THE BULLETIN OF JSA
No.168, April 25, 2022

(Photo: by Hajime Ono, in Hachioji-city, Tokyo)«CONTENT»
Activities
Events and Statements
Statements protesting against the Russian Invasion of Ukraine issued by JSA Executive
Committee, Hazuki-no-Kai (Women’s organization) and other JSA Branches; etc.

Gallery: Solidarity with Ukrainian People!
What’s New
About Us1

Activities (1) JJS Vol.57, No.2 February (2022), p.61 (125)
Report on the 21st Tokyo Science Symposium

The JSA Tokyo branch held the 21st Tokyo Science symposium on November 27 (Sat) and 28(Sun), 2021. It has been held every other year when the comprehensive scientific study conventions(CSSC) sponsored by JSA national committee are not held, and this year’s symposium was the 21st.
The Tokyo branch thought this symposium as its largest project of this year and prepared for it duringwhole this year.
The main topic was “Living in the Age of COVID-19 Crisis: Science, Human Rights, Civil
Solidarity.” After the opening ceremony, two special lectures and all of presentations in 16 sessionsof subcommittees were made as scheduled.
In the first special lecture, INABA Tsuyoshi, the representative director of Tsukuroi Tokyo Fund,
General Incorporated Association, spoke under the title of “A Report from the Actual Field of COVID19 Poverty Aid.” He told about the realities of increasing poverty in Japan under the corona crisis,
including those who cannot stay overnight in internet cafes due to the emergency declaration and those
who cannot pay even the telephone charge for consultation, and about the poverty support activities
of INABA's Tsukuroi Tokyo Fund.
In the second special lecture, SHIDA Yoko (Musashino Art University) reported on “COVID19 and the Article 53 of the Constitution about Extraordinary Diet Session Issues.” Referring to somecourt precedents, she explained detailed that the democracy based on the Constitution of Japan is nota majority despotism without respect for minority opinions but a deliberative democracy, and that the
government has however ignored the constitutional obligation although the Article 53 requires toconvene an extraordinary parliamentary session if the House of Representatives or the House ofCouncilors decides with more than a quarter votes.
In 16 various sessions organized by respective themes related to COVID-19, a total of 62 persons
made presentations. In each session, there were about 10 to 40 participants. Some of them extended
the time to continue enthusiastic discussions.
This symposium was held online in consideration of the COVID-19 infection, using Zoom
meeting without participation fee. All participants accessed from home etc. via the Internet. Eachsubmitted paper of presenter was accessible as downloaded digital data for all registered participants.
Booklets were printed for those who wished to receive them for a fee.
Compared to the real face-to-face meeting at the venue, there is a disadvantage that it is difficult2

for participants to interact with each other. But such a style makes it easier to participate from all overthe country, as was the case of the 23th CSSC held online last year.
Because of the executive committee’s call for the success of this public symposium with theparticipation of all branch members, a large number of non-members including the general citizens
participated. The JSA Tokyo branch hopes to utilize new connections for the purpose of membership
recruitment.
Additionally, the Tokyo branch collect contributions to hold this symposium. Nationwide
members who would like to support it are requested to contact us to donate. We have enough copies
of proceedings. If you wish, we will distribute them (2,500 yen per booklet including shipping charge).
(SAKUMA Hidetoshi, Secretary General of this Symposium)

Activities (2) JJS Vol.57, No.2 February (2022), p.62 (126)
Held a Study Session to Inquire about the Ideal State of Local National Universities on the Issueof Appointment Refusal of the Science Council of JapanIn November 6, 2021, JSA Mie branch held a Study Session “Issue of Appointment Refusal of
the Science Council of Japan (SCJ): the Problem about the Ideal State of Local National
Universities,” collaborated with “Article 9 Association Tsu.” The lecturer was ONISHI Yasumitsu,
Prof. faculty of Humanities, Literature of Mie University, Director and a Vice President.
At the study session, TAKAYAMA Susumu, the Secretary General of the JSA Mie branch,
firstly raised the issue, which also served as a greeting. He said: “This study session with the 'Article
9 Association Tsu' was scheduled for January 2021 by MATSUMIYA Takaaki, Ritsumeikan
University (one of the six candidates who were refused the appointment of the SCJ). The lecture
was postponed due to the COVID-19 infectious disease. It is a continuous study session that wasstarted to continue working on the issue of appointment refusal of SCJ, and this is the third time
including online-held meetings. I hope you talk about the role that scientists play in solving problems
from the standpoint of humanities and social sciences.”
Firstly, ONISHI apologized for the misconduct in the Anesthesiology Department of Mie
University Hospital and for the occurrence of 6 clusters due to COVID-19 infection during this period.
He continued: “During this time, Mie University promoted the four Satellite Campus Projects;
Hokusei, Iga, Ise-Shima, and Higashi-Kishu. We introduced four satellite projects. There, Mie3

University cooperated in the field of forestry at the Higashi-Kishu satellite, researched on fisheries
and ama at the Ise-Shima satellite, researched on ninja at the Iga satellite, and carried out industryacademia collaboration at the Hokusei satellite.”
And then, ONISHI continued: “A previous day, I asked Mie-Prefecture about the role of Mie
University in Mie region. And at that time, I told the Prefecture officer that we are requested to makesocial impacts by the Ministry of

Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.” Hemaintained: “I think it is another affluence to share new ideas with the citizens that I have not noticed
until now.” And “I asked the Prefecture officer what Mie Prefecture would become affluent in the next
50 years, by the industrial development, or not so, what to target the making of democratic andmutually respectable civil society, but they had no answer.” He emphasized: “If there are no answer
when we asked Prefecture or the members of the Diet, it is a problem that we should answer byourselves.” Furthermore, ONISHI emphasized: “It is the future era that citizens themselves will think
about and decide how civil society will progress in the future, and I would like all people who
participate here to think together.”
Questions and answers ranged from scandals in the anesthesiology department of Mie University
Hospital, COVID-19 countermeasures, and military research issues to literature that ONISHI
specializes in. In particular, in response to the final question, “Does the civil society that Mie
University relies on include the citizens who gathered here, 'Article 9 Association Tsu'?”, ONISHI
said: “Gathering opinions at such a gathering of citizens. Isn't it appropriate and important to do?”There were 52 participants. Finally, the Secretariat of the 'Article 9 Association Tsu' made anannouncement saying: “We have been decided to invite MATSUMIYA to hold a study session in thenear future. In that case, I would like many people to participate.”
The executive committee working on this study group had determined to further clarify thevarious problems and the essence of the issue of refusal to appoint the members of the SCJ to the civil
life by highlighting the role of academics in the civil life. In addition, at the reflection meeting after
this study session: “As one viewpoint to accept the problems of the SCJ, we rely on the academic
position for local national universities, especially general universities such as Mie University
including the fields of humanities and social sciences. However, it may be necessary to point out acomprehensive way of thinking that transcends individual specialties regarding various issues anddirections that are occurring in this region.”(MAEDA Sadataka, Mie branch)4Activities (3) JJS Vol.57, No.2 February (2022), p.63 (127)
Report of the 1st Kyoto Branch Citizen's Lecture “Living well even if you withdraw into yourself”

From 13:30 on November 7th (Sun), a lecture entitled the above by MORISHITA Hiroshi washeld at the Consortium Kyoto Ryukoku University Satellite Campus. In order to have a learning
session that the general public can participate in, we planned an extension course about once every
two or three months, and this was the first time. It was a great success with 6 branch members, 14
general participants, 7 online participants, and 5 people who wanted to view the archive. Those who
met are still in contact and share the necessary information.
MORISHITA first talked as follows. Even if you don't go to school, you can keep a relationshipby going to school or not going to school by saying refusal to go to school or refusing to go to school
during the compulsory education period. However, if the compulsory education period is up, it will bedifficult for you to go out because there is no place to go and no one is waiting for you. It takes energy
to find the place to go and leave the house.
Using his book “Living well even if you withdraw into yourself” (2021, Shinnihon Shuppansha),he explained the struggle of three young hikikomori (people going into seclusion), who have beenplaying an active role in group “Hikikomori, No!” in Sakai city, claiming that every hikikomori has
been working hard until now, and so we should let them do what they want. People around hikikomori
have a negative image of them, and easily figure that they must change their situation drastically. But
it is rather important that they get better. A wording “live energetically” is not always true. You,hikikomori, need not “be energetic”, or rather you may live in your true colors, and should not see thewording as a ruler of society.
I learned the following important thing: We should take good care of hikikomori people’s part,not put them in the frame of having to go to work or return to school on the side of the supporters andparents, and hikikomori party itself send information. The next time, we are planning to use both online
and face-to-face on February 5, 2022. Please come in.
(KONDO Mariko, Kyoto branch)

Activities (4) JJS Vol.57, No.2 February (2022), p.63 (127)
Current status and issues of ICT in elementary and junior high schools: Utilization of one tablet
terminal per person and “GIGA school concept”

5The Kagoshima branch held a lecture by TSUJI Shinichiro (ICT Utilization Education Advisorof the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Education Department
Director of Kagoshima City Board of Education) online on October 31st (Sunday), named “Science
Plaza.” 31 members, teachers, and citizens participated.
TSUJI explained the current situation and issues of ICT (Information Communication
Technology) utilization currently being promoted in elementary and junior high schools, andintroduced the “GIGA (Global and Innovation Gateway for All) school concept” being promoted by
the government. I will omit the details of the contents, but what he emphasized in particular is that it
is important not to digitize all of the school education, but to utilize the goodness of conventional
analog and also utilize ICT.
For example, it was illustrated that individual learning and collaborative learning can be further
enhanced by utilizing tablets and electronic blackboards in class. The need for information ethics
education was also mentioned.
Participants gave critical opinions such as the importance of face-to-face learning between
teachers and children. Nowadays, online classes at elementary, junior high and high schools anduniversities in the corona crisis were being talked about. Although it seems that elementary and juniorhigh schools use ICT only for non-face-to-face classes, TSUJI pointed out that it is not the purpose ofutilizing ICT.
Due to circumstances, this meeting was held online, but one of participants (citizen) said: “I,neither a teacher nor a parent, would feel like a stranger in a face-to-face meeting and hesitate toparticipate in. But I could come here because it was a zoom-meeting. I felt like Urashima-Taro 1
because there were full of things what I didn't know.” It shows that an online meeting has an advantage
of making it possible to encourage general citizens to participate.
(SONOYA Takashi, Secretary General of Kagoshima Branch)

1

A Japanese fable. Fisher Urashima who rescued a turtle on the beach was invited to the Ryugupalace under the sea and enjoyed a life in paradise. After he returned to his native village, he found
all things were totally changed. Sadly, he opened a tamate-box, a gift from the Ryugu-princess, andturned into an old man. During his stay under the sea, decades of years had passed in the real world.
By the way, the Journal of Japanese Scientists (JJS) contains a page named “tamate-box of words,”
which explains some key-words. But you don’t have to worry. It has no aging effect.

