Newsletter No.61

April 2004

ESUJ's New Pamphlet Published!

In April, the starting month of the new fiscal year 2004, ESUJ's pamphlet has been totally renewed. The new pamphlet consists of 8 pages, introduces our activities and history in a very easy-to- understand manner, and is full of colour and visual layout. We have pleasure in submitting a copy for each of you to read. An application form is also enclosed. Please ask your friends to join the union. Our endeavor is to increase our membership, especially Supporting Members, in order to stabilize our financial status, and we ask for your understanding and cooperation.

ESUJ Spring Outing

On Sunday, March 28, ESUJ Spring Outing took place in the most ideal cherry- blossom season, visiting Edo Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum located in Musashi Koganei, the suburbs of Tokyo. Amongst 32 people joining were those from Russia, Nigeria, Rumania and Turkey. Mrs. Dine-Zepter of EU Ambassador was also welcomed. Warm exchanges of international friendship were evident everywhere. For observing the traditional architectures, in order to avoid congestion, the party was split in two groups. The most popular building, especially for those from foreign countries, was "kodakara-yu" public bathhouse built in early Showa era, with big gabled roof like a shrine or Buddhist temple, and with a very fine sculpture of the Seven Deities of Good Fortune. While, the residence of Hachirouemon Mitsui of Mitsui Zaibatsu and the house of Korekiyo Takahashi attracted Japanese members interest. Then a long awaited lunch party took place under the cherry-blossom in full bloom at Koganei Park adjacent to the Museum. After proposed a toast to the prosperous future of ESUJ, and to the beautiful flowers, everybody fully enjoyed the traditional Ohanami Party with variety of foods and drinks on a perfectly lovely spring afternoon. By a closing address by our chairman, the programmes of the day came to an end. Everyone set out for home with happy memory.
Myriads of things past Are brought to my mind― Those cherry blossoms


English Club

Muramatsu Masumi's English Club Club met at the Tokyo Kokusai Forum on Tuesday, March 16. Having just visited Sydney for ten days, MM gave his latest report on how the most multicultural city of the multicultural Asian-Pacific nation of Australia were changing. As usual, he shared many interesting episodes: conversations with people in the street, the words in vogue, books he found and bought, etc.

Participants wanted!
The 3rd Debating Competition for Adults

ESUJ and The Nikkei Weekly (TNW) will be jointly holding "ESUJ-TNW Debate 2004", the third parliamentary-style debate competition for participants other than university students. This will provide an enjoyable opportunity for participants to demonstrate their English-language skills of persuasion. For further information, please visit ESUJ website or call ESUJ office.

Date: June 12, 2004 (Saturday) 10:00-19:00
Place: Conference Room, Nihon Keizai Shimbun, Tokyo Main Bldg.
Qualification for application: Adults other than university students Team should include one person whose first language is not English
Number of teams: 8 two-person teams
Application deadline: Friday, May 7, 2004

5th Takuwa Luncheon Society Series
Asian Giant States in 21st Century, China and India
By Ambassador Sakutaro Tanino

The 5th ESUJ Luncheon mainly for corporate and individual Supporting members was held on March 23 (Tuesday) at the Ark Hills Club, with 35 persons attending. Mr. Tanino, who was an ambassador to India and China successively, spoke about the two giant countries in Asia from various aspects, namely, very rapidly developing China with its lights and shadows and India now running behind China but with a great potential. Some conspicuous points in current China are: 1) domestic communication has been much improved because of the standardization of Chinese language; 2) policy decisions are now made more quickly owing to the emergence of young leaders; 3) the infrastructure such as free highway has been developing very rapidly. However, there still exist quite a few problems such as the destruction of the environment, serious problems of corruption resulting from one party rule, and biased nationalism reflecting the past history. While in India, there are more than 10 official languages that necessitate simultaneous interpretations for discussions in the Parliament. Nevertheless, high quality and diverse freedom of speech is guaranteed throughout the nation. One thing to be specifically noted in their pro-Japanese attitude is that India hoisted their flag at half-mast for three days nation-wide when Emperor Showa passed away. Still remaining in India is the problem of caste, especially the problem of the untouchable although these issues are becoming relatively smaller. Mr. Tanino's speech, with scattered humour, greatly attracted the audience.