—— Waeue Me liao s Approved For Release 2000/08/15 : CIA-RDP96-0Q792IR000400390001 PARAPSYCHOLOGY IN JAPAN Introduction In 1992, the Japanese Society for Parapsychology celebrated its 25th anniversary with a three- day conference in Tokyu. This society was founded by Professor Soji Otani, an academic psychologist at the Japanese Defense Academy. It has been the mainstay of responsible parapsychology in Japan, and has ity intellectual roots both in traditional Japanese approaches | and in the American experimental appruavh of J.B Rhine. The latter influence is largely due to | the time spent by Otani in Rhine’s lab in the mid 1960°s, and more recently by Dr Shigeki Hagio, an academic psychologist trom Kagoshima Keizai University, in the southern part of | Japan, The Society has u small membership, with relatively few empirical contributions, averaging about seven reseurch-related reports each year. Separate sections below will cover this year’s JSP convention, as well as research recently initiatcd at Sony. | Before considering recent research and researchers, some general comments on the social context of parapsychology in Japan may he helpful. All are a mix of subjective impressions from the author's visit. Japan is a very polite, socially structured society. Criticism is indirect, inferred and often cather gradual. Confrontation or debate at conferences or in the media has been quite rare alihough that is changing. Researchers acknowledge that they obtain more | direct and detailed criticism when they present their work internationally. ‘This is unfortunate | for parapsychology, where critical feedback is necessary to avoid the many pitfails of design, ; methodology, analysis and interpretation that can so easily arise, especially with novice researchers. Some Japanese research projects appear to suffer from lack of critical feedback. Ir has often been said that when people do not like an idea they will ignore it rather than confront it. There has been very little public criticism of parapsychology by skeptical groups or | academics, therefore, which probably is not a good thing. It meany that dhe topic has been and | can he safely ignored by the academic/intellectual community, This is reflected in the dearth of | bona fide academicians currently involved and in the relative lack of student involvement. It is difficult if not impossible to interest university senior staff and administrators. There is insufficient precedent and untversities are very conservative, and reluctant to take on new | ideas. “The nail that stands out gets hammered down” is a well-known proverb, frequently cited in conversation. The lack of academic involvement and other public discussion means | that scrivus public assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of parapsychological research is | greatly reduced, This in turn further marginalises the subject tor potential serious researchers. An additional consequence is that the media themselves have no real guidelines for | distinguishing between competent aud sloppy research, in their own country and elsewhere. | Many programs are made which desoribe rescarch activitics in China, Russia, North America and Europe, which are very popular but have little quality control, Japanese psychics are presented primarily through televised demonstrations which arc often poorly contrulled, This situation is amenable to some change, however, as Japanese media are eagcr to avoid mistakes or being regarded after the fact as foolish. But when they seek advice, they have little idca L Approved For Release 2000/08/15 : CIA-RDP96-00792R000400390001-1
quran do 1a oo a Approved For Release 2000/08/15 : CIA-RDP96-00792R000400390001-1 * themselves of the degree of expertise of those they consult, This is not umque to Japanese media, of course. A tecent example of media conflict over psychic claims is mentioned in the avlached article by James MeClenon, Japanese society as a whole is very open to parapsychology and to intelligent research in such areas. Survey figures show that only 10% of Japanese claim religious belief, yet 80% claim to practice Buddhism and 80% claim to practice Shinto. Most Japanese actively practice both, and frequently engage in rituals of various sorts which imply direct interaction hetween their own mental activities and the surrounding environment, including interaction with spirits. Supplicatory prayer iy common, even by those who would claim that it’s only a placebo, or that they are engaging in a social uct to show their peers how dedicated they are wwwards various goals. The idea of using moitern tools to explore ancient claims is acceptable to