AISF News 2004.4 - 2005.3

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• Raccoonkai in Taipei 

  The curtain was raised on Imanishi’s trip to Taiwan at 2 pm of March 27, 2004, with the gathering of 5 people in a cafe restaurant at a department store called IDEE in Taoyuan City. Present were Imanishi-san, Asuka-san, Mizuho-san, Dr. Yeh, Wenchang (1999 Raccoon, National Taiwan University of Science and Technology , Department of Electronic Engineering/Electronics Research Center) and Dr. Chen Tzuching (2003 Raccoon, Chang Jung Christian University, Department of Applied Japanese/ Graduate School of Japan Research).
  After lunch, we visited the Museum at Yingge, which is said to be the hometown of Taiwan’s ceramic. It was surprising to know that the ceramic that fills everyday life could be applied to superconductors and semiconductors. And do you know that ceramic is harder to scratch than metal! The museum was like a scientific museum where we were able to enjoy not only displays of ceramic wares but a wide introduction of ceramic from its history, production, application, and up to experience corner. After the museum, the group enjoyed the ceramic stores of Yingge City.
  On that night, we went back to Taipei City where we had dinner at Din Tai Fung, which was picked by the New York Times as one of the world’s top ten restaurants and is famous for Hsiaolungbao.
  On Sunday, March 28th, we took a look at Dr. Yeh’s hand-made machinery at his laboratory. After which, we visited the National Palace Museum. Unfortunately, we could not see the sought after “Jadeite Cabbage with Insects” and “Roxingshi” (a stone in shape of pork) which were on tour exhibitions, but we were able to see exhibits such as bronzes, carving, Jaguwen text (ancient Chinese inscriptions on bone and tortoise shell) etc.
  In the evening, we visited the Tea House, which revived Taiwan’s tea boom, and tasted oolong tea while nibbling on watermelon seeds. It was an elegant break in a busy itinerary.
  We then held the Raccoon-kai gathering at Tien Hsiang Lo of Landis Hotel. The above mentioned members were joined by Dr. Horng Derjuinn (1995 Racoon, National Central University, Department of Business Administration /Corporate Management Research Center) and family. We all enjoyed a traditional Hangchow cuisine. The participants were impressed at Dr. Horng’s sons who talked in quite fluent Nihongo despite their being away from Japan for quite some time now.
  On Monday, March 29th, we challenged another of Taiwan’s famous attractions, foot therapeutic massage. After which we had lunch at a Taiwanese food restaurant called “Hsinyeh” at the Taipei Station.
  The trip to Taiwan as usual was a trip to enjoy delicious food, tea, and massage. What was particularly special about the current trip was that it was just after the Taiwanese presidential elections and there was a rising uproar about the undecided results. So, when waiting for a train in the platform, or entering a store to take a look at ceramic, here and there we could hear talk about the elections.
  (by Chen Tzuching, tarns. by Max Maquito)

• Raccoonkai in Manila 

  The first Raccoonkai gathering in the Philippines was held on the evening of the arrival of Director Imanishi, her second daughter Asuka, and youngest Mizuho to the Manila International Airport, which was packed with people returning for the Easter celebrations. Fortunately, Dr. KATAGIRI Kanokwan Laohaburanakit (Noi) from Thailand, an Atsumi Scholarship recipient in 1997, was teaching Japanese linguistics in Trinity College of Manila, so there was just the minimum number of people needed to hold a Raccoonkai gathering. Noi-san and her Japanese husband passed by the Maquito residence on their way home from work. The couple are doing splendid work in teaching Japanese to Philippine students, and contributing to the friendship among Japan, the Philippines, and Thailand. Like all Raccoonkai gatherings, it was a lively night, despite it being attended by people from different generations, countries, and culture/language. I would like to have it again soon, but as Imanishi-san points out, I am the only Philippine scholarship recipient so far. Oh well, until that number increases, I just have to rely on Racoons of other lands, I guess. (by Max Maquito)

  
  

  
  

