Frontiers of International Exchang
By Soichi Minakawa,3rd year, Faculty of Policy Studies
At the level of national and Imperial household exchange, these two countries maintain a friendly relationship. Sadly, the present situation for the private exchange is not very active. Norway does not stand out compared to other Northern European countries, such as Sweden and Finland. Norway has been #1 on the on the United Nations human development index (rank for wealthy countries) for seven years in a row, and has also been #1 for the gender empowerment index (rank for female advancements in society). With its decreasing birthrate, ageing society, security problems, and decentralization problems, Norway has been giving helpful hints to Japan, acting as a role model. Appreciation of Japan has been rising within the young generations from the spread of manga, fashion, and music. In Norway’s national environment project, HyNor, Japan’s bike company, Matsuda, has been centralized offering hydrogen bikes. Hence, the two countries have been trying to have better cooperation with one another.
With all the problems and rumors in the international society, it is significant to have these exchanges. These influences will not only stop here in Japan and Norway, but will continue to influence the world.
Since there aren’t many private exchanges between the two countries, I started a Norway-Japan Student Forum in the winter of 2005. Ever since the entrance ceremony, I made posters and posted them up, not only at Doshisha but also at other universities in Kyoto. I can still remember how I gathered new members, while I visited the other universities. As I found more and more people who had similar opinions, the Norway-Japan Student Forum got started. We were able to present and spread the activity with the support from the Japan-Norway Kingdom, Kyoto Norway Center. With the help of many others, the first Norway-Japan Student Forum was presented last September. Since the media from both countries reported on the news, we had successful results. Now that we have marked the 100th Anniversary for the diplomatic relations establishment, the time for the young generation to step up has come. Looking at the next 100th Anniversary, we are hoping for both countries to maintain their good relationship. Our work may not reach to other countries. However, I think these efforts will eventually pile up and make a difference. We have already started working on the project to present our second Norway Student Forum. In April 2008, we had a lecture on Ogiwara Kenji and a report and photo exhibition on the first Japan-Norway Student Forum. We hope throughout mutual exchange, Japan and Norway will continue their friendly relationship and strongly develop in the future. We are also looking forward to establishing a Norway secretariat by 2012, have a mutual visit by 2015, and establish a Tokyo secretariat by 2017. We, the Japan-Norway Student Forum, will continue to move forward and develop into a stronger group.
*The articles were reproduced by the "Doshisha University Staff English T Club News No5. (dated on May 31 ,2008 )