WHAT SHOULD BE DONE FOR RECONSTRUCTION: MEMORIAL PROJECT OF GREATHANSHIN EARTHQUAKE
As the fifth year's memorial project for the Great Hanshin Earthquake, the Hyogo Reconstruction Committee and National Committee for Disaster organized many events from January 16 to 18 in 2000.
On January 16, there were a symposium and report session in Kobe emphasized that the earthquake still affected people's lives in Kobe. In the first session, reporters mentioned that only development plans were proceeded in the name of reconstruction. They were originally planned before the earthquake and therefore nothing new came out at all. Therefore these plans did not help nor enhance the quality of lives. In the second session, there was a lively discussion on reconstruction plans by national and local governments. Throughout the session, panelists as well as participants revealed the problems that people still suffered from the earthquake.
Following the sessions, another meeting was held at Kobe Marine Hall. The purpose of this meeting was to report on problems relating to disasters in Japan and to learn many lessons from the experience in Kobe. After the special report on disaster protection in the 21st century, several participants gave presentations. Mr. Sato (Tokyo Municipal Labor Union) pointed out that Tokyo's protective regulation for disasters established under the Minobe governance is now threatened by new governor Ishihara. At an open session, Mr. Nakamura emphasized the risk of nuclear plants in Japan confronting with active period of earthquake. He mentioned that nuclear accident at Tokai village revealed the high risk of nuclear disaster and shiftless Japanese government.
On January 17, participants joined field works. People living in temporary houses were still unable to recover their lives and a lot of solitary deaths were reported. It is true that many people have suffered from the earthquake five years ago.
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) 19TH "CIRCUM-JAPAN SEA" SYMPOIUM HELD IN FUKUI
The committee of the Japan Sea organized the 19th national symposium entitled "Thinking of the 21st century's local area facing to the Japan Sea area - Adjustment of local area's infrastructure on the basis of citizens' needs" on November 27 and 28 at Fukui University, Fukui City.@ Since the adjustment of local area's infrastructure must basically depend on citizens' needs for education, environment, economy, politics and culture, necessary is all the citizens' participation in the policy-making process. Accordingly, the present symposium was to discuss a way how we should adjust the infrastructure of local area facing to the Japan Sea, in cooperation with citizens, administrative organs and even enterprises.
On the first day, Prof. Tamaoki (Dean of Tech. Inst., Fukui Univ.) gave a keynote speech on the title "Thinking of local urban area in the 21st century basing on the example of Fukui Prefecture". He pointed out five keywords to manage local urban-infrastructure in the coming century: life, self-reliance, sustainability, environment and participation. He then stressed what we need, namely: 1) management of urban area in the aged-society, 2) creation of urban culture in the presence of activity of NPO (non-profit organization) such as voluntary, collective and cooperative citizens' self-sustainable movements, 3) international exchange, 4) urban having agorae, 5) pedestrian life instead of car life, and 6) ideal urban-viewing. Then, seven different reports on a new century's urban construction followed. On the second day, they had a panel discussion on the above theme, which was chaired by Profs. Tamaoki and Hobo (Shimane Univ.).
2) SYMPOSIUM "ENVIRONMENTAL PLANS AND POLICIES OF LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AND ADVANCED INSTANCES" HELD
On February 19, the JSA committee of studying pollution and environmental problems organized the above mini-symposium and then held a regular meeting.
The symposium proceeded as follows. First Prof. Takayama (Mie Univ., vice-chair of the committee) gave a keynote talk under the title "the basic environmental plan and environmental policies in Mie Prefecture". The Central Environmental Council is hastening to revise its basic environmental plan, which develops measures with four purposes "circulation, symbiosis, participation, international", in order to report till July. He pointed out that citizens' and residents' rights to participate are not allowed in planning actions, though the Council stresses the society participating in the action for environmental conservation, and that the basic plan restricts problems to those with which the environment agency can cope. Since there is a lack of total index correspondent to total target, it is hard to fulfill the four purposes. That disinclines the state as well as local governments from participation and even information maintenance. The government of Mie Prefecture, which advances in numerical purposes and has an attempt to acquire ISO14001 during March in 2000, would be accused in relation to the meaning of PDCA (Plan Do Check Action) without setup of total targets even if the local government tries to maintenance PDCA.