• Research Presentations for Fiscal Year 2003 

  The research presentations of the AISF scholarship recipients for fiscal year 2003 were held last Saturday, March 6, 2004 at the Atsumi Foundation. There were about 50 participants, consisting of the current and next batch of scholarship recipients, the members of the Raccoon-Kai (alumni association), the AISF directors, and those who provide assistance for international students in Japan. Mrs. Itsuko Atsumi, Executive Director, explained the history of the dolls displayed in the hall for the Doll's Festival (March 3), which were bought and sent to Rome, Italy, for her when she was born in 1928, and then after returning to Japan, escaped from the fire caused by the bombing in Tokyo during World War II. The presentations were made splendidly, in spite of the hard task that the presenters had to explain, within 15 minutes, their Ph.D. research results in terms understandable to a child. Quite a few presenters challenged using PowerPoint (Presentation Software) for the first time, but they all went very well. The presentations were followed by greetings from Professor Yasutomo Takeuchi of Utsunomiya University, Professor Shosuke Haraguchi of Meikai University, Mr. Kenji Morozumi of the Nomura Cultural Foundation as well as AISF Director and former Director of St. Luku’s International Hospital, Dr. Tokuro Nobechi. The meeting was concluded by an invitation to the Sekiguchi Global Research Association (SGRA) from Mr. Tadahiro Shimazu, Chief of its Operation Committee. Participants all enjoyed the glasses of beer, various dishes of Chinese cuisine, as well as lively conversation.　Although there was a little accident where the projector stopped for 10 minutes during a presentation due to the overuse of electricity, the foundation's final activity was successfully concluded.
  (by J. Imanishi, English checked by M.Maquito)
  
  

• Korea Society of Raccoon (KSR) 

  The Korea Society of Raccoon (KSR) has been launched as of February 28, 2004 in Seoul, Korea. It is a formal organization for the first time since AISF has been established. Nine former Korean AISF scholarship recipients participated in the first meeting of KSR held at the Yong Soo San, famous Korean restaurant for traditional cuisine, nearby the Blue House. Imanishi Junko showed an appearance from Japan in celebration of the meeting, where grants from both AISF and Atsumi Rijicho were awarded. In the first part of the meeting, each participant introduced her or his major and current interests on topics, while other half was allocated to the discussions on how-to-manage the organization and future plans. Participants basically agreed that at an initial stage, online meetings through the Internet, as well as offline face-to-face arrangements, is important for strengthening close ties among members groping for focal point, and then move onto broader issues step by step. The main objective of KSR is to contribute to the build-up of International society as a common by deepening close ties and facilitating exchange of academic information among Korean AISF recipients taking active parts all over the world, and then establishing firm cooperative arrangements with other worldwide AISF members. 
  (by Lee Nae Chan, President of KSR)

  
  

• 2004 AISF New Year's Party 

  by Junko Imanishi

  As is customary, the new year's party of AISF was held on Saturday, January 10th, 2004. About 50 past and present scholarship recipients with their family, from Hokkaido in the north （Shi Jianming 1995) and Okinawa in the south (Lim Chuan-Tiong 2000), got together in Sekiguchi. The party started with Omochitsuki with the help of children, followed by the New Year's feast including Ozoni, Osechi, Sushi, and Chinese dim sum. After the greetings by Directress Atsumi Itsuko, the participants enjoyed the piano and cello concert by the wives of Jeon Jin Hwan (2001) and Husile (2004). The usual BINGO was organized by the sons of Li Gangzhe (1999) and Chae Sang Heon (2004) under the supervision of Oni-chan, the son of Wang Libin (1995). There was a recycle corner on the corridor of the third floor. All the used clothes left over from the party will be sent to the Pandhito Panji Foundation in Indonesia (http://www.pandhitopanji-f.org/index.html), which was co-founded by Josaphat Tetuko Sri Sumantyo (2001) and will be distributed to those who need them.
  

• AISF has decided on the scholarship recipients for Academic Year 2004 

• Report on “Get-together of Atsumi Scholarship Recipients” 

