- Raccoonkai in Nagoya
On Saturday, December 8, 2007, Raccoonkai Lunch was held near Nagoya Station at the restaurant Unazen, which is famous for Hitsumabushi, a delicacy of Nagoya. Nine people gathered there were: AISF Rijicho Itsuko Atsumi, AISF Director Junko Imanishi, Hu Jie (1998 Raccoon) and Liang Xingguo (2001 Raccoon) and his wife and daughter, Ranjana Mukhopadhyaya (2002 Raccoon), and Hu Gunbing (2002 Raccoon) and his wife. Topics of conversation included: recent news about those whom Rijicho have not met for a long time, new developments in and around Nagoya, and stories of Toyota in China. Both Rijicho and Imanishi were pleased to see that Raccoon members are active in Nagoya.
- Raccoonkai in Guangzhou
On Sunday November 25, 2007, Raccoonkai members Qi Jinfeng (2001 Raccoon), Ye Shen Steve (2004 Raccoon) and AISF Director Junko Imanishi, who was visiting Guangzhou, made a day trip to Nansha, where Toyota Guangzhou is located. The group visited the factory and office of Nippo Kogyo in Nansha, where Hu Gunbing (2002 Raccoon) works, although he travels a lot between Nagoya, Guangzhou, and Tianjin. His company is designing the production line and maintaining the Toyota factory. We were surprised to be scolded by the guard man when we took a photo in front of the factory gate. One of three islands in Nansha will be entirely used for Toyota and its subcontractors in the future, but there are still a few cars on the 8-lane roads. It was still understandable to see people sometimes walking on the car lanes, but it was unbelievable to see most cars did not stop at the red traffic lights! Toyota Guangzhou has been doing so well as they have already paid back what they have invested. Construction of the second factory has already started.
- Atsumi Foundation 2008 New Year’s Party
On January 12, 2008 (Saturday) from 12 noon to 4:30 PM, the New Year’s party for the Atsumi International Scholarship Foundation was held at the foundation’s hall, and was attended to by 40 people, consisting of current scholarship recipients, Raccoonkai members, and their families. The guests were treated to delicious dishes such as osechi ryouri, mochi, yakitori, and Chinese dumplings, which made everyone feel the warmth of homes amidst the cold rainy weather. Wuliangye, which was brought over from China (with 52% alcohol), was a rare treat and exuded a peculiarly strong odor.
After the partaking of osechi ryouri and Rijicho’s greetings, a special program was prepared. There was a performance of famous Morin khuur (Mongolian “horse-head fiddle”) musicians Ti Buruguddo and wife Saigo Mieko with a pianist Norioka Toru. This was the first time in my life that I saw a Morin khuur performance, so I was really moved. Ti Buruguddo’s rendition of “Eastern Sky”, which was composed by himself and is going to be performed in this year’s opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics, particularly caught my fancy. I would like to listen to it once again, should I have the chance.
After personal introductions of the guests, the yearly BINGO game was held. This year, Shin-kun (2nd year Economics student at Keio University), who is the son of Wang Libin (1995 Racoon), was in charged. Even though everyone had already hit a BINGO, Surabu-san, one of the current recipients, could not seem to hit the mark, but eventually he could. It was really adorable to see the faces of the children lit with joy upon completion of the BINGO game. Next year, I will be sure to bring my child.
On January 25th of this year, Atsumi Rijicho will be celebrating her 80th birthday. Despite the abrupt announcement, Jeon Jin Hwan (2001 Raccoon) with the help of Lee Jea Woo and Yang Myung Ok (both 2004 Raccoon) came prepared with a birthday cake and a bouquet of flowers, which were lovingly given to Rijicho. With champagne, we sang the birthday song in Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, Taiwanese, Uyghur, Russian, and Spanish, as we wished good health and success to everyone’s mother, our very own Rijicho.