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Activities (5) JJS Vol.57, No.3 March (2022), p.61 (189)“36th Kyushu-Okinawa District Symposium in Oita: The Present and Future of Democracy”

The JSA Kyushu-Okinawa district held the above mentioned symposium in zoom form on
December 11, 2021. As our branch was in charge of holding, I would like to introduce its features
briefly.
One of the reasons why the basic theme of the symposium was “the present and future of
democracy” is that at Japanese universities in recent years, the president selection meeting has
abolished or ignored the intention vote of university staff and selected the president. The authority ofpresident has been concentrated. Now research and education is charged with danger by the president's
autocratic management, including violations of internal rules (See “Privatized National and Public
Universities,” Iwanami Booklet). In addition, the bigger problem is political and social situation in
Japan where the constitution and laws are not obeyed, such as appointment refusal of members of
Science Council of Japan (SCJ), Moritomo/Kake scandals, the postpone retirement for thesuperintendent public prosecutor of the Tokyo High Public Prosecutors Office, war laws, conspiracy
crime, secret protection law etc. Based on this problem consciousness, we expected reports fromvarious disciplines and activity fields.
The keynote report was “Transformation of Education and Research by Reforming University
Governance” by ABE Makoto (Oita Branch). This report was a so detailed and systematic report toprogress the understanding of the problem situation. The conclusion of the report called deep attention
to the government's move to establish a “highest decision-making body consisting of outsiders” on
top of the university. The Japan Association of Private Universities and Colleges and the Associationof Private Junior Colleges in Japan released a declaration against the government's recommendationin early December, but national universities are moving late.
Nine individual reports were made, also by non-members (A list is posted at the end of thisarticle). From the perspective of democracy, valuable reports were made on local communities, climatechange, renewable energy, nuclear power, nuclear weapons, military bases, nonviolent direct action,
student awareness of the constitution, and political parties in modern Japanese.
Although the publicity about the symposium was delayed, more than 40 people from all overthe country, including students and activists, were able to participate. The symposium could be held
without major mistakes in the form of zooming. I would like to thank the Oita Trial Meeting to Stop
the Ikata Nuclear Power Plant (NPP), the Oita Peace Committee, the national secretariat of JSA, the7

Kyushu-Okinawa District Branches and other cooperators for this.
[List of reports]2 ● ABE Makoto (Oita) “Transformation of education and research by reforming
university governance” ● TAJIMA Yasuhiro (Kagoshima) “From disaster prevention to community:
thinking about democratic communities” ● ITO Hisanori (Fukuoka) “Climate change and democracy”● KINEBUCHI Hiroki (Miyazaki) “Thinking about society after breaking with nuclear power
generation: “renewable energy” and discussions of in the 1970s” ● MORIYAMA Kentaro (Oita trial
meeting to stop Ikata NPP) “Five years injunction against the Ikata NPP” ● TOMIZUKA Akira(Nagasaki) “Current stage of US nuclear weapons modernization plan” ● HIDAKA Yukio (Oita Peace
Committee) “Strengthening bases in Kyushu and the Hibikidai Exercise Area” ● TOYOSHIMA
Koichi (Fukuoka) “Democracy and non-violent direct action” ● OKURA Nobuhiko (Okinawa) “20
minute lecture about the constitution in my free time” ● UEDA Kenichi (Oita) “political cleavages incontemporary Japan: Revival of the five-party system?”(GODA Kokei, Oita Branch)

Activities (6) JJS Vol.57, No.3 March (2022), p.62 (190)
Osaka Branch’s Kansai Kai December Meeting: “Facing Okinawa as a Yamatonchu”: Report of“Working on the ’remains of dirt and sand problem’“

The Kansai Meeting is usually held starting at 2:00 pm on the second Sunday every month. The
members’ interests and activities are being announced and reported then. However, at the meeting on
December 12, 2021, we invited NISHIO Keigo, an activist student of Yale University, for the
movement entitled, Urgent Action! Don’t build a military base with human bones, to talk about theirinitiatives and the current situation. NISHIO is scheduled to take a leave until September 2022 due tothe COVID-19, instead, he has been active in protesting and calling for the cancellation of the use of
the sand of the area for the reclamation for the purpose of constructing Henoko Military Base Camp.
When enjoying Okinawa at his time of high school excursion, NISHINO had a chance to meet
KUNIYOSHI Isamu, a collector of ash, remains, and relics of the WWII in Okinawa. Since then,KUNIYOSHI has been hosting exhibitions of relics and study sessions through his high school student
organization activities, as he started to feel responsible for having been given an opportunity to learn
about the Battle of Okinawa, which he had not known, so he has been “ashamed of his ignorance.”2

The name in parentheses is the branch name. University name etc. are omitted.

8And now he is confident that Yamatonchu can petition and adopt a written opinion “requesting thatthe remains of dirt and sand should not be used for the landfill” to the council of each local government.
By June, only 6 local councils adopted the proposal nationwide, including the unanimous
adoption by Ibaraki-city council. In September, the number of local councils who agreed to adopt thatthe proposal increased by twenty times; it is expected to increase further in December. NISHIO said,“Because it is the side that is pushing the sacrifice to Okinawa, I wanted to create a flow of problem
solving from the local area. I would like to expand the movement through collaboration between the
citizens' movement and local councilors.” The youth's pure thought that “it is not humanely
permissible” moves people beyond the factions and disagreements.
It was an exciting meeting that reminded all the participants of the starting of civil movement.
We shared our thoughts on working with each local council.
(YAMAMOTO Kenji, Osaka branch Kansai Kon)

Activities (7) JJS Vol.57, No.3 March (2022), p.62 (190)2021 Hokkaido Science Symposium: Thinking about Society under COVID-19

