10th November (Mon.)
Special Conference Room, University Hall A
< Young Researcher's Forum >

09:30-10:00 Oral Presentation Ⅰ
Montana Ruchirasak, Assistant Professor,
Kasetsart University   "Sustainable core competency
–Enhancing of organic rice producers in Thailand"

10:00-10:30 Oral Presentation Ⅱ
Kazunori Minamikawa, National Institute for Agro-Environmental Sciences

10:30-11:00 Break

11:00-11:30 Oral Presentation Ⅲ
Yayat Hidayat, Graduate Student, Bogor Agricultural University
"Educational and research activities on watershed management
study program to develop   sustainable agriculture."

11:30-12:00 Oral Presentation Ⅳ
Mari Horigane, Ph.D. candidate, University of Tsukuba

12:00-13:00 Lunch

13:00-14:00 Special Lecture Ⅳ
Kazuhito Suga, Vice-Director, Japan Volunteer Center (JVC)
"Current activities of JVC (tentative)"

14:15-14:45 Oral Presentation Ⅴ
Lourdes S. Edano, Assistant Professor, UPLB
"Needs and development of sustainable agriculture in the Philippines"

14:45-15:15 Oral Presentation Ⅵ
Ousmane Diene, Graduate student, Ibaraki University
"The use of symbiotic fungal association with crops for
a sustainable agriculture production"

15:15-15:30 Break

15:30-16:30 Discussion

Details: http://www.agbi.tsukuba.ac.jp/~agesd/e-index.html

The tremendous advances made in the medical sciences over the past few centuries have been simply astounding. Much of this progress can be attributed to the efforts of diligent, talented, and sometimes just-plain-lucky researchers who set about looking for solutions to medical questions by applying the scientific method -- which depends heavily on observing the results of controlled experiments to prove hypotheses.

Animals, in their forced role as experimental subjects, have played a crucial part in this March Forward, as many important medical studies from the times of Pasteur and Pavlov to the present day, have been made with the use of test animals. Every year at least tens of millions of vertebrates (and so many more invertebrates) are used around the world in tests which end with these creatures being SACRIFICED.

At Tsukuba University Medical School, as well as at other research institutes in Japan, the role that animals play in scientific progress, and the suffering often involved in their making a CONTRIBUTION to humanity (and sometimes to their fellow animals as well) does not go unrecognized or unacknowledged (for whatever that is worth) .

Once a year, usually in the first week of November (when the climate is most comfortable), an announcement is made throughout the medical school complex, that a special memorial service (ireisai, 慰霊祭) will be held at the IREIHI (慰霊碑), a memorial tablet which is tucked away in the shadows of the small woods, just east of the hospital's power plant. The IREIHI itself was made 20 years ago by a student of the university and the inscription on it reads "JIKEN DOBUTSU IREIHI", or "monument for consoling the spirits of experimental animals".

On the day the ceremony is announced, hundreds of  doctors, researchers, administrators, office staff and representatives of the companies which supply the animals attend, many bringing flowers, or foods which the animals might like. Since Tsukuba University is a government institution which must abide by rules separating church and state, incense, which would usually be offered on such an occasion, is not used, because of its overtly religious (Buddhist) connotations. Usually, a distinguished researcher or administrator makes a short speech about the number of animals sacrificed and the need to reduce this number and alleviate suffering. Those assembled then close their eyes for a moment of silence. I am told that many of those who attend this ceremony feel a sense of satisfaction or solace in having shown their respect and gratitude to the sacrificed lab animals.

Some laboratories in Tsukuba affiliated with private companies hold more elaborate and overtly religious IREISAI. For several reasons, I, myself, do not  like the idea of using animals for experiments (when it is not absolutely necessary to do so). But since millions of creatures ARE being used (and abused) in the name of science, I think it is a good thing to give them a little (even if it's only on one day) RESPECT.

Thanks to Dr. Sugiyama, director of Tsukuba University's Center for Experimental Animals for giving me his time and for showing me his dedication to providing the best conditions possible for the animals under his care. Still I get the willies every time I pass his building. If anyone would like to attend the ceremony please let me know and I will inform you about it (on the day it is held).

1 Comments

• At October 30, 2008, avi wrote:

  That's so sad about the animals. I love that one Ali G episode where he asked if animals would get the right to vote. That was funny!

The tremendous advances made in the medical sciences over the past few centuries have been simply astounding. Much of this progress can be attributed to the efforts of diligent, talented, and sometimes just-plain-lucky researchers who set about looking for solutions to medical questions by applying the scientific method — which depends heavily on observing the results of controlled experiments to prove hypotheses.

Animals, in their forced role as experimental subjects, have played a crucial part in this March Forward, as many important medical studies from the times of Pasteur and Pavlov to the present day, have been made with the use of test animals. Every year at least tens of millions of vertebrates (and so many more invertebrates) are used around the world in tests which end with these creatures being SACRIFICED.

At Tsukuba University Medical School, as well as at other research institutes in Japan, the role that animals play in scientific progress, and the suffering often involved in their making a CONTRIBUTION to humanity (and sometimes to their fellow animals as well) does not go unrecognized or unacknowledged (for whatever that is worth) .

