ぐりぐりGRIPS Newsletter INTERNATIONAL EDITION

VOLUME #3, March 2010

Strengthening International Cooperation in Pursuit of Excellence With the aim of establishing an even more globally‐oriented educaon and research environment, GRIPS News in Brief: seeks to strengthen collaborave es with instuons abroad. GRIPS currently has exchange agreements with seven overseas and four domesc educaon and research organizaons. Since last year in parcular, Graduation Ceremony, 25 March we have intensified efforts to broaden our network and have signed Memorandums of Understanding With Spring on the with the following instuons: doorstep, it is time for many of our domestic China students to say farewell Central Party School of the Communist Party of China: June to their student life at 2009 GRIPS and face the ‘reality’ again. The China Youth University for Polical Sciences: November 2009 Graduation Ceremony for students in the Cameroon domestic programs and those in the IDS Ecole Naonale d’Administraon et de Magistrature (ENAM): program who have just finished their October 2009 internships will be held on Thursday Internaonal Relaons Instute of Cameroon (IRIC): January March 25. 2010 Alumni Reunion held at GRIPS Thailand Thammasat University: November 2009 Many former

Prof. Hatta shaking hands with the Dean of the Chinese King Prajadhipok Instute (KPI): February 2010 domesc students Central Party School upon signing the MOU joined us for the Canada 6th domesc University of Toronto, Munk Centre for Internaonal Studies: January 2010 GRIPS/GSPS Alumni Reunion Australia that was held on 6 March in Roppongi. Monash University, Faculty of Business and Economics: February 2010 Read more on p. 3 Czech Republic GRIPS Cinema 2010 Started Center for Economic Research and Graduate Educaon ‐ Economics Instute (CERGE‐EI): February 2010 GRIPS Cinema 2010 United States (in Egypt) season has started. The American University in Cairo: February 2010 basic idea behind the GRIPS Cinema is to share We plan on connuing to work toward establishing exchange agreements with universies and research each other's culture organizaons in Hungary, Australia, Thailand, Egypt and other countries. Based on these agreements, we through movies or are planning joint events next fiscal year, including accepng short‐term students from the China Youth documentaries and we aim to have film University for Polical Sciences and the holding of a joint‐symposium with the University of Toronto. screenings from many countries.

New Education Programs starting from 2010 Contents: ◆ Two‐year Master’s Program of Public Policy (MP2) Strengthening International Cooperation 1 Most of our Master’s Programs enable students to earn a degree in one year, but starng in 2010, our Public Policy Program (for internaonal students) will be split up into 1‐year and 2‐year programs. The 1‐ New Education Programs 1 year program (MP1) is intended mainly for career‐oriented current government officials, while the 2‐year News in Brief 1 program is more research‐oriented and targets 1) new graduates aspiring toward future careers as government officials or posions in internaonal organizaons, as well as 2) current administrave International Programs Field Trips 2 officers and private company employees (including those with professional experience). The 1‐year GRIPS Student in NHK Program 2 program awards the “Master of Public Policy” or the “Master of Public Administraon” degree, while the 2‐year program awards the “Master of Arts in Public Policy” degree. Alumni News 3 Events Calendar 4 ◆ Disaster Management Doctoral Program A new “Disaster Management Program” will be added to our Doctoral Program lineup. A special feature On doctoral & training programs 4 of this program is that GRIPS students can aend classes at University as special part‐me students Lunchtime Favorites 4 and credits earned there can be carried over as GRIPS credits. We also have a partnership with the Public Works Research Instute, which allows our students to apply for its Research Assistant Program. The Colophon 4 Disaster Management Program awards the “Ph.D. in Disaster Management” degree. Students Exploring : International Program Field Trips GRIPS Student makes Radio With the Winter Term nearing to an end, the students were offered a great opportunity to see a litlle Debut on NHK more of Japan as the three events were organized by the Internaonal Program team of our Academic Support Division: the Internaonal Program Joint Field Trip, the YLP Field Trip and the TE Field Trip. As our internaonal students earn their master’s degrees in one year, they must spend the majority of the me each day from morning to night studying indoors. These events serve as an important opportunity to spend a few days vising famous Japanese companies and important cultural facilies, to help our students get to know what Japan is about. For the students, the events seem to leave a lasng memory shared with their lifelong classmates.

