SCIENTISTS’ FORUM OF 2004 WORLD CONFERENCE AGAINST A&H BOMBS CONSTRUCTING THE WORLD WITHOUT NUCLEAR WEAPONS AND ENVIRONMENTAL DESTRUCTION
In the midst of change in international and domestic order, the above mentioned forum was held in Osaka on August 1. 139 people including scientists, students and citizens from 19 prefectures participated in the forum. At the forum, presentations and discussions were made after the opening remarks by Mr. Nakagawa, Chairman, Prof. Kanno (Emeritus Prof. of Osaka City Univ.), and Mr. Shinoura (director of Osaka Gensuikyo).
In the first presentation entitled as “War against Iraq and Anti-War Movements in the United States” by Mr. Onishi, Kyoto University, though large anti-war movements had been held before the War against Iraq, the situation has completely changed after the War and the slogan “Support Our Troops” attracted people, he said.
The second presentation “War against Iraq and Germany in the process of Globalization” was by Mr. Kido (Osaka Univ.). The German government had dual policies. The government was against the invasion to Iraq whereas approving the U.S. military planes to pass over Germany. The opposition parties criticized the dual policies. However, the policies would be more friendly to the United States if the opposition parties took over the government.
Ms. Alice Sleter from the United States criticized the U.S. nuclear expansion such as the Star Wars project. And she hoped that Japanese who supported Article 9 would contribute to nuclear reduction.
Mr. Iwamoto (JSA Osaka branch) made a presentation about the relationship between environmental issues and peace movements. Prof. Sawada (Professor Emeritus, Nagoya Univ.) talked about the hidden victims of nuclear weapons and depleted uranium ammunition. According to Prof. Sawada, both U.S. and Japanese governments disregarded the internal bomb victims, which would give influence on the discussion of depleted uranium ammunition. Mr. Kameyama (JSA Okinawa branch) reported the current issues of U.S. military bases in Okinawa, which he claimed the problems not only for Okinawa but for Japan as a whole.
At the general discussion period, one of the participants commented that the forum was quite technical so that it was very hard to understand. He also mentioned that he preferred to learn more about the topics on Okinawa.
27TH NATIONAL SYMPOSIUM “NUCLEAR POWER GENERATION” HELD IN YAMAGUCHI
The cause of the KEPCO’s nuclear accident (<NOTE>) on August 9 (2004) must thoroughly be investigated. The company in question cites the possibility that the pipes had weakened due to corrosion and wear. A similar accident in 1986 at the Surry nuclear power plant in the US killed 4 workers. Since then the administration of nuclear plants in Japan mentions having “voluntarily” inspected pipes to detect such flaws. This shows extremely poor policy for maintaining nuclear power plant.
In order to establish a real nuclear power policy, the 27th national symposium on nuclear power under the main theme “Seto-inland Sea and nuclear power generation” was held on August 28 and 29 (2004) in Yanai City, Yamaguchi Prefecture. It is seriously problematic that Chugoku Electric Power Co. (CEPCO) plans to construct a nuclear power station at Kamino-seki, Yamaguchi Prefecture, located in Seto-uchi (Seto-inland Sea), a closed sea region (refer to: The Bulletin of JSA: #87). On the first day, there were three talks: 1) accident of nuclear power plant and its emergency countermeasure (Dr. Aoyagi, Atomic Res. Inst., ret.), 2) modified “boiling water-type reactor” (Dr. Idei, Ibaraki branch), and 3) the plan of CEPCO’s Kamino-seki Nuclear Power Plant (Dr. Matsuo, Yamaguchi branch). In the morning session on the second day, there were three reports: 1) the earthquake and fault in Seto-uchi (Prof. Tateishi, Niigata Univ.), 2) CEPCO’s electric power supply and citizen’s demand – meaning of the construction of Kamino-seki Nuclear Power Plant (Dr. Iida, Ishikawa branch), and 3) present status of nuclear power plant (Prof. Tateno, Chuo Univ.). In the afternoon, made were two commemorative lectures: 1) 50 years of Japanese nuclear power plant (Dr. Nakajima, Chuo Univ., ret.), and 2) the present situation of CEPCO’s Shimane Nuclear Power Plant (Prof. Shimizu, Fukushima Univ.). The symposium was attended by more than 200 including citizens.