  by Junko Imanishi

  A “get-together of scholarship recipients” was held last November 11, 2003 (Tuesday) from 6 PM, with Mr. Yasushi Akashi, Chairman of the Japan Conflict Prevention Center, as well as a trustee of Atsumi Foundation. After citing the increasing importance of the role of foreign students in international coordination, Mr. Akashi gave a talk about “why ethnic conflicts occur and how they can be solved” based on his own experience as a representative of the Japanese government assigned to the Sri Lankan mediation, as peace mediator of regional conflicts in Cambodia and the former Yugoslavia in his capacity as former UN administrative deputy. “Ethnicity” is a subjective concept. The causes of conflicts such as in the former Yugoslavia, Somalia, and Rwanda are varied, but conflicts do not occur just out of poverty, but occur where there is a big gap. There are a lot of ways towards solution, and he is trying various methods in Sri Lanka together with a very experienced expert from Norway. UN problem resolution is possible only when the subject countries cooperate with the UN. At present, he is thinking of using ODA so as to deal with conflict before it occurs. As one of his future concerns, he raised the issue of mass media, which “correctly reports only about 20 percent of the time.” In the question and answer part, he kindly answered responded to points raised such as hatred and bullying, in addition to economic gaps, being causes of conflict; the importance of reforming the Security Council to raise the status of the UN; and giving ODA to NGOs rather than governments to prevent widening of gaps. The contents of the talk will be published in a SGRA report.

       
  
  

• Raccoonkai in Seoul 

  by Junko Imanishi

  From 6:00pm on Monday, October 20, Raccoonkai was held at the restaurant Yongsusan on the B1 of the Finance Center Building in the central part of Seoul City. It was held to welcome Dr. Hitoshi Hirakawa, Professor of Nagoya University and AISF Selection Committee member, Dr. Max Maquito (1995 Raccoon / Visiting Researcher at Nagoya Univ.), Li Gangzhe (1999 Raccoon / NIRA) and myself, who visited Korea in order to participate in the Japan-Korea Asia Future Forum, a joint program between the Center for Future Human Resource Studies (CFHRS) / 21th Century Japan Study Group and AISF/SGRA. The participants from Seoul are: Dr. Won-Deog Lee of Kookmin Univ. as a guest, Dr. Woong-Hee Kim (1996 Raccoon / Inha Univ) , Dr. Nae-Chan Lee (1996 Raccoon / Hansung Univ.) and his family, Dr. Hyang-Chul Lee (1997 Raccoon / Kwangwoon Univ.), Dr. Sung-Chun Jung (2000 Raccoon / KIEP) , Dr. Hyun-Young Lee (2001 Raccoon / Konkuk Univ.), Dr. Insoo Baek (2002 Raccoon / KIET), Dr. Young-Jun Park (2002 Raccoon / National Defense Univ.). Having new members who came back to Korea recently, the time was too short to introduce each other, to talk about the worries of economic and political situation both in Korea and Japan. It was a pity not to be able to talk more as we had to prepare for the forum which was planned for the next day. 

  At the end of the dinner, Dr. Nae-Chan Lee proposed the establishment of Korean Raccoonkai and it was unanimously approved. It is decided that he becomes the first Chairperson and Dr. Hyan-Young Lee, who acted as KANJI this time, becomes the Contact Person. With Dr. Woong- Hee Kim, who is the Contact Person for the Japan-Korea Asia Future Forum, the detailed plan will be discussed and proposed to the members later. I would hope that the Korean Raccoonkai will host research presentation gatherings followed by a reception at least once a year. Then I would love to attend those meetings from Tokyo.
  

• To the many applicants : Thank you! 

  Thank you for applying to the 2004 Atsumi Scholarship. 160 applicants from 25 countries / areas and from 46 universities have applied. Twelve scholarship recipients will be selected through a selection procedure which consists of document-based screening and two interviews. The results will be announced in mid-December.
  

• Report: RaccoonKai in Boston and New York 

  by Junko Imanishi

  Enroute to a conference to be held in Costa Rica, Central America, I passed by Boston and New York to get together with Raccoons in the area.

  On August 2nd, at 6 PM, a Racoonkai was held at the McCormick & Schmick's located inside the Park Plaza Hotel, which is rated to be the best in Boston and the US, for its seafood cuisine. Dr. Wang Yuepeng (1997 Raccoon, New England Medical Center, Tufts Univ.), Dr. Sun Yanping (1998 Raccoon, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School), Dr. Liang Xingguo (2001 Raccoon, Center of Advanced Biotechnology, Boston University), and their families were present, for a total of 8 persons. Dr. Sun is already on her 5th year, and seems to be completely at home with her research, wherein she has felt her achievements acknowledged and is continually challenged. It was the first meeting between Dr. Wang and Dr. Liang. There was a discussion between them about DNA structures, but, even in English, Japanese, or Chinese, this was completely incomprehensible to me. Interestingly, even in their most advanced research centers, work ends at 6 PM, and nobody goes to the labroratory during weekends---in contrast with Japan. "But the efficiency during office hours is different", I am told.

