- Raccoonkai in Nagoya
The Raccoonkai in Nagoya was held on March 19th, 2006, in the Peking-Style Chinese restaurant in the Meitetsu Grand Hotel near the Nagoya Station. There were 8 Raccoons and their family: Dr. Hu Jie (98 Raccoon) and Dr. and Mrs. Liang Xingguo (01 Raccoon) with their daughter, from Nagoya University, Dr. Ranjana Mukhopadhyaya (02 Raccoon) of Nagoya City University, and Dr. Hu Biangqun of Nippo Kogyo.
Hu Biangqun san, whom we met for the first time since his graduation, talked about his project of building a factory of Toyota cars in Guangzhou, Liang san and his wife, who came back from Boston after 3 years, talked how good it is to live in Japan, Hu Jie san, whose son just finished college entrance examination in Tokyo, talked about the challenges of raising children, and Ranjana san talked about the SGRA Forum of "Religion and Japanese people" to be held in May 14th in Tokyo. We talked about a lot more topics but I was overwhelmed by the power of China and India. <More and more shall we see a world becoming filled up with Indians and Chinese? >
by Junko Imanishi
- Raccoonkai in New York
The Raccoonkai in New York was held on March 5, 2006, from 6pm, in the yakitori restaurant "Totto" at the 55th street in the Manhattan of New York City. Two Raccoons from Japan scurried to the restaurant late while a leash of North American Raccoons was sitting around the feast, ready to enjoy the first round of yakitori.
There were 8 Raccoons for the night. They were: Maho Imanishi who is staying in NY for her internship; Zhang Shaomin (97 Raccoon) and his little angel Rosy, driving all the way down from Yale University for more than an hour; Xu Xiaoyuan (98 Raccoon) and her husband Cheng Rong and their daughter Cheng Lan, working or studying in Columbia University in NY; Lim Chuan-Tiong (00 Raccoon) going to Boston from Okinawa via NY for a meeting and Wong Kin Foon Kevin (05 Raccoon) coming to NY from Tokyo for a 2-week collaborating research.
Enjoying the authentic yakitori the Totto chefs brought from Japan to NY, the Raccoons had a great time of murmuring a lot of interesting topics, including everybody's experience in the States, Maho's China visit years ago, and the research presentation held in Sekiguchi AISF Hall on the previous day.
Ocha-zuke, almond tofu dessert and some smiley pictures brought an end to this Raccoonkai.
by Kevin Wong
- Research Presentations for Fiscal Year 2005
The research presentations of the AISF scholarship recipients for fiscal
year 2005 were held on Saturday, March 4, 2006 at the Atsumi Foundation.
There were more than 50 participants, consisting of the current and next
batch of scholarship recipients, the members of the Raccoon-Kai (alumni
association), the AISF directors, and those who provide assistance for
international students in Japan as well as guests of AISF. Mrs. Itsuko
Atsumi, Executive Director, explained about the dolls displayed in the hall
and the Doll's Festival on March 3. The presentations were made splendidly,
in spite of the hard task that the presenters had to explain, within 15
minutes, their Ph.D. research results in terms understandable to a child.
They were also asked to use PowerPoint (Presentation Software), which was
new to some of them, but all went very well. The presentations were followed
by the comments from two professors of the current scholarship recipients;
Professor Sadatoshi Mabuchi, Vice President of Tokyo Gakugei University, and
Professor Makoto Kurozumi of the University of Tokyo. Then two Raccoon
guests from far were introduced; Dr. Prachya Mushikasinthorn (1999 Raccoon)
of Kasetsart University in Thailand, and Dr. Lim Chuang Tiong (2000 Raccoon)
of the University of the Ryukyus. Lastly, Dr. Max Maquito (1995 Raccoon),
SGRA Steering Committee member, gave a presentation about the Sekiguchi
Global Research Association (SGRA). Participants all enjoyed the
Chirashi-zushi, a special meal for Dolls' Festival, and various dishes of
Chinese cuisine, as well as lively conversation.
by Junko Imanishi
Please visit the following URL for the photos taken by Max.
