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- Contributed Feature: Toward Transmission of a Powerful Visual Image Culture from Asia
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government accepts exceptional students from throughout Asia to pursue doctoral studies at the Tokyo Metropolitan University and promotes research into advanced technologies (high tech research) conducive to discovering solutions for issues related to Asian development and the problems facing major cities.
In this issue, we hear from Dr. Hiroshi Yasuda, a professor emeritus from the University of Tokyo regarded as the prime authority on information and industrial technology in Japan, as well as being a member of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government窶冱 Committee for External Evaluation that has chosen high tech research as its research theme.
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| Toward transmission of a powerful visual image culture from Asia |
Dr. Hiroshi Yasuda
Professor Emeritus, The University of Tokyo Professor, CISSP School of Science Technology for Future Life, Tokyo Denki University
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Hiroshi Yasuda Internet speeds have increased, pictures and visual footage can be sent quickly and in the Net world, evolution from the community culture of Web 2.0 has already started shifting toward the age of the individual culture of Web 3.0. In combination with the evolution of search engines that allow knowledge to be plucked from the Internet, the volume of information transmitted and distributed continues swelling powerfully at a rate that squares the increase in the number of Net-connected terminals. At the same time, information itself has moved away from being expressed in text form alone and is now expressed in multimedia formats such as the oral, pictorial or video, bringing about the possibility of a major transformation incorporating diversity, variety and an abundance of information. This situation of a rapid increase in volume accompanied by a sudden and dramatic transformation is being called the Big Bang. More specifically, it is clear that the Internet world is on the verge of breaking through into the age of the Visual Image Big Bang. |
Since the invention of Gutenberg窶冱 printing press, the world has been controlled by a text-based culture. More correctly, it is best to think the invention of the printing press assisted in the maintenance of the Latin culture that continued as part of the culture created during the heyday of the Roman Empire. Since then, alphabetic literate culture has been hailed as the indicator of a civilized culture and even now communication standards internationally place these languages in such a position. Even though the Internet was initially slow-moving, it developed rapidly once it had been adjusted to accommodate alphabetic literate culture.
However, people are equipped with five senses. Of these, the sense of sight is the most adept at collecting and comprehending information. Throughout Asia, lettering is based on pictorial images born from rich natural surroundings, which led to the creation of a culture different to that in the West. Asia has an ideographic literate culture symbolized by Chinese characters and completely different to the phonographic literature culture based on the alphabet, which allowed for the emergence of a rich cultural sphere with emotions surpassing those that can be expressed in the phonographic literate culture. In short, let us say that it led to the creation of a culture that nurtured the use of both the left brain (which controls rationality) as well as the right brain (which controls emotions). In that context, the Asian cultural sphere is a face-to-face culture which does not cope well with such networks as phone networks or narrowband networks such as shortwave, which in turn could be said to have been a reason for its delayed development in terms of the global Internet world.
The invention and subsequent proliferation of movies and television went some way toward covering up the weaknesses that had existed within the Asian cultural sphere, but they did not provide a fundamental solution to these. But the invention and proliferation of broadband Internet has made it possible for bi-directional visual image communication, which paves the way for the materialization of a Net-based face-to-face culture to emerge. Even though this materialization has become a realistic possibility, making it a reality that can be used still involves overcoming a very formidable obstacle. That obstacle is the popularization of video footage creation techniques. Currently, information transmission and exchange through such media as blogs or websites is all mainly text-based, which fundamentally involves the use of the left-hand-side of the brain. Techniques to create visual footage have not become popularized and the greatest reason for this is that people are not immersed into a video footage creation environment from the time they are young children.
A broadband Internet environment can clearly bring about the resurgence of Asian culture on a global stage. I would like to propose all the people of Asia join together to tackle the creation of an environment that would allow for a grass roots network in which the face-to-face culture would benefit. I close here with the expectation that everyone will cooperate and support efforts for Asia to make a greater contribution to the world窶冱 culture from now on.
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- Introducing ANMC 21 Joint Projects
| We introduce the Countermeasures to Combat Infectious Diseases in Asia Project being jointly carried out by 11 member cities of the ANMC 21. Currently, the project is tackling a joint survey on tuberculosis countermeasures. |
Major Asian Cities Cooperate for a Joint Survey on Tuberculosis
Participants from 11 cities belonging to the Asian Network of Major Cities 21 joined to form the Countermeasures to Combat Infectious Diseases in Asia, which will begin to carry out a joint survey on countermeasures against tuberculosis.
