Japanese universities are stepping up their cooperation with universities in other Asian nations in studying legal systems in the region and helping produce legal experts in these countries.
The moves are aimed at helping Japan's Asian neighbors improve their legal systems to complement their efforts to create market economies and expedite the democratic process.
The Japanese universities also hope to better advocate themselves as conduits for academic and personnel exchanges, given the growing importance of this nation's ties with these new economic powers.
On Oct. 19, Nagoya University held its annual Tokyo Forum at the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies in Tokyo, showcasing the university's support for improving the legal systems in Asian nations.
Students learning Japanese at the law department of the National University of Mongolia joined the forum by video-phone. They gave a simple greeting in Japanese.
The students belong to the Japanese legal education research center, which was set up by Nagoya University's Center for Asian Legal Exchange with a subsidy from the Japanese government. Similar centers were recently set up in Vietnam, Uzbekistan and Mongolia with the objective of nurturing experts of Japanese laws--in Japanese.
Since 1998, Nagoya University has accepted students from Asian countries to contribute to the development of legal professionals. However, after some students told the university they could not learn the ins and outs of Japan's legal system if they studied Japanese laws in English, the university decided two years ago to get the ball rolling on the first research center.
At the Tokyo forum, former Vietnamese Justice Minister Nguyen Dinh Loc heaped praise on Nagoya University's project. "The center will help nurture people who are knowledgeable not only about Japanese law, but also Japanese society."
The university hopes the students at the centers will go on to serve pivotal roles in administrative and legal organs in their countries.
"As ties with Asian countries become ever more important, the university can distinguish itself from other universities by serving as a go-between with aspiring legal professionals in Asia," said Masaki Nakamura of the university's Center for Asian Legal Exchange.
Hitotsubashi University's Graduate School of Law has dipped its toes in the water by starting cooperation with Renmin University of China and Busan National University in Busan, South Korea, from this academic year. The tie-up aims to foster study of legal systems in the three countries as well as devising research education program for graduate school students and young researchers.
Seigo Mori, dean of Hitotsubashi University's Graduate School of Law, said, "If possible, we hope this leads to the formulation of a common legal system and interpretation in East Asia."
Although the East Asian economic community is still at the drawing-board stage, Hokkaido University has launched a study with experts from China, South Korea and Taiwan to propose a set of common rules for a common market.
(Oct. 30, 2007)
http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/20071030TDY04301.htm
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Friday, October 19, 2007
Waseda University to accept 8,000 foreign students in 5 years
Waseda University, one of Japan’s best-known private universities, is going cosmopolitan.
President Katsuhiko Shirai said the university plans to increase the number of foreign students to 8,000 in five years, up from the current 2,400.
The university plans to double the percentage of foreign teachers to 20 percent and increase the number of classes conducted in English. The university plans to increase the capacity of dormitories to 5,000 students, from the current 1,000, which include Japanese.
Waseda, which marks its 125th anniversary on Sunday, already has a relatively multicultural campus among Japanese universities.
As of May 1, 2006, 2,190 foreign students were studying at Waseda, second only to 2,197 at the University of Tokyo, according to the Japan Student Services Organization.
(IHT/Asahi: October 18,2007)
http://mengho.wordpress.com/2007/10/18/waseda-university-to-accept-8000-foreign-students-in-5-years/
President Katsuhiko Shirai said the university plans to increase the number of foreign students to 8,000 in five years, up from the current 2,400.
The university plans to double the percentage of foreign teachers to 20 percent and increase the number of classes conducted in English. The university plans to increase the capacity of dormitories to 5,000 students, from the current 1,000, which include Japanese.
Waseda, which marks its 125th anniversary on Sunday, already has a relatively multicultural campus among Japanese universities.
As of May 1, 2006, 2,190 foreign students were studying at Waseda, second only to 2,197 at the University of Tokyo, according to the Japan Student Services Organization.
(IHT/Asahi: October 18,2007)
http://mengho.wordpress.com/2007/10/18/waseda-university-to-accept-8000-foreign-students-in-5-years/
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Egypt, Japan make 2008 'year of science cooperation'
Egypt and Japan have designated 2008 as a year of science and technology cooperation.
Hany Helal, Egypt's minister of higher education and scientific research, announced the plan at the fourth annual meeting of the Science and Technology in Society Forum in Kyoto, Japan, last week (7–9 October).
The Japan–Egypt Year of Science and Technology 2008 will form part of Egypt's decade of science and technology (see Egypt designates a 'decade of science'), and is a bilateral initiative from the Japanese and Egyptian ministries of higher education and scientific research.
The initiative will establish cooperative networks between Egyptian and Japanese scientists and their educational and technological institutions, including Japan's Society for Promotion of Science and the Egyptian Academy of Scientific Research and Technology.
The two countries will organise science conferences and workshops, and exchange staff on joint research projects. Possible topics include preventing and monitoring industrial pollution, and renewable energy technology.
As part of the initiative, Japanese clean energy know-how will help construct a wind farm and a solar energy facility south of Cairo.
A joint programme will train Egyptians in enhanced industrial productivity, with Japanese experts educating Egyptian industrialists about technological upgrades.
The two countries will also set up a Japanese science and technology university in Alexandria.
The Egypt–Japan University will foster technological and scientific innovation in the African and Arab region by offering undergraduate and postgraduate science and technology degrees, including information and communications technologies, new materials courses and renewable energy technology.
Magdi Tawfik Abdelhamid, a researcher at Cairo's National Research Centre who obtained his PhD from the Japan-based Gifu University, told SciDev.Net that cooperation between the two countries "is part of Japan's efforts to strengthen dialogue with African countries before the 2008 Tokyo International Conference on African Development.""Science cooperation will ensure Africa benefits from agricultural and rural development and new technologies, especially information, communications and energy technologies, as well as enhancing the quality of science and mathematics education," he said.
http://www.scidev.net/gateways/index.cfm?fuseaction=readitem&rgwid=2&item=News&itemid=3983&language=1
Hany Helal, Egypt's minister of higher education and scientific research, announced the plan at the fourth annual meeting of the Science and Technology in Society Forum in Kyoto, Japan, last week (7–9 October).