:
http://www.aisf.or.jp/photos/
- Raccoonkai in Okinawa
On January 26th, when Dr. Ki-Jeong Nam of Kookmin University in Korea (1996
Raccoon) visited the University of the Ryukyus as a member of the resarch
group of American Base in Okinawa, Nam san and I had a chance to have the
first Raccoonka in Okinawa. Because Nam san is missing Japanese Ramen, we
went to the Ramen Restaurant "Tsudo" near the University of the Ryukyus. We
enjoyed our conversation about Nam san's work and life after he went back to
Seoul from Sendai as well as the base-related issues in Okinawa.
I look forward to the second and third Racoonkais in Okinawa.
by John Chuan-tiong Lim @University of the Ryukyus (2000 Raccoon)
- 2006 AISF New Year's Party
As is customary, the new year's party of AISF was held on Saturday, January
14th, 2006. More than 50 past and present scholarship recipients with their
family got together at AISF Hall in Sekiguchi. Although we are having very
cold winter in Tokyo this year, it was rather warm day, good for Mochitsuki
outside the hall. After getting full with Ozoni, Oshiruko, Osechi-ryori, and
Yakitori, all the Raccoons were introduced. There were three raccoons from
the 1995 butch, one each from 1996 to 2002, three from 2003, four from 2004,
and eleven from 2005. Dr. Gao Weijun (1995 Raccoon) came all the way from
Kita-Kyushu with his family, and Dr. Kim Woesook (1997 Raccoon) from Kobe.
Rijicho mentioned in her speech, "Please invite each other among the same
year recipients and join AISF gatherings." Then the participants enjoyed
the Korean lively, drum performance by Mr. Kang Myungsoo, who was introduced
by Ms. Han Kyoung Ja (2005 Racoon). The energetic performance was greeted by
shouts of glee and applauses, the perfect way to appreciate Korean music.
Finally the participants tried their luck for 2006 by playing BINGO. As
always, there were enough prizes for everyone-just the foundation's way of
wishing everyone the best of luck for the new year. There was a recycle
corner on the corridor of the third floor. All the used clothes will be sent
to the Inner Mongolian Village where Ms. Bao Lian Qun (2005 Raccoon) has
been supporting.
by Junko Imanishi
Photos of the New Year's Party can be found at:
http://www.aisf.or.jp/photos/
- RaccoonKai in Taipei
The last time we had a Raccoonkai in Taipei was at the end of March 2004, just right after the Presidential elections when the Nationalist Party was requesting for a recount of the election results. By coincidence, this time's Raccoonkai was held right after the Taipei Mayoral elections. This time, the Nationalist Party won overwhelmingly, perhaps indicating the biggest change in Taiwan over the last year and a half.
On the evening of December 5th, the Raccoon was held at the Cantonese cuisine restaurant Dah-San-Yuan. Joining were Dr. Horng Der-Juin (1995 Raccoon) Vice Professor of National Central University, Dr. Yang Jie Chi (1999 Raccoon) Assistant Professor of National Central University, and Dr. Yeh Wen-chang (1999 Raccoon) Assistant Professor of National Taiwan University of Science & Technology, who was the organizer of the event, and Ms. Tsai Ying-hsin (2004 Raccoon) who just gave birth to a baby girl last October 21st. Just before giving birth she was able to submit her doctoral dissertation to the Law Department of the University of Tokyo, where it is now under deliberation. The wife and daughter of Yang san and the husband of Tsai san were also able to join us. Conversations touched on why Taipei people are lining up at Mister's Donuts, should Taiwan accept foreign students from the mainland, and how splendid the Chuo University's MBA course for managers is, etc.
