Society for the Promotion of Science San Francisco Office

2150 Shattuck Avenue, Suite 920 Berkeley, CA 94704 U S A

Director Dr.Takeda expresses his hopes for FY2006. JSPS San Francisco Office marks its 3rd anniversary of the establishment in May Volume Ⅲ 2006. The Office’s academic exchange and cooperation programs cover not only the West Coast, but the whole of the United States, also Canada. Since its establishment, Issue June 2006 the Office has given special focus to the following three area, “holding colloquia with academic institutions”, “introducing JSPS Fellowship Programs to pro- Inside this issue: mote science exchange” and “creating a network amongst Japanese fel- lows” . We are now taking upon a much bigger role in the development of good col- Director Dr.Takeda ex- 1 laborative relationships between Japan and other countries. Today, all of Japan is opening up to the outside world amidst the rapid progression of internationalization . We will presses his hopes strive to promote even further international science exchange across a wide spectrum of fields. In The Office Staff Switch: this endeavor, we would like to thank all of you for your cooperation and support. Welcome Mr. Kotani, Ms. Yokoi, Mr. Mizuno, and Mr. The Office Staff Switch Koyama Events of Spring 2006 2 - 3 JSPS San Francisco Office has welcomed three new Program Coordinators and one new Advisor. Bay Area & Japan Related 4 Ryuji Koyama , as Advisor , recently joined our office directly from MEXT (Ministry of Edu- cation, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology) in Japan. In the Office for Higher Educa- News : tion Policy in MEXT, Mr. Koyama gathered so much information about comparative higher education systems from North America, Europe, and Japan, his hobbies reflect his knowl- “Tohoku University” edge and interest. He hopes to visit campuses of UC, CSU, community colleges, and pri- “Tokyo University of for- vate universities to further his knowledge in the field. And personally Ryuji plans to learn about California wines (or wines in general), perfect driving in the U.S. (from left to right eign Studies” is a big change!), and using his extensive knowledge of higher education, be the best advisor and rep- 5 resentative of JSPS as he possibly can. Bringing his nuclear family abroad with him has presented “University of Toyama” itself challenging but rewarding, especially for his children. This will be an unforgettable experience, “ Kyoiku University” so let’s enjoy! Interview with JSPS Fellow 6 in the U.S. Mitsuru Mizuno, Noriko Yokoi, as Eiji Kotani , as Pro- as Program Coor- Program Coordina- gram Coordinator , Upcoming Events of 2006 dinator , is in tor , joined our office promotes “JSPS charge of publiciz- to oversee account- Postdoctoral Fel- ing JSPS through ing affairs, coordi- lowship Programs the newsletter and nate gatherings and for North American website, and also helps coordi- visits by scholars, and investi- and European Researchers”. nate co-held colloquia, this gate scientific trends in the He first learned the importance year with UC Berkeley’s Center U.S. With a Law degree from of exchange amongst the Asian for Japanese Studies, for ex- , Noriko joined nations during his stint in the ample. In the Research Coop- JSPS in Tokyo. In the Re- Asian Program Division at JSPS eration Division II at JSPS HQ, search Cooperation Division II HQ. Now Eiji is interested in Mitsuru learned about the fund- she coordinated events and the international exchange of ing and review systems for programs with Germany. American universities, and researchers in Japan. He now Learning official letter drafting plans to visit many different wants to introduce Japanese in English, visitor hospitality, institutions to gather informa- science to the U.S., and at the and education and research tion for his final job report. same time visit as many places systems, Noriko was prepared Living in the U.S. has pre- across the country as he can. for her new position here in our sented many challenges, like His expectation of very friendly San Francisco Office. She driving for example – but now and talkative people here in wants to improve her English driving is one of his many hob- California presented itself true, abilities and visit many places bies. Eiji also follows baseball, Phone: 510-665-1890 and is challenging him to use across the U.S. We’re glad to and hopes to see many base- his English, meet new friends, have you Noriko. Kendama ball games during his time Fax: 510-665-1891 and dream for the future. Queen! here. Go Team Tiny! Questions or Feedback? Good luck Mitsuru! Email: [email protected]

JSPSSFNewsletter/Vol.3/June2006 P a g e 2 Events of Spring 2006

JSPS SF represents at 39 th Annual Cherry Blossom Festival of Northern California