Countermeasures to Combat Infectious Diseases in Asia has done such things as build up a constant and stable network of specialists to enhance countermeasures against infectious diseases in major Asian cities, and is a project that was launched in 2004 with the aim of carrying out joint research and surveys to establish medical treatment methods and reinforce preventative measures.
The joint survey carried out on this occasion will gather information from each city about their experiences in dealing with countermeasures for tuberculosis, and through learning from each other aims to work out effective methods to provide high quality diagnoses and care for patients, as well as work out ways to prevent the widespread transmission of tuberculosis in Asian cities. In specific detail, the survey will be carried out to determine the following:
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The current state of high-risk sectors of society in each city (those facing socio-economic difficulties such as people of no fixed address, immigrants, the elderly, and other demographic groups within urban areas who are deemed to be more susceptible to contracting the disease), and, |
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Details of the activities of organizations involved in the prevention or treatment of tuberculosis.
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As part of the decision-making process related to the joint survey carried out on this occasion, a Countermeasures to Combat Infectious Diseases in Asia Joint Survey Research Conference was held at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government offices from February 3 to 5, 2009.
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Speech by the Head of the WHO Kobe Center |
Scenes of representatives from participating cities at the conference. (Tokyo, February 2009) |
Dr. Jacob Kumaresan, director of the WHO Kobe Center, gave a keynote speech entitled 窶廨lobal Measures to Control Communicable Diseases.窶・As well as speaking about tuberculosis, Dr. Kumaresan also outlined the current state and countermeasures toward infectious diseases such as malaria and polio throughout the world, urging that each country strengthen its public health system and stressing the importance of international cooperation. Dr. Kumaresan also took part in a debate among representatives from each city and offered advice on the joint survey that is to be carried out.
The WHO estimates that about 9.2 million people across the globe contract tuberculosis every year, and of these, some 1.7 million die as a result of the disease. Of the 22 countries the WHO designates as a High Burden Country*, 11 are in Asia, and the number of tuberculosis patients in these countries makes up a majority of cases of outbreaks of the disease on a global scale. For the countries of Asia, tuberculosis poses an extremely major health problem.
The joint survey on tuberculosis will begin from July in each city and will continue until survey results are collated by the planned date of 2011. Results of the survey are expected to lead to enhancements of countermeasures against tuberculosis and other infectious diseases in Asia.
* Tuberculosis High Burden Country: The 22 countries that account for an estimated 80% of the world窶冱 tuberculosispatients are referred to as Tuberculosis High Burden Countries.
(Source: WHO Global Tuberculosis Control - Surveillance, Planning, Financing, Table 1.2, P28)
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- Major Cities窶・Cutting-Edge Approaches
| An Introduction of Cutting-Edge Approaches Taken by ANMC 21 Member Cities
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(1) From Tokyo Getting Around in Tokyo Without Ever Getting Lost Again! Verification Experiment of the Tokyo Ubiquitous Technology Project 2009
Tokyo Metropolitan Government (TMG) together with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) has since FY2005 been working on the verification experiments of the Tokyo Ubiquitous Technology Project, with the aim of making Tokyo a more attractive and vibrant city in terms of tourism and commercial activities, and a city with a universal design where anybody can enjoy walking the streets with peace of mind, through the use of cutting-edge information technology.
Tokyo Metropolitan Government (TMG) has to date carried out experiments in places such as Ueno and Ginza, in order to advance the Tokyo Ubiquitous Technology Project. Guidance on getting to one窶冱 destination including subway routes, and convenient information about the place where one is currently located (stores, tourism information, history) can now be automatically provided to people as they walk around the city holding specialized portable terminals.
The fiscal year of 2008, a tourism guide system using the Ubiquitous information technology was established at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building Observation Decks. At the same time, TMG has also worked on expanding the scheme to include traveling between the two wards of Shinjuku and Ginza.
As it happened, March 6, 2009, the final day of the experiment, was a cold day of heavy sleet; however, to mark the fact that we were able to personally experience the experiment, we have created this report.
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★ Introduction
For this experiment, we tried traveling with a portable information terminal (UC) used in the experiment, which we could borrow. We received two devices from the desk: a terminal and a receiver.
