Nagoya University of Foreign Studies(1)Education

December, 2021

The NUFS Times
Nagoya University of Foreign Studies

57 Takenoyama, Iwasakicho, Nissin, Aichi 470-0197 JapanThe 8th edition

An Outlet for Creativity
The future of Japan’s vocational schools
By Sina Marie ABDALLOUIexperience stressduring their training process.

Germany. Hasegawa entered vocational school, Nagoya fashion college, to become a fashion designer,
proceeding to win the Grand Prixand the Special Award in a contest
held by the fashion magazine, Soen.

Another issue
could
be that stutional education styles with real-lifedents
are attending
experience in the private sector,
vocational
schools
The Japanese educational sysvocational schools represent a new
for
the
wrong
reatemshould inform its students more
future for post-secondary education.
sons.
“A
great
numabout
the professions they can purThey are, according to Silkeberofstudents
whosuethroughvocational schools.
Bromann, a place where students
choosethispath,”
Duringaninterview,
Hasegawa
can gain theoretical knowledge,
explains
Mrs.
sharedherown
experience:“In highwhile also receiving ‘on-the-job’
Strecker,
“do
so
out
school,I
alsothoughtgoing
tounitraining (1). Marking an importantofnecessity,
becauseversity
was
the
norm.
However,I
shift towards job-based education,
they
were
unabletorealizedthatvocational
schoolwas
vocational schools diversify postgraduate with athe best way to become a fashion
secondary options, offering students
highereducational
designer.” The time Hasegawa
well-needed practical training.
diploma.” Consespent at vocational school enabled
Despite their unique approachquently, only a few her to gain new skills and learn
to education, these innovational
students select voabout her chosen profession. Diinstitutions only exist in a few councational schools out verse and rigorous, the school’s curtries across the globe. Vocationalof personal interest, riculum also provided insights into
schools suffer from negative social
resulting in poorly
other careers. Hasegawa views voperception and competition withmotivated students cational schools as places where
universities. According to a reportand high drop-out
people can achieve success and preby the Australian Department ofrates.
pare for the diverse demands of a
Education and Training, young
creative career.
Negative social
adults in Japan feel pressured toperception and low“I was excited to create clothes
pursue university in place of altertraining
compensafrom
my imagination and see modnative institutions (2). Due to social
tion
have
robbedels
actually
wearing my creations,”
pressure, many high school graduvocational
schoolsofsharesHasegawa.
To alter the soates disregard vocational schools,
theirpotential
to
cial
perceptionofvocational
schools,even if they are a fitting choice forenhanceourtertiary
weneedtoadvertise
experiences
their future goals.
education systems. such as Hasegawa’s. Her’s is a story
From the diversity of educaMrs. Strecker emof vocational schools at their best.
tional institutions to innovational
phasizes that social They can offer students independcurriculum, Japan has much to lose
recognition, work
ence, a sense of intrinsic satisfacby disregarding vocational schools.
hours, and training tion, and an outlet for creative selfGermany illustrates the potential
compensation need expression.
consequences that arise from devalto improve for vocaHasegawa wants to pass on theuing these schools.
tional schools tofollowing advice to high school gradTop: Hair dresser in vocational school achieve their full potential. After
To discuss the issue, I interuates: “Regardless whether they go(provided by Mrs. Strecker)
all, vocational schools can transformviewed Mrs. Annette Strecker, ato vocational school or university, I
Middle: Ms.Hasegawa, The Grandpeople’s lives for the better. Mrs.
teacher at “Berufskolleg MettPrix Soensho Award, provided by Ms. Strecker described how some of her think people should choose what
mann.” “Berufskolleg” is the official Hasegawa.
best fits their goals.”
students have opened their own
term for vocational schools in GerBelow: Mrs. Annette Strecker
Vocational training might help
businesses and hosted educational
many, which train students in proworkshops
in
theirfields.
Othersyoung
adults in Japan pursue their
fessions such as economics, social
haveenteredthecosmetic
industryinterests
and find jobs that inspire
Germany
work, craftsmanship, IT, and mediandworkedfortheatres.
A
few
have
them.
But
how can we instill thisprefer to atcine. The institutions in Germanyevenworkedforinternational
commindset
inthe public? We have totend univeralso allow students to improve upon
keep
sharing
success stories andpaniesandclientsinAmerica.
sity rather
their high school diplomas, opening
providingknowledge
regarding thethan vocathe path not only to new jobs, but
If nothing changes, vocational
benefitsofalternate
educationaltional train- schools will continue suffering devarious kinds of higher education as
institutions. Many high school grading (3).
well, including university.
creased enrolment rates, becominguates remain blind to the vast posless equipped to guide students to
Why isMrs. Strecker became a vocasibilities and chances they can pursuccess. Moreover, the deterioration
vocationaltional schoolteacher in personal hysue through vocational school.
training less of the vocational school system maygiene in 1993 and observed the deinfluence different business sectors.
cline in Berufskolleg enrolment for appealing to German students?
For example, the service industry,
Mrs.
Streckerclaimsoneofthereaalmost 30 years. “During the time I
Notes:
closely connected to vocational
sons
is
low
compensation:
peoplestarted teaching we had 150 stu(1)Silke Bromann. In: Haghirian P.
can barely cover their living expens- schools, may suffer staff shortages(eds) Innovation and Change in Japadents every year, divided into fiveanddecreasesinservicequality.
nese Management.
esthroughtheirtraining
wages.
classes. Before Covid-19 started, we(2)Schulforum Berlin. SchulforumThelongworkinghours
requiredfor
only had 40 students, and this deRisa Hasegawa, a renowned
Berlin. https://schulforum-berlin.de/clined to a total of 20 students.” Sta- training also leave no time for acategory/schule-und-berufsausbildung/
vocational school graduate in Ja(3)Australian Government – Departhealthy work-life balance. Lastly,
tistics by the Schulforum Berlinpan, offered insights regarding how ment of Education and Training. Brief:
due
to
the
high-pressure
atmossupport this observation, illustratJapan can improve its vocational
Vocational Education and Training
phere of job sites, students often
ing that high school graduates in(VET) in Japansystem and avoid the situation in

