NEWSLETTER
NO.

20

2010.7. 2

GRADUATE SCHOOL OF PUBLIC POLICY
THE UNIVERSITY OF TOKYO
東京大学公共政策大学院

Contents

1 New Double Degree Program Begins with Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore
2 The 4th GPPN Student Conference ／ Public Lecture by Mr. Ken Ash, OECD Director of the Trade and Agriculture Directorate
3 Student Interview [Mr. Takeshi Asano]
4 A Farewell Message ／ TOPICS [Homecoming Day]

New Double Degree Program Begins
with Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy,
National University of Singapore
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Nobue Nachi,International Relations Coordinator・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・

On November 11, 2009, Graduate School of Public Policy (GraSPP)

Dean Morita explained to me that we were about to start coordi-of the University of Tokyo signed a memorandum with National

nating faculties within the University, I felt like fainting. Neverthe-

University of Singapore Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy onless the introduction of a double degree program is in line with thethe implementation of the double degree system. This is the ﬁrst

Japanese government policies as well as these of the University of

double degree program for the University of Tokyo. The news

Tokyo to promote international exchanges. We have ﬁnallyattracted media attention.

reached the start line, thanks to the eﬀorts and endeavors of our

The double degree program is a form of international exchange

professors. We are also starting a new program called the “Master

which operates at a more advanced level compared to studentof Public Policy/International Program (MPP/IP)” . This programexchange programs. It allows students to study at a university in awill be taught mainly in English so that we can attract many more

foreign country on a full-time basis while keeping their student

foreign students of outstanding caliber. The classes will start instatus at their home university. Credits are mutually transferable,

October, 2010.

and it is possible for students to receive two degrees under the

GraSPP currently has student exchange agreements with Colum-

agreement. We expect that studying abroad as a regular student

bia University School of International and Public Aﬀairs (USA),will help our students cultivate a truly international character, andSciences Po (France), Hertie School of Governance (Germany), andincrease their potential for working in the country or region where

so on. We will keep working with them as well and negotiate to set

they studied.

up a double degree program with them so that we can participate

In recent years, top tier public policy graduate schools are form-in the world-wide double degree network.

ing a network with a view to expanding double degree programs.
GraSPP wanted to participate in such a network as a leading Japanese university so as to enhance cooperation with universities
around the world. We started to work on the implementation of adouble degree program about three years ago, in the fall of 2006.
Back in 2006, I was in charge of administrative matters relating tostudent exchange agreements. I simply thought at that time that
we would not attract much attention from the network unless wethe GraSPP's international relations then. I still remember Prof. Itosighed when I asked him if we were going to do a “double degree
program” . What I did not know was that the University of Tokyo
did not have a double degree program back then. When (then)

NEWSLETTER

had a double degree program. Prof. Takatoshi Ito was the head of1

Report on the 4th GPPN Student Conference
Kayo Matsushita, International Public Policy Division, 1st year
・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・

The 4th GPPN (Global Pubic Policy Network) Student Conference
was held at Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore, in November 2009. Thirteen GraSPP students
attended the conference.

and UK voiced many diﬀerent views and we all seriously debatedthe issue of “what is needed to improve the situation” .
We became acutely aware during the conference that our world
was becoming increasingly diversiﬁed. This reinforced our recogni-

GPPN is a network of graduate schools of public policy world-tion that it was essential to approach the issues by cooperation

wide. The conference was organized by the students for the pur-among diverse sectors if we were to solve the issues we faced.

pose of facilitating the exchanges of ideas among students around

Although it is not easy to reach and implement any agreement, we

the world. The 4th conference was attended by 130 students fromwere hopeful that we would create a future together with so many

Lee Kuan Yew School, Sciences Po (France), London School of Eco-of those brilliant students. This was the second conference the Uni-

nomics and Political Science (UK), Columbia University School ofversity of Tokyo participated, and we increased the number ofInternational and Public Aﬀairs (USA), Hertie School of Governanceattending students to thirteen from four at the previous confer-(Germany), the University of Tokyo, and so on.

ence. We hope to expand our network and contribute to the world

The keynote speakers from international agencies and universi-

as a member of the global society.

ties and unit sessions by students followed the theme “Crisis as
Opportunities: What Policy Do We Need for Sustainable Development Today?” I was particularly impressed by the comment madeby Dr. Surin Pitsuwan, Secretary-General of ASEAN. He said that wewere the crew of a boat which needed leadership to steer it so as
to change old organization and structures.
Many participants had experience working for governments,
international agencies or the private sector. Discussions were lively
and practical based on the participantsʼ ﬁelds of specialty. At theunit session on development assistance, where the presentation
was given on the Chinese ODA, students who were familiar with
African Development Bank as well as the ODA activities of Japan