The Japan–Egypt Year of Science and Technology 2008 will form part of Egypt's decade of science and technology (see Egypt designates a 'decade of science'), and is a bilateral initiative from the Japanese and Egyptian ministries of higher education and scientific research.
The initiative will establish cooperative networks between Egyptian and Japanese scientists and their educational and technological institutions, including Japan's Society for Promotion of Science and the Egyptian Academy of Scientific Research and Technology.
The two countries will organise science conferences and workshops, and exchange staff on joint research projects. Possible topics include preventing and monitoring industrial pollution, and renewable energy technology.
As part of the initiative, Japanese clean energy know-how will help construct a wind farm and a solar energy facility south of Cairo.
A joint programme will train Egyptians in enhanced industrial productivity, with Japanese experts educating Egyptian industrialists about technological upgrades.
The two countries will also set up a Japanese science and technology university in Alexandria.
The Egypt–Japan University will foster technological and scientific innovation in the African and Arab region by offering undergraduate and postgraduate science and technology degrees, including information and communications technologies, new materials courses and renewable energy technology.
Magdi Tawfik Abdelhamid, a researcher at Cairo's National Research Centre who obtained his PhD from the Japan-based Gifu University, told SciDev.Net that cooperation between the two countries "is part of Japan's efforts to strengthen dialogue with African countries before the 2008 Tokyo International Conference on African Development.""Science cooperation will ensure Africa benefits from agricultural and rural development and new technologies, especially information, communications and energy technologies, as well as enhancing the quality of science and mathematics education," he said.
http://www.scidev.net/gateways/index.cfm?fuseaction=readitem&rgwid=2&item=News&itemid=3983&language=1
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Johnson & Johnson Launches Global Diabetes Institute to Provide State-of-The- Art Education, Training to Health Professionals
Institutes to Operate in Countries Around the World; First Centers to Open in Japan, U.S., France and ChinaKenneth P. Moritsugu, M.D., Former Acting Surgeon General, Appointed to Lead Global Effort
October 16, 2007: 02:12 PM EST
NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J., Oct. 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Johnson & Johnson today announced the establishment of the Johnson & Johnson Diabetes Institute (JJDI) to transform diabetes care by providing comprehensive training on the latest practice standards, new diabetes tools and technologies and reimbursement solutions to physicians, nurses, physician assistants and diabetes educators around the globe.
Former Acting U.S. Surgeon General and public health expert, Kenneth P. Moritsugu, M.D., M.P.H., will serve as the Institute's chairman.
The Institute is part of a new effort to address the growing epidemic of diabetes, which now affects more than 180 million people worldwide and is predicted to double to 360 million people by 2030. Toward this end, Johnson & Johnson affiliates will invest the necessary resources to open and operate new state-of-the-art instructional facilities worldwide, starting with Japan in 2007 and the U.S., China and France by mid-2008.
"In sheer numbers and the costs in human suffering and money spent on health care, diabetes has reached crisis proportions around the globe," said Dr. Moritsugu, who has type I diabetes and is an advocate for improved diabetes care. "At a time when the annual direct health care costs for diabetes worldwide are estimated to be at least $232 billion, new strategies are needed to raise the level of care for people with diabetes, including stepped-up education and hands-on training of health professionals working at the local level."
Don Casey, Johnson & Johnson company group chairman, said the Institute is a response from the Company to this challenge. "Through this Institute, Johnson & Johnson is determined to arm those on the front lines in delivering diabetes care with the latest information and practical skills so they can help their patients live healthier, longer lives," Casey noted.
Developed in consultation with leaders of international diabetes organizations and public health institutions including the American Association of Diabetes Educators, the Association de Langue Francaise pour L'Etude du Diabete et des Maladies Metaboliques, the Japan Diabetes Society, the Japan Diabetes Education and Care Association, and leading endocrinologists and authorities from China, the new Johnson & Johnson Diabetes Institute will provide training each year for thousands of physicians, nurses, and other health providers worldwide.
In each country, the curriculum will be customized to reflect the needs of patients and providers and entails several days of country-specific skills training and education in diabetes care from a faculty of nationally recognized diabetes experts.
In general, courses will emphasize innovative practice models and ways to use existing diabetes tools and technologies in real time to solve patient problems. While the curriculum will vary by country, course examples include guidelines and standards of care, in-person product training, insulin pump therapy, communicating with patients and families, new tools and technologies, blood glucose pattern management and software solutions and reimbursement for diabetes care.
"With diabetes reaching epidemic proportions in the United States and in the rest of the world, there is a critical need for diabetes educators and other health care professionals to provide education and care to people with and at risk for diabetes. However, the level of knowledge required to maintain job skills at peak intensity is growing and becoming progressively more complex.
Changes in health care delivery require diabetes educators to acquire a host of new skills and become familiar with latest diabetes tools and technologies," said Lana Vukovljak, MA, MS, CEO of the American Association of Diabetes Educators (AADE).
"The American Association of Diabetes Educators supports J & J's Diabetes Institute initiative as it will provide diabetes educators and other health care professionals with the opportunity to stay current and be better prepared to help fight the epidemic."
Dr. Moritsugu joined the Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies on October 1 and will serve as Chairman of the Institute, with responsibility for overseeing the Institute and developing other innovative programs and strategies that will help Johnson & Johnson and the health care community better address the delivery of diabetes care around the world. Born in Hawaii, Dr. Moritsugu achieved Admiralty status within the Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service, was the Federal representative to numerous national health care agencies and consulted with several international organizations and governments.
Before serving as Acting Surgeon General in 2006, Dr. Moritsugu was the Deputy Surgeon General and the principal assistant and advisor to the U.S. Surgeon General. Having completed residencies in internal medicine and in preventive medicine, Dr. Moritsugu is also Board Certified in preventive medicine and holds Fellowships in the American College of Preventive Medicine, the Royal Society of Health, and the Royal Society of Medicine.