Uniquely fusing together tradi-(2) Health

Nagoya University of Foreign Studies

December, 2021

Mental Care

Life in Isolation
Dealing with the stress of quarantine
By Alessandro AZZOLLINI

While nurses and doctors worked
overtime to keep healthcare systems afloat, and government officials pondered how to prevent aninevitable economic crisis, the effects of the pandemic over the mind
were left unchecked. Mental healthdisorders can result in higher mortality risks and may exert negative
influences on people’s health evenafter the pandemic abates. How will
we grapple with the psychologicaldamage that arose from quarantine
and COVID-19 stress?
As reported by Keio University
in an article about COVID-19’s impacts on anxiety, levels of psychological distress have been higher inyounger age groups and people whoare less economically stable. The
study suggests that university students, often accruing debt at a
young age, suffered from mental
illnesses the most during the pandemic. So, what kind of mental baggage has accumulated in university
students over the two-year pandemic? And how can we grapple withthis mental baggage while recovering from COVID-19?
Dr. Rita Boscarelli, who received a master’s degree in Developmental and Cognitive Psychotherapy from La Sapienza University ofRome, has worked with teenagers
Top: Student following classes at home during the pandemic.
and university students during theBelow: Left is Dr. Boscarelli, a psychologist-psychotherapist who graduated
lockdown. She explains that thein Cognitive Psychotherapy at La Sapienza University of Rome, with a depandemic exerts the most harm on
gree in psychotherapy at the Cognitive Behavioral Training School and ayouth’s mental health through social isolation. “Young adults are at a master’s in Developmental Cognitive Psychotherapy. Right is Mr. Azzollini.
Photos: by Azzollini
point on their life where they findthemselves undergoing varioustransitions–going to school, moving, spent the pandemic with their fami- online. Online interaction allows
starting new jobs. The creation oflies were sometimes “unable to han- students to establish a support netnew social relationships are vital to dle assignments or study adequate- work where they can share their
how their identity forms duringly,” due to distractions at home. Dr. experiences of sadness or anxiety.
these various changes. In contrast
Boscarelli believes that, if they are They also deal with stress throughto adults, who have generally stable different, the family’s and the stuentertaining distractions, such as
lives and social relationships, young dent’s routine can clash with one
watching films, listening to music
adults are constantly forming new
another, making students feel likeand playing videogames.
relationships, discovering their
they are losing their independence
Although entertainment is aboundaries and who they are as
and unable to control their lives.
practical way of managing stressthey transition through life.” The
From social isolation to unsetand anxiety, Dr. Boscarelli sayssocial isolation practices that actled routines, the pandemic has af- that it is “only a short-term solution
companied the pandemic have disfected young adults’ health in multi- –a temporary distraction with little
rupted this important psychologicalfarious ways. “Because the pandem- therapeutic value.” This indirect
and developmental process.
ic has been occurring for a while
way of dealing with mental distress
I interviewed students fromnow, its effects on mental healthis called “Avoidant Coping,” whereNagoya University of Foreign Stud- may become more diverse and long in one focuses their attention elseies and Italy’s University of Turin,
term,” argues Dr. Boscarelli. “In
where instead of trying to solve
to expand upon Dr. Boscarelli’s
other words we might be tackling
their problem at its roots.
analysis. Many students agree that the issue well into the future.” To
These methods are useful, but
it was depressing to live in isolation prevent long term psychologicalthey should be followed by a more
and lose in-person social connection damage, it is important people
targeted way of coping, namely
while living at home. They also de- begin taking precautionary“Approach Coping.” This methodscribed how social isolation disrupt- measures.
directly addresses depression anded their routine. Unable to meet
The interviewed students unan- anxiety at its roots, involving emoanyone in person, they became acimously think they can prevent
tional support and the establishcustomed to sleeping late and wakmental stress during the pandemic ment of a healthy routine. From a
ing up even later in the morning.
by maintaining social connections
psychological point of view, routine
Additionally, students that have