most, because Japanese society emphasiscs the integration of the old with ute new in so many ways, Current inierest in exploring psychic powers seems currently to focus on China and Russia/Siberia. generally held by academics to be the (wu main ancient sources of Japanese spiricual tradition. Siberia is less frequently acknowledged by the public as a whole, but cvidence of Siberian shamanism as well as Iuduchinese shamanism (via Okinawa) can be seen in the forms of Shinto. practices in less developed regions (occasionally referred to as Mountain Shinto or "wwurlain religion". Included are various mediumisric and healing practices, as well as ideas of the concentration of mental energy later incorporated in the mountain-based Ninja waining centres and in the Chinese tradition of Qi. As a tesult of various tactors including the above, serious psychical rescarch in Japan tends to be practised by a handful uf academics, hy a few members of the medical community, and by individuals or small groups within industry. The most impressive example of the latter are the research facilities at the Sony Research Center in Yokohama, a nO OR a aa Purapsychology Research at Sony Professor Soi Otani and the author visited the Sony Research Center in August, 1992, where there arc two laboratories involved in parapsychological tesearch. Our hosts were three electrical engineers; Dr Toshiro Terauchi, Senior Manager of the ESPER Laboratory; Dr Yoichisy Sako, Represencarive of the ESPER Laboratory; and Dr Mitsuru Takashima, Assistant Manager of the Pulscgraph Laboratory. Although all three spoke English, Dr ‘Terauchi served as our primary translator. We were given a brief history and introduction lo the rescarch of the two labs. Seven, years earlier, Mr Ibuka, Honorary Chairman of Sony Corporation, established a lab with Dr ‘'akashima, to explore the mind-body aspects of oriental mecivine. After three years the Pulsegraph Lub was formed, to examine Eastern approaches through the tools of Western medicine. This has involved working with Chinese Qigong practitioners, primarily Mr Nagoya who has joined them. They study interactions between healers and non-clinical volunteers, focussing on the physiology of both healer and client. Measures are taken while the licaler becomes relaxed and while the healer gives and receives energy. These measures so far have been taken on people in the same oun, 0 remote influence studies as yet. ‘They intend 2 Approved For Release 2000/08/15 : CIA-RDP96-00792R000400390001-1
Approved For Release 2000/08/15 : CIA-RDP96-00792R000400390001-1 to look at differences in healers, both Japancsc and Chincscc, as well as differences in healing environments. Although they employ a variety of measures including EEG, body temperature and standard plethysmography, their muin innovation so far is the development of the pulsegraph, an instrument for meusuring pressure in the arteries at three adjacent locations, primarily in the Jeft and right wrists. The device places pressure on the artery at three adjacent sites, varying the mount of pressure from hard to merely “floating”. ‘Uhis gives a total of 12 readouts, six from each hand, and enables assessment of vasomotor activity, heart rate, heart beat amplitude, blond flow, viscosity, vessel elasticity and heart valve movement. Professor Otani and 1 both went through this procedure and our polygraph records wera examined afterwards by Mr Nagoya, He examined the raw wave forms themselves as well as the varions digitised readings provided, focussing on various patterns. He then gave a description both of the cardiovascular health of the individual, plus a character reading based on an assessment of what the body-mind intcraction was likely to be, e.g. I'm a nice person because my body isu't giving my viscera a hard time. This procedure seemed to represent their main accomplishinent so far, and thoy felt that they had deviscd a scientifically solid procedure for measuring processes suggested by Eastern technique. The author has since learned that Chinesee practitioners routinely put three fingers on each pulse for several minutes, first one then the other, and that this constitutes a major medical observation for them. The Pulsegraph Lab, then, had been primarily a lab for development of psychophysiological measurements so far, and rheir research was only gradually turning toward procedures that would enable measurement of remote influence within a medical context. On the other hand, the ESPER J.ab, less than a year old at the time, was to be dedicated to nore directly parapsychulogical procedures, Its origins had apparently come from a major reassessment of