The highlights of this visit to Taiwan were crabs and tea. Yeh san introduced me to a seafood restaurant where we enjoyed Taiwan's popular Mangrove crabs and Chinese wine produced in Puli. Tsai san introduced me to the tea house, where we enjoyed Oriental Beauty tea and Golden Woolong tea. This was followed by a foot massage. It was a simply luxurious visit. To our Taiwanese friends: I shall return
by Junko Imanishi
- AISF has decided on the scholarship recipients for Academic Year 2006!
| 2006 Atsumi Scholarship Recipients |
| Name |
Nationality |
Sex |
University |
Special Field |
| Chu Xuan Giao |
Vietnam |
M |
Tokyo
University of Foreign Studies |
Cultural
Anthropology |
| Hu Xiuying |
China |
F |
Chiba
University |
Nursing
Education |
| Hyun Seungsoo |
Korea |
M |
University
of Tokyo |
Area
Studies |
| Li Chengri |
China |
M |
Keio
University |
Politics |
| Liang Yun-hsien |
Taiwan |
F |
University
of Tokyo |
Comperative
Culture |
| Mohottala Shirmila |
Sri
Lanka |
F |
University
of Tokyo |
Information
Science and Technology |
| Pantcheva Elena Latchezarova |
Bulgaria |
F |
Chiba
University |
Japan
Studies |
| Seo Kyoung Sook |
Korea |
F |
Keio
University |
Aesthetics & Art History |
| Sim Choon Kiat |
Singapore |
M |
University
of Tokyo |
Education |
| Sun Junyue |
China |
F |
University
of Tokyo |
Language
and Information Sciences |
| Weerasinghe Rajendra Nalin Sampath |
Sri
Lanka |
M |
The
University of Electro-Communications |
Electronics |
| Woo Seonghoon |
Korea |
M |
University
of Tokyo |
Architecture |
|
|
|
|
|
- China Visit Report
- Raccoonkai in Beijing
The third Raccoonkai in Beijing was held at night on November 12, 2005, at a fusion-style Chinese Restaurant on the Wangfujing Street. Raccoonkai participants included Sun Jianjun (2002 Raccoon) of Beijing University, and Piao Zhenji (2003 Raccoon) of Beijing Language and Culture University with her daughter. Lu Yuefeng (2003 Raccoon), a representative of InfoDeliver Shanghai office, also came. The other participants included a friend of mine, Miyoko Ikezaki, President of The Business Nihongo Association and accompanied by her student who was invited to Japan last year through her project.
The relations between the Japanese and Chinese governments are politically difficult and it can not be said that the faculties of Languages and Cultures Department of Japanese are treated well. Fortunately, however, there seems to be a strong desire to learn Japanese in China. The reason for this is probably because Japanese language skills are advantageous to find employment. Moreover, there certainly seems to be a growing group interested and influenced by games and animation made in Japan. According to Lu-san, China has a shortage of capable IT specialists and middle managers who can speak Japanese.
Modern buildings and stylish restaurants and European brand shops are the same as those in Harajuku, Tokyo. However, when we walked on the busy streets, I found that despite a vigorous atmosphere, old-aged beggars approached us and they were so persistent that we were very annoyed. I did not see them when I was there a few years ago. I was warned that if we give a bit of money to one of them, many other beggars would come. They were so impudent that without Sun-san and Lu-san, we would have been afraid to go out for walks.
In Beijing, we visited Japanese classes of Piao-san and Sun-san and talked with their students. Although they started to learn Japanese three years ago, they spoke quite fluently and told us why they decided to learn Japanese and what they wanted to do in future. Next year, Beijing University is going to celebrate its 60th anniversary of Japanese Languages Department, so I am now considering whether SGRA can do something at that occasion.
We were also able to meet Jin san's family after a long time, while Jin Xi (1995 Raccoon) of SGI Japan, Ltd. lives in Tokyo by himself. I wanted to express my gratitude to his family for taking care of my eldest daughter when she went to Beijing four years ago, but as it turns out, we were much more taken care of.
Thank you for everything and to everyone in Beijing!