has a pivotal rolein preventing
mental healthproblems. Maintaining good
sleep and nutrition cycles, andsetting objectives
both reduces
stress and anxiety, and helps
boost one’s senseof self-worth.
From a student’s perspective, school is thebest provider of ahealthy routine;
the same goes forgoing to work:
both provide achange of scenery and social
interaction. In
addition, it isimportant to engage in physicalexercise. Alongside maintaining
one’s health, exercise also reduces cortisol levels.
This hormone is
responsible forthe “fight-orflight” responsethat increases
our blood-sugar
levels, which canharm the body if they remain highfor extended periods.
Reflecting on the pandemic,
there is no doubt that the situation
could have been handled better.
However, it seems impossible that
we could have prevented the spreadof the virus without any influenceon our social routines. “Preventing
what has happened would havebeen difficult,” says Dr. Boscarelli,“and now we should focus on
measures that cure the damage thathas been done. Universities, for instance, could encourage extracurricular group activities, where students can establish routines andnew relationships with their peers.”
In the end, the best coping
strategy involves a routine where
one can physically commute to workor school, engage in social interaction, and regularly exercise. Japan
has developed the slogan, korona
totomoni ikite iku, which suggeststhat we must learn to live alongside
COVID-19, instead of continuously
postponing social life until the virus
is eradicated. Korona totomoni ikite
iku involves developing ways tomaintain our routines and social
lives even in COVID-19– moving
forward, this is exactly the kind of
approach that will help us address
further mental damage from thepandemic.

December, 2021

Nagoya University of Foreign Studies(3)Society

Animal Welfare

What is Becomingof Our Pandemic Pets?
By Kotobuki ODA

As people in Japan entered isolation and stopped heading off toschool, work, or vacation, they distracted themselves by buying pets.
A quarantine companion and athome entertainment, pandemic pets
comforted their new owners inmany ways. However, as restrictions lift and people return totheir former social lives, pets mightfind themselves neglected or abandoned.
According to a survey from theJapan Pet Food Association, thenumber of pet dogs increased by
14%, and cats by 16%, from 2019 to2020. The association explained thisincrease as a result of quarantine
loneliness: people craved the soothing, peaceful companionship of apet. However, as they return totheir social lives, owners are beginning to abandon their newly adopted friends.
In their interview with
Shūpure News, an NPO rescue
team for orphaned dogs and cats
explained why people are abandoning their pets. Some people abandon
their pets because they are too
noisy, or because they do not realizethat pets can be high-maintenance,
often requiring daily walks. Moreover, research by the Anicom Domestic Animal White Paper revealed
the four most common reasons forpet abandonment: changing residence; unplanned breeding; inability to manage pet behaviour; andallergies.
Pandemic pet owners, who desired comfort during quarantine,need to hold responsibility for theirpets even after the pandemic ends.
Through proper training and support, pet abandonment is avoidable.
Instead of discarding pets when
they no longer need them, or can nolonger afford them, owners must
learn how to care for their animals
in the long term.

people to buy petsthat they may nothave the resources tocare for. To preventthese scenarios, the
NAPC will visit pet
shops and, in accordance with the Animal
Welfare and Management Act, provide consulting on ethicalsales practices.
In cases whereadoption has alreadyoccurred, the center
offers training programs, providing petowners with the necessary tools to care for
their animals. Yoko
Nīmi, a veterinarianat the NAPC, said:“helping pet owners
with untrained animals is one of the best
ways to prevent abandonment. Behavioral
difficulties that arise
from a lack of training
often pressure owners
to abandon their pets.
For example, if a pet
is barking uncontrollably, neighbors mightcomplain, and if the
problem persists, thepet owner might evenface eviction. This is
the kind of scenariothat leads to pet abandonment.” In NAPC’s
programs, owners
learn how to teachtheir animals proper
behavior for home andpublic spaces, as well
as how to appropriately care for elderly catsand dogs. The center
will even visit residences to observe how
owners interact with
their pets and provide
case-by-case consulting.