Once again, the Japan Pavilion (group of Japanese organizations abridged by the Japan Information Center of the Consulate General of Japan in San Francisco) invited JSPS to participate in this year’s exhibit in the Radisson Miyako Hotel, during the first two-day cele- bration of the 39 th Annual Cherry Blossom Festival. San Francisco’s Japantown was a flurry of Japanese cultural traditions, decorations, (Dr. Takeda, Toda, Mizuno with Consul General Yamanaka and his wife, and the San Francisco Center, and fanfare. This year’s festival attracted more than 150,000 people the Osaka Prefectural Government California Office) from all around the world. The Japan Pavilion, though inside the Miyako Hotel, still had a good circulation of visitors. Between the booths of the Japan Information Center and Osaka University San Francisco Office, JSPS San Francisco Office and its officers displayed a beautiful and informative booth – featuring JSPS brochures and information packets, fellowship guideline handouts, our newsletter, and the official JSPS DVD. The booth was constantly manned by the staff of our office. It was a good opportunity for JSPS to connect with new people, and for the newly arrived program coordinators to speak about JSPS in English. We look forward to this invitation again next year. (Toda and Caroline pose with the 2006 Cherry Blossom Queen pageant court)

SYMPOSIUM APRU/AEARU Research Symposium

SUPPORT Earthquake Hazards around the Pacific Rim Global Watch and Environmental Impact April 21st & 22nd

On 21-22 April, a research symposium, titled of the two collegial associations sought ways to ad- “Earthquake Hazards Around the Pacific Rim—Global vance cross-disciplinary joint research and to Watch and Environmental Impact” was held be- strengthen technical collaboration between their uni- tween the Association of Pacific Rim Universities versities situated along the “Rim of Fire”. (APRU) and the Association of East Asian Research Universities (AEARU), two federations of leading The total number of participants exceeded more universities in the Asia-Pacific region. Held in San than 90, including 20 attendees from the session Francisco, the symposium was carried out by UC opened to the public. Berkeley and Osaka University under the co- sponsorship of JSPS and other related organiza- For the symposium’s program, please see the web- tions. It was linked to the various international con- site http://www.jspsusa-sf.org/pdfs/APRU%20Symposium%20schedule.pdf ferences being held to commemorate the 100 th an- niversary of the Great 1906 San Francisco Earth- quake.

The purpose of the symposium was to apply new research to the forecasting and prevention of disas- ters in the Asia-Pacific region while fostering part- nership among the participating universities. In this vein, the results of research were presented on such topics as new sensing and monitoring technologies for earthquakes and other natural disasters, risk management on lifelines, damage mapping, and government response. In swapping knowledge on these and broader matters of regional concern, such as ways to reduce environmental loading, members Friday, April 21st – Saturday, April 22nd (2006)

JSPSSFNewsletter/Vol.3/June2006 P a g e 5 Events of Spring 2006 A Live Lecture to Osaka University Students in Japan by Director Dr. Seishi Takeda

Osaka University's San Francisco Center is helping push the practi- cal use of technology in international education to a higher level through live e-Learning sessions. Hosted from a high-tech multime- dia studio in the center, they invite distinguished guests from the Bay Area to discuss a variety of cutting-edge fields with students back in Japan. These students also have a chance to benefit from lecturers' extensive experiences by participating in lively Q&A ex- changes. ( http://www.osaka-u-sf.org/elearning.shtml )

On June 8th and 15th, the director of JSPS San Francisco Office, Dr. Seishi Takeda, was invited to give the live lecture via TV Con- ference System. Using an abundance of photographs, Dr. Takeda began his lecture titled “Big Science and Global Cooperation”, with a brief introduction of JSPS and the U.S. environment where he used to spend a life as a researcher. Starting with the pioneering achievement of students at Stanford University in wireless technol- ogy, he went on to say that spirit of challenge had played a large role in the development of Silicon Valley and generated a synergistic effect with that of young researchers at University of California, Berkeley. He explained, in conclusion, “big science” had been created here. All students were very impressed with the rich content of his lec- ture.