About Johnson & Johnson
Johnson & Johnson is the world's most comprehensive and broadly based manufacturer of health care products, as well as a provider of related services, for the consumer, pharmaceutical, and medical devices and diagnostics markets. The more than 250 Johnson & Johnson operating companies employ approximately 120,000 men and women in 57 countries and sell products throughout the world.
http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/prnewswire/NYTU12616102007-1.htm
October 16, 2007: 02:12 PM EST
NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J., Oct. 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Johnson & Johnson today announced the establishment of the Johnson & Johnson Diabetes Institute (JJDI) to transform diabetes care by providing comprehensive training on the latest practice standards, new diabetes tools and technologies and reimbursement solutions to physicians, nurses, physician assistants and diabetes educators around the globe.
Former Acting U.S. Surgeon General and public health expert, Kenneth P. Moritsugu, M.D., M.P.H., will serve as the Institute's chairman.
The Institute is part of a new effort to address the growing epidemic of diabetes, which now affects more than 180 million people worldwide and is predicted to double to 360 million people by 2030. Toward this end, Johnson & Johnson affiliates will invest the necessary resources to open and operate new state-of-the-art instructional facilities worldwide, starting with Japan in 2007 and the U.S., China and France by mid-2008.
"In sheer numbers and the costs in human suffering and money spent on health care, diabetes has reached crisis proportions around the globe," said Dr. Moritsugu, who has type I diabetes and is an advocate for improved diabetes care. "At a time when the annual direct health care costs for diabetes worldwide are estimated to be at least $232 billion, new strategies are needed to raise the level of care for people with diabetes, including stepped-up education and hands-on training of health professionals working at the local level."
Don Casey, Johnson & Johnson company group chairman, said the Institute is a response from the Company to this challenge. "Through this Institute, Johnson & Johnson is determined to arm those on the front lines in delivering diabetes care with the latest information and practical skills so they can help their patients live healthier, longer lives," Casey noted.
Developed in consultation with leaders of international diabetes organizations and public health institutions including the American Association of Diabetes Educators, the Association de Langue Francaise pour L'Etude du Diabete et des Maladies Metaboliques, the Japan Diabetes Society, the Japan Diabetes Education and Care Association, and leading endocrinologists and authorities from China, the new Johnson & Johnson Diabetes Institute will provide training each year for thousands of physicians, nurses, and other health providers worldwide.
In each country, the curriculum will be customized to reflect the needs of patients and providers and entails several days of country-specific skills training and education in diabetes care from a faculty of nationally recognized diabetes experts.
In general, courses will emphasize innovative practice models and ways to use existing diabetes tools and technologies in real time to solve patient problems. While the curriculum will vary by country, course examples include guidelines and standards of care, in-person product training, insulin pump therapy, communicating with patients and families, new tools and technologies, blood glucose pattern management and software solutions and reimbursement for diabetes care.
"With diabetes reaching epidemic proportions in the United States and in the rest of the world, there is a critical need for diabetes educators and other health care professionals to provide education and care to people with and at risk for diabetes. However, the level of knowledge required to maintain job skills at peak intensity is growing and becoming progressively more complex.
Changes in health care delivery require diabetes educators to acquire a host of new skills and become familiar with latest diabetes tools and technologies," said Lana Vukovljak, MA, MS, CEO of the American Association of Diabetes Educators (AADE).
"The American Association of Diabetes Educators supports J & J's Diabetes Institute initiative as it will provide diabetes educators and other health care professionals with the opportunity to stay current and be better prepared to help fight the epidemic."
Dr. Moritsugu joined the Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies on October 1 and will serve as Chairman of the Institute, with responsibility for overseeing the Institute and developing other innovative programs and strategies that will help Johnson & Johnson and the health care community better address the delivery of diabetes care around the world. Born in Hawaii, Dr. Moritsugu achieved Admiralty status within the Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service, was the Federal representative to numerous national health care agencies and consulted with several international organizations and governments.
Before serving as Acting Surgeon General in 2006, Dr. Moritsugu was the Deputy Surgeon General and the principal assistant and advisor to the U.S. Surgeon General. Having completed residencies in internal medicine and in preventive medicine, Dr. Moritsugu is also Board Certified in preventive medicine and holds Fellowships in the American College of Preventive Medicine, the Royal Society of Health, and the Royal Society of Medicine.
About Johnson & Johnson
Johnson & Johnson is the world's most comprehensive and broadly based manufacturer of health care products, as well as a provider of related services, for the consumer, pharmaceutical, and medical devices and diagnostics markets. The more than 250 Johnson & Johnson operating companies employ approximately 120,000 men and women in 57 countries and sell products throughout the world.
http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/prnewswire/NYTU12616102007-1.htm
Hiroshima Univ. to support cash-strapped high achievers
Hiroshima University announced Tuesday it would start a scholarship for students who have good academic records but are likely to forego a college education for financial reasons.
Students who are awarded the scholarship will be exempt from admission fees and tuition and receive 100,000 yen per month.
Due to widening economic disparities, whether a child can receive a college education largely depends on the parents' economic situation. However, such complete support for financially challenged students is unusual for a national university, according to the Education, Science and Technology Ministry.
According to the university, students who scored 90 percent or more at the national center test for university admissions are eligible to apply for the scholarship. Other conditions include the parents' income level and the size of the family.
Student from families of three who attend the university while living away from home are eligible to apply for the scholarship if the family's annual income is 2.65 million yen or less.
Among those who passed the university's entrance examination for this academic year, 44 students scored 90 percent or more in the national center test, the university said.
The university's admission fee is 282,000 yen, and tuition is 535,800 yen per year.
An official at the university's student support center said, "Don't give up on your college education because of financial reasons."
For more information, call the support center at (082) 424-6163.
(Oct. 17, 2007)
http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/20071017TDY02202.htm
Students who are awarded the scholarship will be exempt from admission fees and tuition and receive 100,000 yen per month.
Due to widening economic disparities, whether a child can receive a college education largely depends on the parents' economic situation. However, such complete support for financially challenged students is unusual for a national university, according to the Education, Science and Technology Ministry.
