Information
Recent articles on the Tokyo Foundation website
Update. Dec. 7,2011
The following is a list of articles on the Tokyo Foundation website related to the March 11 disaster and other major issues confronting Japan today. Please visit the site www.tokyofoundation
.org/en to read these and other articles, and to offer any comments you may have.
Beyond the TPP Flap: Toward a New Dialogue on Trade Policy
Takaaki Asano
In announcing his decision to take part in TPP talks, Prime Minister Noda defied a wave of furious opposition. Although the protesters’ objections bordered on the hysterical, they reflect a widespread concern that Japan is plunging head-first into economic integration without a strategy for coping with its impact.
Political Hurdles to a Japan–South Korea EPA
Takashi Sekiyama
A major diplomatic agenda item of newly installed Prime Minister Noda is a summit meeting with South Korean President Lee. An issue that is sure to come up as the two leaders explore avenues for cooperation is resumption of long-stalled negotiations for a bilateral EPA.
Getting Serious About New Energy: Lessons from Spain
Hikaru Hiranuma
While alternative energy receives a good deal of lip service in Japan, the conventional wisdom is that the country lacks the wherewithal to produce the bulk of its energy from renewable sources. Japan can learn from Spain’s highly successful energy program.
Japan’s Security Strategy toward China: Integration, Balancing, and Deterrence in the Era of Power Shift
Tokyo Foundation
The rise of China is rapidly changing the stra-tegic landscape in the Asia-Pacific. Japan’s strategy toward China should thus be refor-mulated, centering around the key concepts of “integration,” “balancing,” and “deterrence” as the older framework of “engagement” and “hedging” have become outdated.
Clearing the Smoke about Nuclear Energy Costs
Yutaka Harada
Although some are warning of dire economic consequences if Japan abandons its commit-ment to nuclear power, the cost advantages of nuclear energy are anything but clear. Unbiased information and free competition are needed to lead Japan out of its current energy dilemma.
The Search for a Sustainable Partnership
Tokyo Foundation
In September, the Tokyo Foundation coorga-nized a unique symposium in Beijing attended by prominent scholars from China, Japan, and the United States to discuss the trilateral rela-tionship. Participants voiced the need for the world’s three biggest economies to build greater confidence to promote stability and growth in East Asia.
A Community-Based Model of Rural Recovery
Shinichi Shogenji
Many options for post-disaster recovery have been advanced since the March earthquake and tsunami. What is needed to turn the despair of devastated farms and rural communities into hope is not a hail of disconnected proposals from outsiders but integrated plans crafted at the local level.
Beyond Reconstruction: Political Priorities in the Wake of 3/11
Gerald L. Curtis, Sota Kato, Tsuneo Watanabe
Three Tokyo Foundation senior fellows discuss the political challenges raised by the March earthquake and tsunami, the shortcomings of the government’s response, and the many positive developments that have emerged in the wake of the national crisis.
Protecting Our Land from a Post-Quake Fire Sale
Hideki Hirano, Shoko Yoshihara
In the wake of the March 11 disaster, Japan’s precious land resources are more vulnerable than ever, as policymakers seek to encourage investment through deregulation, and imme-diate economic needs trump long-term national interests. Now is the time to begin building a sensible regulatory framework to preserve our land for future generations.
Preparing for the Summer Energy Crisis
Kenji Someno
There is expected to be an acute shortage of energy this summer owing to the ongoing crisis at the Fukushima nuclear plant. Bold measures, including some that overturn conventional wisdom, are required to cope with the likely shortfall in electricity supply. Japan’s worst nuclear accident also raises serious questions about the future of nuclear power.
Prognosis for the Post-Tsunami Economy
Hideo Kumano
Although direct damage from the March 11 earthquake and tsunami was largely limited to the north¬eastern area of Japan, the economic fallout is expected to blanket the entire nation. What are the risks of a secondary economic disaster, and how can Japan minimize the damage?
An Independent Commission to Explore Japan’s Disaster Response
Tsuneo Watanabe
Japan should create an independent commis-sion of experts to produce an honest and uncompromising report on the response to the earthquake, tsunami, and the nuclear cri-sis—both the successes and failures. Such transparency would demonstrate the strength of Japan’s democracy and the depth of its social resources.