ASIAN PEACE AND PROSPERITY DISCUSSED
On June 20 at Keio University Mita Campus in Tokyo the headquarters and the Japan AALA (Asia, Africa and Latin America) Solidarity Committee jointly organized a symposium "Thinking of Asian peace and prosperity - The Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC)" in cooperation with other friendly organizations. The aim of the symposium was to learn rudimentary historical facts that prodded the Japanese government to declare adopting the Treaty.
Dr. Akiniwa (chair of Japan Committee of AALA) gave an opening on the title, and then Dr. Kitamura (Emeritus Prof. of Waseda Univ.) a tutorial for the Treaty. Three lectures were given: "The developmental process for the economical cooperation between Japan and East-South Asian countries after World War II" by Prof. Yanagisawa (Keio Univ.), "Another discussion for TAC" by Prof. Horinaka (Emeritus Prof. of Meiji Univ. and vice chair of Japan Committee of AALA), and "Significance of carrying out TAC from the viewpoint of China and East Asia" by Prof. Onishi (Kyoto Univ.). Prof. Kitamura (Emeritus Prof. of Waseda Univ., representative councilor of JSA) made a closing lecture on the present symposium to give a perspective to the future.
"To promote perpetual peace, everlasting amity and cooperation among their peoples which would contribute to their strength, solidarity and closer relationship", the Treaty adopts the following fundamental principles: "Mutual respect for the independence, sovereignty, equality, territorial integrity and national identity of all nations; The right of every State to lead its national existence free from external interference, subversion or coercion; Non-interference in the internal affairs of one another; Settlement of differences or disputes by peaceful means; Renunciation of the threat or use of force; Effective cooperation among themselves." The Southeast Asian countries urge for accomplishment of social justice and enhancement of living level in regional peace and stability, and further development of economics to this end. The contents of the Treaty could not be fully understood without comprehending the historical situation of the region.
In the Southeast Asia, since the capitalistic structure complementing European economy and the agricultural structure subjugated to it were formed as the economical structure in colonial times, the region has been divided and dominated by traditional ruling strata. Nationalism as anticolonialism has arisen and political independence has been increasingly gained. This, however, does not indicate that the socio-economical problems went away. In this course Japan has come into the economics of each country "dealing with" the postwar reparation problem along with the US's strategy. Japan chiefly requests natural resources and investment targets, which may be judged one-sided way. The financial relationship between each state and Japan has gotten distorted because of economical dependence on Japanese funds. Progress of economic relationship with advanced nations induced the adjustment of ASEAN's organization. But the principle of noninterference of internal affairs has come to a different one due to economical surveillance taken at the Asian financial crisis. The economic bloc extends to China, Korea, and Japan, which will induce the diversity of social fundamentals of each country problematic in development of the region. The principle of noninterference of internal affairs and renunciation of use of force, which contradicts the Japan-US Security Treaty, will exert some influence on the Japanese policy focusing on economy.
NATIONWIDE GATHERINGS
A number of gatherings are held by the JSA alone or in cooperation with other friendly organizations
A SYMPOSIUM ON MUNICIPAL UNIVERSITIES
Drastic reforms of municipal universities are currently going to be carried out in Tokyo, Yokohama, Osaka, etc. The contents of the reform, however, include a number of problems, such as the strong intervention by administrative organs, decreases of official supports for education. Reform of these municipal universities is stimulated by that of recent national universities, but also contains original issues. A symposium to discuss problems on reform of universities and municipal corporations was held on June 26, 2004, at Yokohama City University. The symposium was organized by a conference on university problems, which consists of organizations related to university problems, and the Yokohama City University Union. The symposium obtained 32 participants.
