two years passed after national industrial research institutes (IRI) were transformed into independent agencies. Difference in arrangements of institutes has been found clearer. The term-based employment system is reinforced in the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST, run by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry), and expanded to other institutes. Researchers therein are divided into two groups, capable and incapable of fund-raising, the latter of which struggles to perform pure and basic researches during procuring external funds. Of course the ability of fund-raising strongly effects on the share of research fund and salary. In the context of transforming governmental affiliated firm into non-governmental one, some institutes have incorporated with governmental affiliated firms, and been forced to accept curtail of subsidy for administration. Each institute having gotten to work on next medium-range planning, more curtail of subsidy for administration will provably be demanded.
In this situation, the committee this year held two regular meetings and an ad interim meeting in Tsukuba district to summarize the effects of transformation into independent agency. The now-defunct IRI’s have had not only responsibility to work for the government but also to at hand accommodate people with scientific results, thus it is required to advance pure and basic research standing to the nation even if further constraint is brought about by the transformation. The committee has a plan of offering the summary of the transformation, which covers what extent of drawbacks were raised, analysis of the present situation and a look over the future.
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) DISCUSSION BY GRADUATE STUDENTS AT RITSUMEIKAN UNIVERSITY
A meeting by graduate students to discuss the research methods and researchers’ lives was held at Ritsumeikan University on May 31, 2003. The discussion covered their researches in the days of graduate school and educational works in universities. Participants learned the recently increasing requests from society to young researchers, and the importance to grow up by themselves to respond to these expectations as well as to ameliorate the condition for studies.
After some reports participants exchanged their experiences and opinions on the researches’ attitude to the relation between theoretical works and real society, the relation between specialized studies and liberal arts, and so on. Discussion was extended to the relationship between graduate students and university faculties.
The members of the Ritsumeikan graduate students chapter reconfirmed that such a project of meeting could be a good opportunity to encourage activities of graduate students. Through this meeting three graduate students decided to join the JSA.
2) HACHIOJI SCIENCE FORUM “LIVES IN MARS AND THE UNIVERSE”
The 3rd Science Forum with the above title was held in Hachioji on July 10. This theme was especially called on because of the historically closest approach of Mars to Earth in this summer.
The speaker was Dr. Komori began with the talk of the possibility of lives in Mars that the present condition of Mars indicates there is no evidence of lives in Mars. However, there were rivers flowing on the surface of Mars that now exist in the underground in the condition of ice. A report by NASA in 1996, which revealed the evidence of lives like caterpillars in a meteorite from Mars, resumed the controversy on the lives in Mars. A possibility of lives in the sea inside Europa, the satellite of Jupiter, also has been discussed. One expects that there might be some lives like benthic feeders of Earth in the seas of Europa.
His talk was quite interesting and even romantic for people unfamiliar with uranography. Recently, in Japan, studies that contribute to economical development are emphasized, whereas, science on nature and human beings is depreciated. Participants deeply felt resentment at such circumstances.
3) ACTIVITIES OF ENVIRONMENTAL STUDY GROUP IN FUKUOKA BRANCH
The environmental study group in the Fukuoka branch has been holding a regular meeting every month. The group consists not only of JSA members but also of citizens, who enjoy a lecture and also an after meeting mixer. Meetings recently held were as follows. 1) “Science of globefish” by Prof. Tabeta (Emeritus Prof. of Nagasaki Univ.), who is an authority on the ecology of fishes and farmed fishes. His talk was on a) species and ecology of globefish, b) fishery, fish farming and marketing and distribution, c) toxicity of globefish and marine poisonous fishes, d) history of eating globefish, e) food hygiene of globefish, and f) the latest organic fish farming. 2) “History of dairy farming in Japan and sterilization of milk” by Prof. Nakano (University farm of Kyusyu Univ.). His talk was on a) comparison of dairy farm in Japan with those in other countries having a long term experience, b) constituent of milk and experience of manufacturing butter and fresh cheese and tasting soft ice cream, c) why human beings utilize milk, d) human beings can utilize milk and meat converted by the ruminant from vegetable fiber inedible for us, and e) recycling-oriented agriculture and livestock. This time the meeting was held at the university farm. About 50 participants enjoyed the exercise of manufacturing milk products and close touch with livestock. 3) “Role of natural enemy in an ecological system” by Prof, Murakami (Emeritus Prof. of Kyushu Univ.) who is an authority on natural enemy insects. His talk was on a) what is a natural enemy in the natural world, b) role of a natural enemy in the natural ecological system, c) role of a natural enemy in the agricultural ecological system, d) examples of biological control of insect pests including his long term efforts to control Dryocosmus Kunphilus Yasamatsu that does harm to the chestnut, e) effects that the introduction of natural enemies give to an ecological system, and f) immigrant animal species problems.
4) “THE SUMMER SCHOOL 2003 IN FUKUI”
The summer school 2003 of Kyoto branch was held in Fukui Prefecture from August 4 to 6. The participants of the school visited to Obama Town and Takahama Town where there are the atomic power plants along the coast of Wakasa bay. They discussed regional economy, industry and policy related to the atomic power plant.
The program ran as follows: 1) visit at one of the atomic power plants, 2) hearing an opinion of campaign staffer against atomic power plants, 3) listening to a lecture given by specialists of nuclear power and metal engineering, 4) sightseeing and 5) reception with local people.
The discussion made participants rethink of problems: the relation between atomic power plants and regional society, the development and exploitation of new energies, and the global warming.
Participants’ impression can be seen in the following web page (in Japanese):
http://web.kyoto-inet.or.jp/people/jsa-k/
5) WHAT DOES PERFECT DECODING OF HUMAN GENOME MEAN?
