World's longest suspension bridge to open in April 1998
The inauguration of Akashi Kaikyo Bridge will generate economic benefits worth about 127.4 billion yen a year for the Kinki region, Daiwa Research Institute estimated.Cargo traffic on the route that links Osaka, Kobe, Tokushima and Sumoto on Awaji Island is projected to increase 2 million tons or 17% a year, creating an economic effect worth some 62 billion yen. In addition, the survey estimates that as part of the economic effect from the increase in passenger traffic, Awaji Island is likely to enjoy about an annualized 65.4 billion yen increase in sightseeing spending.
As for the economic benefits of construction, the bridge is seen to bring in some 73.4 billion yen per year. The opening of the bridge will therefore create economic effects worth some 1.7 times the benefits during the construction phase, according to the report.
Honshu-Shikoku Bridge Authority has announced it will open the bridge on April 5, 1998. Construction of the 3,910 meter bridge linking the Japanese main island of Honshu and Shikoku began May 1988. With the center span of 1,990 meters, it will be the longest bridge in the world when completed. The bridge will shorten the Kobe-Tokushima trip from 180 minutes to 110 minutes and Kobe-Takamatsu from 260 minutes to about 190 minutes.
Kyoto to host 1,800 astronomers
The 23rd General Assembly of the International Astronomical Union, the largest global meeting of astronomers, will be held from August 18-30 at Kyoto International Conference Hall.About 1,800 astronomers, including 1,200 from overseas, will attend. Six large-scale symposiums will be held from August 18-21 and 26-30, including one under the theme "Hot Universe," proposed by Katsuji Koyama, professor at the faculty of science of Kyoto University.
At the same time, on August 21 and 25, two special study sessions based on such themes as "Highlights of the ISO Mission" are planned. In addition, three special lectures including "Black Holes in the Universe" and 24 interdisciplinary research forums are on the program.
The union was established in 1919 to promote research and international cooperation in astronomy. Members total 7,900 astronomers from 65 countries and one region. The first international meeting of the union was held in Rome in 1922. Since then the meeting has been staged every three years. The 1994 meeting was hosted by The Hague, the Netherlands.
U.K. scientist wins '97 Int'l Cosmos Prize
The International Cosmos Prize Committee has announced it has selected Oxford University professor Richard Dawkins as the winner of the 1997 International Cosmos Prize.Dr. Dawkins has exerted a tremendous impact on the academic world of biologists since he published The Selfish Gene in 1976. The thesis of the book is that all living things on earth exist and advance as a result of an endless battle of genes. This view challenged the then accepted theory of harmony with the natural world. Since its publication, the theory has stirred controversy throughout the world. The committee cited the significance of the viewpoint advocated by Dr. Dawkins in the study of the relationship between man and nature as the reason for selecting him as the 1997 prize winner.
The award ceremony will be held on November 3 in Osaka, at which time a monetary prize of 40 million yen will be presented to Dr. Dawkins.
Measures to attract foreign firms proposed
The Center for Industrial Renovation of Kansai has released proposals for promoting foreign investment in the region, based on a monitoring survey that covered foreign-affiliated firms among others.The survey revealed a number of impediments to foreign investment in Kansai, some of which are: extremely scarce information on small and midsize firms in Kansai; absence of functions enabling completion of license application procedures in Kansai; scarcity of housing suitable for foreigners; high rents and complicated rental application processing; and delays in development of education systems for foreign children (except in the Kobe area).
To lure more foreign investment, the center recommends adoption of the following measures: deregulation and closer review of existing systems; transfer of more administrative power to local governments; creation of a unique local vision to attract foreign businesses; preferential treatment for foreign investors; establishment of a Kansai investment support center capable of offering investment information about the whole Kansai area and foreign business support programs.
Furthermore, better utilization of the heavy concentration of smaller firms, universities and research institutions in the area, development of a living environment attractive to foreigners and nurturing a sense of hospitality toward foreigners are needed, the center stated.
Quake loan repayment weighing on small firms
Sales at 81.2% of small and midsize firms in Kobe remain below levels recorded before the Great Hanshin Earthquake of 1995, indicates a survey by the Kobe Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) on post-quake operations and repayment of quake reconstruction loans. Furthermore, sales at 45.8% of the firms are 80% or less of pre-quake levels.According to the survey, 73.5% of respondents borrowed quake recovery funds from the national government affiliated lenders, the Hyogo prefectural government, the Kobe municipal government and private financial institutions, but 71.6% of the firms which borrowed funds from the prefectural and the municipal governments have suspended principal repayments. Of these firms, 52.7% said it would be difficult to repay loans after the grace period for principal repayment ends.