The theme of the symposium was to consider the ongoing reform of municipal universities and the role of municipal corporations. The titles of reports given in the symposium and reporters are as follows: 1) “The reform of municipal universities and the role of municipal corporations” (Prof. Hosoi, Osaka City Univ.), 2) “The reform of Yokohama City University and administration of Yokohama City” (Prof. Nakanishi, chair of the Yokohama City Univ. Union), 3) “The integrating plan of the four Metropolitan universities and administration of Tokyo Metropolitan” (Prof. Hasegawa, ex-chair of the Tokyo Metropolitan Univ. Union), 4) “Reform of Osaka City University and administration of Osaka City” (Prof. Okubo, chair the Osaka City Univ. Union).
In the discussion after these talks, the situation in other prefectures and cities (e.g. Kyoto City Univ., Univ. of Shiga Pref.) were also briefly reported. These reports included actual situations of the reform of individual municipal universities and common characteristics of the reform, the law determining the independent agencies, and the limit of authority of municipal corporations. The symposium clarified the processes and problems of the reform of these universities, which are usually justified by the financial problems of municipal corporations and the law on the local independent agencies, but being actually forced without agreements of universities’ constituents. Finally, Dr. S. Miwa (chair of the JSA committee on university problems) presented a plan to make a joint statement on these problems.
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 RESEARCH COMMITTEE OF IDEOLOGY AND CULTURE
The committee held the 1st meeting of the year 2004, on July 11, to discuss the action and research plans relative to psychopathology. It decided to tackle the theme “psychopathological phenomena observed in the present Japanese society”, considering recent shocking cases from which one must be obliged to judge the society sick. The case of a primary school pupil’s murder of a friendly fellow pupil using a home knife by the reason of a chat quarrel indicates the elicitation of social psychopathological phenomena in the society of children. The committee has a plan to start the case study so as to grapple and analyze real situations and clear up the cause. This study perhaps will reach to the problem of character building and education.
One should not forget the viewpoint, what human beings should be actively grown up in the complicated and diversified society, and what character building should come down beyond the elucidation and analysis of psychopathological phenomena of present Japanese society. To this end the committee anticipates the participation of various JSA members specializing in psychology, sociology, and pedagogy.
2) ACTIVITIES OF THE COMMITTEE FOR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGICAL POLICY
The committee is acting in an effort to systematic analysis of the Japanese science and technological policy and actively presents counterproposals against them. Recent activities are:
1) Organizing session 4 (Science and Technology) in the JSA 15th Comprehensive Scientific Study Convention with members’ reports,
2) Planning to establish the “Fundamental Law of Academic Research” that rules an idealized vision of academic research including scientific research with respect to what should be the today’s science-technological and academic policy, and as the first step to organize a symposium afterward the establishment of “draft report of the Fundamental Law of Academic Research” until March 2005,
3) Analyzing the movement of the Ad Hoc Commission on Administrative Reform of the Government, especially that of the Basic Law of Science and Technology in 1995 and the establishment of the Science and Technology Basic Plan, examining the situation of institutions of education and research and universities, strategies of economic circles and their philosophical background from various angles, elucidating the presence and development of “New Conservative Renovation” in science and technology area, and publishing collected papers to make overtures to students and civilians,
4) In 2005, the last year of the Science and Technology Basic Plan (the second), the General Council on Science and Technology has already started the summary of progress of the second Plan and planning of formalism of the third Plan, for which Nippon-Keidanren International Cooperation Center and other economy circles have established the readiness. The committee has an intention to comprehensively analyze the second Plan and examine problems that the third Plan will throw 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) NEWLY ESTABLISHED “UNIVERSITY AGANCY (UNIVERSITY CORPORATION)” COLLAPSES JAPANESE HIGHER EDUCATION’S FOUNDATION BY POSITIVELY DENYING “STAFF’S RIGHTS” AS WELL AS “UNIVERSITY AUTONOMY” AND “ACADEMIC FREEDOM”
All the state-run universities (89) were put under independent agencies’ administration named “university agency”, a new type of “public corporation” which is designed to (1) minimize the governmental expenditure, (2) help increase major corporations’ competitiveness, and (3) minimize the governmental responsibility for higher education. The university agencies (89) thus established on April 1 (2004) are to be pseudo-independently and actually controlled by the state power as we had experienced before the World War II as follows. Especially problematic are the following three points.