Once a year, usually in the first week of November (when the climate is most comfortable), an announcement is made throughout the medical school complex, that a special memorial service (ireisai, 慰霊祭) will be held at the IREIHI (慰霊碑), a memorial tablet which is tucked away in the shadows of the small woods, just east of the hospital’s power plant. The IREIHI itself was made 20 years ago by a student of the university and the inscription on it reads “JIKEN DOBUTSU IREIHI”, or “monument for consoling the spirits of experimental animals”.

On the day the ceremony is announced, hundreds of  doctors, researchers, administrators, office staff and representatives of the companies which supply the animals attend, many bringing flowers, or foods which the animals might like. Since Tsukuba University is a government institution which must abide by rules separating church and state, incense, which would usually be offered on such an occasion, is not used, because of its overtly religious (Buddhist) connotations. Usually, a distinguished researcher or administrator makes a short speech about the number of animals sacrificed and the need to reduce this number and alleviate suffering. Those assembled then close their eyes for a moment of silence. I am told that many of those who attend this ceremony feel a sense of satisfaction or solace in having shown their respect and gratitude to the sacrificed lab animals.

Some laboratories in Tsukuba affiliated with private companies hold more elaborate and overtly religious IREISAI. For several reasons, I, myself, do not  like the idea of using animals for experiments (when it is not absolutely necessary to do so). But since millions of creatures ARE being used (and abused) in the name of science, I think it is a good thing to give them a little (even if it’s only on one day) RESPECT.

Thanks to Dr. Sugiyama, director of Tsukuba University’s Center for Experimental Animals for giving me his time and for showing me his dedication to providing the best conditions possible for the animals under his care. Still I get THE WILLIES every time I pass his building. If anyone would like to attend the ceremony please let me know and I will inform you about it (on the day it is held).

2 Comments

• At October 23, 2010, Mamoru Shimizu wrote:

  We Japanese usually say "Itadakimasu" before eating food(breakfast,lunch,supper,or some sweets or even money?). It contains meaning of gratitude for grain, vegitable,fish,meat,those are creatures in nature. I think it is a very decent custom.

  It reminds us somehow that we should always be conscious that we human are dependent on creatutures very much,on nature too.

  LIKE TARZAN!! Aaa Aaa Aaa!!!.

• At October 23, 2010, Tomoko Watanabe wrote:

  I also do not like the idea of using animals for experiments. Becasue animals are nothing wrong.

  I think it is better to use the murderers for experiments, not Animals.

14:55 to 15:25
Lecture by ambassador Daniel D. Polski/ Conferencia del Sr. Embajador de la Republica Argentina Daniel D.Polski
Lecture title: “Argentina‚ key drivers for sustainable economic development”/ “Argentina: Factores Claves del Desarrollo Económico Sustentable”
　　　　　　
15:35 to 16:00
Argentina tango evening/ Demonstration and lesson by Luna de Tango Company, Demonstracion y clase de tango a cargo de “Luna de Tango Company.”

16:00 to 17:00
Social gathering/ Let’s talk about Argentine

Please contact Sugimoto at 029-853-6785
or visit the following page for details:
http://www.tsukuba.ac.jp/hall/20080521140055.html

Program:
http://www.tsukuba.ac.jp/up_pdf/20080521140055001.pdf

Big Black Heart: Photography and the Aboriginal
Tsukuba University is proud to announce the exhibition of three leading Australian photographers in Big Black Heart at the University of Tsukuba Main Hall Gallery and adjacent ArtSpace Gallery. Renowned photographer Juno Gemes and award-winning Aboriginal artists Wayne Quilliam and Bindi Cole give us outstanding visions of struggle and artistic innovation of Australian Aborigines in response to political and cultural discrimination.

Bindi Cole & Wayne Quilliam
Tsukuba University Main Hall Gallery
September 15 to October 8

Juno Gemes
Tsukuba University ArtSpace September 15 ～ October 13
Open daily 9:00～17:00 except Mondays
Tel (Japanese Only): 029-853-2382
www.art.tsukuba.ac.jp

---------
The Alien Times received this information from John Tran of the University of Tsukuba. Thank you!

CAPEDS presents Sudan Café in Tsukuba vol.2
- What we found in "Real" Sudan-

What does come up with you,. when you hear the word "Sudan"?
Civil war? Terrorism? Yes, they exactly exist. However, will they ever shape the whole "Sudan"?

The non-profit organization Committee for Assisting and Promoting Education of the Disabled in Sudan(CAPEDS) is a organization aimed to promote and to assist education for the disabled in Sudan. We are now taking actions for promotion and assistance of information education and promotion of blind soccer in Khartoum, Sudan.
(To see more details : please look at http://capeds.org）

In October 2009, 2 of our student staffs went to Khartoum to know the conditions of our running project and to deepen exchange with our counterpart in Sudan. Can you imagine what did they find in Sudan?

Please join us to feel "Real Sudan" by the story of our staffs with hibiscus tea and Sudanese snacks.