- Raccoonkai in Guangzhou
When we arrived at the shiny, green (and the biggest in the world) Guangzhou Airport, Qi Jin Feng (2001 Raccoon) of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, came to pick me up in his shining new Toyota car. Qi-san said that he also bought a new condominium recently; the Chinese Dream does come true.
Angelina Chin (2004 Raccoon), who is conducting her research at Sun Yat-Sen University, Qi-san and I got together at the Zhujiang cruise on November 17th, thus became the Raccoonkai in Guangzhou.
An organization associated with my volunteer activity is hosting an international camp for thirteen-year-old children in Guangzhou next summer. Therefore, my visit this time is aimed at making a decision for the camp site and support staff. I plan to go there some time until next summer to prepare further.
Everyone in Guangzhou, let's go and eat a delicious Guangdong food again!
by Junko Imanishi
- Get-together of Atsumi Scholarship Recipients 2005
A get-together of Atsumi Scholarship Recipients was held last October 24, 2005 from 6 PM at the Atsumi Foundation Hall. About 30 participants consisting of current and past scholarship recipient and Foundation officers listened to Dr. Hirochika Inoue, Tokyo University Professor Emeritus and a member of the Foundation's screening committee. Dr. Inoue talked about "The Birth and Development of Robotics" with the happiness of someone who has devoted 40 years of his life to humanoid research and development. Using more than 80 PowerPoint slides and several gigabytes of movie clips based on his farewell lecture, he shared his many experiences so that he was able to draw the interest of the audience from various disciplines.
On entering graduate school, he had a supervising professor who recognized that assigning a dead end research topic could have serious implications on the researcher's life. From the various topics given to him by his supervising professor, Dr. Inoue chose the turning of a crank by an artificial arm. A healthy person could easily do this job, but one could feel the weight of time while viewing a movie clip taken by a 36 mm camera of an assembly of steel and wires, which was controlled by a large computer, slowly turning a crank. Dr. Lee JooHo (1998 Raccoon: Ritsumaikan University, Associate Professor), our specialist of Robotics, who came all the way from Kyoto to join the get-together, voiced out his surprise that such a high-level technology was already possible at the time that he was born.
Like a living organism, the robot since then has evolved. Dr. Inoue's research laboratory consists of three groups: artificial hand, brain, and eyes, which is integrated into a humanoid platform, and has been given a more beautiful form and movement. In the handout of the talk, there was a list of all of the researcher of his research laboratory. To Dr. Inoue, the research team of his laboratory, which has garnered awards almost every year, is his treasure.
In the Aichi Expo, Dr. Inoue gave his vision of the society in 2020 which coexists with robots. He drew the picture of a future where robots could be of assistance to the senior citizens whose eyes, brain, arms and legs have grown weak. It is a future full of hope which could very well lead to the birth of the robot industry.
In the question and answer part, questions were raised as to what robots should not do and who is to take responsibility for robots. An Ethics Committee has been set up to deliberate on such important issues. Lastly, I made the request for robots as a next-generation industry to be realized as soon as possible, given its importance to East Asian economic integration, as well. This could be Dr. Inoue's lifework (since he is still so young).
There was a reception after the talk. We again had catering from the Korean Restraint run by the brother of Dr. La Insook (1988 Raccoon: Kokushikan University, adjunct lecturer). We all enjoyed real Korean cuisine.
by Max Maquito
- To the many applicants : Thank you!
Thank you for applying to the 2006 Atsumi Scholarship. 169 applicants from
26 countries /areas and from 45 universities have applied. Twelve
scholarship recipients will be selected through a selection procedure which
consists of document-based screening and two interviews. The results will be
announced in mid-December. See attachment for more details.