1) [Autonomy] Members of the board of directors responsible for decision-making at each university agency include people from outside the university agency, which allows corporate people to take part in university management in order to make education and study better serve government and business interests. Also, a number of bureaucrats and technocrats from the Ministry of Education (on-the-job or retired, appointed by the Education Minister) are invited to the above board of directors. In addition to this, each agency has to invite 2 supervisors (superintendents) who must definitely be appointed by the Education Minister. As of December 1 (2004), 49 out of 89 university agencies accepted the on-the-job bureaucrats from the Ministry of Education as alternative directors, meaning that all the university agencies’ managements are basically belonging to the government.
2) [Freedom] The Education Minister sets the interim goals and programs of education and research to be achieved for 5 years, and every year gives them governmental subsides in proportion to their cost performance. The Ministry of Education also has a power to close university agencies, if the goal does not meet its criteria.
3) [Rights] All the teachers and administrative staff are treated as non-public service employees (120,000), indicting that they are not protected by the Special Rule Public Educational Personnel and Staff Act. Their status and position are extremely unstable, e.g. introduction of term-based employment system, dismissals resulting from an adjustment of the administrative setup, labor condition, wage in proportion to cost performance.
As for a new “university agency” by the name of university corporation, a number of problematic points have extensively discussed across the country. (1) On May 22 (2004), the Akita branch discussed the ongoing serious problems in university agencies in Akita Prefecture, pointing out high-ranked officers’ salaries [president: more than $200,000 per annum, supervisors: some $130,000, part-time directors: some $12,000] and newly constructed but unnecessary university facilities, pointing out that the management of university agency might be directed to a wrong way completely different from university autonomy and academic freedom, which has repeatedly shouted by the government. (2) On June 22, the Kagoshima branch discussed the term-based employment system that is widely adopted in the newly established university agency, concluding that the system necessarily destroy “academic freedom” essential for developing university research and education. (3) On June 23, the Tokushima branch held a study meeting to discuss the ongoing teachers’ evaluation system including achievements’ review in Tokushima University, raising many problems for the present evaluation system (lack of an idea for its introduction into teachers, unknown relation between respective evaluation and teachers’ treatment, budget for carrying out evaluation and its academic effect, and so on).
2) THINKING OF THE SAFETY OF FOODSTUFFS
The Hyogo branch held the general assembly on May 9 where Ms. Fujinaga (Osaka Citizens’ Network) was invited as a commemorative forum speaker. After her talk on the safety of foodstuffs, JSA members discussed various problems. Those were summarized in four topics.
1) Bird flu problem: In February, Kyoto Prefecture suffered heavy damage from the bird flu. A total of 200 stuffs of the public health bureau were pressed into duty for the great cleanup. On the other hand, the streamlining plan of health centers and animal health centers is now under way. The fact will cause a serious public health problem. To overcome the bird flu, further investigation and check system on a global scale should be built up.
2) BSE problem: Last December, the mad cow case was discovered in the US and also last May in Canada. Although a huge amount of cows passed up and down between both countries, the Japanese government did not effectively ban U.S. beef. Cow’s insides, bone and brain are utilized in processed food. In order to secure the safety of food, Japan’s diplomatic skills are being put to the test.
3) Imported foods problem: The self-sufficiency has been deteriorating due to the increase in the foodstuffs imports after accession to the WTO and a change of the agriculture policy. In 2002, within the about 1,620,000 cases of imported foodstuffs (33,200,000 t), about 136, 000 cases were subjected to inspection, and 972 cases were found to violate a food hygiene law, that is, contamination of drugs, additives and bacteria. Shoreline operations to check illegal foods and market inspection system by local government should be built up.