As owners returntohybridwork
schedules
and find
Top: Cat rescued by the Nagoya
care for a pet. This proactively adthemselves
spending
lesstime atAnimal Protection Center
dresses the root of the problem, pre- home, they have to find new ways to
Below: Building of the Nagoya Aniventing those spontaneous pet
connect with their pandemic pets.
mal Protection Center
adoptions that too often result in
The NAPC can provide a wealth ofabandonment.
support and advice for those strugvisit them. In 2020, the NAPC resgling with pets. “The media has
The center also collaborates
cued and adopted 115 dogs and1,120 cats. Because they have trou- with pet shops to improve purchas- been giving more and more attention to the issue,” says Yoko Nīmi,
ing options. Unlike the NAPC, one
ble adapting to new environmentsof pet shops’ main goals is to make “and awareness regarding animaland demand more care from theirprotection centers has been increasprofit, meaning that they may cut
owners, adult cats account for aing. I hope people will take adDuring the pandemic, the Nalarge number of these rescued cats. corners in order to sell pets. Pet
shop employees often fail to screen vantage of the resources available
goya Animal Protection Center
Ideally,
the
NAPC
wants
to
adto them and learn to peacefully copet owners and determine if they
(NAPC) have made extensive efforts
dress
to
risk
for
pet
abandonment
habitate with their animals.” Hopeare prepared to own an animal.
to decrease abandonment rates.
beforeadoptioneventakes
place.
To
fully, at some point, pets across JaThey are also known to withhold
Open for six days a week, the centre
do
so,
the
centerofferstrial
terms,
information regarding pets’ behav- pan will be able to enjoy life after
takes care of rescued dogs and cats,allowing
prospective
ownerstoseethe pandemic as much as their ownioral or health issues, encouraging
allowing prospective pet owners towhether they are truly prepared toers.
Animal Protection Centers play
an inevitable role in addressing pet
abandonment issues. Not only dothey teach people how to care for
their pets in the long term, but theyalso host educational workshopsthat teach humans how to peacefully and enjoyably cohabitate with
their animals. These efforts work to
curb the national rate of abandonedpets.

(4) Climate

Nagoya University of Foreign Studies

December, 2021

Global Warming

A Future “Hell on Earth”
The world’s youth on global warming
By Killian NOUELLE

Be it the recent floods in Nigeria
and Germany or the wildfires in the
United States, the world has suffered an array of natural disasters
over the past few years. The window to act is closing fast. As governments and industries face publicpressure to develop innovative solutions for global warming, many ofthem are only exacerbating the issue. China, for example, decided toincrease its coal production in response to energy shortages. Further, Brazil’s president, Jair Bolsonaro, failed to attend the 2021 UN
Climate Change Conference, proceeding to encourage agriculture
and mining activities in the Amazon
rain forest. There is not a shadow of
a doubt: actions need to be taken
quickly if we want to salvage what
is left of the environment.
But how do youth, who will
likely experience the future consequences of global warming
firsthand, feel about the climate
crisis? What effect might the anxiety of global warming have on theirmental health? What are their opinions regarding government and corporate action so far? To analyze how
younger generations feel about theissue, we decided to interview two
students from France and, survey
18–28-year-olds from five different
countries (France, UK, US, Spainand Japan).
We began by asking participants what worries them mostabout global warming. The mainconcern participants have pertains
to natural disasters, with 57.1% ofJapanese and 64.4% of international students choosing this response.
The floods, heat-domes, and wildfires that have repeatedly occurred
over the past few years may contribute to these statistics. Moreover,
23.8% of Japanese and 13.3% of inPhoto: NO NATURE - NO FUTURE.
ternational students were worried
Global climate change strikethat their residencies might be
Provided by Markus Spiske
prone to such natural disasters.
Japan’s exposure to tsunamis,
Graph explanation on page 6
earthquakes and typhoons might
account for this anxiety.
children.” From global warming tofood shortages to child well-being,
In their written responses, stuyouth across the globe have dismal
dents elaborated on these concerns.
outlooks for the world’s future.
One participant wrote: “I’m worried
about the living conditions on earth
Luckily, youth anxiety towards
with the rapidly increasing temper- the climate crisis has the potential
ature and upcoming food shortage.” to translate into action. According
Others worried about their future
to our survey, 97.4% of internationfamilies: “Someday I would like toal and 73.9% of Japanese respondhave a family, and I really struggle ents feel involved in the global
with the idea that my children
warming issue. “Many young people
might have to survive the hell-onfeel pressured to protect the planearth that global warming will beet,” says Marina, a student fromcome.” Another wrote: “I feel anxBordeaux Montaigne, “because it isious about the future of humanity,
literally the world they’re going toand particularly the future of mylive in.”be begging
the question:
are individual actions
reallyenough?