According to the university, students who scored 90 percent or more at the national center test for university admissions are eligible to apply for the scholarship. Other conditions include the parents' income level and the size of the family.
Student from families of three who attend the university while living away from home are eligible to apply for the scholarship if the family's annual income is 2.65 million yen or less.
Among those who passed the university's entrance examination for this academic year, 44 students scored 90 percent or more in the national center test, the university said.
The university's admission fee is 282,000 yen, and tuition is 535,800 yen per year.
An official at the university's student support center said, "Don't give up on your college education because of financial reasons."
For more information, call the support center at (082) 424-6163.
(Oct. 17, 2007)
http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/20071017TDY02202.htm
HAMAMATSU, Shizuoka Prefecture: Foreign students get a helping hand
A college research center has developed a teaching program specifically designed to help Brazilian children living in Japan. The material can be easily downloaded from the Internet free of charge.
The Enshuhama Elementary School in Hamamatsu, where nearly a quarter of the students have foreign citizenship, is already trying the kanji and math teaching programs that were developed by the Center for Multilingual Multicultural Education and Research at the Tokyo University of Foreign Studies, based in Fuchu, Tokyo.
The material is used in after-school lessons offered at the elementary school. The tool can be downloaded from a computer and adapted to suit the language level of each student.
"There are many teachers who have a hard time trying to teach foreign students," Seiko Shaku, principal at Enshuhama Elementary said. "Sometimes the homeroom teacher is saddled with too much responsibility. I think the teaching material will come as a boon for the teachers."
Enshuhama Elementary has 417 students, of whom 96 are foreign nationals.
During regular school hours, the foreign children are "taken out" of their regular classes and receive extra training as a group to strengthen their Japanese.
In addition to these lessons, the school hosts optional after-school study sessions twice a week.
One afternoon, Keiko Sakurai was teaching an after-school math class for first-graders, using the material from the Tokyo University of Foreign Studies.
She put up pictures of apples on the black board, following the textbook.
"How many apples do we get when we add four apples and five apples together?" she asked.
"We get nine apples!" the children chirped.
The students write their answers on answer sheets that were also downloaded from the Center Website at http://www.tufs.ac.jp/blog/ts/g/cemmer/index.html.
The students are solving math problems and learning how to add. But at the same time they learn how to count in Japanese, using the correct quantifier attributed to different things in Japanese. They also learn how to use the appropriate particles in a sentence by speaking out loud.
The text was developed by researchers who specialize in teaching foreign children, in collaboration with Japanese language teachers.
For math, for example, the idea is taught and outlined using easy Japanese that meets the student's speaking level.
Later on, appropriate Japanese expressions can be added on. The basic rule is "content first, Japanese later."
Illustrations and gadgets are used to visually stimulate the students, to fill in gaps and send information that can't be explained through words alone.
"In this class we aim at getting the children to solve math problems by reading the Japanese instructions," Sakurai said. "The program is perfectly suited for children who are able to read and write hiragana characters."
Besides Hamamatsu, schools in Ueda, Nagano Prefecture, and Ota, Gunma Prefecture, are also looking into introducing the teaching material at their schools. Both cities have large Brazilian communities.
Masaaki Takahashi, who heads the center, commented that product development was a two-way street. "We hope to continue refining the program by reflecting comments and input from the actual classrooms," Takahashi said.(IHT/Asahi: October 16,2007)
http://www.asahi.com/english/Herald-asahi/TKY200710160093.html
The Enshuhama Elementary School in Hamamatsu, where nearly a quarter of the students have foreign citizenship, is already trying the kanji and math teaching programs that were developed by the Center for Multilingual Multicultural Education and Research at the Tokyo University of Foreign Studies, based in Fuchu, Tokyo.
The material is used in after-school lessons offered at the elementary school. The tool can be downloaded from a computer and adapted to suit the language level of each student.
"There are many teachers who have a hard time trying to teach foreign students," Seiko Shaku, principal at Enshuhama Elementary said. "Sometimes the homeroom teacher is saddled with too much responsibility. I think the teaching material will come as a boon for the teachers."
Enshuhama Elementary has 417 students, of whom 96 are foreign nationals.
During regular school hours, the foreign children are "taken out" of their regular classes and receive extra training as a group to strengthen their Japanese.
In addition to these lessons, the school hosts optional after-school study sessions twice a week.
One afternoon, Keiko Sakurai was teaching an after-school math class for first-graders, using the material from the Tokyo University of Foreign Studies.
She put up pictures of apples on the black board, following the textbook.
"How many apples do we get when we add four apples and five apples together?" she asked.
"We get nine apples!" the children chirped.
The students write their answers on answer sheets that were also downloaded from the Center Website at http://www.tufs.ac.jp/blog/ts/g/cemmer/index.html.
The students are solving math problems and learning how to add. But at the same time they learn how to count in Japanese, using the correct quantifier attributed to different things in Japanese. They also learn how to use the appropriate particles in a sentence by speaking out loud.
The text was developed by researchers who specialize in teaching foreign children, in collaboration with Japanese language teachers.
For math, for example, the idea is taught and outlined using easy Japanese that meets the student's speaking level.
Later on, appropriate Japanese expressions can be added on. The basic rule is "content first, Japanese later."
Illustrations and gadgets are used to visually stimulate the students, to fill in gaps and send information that can't be explained through words alone.
"In this class we aim at getting the children to solve math problems by reading the Japanese instructions," Sakurai said. "The program is perfectly suited for children who are able to read and write hiragana characters."
Besides Hamamatsu, schools in Ueda, Nagano Prefecture, and Ota, Gunma Prefecture, are also looking into introducing the teaching material at their schools. Both cities have large Brazilian communities.
Masaaki Takahashi, who heads the center, commented that product development was a two-way street. "We hope to continue refining the program by reflecting comments and input from the actual classrooms," Takahashi said.(IHT/Asahi: October 16,2007)
http://www.asahi.com/english/Herald-asahi/TKY200710160093.html
Monday, October 15, 2007
Japanese Ambassador Designate Keen On Malaysia-Japan University
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 11 (Bernama) -- The setting up of a Malaysia-Japan International University of Technology is among the aspirations of Japanese ambassador designate to Malaysia, Masahiko Horie.