We were going to hold a 2020 meeting entitled “climate change”, but it was canceled due to the
COVID-19 pandemic. This time, with the cooperation of the national secretariat, an online symposium
by ZOOM was held on December 12.
The first presenter was MATSUZAKI Michiyuki, a physician at Asahikawa Kita Hospital,
Dohoku Medical Association. MATSUZAKI gave a clear explanation with data, in his presentation
entitled “Nova Corona: What We Know, What We Don't Know Yet.” First, he discussed corona
infections, vaccines, and finally, preventive and therapeutic medication.
As of the end of November 2021, the number of COVID-19 infections worldwide is 256 million,
and the number of deaths is 5.15 million. MATSUZAKI also talked about the differences between
COVID-19 and influenza, about mutant virus, infection route, and infection by asymptomatic people
from infection to onset were introduced. There are various theories about the origin of COVID-19,
and it was found that infection occurs even by just sharing a space.
Thanks to the efforts of Dr. KarikÓ, mRNA Vaccine can be mass-produced quickly. It
effectively works against mutant virus, and can be applied to other infectious diseases and cancer
treatments. It is considered that its booster shot is effective, and that its risk is low so far.

9

Abeno-mask does not work but surgical mask is effective for prevention, and treatment ofantibody cocktail by infusion is effective, although it is expensive. Merck's molnupiravir is confirmed
to be able to lower the number of hospitalizations and deaths by initial administration, and it is in theprocess of mass-production. Pfizer's Paxrovid will be also highly effective and its development is inprogress.
The second presentation was given by OGAI Kenji of Hokkai-Gakuen University on the themeof “Small and medium-sized enterprises under the corona disaster.” Their recession due to COVID19 was discussed and it could become more serious. The presentation was based on interview resultswith the SME Doyukai: it was an eye-opening presentation.
(MIMA Takahito, Hokkaido branch)

Activities (8) JJS Vol.57, No.3 March (2022), p.63 (191)
Reading Party of Special Feature entitled “Relationships between Humans and Animals in the Ageof Pandemic” in the November 2021 issue of the “Journal of Japanese Scientists”

For the past 20 years, the Fukuoka branch has held a reading party for the magazine the Journalof Japanese Scientists (JJS) on the afternoon of the second Monday of every month. Five to eight
retired members participate each time. The reading party was sometimes not held due to the closureof the venue during the COVID-19 Pandemic, but held at other times.
The special feature of the November 2021 issue of JJS was published in the midst of the spreadof zoonotic diseases3. FURUSAWA’s article historically describes the relationship between humans
and animals. TOGAMI introduces “One Health” in the world. UEKI mentions “animal welfare” (AW)in Europe. And KAMISATO refers a compromise to politics on the problem of bovine spongiform
encephalopathy (BSE) that occurred in the latter half of the 20th century and called it a negative
example in which scientists had been forced to compromise with politics. Such a special issue wastruly timely.
The history of humankind is that of the fight against pandemic, and it is said that overcoming
infectious diseases through public health and the use of antibiotics has become the basis of humanprosperity since modern times. Someone remain hostile to viruses. However, a new perspective has
emerged which reconsiders the selfishness of human-centrism and pursues coexistence with animals,3

Its content: https://jsa.gr.jp/04pub/0401jjs/2021contents.html#m2021-11

10

because one of the reasons of new infectious diseases is that wild animals that have lost their habitat
due to the destruction of nature by human beings have spread pathogens. By the way, I was amazed at
the words that linearly connecting all the viruses in the sea would amount to 10 million light-years
long. It is said that research on the origin and function of viruses is now active.
“One health” is a new concept that the “health” of ecological environment, wildlife, livestock,and human beings are linked to each other. In this regard, 12 action plans of the “Manhattan Principles”
were established in 2004. Furthermore, in 2014, the concept of “planetary health” was proposed, which
reconsidered the perspective that the earth system should be healthy. I felt that these concepts areimportant in thinking about the future of the Earth in the climate crisis after Corona.
(MIYOSHI Eisaku, Fukuoka Branch)

Activities (9) JJS Vol.57, No.3 March (2022), p.63 (191)
Toyama branch online meeting “Introduction to Strangeness of Nuclear Physics”

Toyama branch online meeting and public lecture entitled “Introduction to Strangeness of
Nuclear Physics” was held at 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm on November 27, 2021. The speaker was
SHINMURA Shoji (former Professor of Gifu University, Nuclear Theoretical Physics) who wastransferred to the Toyama Branch in 2021. There were eight participants.
He introduced strangeness of nuclear physics and explained it in the following table of contents.
(1) Origin of material diversity: atom, nucleus, hadron, elementary particle(2) Why do atomic nuclei exist? The nature and complexity of nuclear force(3) From the generalization of nuclear force to strangeness(4) A more general appearance of atomic nuclei, e.g. hypernucleus(5) If you look at the universe ...: Strangeness in neutron stars
In the form of a comment, SHINMURA talked about nuclear power plants (NPPs), global
environment and energy issues from the perspective of nuclear physics researchers as follows.
(1) Current types of NPPs (PWR, BWR)4 are not safe. The scale of power generation and theenergy density of the core are too large and the efficiency is low. There are many unsolved problems.
If one says “No more Fukushima”, there is no alternative but to abolish NPPs. In case of technology
research for the future, it is necessary to utilize its features (small size, long-time run, environment
4

PWR = pressurized water reactor; BWR = boiling water reactor.

