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| Newsletter
No.96 |
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May 2007
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A View of Venezuela: Mr. Seiko Luis Ishikawa
Ambassador's Lecture Series No. 12 took place on April 24 (Tue.) at the Japan National Press Club with the Ambassador of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela to Japan, H.E. Mr. Seiko Luis Ishikawa Kobayashi, as the speaker. The youthful second-generation Japanese-Venezuelan was born in 1972 and is fluent in trilingual, Spanish, Japanese and English.
Venezuelans are a very generous and brave people who value social justice and peace. Petroleum production is fifth in the world, and in fiscal 2006 the nation's growth rate was 10.3%. It is blessed with rich natural resources, starting with iron, and also produces gold and diamonds. Venezuela is one of the ten richest countries in the world in natural resources and is Japan's fourth largest trading partner, but recently direct investment has also been increasing in various fields such as technology and tourism. After showing a film about the country, Ambassador Ishikawa expressed his wish to answer as many questions as possible. Some members of the audience had lived in Venezuela, and others had visited the country often, resulting in a dynamic mix of many questions:
What about Venezuela's economy, unemployment, the GNP, and poverty?
Since 1972, when petroleum production was nationalized, the growth rate has been high. Today, hydroelectric power generation provides 80% of the country's energy. The unemployment rate is still above 10% but continues to improve, and individual income has reached $5,000-$6,000 per year, with the effort to reduce poverty ongoing.
What about President Chavez' anti-American policies?
Japan is terribly interested in President Chavez' repeated harsh pronouncements against the US, but relations between Venezuela and the US are not just about trade but also deep in various fields. Historically, friendly relations between the two nations are long. The attitude of the Venezuelan people is not anti-America.
What about Japanese immigrants?
The history of Japanese immigration to Venezuela dates back 80 years. The number of Japanese immigrants is small, about 600 people. There weren't many agricultural workers, with most immigrants working in international commerce from the start. Today, there are about 1000 Japanese businessmen living in Venezuela.
Why are there so many beautiful women?
Venezuela has produced the largest number of Miss Universe and Miss World winners. Many beautiful Venezuelans have a high level of intelligence, even to the degree of becoming a candidate for the presidency of the country. I think the fundamental source of their beauty is their mixed blood. Native Venezuelans intermarried with Spaniards, Asians, Africans, Italians and Portuguese. There must probably be the "chocolate" effect; and the 'minus ion' effect with plentiful water.
Is sushi popular?
There is a "sushi boom" in Venezuela. Japanese 'anime' are also wildly popular. Karate is also very popular.
14th ESUJ Luncheon (for Supporting Members)
The speaker for the 14th Takuwakai Luncheon was the young non-fiction writer Kumiko Kakehashi, winner of last year's Oya Soichi Prize for her debut work So Sad to Fall in Battle.
The title of her fascinating talk was "Encountering Tadamichi Kuribayashi: Matsushiro, New York, Iwo Jima." The talk covered such interesting topics as how a writer who is a member of a generation who have never known war came to have such a deep interest in General Kuribayashi and Iwo Jima; how she got in NY to know James Bradley, author of Flags of Our Fathers, one of two Clint Eastwood films about Iwo Jima; how she helped Ken Watanabe while he was filming the other Eastwood film, Letters from Iwo Jima, to get close to a historical fact. Kakehashi-san's book has already been published in English in the US, England, and Korea. The appearance of the film and book at a time when America is at war has meant that the story tugged at the heartstrings of the American people. The highlight was Kakehashi's trip to Iwo Jima which is a rare chance. Her descriptions of the still-remaining 13,000 memorial markers, miracle experiment, and her deep impression that she was admitted by the dead by writing their living life, rather the death in Iwo Jima made for a wonderful and very moving talk.
English Club
English Club met on April 17 (Tue.) at the Japan National Press Club. Two-minutes speeches were given by Kayoko Tajima (Historical Trees) and Yoshinobu Kodaka (First name, Family name). Our guest speaker was longtime Tokyo resident (35 years!) Mr. Mominuddin Chowdhury. He spoke about his homeland of Bangladesh, his story (doctorate in Tech. etc) in Japan. Wishing to "give back something," he has been active in the Global Citizen Club, a volunteer activity whose main purpose is to introduce the culture of Asia.
May English Club will take place on May 15 (Tue.) at the same venue (18:30-20:30). Our speaker will be Ms. Jessie Turnbull, a young British architect currently active in Japan, speaking on the topic of 'Experiencing Architecture; Study and Practice in Tokyo, speaking on the topic of 'Experiencing Architecture; Study and Practice in Tokyo'
Coming Events
May Evening Gala
May 25 (Friday) 18:30-20:30 at Meiji Kinenkan, Wakatake Room
ESUJ Debate 2007 (Shakaijin Debate)
June 9 (Sat.) 10:00-19:00 at Kokusai Bunka Kaikan (I.House Japan)
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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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