Horie, who arrived here 10 days ago, said if realised, the university will focus mainly on engineering, management, machinery, industrial management and electronics."I would like to see the establishment of the Malaysia-Japan International University of Technology during my tenure in the country," he told reporters at his official residence here today.
Horie said what makes the university different from its counterparts within the nation will be its method of teaching and training which will be based on the Japanese methods of excellence and quality.
"During my three-year tenure in Qatar, I was asked by the Emir to help establish a Japanese school based on elements of the Japanese methods of education. Even then the school isn't fully established. These things take time," he said.However, he added that he was confident of laying the groundwork for the university in the near future because unlike Qatar, Malaysia already has many people who are able to speak Japanese.
On Japan-Malaysia relationship, Horie said it is no longer a donor-recipient kind of relationship like what it was once 20 years ago."This relationship has evolved, transformed and changed completely today. Today Malaysia has very succesful economic development, is a mature and developed country which has led to equal partnership between our two nations," he said.
The partnership lies not only on economic terms but also on regional and maritime security, political as well as environmental issues, according to Horie.Japan also supports Malaysia's peacekeeping operations which are good for Asean's regional stability, especially those against terrorism and piracy, he said.
On environmental issues, Horie stated that he would like to propose a trilateral cooperation between Japan, Malaysia and Madagascar on forest conservation as he respects Malaysia's success on the subject.He said his hopes include strengthening and expanding the economic relations between the two countries by promoting direct investment and industrial cooperation, especially with the economic partnership agreement that was signed between two countries last year.
Horie, who is replacing Tadashi Imai, will hand his appointment credentials to Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin after the Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations.Prior to his appointment here, Horie, 61, was the ambassador to Qatar from 2004 to 2007, director-general of international affairs for the Japan Defence Agency and chairman for the Tokyo Defence Forum.
http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v3/news_lite.php?id=289689
Horie, who arrived here 10 days ago, said if realised, the university will focus mainly on engineering, management, machinery, industrial management and electronics."I would like to see the establishment of the Malaysia-Japan International University of Technology during my tenure in the country," he told reporters at his official residence here today.
Horie said what makes the university different from its counterparts within the nation will be its method of teaching and training which will be based on the Japanese methods of excellence and quality.
"During my three-year tenure in Qatar, I was asked by the Emir to help establish a Japanese school based on elements of the Japanese methods of education. Even then the school isn't fully established. These things take time," he said.However, he added that he was confident of laying the groundwork for the university in the near future because unlike Qatar, Malaysia already has many people who are able to speak Japanese.
On Japan-Malaysia relationship, Horie said it is no longer a donor-recipient kind of relationship like what it was once 20 years ago."This relationship has evolved, transformed and changed completely today. Today Malaysia has very succesful economic development, is a mature and developed country which has led to equal partnership between our two nations," he said.
The partnership lies not only on economic terms but also on regional and maritime security, political as well as environmental issues, according to Horie.Japan also supports Malaysia's peacekeeping operations which are good for Asean's regional stability, especially those against terrorism and piracy, he said.
On environmental issues, Horie stated that he would like to propose a trilateral cooperation between Japan, Malaysia and Madagascar on forest conservation as he respects Malaysia's success on the subject.He said his hopes include strengthening and expanding the economic relations between the two countries by promoting direct investment and industrial cooperation, especially with the economic partnership agreement that was signed between two countries last year.
Horie, who is replacing Tadashi Imai, will hand his appointment credentials to Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin after the Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations.Prior to his appointment here, Horie, 61, was the ambassador to Qatar from 2004 to 2007, director-general of international affairs for the Japan Defence Agency and chairman for the Tokyo Defence Forum.
http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v3/news_lite.php?id=289689
Tuesday, October 09, 2007
It's cheaper to do MBA in Japan
PUNE: Japan, the second-largest economy in the world, could be a cheaper destination to do your MBA than Pune. Mombusho Scholars Association of India (MOSAI) vice-president Umesh Joshi narrated this story to demolish myths about Japan being an expensive destination for higher studies. Under a student exchange programme between Japan and China, for the same cost while Japan could send one student to China, the latter sent three students.
“On an average, with a partial scholarship, it should cost between Rs 3-4 lakh annually for an Indian student to study in Japan. This is at a par with the cost of higher education in the UK, for instance,” he said. This year, two students from Pune have received full scholarship for tuition and living expenses. In an attempt to tap into the rapidly growing base of students aspiring for international degrees, the Japan Student Services Organisation (JSSO), a facilitation organisation for overseas students, is making its maiden two-city India visit.
After its first halt in Pune, it is headed for Delhi. Incidentally, Mombusho refers to a prestigious scholarship given to international students by the Japanese government and the association, MOSAI, comprises those Indians who have received that scholarship.
“India sends between 300-500 students annually to Japan, of the 1.20 lakh overseas students who go there. Most of the Indian students go for language studies, which is a pity since the country has more to offer in high tech areas, than just language studies,” Mr Joshi stated. He added that MOSAI will offer round-the-year counselling and information to students wanting to explore Japan as an educational destination.
There is a practical, long-term reason for Indian students to study in Japan, Mr Joshi remarked, given the level of investment being made by that country in core projects in India. Japanese companies, which will invest in India under those programmes, will naturally prefer Indians who have studied there, understand their culture and are familiar with the language.
A course of study in Japan more or less guarantees a job with a Japanese company in India and for the Indian, it is a benefit since s/he learns tremendous self discipline.
“This is an introduction to Japan and educational opportunities available there, from the humanities to engineering, medicine, MBA, chemistry, life sciences... We have 18 Japanese universities that participated in this fair, of which five offer post-graduate courses only in English,” Mr Joshi said.
MOSAI had expected up to 500 student visitors at its day-long exhibition, but by lunch time, the number had crossed 1,000 students enthusiastically looking for options to the “traditional” overseas education destinations of the US, UK, Australia, Germany, France and Russia.