Given their feelings of involvement, how might youth fightagainst global warming in the future? One method, popularized by
the media, involves “small-actionsbig-changes.” This method involves
small, but consistent actions madeon a daily basis. For more than adecade now, we have been told to
reduce, recycle, and reuse as muchas we can. Indeed, when reproduced
on a large scale over time, certain
actions, such as recycling and planting trees, can have long-term effects
on the environment.
Nonetheless, youth participants
seem to be doubting the “smallactions-big-changes” narrative; only
34.3% of international and 17.6% ofJapanese participants feel that individual actions actually make a difference. The world’s youth seem to

One ofour French
respondents,
Marina, explains thereasoningbehind thisskepticism:“Collective
action on theindividuallevel is notenough, because thereal power tomake change
resides in
the hands of governments and corporations.” Another participant
commented: “The real problem isthat large companies need to regulate their impact on the environment, because the impact of environmentally harmful industrial
practices is ultimately the greatest.”
Further, going completely green issimply not possible for some individuals–not everyone can afford environmentally ethical products. In
other words, while the “smallactions-big-changes” method might
have some effect on the environment, governments should avoid
relying on individual efforts to counteract global warming. Instead,they must collaborate with corporations to combat climate change.

Continued on page 6

December, 2021

Nagoya University of Foreign Studies(５) BusinessIndustry

From Combustion to Electric Cars
Can workers survive the change?
warming. Many of these works already drive electric cars. The majority of the workers against theseplans are those who do not work on
the newer technologies and are at
risk of losing their jobs.
*********************************The issue of job security that
Ms. Klaus describes remains a pointof tension. In November of thisyear, Daniela Cavallo, chairwomanof Volkswagen Group works council,
criticized COE Herman Diess afterrumors surfaced about the termination of over 30,000 jobs. While official statements claim that jobs are
secure, this is clearly doubtful, especially since entire company sections
will become obsolete by 2035, when
the legal mandate to halt combustion engine production will comeinto effect.
It is no question that the rapidchanges necessary to combat climate change will come with consemay have unrealistic expectations
words, how well can Mercedes suc- quences. Halting production of comBy Danny DEXL
for factories and employees. In Sep- ceed in this newly burgeoning car
bustion engine vehicles is a vitaltember 2021, for example, Toyota
market? Considering the ambitious part of this battle. Nonetheless, weCEO, Akio Toyota, warned that the plans of other competitors, it is diffi- must consider the social wellbeing
Currently, a quarter of the Euro- challenges created by electrification cult to know if Mercedes will be able of workforces while implementing
pean Union’s CO2 emissions stem
should not be underestimated. Ref- to maintain current profits, or have these changes. To do so, companies
from road traffic. In response, coun- erencing the low sale of electric and to downsize. Should Mercedes incur should open communication chantries have begun introducing plans hybrid vehicles, he expressed thatlosses, this will naturally affect em- nels with their employees, including
to transition from combustion enthe goals set by other companies
ployees.
them in decision-making processes.
gine cars to electric ones. Multiple
may be unrealistic.
Q: How do you think the transition
Car manufacturers have set
countries have already issued
Overambitious
goals
might
will affect Mercedes’ workers?
ambitious plans to transition tophaseout dates for diesel- and petrol
throw the workforces of car manuelectric car manufacturing. While-powered cars. Germany plans to
A: Some of the effects are alreadyhalt new registration of combustion facturers into disarray–new compa- surfacing in the workplace. There is these changes are required by new
ny sectors will be created, and othlegislation, it is important to keepengine cars by the year 2030, thea noticeable split between teams
in mind the well-being of workforcsame year as Great Britain. Japan ers phased out; new work forces will that work on classic combustion
be hired, and others layed off. Enes. Unlike executives, these groups
and Canada plan to cease sale byengines and those that work on
dangering people’s job security, thisare the most vulnerable to change.
2035. There are even plans for anelectric cars. This friction arises
EU-wide ban. Meanwhile, car man- ultimately leads to friction amongst from worries that certain positions As entire industries and economies
workers.
are restructured to combat climate
ufacturers, especially those fromwill be replaced by workers in newchange, companies struggle toGermany and Japan, are preparing
I interviewed Ms. Klaus, a pro- fields, such as chemistry.
maintain bottom-line profits. We
for a rapidly emerging electric vehi- ject leader for the transmission deQ: Is there any internal pushback to need to ensure that workers are notcle market so that they can mainvelopment department in Mercedes’
these plans?
lost in the battle.
tain domestic and international
Stuttgart factory, to hear how worksales.
ers feel about the transition to elec- A: Currently, employees have differing opinions. Some workers have
Photos: Top & Below: Car manufacWhile these plans are welcomed tric cars:
embracedthechange,recognizing
turing lines at Mercedes Benz.
by climate activists and scientists,*********************************
the importance to combat global
critics claim that the transition will
Q: Mercedes has set
happen at the expense of workers
high targets to achievefrom car manufacturers, possibly
overworking them and jeopardizing CO2 neutrality. Do you
think they will succeed
their jobs.
in reaching their goal?
Two of the largest car manufacturers, Volkswagen and Toyota Mo- A: Because it is govtor Group, are making plans for the ernment mandated,transition. Volkswagen plans to fo- Mercedes must reach
their goals. Considercus on the development of electriccars and halt production of combus- ing Mercedes’ size andthe growing market oftion engine cars between 2033 andelectric cars, it is defin2035. Toyota decided to cut down
new vehicle CO2 emissions by 90%. itively possible toDaimler AG, the 3rd largest manu- reach these goals.
However, the most diffacturer by revenue, also plans to
ficult part involves
follow suit.
reaching the customer
These plans are ambitious, but and adapting to their
they are made by executives, anddesires. In other(6) Special Page