11without sunlight and oxygen). However, energy utilization is not the only technology at the nuclear
level. We look forward to technologies that bring benefits to humankind (medical care, substanceinspection, substance generation / conversion, etc.).
(2) In the use of energy that can be harmonized with the global environment, it is importantthat soft energy is based on soft process. In other words, the utilization of solar energy is hydropower,
sunlight, wind power, etc., and it is a soft material path that utilizes the reactivity of proteins likeartificial photosynthesis.
(YUKUEDA Makoto, Toyama Branch)

Activities (10) JJS Vol.57, No.4 April (2022), p.61 (253)
The 16th JSA National Symposium and Reception of Female Scholars and Technicians (Online):“Multiple Discriminations faced by Female Scholars and Technicians: Messages from the JSA
Committee of Female Scholars and Technicians”

On Sunday, December 19, 2021, a symposium on the notation “multiple discrimination” washeld. There were more than 130 participants from Japan and abroad, including those with foreign ties.
It was a long symposium from 10 am to 6 pm, but there were those who said “I wanted to hear more”
or “It was regrettable that I could not join the whole of symposium because of work inside or outsidehome.” One-third of the respondents to the anonymous questionnaire were men.
The reason for learning about the symposium was “acquaintances” (40%), “mailing lists”(21%), “homepages” (8%) and “students who participated by a call from teachers” (8%). There were
faculty members who took the time to steadily lead students to participate, and many welcomed theparticipation of young people.
95% of the respondents positively regarded the symposium as “very good” or “good.” There
were plural voices which regard “multiple discrimination” as “reasons for participation” or topics tobe discussed repeatedly. Serious multiple discrimination in academia was also pointed out. It became
clear that tackling with multiple discrimination is an urgent issue even at universities.
According to the afternoon sessions, which was divided into roundtable discussions and small
groups, and the executive committee members and participants had discussions on the equal footing,there were opinions such as: “I was able to notice ‘microaggression’5,” “I was able to talk with peace5

A subtle verbal of nonverbal behavior, committed consciously or not, that is directed at a member12

of mind,” “it was very fun,” “I'm glad I was able to input and output,” “I was able to deepen mutual
understanding,” “I'm glad I was able to exchange opinions with a small number of people,” “It was agood experience,” “It was a good system that everyone had a chance to report,” “A wonderful
opportunity,” “I was able to sympathize,” “I was able to stimulate with other participants,” “I could
share the experiences and knowledge of various people regardless of ethnicity, age, gender, andoccupation,” “There are same issues as in the medical field,” and the need for “cooperation in various
fields” was reconfirmed. Efforts by the Journal of Japanese scientists (JJS) that span multiple fields
are expected.
Impressions of the entire symposium were following: “It was wonderful because there wasparticipation of male students,” “Thank you for the precious opportunity” (many), “It was interesting”(plural), “Thank you for your enthusiasm and efforts about how to proceed with the symposium, etc.,”“I'm looking forward to the next time,” “I was surprised and impressed by the power of Okayama
University students and faculty members, and realized the rewarding of education and research again”
and “I could feel positive.” I, as the executive committee chair, encouraged participation of men.
Gender is a concept that includes men, so I hope men will continue to be actively involved without
thinking of it as other people's matters.
Furthermore, there was a warning to Japanese society that “foreigners born in Japan” were
forgotten. It was pointed out that we need not only “women's priority recruitment” frame and “gendertheory course” but also “ethnic studies and affirmative actions to correct discrimination against ethnic
minorities.” For example, there were other voices complaining about the seriousness of multiple
discrimination of being“female” with“foreign roots.” “Unconscious bias” becomes“microaggression.” It is an issue that needs to be urgently tackled in order to eliminate the power
harassment and academic harassment prevailing in the universities.
(CHUNG Haeng-ja, Ph.D., Cultural Anthropology, Associate Professor of Global Discovery Programat Okayama University)

Activities (11) JJS Vol.57, No.4 April (2022), p.62 (254)
Shikoku District Symposium 2022: “Inquiring the Future of Human Society and the Earth from
Shikoku”
of a marginalized group, and has a harmful, derogatory effect. The term microaggressions was firstcoined in the 1970s by Harvard Medical School psychologist Chester Pierce, and later in 2007,
Columbia University psychologist Derald Sue further popularized and defined the term.

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On the afternoon of January 22, 2022, 23 people were registered online and held the symposium
at the venue of Kagawa University (Takamatsu city) in a hybrid.
In the lecture (1) “Current status and problems of support activities for bikini nuclear victims,”
HAMADA Ikuo (Kochi Branch) pointed out that the approval of internal exposure is indispensable in
the ongoing “proceeding for loss compensation” as well as the “black rain” problem. He said that aprefectural symposium would be held on March 12 to overcome the theory of acceptance and earlyconclusions and to inquire the administrative responsibilities.
In the lecture (2) “Overcoming the Climate Crisis: In Connection with Mr. Yoshiro Manabe'sNobel Prize Winning,” TERAO Toru (Kagawa Branch) explained Manabe's idea which made up thebasis of the “Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)” in the 1970s and emphasized that
increasing extreme phenomena in the climate change, e.g. record-high rainfall, can be caused by thechanging areas of rainfall distribution related to climate change mainly.
In the lecture (3) “Thinking about Various Vulnerabilities in Japan that have become apparent
due to the COVID-19 and How to Overcome them,” IWATA Hiroshi (Kochi Branch) explained (i)the medical relations, (ii) the housing policy, (iii) the agricultural policy and (iv) the energy policy,
etc. by making full use of a wide range of data.
In the lecture (4) “Universities swayed by Corona,” TAKAHASHI Naoshi (Kagawa Branch)
introduced various issues related to COVID-19, such as dealing with remote and face-to-face lectures,
graduation and entrance ceremonies, and fluctuated policies of the Ministry of Education, Culture,
Sports, Science and Technology and measures to it.
In the lecture (5) “Power Shift to promote the Introduction of Renewable Energy,” TSUNODA
Tetsuto (Tokushima Branch) introduced the activities of “Awa Energy” (incorporated association) toaccelerate the introduction of renewable energy, and pointed out an importance of behavior change
promotion in public opinion with a collaboration with “Tera Energy” established by TAKEMOTO
Ryogo (individual).
In the lecture (6) “To eliminate Nuclear Power Generation and realize Decarbonization,”
WADA Satoshi (Ehime Branch) proposed to install a technically established huge “battery storage
system for grid” in transformer substation. He said that it makes it possible to store energy of solar
power generation in the daytime.
(HAYASHI Toshio, Kagawa Branch)