Scholarship Applicants for 2006 Academic Year
By Junko Imanishi
- The Second Raccoonkai in Beijing
The second Raccoonkai in Beijing was held on September 15, 2005 from 6:30 PM at a restaurant near Beijing University. Joining the Raccoonkai were Lim Chuan-Tiong (2000) who was on official business from the Japan National Ryukyu University, Sun Jianju (2002) of Beijing University, and Piao Zhenji (2003) of the Beijing Language and Culture University. The meeting felt like a friendly meeting among three siblings who have not seen each other for a long time. In the warmth of each other's company, the three chatted about many things, and completely forgot the passing of time. It was half past ten when they realized that nobody else was around that they finally said their goodbyes. The meeting of Atsumi Foundation colleagues in Beijing was beneficial beyond expectations and very pleasant. I would like to have an even livelier Raccoonkai with Atsumi Rijicho and Imanishi san and family next time.
By Piao Zhenji, Translated by M.Maquito
- Raccoonkai in Shanghai
On September 10, 2005, from 6 PM, the first Raccoonkai in Shanghai was held at the restaurant in Yuyuan, which is one of the famous tourist spots in Shanghai. This was timed to coincide with Directress Atsumi's first visit to China (two days in Xian and 2 days in Shanghai). Present were Dr. Fan Jianting (01) of Shanghai University of Finance and Economics and his wife, Dr. Gao Weijun (95) of the University of Kitakyushu, who was on business trip, Directress Itsuko Atsumi, Mr. Takashi Hayashi, President of Shanghai Kajima, Junko Imanishi, and Hayato Imanishi. It was unfortunate that Gao Lingna (95), who was visiting Tokyo at that time, could not join us. In Xian, Directress Atsumi was able to look at ancient relics at the Emperor Qin's Terra-cotta Museum and Tung Dynasty Temples. In Shanghai, she visited historical spots such as the old residence of the famous writer Lu Xun and Uchiyama Bookshop and looked at the super skyscrapers. The city was so full of activity, causing her to remark "Shanghai is overwhelming with its dynamic development and teeming population, but Xian was a nice ancient city and people there including the hotel maids are very kind." We were treated to a home-cooked feast at Fang residence. Thank you for everything!
By Junko Imanishi
- Korea Raccoonkai in Seoul
The 4th meeting of the Korea Society of Raccoon (KSR) was held on August 27, 2005 from 7 PM at the Korean Restaurant Yongsusan located at the basement of the Financial Center Building in Seoul. The KSR is a self?managed organization with Chairman Lee Nae-Chan playing a central role. Friendship meetings are held twice a year (at the end of February and August). As before, despite the short notice, there was quite a number joining the meeting--eight in all including two who came by KTX (Korean Shinkansen). Hereon, Dr. Kim Hyeon Wook has kindly accepted to take charge of the meetings supporting the chairman. Attendants were: Dr. Lee Nae-Chan (96), Dr. Jung Jae Ho (00), Dr. Jung Sung Chun (00), Dr. Baek In Soo (02), Dr. Park Young June (02), Dr. Kim Hyeon Wook (03), Dr. Chae Sang Heon (03), Dr. Lee Jea Woo (04), Junko Imanishi, Dr. Lee Nae Chan's guest.
By Junko Imanishi
- Raccoon Visit in Yangon
On August 10th (Wed), after the meeting in Bangkok, Imanishi visited Khin Maung Htwe (1996 Raccoon) in Yangoon. Khin, who got his doctorate from Waseda University in Applied Physics, went back home, having made a big decided as jumping off from the balcony of Kiyomizu Temple in Kyoto. Since going back, he has gone through inexpressible difficulties but Imanishi was able to check on his present condition on his current work. Her impression was that "he has done incredibly well to survive up to this point" rather than "he has tried his best". We wish that his current work will steadily progress. Myanmar is under an economic sanction from the US and Europe but strangely, within the city of Yangon, there is a lot of construction works and a lively spirit. Apparently this is due to the movement of people, money, and materials from China of such magnitude that "the northern part of Myanmar will later become a province of China". A message from Khin: "I would like those who went to the US and Japan for studies to come home. Otherwise, Myanmar will not get better."