The details are below.

Date: Dec 2nd, 2009(Wed) 18:30-20:40
Place : Class room 301, 3A building, Tsukuba University
(5 min by foot from the bus stop "Daigaku-Chuo")
Fee: Free
How to join: Please e-mail to info.tsukuba[at]capeds.org with the name and number of the participants. Please fill the title with "Participation of the event".
Walk-in participants are also welcomed.

If you have any questions, please send e-mail to info.tsukuba[at]capeds.org

City Chat Cafe is a place where International and Japanese people living in Tsukuba can come together and meet. There is no charge for entry and no reservation is needed.

・Bilingual students can help the communication
・University of Tsukuba covers the expenses

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Are you curious about the Japanese lifestyle?
Would you like to meet Japanese families and make friends?

City Chat Cafe is a place where international and Japanese people living in Tsukuba can come together and meet. Come and speak Japanese or English.

You are very welcome to join. Everyone is welcome: children, families, individuals. There is no charge for entry and no reservation is needed. Just come!

The First City Chat Cafe Meeting
Date & Time: Sunday, August 31st, 2008; 14:00 - 16:00
Place: LALA Garden 1st floor, LALA Club

To learn more about City Chat Cafe, please see our website.

International students and researchers and their families are eligible for free Japanese classes taught by undergraduate and graduate students who are majoring in Japanese language education at the University of Tsukuba. The lessons are offered so that the graduate students can practice their teaching skills. The classes are videotaped and people observe the lessons from the other side of a one-way mirror. (These classes are not associated with the regular Japanese classes offered by the International Student Center at the university.)

Students should be able to read and write hiragana and katakana. If you are not familiar with these Japanese alphabets, they will send you a list so that you can learn them before the classes begin.

Students are divided into two classes according to the results of a placement test. J1 meets on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday and J2 meets on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. Students must agree to attend all classes.

The classes run from Monday, April 23 to Wednesday May 30. There are three 40 minute periods per day and students must attend all three classes. Period 1 is from 3:30pm to 4:10pm, period 2 is from 4:15pm to 4:55pm, and period 3 is from 5pm to 5:40pm. The content of the classes includes basic vocabulary, elementary grammar, everyday conversation, and cultural activities. Classes are held at the University of Tsukuba and the tuition is free. There are no classes during Golden Week (April 30 to May 4).

If you want to apply, send an email with your name, sex, nationality, native language, occupation, address, phone number, and email address to jissyu_yaru2007[AT]yahoo.co.jp by April 7, 2007. It is not possible to enroll in the classes after this date. The number of participants is limited, so it may not be possible for all applicants to participate in the course.

In 1966, the Japanese government designated October 10th as Taiiku no Hi (Sports Day) to commemorate the Games. If you are wondering why October was selected as a day to remember the Summer Olympics, you are not alone. The fact is, however, that in 1966, the Opening Ceremonies were held on the 10th of October! The wise decision to hold the Tokyo Summer Games in Autumn was made in deference to Japans cruelly humid summer weather (why wasn't the same change made for Beijing?).

Since the year 2000, as part of the HAPPY MONDAY MOVEMENT (having national holidays on Monday to make a 3-day weekend), Taiiku No Hi has been moved to the second Monday of October, giving us a nice break in what is probably Japan's best season weather-wise. 

Over the Sports Day weekend you are likely to hear signal fireworks (aizu no hanabi) announcing that school and university sports festivals (UNDO KAI) are being held. For the Japanese, these events are MAJOR markers of the passage of years. It is common for grandparents to come from afar to be present, and in Tsukuba, parents often go out in the middle of the night to stake out a good place to put down their plastic sheet for the next morning's festivities. You can get a glimpse of what goes on at an UNDOKAI on YouTube.

If you turned on the TV this morning, you might have seen some of Japan's Olympic medalists giving workshops for schoolchildren and also scenes of little Aiko (the daughter of the Crown Prince and Princess) running (victoriously, of course) in her first Sports Festival.

Many Tsukubans set aside time every year during the second weekend in October to attend Tsukuba University's three day Culture Festival. All of those who do have their own favorite attractions. For me, there is the music, especially the jazz cafe and the Andean Folk Music Troupe. This year, with the blessing of truly glorious weather, not a soul could have left disappointed. With a wide range of cheap and delicious foods, live music in all genres, arcade games, scientific displays, and technological exhibitions all served up with youthful enthusiasm, for me the GAKUEN-SAI is the true TSUKUBA FESTIVAL (Tsukuba Matsuri).

As I have written before, one noticeable thing for many graduates of foreign universities is the lack of any political or INTELLECTUAL presence in the Tsukuba University festival. In recent years, however, environmental awareness has started to be felt with several booths selling organic produce or showing data from research on GREENER LIVING. Still walking the length of the campus this weekend, I felt pessimistic about recent calls to lower the voting age in Japan to 18.

For LOTS OF INTERESTING DETAILS ON THE TOKYO OLYMPICS SEE THIS PAGE and THIS ONE. (You should read more about this event!)