by Li Chengri, trans. By F. Maquito
Photos taken by Tanihara san can be found at:
http://www.aisf.or.jp/photos/index.php?spgmGal=AISF_New_Year_2008
- AISF Scholarship Recipients for Academic Year 2008 have been selected!
|
Name |
Nationality |
Sex |
University |
Special Field |
| 1 |
Feng Kai |
China |
M |
University of Tokyo |
Mechanical Engineering |
| 2 |
Hong Yunshin |
Korea |
F |
Waseda University |
International Relations |
| 3 |
Kautzsch, Vroni Friederike |
Germany/Switzerland |
F |
Tokyo National University of Fine Arts & Music |
Conservation |
| 4 |
Lee Chu-An |
Taiwan |
M |
University of Tokyo |
Precision Mechanical Engineering |
| 5 |
Lkhamsuren Lkhagvasuren |
Mongolia |
M |
Waseda University |
International Relations |
| 6 |
Nemuhe Jirigala |
China (Inner Mongolia) |
M |
Asia University |
Economics |
| 7 |
Phuong Kimchhayaras |
Cambodia |
F |
Utsunomiya University |
Material Science and Engineering |
| 8 |
Song Gang |
China |
M |
J.F.Oberlin University |
Area Studies |
| 9 |
Vorno Heli-Liis |
Estonia |
F |
Gakushuin University |
Philosophy |
| 10 |
Xiu Zhen |
China |
M |
Tokyo Institute of Technology |
Mechanical System Engineering |
| 11 |
Yuk Jaehwa |
Korea |
M |
Musashino Art University |
Art and Design |
| 12 |
Zhang Jian |
China |
M |
University of Tokyo |
Education |
- Atsumi Foundation Get-Together 2007
The Atsumi Get-together for fiscal year 2007 was held on November 2nd (Fri.) from 6 PM at the Atsumi Foundation Hall. One noteworthy feature this year was the participation of guests from Kajima Corporation and relatives of the Kajima family. This is understandable given that the quest speaker, Professor Hitoshi Hirakawa of Nagoya University, who is also a member of the screening committee of the Atsumi Foundation, presented the preliminary findings of his research on the theme "Morinosuke Kajime and Pan-Asianism". After his presentation, there was an active question and answer session from the Atsumi scholarship recipients, which continued up to the reception. It was a very meaningful and pleasant get-together for all the participants.
The father of Directress Itsuko Atsumi, Dr. Morinosuke Kajima was known as an outstanding businessman of the Showa period who developed Kajima Corporation as a world-class company after the war. At the same time, he was also a diplomat and a politician as well as a scholar, who has left behind many publications. He perhaps is not too well known as a person, however, who devoted his life, as a unique believer of Asianism, to the vision of an "Asian Federation" or "Asian Community" after his encounter in the later part of the 1920s with Dr. Coudenhove-Kalergi, who espoused the idea of Pan-Europe. It may come as a surprise to many even among those who knew Morinosuke that he erected in 1972 a memorial with the following words inscribed; "My greatest hope is to see one day the realization of Pan-Asia."
Based on his research of vast publications about Morinosuke's international politics and diplomatic activities, Professor Hirakawa, using PowerPoint slides was able to explain in easy to understand terms among others: what was his (Morinosuke's) idea of Asianism, what drove him to such an idea; how his idea was related to the ordeal of the" East Asia Co-prosperity Sphere" that then symbolized the of Japan's invasion of Asia; how was he able to pass through such an ordeal; and why his initiative was not reflected upon after the war. In conclusion, Professor Hirakawa suggested that a correct reconsideration of Morinosuke Kajima's theory of Pan-Asia is in order, especially in the light of the fast-growing interest in an East Asian community upon entering the 21st century.
Professor took the following questions from the floor, to which he extensively responded: "Was it really necessary to treat Russia then as a threat?" "Was it not a big issue to know how Japan's intellectuals overcame and later responded to the war?" "Didn't [he] have an interest in the independence revolution in the former colonies, including India, although there was no assistance made?" "Do you think that the return to Pan-Asia from Asia Pacific community that Mr. Kajima made in his last years is reflected in today's thinking?"