The special terminal is slightly larger than a mobile phone. It has a simple design; with a large liquid crystal display (LCD) screen on the front and single operational button at the bottom. As operation is via a touch panel, it can be operated intuitively, but as many options come up on the screen, the user can sometimes end up pressing the wrong option, so it is necessary to spend a little time getting used to the device.
The receiver which is used is hung around the user窶冱 neck, and the attached earpiece is placed in one ear. Photograph ★ shows what the user looks like when wearing the device.
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The reception desk |
A touch-panel terminal. |
★ How the receiver looks when worn. |
★ Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building窶冱 Observation Deck
We went up to the Observation Deck on the 45th floor of the building.
On a clear day, one can see both the skyscrapers of the center of Tokyo and the fields of the Kanto region. However, as this happened to be a rainy day (with sleet), nothing could be seen outside the window but white mist. The tourists who had come from overseas looked very disappointed.
窶ｦ However, with this terminal, the user can see the view that would have appeared on a clear day!
(The members of the tour groups who were standing nearby looked a little happier when we showed them the view from the terminal)
In the Observation Deck, one can see the view in four directions at each corner: north, east, south and west. Different information is sent describing the sight one sees (in theory at least) depending on the location where one is standing.
Moreover, one can also enjoy a 180-degree panoramic view service, regardless of one窶冱 location.
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Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building窶冱 Observation Deck |
Sleet, snow mixed with the rain, falls. |
Information given during fine weather. |
★ Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building~Nishi-Shinjuku Station, Marunouchi Line
In this experiment, one of the themes was the travel guidance using public transportation systems. The route went from Shinjuku (Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building) to Ginza, using the subway; first, therefore, we were to go to Nishi-Shinjuku Station, Marunouchi Line using the underground walkway.
The screen with the guidance image can show two paths: a three-dimensional image of the direction we were walking in, or a map which indicated the place where we currently were. In general, it works more smoothly if the user proceeds by checking the image (which has an arrow showing the direction of movement and which is updated in real time), but being able to check the map of the surrounding area from time to time is also convenient, as the user can know where he or she is.
In addition, voice guidance is also given at the same time as the user walks, so that once the user has got used to the device, he or she can proceed without looking at the screen.
When I approached the ticket barriers, the information service on how to purchase tickets was also useful. In particular, this is an extremely thoughtful service for foreigners who have come to Japan for the first time, as it enables them to purchase tickets smoothly.
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A 3-D photograph with an arrow. |
At a railway station ticket gate. |
Directions on buying tickets. |
★ Nishi-Shinjuku~Ginza 4-chome
When riding the train, the electrical waves do not reach the device, so the guidance will not work. However, it is possible for the user to use the information services already stored within the terminal.
As we went towards the ticket barriers after getting off the train, the guidance restarted, and we followed its instructions to come up to street level.
Outside, it was still raining. Normally, the information services about travel navigation and stores can be used in the Ginza area, but due to the bad weather the services were not working. Unfortunately, we could not enjoy a stroll in Ginza.
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Arriving in Ginza. |
Rain in Ginza. |
★ Concluding the experiment
We returned to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government in Shinjuku without any problems. Although this was a route which we do not normally use, we were able to proceed without getting lost.
The device also provides barrier-free information for senior citizens and disabled people, and information on facilities such as toilets and police boxes. With this terminal, therefore, anyone can enjoy walking safely around the city.
Going forward, the device will be further equipped across-the-board, and more information will be provided, making it even more convenient. We hope that everyone will try it out if they get the opportunity.
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| Tokyo Metropolitan Government Office Observatories Began a Tourist Information Service from April 1 2009! |
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government started the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Office Observatories Tourist Information Service from April 1, 2009, following a successful demonstration experiment of the system (which ran from Feb. 10 to March 6) under the Tokyo Ubiquitous Technology Project 2009. We hope that everyone will try it out when they visit The Tokyo Metropolitan Government.
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1. Service Areas
Tokyo Metropolitan Government Office Observatories (North Observatory and South Observatory), and areas near places where the portable information terminals are lent out or returned (inside the Tokyo Tourist Information Center).
2. Service Details
By taking one of the portable information terminals and standing by a window in either of the observatories at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Office (the North Observatory or South Observatory), the terminal will read a code transmitted through an infrared marker located above the window and then provide vocal or visual information about scenes or landmarks that can be viewed from that window. It will also provide other information, such as about the activities of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government.
