Next Issue Is Economic Protectionism

Next issue (May) is "Who Will Benefit From And Who Will Be Damaged By Economic Protectionism?"

Experts who comments on the issue are as of today:

• Ms. Michelle Applebaum (Managing Director of Steel Market Intelligence)
• Professor Noriko Hama (Doshisha University)
• Dr. Tsai Ing-wen (Chairperson of Democratic Progressive Party, Taiwan)
• Mr. Daniel M. Price (Senior Partner of Sidley Austin LLP.)
• Professor Yukimitsu Sanada (Aichi Shukutoku University)
• Professor Frank Trentmann (Birkbeck College, University of London)
• Professor Steven Vogel (University of California, Berkeley)

From May 2 to 6, we have holidays in Japan. May 3 is Constitution Day. The fourth is Green Day. The fifth is Children's Day. The sixth becomes a holiday in lieu of Constitution Day.

So, the issue and comments will be posted on May 8, next Friday.

[PHP Global e-Forum Editorial Office]

Sengoku Boom: Spellbound Young Women

The May issue of JAPAN CLOSE-UP has been published.

JAPAN CLOSE-UP is an English-language monthly magazine bringing you the latest news on Japanese business, products, culture, society, trends, and people.

One of featured articles on the May issue is "Sengoku Boom: Spellbound Young Women."

There is a current samurai boom amongst young Japanese women. Mesmerized by TV dramas and uncertain about their seemingly feminine male contemporaries, they are embracing a war-time era(sengoku) in the country's history, when men were men and the samurai code prevailed.

At a November 2008 Sengoku manga festival, over 8,000 participants came from across the country. Many wore colorful handmade costumes, most showed off an array of samurai trinkets.

What is the reason behind it?

Read more
http://www.export-japan.com/jcu/sample/index.php


[PHP Global e-Forum Editorial Office]

Pakistan Donors Conference & IOC Evaluation Commission

On April 17, the Japanese government co-hosted the Pakistan Donors Conference in Tokyo. The place for the conference was Fuyonoma (which means Confederate Rose Room in English) on the first floor of the Hotel New Otani. It is a 600 to 1,400-person banquet hall. Here, the PHP Research Institute holds a symposium every November. You may receive an invitation card for the symposium from us.

At the conference, the Tokyo government expressed a decision to extend US$1 billion in assistance. It had extended ODA loans of 48 billion yen for Pakistan's infrastructure development last May. On April 7 this year, it had also determined to increase emergency assistance for internally displaced people as results of a fight against extremism in Pakistan. Our government is broad-minded.

According to Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, the representatives of 31 countries and 18 international organizations & agencies attended the conference. But, I did not see all faces of the representatives through the media.

On the website of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Minister met the representatives of Pakistan, UAE, Turkey, Iran, Australia and South Korea. I did not find descriptions except for them. Where were 24 representatives? Was it difficult for Mr. Nakasone to find time to meet each representative separately?

On the same day, the IOC Evaluation Commission visited Tokyo to see Tokyo as a site proposed for Olympic Game in 2016. I thought that news media covered this event more than the Donors Conference. I wondered which was more important for Japan and the Japanese people.


[PHP Global e-Forum Editorial Office]

Will Dr. Nye be next envoy to Japan?

On April 13, former U.S. Vice President and Ambassador to Japan, Mr. Walter Mondale paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Aso at the PM's official residence. Visiting time was just 23 minutes. So, Japanee news media covered that Mr. Mondale met Mr. Ichiro Ozawa, President of Democratic Party of Japan more than the meeting with Mr. Aso.

Mr. Mondale has been the Ambassador to Japan from September, 1993 to December, 1996. The words, "the U.S. Ambassador to Japan" reminds me of a scoop, "Harvard professor Joseph Nye to be new envoy to Japan" in last January by one of Japanese major newspapers.

As of today, Dr. Nye has not been confirmed as the next ambassador to Japan.

"Joe will be the envoy to Japan? Great!" "How excited Professor Nye assumes office as ambassador to Japan!" Some scholars and government officials in Japan rejoiced the news.

But, I am suspicious whether Professor Nye will take the ambassadorship. At the Senate confirmation hearing on January 13, Mrs. Clinton emphasized her State Department would use "smart power" without reserve. It is Mr. Nye that created the word and its concept.

If Professor Nye becomes the ambassador, his superior will be theoretically Madam Secretary. I am wondering whether a person who invented "soft power" will consent to situation around him.


[PHP Global e-Forum Editorial Office]

Senator McCain Should Have Visted Yokohama

From April 9 to 11, Senator John McCain had visited Tokyo. During the stay, he met the Japanese Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, plus the leader of Democratic Party of Japan. Mr. McCain came here with Senator Lindsey Graham and Senator Amy Klobuchar. That is bipartisan.

The delegation seemed to stay only in Tokyo.

If I were one of policy makers in the Aso administration, I would suggest Prime Minister and Foreign Minister to take Senator McCain to City of Yokohama, Kanagawa to see "Hama Wing," wind power generation facing the harbor.

The rotor diameter is 80m and the tower is about 78m tall. Its operation started from April 2007. Yokohama city officials say it would provide enough power for 860 homes. VESTAS made the wind turbine.

Do you remember the relation between Mr. McCain and VESTAS?

On May 12 last year, Mr. McCain as U.S. Presidential Candidate visited the headquarters of VESTAS Americas in Portland, Oregon. He delivered a speech in front of VESTAS' employees.

"Like other environmental challenges -- only more so -- global warming presents a test of foresight, of political courage, and of the unselfish concern that one generation owes to the next. We need to think straight about the dangers ahead, and to meet the problem with all the resources of human ingenuity at our disposal."

Mr. McCain could emphasize on protecting environment even in Japan.


[PHP Global e-Forum Editorial Office]

Venezuelan President Came to Tokyo

President Hugo Chavez Frias of Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela came to Japan and met Prime Minster Taro Aso at the Prime Minister’s Official Residence on April 6.

Mr. Aso welcomed Mr. Chavez.

President Chavez told that he wanted to build a strong relationship with Japan chiefly in an oil and natural gas field. Two heads agreed to strengthening cooperation in an area of energy. They also agreed to establish a working group that considers possibilities of the Orinoco oil field and natural gas developments, and funds treatment.

This meeting lasted for about an hour.

[PHP Global e-Forum Editorial Office]

Open! PHP Global e-Forum

We opened PHP Global e-Forum, the English website.

URL: http://www.globaleforum.com/en/index.jsp

The first issue (April 2009) is “Can You Give Capital Punishment?”

The issue is related to chaning a Japese trial system next month. Under the new system, lay judges will come to particiapte in major criminnal trials.

Severn experts in the world wrote their opinions.

You can comment on the issue and the experts’ opinions.

Join us!

[PHP Global e-Forum Editorial Office]