REPORT OF UNIVERSITY VISIT

STANFORD UNIVERSITY

Date : Thursday, June 22nd, 2006 Where : Stanford University, California Stanford Linear Accelerator Center Encina Hall, Ground Floor Conference

On June 22nd, we visited Leland Stanford Junior Univer- sity ( most commonly known as Stanford University). It is located between San Francisco and San Jose, in the heart of Silicon Valley, and surrounded by many high technology companies and research institutes. Thursday, June 22nd, 2006 (Linear Accelerator at SLAC) First, we toured a linear accelerator at SLAC (Stanford Linear Accelerator Center). The accelerator, which is two-miles in length, is used to conduct research in ele- Japan in San Francisco. In the lecture, which was mentary particle physics. opened to the public, about thirty people partici- pated. The theme was “History of Japanese Ameri- After that, invited by Stanford Program on International cans and Their Contribution to the LARA Relief Activi- and Cross-Cultural Education (SPICE), we listened to a ties in the Post-War Years.” There were some ques- lecture by Professor Masako Iino, president of Tsuda tions and impressions from the participants, express- College. This event was co-sponsored by Stanford Uni- ing their high interests in this theme. versity Asia Pacific Research Center, Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies, Center for East Asian ・SLAC - http://www.slac.stanford.edu/ Studies, Stanford Program on International and Cross- ・SPICE - http://spice.stanford.edu/ cultural Education (SPICE) and the Consulate General of

JSPSSFNewsletter/Vol.3/June2006 P a g e 3 Bay Area & Japan Related News vol. 1

Tohoku Univer- ・To become the innovative and learning, e-learning, short- and structured epicenter of knowledge long-term overseas education sity An- and wisdom originated from the ・Supporting Tohoku University nounces Open- University Global Promotion Center ・Supporting formation of an alumni ing of Global ・To strengthen its presence in the organization in the US, and its ac- Strategic Development world by pursuing the mission (see tivities below) Office in the heart of The Open House and the Opening Silicon Valley, Califor- ・To support the University to Ceremony will be held (The schedule smoothly return the University’s will be announced soon ). nia, U.S. achievements to international communities. “““We are very excited about the Tohoku University announced opening of the US Office” says that it opened a US representative Its mission includes: Tetsuo Shoji, Director of Tohoku office in Palo Alto, CA, on May 24, ・ Supporting strategic application University US Office. “The U.S. 2006 . The U.S. Office aims to of research achievements to the Office will spearhead the efforts become an epicenter of collabora- world to strengthen Tohoku Univer- tions for the University, overseas ・ Supporting collaboration with sity’s presence in the world as a academia and other international overseas academia and interna- leading collaborative research communities. tional organizations (planning and institution.” (http://www.tohoku-u.us ) holding symposiums and seminars; developing collaborative research JSPS SF Office expects the Tohoku The U.S. Office was established and contract research) University US Office to carry out for the following objectives: ・ Supporting cooperative educa- their mission sufficiently, and we are looking forward to making a strong ・To promote research and educa- tional opportunities with overseas relationship and having future col- tional achievements of the Univer- academia and international organi- laborations with them. sity to the US and Europe zations for symposiums, distant

networks on a global scale. OFIAS will As part of our grand design, TUFS Tokyo University of also work to accommodate research- declares to serve as: Foreign Studies ers from overseas to promote ex- 1. a base of higher learning re- changes of scholars as well as stu- lated to the world's languages, Opening of the Office dents, and contribute to the creation cultures, and societies. for International Aca- of a multilingual and multicultural 2. an academic and cutting-edge campus. OFIAS will also be involved research base for the world's demic Strategy in the organization and support of languages, cultures, and socie- international support activities con- ties. ducted by TUFS. Through such activi- Koji Miyazaki ties, OFIAS will develop personnel 3. a global base for Japanese lan- Vice President, Tokyo University of who can contribute to the field of guage education. Foreign Studies global academics in a variety of fields. Today, not only universities, but all Director, Office for International Aca- demic Strategy TUFS is a unique university whose of Japan is opening up to the outside education and research activities world. We are convinced that TUFS, On September 1, 2005, Tokyo cover languages, cultures and socie- where dozens of languages are daily University of Foreign Studies ties of virtually all areas of the globe. used, represents a model for research, (TUFS) opened the Office for In- It is no overstatement to claim that education, and organizational admini- ternational Academic Strategy all aspects of TUFS's research and stration in today's rapidly progressing (OFIAS-TUFS). OFIAS is one of the educational activities are interna- multilingual and multicultural environ-