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/News_By_Industry/Services/Its_cheaper_to_do_MBA_in_Japan/articleshow/2438009.cms
“On an average, with a partial scholarship, it should cost between Rs 3-4 lakh annually for an Indian student to study in Japan. This is at a par with the cost of higher education in the UK, for instance,” he said. This year, two students from Pune have received full scholarship for tuition and living expenses. In an attempt to tap into the rapidly growing base of students aspiring for international degrees, the Japan Student Services Organisation (JSSO), a facilitation organisation for overseas students, is making its maiden two-city India visit.
After its first halt in Pune, it is headed for Delhi. Incidentally, Mombusho refers to a prestigious scholarship given to international students by the Japanese government and the association, MOSAI, comprises those Indians who have received that scholarship.
“India sends between 300-500 students annually to Japan, of the 1.20 lakh overseas students who go there. Most of the Indian students go for language studies, which is a pity since the country has more to offer in high tech areas, than just language studies,” Mr Joshi stated. He added that MOSAI will offer round-the-year counselling and information to students wanting to explore Japan as an educational destination.
There is a practical, long-term reason for Indian students to study in Japan, Mr Joshi remarked, given the level of investment being made by that country in core projects in India. Japanese companies, which will invest in India under those programmes, will naturally prefer Indians who have studied there, understand their culture and are familiar with the language.
A course of study in Japan more or less guarantees a job with a Japanese company in India and for the Indian, it is a benefit since s/he learns tremendous self discipline.
“This is an introduction to Japan and educational opportunities available there, from the humanities to engineering, medicine, MBA, chemistry, life sciences... We have 18 Japanese universities that participated in this fair, of which five offer post-graduate courses only in English,” Mr Joshi said.
MOSAI had expected up to 500 student visitors at its day-long exhibition, but by lunch time, the number had crossed 1,000 students enthusiastically looking for options to the “traditional” overseas education destinations of the US, UK, Australia, Germany, France and Russia.
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/News_By_Industry/Services/Its_cheaper_to_do_MBA_in_Japan/articleshow/2438009.cms
Friday, October 05, 2007
Education fair unveils academic avenues in Japan
Pune, October 4 The Land of the Rising Sun is opening out its doors to aspiring students and researchers from India. At the Japan Education Fair held at the Abasaheb Garware College on Thursday, some 19 universities from Japan offered students information on courses, scholarships and entrance procedures in fields as varied as dentistry, fine arts, international relations, atomic energy and so on.
The Japan Education Fair, supported by the Ministry of Education in Japan, was organised jointly by the Japanese Student Services Organisation (JASSO) and the Mombusho Scholars Association of India (MOSAI). “Of the total 1,20,000 international students pursuing higher education in Japan, only 525 are from India, plus some 116 more who are studying the Japanese language. We want to increase this number further,” said JASSO executive director Sadayoshi Takagawa, speaking to reporters.
“The year 2007 has been declared as the Indo-Japanese Friendship Year by both the Indian and Japanese governments. With Japan’s investments in India at $ 2 lakh crore, there will be a world of opportunities opening up for students in terms of employment opportunities in both countries,” said MOSAI vice-president Umesh Joshi.
Students interested in studying in Japan would need to go through the examination for Entrance to Japanese Universities (EJU) held twice a year at New Delhi, which is on the lines of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) for the United States. Knowledge of the Japanese language, which could earlier have served as an obstacle for some, is now no longer a must.
“Many universities now offer their courses in English, and even the (EJU) is conducted in both English and Japanese. Moreover, most universities even offer introductory courses in Japanese to the students,” said Takagawa.
Full scholarships are also awarded to students on the basis of a merit list drawn up after the EJU examination. “A full scholarship is up to $ 2000 a month, which is equivalent to the amount earned by fresh graduates in Japan when they begin working,” said Takagawa. Apart from those awarded by JASSO, scholarships are also offered by the Japanese Embassy in India and individual Japanese universities. For researchers, fellowships like the Mombusho scholarship are also available for pursuing postdoctoral research.
“Japan also assists its alumni in various ways even after they graduate, keeping them posted on latest developments in Japan and often inviting them back for continuing their education,” Takigawa said.
While Pune was the first choice for the Japan Education Fair in India, the Fair will be carried forward to New Delhi on Saturday. “For students in Pune, MOSAI will be setting up a facilitation centre at our office in Tilak Road, where students can get detailed information about courses in Japan, scholarships, and even on Japan in general,” said Joshi.
http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Education-fair-unveils-academic-avenues-in-Japan/224478/
The Japan Education Fair, supported by the Ministry of Education in Japan, was organised jointly by the Japanese Student Services Organisation (JASSO) and the Mombusho Scholars Association of India (MOSAI). “Of the total 1,20,000 international students pursuing higher education in Japan, only 525 are from India, plus some 116 more who are studying the Japanese language. We want to increase this number further,” said JASSO executive director Sadayoshi Takagawa, speaking to reporters.
“The year 2007 has been declared as the Indo-Japanese Friendship Year by both the Indian and Japanese governments. With Japan’s investments in India at $ 2 lakh crore, there will be a world of opportunities opening up for students in terms of employment opportunities in both countries,” said MOSAI vice-president Umesh Joshi.
Students interested in studying in Japan would need to go through the examination for Entrance to Japanese Universities (EJU) held twice a year at New Delhi, which is on the lines of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) for the United States. Knowledge of the Japanese language, which could earlier have served as an obstacle for some, is now no longer a must.
“Many universities now offer their courses in English, and even the (EJU) is conducted in both English and Japanese. Moreover, most universities even offer introductory courses in Japanese to the students,” said Takagawa.
Full scholarships are also awarded to students on the basis of a merit list drawn up after the EJU examination. “A full scholarship is up to $ 2000 a month, which is equivalent to the amount earned by fresh graduates in Japan when they begin working,” said Takagawa. Apart from those awarded by JASSO, scholarships are also offered by the Japanese Embassy in India and individual Japanese universities. For researchers, fellowships like the Mombusho scholarship are also available for pursuing postdoctoral research.