Season’s Greetings from the Tokyo Foundation!
Update. Dec. 7,2010
Wishing You Peace and Joy in the New Year!
(on the middle row) Makiko, Akiko, Yoko, Miki,
(on the back row) Ayako, Takashi, Tomoko
Sylff Connect Version 2 Using Facebook
Update. Mar. 12,2010
Today we announce the transformation of “Sylff Connect”–the social networking service for Sylff fellows–into a version that utilizes Facebook. We have been witnessing the increasing prevalence of Facebook, both in the private and public life of individuals. We believe that there is great potential in Facebook to facilitate communication and networking within the Sylff community. Based on this notion we created the Sylff Group page in Facebook.
The Sylff Group page is an exclusive membership site aiming to facilitate multiple interactions among all members of the Sylff community. In order to use the Group page, you are kindly requested to become a member by clicking “Ask to Join Group” button of this Group page; we will verify your status as a member of Sylff community (Sylff fellow or Sylff administrator) and register you as a member of the Group. Once you become a member you can view the Wall, and share and tag “like” on the Wall. (more…)
Goran Svilanovic
Update. Aug. 27,2009
Here is the latest from the Sylff Prize Winners, Goran Svilanovic PhD., a Sylff fellow of the Law School at the University of Belgrade, Serbia, who is now the Appointed Coordinator of Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).
1. Please bring us up to date on your latest activities in terms of your career and any other social activities.
I have done my PhD in Law (Substantial legal effect of the civil judgments) and am teaching Heritage Law, Contract Law and Civil Procedure at the Union University, Law School, Belgrade, Serbia.
Since December 2008, I was appointed Coordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities (http://www.osce.org/eea/13051.html). It means that I am heading Second Dimension of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe. European Security and Cooperation.
The OSCE is based in Vienna, Austria, and I live there.
2. How has Sylff or the Sylff Prize influenced or made an impact on your professional or private life?
It was a great joy for me to meet Sylff fellows most recently in the Sylff Regional Forum in Ruhr-University Bochum, Germany. Discussing with the fellows about their experiences, their work and engagement in different fields was also reinforcing for my own convictions to pursue goals that was defined long ago (to work towards excellence in respective field of engagement, be it academia, be it politics and be it civic sector…).
3. Could you please give some words of advice or encouragement to the up-and-coming Sylff
fellows? For example, what sort of efforts should Sylff fellows focus on in order to cultivate
leadership qualities.
Sylff fellows should profit from the opportunity that the Tokyo Foundation provides us with, which is, among others, to networking with colleagues from all around the globe. It is comparative advantage we should constantly work on because in every part of this beautiful planet there are people like us who care for the others and are looking forward to improve their knowledge and skills.
4. Please describe your vision and activities for the future.
Next four years I will spend in the OSCE in Vienna coordinating and organizing projects and activities linked with the economy and environment. My priorities are going to be to further cooperation among 56 OSCE participating states (pS) and partners for cooperation in the field of migration (and its linkages with the social development, economy and environment); to encourage and improve dialogue in the field of energy security, energy efficiency, renewable energy resources; to foster cooperation in order to prevent effects of the global financial and economic crisis which would influence stability and security in the OSCE region; and to strengthen cooperation between 56 pS in order to work together to prevent security outcomes of the climate change and environmental deterioration.
In addition, my Office will continue developing projects in the field of good governance, rule of law activities, anti money laundering programs, etc.
All activities are to be implemented in the OSCE area which brings together 56 participating states as well as several partners for cooperation. In particular, these activities are to be implemented by OSCE field missions and presences in South Eastern Europe, Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia.
5. 2004 Sylff Prize Speech (PDF format, downloadable)
2004 Sylff Prize Winners-Amal Jadou
Let’s nominate the next Sylff Prize winners!
2004 Sylff Prize Winners-Amal Jadou
Update. Jul. 15,2009
Here are close-ups on four previous Sylff Prize winners.
First is the the voice of the Sylff Prize 2004 Winner, Amal Jadou PhD., a Sylff fellow of The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University, who is now the Director General, International Relations Department, Office of the President, Palestine Authority. (more…)