The participants enjoyed a reception of delicious Chinese cuisine, which ended at around 10 PM, a little late than usual.
by Junko Imanishi
The photos can be found in the following URL.
http://www.aisf.or.jp/photos/
- Korean Raccoon Meeting in Seoul
A Korean Raccoon meeting was held in the evening on October 21st, 2007 in Seoul, where its members got together after a long respite. The place for the meeting was a small Korean restaurant near the Grand InterContinental Hotel. Unfortunately, Imanishi-san, the Associate Director of the Atsumi Foundation, was not able to attend, and we had to start the meeting without her.
Although each member did not report on how everything goes, everyone seemed to be spending busy days. After having a certain amount of meal, someone began to reminisce about the old days studying in Japan and each person talked about Japan of the time they studied. Among them, the most interesting topic was about the rice shortage in Japan nearly two decades ago. Junior fellows, including Hyun Seungsoo (2006 Raccoon) who recently returned to Korea after finishing studying Japan, were very curious about it. At the end, there was a suggestion to get together with each one's family next time, and we discussed it. Although the idea has not been concretized, calls for realizing it increased.
Although it was really too bad that we could not meet Imanishi-san, we had a good time to see each other.
Participants: Lee Nae-Chan, 1996 Raccoon (with his wife and daughter); Nam Ki-Jeong, 1996 Raccoon (with his daughter); Ko Hee-Tak, 2000 Raccoon; Jung Jae-Ho, 2000 Raccoon; Park Young-June, 2002 Raccoon; Kim Hyeon-Wook, 2003 Raccoon; Hyun Seung-Soo, 2006 Raccoon
by Kim HyeonWook
Dear Korean Raccoon members;
I am really sorry to have cancelled the Korean Raccoon meeting on October 21st in Seoul in the last minute. The first reason to have missed my flight was because I forgot something and had to get back to my home. Moreover, as the international airline in Haneda airport was overcrowded with flights to Shanghai in addition to Seoul, I had to go to a parking lot for domestic flights; I gave up a super low-price ticket and tried to take the next flight, but unfortunately every flight was full. The transnational movement of people from Tokyo to Seoul, to Shanghai is tremendous! I was disappointed not to attend the Korean Raccoon meeting. I apologize to everyone having gathered to the meeting.
Since all of JAL flights from Haneda to Gimpo were also fully booked on Monday, eventually I took a flight from Narita to Incheon. Although I missed the Raccoon meeting, I finished my jobs as a judge of Korean-Japanese Students Singing Competition in Kookmin University and my another volunteer activity of CISV. I returned to Tokyo on Wednesday. At the Kookmin University, I was taken cared off by Nam Kijeong-san so I was able to get a glimpse into active development of the Japanese Studies Research Institution.
Everyone, don't feel bad about this and let's meet again in Seoul next spring!
Junko Imanishi
- Atsumi Scholarship Applicants for 2008 year
Applications for 2008 Atsumi scholarship were received from the 1st to the
28th of September 2007. 116 applicants from 21 countries /areas and from 42
universities have applied this year. 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 early
-December. See the following charts for more details.
by Junko Imanishi
Applicants based on university
Applicants based on country
- Inadequate Reports or Confession of the Karuizawa Trip
I feel sorry for reporting on the Karuizawa Trip of this year no matter how I think of it. My report seems to be too inadequate. First of all, I have to confess the reasons for that. My Karuizawa trip began with hurrying to the venue belatedly on the second day of the schedule which started on July 20th. Furthermore, I missed my stop, Karuizawa station and created a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the landscape of Nagano, making AISF people worry. That was why I think that my report on this trip is obviously inadequate. However, those who let me report on this trip, including Imanishi-san, thank you very much! (This is the second confession.)