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Activities (12) JJS Vol.57, No.4 April (2022), p.62 (254)
Report of JSA Kanagawa Branch’s 2022 Research Exchange Meeting

A branch research exchange meeting was held face-to-face on January 15, with five participants.
Four topics were provided.
WATANABE Yoshiro talked about “Fishing and aquaculture in the Anthropocene and ‘green
food system strategy’.” The International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS) suggests the conceptof “Anthropocene,” i.e. a new geological age in which future effects on the earth and oceans byhumans cannot be deducted from conventional experiences. Last year, the Ministry of Agriculture,
Forestry and Fisheries launched a “green food system strategy” to contribute to carbon neutrality.
However, this strategy has neither recognition of the new age nor perspective to sustainably secure
food with a self-sufficiency rate of 35%. The government plans to move fish farms from the innerbays to offshore and on land, which will further increase the carbon dioxide load.
KITAYAMA Hiroyuki reported on “solving the mystery of ‘duality of particles and waves’:
Why hydrogen atoms exist stably.” SATO Fumitaka tackled on a “lie” that “an atom has an electron
orbiting around the nucleus.” YOSHIDA Nobuo stated that the true character of electrons is wave andthat waves behave like particles. Feynman thought electrons were attracted around the nucleus byexchanging photons with protons.
SODA Ikuo lectured on “Characteristics of Omicron and countermeasures.” The Omicron strain
has many mutations in the spike protein, the infection route is different from those of the conventionalstrain, and the main types of infected cells and the virus distribution are different. The symptoms
are mainly fever, cough, malaise and sore throat, but there are few dysgeusia and pneumonia. However,it destroys the endoplasmic reticulum of cells and causes disturbance of consciousness such as brain
fog and sequelae. Based on the lessons learned from New Zealand and Tottori prefecture, it isnecessary to expand PCR tests, to train infectious disease specialists, and to have a system that allows
medical professionals to perform tests without stress.
Finally, GOTO Masatoshi, the author of this article, talked about “the activities of the JSA
Kanagawa branch to oppose to invite casinos in Yokohama and to require a withdrawal of refusal toappoint members of the Science Council of Japan (SCJ).” Although there were not many participants
under the COVID-19, the exchange meeting was full of contents.
(GOTO Masatoshi, Kanagawa Branch)

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Activities (13) JJS Vol.57, No.4 April (2022), p.63 (255)
Discussing sediment-related disasters around the foot of Mt. Rokko: Hyogo Branch Citizens ForumOn December 18, 2021, a face-to-face citizen forum “On sediment-related disasters around thefoot of Mt. Rokko” was held face-to-face in Kobe city. At this forum, there was a lecture by
TAINOSHO Yoshiaki (Professor Emeritus, Kobe University) and questions and discussions.
The following is the abstract of the lecture.
Most of the debris flow is gravel type, not just muddy water, but a density current in which water,
gravel, and clay flow together like ready-mixed concrete, and the velocity reaches as high as 10 to 20
m/s. Furthermore, for physical reasons, the boulder moves to the front of the flow, increasing thedestructive power. There is also a mudflow type that is caused by the collapse of embankments anddoes not contain boulders.
The debris flow flows down while being affected by the slope of the valley floor. A debris flow
occurs at a gradient of 20 degrees or more and flows at a high speed in a mountain stream of 10-20
degrees, and deposits at 3-10 degrees. Finer mud becomes a sediment flow and flows farther. In thisway, debris flows bring great damages in the sections where the debris flow reaches or deposits
sediments. The area near the mountain stream exit is the most dangerous place, but in Atami City andthe foot of Mt. Rokko, this area has been developed and many houses have been built.
The Rokko mountain range is a raised mountainous area, so it is characterized by a high slope,and debris flow damage is constant.
The debris flow that occurred in Atami in July 2021 and the debris flow in Nada Ward, Kobe
City in July 2018 were due to the filling of the valley top. These are supposed to be construction
surplus soil, but there are no legal restrictions on the embankments other than residential land, and thelegal issue is left to the local government. The Sediment-related Disaster Prevention Law stipulates asediment-related disaster caution area (yellow zone) and a sediment-related disaster special caution
area (red zone). In the red zone, development permits and building structure regulations by thegovernor are applicable. However, currently many houses are built in the yellow zone without permits
and therefore an urgent review is needed. In the future, not only the evacuation system should be
improved, but also bold development regulations should be implemented.
After the lecture, there was a lively discussion on debris flow and rainfall, unusual weather,
compensation for disasters, active faults on Mt. Rokko, and frequent earthquakes.
(HIROMORI Katsuhisa)

Activities (14) JJS Vol.57, No.4 April (2022), p.63 (255)
The Third Study Meeting of the University Forum: “University publicity, diversity, independence