  On August 3rd, Sunday, at 1PM, in Shun Lee Palace (Chinese Restaurant) in Mid Manhattan, NYC, I met with Dr. Scott X. Qiao (1996 Raccoon, ESC. Inc. from Philaderphia), Dr. Melanie Trede (1996 Raccoon, Institute of Fine Arts, NYU), Dr. Zhang Shaoming (1997 Raccoon, Yale Medical School), Dr. Xu Xiaoyuan (1998 Raccoon, Columbia Genome Center) and their families, for a gathering of 13 people. Having stayed long in the US, they all appeared to be very much at home. Their young children conversed in fluent English.

  Upon arriving in New York, I first went to Ground Zero (where once stood the World Trade Center). Even then the place was full with tourists. Here and they sell on street picture books, a thin magazine called "Tragedy", strangely, a store which sold cards with pictures of Sadam Hussein, etc. At one place, there was a few plates that had the names of the victims written on them. There were three or four flower bouquet offerings, but the place was no longer the tourist spot (there is no viewing points, etc.), and it appeared that preparations for constructing the next building has already started. Instead of being a place for remembering at humanity's tragedy and to pay respects to the victims, the place was a big construction site. The tourists were not satisfied with this. Apparently, many tried to take a look at the site beyond the green sheets which wrapped the site, by punching holes on the sheets or taking away the patches to these holes. I think that some kind of memorial, such as monument made of the burnt frames, will stay there as a reminder of what happened there. As I gazed at the big star spangled banner fluttering in the wind, I often thought in awe at the big power to move on that is America now engrossed in constructing a bigger building. (while feeling a bit afraid) Security within New York City and the airports was not as strict as I thought. It felt more like New York City has not changed much in the surface since September 4, 2001 (a week before the incident) when I left this city last time. But, I am sure that beneath that surface, those who live in New York have changed a lot since then, just as the peoples of the world have.

• Rainy Karuizawa 

  The foundation's summer in Karuizawa this year was generally cold, since we were still in the rainy season, which will not seem to end soon. It was so cold in Karuizawa that we had to turn on the heater in the meeting room at the first night. However, we could accomplished everything as planned --- Hiking to the Hanareyama in the afternoon of Friday, July 18, fireworks and water melon hitting in the evening of Saturday, July 19, as well as BBQ at the Executive Director, Mrs. Itsuko Atsumi's house on Sunday, July 20, when miraculously we had a window of sunshine. It must be because everyone related to the Atsumi International Scholarship Foundation has worked hard to get this reward. The 12th SGRA Forum in Karuizawa was held simultaneously. In the evening of Friday, Dr. Huynh Mui, Professor of Thanglong Univ. in Hanoi, reported about his activities of making a waste processing site in the regional cities, as well as environmental and hygiene education to the minorities in Vietnam. Following it, Mr. Masahi Kudo, Associate Director of Asia Bunka Kaikan talked about the days when Dr. Mui was studying in Japan, that is, during the Vietnam War. Mr. Kudo was a colleague of Dr. Mui and supported Vietnamese students then. In the SGRA Forum "International Cooperation on the Environment Issues: Can the AIM of COP3 be realized? " The guest speaker, Dr. Tonooka Yutaka, Professor of Saitama Univ. and 6 other SGRA researchers gave presentation and discussed about global warming, focusing on the Kyoto Protocol. (SGRA News about this forum will be sent out for SGRA members shortly) Although it was a little too cool to discuss about the global warming issue, more than 60 participants, consist of new and old AISF Scholarship recipients (including Dr. Lee Nae-Chan and his family from Seoul and Dr. Lian Xingguo from Boston) and SGRA members, as well as special guests, Dr. Kimura Kenichi, Professor Emeritus of Waseda Univ. and Dr. Lee Jin-Kyu, Professor of Korea Univ. and Mr. Yoshio Hara, Associate Director of the Kajima Art Foundation, enjoyed the relaxing weekend in the rain-drenched woods of Karuizawa.