Upcoming Events
Event Information:
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Fri09Aug20248:30PM-9:30PM ETONLINE
How Can the University of Tokyo Expand Its Influence Globally?
FUTI FIRESIDE CHAT SERIES- 2Title: How Can The University of Tokyo Expand Its Influence Globally?[東大が世界的に影響力を拡大していくためには？]Aug 9, 2024, Friday, 8.30pm-9.30pm+ (EDST) [Saturday, Aug 10, 9.30am~10.30am+, Japan] ONLINEFriends of UTokyo is pleased to present this online dialogue featuring three distinguished alumni: Professor Iwao Ojima, Mr. Ko-Yung Tung and Ms. Eri Furusawa. Dr. Ojima is an internationally renowned scientist and the Distinguished Professor of Chemistry at the State University of New York at Stony Brook. Prof. Ko-Yung Tung is Lecturer on Law at Harvard Law School, was the Senior Vice President of the World Bank and partner at major international law firms. Ms. Eri Furusawa is an HR&A professional, an urban planner, and supports public- and private-sector clients on issues of equitable governance, inclusive community engagement, and climate change. Prof. Geeta Mehta will chair this event with Dr. Masako Osako facilitating the optional social gathering section. (All bios are at this page).This event is part of a series created to bring together UTokyo international alumni for encouraging dialogues among UTokyo alumni and friends.Abstract:The University of Tokyo is committed to serving the global public as outlined in the University charter. Under the leadership of the former President Gonokami in 2017, the University of Tokyo created the Future Society Initiatives (FSI) and has undertaken a variety of measures, including “the expansion of diversity and inclusiveness, the international visibility of UTokyo's potential, and the fostering of human resources capable of leading GX (green transformation)." Under the leadership of the current President, Prof. Fujii, the University has launched an initiative to establish a “College of Design” (tentative name) as part of its efforts to "create a model university for the 21st Century". Capitalizing on the extensive and diverse international experience of participating alumni, we expect to come up with deeper insight into the initiative as well as suggestions as to how alumni may help the university’s efforts, which will be conveyed to the office of the President Fujii.Format: Zoom invite will be sent to people who RSVPLanguage: English (panel discussion), English and Japanese (Q and A)RSVP: Please RSVP by August 6 using the online registration form (https://forms.gle/BeR98krRYjCvcUGd8) or email info [at] friendsofutokyo.org with 1) your name, 2) email address, 3) major and year of graduation at Tokyo, 4) current affiliation, 5) questions for the presenters.Organizer: Friends of UTokyo (www.friendsofutokyo.org)Co-sponsors: Satsuki-kai America, FUTI Alumni Association (to be confirmed) and othersNote: Photos taken during the session may be used in FUTI’s online and offline publications. Please inform the organizer prior to the lecture if you do not wish to be included in the photos.
Past Events
Event Information:
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Fri04Nov2022Online
Lecture by Mr. Hayato Kume, First Secretary of the Embassy of Japan in the USA: “Japan’s Coronavirus Policies as Seen from My Perspective Gained in the United States”
Hayato Kume (UTokyo alumnus), First Secretary of the Embassy of Japan in the USA, gives a talk titled “Japan’s Coronavirus Policies as Seen from my Perspective Gained in the United States.” This event was hosted by Satsukikai America of D.C. and New York and co-hosted by Friends of UTokyo.
In 2006, Mr. Kume joined the Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare in Japan. During his tenure at the Ministry he worked at a wide range of areas including policies for healthcare, those for the disabled people, and reforms in employment regulations. After serving as Deputy Director of the Ministry’s Headquarters of COVID-19 Response, in September 2020, he was placed in charge of the department overseeing COVID-19 and global health as the First Secretary of the Embassy of Japan in the USA. In this lecture, he shares his own experience serving in the Headquarters for the COVID-19 Response in Japan and his reflections on Japan’s coronavirus policies after observing the US coronavirus policies on a first-hand basis.
The following five main topics are covered: 1) a statistical comparison of Japan with other G7 countries regarding coronavirus infection numbers and rates of vaccinations, 2) the circumstances surrounding the Japanese government’s initial response to the pandemic, 3) the conflict in prioritizing economy and medical resources, 4) the Japanese government’s progression from vaccine procurement to inoculation of the populace, and 5) discoveries made in dealing with the coronavirus pandemic.