Asked about the reasons for such difficulty, 42.2% cited loss or decrease of customers while 29.1% pointed to a decrease in the number of residents and visitors to Kobe. On the other hand, 34.7% of respondents are planning to borrow funds, suggesting strong demand for quake reconstruction loans.
The survey, conducted in May, questioned 10,983 smaller-scale incorporated or non-incorporated KCCI members based in Kobe. Of the firms, 37.7% responded to the survey.
Wakayama int'l surfing contest planed in Sept.
The Aquarian Festival '97: International Professional Surfing Championship will be held September 6-7 in Isonoura, Wakayama Prefecture.The contest is one of the competitions in the Association of Surfing Professionals World Qualifying Series (A.S.P. WQS) Japan Tour World Challenge Series and a total of 96 Japanese and foreign surfers are expected to enter. Complying with more than 200 rules, contestants will compete in scale, speed and power of their performance within a limited time period.
The championship is in the second league of the A.S.P. World Championship Tour (WCT) which selects the world professional surfing champion. The top 16 placers in WQS rankings will be allowed to enter the WCT the following year.
The first International Professional Surfing Championship was held in 1992 and has been staged in Japan since 1995 as the Japan Tour World Challenge Series. In 1996, 10 contests were held with 1,020 participants. This year, of some 60 competitions scheduled around the world, 10 will be held in Japan.
Kansai in Focus: New Kankeiren Chairman on international exchange
Yasuo Shingu, Chairman of Sumitomo Metal Industries Ltd., recently took the post of chairman of the Kansai Economic Federation (Kankeiren). He is also president of the Kansai Public Relations Promotion Council, which operates KIPPO. Kankeiren is a representative example of Japan's business groups along with the Tokyo-based Japan Federation of Economic Organizations (Keidanren).Kankeiren's activities are broadly classified into policy proposals to the government, promotion of national projects and international exchanges. Within the last category, the organization has accumulated a good deal of experience particularly in the Asia-Pacific region. For example, the Kansai business delegation sent to China in 1971, which included Kankeiren representatives, played a crucial role in clearing the path for the normalization of diplomatic ties between Japan and China the following year. Kankeiren also helped realize the APEC Osaka meetings of 1995.
The Asia-Pacific region continues remarkable growth. A large number of firms from Japan, particularly Kansai, are moving in and strengthening ties with other parts of the region. In addition, Hong Kong was returned to Chinese sovereignty July 1. Chairman Shingu had the following to say regarding international exchange activities:
"We will continue to place our highest priority on exchange with the Asia-Pacific region. Next year in February, we will send missions to ASEAN."
Kankeiren has been placing emphasis on development of human resources for the Asia-Pacific region, part of which is the management training of ASEAN people. The training program is currently conducted in cooperation with the Pacific Resource Exchange Center (PREX). Kankeiren also began studying an East Asian education and training network using an information and communications system to nurture personnel in developing nations. Chairman Shingu expressed a desire to "further exchange of people, materials, funds and information" with the other parts of the Asia-Pacific region, and to "make Kansai Japan's exchange center with the rest of the region."
On the other hand, Shingu stresses that in order to realize true international exchange, "it is important to create an environment that can attract many people from overseas including the Asia-Pacific region to come, live, and work in Kansai." He suggests that some thought be given to fortifying so-called software aspects related to daily life and culture. Kankeiren has not ignored this area.
Among the projects that have been backed by Kankeiren are the opening of Kansai International Airport (the first 24-hour airport in the country), the Rekishi Kaido Project (a network of historic road enabling travelers to experience first hand Kansai's treasure trove of rich Japanese historical and cultural assets), the construction of the Kansai Science City and the construction of Nagisa Kaido (the promenades and bicycle paths along the coast of Osaka Bay).
The problem is that information on many of these attractions in Kansai is not reaching people abroad, Shingu emphasizes. "Raising awareness about Kansai means getting people to come from abroad and take a look at it for themselves. This is why we definitely want to realize the Kansai summit talks of the G-8 in 2000 and the Osaka Olympics in 2008."