Public Lecture by Mr. Ken Ash, OECD Director of the Trade and Agriculture Directorate
Kazuyuki Nemoto, Economic Policy Division, 2nd year
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On December 8, 2009, Mr. Ken Ash, OECD Director of the Tradeand Agriculture Directorate, gave a lecture on “International Trade:

The 10-minute question and answer period that followed theFree, Fair and Open?” The lecture was jointly hosted by the Public

lecture was ﬁlled with the students in attendance asking about the

Policy Seminar and the Case Study (Financial Globalization andfuture of policy cooperation and government procurement pro-Regional Monetary Integration). In spite of the fact that it was held

grams. Mr. Ash emphasized the importance of intergovernmental

during lunch hour, many students attended and listened intensely

cooperation if each country were to implement an appropriate exit

to Mr. Ash's lecture.

strategy. With respect to the WTO government procurement

Based on the signs of recovery seen in economic conditions up to
the end of 2008, Mr. Ash opened his lecture by giving an overall

eﬀective penalties would be a challenge in the future.
We students rarely have an opportunity to listen to a frontline

current global ﬁnancial crisis which included ﬁscal stimuli andpractitioner, and it was a valuable lecture. I believe that many

access to short-term liquidity. Even though there was some con-students in attendance found Mr. Ash's lecture an inspiration forcern for the public debt balances of the OECD member countries,

their future careers.

Mr. Ash welcomed the fact that there relatively few trade restrictions emerged after the outbreak of the global ﬁnancial crisis.
Mr. Ash continued by emphasizing that free and fair multilateral
NEWSLETTER

agreement, Mr. Ash pointed out that the establishment of morepositive assessment of the responses of major countries to therising unemployment and domestic procurement by governments,

2

labor policies.

trade, not protectionism, was essential if the world economies toenjoy sustainable growth and prosperity. This was the strongest
message in his lecture. According to Mr. Ash, on the other hand,
free trade per se would not be enough to spur growth which
would have to be complemented by a wide range of social andMy son was born last summer (2009). My wife, who is also a student studying for adoctorate at the Graduate School of Frontier Sciences of the University of Tokyo,
declared, “It's now or never if I am ever going to have a baby!” We are fortunate to be ina very good environment with a child care facility right on the campus.
Even though I intend to bear an equal share of child rearing and housework, actually,
our shares are like six-to-four, or even seven-to-three. I feel sorry that she has ended up
carrying a heavier burden. I try, but the baby won't go to sleep or stop crying (it's an
excuse, I know).
-What made you decide to enroll in GraSPP?
I hardly attended classes in my undergraduate years. I was too busy playing baseballfor the university. I was a typical “varsity baseball team” student who just wrote exams
to collect enough credits. In my fourth year, however, I started to wonder about what I
would do going into a world in such a condition. I also started to regard public service
as a career option. These were two reasons which made me decide to enroll in GraSPP.

GRADUATE SCHOOL OF PUBLIC POLICY THE UNIVERSITY OF TOKYO-I heard you are a father.

-How did you spend your days at GraSPP?
At ﬁrst, I was frantically making up to the shortcomings of my four undergraduateyears. Initially I selected the International Public Policy Division. While I was looking
around for interesting classes, I ended up specializing in economics, which was thesame as in my undergraduate days.
The most impressive class was “Development Studies” (Prof. Jin Sato) which I took
in the winter term of my ﬁrst year at GraSPP. I found sparring over opinions of otherstudents with diﬀerent backgrounds very stimulating.
Right now, I am focused on “Case Study (Real Estate Securitization and Urban andRegional Policy)” by Professors Kanamoto, Hihara, Naito and Mouri, as well as “CaseStudy (Japanese Macroeconomic Policy)” by Professors Ito and Hosen. The former
explores the issues relating to urban transport policy using the case of the NipporiToneri Liner while the latter takes a look at policies to combat low birthrates. I am
particularly interested in the latter subject because, in addition to the fact it is one of
the key issues in the Japanese economy, I am now the father of a child. Japan's total

Takeshi Asano
Economic Policy Division, 2nd year

fertility rate (TFR) is 1.37, but the motivation for having children is not that low. For
example, if all wishes for marriage and childbearing were to come true (with a rate oflifetime singlehood under 10% and a couple producing more than 2.0 children
during their lifetime), the TFR is likely to rise to 1.75 (by 2040) 1. What do we need toeliminate this gap between the ideal and realty? We hope to make policy proposals
based on cost and beneﬁt to improve daycare centers and the childcare leave systemStudent

as well as economic assistance (i.e. allowances).