Secondly Mr. Takagi (Ichikawa citizens' group for global environment) reported his experience as a chair of the Environmental Conference of Ichikawa Citizens, which consists of 15 citizens publicly selected in 1998 to reflect citizens' opinions to the basic environmental plan of Ichikawa City based on the Ichikawa City's basic environmental ordinance. The Conference was summoned in February 1999, held 63 times so far, and handed the government "Citizens' proposal to the basic environmental plan of Ichikawa City" on September 6 in 1999. The proposal says that in every symposium has been felt citizens' eagerness for environmental protection, and the governmental complete entrustment of the conference management to citizens might be a foothold in citizens-participated environmental city establishment. Mr. Takagi also added that in the opposition movement to reclamation of Sanban-se (the 3rd shallows) his group has planned a project of garbage collection with the participation of NGO, citizens' families and the administration before confrontation, learning the experience of the movement against Nagara river dam construction.
Finally Mr. Goto (Society planning the Tokyo Metropolitan antipollution ordnance) proposed a plan, reporting that his society started functioning, such as publishing booklets, since in April 1999 the government, which acquired ISO14001, promised Tokyo people to revise the antipollution ordnance for CFC measures.
In the discussion and regular meeting, the committee confirmed to get into shape opinions to revise the antipollution ordnance till July for submission to the Council, and that concerned project teams in the committee strongly grapple with the participation in the 13th Synthetic Science Conference of the JSA and publication of "Environmental Prospects" vol. 2 and 3.
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) SCIENCE SYMPOSIUM "GENETICALLY MODIFIED (GM) CROPS AND FOODS" IN HOKKAIDO
The Hokkaido branch held a science symposium every year. In 1999, on November 28, the above symposium was held in Sapporo. Four lectures were given with chairs Dr. Iizawa (Hokkaido Univ.) and Dr. Sato (Hokkaido Agr. Exp. Sta.).
Dr. Iwasaki (Hokkaido Agr. Exp. Sta.), gave a talk on the theme "Production of the genetically modified virus resistant to tomato and a bio-safety assessment" from the viewpoint of a researcher on GM crops. He explained an outline of the GM technology, and then showed the process to produce the GM tomato and the details of tests for bio-safety assessment. Ms. Takeda (Co-op Sapporo) talked on "The problem of GM-foods and Co-op coping with it" from the viewpoint of consumers. She showed that there is a general feeling of problem, doubt and uneasiness about GM-foods among the Co-op members and talked what the Co-op Sapporo is coping. Dr. Oosawa (Hokkaido Agr. Exp. Sta.) talked on "Argument in favor of GM-foods bio-safety" from the viewpoint of a researcher on breeding of crops promoting GM technology. He expressed his point of view answering doubts and uneasiness about GM-foods that the press is reporting variously. Dr. Hisano (Hokkaido Univ.) talked on "Critical review of the legitimacy of GM-foods development" from the viewpoint of a agricultural economist His report was on the tendency and the grounds for an argument of companies developing the GM technology, problems from a viewpoint of agricultural management, and the social, economical mad political problems.
As the theme was the topic of today, about 40 participants including citizens made enthusiastic discussion. Four speakers answered sincerely various questions as a specialist. Last two reports are pressed in the Journal of Japanese Scientists, Vol.35(No.5)(2000).
2) OPEN CLASS "THINKING OF THE ROLE OF PUBLIC ENTERPRISE AND THE IDEAL WAY OF CONSENSUS FORMATION" HELD
On December 1 in 1999 the research committee of public enterprise established in July 1999 in the Miyagi branch held the 1st open civic class under the above title in which participated branch members, civil and construction engineers, a network of natural environment and citizens, a group to protect a grove of beech trees and water-nature.
In the class the following topics were explained and discussed: 1) recent public enterprises and the trend of politics, society, economics; 2) analysis of the direction and the tone of argument of the 21st century's public enterprise; 3) the information disclosure law, administration and residents, the introduction of PI (private investigator), consensus formation; 4) relation between public enterprises and measures, and relation between the administration and the assembly; 5) the role and moral of the nation, citizens, researchers and engineers. Participants expressed opinions relating to opaqueness of daily public enterprises, the way to explain of the administration and residents' participation, and participation and responsibility of consulting engineers. They also pointed out the following facts: no use of existing facilities, insufficient examination of traders and planners, planning regardless of the site, selfish city construction and vermiculate city, ignorance of opponent opinions, the abandonment of technique and conscience, self-destruction of consultants because of lack of moral and ability, a lot of mistaken policies and techniques, citizens' insufficient participation, the necessity of long-term philosophy in movement, a lot of research papers stating that the change of the nation's consciousness should be taken into consideration, 5 years for the establishment of NPO national trust. Proposed were that researchers and technicians actively at work should more study the way to fit the 21st century's social overhead capital, 640 trillion yen debt of the state and local governments, and infrastructure planning from citizens' side.