The Ishikawa branch organized a regular meeting on July 23, where Prof. Yamaguchi (Kanazawa Univ.) gave a lecture on perfect decoding of humane genome on the basis of its effect on life science, medical science and medical care, and also patent problems. This year falls on the 50th year since Watson and Crick discovered the DNA structure. The participants including young researcher exchanged their views of life, which was followed by a get-together meeting to enrich their knowledge of human genome.
The lecturer is a chief of the Advanced Science Research Center and is enthusiastic about studying and teaching the genome. The genome looks like a novel written with four kinds of letters, and the arrangement of each letter has an important meaning. The human genome consists of 2.7 billion base pair (bp) and a total of 32,000 genes. On the other hands, the number of human proteins is roughly estimated one to two hundred thousands. The difference between two estimates comes from that not single but different proteins are generated from one gene. In the human genome, only 2-3 % has sequence to generate meaningful proteins and the greater part of the gene consists of repeat sequence and pseudo genes. The difference of genome between human beings and chimpanzee is 1 %. Does this mean that this small fragment carries genes characteristic to human being? The difference of genome between individuals is 0.1 %, which is greater than the difference between races. Everybody has more than one hundred defective or faulty genes. Whether this gene causes a disease or not depends on one’s destiny. Consequently, a hereditary disease is not specific one, which prods us to reconsider problems of race and hereditary diseases. The Japanese government examined genomes, physical conditions, and life-styles of 30,000 people. Based on these data, the tailor-made medical care is to develop, and even the same medicine will be administered according to patient’s characteristics. In Japan, the genome study attaches too much importance to technology, to improve related laws is insufficient, and also the ethics is not fully regarded.
6) TO PROTECT MT. TAKAO FROM THE ROAD CONSTRUCTION
Movement of protecting a historical asset, Hachioji castle ruin, and the quasi-national park Mt. Takao from the construction of the Metropolitan Inter-City Expressway (Ken-o-do) continues since the construction plan was disclosed in 1984. At the time of disclosure the JSA Tokyo branch immediately took an action with local residents, and conducted an environmental assessment in collaboration with residents, which was the first trial in Japan. Its fruits were published by Musashi-Shobo under the title "Synthetic assessment of the Ken-o-do construction", making a foundation for protest campaign and an important weapon for struggle against the government and the Public Road Administration. The residents naturally came to trust the JSA, which begot the JSA Takao chapter.
The branch tried to fight as far as possible in order to stop the Ken-o-do construction, very a sample of tax waste and nature-destroying public project, such as design gatherings and demos, appeal of a lot of celebrities, work with mass media etc. Yet the movement could not change the Administration’s dogged resolution to stubbornly defend once determined plan. Thus the branch decided to go to suit as the last resort, “The Case of Mt. Takao Tengu (long-nosed goblin, super natural being in Japan, guardian deity)” in October 2000 with 1300 plaintiffs, where branch members have the leadership and the responsibility. The opinion of Japanese people has become to shift to the review of construction of futile roads.
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.38(No.9)(2003)
[Title-page message]
Sasaki, A.: The science education in Japan and the university entrance examinations
[Special issue: What does the Japanese mean?]
Kudo, M.: The history on the controversy about the origin of the Japanese
Takayuki, M.: The origin of the Japanese from research for the human sketetal remains
Obinata, S.: How were “the Japanese” made?
Hirowatari, S.: A legal approach to the Japanese and the nation-state
[Colloquy]
Kunugi, T.: On the revised European sports charter: The sexual harassment and abuse of children and women
[Series: Break a new century]
Misaki, K.: An aesthetic approach to the environmental ethic
[General]
Takada, M.: Has nature intrinsic value? Referring to environmental-ethical discussion
Okuda, H.: The rights of inhabitants? – Regional problems in Hokkaido
Vol.38(No.10)(2003)
[Title-page message]
Yamazaki, M.: The reexamination of theses in the cold war era
[Special issue: Cosmology]
Suto, Y.: Evolution of cosmology
Komatsu, E.: The front line of the cosmic microwave background measurements (results from WMAP)
Yasuda, N.: Measurement of the expanding universe using distant supernovae
Shimasaku, K.: Mapping the cosmos
[Colloquy]
Ochiai, S.K.: Scientist syndrome and its remedy
[Series: Break a new century]
Yoshino, K.: To seek for “Practice of nature science education” which leads to fruitful educational outcomes
[General]
Takada, T.: Shareholder-value-oriented model of corporate governance
Niu, K.: An infringement of researcher’s rights at Nippon Chemiphar – Pirating and erasing the original scientific achievements at one pharmaceutical research institute
[From laboratory]
Yagasaki, K.: Expecting the true education and valuable research with your own sprit that stand the test of time
Vol.38(No.11)(2003)
[Title-page message]
Namimoto, K.: Crisis over the Fundamental Law of Education in Japan
[Special issue: Earthquake disaster prevention]
Mogi, K.: Earthquake in and around Japanese Islands and earthquake prediction research in Japan
Okada, Y.: Earthquake in the Kanto District, Central Japan
Ishibashi, K.: Some problems in disaster mitigation measures against the predicted Tokai Earthquake in Japan
Ando, M.: Coming large earthquakes along the Nankai Trough
[Colloquy]
Murakami, R.: Language education which opens “New cooperation” – Trial of the comparative study of Okinawa and Vietnam
[Series: Break a new century]
Inoue, T.: Nanotechnology
[From laboratory]
Kaneko, M.: Report of the Scientists Forum of 2003 World Conference against A&H Bombs – At the Hiroshima turning point we expect for the future with neither nuclear weapons nor war