Sony priorities for the 21st century by the R and D Corporate Planning Group. In debating between "outer space” and "inner space" they had selected inner space as less expensive and as legs likely to bc done better in Western society. A Human Science Working Group had identified four arcas of interest: brain sciences, social scicnec, highly creative individuals (artists and producers of impressive works), and special mental abilities, including psi and Qigong practice. They had decided to emphasise China, as country of origin, and through Mr Ibuka and the Chinese government, Sony representatives were allowed to mect Qigong practitioners. ‘They were impressed and reported to the Chairman of Sony, Mr Morita, who set up the RSPER lab in response. One of the first projects was to follow up on some demonstrations filmed in China by TVS of children who can apparently read hidden characters. A joint project was being designed with media people such that part af the incentive for participants would be ro appear on TV. Their tests were not well described, and sounded sume whut informal, so we could not assess how likely the results are to be due to some sort of trickery by the children, Characters from bouks as well as those written on paper were used. They estimate that at present they had worked with yver 100 children, with one in ten doing well, and some showing stable abilities. In conversation, they seemed reluctant to consider the possibility that some or all of their successful participants might just be skilled wicksters, but seemed open to the idea of safeguarding against external criticism. Given the general atutudes toward actual public criticism, it is hard to say how seriously they took this possibility. In general, they seemed more interested in presenting their work rather than discussing it, Their stated general goals for the ESPER Laboratory are to conduct research with children and adults, 3 Approved For Release 2000/08/15 : CIA-RDP96-00792R000400390001-1 =u
Q2-06 '93 14:23 ; ; WA) awed Approved For Release 2000/08/15 : CIA-RDP96-00792R000400390001-1 to verify the existence of such special skills, developing theory, systems and applications. In general the Pulsegraphi Lab research seems more advanced and on a solid basis; the ESPER research seeuns in its early slages and we could not get a good feel for how well it was currently being conducted, All ee researchers seemed intelligent and interested in doing good science. We only saw the Pulsegraph Lab, and its facilities seemed quite adequate for the job, We were told that in all there were ten individuals employed in the two labs combined. Sony does seem to have a commitment to rescarch in this area with support at the highest aduuinisirative levels, THE JAPANESE SOCIETY FOR PARAPSYCHOLOGY ANNUAL CONFERENCE ‘The annual meeting of the IPS normally lasts for two days but was extended for a third day so that its one-day summer tutorial session could be combined, Attendance was approximately 25 people, all male save for a student. a spouse and one of the demonstrators. Some attendees were roscarchers in corporations such as NEC, Fujitsu, Hitachi and HM, who were able to do some small amount of research but only in their spare dime, generally something involving | RNG's and computers. Allached ure cards from some of the attendees, plus the three Sony | researchers who did not alicnd. A few of the presenters seem well worth further interaction, | | | i) and condensed versions of their papers are enclosed. Professor Sof! Orani (address in PA Directory) is the loading figure in the Society. Now retired from the Defense Academy, he no longer conducts research but remains active in writing, editing and administration. He has many contacts with academia, industry (including Sony) and the major media, especially television. Attached is a paper by him summarising the Society's research activities over the years. Dr Masayuki Hirafuji is a young cognitive psychologist with the National Agriculture Reseatch: Center, in the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. He presented two papers, vue a conmectionist model of ESP, the other an attempted derivation of a precognition model. Uis current job reswicts lim to model cunstruction with no empirical testing, although he would in principle bs quite happy to do buth. He seems very articulate and has some working knowledge of parapsychology. Mr Hideyuki Kokubo is a young computer specialist with Sanseido, a publishing company. He gave a paper nsing signal detection theory in a novel application, but also finds that he is constrained to model construction rather than empirical testing. Professor Shigeki Hagio, a psychologist at Kagoshima-Keizai University, is now the most actlve experimentalist and follows the classical Rhinean strategies of psi testing. Enclosed are brief descriptions of several recent studies, involving the local student populations. He has spent time in the States us well as in Britain, occasionally attends PA conferences and is a PA associate member. He is fairly kuowledgeuble about modern parapsychological methods. His university is in the southern part of Japan. | Approved For Release 2000/08/15 : CIA-RDP96-00792R000400390001-1