1. International Program Joint Field Trip: January 29-30, 2010 There is an NHK Radio program called Led by Mr. Yoshida, Associate Professor, 152 “Eigo Monoshiri Club” (“English Know‐it‐all internaonal students visited Club”), broadcasted on the weekends. A and . The group visited Toyota feature within this program called “English Motor Corporaon’s Takaoka Plant and the Voices” showcases people from various Toyota Kaikan Museum on Day 1, followed by countries living in Japan and Ms. Be Thi landmarks in Kyoto such as Kiyomizu Temple, Ngoc Quyen (from Vietnam), enrolled in Nijo Castle, Kinkaku‐ji Temple and Heian Shrine our Master’s Program, was interviewed on on Day 2. A post‐event quesonnaire answered it. The interview was also featured as an by the students showed the Takaoka Plant as arcle in the magazine of the same tle having been their favorite, with many students issued by the program. expressing wonder at the automated producon process, which makes extensive use of robots. The interview was broadcast on February 27‐28 on NHK Radio 2 (AM 693kHz). Congratulaons to Ms. Quyen on her stunning radio debut! 2. Young Leaders Program Field Trips: January 26-31, 2010 Cherry Blossoms will Bloom The YLP School of Government trip took 20 YLP School of Local Governance trip, 12 without Tax Money internaonal students to internaonal students visited Takasaki City in on January 26 to 28, including visits to Sony and Kusatsu City in Shiga The meteorological agency announced last Semiconductor Kyushu Corporaon, the Prefecture on January 28 to 31. Mr. Sombat from December it would disconnue the Kumamoto prefectural office and prefectural Laos seemed flabbergasted upon seeing snow for "cherry blossom predicons" it began police headquarters, the Naonal Instute for the first me in his life. providing in 1955. The agency's reason for Minamata Disease, the Minamata Disease ending this service is that since private Municipal Museum, Chisso Corporaon’s weather service companies and the Japan Minamata Headquarters/Minamata Factory and Weather Associaon now issue their own various locaons in Ashikita including the town predicons, it has become meaningless office, Utase‐bune (a trawl net fishing boat), a (and a waste of taxpayer’s money) for a rice shochu factory, a farm and the Aoi Aso government agency such as itself to keep Shrine, a listed Naonal Treasure. At the providing the same service. Studies Kumamoto prefectural office, the group listened actually show that the private companies’ to a lecture by Ikuo Kabashima, Prefectural predicons over the last three years have , themed “Between the Polical been more accurate than the government’s. Scienst and Prefectural Governor” (published in the January 27 morning edion of the Kumamoto Nichinichi Shimbun newspaper). In respect to the

3. Transition Economy Program Field Trip: January 26-28, 2010

The field trip for this program visited Aichi and Kyoto Prefectures, similar to the aforemenoned Joint Field Trip, with 19 internaonal students led by Professors Tanaka, Rhodes and Xing and According to this year’s forecasts, we can Assistant Professor Pfau. This group visited the expect to see the cherry trees open their NPO Kyoto Culture Center, with everyone first blossoms in Tokyo on 24 March, a bit parcipang in a kimono‐wearing session, earlier than average. Among the best followed by a choice of tea ceremony or hanami spots in Tokyo are Ueno Park, Japanese dancing sessions. Everyone looks Shinjuku Gyoen, Sumida Park, surprisingly comfortable in their kimono! Chidorigafuchi, and, nearby GRIPS, Aoyama Cemetery. Don’t miss it! Alumni News Alumni Notes

Dinner with Alumni in Thailand Prof. Yokomichi and Asako Noguchi visited Thailand, Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia to interview shortlisted candidates for the Young Leaders Program. In Bangkok, they also met with some former students.

.....and in The Philippines Prof. Rhodes and Yoko Imabayashi travelled to the Philippines, Indonesia and Alumni Reunion at Roppongi Campus Malaysia to conduct interviews with prospecve students for the YLP Program. On Saturday 6 March, around fiy former students, professors and staff gathered at our Roppongi They had a small get‐together over dinner Campus to enjoy a few hours of great memories, great company, and great food. Vice‐President Jun Iio with former students in Manila. opened the aernoon with a lecture in which he touched upon some of the current issues in Japanese Wedding Bells polics.

Unfortunately, he wasn't able to aend in person but we were happy to have a video message from the Minister of Environment Sakihito Ozawa, an alumnus from the early days who graduated from GRIPS predecessor in 1981. The message was followed by an interesng talk by Mr. Yasunori Yamashita who graduated from the Regional Policy Program in 2001. He talked about the commemoraon of the 1300th anniversary of Nara Heijo‐kyo Capital that is to be celebrated this year. Yamashita‐san is working for the Nara Prefectural Government and is involved in organizing events throughout . During the recepon that followed there was ample opportunity to catch up with former classmates and professors. And, as the good Japanese tradion prescribes, many of them moved to a nearby izakaya aerwards to further share memories and enjoy drinks at a nijikai.

Also in the Philippines, Myrlani Velvez (PP Alumnus Spotlight: Tran Ngoc Quan (TE ’05) ’08) just got married! Her fellow GRIPS Some Feelings from a Student Returnee student Denise Sioson was there to document her very special and memorable day. Congratulaons, Lani! I am really lucky and happy to have enjoyed studying at GRIPS twice. The first me was in 2004‐2005 when I Alumni visiting GRIPS studied in the Transion Economy Program. At that Gelegjamts Enkhtaivan (Taivan) who me, I mainly focused on my studies and spent less graduated from the Public Finance Program in 2008 and is working for the me than I should have to enjoy life with unforgeable Mongolian Customs General friends, both Japanese and internaonal. Upon Administraon had a chance to visit Tokyo returning to Vietnam, I found that I missed them more again earlier this year as he parcipated in than I thought and always regret that I did not live in the 17th Asian Export Control Seminar. full.