4) Supplements problem: Supplements mean the foods sold as the specific materials for supplying nutrients or utilizing for special health care, and processed to tablet or capsule, different forms from ordinary foods. A wide variety of supplements appear on the market. It is insufficient to peoples’ attention to health damage caused by taking too much supplements. It is increasingly in danger that young people are apt to take more supplements instead of ordinary foods.
3) SYMPOSIUM “SCIENTIFIC ANALYSIS ON THE ARGUMENT ON SELF-RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE HOSTAGES IN IRAQ”
In this spring, five Japanese people were taken as hostages by somebody in Iraq. After their release, argument on their “self-responsibility” for this accident has been made in Japan. This argument emphasizes that people who visit Iraq, which was specified as a country to be dangerous by the government, should secure their own safety, and excuse, at least partially, the responsibility of government to rescue these people. However, there is a strong objection to this argument because these people went there to help Iraq people including children.
The symposium was held on June 12 by the JSA graduate students group in the University of Tokyo. Two speakers, Prof. Daigo (University of Tokyo, economy) and Prof. Ito (Waseda University, education), were invited to clarify the point at issue. 51 participants listened to these reports and attended the subsequent discussion.
Prof. Daigo first classified the arguments on the “self-responsibility” into several patterns. Then, he introduced some messages provided for the appeal proposed by himself to encourage the people taken as hostages (he reported that total 2688 messages were given for the appeal). He dealt with these messages as clear objections to the argument on 'self-responsibility' in his report.
Prof. Ito talked on this problem as a researcher on media. He discussed about the political purposes of the argument on the 'self-responsibility' and the role of mass-media, the uniformity of the reports that pursue easiness to understand, and the general trend to emphasizes the self-responsibility in society.
In the discussion following these reports, participants could make agreement that (1) the hostage accident includes a variety of problems and cannot be simplified by the 'self-responsibility' of the visitors, and (2) the responsibility of governments to provide safety should not be excused by the general argument on the responsibility of individuals.
4) RECENT CONSUMPTION TREND OF ENERGY AND A LONG-TERM PLAN ON DEMAND AND SUPPLY
In the middle of May the Nikkei newspaper introduced the argument of “Committee of Natural Resources and Energy”. The argument says that the energy demand will decrease at 2030 according to the population decrease and the effort of the energy conservation. The study group for energy problems of the Osaka Branch held a regular meeting on June 26 to discuss the white paper of Japanese energy issued in June. In the meeting it was explained that the Japanese population would reach the maximum some years after, because the total fertility rate of Japan decreases to 1.29. Therefore the energy consumption in Japan remains in same level with the Japanese economy recession. The Chinese consumption trend has a big influence on petroleum price. The technology of renewable energy like solar energy and wind power and the limitation of the world growing like exponential function were discussed.
5) ARTICLE 9: THE POSSIBILITY OF BUILDING PEACE BY NON-VIOLENCE
Fukushima University Group in the Fukushima branch has decided to deal with the emerging problem of Article 9 and held a study group meeting on the constitution for the members and general public on July 17. 16 people were participated therein.
Prof. Nakazatomi (Fukushima Univ.) talked about the peaceful meaning of the Japanese constitution entitled as “Article 9: The Possibility of Building Peace by Non-Violence.” He explained that the Japanese took the military and warfare away from the government by constitution, which regarded the war not as policy but as human rights matter. Then, he mentioned that the Japanese constitution required the government to build peace by non-violence, introducing the Nonviolent Peace Force, which was one of the international peace building by NGO.
Mr. Kurata (Buddhist monk) explained the Nonviolent Peace Force in details. The peace force, which was supported by 7 Novel laureates, was originally established as international NGOs to solve the dispute peacefully by the disarmed citizens. The peace force is now implementing the pilot project in Sri Lanka. The lecturer reviewed the activities of the peace force as the concrete example of peace building. Then he concluded that we could support Article 9 by introducing these peace activities and by increasing the number of supporters in Japan.