3) DEBATE ON STUDENTS' LEARNING ABILITY IN SAGA
It becomes popularized that many university students' ability for learning has been decreasing. It is said that there exist university students who cannot understand a fractional expression and those who are alien from scientific consideration have increased. On the other hand, a rapid increase in the quota of graduate school students causes a new contradiction.
The Saga branch held a debate on university students' education at Saga University on January 17. Fifteen participants of university and high school teachers enjoyed a round-table talk on the reason for existing of university, higher education in the future, an entrance examination and so on.
Firstly, Prof. Endo (Faculty of science and Technology, Saga Univ.) reported the prompt report of the Third International Investigation of Mathematics and Science Education. He pointed out, based on the result, that there is a marked decline in the students' interest in mathematics and science in Japan compared with other countries. Prof. Sumi (Faculty of culture and education, Saga Univ.) showed the experiment to integrate mathematics, science and technology classes in the second education in the USA. Prof. Nakamura (Faculty of Economics, Saga Univ.) explained the present situation that students' learning ability in the Faculty has been decreasing and the circumstance that it is difficult to increase the subjects of the entrance examination. Lastly, Mr. Nakata (high school teacher) told that the chief problem is that students who have a dislike to study rather than who are alien from scientific consideration are increasing.
The solution is not simple. It is pointed out, for example, that when teachers try to make a science class attractive, this causes the lack of fundamental knowledge and lowering students' ability for learning. The participants are expecting next opportunity to solve these problems.
4) FUTURE EDUCATION AND RESEARCH DISCUSSED IN CHIBA
The problem that the government seeks to transform all the national university into the independently managed agency, has extensively been discussed across the country. The Chiba branch and friendly organizations (university labor union, university coop and students' network to think of the above problem) held a symposium under the theme "Transformation of national university and institute into independently managed agency, and our education and research in the future" at the University campus on February 2 in 2000, which was attended by about 200 people in and out of the University.5) MEETING ON FEBRUARY 11
February 11 was legally established as the founding day by the conservatives in Japan. However, this date is based only upon myth and legend. Since then counterforces have held a meeting against an invented founding day on February 11 every year. Last year such reactionary acts as Acts concerning New Guidelines and Act of National Flag and Anthem were enacted forcedly. Reflecting on this political situation, people over 400 participated in the meeting of this year. Dr. Okudaira (Emeritus Prof. , Tokyo Univ.) and Mr. Ishiyama (secretary general, the Council of History Teachers) gave the lectures against the compelling national flag and anthem. Many participants, including primary and high school teachers and historians in colleges, criticized this Act and reported various movements against it.
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.35(No.3)(2000)
[Title-page message]
Mikami M.: Education=Talk hope together
[Special issue: Possibility of new generation]
Mikami K.: The task of education system at the turning point
Nakano T.: Children, school, community
Murase M.; Society in the future seen from "13-years old theory"
Fujimoto T.: Education and generational relationship
[Colloquy]
Matsuda M.: The life in Sweden
[General]
Kanno S.: What have being about by the amendment rush of the building code
Shibasaki T. and Yoshimura T.: Research on arsenic contamination of groundwater in Asia: Role of experts for NGO's activities
Azuma M.: Aquatic environment changes after closing the sluice of embankment in Isahaya bay
Vol.35(No.4)(2000)
[Title-page message]
Sasaji H.: Nature environment conservation of marsh
[Special issue: The rights of the consumer and consumer movement, the present]
Kubota H.: "The declarations of consumer sovereignty" and the history of consumer movement in Japan
Hiwasa N.: Association of consumers --- present status and problems
Kondo M.: Deregulation and consumer's rights
Kamiyama M.: New approach for safety control on food
[Colloquy]
Nakano H.: Brief essays from a retired life in chaos
[General]
Otake A.: Genetically modified crops from an ecological viewpoint
Tarao M.: Problems on the innovative waste treatments which are proposed by administration side
Mizuno H.: Reduction of the staff of national universities and the centralization of university administration -- with reference to the reorganization of national universities into independent administrative corporations
Vol.35(No.5)(2000)
[Title-page message]
Tanaka Y.: Protection of cultural properties in connection with region
[Special issue: Where does graduate school go? ]
Hosoi K.: A perspective of graduate school
Kawai H.: The present situation and problems of the graduate school of Chiba University
Matsuyama H.: Academic ability of graduate students
Akiyama K. : Present situation and problems of "The 100,000 foreign students plan"
[Colloquy]
Urasaki T.: The story of "Itsukaichi Constitution" lectured at a branch symposium of JSA
[General]
Oosawa K.: Argument in favor of GM-foods bio-safety
Hisano S.: Critical review of the legitimacy of GMO development: Can "appropriate biotechnology" help the poor?
Sakuma T.: On studies of nation-state