nn 075) a ee —— =< = Approved For Release 2000/08/15 : CIA-RDP96-00792R000400390001-1 Drs 'Loshiaki Imaizumi and Osamu Imada are young psychiatrists in Kachi Tlospital, whose paper on beliefs about the nature of spontaneous cases is enclosed. They secmed intelligent and with knowledge of research design and parapsychulogy. Dr Akiro Ouda is a retired specialist in Buddhist philosophy, who is a PA member and har been active in the Suciety frou the beginning. Others presented on the programme as well, but were less involved in research-related topics. SUMMARY The researchers named ahove seem responsible and good starting places for cxploring serious Japanese parapsychology. ‘There is much popular interest in Japan and many groups why blend claims of special mental power and spiritual practice, Some of these have dubious reputations, within the parapsychological community as well as the public. Most younger Japanese can use Fnglish adequately. Older Japanese can read it but often have wouble with spuken English, Japan is a country with considerable potential fur parapsychology, but they need more information about Western techniques fur assessment, In turn their culture has many practices which should be explored mre syslcmatically and may contribute su bstantially to our understanding. SG1l i June 1993 Approved For Release 2000/08/15 : CIA-RDP96-00792R000400390001-1
Approved For Release 2000/08/15 : CIA-RDP96-00792R000400390001-1 Geoern Review of Research in J&Pr 5oji Ohtani Academic rescurch in parapsychology in Jupsur suurted after Word War I, beginning with the introduction of the works af Parapsycholoby Laboratory, Duke University directed by Dr.J.B.Rhine. A thesis written by Olnani was published in the Tournal of Parapsychology in 1955. Research in Japan has been strongly influenced vy the Laborutursy since then, In 1965, “ Parnpaychology Studying Group" was established, and they presented their research in the Japanese Society tor Psychology and the Japanese Society tor Applied Psychalogy. In 1967, the first convention of the Group was held, followed by the establishment of “ the Japanese Society for Parapsychology” . This offered researchers whe opportunities to exchange information aid tu present their sophisticated rescarch ansually. More than 180 researches have been jwexented at the Annual Convention. As for those on ESP, we have the one on the relationship wit sume psychulogical tests(Ohtaai, Nomura, ‘Takeshima), the ones on tho rélationship with physiological variublex(Ohiuni, Osta, Matsumas, Nagashima, Sugistuta, Kusunoki, Saito, Fukuda), the ones on the reJativoship with environmental condition(Ohtai, Matsuda, Kurihara, Yamaguchi, ito), the ones on the relationship with imagery(Hayase}. As for thosc on PK, we have the ones using now msteriale(Takahoshi), the ones on effects to living arganisms(Ohtani, Haruki), the ones on metal bending with gifted subjects(Ohianl, Kasahara, Koori, Ro). We have an international research on remote viewing(Ohtani, Minakami, Dean). Also, we have many researcties on spontaneous cases(Qhntant, Kurihara, Watunabe, Koori, Hagio, Wada). As tor theoretical research, we have the one oo precoguition concerned wilh the ume issuc(Kanazawa).Some of us have tried Lo establish models on the process of ESP(Kokubo, Hirafuji, Sakurat). Desides, we bave the one on the relationship between the strocture of call and the senres( Koide), the ones on the credibility of ESP tarpets( Kuroda, Hagio), the one with Approved For Release 2000/08/15 : CIA-RDP96-00792R000400390001-1
— + — Approved For Release 2000/08/15 : CIA-RDP96-00792R000400390001-1 some manipulation of ESP targets(Llagio), the ones on the analysis of the data(Maruyama). Atthe same time we have some researches related ta the concerning fields: the surveys on NDE(Becker), the one on the relationship between creativity and ESPXOnda), the one on Kirlian phowyraphet Fujita). We have two long-lasting researches: the oae is about the theory on precognition (Kanazawa), and the other is about psi ocouring around older mental pationte(Nagashima), We have received no direct and decisive criucism. I chink it mecessuly for us to publish our rescaches in many ways and, exposed to constructive criticiem, improve them. Approved For Release 2000/08/15 : CIA-RDP96-00792R000400390001-1