Nagoya University of Foreign Studies

From page ４

systematically protect the environment. Indeed, given the current
Our survey results paint a costate of global warming, if governherent picture: young people feelments fail to own their responsibilipersonally affected by global warmties, today’s youth will have a harding because it has a direct impact
fight ahead of them.
on their future lives. While they
feel involved in the climate crisis,
Graph explanationand engage in what little actions
To understand youth sentithey can, they still feel frustrated
and hopeless–worried that govern- ment regarding the climate crisis, I
ments and corporations will fail to sent a questionnaire to students
from Japan, France, the USA, theDecember, 2021

UK, and Spain. Surveying an inter- could relate to many of the answers
national collection of participants–especially the written ones–that
allowed me to analyze youths’
we received from participants. I
thoughts about the climate crisis on hope seeing the opinions of younger
a comparative, transnational scale. generations will be inspiring and
In addition to the questions in theinforming for our readership.
graphs, we also asked students how
Thanks to the data, we were
they became aware of the climate
able to understand more about how
crisis, whether they feel implicatedyounger generations feel towards
in it, and what daily actions they
the climate crisis, and what theytake to prevent global warming.
think should be done to solve the
As a 23-year-old, I felt that I
issue.

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by all
adopted the outcome document "The Future We Want" in which
United Nations Member States in 2015, provides a shared bluethey decided, inter alia, to launch a process to develop a set ofprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and SDGs to build upon the MDGs and to establish the UN High-level
into the future. At its heart are the 17 Sustainable Development
Political Forum on Sustainable Development. The Rio +20 outGoals (SDGs), which are an urgent call for action by all countries - come also contained other measures for implementing sustainable
developed and developing - in a global partnership. They recogdevelopment, including mandates for future programmes of work
nize that ending poverty and other deprivations must go hand-in- in development financing, small island developing states andhand with strategies that improve health and education, reducemore.
inequality, and spur economic growth – all while tackling climate
In 2013, the General Assembly set up a 30-member Open Working
change and working to preserve our oceans and forests.
Group to develop a proposal on the SDGs.
The SDGs build on decades of work by countries and the UN, inIn January 2015, the General Assembly began the negotiation
cluding the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs
process on the post-2015 development agenda. The process culmiIn June 1992, at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil,
nated in the subsequent adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainmore than 178 countries adopted Agenda 21, a comprehensive
able Development, with 17 SDGs at its core, at the UN Sustainaplan of action to build a global partnership for sustainable devel- ble Development Summit in September 2015.
opment to improve human lives and protect the environment.
2015 was a landmark year for multilateralism and international
Member States unanimously adopted the Millennium Declaration policy shaping, with the adoption of several major agreements:
at the Millennium Summit in September 2000 at UN HeadquarSendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (March 2015)
ters in New York. The Summit led to the elaboration of eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to reduce extreme poverty by Addis Ababa Action Agenda on Financing for Development (July
2015)
2015.
The Johannesburg Declaration on Sustainable Development and
the Plan of Implementation, adopted at the World Summit on
Sustainable Development in South Africa in 2002, reaffirmed theglobal community's commitments to poverty eradication and theenvironment, and built on Agenda 21 and the Millennium Declaration by including more emphasis on multilateral partnerships.
At the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development(Rio+20) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in June 2012, Member States

Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development with its 17 SDGs was adopted at the UN Sustainable Development Summit in New York in September 2015.
Paris Agreement on Climate Change (December 2015)
Now, the annual High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development serves as the central UN platform for the follow-up andreview of the SDGs.

December, 2021

Nagoya University of Foreign Studies(7) Business

Parts Shortage

The Semiconductor Shortage:

How a supply chain crisis compromised the global economy
the computer graphics card market.
Medium-end graphics cards, whichused to be sold for around 200 USD,
are now in the 300-400 USD range.
High-end cards, which originallyreached prices of up to 800 USD,
have passed the 1,000 USD mark,making them completely unaffordable for most.
In addition to companies, individual consumers are also sufferingfrom this global shortage. Robert
HANSEN, a freelance 3D Model
Artist located in Melbourne, Australia, has decided to postpone updating his computer until prices
settle. “I don’t believe now is theright time to buy a new graphics
card, as prices have skyrocketed –not to mention the fact that they
are consistently out of stock.” Unfortunately, in the shift to online
work during COVID-19, not all consumers can avoid the high prices.
“My biggest fear right now is mygraphics card breaking down andhaving to buy a new one at the current inflated market price. I also
might not be able to access a chip,
which means I could miss important deadlines at work.”