For details, refer to http://www.jca.apc.org/npj/
6) POWER GENERATION BY WIND
The Ishikawa Branch held a beer party on July 30 with 15 participants. In the party Prof. Kiwata (Kanazawa Univ. Faculty of Engineering) gave a report on “Energy problems in Japan and wind power electric generation”. The report was as follows: The increase of greenhouse gases causes global worming. The contribution of CO2 is estimated at more than 60% for the worming. Japan is ranked the fourth highest emitter in the world, next to the US, China and Russia. According to Kyoto Protocol (1977) the reduction commitment of Japan is 6% of 1990’s emission. The students of Department of Mechanics, Kanazawa Univ. estimated individual annual emission rate of CO2 as 3.27 ton in average. More than 80% of domestic energy is supplied by fossil fuels, therefore the development of “clean energy” that emits no CO2, such as wind power generation and solar battery, is required. The wind of 10m/s wind speed generates about 600 W/m2. In recent three years Japanese wind power generation increases by 8 times, however ranked 13th in the world. The construction cost of wind power generation plant is estimated as 250 to 600 thousands yens par kW. Since the degree of self-sufficiency in energy is 20%, it is necessary to promote wind power generator, relax regulations of construction place and develop wind mills that fit Japanese wind condition.
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.39(No.9)(2004)
[Title-page message]
Itoigawa, J.: Kenaf and mineral water
[Special issue: Finding ways for gender equality in science]
Toshitani, N.: Five years under the enforcement of the Basic Law for a Gender-Equal Society
Tsujimura, M.: Positive action in academic sphere – Comparative perspective on its legal problems
Ikeuchi, S.: On the gender equal participation in science
Kodate, K.: The origin of foundation and activities of the society liaison association committee for promoting equal participation of men and women in science and engineering
Tsukamura, H.: Promotion of gender equality in Nagoya University
Matsumoto, H.: The nursery room at the University of Waseda and role of union
[Colloquy]
Maeda, K.: Dobry den! Life and investigation in Prague
[Series: My graduate school days]
Kawamura, H.: History and economics of technology : Kunioki Kato’s seminar
[General]
Ishikawa S.: The United Nations’ “Human Security” challenges and possibilities
Takayama, K.: Health insurance coverage and health disparities in the United States:
What’s the result of “marketization” of health care system
Vol.(39)(No.10)(2004)
[Title-page message]
Tanaka, Y.: Let’s talk on the roads to “contraction”!
[Special issue: Wastes and recycle]
Hata, A.: The problems of wastes and recycle in Japan
Takasugi, S.: The policy breakdown of industrial wastes
Sakamaki, Y. & Ishikawa, T.: Environmental pollution around the waste repositories – Case studies at Tsuruga, Ritto and Chiba, central Japan
Onozuka, H.: Considering on the rollback movement for the toxic characters of dioxins and endocrine disruptors – Do not dioxins have a toxic character?
[Colloquy]
Oguri, M.: Constitutional practice in Kagoshima
[Series: My graduate school days]
Aoki, W.: Researches at my own pace
[General]
Marakami, R.: After that of “the trial of the education of language which opens “new cooperation nature” – The Okinawa Vietnam comparative study”
Ohnishi, H.: Implication of native American archeology of the east part of North-America on historical materialism
[From laboratory]
Ueda, K.: some problems in field studies
Vol.(39)(No.11)(2004)
[Title-page message]
Izumi, K.: Expectation to the Stockholm Convention
[Special issue: How do you think about “life”?]
Hashimoto, K.: Completion of human genome sequencing and development of coming genome science
Hiroki, S.: Property of life and biodiversity
Yamamoto, K.: Life from a viewpoint of physician, in times of peace and war
Kakeuchi, A.: Taking a life seriously – The concrete and the abstract about a life
[Colloquy]
Aoyama, I.: Miscellaneous thoughts – War, peace, science, economy and environment
[Series: My graduate school days]
Morishita, H.: Tardy progress of my study, in retrospect
[General]
Nakajima, M.: The problems of Nanao School of Handicapped and Educational Administration of Tokyo
Nakagawa, M.: Scientists Forum of 2004 World Conference against A & H Bombs, together with citizens, to build the world without nuclear weapons and environmental destructions