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| Newsletter
No.73 |
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May
2005
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Lecture by the Turkish Ambassador: Turkey:
Bridge between East and West
The Ambassador's Lecture, which took place on Tuesday,
April 26, with roughly 80 people present at the Kasumikaikan,
on the 34th floor of the Kasumigaseki Building, was a
huge success. The speaker was Mrs. Salmaz Unaydin, Turkish
Ambassador to Japan. This charming lady has been ambassador
to Sweden and Poland, as well as filling important posts
at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Turkey. In March,
2003, she became Ambassador to Japan. Her husband has
also served as ambassador, making the Unaydins an "ambassadorial
couple." Mrs. Unaydin had been warned that Japan was a
"man's world", in which a woman ambassador would not be
welcome, but once she had arrived here and realized that
Japanese women were very active and the men were pleasant,
she felt very comfortable, to the degree that she feels
glad to get back to Japan after going on business to her
own country.
Starting with the common points and special features of
Turkey and Japan, such as linguistic similarities and
the importance of cultural heritage, etc, Mrs. Unaydin
said that Turkey is often called the bridge between East
and West, but this phrase also can apply to Japan, especially
in the world of economics. Turkey is a dynamic young country,
geographically located at the center of three continents,
in the heart of a region containing 70% of the world's
oil resources. It has a land area roughly twice the size
of Japan but a population only half that of Japan's, of
whom 70% of the inhabitants are under the age of 35. Having
survived the economic crisis of 2000-2001, the country
now enjoys a rate of economic growth second only to that
of China and is well positioned to play an important role
in international affairs in the future.
Turkey's main special feature is that despite almost its
whole population being Islamic, the country is the sole
completely democratic country among the nearly 60 Islamic
countries in the world. This is thanks to Kemal Attaturk,
who defeated the Osman Turks, and the great revolution
he instigated in 1923. He also changed the national language
from Arabic to the Western alphabet. Furthermore, Turkey
today is hoping to join the European Union, with various
negotiations occurring. The association of Islam with
terrorism has spread since 9/11, but the problem of fundamentalism
exists equally among Christian believers. Mrs. Unaydin
emphasized the importance of Turkey's becoming a member
of the EU for the future of Europe and the world. Audience
members were thoroughly charmed by the weighty arguments
presented by this elegant ambassador, who also happens
to be a woman.
Eighth Takuwakai Luncheon:
The World of Nanotechnology, by Dr. Keiji Morokuma
An ESUJ luncheon series for Supporting Members in the
main, featuring talks not available elsewhere and accompanied
by a delicious lunch. The Eighth Luncheon took place on
Tuesday, April 21 at the Ark Hills club, with our speaker,
Dr. Keiji Morokuma, speaking about the World of Nanotechnology.
In May of last year, Prof. Morokuma's lecture, given in
English, was very well received. On the occasion of Morokuma-sensei's
most recent visit to Japan, he spoke to the group in Japanese
on this surprising and amazing micro-world, presenting
the latest information and the immense future business
possibilities, for a talk full of dreams.
English Club
English Club took place on Tuesday, April 19 in a conference
room of the Japan National Press Club instead of our usual
venue, with Toshiyuki Inoue-sensei speaking on the theme
of "Negotiation". Starting off with a program about tough
but spectacularly successful negotiations with a bank
robber, the video continued with role play used by companies,
describing the seven principles of negotiation, for a
very enjoyable and significant program.
Upcoming English Club meetings
May 17 (Tuesday) and June 21 (Tuesday): both at the Nikkei
Main Building, 11th floor conference room. (18:30-20:30)
Meeting themes will be posted at the ESUJ site when finalized.
lease note carefully the two venues.
Coming Events
May Evening Gala 2005
May 24 (Tuesday), 18:30-20:30 at Meiji Kinenkan, Suehiro
room.
This year's theme is "Music Around the World". Please
join us for this evening of delicious food, a view of
the beautiful gardens!
Charge: Member \6,000 Guest \7,000 Student \3,000
ESUJ Debate 2005 ( Debate Competition for Adults)
June 11 (Saturday), 10:00-19:00 @Nikkei Main Building
This is our fourth "shakaijin" debate, a must for those
who like sophisticated adult debate.
Annual General Meeting and Lecture:
June 13 (Monday) General Meeting: 18:00-; Lecture: 18:45-20:15
@ Japan National Press Club, 9th Floor, Banquet room
Speaker: Takao Suzuki (linguist, Professor Emeritus,
Keio University)
"Why are the Japanese Bad at English?" (in Japanese)
<See the attached handbill>
The next Newsletter will appear in early July. |
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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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