16and governance issues”
The third meeting hosted by the University Forum was held online from 19:00 on Saturday,
January 22nd with about 60 participants.
The first lecture, entitled “Theory of Governance Reform of University Corporations and the
Public Nature of Universities”, was given by MITSUMOTO Shigeru (Hokkaido University),
discussing the current status and issues of governance reforms that are common to all of national,
public and private universities. Secondly, from the perspective of publicity of universities, MASUDA
Masato (Hosei University) talked about the system and current issues surrounding private universities
under the title of “Problems of Revision of Private Schools Act and Issues of Private Universities
under the COVID-19 crisis.”
The University Forum has been focusing on the problem that: “Under constant calls for” reform,“the top-down university management, which is not suitable for universities, has been strengthened
under the name of “university governance reform”, that caused exhaustion of the entire university. We
have been working on this as one of the university's crises.
At this study meeting we discussed the deepening crisis and problems that are brought about by
the concept of “a world competitive research university”, for which a university fund is created toinvest in a small number of profitable universities, especially the problems of strengthening
management and subordination of research and education, and the university's only outsiders. The
issue of Revision of the Private Schools Act has the risk of tightening control of university by the stateand subordination of research and education, and enabling important decisions only by outsiders.
The discussion extended even to the question where the public nature of universities thattranscends the differences among the founders can be sought and also to the necessity of reassembling
the ways of the governance, management and operation of the university with an awareness of who
the subject of education is.
From 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 13, the University Forum will have a symposium entitled“University and Society as the 'Center of Science': Thinking from the viewpoints of Research,
Education and Governance," commemorating the third anniversary of its founding. Your continued
participation is welcome.
(NIWA Yoru, Secretariat of this Forum)Protest against Russian Invasion of Ukraine

The Executive Committee of the Japan Scientists’ Association, February 27, 2022

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On February 24, 2022, the Russian army invaded Ukraine.
CHARTER OF THE UNITED NATIONS states that one of the purposes of the United Nation
is “to maintain international peace and security” (Article 1) and that “the Organization is based on theprinciple of the sovereign equality of all its Members” and “all Members, in order to ensure to all ofthem the rights and benefits resulting from membership, shall fulfill in good faith the obligations
assumed by them in accordance with the present Charter” (Article 2). The UN “confers on the Security
Council primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security.” Russia is oneof the permanent members of the Security Council (Article 24). Therefore, Russia should be blamedfor undermining Ukrainian sovereign and rights to live in peace. Russia must immediately stop
military invasion and withdraw from the Ukrainian realm.
It was reported that the Russian President Wladimir Putin showed off nuclear weapons’ existence
and allured a possibility of their use. We never allow it. Japan must immediately sign and ratify the
TREATY ON THE PROHIBITION OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS that prohibits to develop, test,
produce, manufacture, acquire, possess, stockpile, transfer, or use of nuclear weapons. Japan must
make efforts to establish international order on the basis of this treaty.
We, the Japanese people, recognize, that “all peoples of the world have the right to live in peace,
free from fear and want,” expect to “occupy an honored place in the international society, striving forthe preservation of peace, and the banishment of tyranny, slavery, oppression and intolerance from theearth for all time,” and pledge “our national honor to accomplish these high ideals and purposes withall our resources” (Preamble of the CONSTITUTION OF JAPAN). We, the Japan Scientists’
Association, need to address the international societies including Japan: We must stop the Russian
military invasion via peaceful means.

Protest Statement: We Protest the Invasion of Russian troops into Ukrainian Territory and Urge theImmediate Withdrawal and Ceasefire!

Hazuki-no-kai, a voluntary group of women researchers and engineers,
Tokyo Branch of the Japan Scientists Association, April 3, 2022

Since Russia launched its military invasion on February 24, daily life in Ukraine has totally beentransformed. The war has caused many people to lose their lives and cross the border to escape thewar. The victims of war are not limited to combatants. Many civilians are among the victims ofbombings, including unarmed women and children. Some reports indicate that 90% of the refugees
are women and children, and more than half of Ukraine's children are displaced in a state of war. It
has also been noted that women are victims of wartime sexual violence and that there is an increased18risk of trafficking and exploitation of refugees, especially children.
The Russian government's threats with nuclear weapons are not only a statement of its intention
to neglect the lives of individuals at home and abroad, but also a challenge to all mankind and anarrogant ideology that illustrates the superiority of force and violence over human rights.
We are convinced that no amount of force or violence can stabilize the international order, andthat peace will never be achieved there. It is only natural that there is strong condemnation and protest
from all over the world against Russia, which, for whatever reason, has unilaterally invaded an
independent country and committed mass murder.
Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Europe and other countries around the world, including
Japan, have expressed and sought various kinds of support for Ukraine.
The preamble of the Constitution of Japan states, “We recognize that all peoples of the world
have the right to live in peace, free from fear and want.” By this statement in the Constitution, we
pledge to the world that we will strive to realize this right. Japan is also the only country to haveexperienced the atomic bombings. In light of these facts, Japan is in a position to take a leadershiprole in achieving world peace without resorting to any military force, including nuclear weapons.
We, women researchers and engineers, have above all respected the human rights and diversityof each individual in the nuclear age, and have sought peace and worked together with citizens torealize it. In order to protect the life and dignity of the people of Ukraine and the world, and for therealization of peace, we strongly call for a ceasefire and the prompt withdrawal of Russian troops from
Ukraine.