“Japan also assists its alumni in various ways even after they graduate, keeping them posted on latest developments in Japan and often inviting them back for continuing their education,” Takigawa said.
While Pune was the first choice for the Japan Education Fair in India, the Fair will be carried forward to New Delhi on Saturday. “For students in Pune, MOSAI will be setting up a facilitation centre at our office in Tilak Road, where students can get detailed information about courses in Japan, scholarships, and even on Japan in general,” said Joshi.
http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Education-fair-unveils-academic-avenues-in-Japan/224478/
City Base for promoting Japanese
PUNE: Sample this. Over 2,600 people from the city, majority of them students, appear in the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) annually. This makes it the country’s largest pool of Japanese language learners in the four proficiency levels that the JLPT offers.
Bigger cities like Delhi and Bangalore account for far less candidates at 800 and 600 respectively each year. Pune has close to 22 amateur as well as professional bodies, including the odd individual tutor, offering courses in Japanese.
It is but natural that the Japanese Student Services Organisation (Jasso) — a body of Japan’s ministry of education entrusted with the task of promoting Japanese education world-wide — is looking at Pune as a crucial base for promoting higher education offered by Japanese universities. Assisting Jasso in this effort is the Mombusho Scholars Association of India (Mosai), a motley group of 1,200-odd people who have bagged the Mombusho scholarship (regarded as the Japanese equivalent of the US’ Fulbright scholarship) since the 1960s.
"Pune has 12 Mombusho scholars," Mosai vice-president Umesh Joshi told TOI on Wednesday. On Thursday, the city will host over 19 premier universities from Japan, a mix of national as well as private varsities, for the first ever ‘Japan education fair’ (supported by the Japanese government) at the Abasaheb Garware College from 11 am to 5 pm.
"The universities will not only showcase the wide array of courses in fields ranging from arts, science and commerce to professional engineering and medicine, but also make presentations on scholarships other than Mombusho," said Joshi. "At the lower end, the scholarships are up to 6 lakh Japanese yen (Rs 3 lakh) per annum, inclusive of cost for modest living and learning," Joshi said. The higher-end scholarships cover 100 per cent expenses and can go up to 50 lakh yen per annum.
Jasso itself offers special scholarships to students clearing the Examination for Japanese Universities (EJI), an equivalent of the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE). That apart, private universities are not to be left behind on this front, said Joshi. He said the present level of students going from India to Japan for higher studies was much less compared to those reaching the Land of the Rising Sun from the US and Europe.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Pune/City_base_for_promoting_Japanese/articleshow/2427156.cms
Bigger cities like Delhi and Bangalore account for far less candidates at 800 and 600 respectively each year. Pune has close to 22 amateur as well as professional bodies, including the odd individual tutor, offering courses in Japanese.
It is but natural that the Japanese Student Services Organisation (Jasso) — a body of Japan’s ministry of education entrusted with the task of promoting Japanese education world-wide — is looking at Pune as a crucial base for promoting higher education offered by Japanese universities. Assisting Jasso in this effort is the Mombusho Scholars Association of India (Mosai), a motley group of 1,200-odd people who have bagged the Mombusho scholarship (regarded as the Japanese equivalent of the US’ Fulbright scholarship) since the 1960s.
"Pune has 12 Mombusho scholars," Mosai vice-president Umesh Joshi told TOI on Wednesday. On Thursday, the city will host over 19 premier universities from Japan, a mix of national as well as private varsities, for the first ever ‘Japan education fair’ (supported by the Japanese government) at the Abasaheb Garware College from 11 am to 5 pm.
"The universities will not only showcase the wide array of courses in fields ranging from arts, science and commerce to professional engineering and medicine, but also make presentations on scholarships other than Mombusho," said Joshi. "At the lower end, the scholarships are up to 6 lakh Japanese yen (Rs 3 lakh) per annum, inclusive of cost for modest living and learning," Joshi said. The higher-end scholarships cover 100 per cent expenses and can go up to 50 lakh yen per annum.
Jasso itself offers special scholarships to students clearing the Examination for Japanese Universities (EJI), an equivalent of the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE). That apart, private universities are not to be left behind on this front, said Joshi. He said the present level of students going from India to Japan for higher studies was much less compared to those reaching the Land of the Rising Sun from the US and Europe.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Pune/City_base_for_promoting_Japanese/articleshow/2427156.cms
Wednesday, October 03, 2007
Blogging in Japan
Blogging in Japan. The BIG internet trend in Japan that matters to Australian exporters Several interesting facts about blogging in Japan...
Technorati's "State of the Blogosphere" reports that in April 2007, 37% of all posts to weblogs (aka "blogs") in the world are in Japanese. English language posts to blogs come in second with 36%. These statistics are based on raw numbers, not adjusted for population differences. In the blogosphere, 127 million Japanese are out-posting the entire English speaking world! If you are curious, worldwide there are about 1.5 million posts to blogs in all languages everyday.
Ubiquitous high speed mobile phone access to the internet in Japan means that a significant percentage of blogs are accessed from mobile phones. In September 2006, data from online market research firm, Impress R&D, indicated that 26% use moblogs ("mobile blogs"). Using mobile phones to talk on crowded public transport in Japan is seen as extremely anti-social.
Instead, everyone seems to be checking their own and others' blogs. Almost three-quarters (74%) of Japanese internet users surveyed by Edelman, said that they read blogs at least once a week. Comparable figures for the UK are just 23% and the USA, 27%. According to the same research, 18–24 year olds read blogs five or more days every week. Females are just as likely to read blogs as males, but when the do, they are more frequent readers of blogs compared to males. In Edelman's research, "influencers" (defined as people who are socially and politically active in their communities) are, not surprisingly, more frequent bloggers in all countries surveyed.