Wi" Wa vdeo Approved For Release 2000/08/15 : CIA-RDP96-00792R000400390001-1 Connectionist Model of ESP Masayuki Hitafuji 1 the Amount of [nformation Transmitted with ESP In ao ESP cxperimenc using targets whose hit rate is 1/2, the amount of information tranamitted ia a wiul is shown in the formula in the next page. At least L/TESP times of trials are needed 4 yet 1 bit af information(shown in Fig.1). This means we can get a significant result with a large oumber of trials evea if the hit rate in cloao t) the chaues level. The amount of intormation transmitted in 2 trialin a tial is quite small, ax seen from the fact that most ESP experiments with significant results have a largo oumber of triais. That is, the capacity of ESP is quite small, Based on the idea that this is because signals of ESP occue uta level weaker than nuises, I csiablish my model of ESP. 2 GSP and the Process of Cognition : As seen in the Law of Waver, normal senses, puch 2g sight, auditory seus, sense of touch, produce relatively simple responses against stimuli, On the other hand, ESP Produces rather complexed responses which seem deeply related luv the subjects’ process of cognition, as seeu in sheop—and—goat and prize effect. Tf ESP is closely related to the process, we need a model including it to understand ESP. T combined the model of cognition and a model in which informarion is extracted from weak ESP signal below the noise level, and established an- ESP model(shown in Fig.2). 3 Neural Network Neural nctwork is a avodel which consists of combined models of nerve cells whose functions are simplified. Because of the diffcreues «mong the simplification or the combination, several kinds of neural networks have beea proposed, The most basic fanctious related to cognition, such as reuugnition, memory, association, learning, can he expressed with combination of the network. . Judging from the fact that BP modei resembles the actual brain function so raueh, the madel ia which information is coded or decoded by combining neural networks can be Approved For Release 2000/08/15 : CIA-RDP96-00792R000400390001-1
~~ Approved For Release 2000/08/15 CIA-RDP96-00792R000400390001-1 applied to brains if the transmission with signals wesker than soize ic possibic. 4 ESP Signal Detective Theory We have no idea which organ senses ESP signal as we don't know whut carrics ESP ‘sigan, But they must be tronamitted into neural impulses, if wo put it that wa have 4 certain organ which senses them. J presume that BSP signal ie micro electrical charge in neural impulses. Can human beings transmit concepts with slectromagnatic waves, a& preaumed that ESP ig a wind of eleciromagnetic wave add nerve cells arc anteonas? Tt ig true that there are some parts in our brains and celis which are electrically chargod, and these parts certainly radiate electromagnetic waves, [t decsn’t matter that the amount of the radiated cuergy is small. The point is that the waves have complicated phase diffcrences. Because the phuses change timewise arid spaccwise in a complicated manner, they dismiss cack other so that we can’t detect them. Therefore, a slinples biological model can't stand. Ta the wanectionist modal of ESP, [ regard the cach slecirically-cherged part as the sours apd the receiver of clectromagnuetic waves. That is, cach part has its own frequeucy aod phace simultanennmaly. This resembles a huge aurhher of Wansmission machines funciiopiny without confusion, but in the model the trausmitted information js always homogeneous and can be controled intentionally. . Theretically, it is possibie to trammnit information even in a poor sysirm, only if the information is coded in a proper way which fite the feulure of the system. Thus, ESP can tausait information, even if the sigyal is quite weak, once we have proper coding method. ‘Ibe process is cxpresscd by the Formnla (1) w (6). 3 Cenling in Neural Network When ap agent have a target in tie mind, the aoucerped ceuron & activated. By assodiation, other naurons copserosd with what is related to the largest are activated copseyucntly. Thug the brain establishes the pattern to send the infarmation. Thig Process biases the information timewise and spacewise. The percipsent fallow the sate process to the opposed direction. Tho more decoding he doesin his neural networks, the lex’ noise wai moro accurste information he can get. Approved For Release 2000/08/15 : CIA-RDP96-00792R000400390001-1 2 ot