model projects of the Ministry of tional. In particular, TUFS boasts a ment. Education, Culture, Sports, Science large stable of outstanding research- O OFIAS will build on the foundation of and Technology (MEXT) which has ers in the field of Asian and African TUFS's tradition and status. By under been promoting the globalization of studies and in the field of Japanese taking international activities with Japan’s universities. OFIAS will be language education. With these staff greater strategy and organization, and responsible for developing TUFS's members, TUFS has long been co- by developing personnel capable of international strategies. In that operating with universities and re- leading globalization, we will strive to context, OFIAS will undertake the search institutes outside Japan. TUFS make TUFS a university that interfaces st operations of overseas bases, liai- currently maintains exchange pro- and interacts with the 21 century sons with overseas organizations, grams with some 75 organizations in global society. and the establishment of human 35 countries worldwide involving http://www.tufs.ac.jp/common/is/kenkyu/ofias.html countless researchers and students.

JSPSSFNewsletter/Vol.3/June2006 Bay Area & Japan Related News vol. 2 P a g e 4

groups. The first is the clinical re- cines. In the third group, basic stud- Advanced search group, which applies this ies such as field studies on herbal approach to concept of "oriental philosophy" to a drug resources on the Eurasian Con- number of diseases such as rheu- tinent are conducted, databases are personalized matoid arthritis, climacteric syn- compiled and released, and DNA drome, etc. Even if certain symp- microarrays for identification of medicine based on ori- toms are classified into category by natural medicines, etc., are devel- ental philosophy western medicine, they might be oped. classified into sub-categories based As mentioned above, this COE In 2003, the Japanese Ministry of on the theories of Kampo medicine. program is conducted to create Education and Science adopted Metaphorically speaking, western a novel field in therapeutics the COE program of University of and Kampo medicines might be based on personalized medicine Toyama , entitled "Advanced ap- thought of as geographic longitudes through the fusion of two differ- proach to personalized medicine and latitudes, respectively, on a ent paradigms, oriental and based on oriental philosophy". terrestrial globe. From this grid, most important are certain points western medicines. Further, we The concept of "oriental philoso- where longitudes and latitudes cultivate human resources capa- phy" is obviously part of our cul- cross. In order to clarify the charac- ble of carrying out advanced ture and has application in a wide teristic features of these crossing clinical and basic research based range of disciplines, including tra- points, our COE program has on the concept of "oriental phi- ditional herbal drugs and medical adopted a proteomics analysis sys- losophy", and we aim to bring technology. Mobilizing this con- tem of patients' blood as one of the the establishment of interna- cept, the purpose of our COE pro- key research methods. The second tional research and education gram is to create and systematize is the basic research group, which centers of traditional medicine this "personalized medicine". examines pathologic conditions of and pharmacology to realization. animal models such as transgenic http://www.toyama-mpu.ac.jp/gd/ao/COE/en/index.html As part of this program, research mice, etc., and also analyzes phar- is performed by three major macological actions of Kampo medi-

University evaluate that its class is very practi- kinds of ideas for improve- cal because he is familiar with li- ments and innovations of the Education, brary field and able to get the university. Faculty Development school librarian license. It gives them strong influences. For example, the librarian who and University Manage- takes part in the project makes ment by the Librarians Next, in our library, the librarians suggestion of the development of hold the “Faculty Development” electronic informations about edu- ~ heading for the coopera- in cooperation with teachers. Its cations (ex. academic institutional tion with teachers and purpose is to motivate the librari- repository http://www.nii.ac.jp/metadata/irp/ ) ans, advertise a library inside and and the enrichment of information staffs ~ outside of the university and im- literacy educations by the librari- prove the library services. ans. In Osaka Kyoiku University , http://www.bur.osaka-kyoiku.ac.jp/kikaku/news/0505/dreamp.html the librarian takes charge of university class. The librarian’s For example, a librarian who got The project’s activation is being name is “Noboru SAMUKAWA”, training in University Library in showed at this blog site. and its class’s name is “The Sweden in 2003 held the Faculty http://yume.cc.osaka-kyoiku.ac.jp/dream/ practical use of information Development about the library ser- They are our University Education, media”. It is rare case in Ja- vices for foreign students in coop- Faculty Development and Univer- pan. eration with a teacher in the foreign students center. sity Management by the Librarians http://www.bur.osaka-kyoiku.ac.jp/kikaku/gakuho/gakuho/04-natu/gakuhou04-natu08.html The purpose of the class is to ac- -heading for the cooperation with teachers and staffs- quire the total knowledge about Moreover, in our university, the And we are going to make the ef- information media which is librarians and teachers and forts to keep activations the above- needed for school librarians with staffs start up a project which mentioned. the object of the school library aims to vitalize the university. management. The number of the The project’s name is “Dream Osaka Kyoiku University Library students is about 300. And they Project”, they suggest various (http://www.lib.osaka-kyoiku.ac.jp/ ) Librarian Megumi UENO