Events and Statements

Other statements protesting Russian invasion of Ukraine were published by some JSA branches andorganizations:- Executive Committee of Kyoto branch, on February 25, 2022
http://web.kyoto-inet.or.jp/people/jsa-k/?msclkid=9e13cfbdbb0b11ec92dda78305e4f0df- Executive Committee of Musashino Group of Tokyo branch, on February 25, 2022
http://www.jsa-tokyo.jp/tuken/tuken_seimei.html?msclkid=02107e3cbb0c11ec8e8913896821d6c1- Committee for Japan Council against Atomic Bombs 2021 World Congress, JSA Pease Issues
Research Committee, on March 1, 2022 https://jsa.gr.jp/d/statement/jsaheimonken_seimei20220301- Executive Committee of Gifu branch, on March 2, 2022
https://jsa-gifu.hatenablog.com/entry/2022/03/02/223753- Executive Committee of Hokkaido branch, on March 4, 202219https://jsa.gr.jp/d/statement/20220304ukraine_hokkaido- Executive Committee of Fukui branch, on March 9, 2022
https://jsa.gr.jp/d/statement/20220309ukraine_fukui- Fukuoka branch, on March 10, 2022
http://jsa-fukuoka.sakura.ne.jp/topics/files/d361ef15e31b19d629a8e629db664fb2-17.html- Mie branch, on March 10, 2022
https://onedrive.live.com/?authkey=%21AHleMlVCpO4z8l0&cid=D2B06BE2CD5AE83C&id=D
2B06BE2CD5AE83C%215346&parId=D2B06BE2CD5AE83C%21996&o=OneUp- Executive Committee of Aichi branch, on March 11, 2022
https://jsa.gr.jp/d/statement/20220311ukraine_aichi- Executive Board Meeting of Tokyo branch, on March 17, 2022
http://jsa-tokyo.jp/seimei/JSATokyoStatement2022Mar17.pdf- Executive Committee of Yamanashi branch, on April 2, 2022

JSA Osaka branch (JSAO) launched an online signature-collecting campaign “We also collaborate
with Russian scientists and scientific journalists and oppose ourselves to war of invasion.”
キャンペーン · プーチン大統領へ

私たちも、ロシアの科学者・科学ジャーナリストと連帯し、侵略戦争に反対します。彼らの生命と人権を守ってください！ · Change.org

On February 25, 2022, the Executive Committee of the JSA decided two statements: “The constructionof Henoko-Base ignoring scientific verification and rule of law and trampling on local autonomy
should be suspended immediately” and “The Japanese and US governments must immediately stop
the military confrontation policy against China because this course contains a risk of bringing Ryukyuarchipelago into a battle field.”
https://jsa.gr.jp/d/statement/2202025henoko ; https://jsa.gr.jp/d/statement/20220225ryukyu

Events Information

https://jsa.gr.jp/05event/index.html

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Gallery

SOLIDARITY WITH UKRAINIAN PEOPLE!

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government Office

On the Shopping Street(illuminated in Ukrainian color)

Demonstrations in Fukui city,(left) On March 5, after the 11th anniversary event of Fukushima NPP-accident, participants
took to the street to appeal “No War!”(right) On April 19, a standing action in front of Fukui station with a blue-yellow banner “Peacefor Ukraine,” photo by Fujio YAMAMOTO

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“Russia must stop invasion of Ukraine”: A drawing of a woman playing bandore (by Michio
WAKAMATSU) was used for an anti-war campaign in front of a station in Tokyo, reprinted fromMusashino Tsuken’s Newsletter, April, 2022

NOT ONLY IN UKRAINE: WE PROTEST AGAINST ALL KINDS OF VIOLENCES,TYRANNIES AND HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES ALL OVER THE WORLD!

What’s New

In December 2021, the JSA national executive committee adopted the “Appeal to appoint 6 candidates
for the Science Council of Japan (SCJ) immediately and not to ‘amend’ the SCJ-Act”(https://jsa.gr.jp/d/scj/202112appeal). We would like to ask for your cooperation in our signaturecollecting campaign.

About Us

“In order to harness and develop science for human beings, it is necessary for scientists especially to
conscience their social responsibility, synthetically develop every field of science, and work thesociety to peacefully use the fruits. The Japan Scientists’ Association (JSA) was established and has

22been acting for these purposes. Hoping independent and synthetic development of Japanese science
consistently since its foundation in 1965, to carry out its social responsibility, the Association has beentackling several problems: peace and disarmament problem like as elimination of nuclear weapons,environmental conservation to defense human life and living, protection of university autonomy, andestablishment of right and position of scientists.”(From “Introduction of the Japan Scientists’ Association”, https://jsa.gr.jp/intl/introduction.html)

The Journal of Japanese Scientists (JJS), a monthly magazine published by the JSA, is a uniquecomprehensive academic journal, in which scientists and citizens share various subjects relating tocontemporary human society and interests in nature (https://jsa.gr.jp/intl/Introduction_of_JJS.pdf).
You see all contents of back-numbers: https://jsa.gr.jp/04pub/index.html#nihonnokagakusya. Every
JSA member can submit manuscripts to the JJS editorial commission. The papers in English are
published online on the JSA web page.

THE BULLETIN OF JSA is edited and published by
THE JAPAN SCIENTISTS’ ASSOCIATION
Chasu Bldg. 9F, 1-9-15 Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0034, JAPANFax: +81-3-3813-2363 https://jsa.gr.jp

https://jsa.gr.jp/intl/

E-mail: mail@jsa.gr.jp

Editorial Board members:
FUJITANI Hideo, KIDO Eiichi, MAEDA Sadataka, MIYAKE Yoshimi, NISHIOKA Keiji,
OHMURA Yoshiaki, ONO Hajime (Chief), and YAMAMOTO Fujio

If you want to join in our slack, please send an e-mail to hajime@cc.kogakuin.ac.jp.

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