Now, Karuizawa, where I hurried to reach from Nagano station, was colored with mysterious light green, which was completely different from the strong green in Tokyo. The Training Center, which was around five minutes away from Karuizawa station by taxi, was a completely another world. Shimazu-san and Tanihara-san welcomed me with smiles. My AISF colleagues gathering at lunch, talked about activities such as Karuizawa tour and an orientation of the previous day, looking accustomed to the atmosphere of Karuizawa. As I ate a Kamameshi (rice boiled with meat and vegetables in a small pot), being packed in the friendly atmosphere, I also became gradually used to Karuizawa and the AISF trip of this year.
After a leisurely lunch break, the 28th SGRA forum ' The Dignity of Life and the Role of Religions' was held at a meeting room of the Training Center from 2:00 p.m.. The forum questioned the issue of life which we tend to overlook in our everyday life. The discussion stimulated my brain which had become sleepy after lunch. The discussions which approached the human life and death, made by people from different kinds of research areas and fields of work, livened up the forum.
This vigor continued up to a dinner time and the cafeteria was filled with the comfortable rhythm of various voices. In the meantime, as Shimazu-san called us to get out to the parking lot, I found that they played with fireworks which were put off because of the rain on the previous day and that was like a festival. I saw children running around the garden, grownups laughing loudly, and splattering fireworks. Incidentally, my favorite is 'ultra- modest' sparkler called "Senko-hanabi" and I enjoyed them many times competing with the others.
Basking in the afterglow of the fireworks, the panel discussion restarted and ended in one and a half hours. After that, people flew into the cafeteria and started to talk around each table, drinking cold beer. The night of Karuizawa passed quickly talking with considerable heat as if we crossed various borders many times. As I noticed that dawn was coming from a distance, I went back to my room, but I do not know whether I slept well or not. Being awakened to the sound of people's footsteps going to have breakfast, I hurried to eat breakfast. After that I went out to Karuizawa tour with Chan Chai-fong, Lee Eungyong and Kim Minsuk.
As we took a relaxing walk beside the Lake Shiozawa on the south part of Karuizawa, we took photos. Then we went to the Musee Peynet where we were excited at the cuteness of his works. After that, we headed toward the Sezon Museum of Modern Art which is proud of its collection 20th century art. It is located at the bottom of a grand portal and a sculpture garden. I encountered many works that are normally hard to see, so I was excited and ran about in the exhibition room. After that we headed to Rijicho's villa, building up our expectations on the BBQ party which is the 3rd day event of our Karuizawa trip.
Being surrounded by sickly and beautiful greenery of Karuizawa, the BBQ party had already started. Uighur-style barbecue and Carrot rice by Abudushukur Mejit; Japanese Oden by Mr Yoshio Hara; grilled meat prepared by Korean seniors; various salads and Korean kimchi, and so on: these dishes must have made everyone happy. Moreover, there was watermelon splitting game and lovely songs by Mr. Inoue Vimala. Of course, at last we took a commemorative photo in front of Tanihara-san's camera.
This is my inadequate report on the trip. At the end, I would like to make another confession. I never expected this trip could be so much fun. Also, I was able to have a dynamic and productive time which made me reflect on myself by contacting with different world of diverse people. I would like to thank you to all in Atsumi-zaidan, including Rijicho-sama, and to everyone enjoyed such a precious trip together.
by Park Sohyun (2007 Raccoon)
Translated by Fusae Ito
The photos of Karuizawa Trip in five folders can be found in the following URL.
http://www.aisf.or.jp/photos/
- Shield Construction Site Visit by 2007 AISF Scholars
July 3rd was an unforgettable day for AISF scholarship recipients of fiscal year 2007. This is because of being able to visit the site for the underground construction of the Metropolitan Express Central Loop Shinjuku Line, something which ordinary people are not able to do. This project of building an urban underground expressway, which would be very significant in improving the transportation as well as environment in Metropolitan Tokyo, uses world-leading technology in shield tunnel construction.
At 2:00 PM, AISF Managing Directress Imanishi, Secretary General Shimazu, and the international students from all over the world arrived at the construction site operation center and were warmly welcomed by the people at Kajima Construction.