However, in Japan more than 90% of "influencers" also said that they read others' blogs. The comparable figures in the UK and USA are only in the 34%–35% range. The different cultural motivations of bloggers in Japan, the topics about which they post, and the degree of anonymity that they prefer, makes the Japanese version of the blogosphere quite different to the English language one. Many Japanese posts relate to everyday topics such as pets, music and childcare issues, but there are blogs for virtually everything else under the sun as well.
Typically Japanese posts read like personal diary entries rather than as being self-promotional or supporting a particular line. The number of female internet users in Japan outnumbers males for all age groups up until 40-somethings, and only then do males gain the upper-hand, 50.7% to 49.3%. In a recent study by Nikkei Research, more than half of all Japanese females in their teens and twenties acknowledge that what they read in blog helps form their purchase decisions across a broad range of products.
Types of product purchase decisions most influenced what they read in blogs relate to books, food items, and home electronics. Female consumers also read blogs for information relating to music CDs and DVDs, cosmetics, fashion and accessories. If you are an Australian exporter for whom the reputation of your product or service in the Japanese market matters to you, next time that you are talking to your distributor or reseller in Japan, why not ask what they are doing to build a profile for you in the Japanese blogosphere. If your product is ultimately more like to be purchased by female consumers, all the more urgency.
If you have Japanese language skills at your disposal, why not dive in to see what you can do for yourself. PS. In 2006, spending in Japan for traditional advertising media fell by approximately 2%. Spending on internet advertising increased by 29.3%.
Sources: Nikkei Research DataSignal, Technorati, Edelman, Impress R&D Ian Brazier,Trade Commissioner, Tokyo Japan
Technorati's "State of the Blogosphere" reports that in April 2007, 37% of all posts to weblogs (aka "blogs") in the world are in Japanese. English language posts to blogs come in second with 36%. These statistics are based on raw numbers, not adjusted for population differences. In the blogosphere, 127 million Japanese are out-posting the entire English speaking world! If you are curious, worldwide there are about 1.5 million posts to blogs in all languages everyday.
Ubiquitous high speed mobile phone access to the internet in Japan means that a significant percentage of blogs are accessed from mobile phones. In September 2006, data from online market research firm, Impress R&D, indicated that 26% use moblogs ("mobile blogs"). Using mobile phones to talk on crowded public transport in Japan is seen as extremely anti-social.
Instead, everyone seems to be checking their own and others' blogs. Almost three-quarters (74%) of Japanese internet users surveyed by Edelman, said that they read blogs at least once a week. Comparable figures for the UK are just 23% and the USA, 27%. According to the same research, 18–24 year olds read blogs five or more days every week. Females are just as likely to read blogs as males, but when the do, they are more frequent readers of blogs compared to males. In Edelman's research, "influencers" (defined as people who are socially and politically active in their communities) are, not surprisingly, more frequent bloggers in all countries surveyed.
However, in Japan more than 90% of "influencers" also said that they read others' blogs. The comparable figures in the UK and USA are only in the 34%–35% range. The different cultural motivations of bloggers in Japan, the topics about which they post, and the degree of anonymity that they prefer, makes the Japanese version of the blogosphere quite different to the English language one. Many Japanese posts relate to everyday topics such as pets, music and childcare issues, but there are blogs for virtually everything else under the sun as well.
Typically Japanese posts read like personal diary entries rather than as being self-promotional or supporting a particular line. The number of female internet users in Japan outnumbers males for all age groups up until 40-somethings, and only then do males gain the upper-hand, 50.7% to 49.3%. In a recent study by Nikkei Research, more than half of all Japanese females in their teens and twenties acknowledge that what they read in blog helps form their purchase decisions across a broad range of products.
Types of product purchase decisions most influenced what they read in blogs relate to books, food items, and home electronics. Female consumers also read blogs for information relating to music CDs and DVDs, cosmetics, fashion and accessories. If you are an Australian exporter for whom the reputation of your product or service in the Japanese market matters to you, next time that you are talking to your distributor or reseller in Japan, why not ask what they are doing to build a profile for you in the Japanese blogosphere. If your product is ultimately more like to be purchased by female consumers, all the more urgency.
If you have Japanese language skills at your disposal, why not dive in to see what you can do for yourself. PS. In 2006, spending in Japan for traditional advertising media fell by approximately 2%. Spending on internet advertising increased by 29.3%.
Sources: Nikkei Research DataSignal, Technorati, Edelman, Impress R&D Ian Brazier,Trade Commissioner, Tokyo Japan
Tuesday, October 02, 2007
Chinese schools cozy up to universities here
Chinese academic institutions have surpassed their U.S. counterparts in signing partnership pacts with Japanese universities and other educational bodies.
The education ministry noted a record 13,484 agreements aimed at facilitating exchanges of students and scholars as of Oct. 1, 2006, up about 2,100 from 2004.
The number of Japanese institutions signing pacts with Chinese academic bodies surged 25 percent to 2,565, accounting for 19 percent of the total. There were 2,298 pacts with U.S. institutions and 1,467 with South Korean entities.
China surpassed the United States for the first time on record, which the ministry has been keeping since fiscal 1992.
The education ministry believes China's efforts to boost the number of its universities and promote their activities on the back of its rapid economic growth are driving the trend.
"As relations with China are becoming increasingly important in political, economic and all other areas, ties developed by the young generation will become valuable assets for both countries in the future," an official with Keio University in Tokyo said.
http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20071002a5.html
The education ministry noted a record 13,484 agreements aimed at facilitating exchanges of students and scholars as of Oct. 1, 2006, up about 2,100 from 2004.
The number of Japanese institutions signing pacts with Chinese academic bodies surged 25 percent to 2,565, accounting for 19 percent of the total. There were 2,298 pacts with U.S. institutions and 1,467 with South Korean entities.
China surpassed the United States for the first time on record, which the ministry has been keeping since fiscal 1992.
The education ministry believes China's efforts to boost the number of its universities and promote their activities on the back of its rapid economic growth are driving the trend.
"As relations with China are becoming increasingly important in political, economic and all other areas, ties developed by the young generation will become valuable assets for both countries in the future," an official with Keio University in Tokyo said.
http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20071002a5.html
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