2006 I-House Public Programs

Tue., November 14, 2006
“Success in Life and Work-The Management Philosophy of an American President of a Japanese Bank”
Lecturer: L.Todd Budge (President & CEO, Tokyo Star Bank)

As the youngest and the first foreign president of a Japanese bank, Mr. Budge accomplished the listing of Tokyo Star Bank on the first section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange only three years after his appointment. We will hear from him on how to promote change from within and to use or refine strengths of the existing corporate culture and human resources; on leadership, the formation of effective corporate values, and the empowerment of staff; and also on balancing life and work through his experiences working as a missionary and in American finance institutions.

Tue., November 21, 2006
“How China Views the ‘Soft power’ of Japanese Corporations”
Lecturer: Mo Bang-fu (Writer/Journalist)

Unlike China and India with their remarkable economic growth, Japan is losing its presence and appeal in Asia. This is not just because of the decline in economic growth but maybe of a lack of dissemination and communication skills and strategy in terms of image presentation to the world. We will hear from a Chinese writer known for his sharp commentary, living in Japan and actively reporting on the leading edge of current China and Japan businesses, about how Chinese see Japanese and Japanese corporations and the key regarding public relations to succeed in business ventures.

Thurs., November 30, 2006
“DARE TO DO! Career Planning in an Era of Rapid Global Change”
Lecturer: Monte Cassim (President, Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University)

At Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University, students from 75 countries constitute about half the student population and half the faculty are also foreign nationals. It has a 99 percent employment rate of foreign students at Japanese corporations and is drawing attention from many top-notch Japanese corporations. We will hear from Dr. Cassim, president of the University and researcher in various disciplines from his diverse working experiences such as in the design department of a major construction company and in the United Nations Centre for Regional Development (UNCRD) about what an effective international career is, what kinds of skills and social awareness young people who would like to work in the international arena should have.

Fri., December 8, 2006
“Globalization and Corporate Competitiveness”
Lecturer: Glen S. Fukushima (President &CEO, Airbus Japan)

Mr. Fukushima, who has been active at the forefront of global issues both in the public and private sectors, serving at the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative and as vice president of AT&T Japan, will talk about corporate competitiveness in the era of globalization and the strategic perspectives needed to flourish in the international arena. Also, he will touch on the competitiveness of Japanese corporations that are said to be slow in responding to globalization and how corporations can respond to global needs from his perspective working in a company that was established from four companies from different countries and that has a wide international stance beyond representing for the interests of a specific country.

Tue., December 19, 2006
“The Revival of Japanese Cinema: A Breath of Fresh Air”
Lecturer: Lee Bong-Ou (President, Cine Qua Non)

Cinemas in Europe is a form of art and in the United States is a business, but it’s position is ambiguous in Japan. Mr. Lee who is known for producing films such as the award-winning “Pacchigi !” and the Korean movie “Shuri,” is active in introducing foreign films to Japan and the revival of Japanese films by exercising his sense of balance in the Japanese film industry. This sense of balance is not only effective in the film industry but also in other areas. We will hear from Mr. Lee about balancing the quality of films that will move people’s hearts and the economic bottom line with an eye on the global market, the difference between marketing in the Japanese film industry as compared to that of other countries, and why Japanese films are better received internationally than domestically.

April 5 (Wed.) East Asian Community and the U.S.-Japan Alliance

Japan from one perspective will have to choose between East Asian Community and the U.S.-Japan alliance, but is this how it is seen from the U.S. and what does is it really mean for the U.S. that Japan participate in the East Asian Summit and strengthen its ties with the other members? We will examine the East Asian Community seen from the U.S. side, including how this perspective might or might not change after a post-Koizumi government is formed in September.

• Speaker: Gerald Curtis (Professor, Columbia University)
• Commentator: Yoshihide Soeya (Professor, Keio University)

April 14 (Fri.) Global Mass Migration in the East Asia-Economic Integration and Political Reorganization

Issues surrounding immigrants are a major policy issue in European countries. In Japan, with its falling birthrate and aging population, the issue of admitting foreign labor is beginning to be debated in earnest. An immigration policy viewing immigrants as subjects for management and control has reached its limits.
In this seminar, we will examine the following points: how the increase of immigrant workers from Asia has evolved in connection with the structural shifting of the global economy (the new wave of immigrants such as female immigrant workers employed in caretaking or housework, and advanced technology and business immigrants), how this mirrors the economic integration and political reorganization in the Asian region, and how the immigrant issue presents itself as a struggle for place caused by globalization.

• Speaker: Toshio Iyotani (Professor, Hitotsubashi University)
• Commentator: Tetsuro Irohira (Doctor, Minami Aiki Village Clinic)

May 10 (Wed.) Towards Sustainable Development in East Asia-How to Promote Environmental Cooperation

In the first half of the ’90s, the World Bank praised East Asia for its remarkable economic growth as “the miracle of East Asia.” Now that we are in the 21st century, the idea of an East Asian Community is talked about more concretely. But at the same time, many serious pollution problems have occurred and various types of environmental damage has come to the surface in East Asia. What can we do in this situation? We will examine issues revolving around the urgent need for environmental cooperation in Asia which is necessary for the sustainable development of East Asia including Japan.

• Speaker: Shunichi Teranishi (Professor, Hitotsubashi University)
• Commentator: Tomio Watanabe (General Manager, Asset Recovery Management Unit, Fuji Xerox Co. Ltd.)

May 17 (Wed.) Sino-Japanese Relations in East Asia

In the formation of an East Asia Community, Sino-Japanese relations and their restoration are crucial factors drawing attentions from other Asian countries. Also, with the spread of automobiles in China and other growing countries, oil consumption in Asia is set to register a sharp increase and thus the energy supply in this region is another major concern. In this lecture will examine China’s aims and strategy in the formation of an East Asian Community and its future influence and presence in the region.

• Speaker: Zhu Jianrong (Professor, Toyo Gakuen University)
• Commentator: Ryousei Kokubun (Professor, Keio University)