By Junko Imanishi
- Raccoon Visit in Bangkok
On August 7th (Sun), Junko Imanishi, who was locked up in a hotel in Bangkok for the children's camp international jamboree, was rescued on request by Prachya Musikasinthorn (1999 Raccoon) of Kasetsart University, who accompanied her to a Thai food restaurant outside the hotel. The topic over lunch was about the comparison of the relationship between language and cultural development for the cases of Japan and Thailand, continuing from last time (March 2005). A great work of Cultural Anthropology may be produced over lunch meetings in Bangkok.
By Junko Imanishi
- This Year's Karuizawa was Delicious!
From July 22nd (Fri) to the 24th (Sun) of 2005, the yearly Karuizawa recreation trip of the Atsumi Foundation was held. It was a bit hot and humid for Karuizawa, but this year's scholarship recipients, Raccoonkai members and their families, and the members of SGRA participating in the SGRA Forum enjoyed the green trees and fresh air. As done yearly, the program started off with a hike up Hanareyama led by Malcolm on the first day, dinner with the Directress, a Karuizawa orientation by Max Maquito (1995 Raccoon), fireworks, and a tutorial on using PowerPoint. In the afternoon of the second day, the SGRA Forum on the theme "East Asia Economic Integration: Are the Geese Still Flying?" with Prof. Toshio Watanabe (Preseident of Takushoku University), Prof. Tran Van Tho of Waseda University, and Prof. Hitoshi Hirakawa (SGRA Adviser) of Nagoya University as invited speakers. This year's big surprise was a short visit from Chinese Ambassador to Japan, His Excellency ….who was taking a break in Karuizawa. In his greetings, he mentioned that "Let the Japanese and Chinese geese fly together." On the third day, at the barbecue in the Atsumi summer residence, there was a friendly contest between the Mongolian mutton barbecue of Borjigin Burensain (2001 Raccoon) and the Korean LA Karubi of Jeon Jin Hwan (2001 Raccoon). It was a big hit with the 7 kilograms of meat ordered for each was finished off. Kim Woe Sook (1997 Raccoon), Han Kyoungja and Kim Yeonkyeong (2005 Raccoon) made Korean salad and harusame dish. Mr. and Mrs. Yoshio Hara (Director of Kajima Art Foundation), who comes every year, hanged a red flag nicely on the nearby Momiji tree beside the Oden corner. On everyone's kind permission, the dogs of the Imanishi house were left free to enjoy the get-together and the dishes (although this is really not good for them). Sorry, if in their overly joyful joining caused some to be scared.
Please see the picture albums at the following URL.
http://www.aisf.or.jp/photos/index.php?spgmGal=Karuizawa_2005_V1
http://www.aisf.or.jp/photos/index.php?spgmGal=Karuizawa_2005_V2
You can find the Report of SGRA Forum #20 at the following URL. (Sorry, only in Japanese)
http://www.aisf.or.jp/sgra/publicnews.shtml#newsitem1122647651,784,
By Junko Imanishi
- Raccoon Kai in Kyoto
On July 3, 2005 (Sun), while Directress Itsuko Atsumi and Managing Directress Imanishi were visiting Kyoto on business, a Raccoon Kai in Kyoto was held at the Japanese Restaurant in Hotel Granvia Kyoto with Kim Woe Sook of the Hyogo Prefecture University (1997 Raccoon), Wu Yuping of Center for Developmental Biology, RIKEN Research Institute (2000 Raccoon), and Vlaho Kostov of Matsushita Electric Pioneering Research Center (2001 Raccoon) participating. The conversation centered on Vlaho-san. He travels between Japan, Macedonia (his home country), Italy (his wife's home country) and Germany (where his wife and child now reside). One of the participants remarked that she was also trying her best but realized that everyone had their own difficulties. This Raccoon Kai was called at the spur of the moment, so there was no time to invite everyone who was in Kansai. Sorry about this.