JSPSSFNewsletter/Vol.3/June2006 P a g e 6 Interview with JSPS Fellow in the U.S.

Kaori Shiojiri’s Interview and within the research spec- trum, an equal balance of field work and lab work. Ms. Kaori Shiojiri communicates with plants, or at least she is She speaks of her JSPS fellow- trying to. She has research ships as the greatest experi- proving plants communicate to ence of her life. Her time in eachother – impressive enough! the U.S. presented many chal- Kaori spent two years on a JSPS lenges, culturally mostly . Kaori Postdoctoral Fellowship at UC Davis, has transitioned since her stints from 2003 to 2005. She is now on here; as she became more open- a JSPS Research Fellowship for minded and free-speaking, she Dr. Kaori Shiojiri Young Scientists, this time traveling even noticed more efficiency within JSPS Postdoctoral Fellowships for Research Abroad 2003-2005 back and forth from UC Davis’ Ento- her laboratory because she was JSPS Research Fellowships for Young Scientists 2006- mology Department to Kyoto Uni- able to convey her true feelings versity’s Center for Ecological Re- more directly. She is very active, MS (Entomology) Department of Agriculture, search, every few months for the playing some kind of sport every- Kyoto University, Japan, 1998 term of three years. She is con- day. Here in the States she also Ph.D. (Entomology) Department of Agriculture, tinuing her research in plant-plant realized how fun pick-up games Kyoto University, Japan, 2001 communication, specifically volatile can be, not a very popular concept response inducers, and has been in Japan. And besides meeting E-mail : [email protected] working closely with the Silver and befriending “foreigners” in her Sagebrush and California Mugwort mind, Kaori also realized the plants, both native to the U.S. amazing opportunity given to fel- Upcoming Fellowship Deadlines lows to network with many other Kaori became interested in plant Japanese researchers of various Please note that the upcoming deadlines for the communication after studying plant- fields. She advises others to do JSPS Postdoctoral Fellowship (Short-term) are : insect communication and insect the same, and knowing a little behavior in graduate school. Learn- about one’s own culture and his- July 7th, 2006 & September 8th, 2006 ing how plant volatiles are affected tory can go a long way when con- by insects, she began teaching un- versating. dergraduate students. Kaori If you are interested in applying, please be sure found teaching and promoting Thank you Dr. Shiojiri, we wish to get your completed application to the JSPS you the best of luck in your re- science very rewarding, but she SF Office at least one week prior to the above loves researching, too. Her search endeavors. Let’s spread dream job would ideally be to the word of ‘science’! dates. JSPS SF can send your application di- work an equal balance of both, rectly to our headquarters! Upcoming Events of 2006

The 5 th Gathering for Japanese fellows Look out for the next JSPS/CJS Joint Colloquium—this October! July 28 17:00-19:30 JSPS and CJS (Center for Japanese Studies, JSPS San Francisco Office will hold the 5 th Gathering for JSPS fellow- UC Berkeley) annually present. ships.

The purpose is to provide the Japanese researchers in the U.S. with a good opportunity to share useful information, promote the exchange of research As always, should you have any specific ques- in not just common research fields but in different research fields, and sup- tions, or if you would like to be added to our port network-building among these researchers. mailing list, feel free to contact us at We had four gatherings in the past, and this time, we will hold it in Berke- [email protected] . ley, CA, in July. It is a free buffet style party. We are looking forward to a lot of researchers’ participation. Check out our website!

Hotel Durant 2600 Durant Avenue, Berkeley www.jspsusa-sf.org

JSPSSFNewsletter/Vol.3/June2006