By Kevin Souflan BOUDAM

Since early 2021, the world’s electronics industry has been sufferinga semiconductor chip shortage. Often greeted by an “out of stock”
message on online retail websites,
consumers are not spared from thisshortage. Even the automobile industry, which require semiconductor chips for modern car systems –such as anti-lock braking systems –is struggling to meet demand.
A drastic rise in global demandand sudden decline in production
triggered the global shortage before
manufacturers had time to takecounter measures. When COVID-19
triggered a global transition to remote work and online classes, adrastic increase in demand for electronics exhausted chip reserves.
Only two companies possessed thetechnology to manufacture the mostadvanced 5-nanometer chips andfill this demand: the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, which produces made-to-orderchips for other companies, andSouth Korea’s Samsung. Whenthese two manufacturers reduced
chip production due to the pandemic, the electronics industry could
not acquire the chips necessary to
manufacture electronics.
The automobile industry has
suffered the most damage during
this shortage. On October 15th
2021, the European Automobile
Manufacturers Association statedthat “demand in E.U. shrank by
23.1% to over 718 thousand units,marking the lowest number of registrations for the month of September since 1995. This decrease insales was largely caused by a lackof vehicles due to the ongoing semiconductor shortage.”
The Japanese market incurredsimilar losses. “We have made repeated adjustments to our production plans due to a shortage ofparts,” announced Toyota Motors,

With the demand for electronic
products only continuing to increase, consumers might be disappointed at the lack of stock. Moreover, companies who would haveseen profits this season might fallshort of their sales objectives.
As the effects of this semiconductor chip shortage ripple acrossthe world, we should think about
Photo: by Kojima
how to prevent future shortages.
Some countries have begun develBelow: Semiconductor chip, by Mykola Pokhodzhay.
oping long-term solutions. For ex“and since we expect the shortage of experienced delays, and even short- ample, the United States, whose
Department of Defense (DoD) resemiconductors to continue in theages. To end this vicious cycle ofquires semiconductor chips for mililong-term, we will consider using
shortages and secure our supply,
tary equipment, struck a deal with
substitutes where possible.” Toyota we made commitments with ourIntel to “provide commercial foundMotors subsequently downsized its suppliers for more than one year
ry services in its multi-phaseplans for November, and temporari- into the future.”
RAMP-C (Rapid Assured Microelecly halted all car production in JaThe most optimistic predictions tronics Prototypes – Commercial)pan. Honda Motor cut theirfrom industry leaders expect the
program.” This program willplanned production for Octobersituation to be resolved within the“facilitate the use of onshore found2021 by 30% for the same reasons.
year. But as 2021 nears its end,ry infrastructure, ensuring the DoD
With car companies suffering dewith no improvement of the semiaccess to leading-edge technology.”
creased profits and production deconductor chip supply, some considlays, we can suspect the industry’s
Pat Gelsinger, the CEO of Inteler the forecast unrealistic. In a reemployment rates to decrease as
Corporation,
maintained that “onecent interview with CNBC, Pat Gelwell.
of
the
most
profoundlessons of thesinger, CEO of Intel Corporation, a
past
year
is
the
strategic
imOn the other hand, Pfeiffer
company specializing in computer
portanceof
semiconductors,
and theVacuum, a French company thatchips, said that “we’re in the worst
value
to
the
UnitedStatesofhavmanufactures vacuum pumps, saw of it now” and the situation willingastrongdomestic
semiconducan increase in sales. “The semicon- slowly get better throughout 2022,
tor industry.” Of course, building
ductor chip industry uses our vacu- before finally reaching a preum pumps, and as chip manufacpandemic “supply-demand balance” new manufacturing factories takes
time, and the impacted industries
turers invested to increase theirin 2023.
will not see a significant change in
output and meet demand, we saw
For consumers, a drastic dethe semiconductor chip market
an increase in sales” said Corinne
crease in chip supply means either quite yet. However, in the longOrenes, International Purchasing
a considerable hike in the price ofterm, companies’ solutions to the
Director at Pfeiffer. “However, beelectronics, or an inability to access issue will considerably reshape thecause semiconductor chips arethem if they run out of stock. We
market and protect against global
used in the manufacturing process
can already see this unfolding inshortages.
of our vacuum pumps, we’ve also
Top: New cars waiting for shipping at Kinjō-futōÊ port in Nagoya city, Aichi
prefecture.

(8) Subculture

Nagoya University of Foreign Studies

December, 2021

The Past and Future of Japanese Animation
at the Annecy Film Festival

By Mathilda ORENES
Orenes: Could you explain the
Annecy festival?

For almost six decades, the Annecy International Animation Film
Festival has been a trendsetter in the animation industry. Every year,
the festival showcases original, high-quality animation from established and emerging artists across the globe. Recently, the trend of
this international lineup has been Japanese films. What makes Japanese animation so attractive to the Annecy festival?

