Newsletter No.47

February 2003

ESUJ New Year's Lecture: Dr. Yoshihiro Tsurumi
Whiter America, Whither Japan

The ESUJ New Year's lecture took place on January 27 at the Japan National Press Club in Hibiya. The speaker was Professor Yoshihiro Tsurumi. Despite the inclement weather, the hall was filled to capacity for Professor Tsurumi's talk.

Prof. Tsurumi analyzed the ongoing state of confusion in America and Japan's present position from an historical viewpoint, referring liberally to his newly published book, Whither America, Whither Japan, which is based on a conversation between Shiba Ryotaro and himself. Rather than being a democracy, present-day Japan is a "kleptocracy", he said, in which the people find it difficult to discover the truth because they are being manipulated by the ruling group and the mass media. America still has the power to cleanse itself but Japan has lost that ability. As examples of bad political structures, he listed, 1.) graft and corruption, 2.) dictatorship, 3.) ambition, and 4.)folly. Because these dangers always exist, it is necessary to feel our way toward a path based on virtue and reason. Regarding the Iraq problem, he warned that while international law could condone an attack that was clearly preventative, if a pre-emptive attack based on the presumption of suspected wrongdoing were recognized as acceptable, it would lead to an armed clash around the world. Regarding Japan's future prospects, Dr. Tsurumi concluded he was optimistic, while at the same time noting it must be sufficiently recognized that the country at present is facing a severe crisis. During the question and answer session, ESUJ Chairman Hanabusa acted as moderator. There were numerous comments from the floor, including strong criticism of both President Bush (formerly Prof. Tsurumi's pupil) and Prime Minister Koizumi, and responses thereto, as well as opinions on the problems arising from visits to Yasukuni Shrine and the possibility of there being a Jewish president of the United States, etc., resulting in a lively, stimulating atmosphere.

Notice from ESU London

ESU London Headquarters (Dartmouth House) has sent the following notice. For further information, contact the ESUJ office.

1. International Public Speaking Competition 2003, for students.
Time: May 13-16; Place: ESU Dartmouth House, London;
Theme: "Local Value, Global Worth"; Costs: £160 plus travel expenses

２．ESU International Summer Conference at Oxford University
A week experiencing university dormitory life while attending various lectures and discussions with participants from around the world
Qualifications: ESU adult members, in principle
Cost of participation：£845 (plus travel expenses)

English Club

The English Club met Tuesday, Jan. 21, at the Tokyo Forum, a gala event with two visiting speakers. Ms Mio Urata, Editor of Kenkyusha's Jiji Eigo (Current English) magazine, recalled her experiences as she was preparing the last issue. Many in the audience lamented its end. Mr. Hector Sierra, the other guest, hailed from Colombia, an artist/videographer, active in Artists Without Borders, an NGO. He showed us his film showing how he called on children, with a supply of crayons, papers and teaching them origami, covering Japan, New York and Kabul, Afghanistan, bringing smiles to the faces of the children. Uncannily artistic self-expressions by those children moved our heart. Hector is a master origami artist, and exhibited his skills in the after-lecture get-together. You may read more about this NGO by visiting Artists Without Borders website:
http://www.artwit.org

The Club will next meet on Tuesday, Feb. 18, at the Doyu Club (Palace Bldg., next to the Palace Hotel), featuring Ms Rosie Goldsmith of the BBC who will tell us about the elderly (seniors) in the U.K. and interview us about their Japanese counterparts, for a radio program. Let's join the recording studio!
February 18 (Tue.) at Doyu Club
March 18 (Tue.) at Tokyo International Forum G510
April 15 (Tue.) at Doyu Club
Always meeting from 6:30 to 8:30 pm.

Event Information for February-March

ESUJ Debate 2003
Sunday, February 23 at Kokusai Fashion Center (Ryogoku) Our second adults' debate. This time there are lots of businessmen trying their skills at parliamentary debate in a tournament for the first time. Don't miss it
Starts at 10:00a.m.. with the semi-finals at 15:30 and the final debate at 17:00.

Nature Ramble
Sunday, March 16, starting from JR Tachikawa Station at 10:00a.m.
Hiking in Oume, with plum blossom viewing and a visit to the Gyokudo Gallery
Please apply by Friday, March 7 (participation is limited to first 25 applicants) Our first ESUJ outing!! Let's enjoy a fine spring day together.

Lecture by the Tunisian Ambassador to Japan
Thursday, March 27 (details to be announced later) 6:30-8:00pm
Place: Japan National Press Club, 10th F., C Hall
Ambassador Hannachi will speak about the history of Carthage and the charms of his country