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| Newsletter
No.63 |
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June
2004
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"Welcome to the world of Nanotechnology"
On Tuesday 11 May, a lecture by Dr. Morokuma was held at the Japan Press Club in Hibiya. The hall was full with almost 60 guests.
Prof. Morokuma, using a projector, explained with graphs and figures, "nano", the world of microscopic phenomena in a very easy-to-understand language. Since the 19th century, civilization of human beings has produced new and important items such as textile, railway, automobile, and computer roughly every 60 years. Nano science is thought to be the next such item, which would undoubtedly bring a huge influence to the people of the 21st century. He says "small is different". For example, the color of gold is gold. Yet when gold is broken down smaller and smaller, its color ultimately becomes red. There are two approaches in Nano-science i.e. top-down and bottom-up. The top-down method is an approach from big to small, e.g. from a vacuum tube to a transistor, and then to a microchip. The bottom-up is the other way round, a molecule gathered to shape a crystal. The current position of nano science is at the point of contact of these two-way approaches. A beautiful simulation was demonstrated on the screen where a carbon molecule, the component of diamond or graphite, was transformed to a carbon nano tube, which then grew up to a sphere which looks like a soccer ball. In the near future, there is a big possibility that nanotechnology together with biotechnology, would form a bio-nano-science. The application of nanotechnology is expected in the fields of catalysis, sensor, information technology, medicine, chemistry, and many others, which will bring about huge investment to create a big business opportunity. Top runners in this field today are the US and Japan, with Europe running a bit behind, according to Dr. Morokuma, but a very fierce competition in the world of science, business and academics has already begun.
We had a lively Q and A session with all the participants thoroughly enjoying this highly intellectual evening.
English Club
On Tuesday 18 May, Mr. Masami Muramatsu's monthly English
Club was held at Nihon Keizai Shimbun head office conference
room. "MM" brought us up to date about New Zealand
which he recently visited. He also expanded on his biweekly
essays in The Nikkei Weekly. Mr. Rabinder Malik told us
of his impression of the recent national election in India
(the world's largest), while MM shared with us his episode
with the late Indian P.M. Rajiv Gandhi, whose wife, Sonia,
is a political leader there today.
The next meeting will be on Tuesday, June 15 (18:30-20:30),
at Nikkei. MM will have to be away attending his International
Humor Conference in France; but Mr. Muneo Wakabayashi,
English Club "chair-man," and Nikkei editors
will keep you all entertained and enlightened.
"ESUJ May Evening Gala" A Big Success!
On Thursday 27 May, ESUJ's annual social gathering "May
Evening Gala 2004" was held at Kinkei Lounge of Meiji
Kinenkan. About 100 members and their friends gathered,
including many ladies in kimono. All the guests enjoyed
the exquisite garden next to the Lounge in the fresh green
and breeze of May. The highlight of the evening was Japanese
children's songs sung in English by a renowned American
singer Mr. Greg Irwin, who translated all the lyrics into
English by himself. Starting with Song of the Seashore,
many nostalgic children's songs, such as The Blue-Eyed
Doll, Tangerine Hill, were beautifully sung by Mr. Irwin.
We learned with surprise that the name of our favorite
flower in Oze Lake "mizu-basho" in English is
"skunk cabbage"! Amongst many songs, we were
all moved by his version of Akatombo which was translated
by him as a dragonfly as red as a sunset. Mr. Irwin commented
that this song, lyrical and dramatic, may be one of the
most beautiful songs in the world. An encore song, Furusato
(My Country Home) was sung by everyone who joined the
party. Pleasant chats with nice wines and foods continued
thereafter till late in the evening.
The Meeting of Directors and Councilors convened
On 27 May, prior to the May Evening Gala, the 6th meeting
of the board of directors and councilors was convened
at the same venue, attended by 14 directors, one auditor,
and 9 councilors. They deliberated the agenda items that
are to be put forward to the forthcoming 6th Annual General
Meeting.
"Surprising (Bikkuri) English" Award Winners!!
The first round of a joint project of Surprising (Bikkuri)
English Contest by ESUJ and eigoTown.com
was successfully concluded by announcing 6 awards from
various categories. Please refer our web page http://www.esuj.gr.jp
for the results. This year's search for Surprising (Bikkuri)
English has already started. Please send us your discovery
of Bikkuri English.
ESUJ-TNW Debate 2004
Please come and enjoy the 3rd English Debate Competition
for Adults!
June 12, 2004 (Saturday) 10:00-19:00 (Free of charge)
Place: Nihon Keizai Shimbun Main Building (Otemachi)
ESUJ AGM & Lecture by Mr. Shiro Ogata
June 22, 2004 (Tuesday) AGM 18:00- Lecture 18:30-
Place: International House of Japan (Roppongi)
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For
further informaiton contact!
E-MAIL:esuj@esuj.gr.jp
Fujikage-Building
9th Floor, Motoakasaka 1-1-5
MInato-ku, Tokyo 107-0051
TEL: 03-3423-0970 FAX: 03-3423-0971
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