The participants were not necessarily specializing in civil works. They were not familiar with the method of creating infrastructure for such things as roads, water, and electric utilities and, therefore, were apparently bursting with curiosity. The Chief of Kajima Construction operation, Mr. Moriguchi, was scheduled to give a 30-minute briefing that eventually was very much extended due to the many questions from the participants. Moreover, the participants were deeply impressed since they were able to actually touch the cutter bit and special segment bolts being used in the construction site.
According to Mr. Moriguchi's explanation, Kajima was in charge with the construction of the segment of the Metropolitan Express Central Loop Shinjuku Line stretching 2660 kilometers from Hatsudai up to Matsumizaka. Our on-site visit started from the Kamiyama ventilation area, where we went 50 meters underground, and walked about one kilometer up to the Shibuya shaft.
Various questions asked were: "How do you dig a hole?" "What do you do with the dug out soil?" "How does the machine move forward?" "How do you make a tunnel?" Mr. Moriguchi was kind enough to give convincing answers to all such questions. Eventually the mode turned from question asking to discussing. Mr. Deng of the University of Tokyo proposed the use of a pioneering material called CFRP, which he is now researching for used in aircraft, as a way of protecting the shield machine's body from the pressures of the deep underground. Unfortunately, the ensuing discussion's conclusion was that it was too costly to adopt.
At 3:00 PM, we finally were able to start the tour of the site, and everyone started putting on their helmets and gloves. We reached the Kamiyama ventilation area and from there we descended 50 meters underground using the stairs. The first thing I sensed was the cool temperature and the smell of soil. We listened to Mr. Moriguchi's explanation as we headed on foot towards Matsumisaka shaft. A question was raised about how each segment was assembled, to which the polite answer was that the segments were first assembled on both sides bottom-up and finished off to form a ring tunnel.
Upon arrival at the endpoint, the visitors couldn't help hiding their surprise and awe at the 15-meter diameter cutter head of an actual shield machine while listening to the explanation of Chief Moriguchi. A lot of souvenir photos were taken.
At 5:00 PM, the tour ended, and we returned to the construction site operations center where we expressed our gratitude to the Kajima folks as we left the construction site.
During this trip I got to learn more about underground road tunnel construction, and once again was impressed with Japan's craftsmanship. On behalf of 2007 Atsumi Scholars, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to Kajima Construction and Atsumi Foundation for providing this meaningful and educational opportunity.
by Wang Jian Hong (2007 Raccoons)
Translated by Max. Maquito (1995 Raccoons)
For information about the construction site, please refer to the following URL
http://tokyo-tunnelix.jp/project/jv/03_2/outline.html
After the construction visit, participants recovered from long walk with beers on the roof of Keio Department Store in Shinjuku. The hottest topic of the day was "Does China need democracy now?"
The photos of our visit can be found in the following URL
http://www.aisf.or.jp/photos/index.php?spgmGal=Underground_Expressway_Construction
- Racconkai in East Coast USA
AISF Director Junko Imanishi hosted Raccoonkais after she attended the screen painting dedication ceremony, representing the association of Japanese Friends of Shofuso, at the Japanese House and Garden in Philadelphia.
At 11:00am on Sunday, April 28, 2007, Dr. Scott Qiao (1996 Raccoon) and Dr. Zhang Shaoming (1997 Raccoon) came to University of Pennsylvania, where Maho Imanishi is now enrolled as a graduate students. After the tour guided by Maho in the historical buildings of it Veterinarian School, the first Racoonkai in Philadelphia was held in the restaurant in China Town. Dr. Qiao, who was awarded a Ph.D. from Tokyo Institute of Technology, immigrated to Canada, and then is now working for a US company in semiconductor business. Dr. Zhang, who was awarded a Ph. D from Tokyo University, finished his post doctoral research at Yale University and recently moved to Pennsylvania State University Hospital in Hershey.