InterviewOﬀ campus, I am working as a research assistant to Prof. Ryutaro Komiya at the
Research Institute of Economy, Trade and Industry. Prof. Komiya is the special adviser
there. It is a great learning opportunity for me to hear the kind of debates that weregoing on in the past. It is really the “opportunity of personally meeting the esteemedone” . For me it is like a private seminar rather than a part-time job.
1. Document of a special group on demographic changes, Social Security Council,
Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (January 26, 2007)-Have you found a job?
Yes, I have accepted a job at the investment banking division of Nomura Securities.
My senpai of GraSPP told me that “it's the right job for you” . (I don't know what hemeant.) My wife is already putting pressure on me to “work hard and make a lot ofmoney” . I am determined to work hard because I feel this company is my destiny. Hownever be a real man” [The Godfather (1972)].
(Interview and Text by Editor)[Photo] With his baby son, Ryunosuke, in front of the Todai Kashiwa-Donguri Day Nursery

NEWSLETTER

ever, I want to keep in mind that “a man who doesn't spend time with his family can3

A Farewell Message
Tatsujiro Suzuki
Former Visiting Professor (currently Vice Chairman, Japan Atomic Energy Commission, Cabinet Oﬃce)
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Three years and nine months have passed since I ﬁrst came to thewas able to work for GraSPP thirty years later, and work with Prof.

Administration Bureau Building 2 in April of 2006. Following a

Shiroyama to launch the Science, Technology and Public Policy

period being a founding member of the endowment lecture “Sus-(SciTePP) research unit to oversee the SEPP and the I2TA. Now I

tainable Energy/Environment and Public Policy (SEPP)” , I have

have been given another chance to apply the knowledge I accu-

been involved in the “Innovation and Institutionalization of Tech-

mulated through my research activities to the actual nuclear

nology Assessment in Japan” (I2TA Project) as well as teachingenergy policy. As I see no way I can turn my back on this opportu-

courses during summer and winter terms. It is regrettable that I

nity, I have decided to take up this challenge head on even if it

have to leave GraSPP with these important duties unﬁnished as ameans that I have to leave all other work behind. For the next three

result of my unexpected appointment to Atomic Energy Commis-

years, I will do my best as an atomic energy commissioner with thesion of the Cabinet Oﬃce (full-time) by the Diet. I would like to takeperspectives of a researcher and make contributions in any way I

this opportunity to express my regrets and leave a brief message

can to the decision-making on the actual policies and solutions tobefore my departure from GraSPP.

problems. I would like to express my deep appreciation to all of

My research has consistently focused on the relationship of soci-you who have been most supportive. As I will continue to be

ety and science and technology, particularly nuclear energy. My

involved in the I2TA projects, I am looking forward to meeting you

particular interests have been the way public policy should be. I

again sometime.

went to the United States in 1976 looking for a place to study

Lastly, I have a message for the students: Never forget your dream,

public policy which was, and still is, diﬃcult to ﬁnd for a person

and persevere in walking down the path you believe in.

with an engineering background. I was extremely fortunate that I

See you again!!

Topical News
Homecoming Day
On November 14, 2009, the 2009 Homecoming Day was another smashingsuccess. At the end of the day, more than 100 professors, alumni and current
students exchanged fond farewells for another year. Together with thecareer design seminar that preceded the main event, time ﬂew like an arrow.
The next spring will be the 5th anniversary of GraSPP Alumni Association.
We promise to make the future reunions a place for alumni and current
students to come closer.
On behalf of the Alumni Association, I would like to thank Dean Kanamoto
and all of the people who have given us helping hands.

NEWSLETTER

Ken Sunohara, Nagano Station, JR East (Class of 2009)4

I remember there was a sensational ad by
the old Ministry of Health and Welfare in
the mid-1990s, featuring a popular entertainer holding his child. It declared, “We do
not call a man who does not raise his childfather” . More than a decade has passed since then, anda man holding his baby or leading his child by hand isan increasingly familiar sight. Perhaps it is before longwhen the photograph of the student with his child inthis newsletter becomes an ordinary scene. (Editor)

Editorʼs
Postscript

NEWSLETTER
No.

20［Editor+publisher］GRADUATESCHOOL OF PUBLIC POLICY
THE UNIVERSIT Y OF TOKYO
東京大学公共政策大学院［date of publication］2010 . 7 . 2［design］Masahiro ABiCo

7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan tel 03 -5841-1710 fax 03 -5841- 7877

E-mail grasppn l @ pp.u- tokyo.ac. jp

http://www.pp.u-tokyo.ac. jp