Top: Annecy Film Festival
Left below: Sébastien SPERER
Provided by Sébastien SPERER

A: What I have noticed over the
Mr. Sebastien Sperer: The festival
years is that Japanese films are
To answer this question, I interviewed Mr. Sebastien Sperer, who
first opened over 60 years ago–losing their originality. What wehas been working for CITIA (La Cité de l’Image en Mouvement/ The
June, 1960–in Annecy, France.
want is uniqueness and a lot more
City of the Moving Image), the organizing body of the festival, for overSince then, the festival has grownwork in the stories and the quality
exponentially. Hayao Miyazaki him- 22 years. He is currently a member of the festival’s selection commitof the animation.
tee.
self presented his famous film, Porco Rosso, in the 1998 festival, winNevertheless, despite this lackment to nature and ecology isning the Crystal for Best Featureof unique innovation, we were still
Masāki Yuasa’s Netflix series, JaFilm. In 2017 there were 115,000
able to qualify three Japanese movpan Sinks 2020. Presented in 2020,
entries and 10,000 accredited peries in the feature films category.
the series is the adaptation of Sakyōsons. Currently, the festival repreThis represents a quarter of the 12
Komatsu’s 1973 disaster novel, Jasents 87 countries, including Japan.
qualifying movies selected from thepan Sinks. It paints a future Japan
Every year, the festival chooses thesubmissions of 87 different counon the brink of collapse due to inwinning animations out of four diftries.
cessant natural disasters and risingferent categories: feature films,
water levels. Since the late 20th
short films, television and commiscentury, Japanese films have adClearly the Japanese industry has
sioned films, and graduation films.
dressed the ecological crisis, attract- to renew itself. After many years of
In parallel to the competition, we
quality, but a unique, well-written
ing interest in the wake of global
innovative filmmaking, it must
hold various events, including world
script is key.
warming.
find its path to uniqueness once
premieres, retrospectives, tributes,
and outdoor screenings. We even
Large production companies
Q: During your 22 years working for again. Luckily, it seems that a
promising wave of movie directors
host panels with the filmmakers.
avoid taking creative risks, tending the festival, is there one Japanese
will guide the industry into thetowards “safe movies” that they
film that really stood out?
This film festival is very imnew year. In this wave, women are
know will attract viewers and monportant not only for the city of
A: Of course. The movie is Paprika
taking the foreground, a difficult
ey. However, here at Annecy, we
Annecy, but also for professionalfrom Satoshi Kon, who I consider to feat in Japan. One of the rising
like showcasing filmmakers withand amateur filmmakers aroundbe the god of Japanese animation.
talents is Sawako Kabuki. She
original and peculiar ideas. One
the world. Thanks to the lineup’s
The movie is set in an eccentric fuused to work in the Japanese porn
example is Masāki Yuasa, who creinternational reach, various counture where characters must search industry and is now trying to breakated unique films while he was antries and animators can share theirthrough the past to overcome prob- into the animation world with maindependent filmmaker with a limculture through animation.
lems and understand how they arture and quirky concepts, including
ited budget. Now Yuasa has his own
rived in the present. Kon’s visionary music videos and sexually explicit
Q: What are your criteria for select- studio–I am proud that he didn’t
films create a queer temporality
imagery. In fact, she entered theing the movie lineup?
lose sight of his goal and mainthat extends across past, present,“new wave-short films” category fortained his unique style.
A: Every year, more than 3,000
and future, challenging the way we her short movie, WHAAH (named
movies are registered but we can
Q: Amongst the 3,000 films selected experience time. I am also interest- after the sound of a baby crying)
only select 250. In the selection we each year, what makes Japanese
ed in Kon’s method: he doesn’t con- during the 2019 Annecy festival.
see everything. The criteria are sub- animation so attractive?
sider his work to be a lonely task
Thanks to these new talents,
jective. It depends on what we thinkbecause he claims to work with his
A: One peculiarity of Japanese films
wecanexpect interesting andpeople want to see and our personal“alter-ego.” You can definitely senseis their recurrent references to napromising
Japanese films in theopinion. For me, the most important
this creative joy and passion while
ture and ecology. This aspect of Japyears
tocome.
According to Mr.
part is the writing work that occurs
watching his movies.
anese animation has always atSperer,
these
new
and fresh conbeyond the animation itself. It is
tracted viewers because it echoes
Q: What should Japanese directors cepts are what will make the 2022
obviously important that the anicurrent ecological problems. The
keep in mind to win the Grand Prix edition of the film festival unique.
mation and editing is of highmost recent example of this commit- next year?

Editor in Chief: Kazuhiko KOJIMA, Adviser: Hiroko TOKUMOTO, Adviser & Proofreader: Jacob TEICHRIB