On July 4, 2005 (Mon), amidst heavy rains, we visited the Islam Cultural Center at Kyoto Kawaramachi, where Gulec Selim Yucel (1996 Raccoon) worked as chief representative. Apparently, for him, there is still a lot that has to be done in Japan until the image about Islam recovers, and he is taking all the opportunity, including the Nagoya Expo, to introduce Islam. Moreover, he is involved in research at the Kyoto University about Islam Fundamentalism. It was a short visit, but we were also able to meet his family after a long while.
By Junko Imanishi
- Tanabata Raccoon Kai in Sekiguchi
Continuing from last year, a Tanabata Raccoon Kai was held last July 1, 2005 (Fri) at the Atsumi Foundation Hall in Sekiguchi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo. Participants hanged their short wish notes on the bamboo tree that decorated the living room.
Owing to the participants' active cooperation, the table was full of delicacies that could hardly be finished off. Since last year's gatherings, the 2004 Racoon "Russian" Team (Rishat Mullagildin and Ye Sheng) has been actively participating, and this time they prepared a native Russian dish, beef stroganoff served with mashed potatoes. The Gyouza Team (Han Junqiao, Jiang Susu, Wang Xueping, Zhao Changxiang) prepared a lot of Sui-Gyouza and Shumai whose origin was in dispute. The "Vietnam" Team (Vo Chi Con and Kevin Wong) made fresh spring rolls. Bao Lian Qun made Mongolian sweets but also helped out in the Gyouza team. Brenda Tenegra brought Philippine sweets. 2004 Racoon Yang Myung Ok and 2005 Racoon Kim Bumsu formed the Korean Team and made Kimuchi Chijimi.
Unlike in the past, not so many Raccoon sempais joined the meeting despite the big treat!
By Junko Imanishi
You can see more pictures at the following URL.
http://www.aisf.or.jp/photos/index.php?spgmGal=Tanabata_Raccoonkai_2005
- Raccoonkai in Boston
On Friday, May 27th, the first day of the Memorial-day weekend,
unfortunately under cloudy and cold weather, the Raccoonkai in Boston was
held, after two years of interval, at the restaurant in the Harbor Hotel in
Boston. The attendants were: Dr. Wang Yue Peng (1997 Raccoon: New England
Medical Center, Tufts University) and his son. They welcomed just three days
ago a baby girl in their family; Dr. Zhang Shao Min (1997 Raccoon: Yale
University Medical School) who came all the way from New Haven; Dr. Sun Yi
Ping (1998 Raccoon: Harvard University Medical School) and her friend Dr.
Mitchell Albert; Dr. Liang Xing Guo (2001 Raccoon: Boston University) and
his wife and daughter; Atsumi Itsuko Rijicho, Junko and Asuka Imanishi, for
a total of 11 persons all together. All the participants enjoyed the
fusion-style Sea Food over looking the harbor that belongs to the hotel.
The purpose of this visit was to attend the graduation ceremony of Junko's
eldest daughter Maho from Brown University. Dr. Zhang and Dr. Sun, who
supported Maho since her entrance to the school, and I were thinking about
"just how time flies!!" Especially I would like to thank Dr. Zhang, who
lives closest to Brown University, for taking care of Maho all the time as
well as driving us all the way from Boston, Providence, and New Port.
On Wednesday, May 24th, as a committee member of Friends of Shofuso, I went
to Philadelphia, to see the Japanese Traditional House and Garden that was
brought to the US in 1953. Dr. Qiao Xin (1996 Raccoon: ATMI), who lives at
Allentown, Pennsylvania, gave me a long ride for all day. On the way from
Philadelphia to New York, I had a chance to visit his new house that he
bought early this year. Although the US in general does not look like it is
doing well and the lives of the Raccoons do not sound so easy, since Dr.
Zhang bought his house recently, too, I found that the American Dream still
exists.
The final visit was to Buffalo to see Dr. Ren Yong (2000 Raccoon, New York
State University Medical School). He with his wife and daughter welcomed and
showed me their quiet lives in a local city in America.
In all, thank you, as always, for your hospitality while I was in the USA.
By Junko Imanishi
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