ESUJ Lecture　(in Japanese)

Lecture by Mr. Yoshio Terasawa
English Speakers of Japan: Rise and Shine!

Why are Japan's elites so hesitant to discuss matters in English?

Mr. Yoshio Terasawa, Chairman of the Tokyo Star Bank and ESUJ director, gave the lecture following the Annual General Meeting. Mr. Terasawa outlined his many and varied experiences as, first, an intense Fulbright Scholar in America, an employee of Nomura Securities in the US, the Chairman of the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) in Washington, and Minister of the Economic Planning Agency, giving his comments on how poor at communication abroad the Japanese are and captivating the full-house audience. He noted that Asian undergraduates at Harvard are mainly Chinese and Korean, with almost no students from Japan. When panelists participate in forums about Asian problems, only Japanese panelists speak in Japanese, through interpreters. If things go on like this, Japan will be left behind in the world. Therefore, it is his fervent hope that young Japanese will improve their ability to express themselves through heightened foreign language ability and education. There was a lively and passionate exchange during the question-and-answer time which followed Mr. Terasawa's true-to-life talk and greatly exceeded the allotted time.

Profile of MR. Yoshio Terasawa
Born in 1931. Graduated Waseda University. Joined Nomura Security. Fulbright student to Pennsylvania Univ. Graduate School. President of Nomura USA, Vice President of Nomura, Chairman of MIGA (Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency), Member of the House of Councilors, Minister of the Economic Planning Agency. Currently Chairman of Tokyo Star Bank. Director of ESUJ