Dr. Zhang gave Imanishi a ride to New York, where a Racoonkai in New York dinner was held at Shun Lee Palace, a Chinese restaurant on East 55st, with Dr. Xu Xiaoyuan (98 Raccoon) and her husband, both of them are the researchers at the Medical School of Columbia University. Their daughter is also a student in the last year at Columbia University. Good to see them all doing well in New York.
At 6:00pm on Monday, April 30, Dr. Sun Yanping and her friend Dr. Mitchell Albert greeted Junko as the Logan Airport, and based on their recommendation, Raccoonkai in Boston held at the Morocco Restaurant in the old district in the city. Dr. Wang Yuepeng (97 Raccoon) and his wife and two children also attended the dinner. Dr. Sun has been as busy as before in the Brigham and Women's Hospital of Harvard Medical School, where she started her research about MRI even when she was in Tokyo University, as she already has her own laboratory. Dr. Wang, who is a researcher at New England Medical Center of Tufts University, has studied at night after his work for National Examination to practice as a doctor in USA. He has finished his tests and is starting residency soon. It has been really hard work for him but he has decided because his wife and his 12-year-old son insisted to stay in USA.
Although these Chinese Raccoons in USA has little chance to use Japanese language these days, they quickly remembered and we talked in Japanese about various topics including the good-old stories at Atsumi Zaidan, hardship of making career in extremely competitive society in USA, as well as about education of their children. Most of them are currently applying Green Card or Citizenship. See you all again in USA!!!
It seems that less Raccoons go to USA after their Ph.D. in Japan. There are a few people who came back to Japanese Universities after their post doctoral studies in USA. There is no case yet, but going back to China seems to become one option for them. There seem to be more and more diversity in career planning for those who were awarded Ph.D. from the universities in Japan.
by Junko Imanishi
- The Seventh Gathering of Korea Society of Raccoon (KSR)
The Seventh KSR dinner was held at 7:00pm on Saturday, April 21, 2007 at the Korean Barbecue Restaurant “Sariwon” in the Gannam district of Seoul. I learn a new thing at every KSR, and this time, I learned that Sariwon is the place name in North Korea, a new capital of the Hwanghebuk-do District, that was constructed after the war. I have not inquired yet as to why this restaurant is thus named.
The Gannam station is in the business area of the city but also very popular among young people and sometimes is very crowded. Luckily, the restaurant is a bit away from the central area and should have been more quiet … unfortunately, there are a group of young Japanese tourist who were so noisy as they enjoyed themselves. Their room was the other end of the restaurant but their voices and screams were as if they were in the next door…
Lastly, the KSR dinner was held right after the North Korea’s nuclear testing, and we were in the heavy atmosphere this time again after the mass-shooting by a Korean student at Virginia Tech in USA. Eight attendants were: AISF Director Junko Imanishi, Dr. Nae Chan Lee (KSR Chair, 96 Raccoon), Woong Hee Kim (96 Raccoon), Ki Jeong Nam (96 Raccoon), Sung Chun Jung (00 Raccoon), Hyun Young Lee (01 Racoon), Hyeon Wook Kim (KSR Kanji, 03 Racoon), Kyoung Ja Han (KSR assistant Kanji, 05 Raccoon). Oh! What a good performance! 1996 Raccoons!!!
We have found that the mailing list is not functioning well. Some of the emails returned or did not seem to have reached the recipients. We need to check those email addresses before the next KSR gathering.
After dinner we reviewed KSR and discussed that we should do something more as Imanishi-san comes all the way from Tokyo (although Seoul -Tokyo became a day-trip distance thanks to Gimpo-Haneda flight 8 times everyday). It is not so easy, however, to add something more as everybody is so busy …..
The group photo is by Dr. W H Kim, who is now “involved” in photography. Please compare it with the previous one. As for the involvement, Our Chairman Dr. N C Lee is in golf and luckily he could reduce 2 inch from the measurement of his waist size. He is really in good shape!
Let all of us live healthy both physically and mentally!!!
by Kyoungja Han