Thanks to JASSO and GRIPS ‐ Professor Kenichi Ohno, in parcular – I’ve had a second chance when I was offered the JASSO Follow‐Up Research Fellowship for Former Internaonal Students. This me, eager to correct my past mistakes, I took advantage of every opportunity to visit and meet with old friends, make new friends, integrate into the Japanese community, explore Japan and parcipate in any event I encountered. The more I explore Japan, the more I love Japan because I always feel the warmness from GRIPS and Japan.

Now, having returned to Vietnam again, Japan is sll in my heart. When leaving Japan the first me, I made a wish to have a chance to return to GRIPS and Japan. This me, I did not make such a wish as I know and promise to return to GRIPS and Japan as it feels like coming back home. This me I wish that all friends, professors and staff will have a chance to reunite in GRIPS.

Share your news! As for my message to current students, please do not make the same mistake as I did last me. Off‐ Keep us and your former classmates course, we all understand that study is our most important task. However, please take advantage of all informed about what you've been chances to enjoy life with friends, to acvely parcipate into any event held by GRIPS, your program, doing. Send in your news to your community, Odaiba and IH…. It may be the only chance in your life. As the old adage says “no one [email protected]! can swim in the same river twice”. Doctoral Program Degree Tally and Improvement April of Vacancy Rates President Haa reported that, as of the end of the first term in our medium‐term goal, the 1 degree tally and occupancy rate in terms of enrollment capacity had dramacally improved. Entrance Ceremony He thanked all members of staff for their efforts toward recruing and tutoring doctoral program students. 6 GRIPS Cinema (tentave) Specified as a GRIPS managerial goal back in June 2007, the cumulave Doctoral Program degree tally has grown from 9 degrees at the end of fiscal year 2006 to 38 degrees currently. 11 Furthermore, the occupancy rate in terms of student enrollment capacity has grown from 62% in 2006 to 108% (as of October 2009). Tea Ceremony (haha to gakuseikai), Higashikurume President Haa expressed his warm gratude for this success in meeng difficult twin goals in doctoral degree tally and enrollment numbers, which was made possible by the teamwork 12 and cooperaon of the enre GRIPS staff. GRIPS Forum: Haiteng Chen, Baidu Japan 16 GRIPS Provides Training to Vietnamese Officials Welcome Party (organized by students) A Vietnamese delegaon of senior officials paid a visit to GRIPS to study Japan’s management experiences in public administraon, economics and services. Program Director Masahiro 19 Horie designed a four day training program that included lectures, exchange opportunies, a GRIPS Forum: Morinosuke Kawaguchi, courtesy call to Minister of Home Affairs and Communicaons Kazuhiro Haraguchi and a visit Arthur D. Little to the Diet headquarters. The training was part of the so‐called Vietnamese “Programme 165” that provides state Events Calendar Events 20 GRIPS Cinema (tentave) funding for overseas training of leaders and managers with the aim of improving capacity of managing officials of the country’s polical system.

GRIPS Lunchtime Favorites Editorial Team Professor Akihiko Matsutani recommends “Ristorante ANTONIO’S”, the oldest authenc Fumiko Sekine, Junko Takahashi, Daisuke Italian restaurant in Japan, run by a third‐ Hasegawa, Masaru Maruyama, Ai generaon Sicilian super‐chef. Matsutani‐sensei Hagiwara, Takeshi Ando, Maki Saito, recommends the garlic‐and‐oil pasta (aglio, olio e Mayo Imoto, Harumi Suzuki, Tomomi Maki, peperoncino), which uses plenty of olive oil, Karin Hillen and all members of the Office resulng in a pronounced flavor rarely of Public & External Affairs encountered within Japan.

A team from the Office of Public and External Feedback Affairs was dispatched for on‐site reconnaissance, National Graduate Institute for Policy ordering Matsutani‐sensei’s recommended garlic‐ Studies and‐oil pasta, as well as basil sauce, lileneck 7-22-1 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo clam‐and‐garlic, cream and cheese and meat 106-8677 sauce pasta. The lineup of pasta combinaon TEL: 03-6439-6000 Special Feature meals offered a choice of 10 dishes, combined FAX: 03-6439-6030 with garlic toast, a salad and a drink for a total Email: [email protected] around JPY1,650. Although it wasn't on the lunch http://www.grips.ac.jp menu during this visit, Professor Matsutani also recommended the clam chowder.

The team’s comments: - All pastas the team tried were simple, yet very rich in flavor. The sauces are colorful and the garlic toast impeccable. The desserts were The dinner menu looked appezing as well. The beaufully presented and deliciously flavored. team assigned to this task unanimously agreed The service was polite and friendly. Although the that this featured series should receive a budget restaurant has a renowned history, the and evolve into a "Dinnerme Extravaganza." atmosphere was homey and very comfortable. “Ristorante ANTONIO’S”, Minami-Aoyama (Italian) The team’s overal verdict: All ‘n all, the restaurant is a bit far from GRIPS, but 7-3-6 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku it is worth taking extra me off for. It is great for a TEL: 03-3797-0388 relaxed lunch when you have the me. About 15 mins on foot (for fast walkers)