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* Information provided through the portable information terminals is presented in four languages with five different styles: Japanese, English, Chinese (simplified Chinese and traditional Chinese) and Korean.
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Column The 2010 Taipei International Gardening and Horticulture Exposition given prominence in the Tokyo Ubiquitous Technology Project
Mr. Hsing shih-tan,
Research Officer |
Research Development and Evaluation Commission (RDEC), Taipei City Government Hsing shih-tan, Research Officer
When I visited Tokyo in order to participate in the 1st Administrative Management Workshop of the Asian Network for Major Cities (ANMC21), it so happened that I was able to experience the Ubiquitous experiments taking place in Ginza for myself, through the assistance of the person who at that time was in charge of the Ubiquitous experiments in the Bureau of Urban Development of TMG. In addition to Multilanguage support, the point that impressed me the most was the fact that by providing search options for barrier-free routes, the system allowed all users to travel comfortably, safely and with peace of mind. In other words, it makes it possible for 窶彗nyone, any time, anywhere窶・to obtain information on travel and other matters, regardless of physical ability, age or language.
The 2010 Taipei International Gardening and Horticulture Exposition will be held next year in Taipei from November 2010 to April 2011. It will be the first time for Taiwan to hold an A2B1-grade horticulture exposition having obtained a formal international accreditation from the International Association of Horticultural Producers.
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| The ground space of the venue, including Yuanshan Park Area, Taipei Artistic Park Area, Xinsheng Park Area and Dajia Riverside Park Area will reach a total of 91.8 hectares. It is estimated that approximately six million tourists will visit the venue from inside and outside Taiwan, and the Taipei City Government is putting all its efforts into promoting this event as it predicts that it will have major effects both domestically and internationally, including promoting the development of Taiwan窶冱 tourist industry and the growth of Taiwan窶冱 horticultural industry, and leading to the improvement of Taiwan窶冱 international image.
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 Image of the 2010 Taipei International Gardening and Horticulture Exposition
By steadily introducing and making use of the experiences and equipment of the Tokyo Ubiquitous Technology Project, I believe that these will not only become the highlights of the horticulture show, but will also play a part in smooth venue management and successful administration. I believe that in this way, we can enter into a new era for services.
The introduction of the shinkansen brought about major changes in Taiwan窶冱 transport systems, greatly shrinking the distance between the North and the South, and strengthening the links between Taipei and the regions. The training program of ANMC21 (Administrative Management Workshop) will act as a starting point for the case of 窶弋okyo Ubiquitous Technology Project, Ginza Experiment窶・to bring about large-scale enlightenment in the venue management of the 2010 Taipei International Gardening and Horticulture Exposition. Likewise we have strong expectations that through the efforts of the various Asian member cities, we will expand the effect of our exchanges and bring about more and more excellent results for us to mutually share, to bring flowers into bloom at each member窶冱 city.
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(2) From Jakarta A Run for Green Jakarta! International 10K
Promotion of sports is vital for improving the health of citizens and to promote tourism. Since 2004, the city of Jakarta has been holding the 窶廱akarta International 10K窶・sports event.
The 窶廱akarta International 10K窶・is a 10km road race open to citizen participation and was held this year on Sunday, June 21.
The theme of the race was 窶彝un for Green of Jakarta.窶・Two athletes from Tokyo, Jakarta窶冱 sister city, were invited to take part in the race窶冱 International Elite Category. The athletes were Akemi Ozaki in the women窶冱 event and Keizo Maruyama in the men窶冱 section.
The race started in front of the Monas Memorial -- a symbol of Jakarta located in the center of the city in front of the Presidential Palace 窶・and was a round-trip through the city窶冱 main streets in a course popular among citizens.
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Greeting from Jakarta Governor Fauzi Bowo
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From left, Akemi Ozaki, athletes窶・attendant, director Matsui, Jakarta government officials Ms. Novarisca and Ms. Ika, Keizo Maruyama.
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The event started at 6:30 in the morning. Athletes started rolling up and gathered around the Monas Memorial one after another from about 5:30 in the morning while the skies were still dark and dawn just approaching. Following a greeting from Jakarta Governor Fauzi Bowo, the race started with all runners heading off at once!
After about 30 minutes, the first runner to cross the finish line was a Kenyan athlete who was competing in the men窶冱 International Elite Category. The top runner in the women窶冱 event was also a Kenyan runner competing in the International Elite Category. Of the athletes invited from Tokyo, Ozaki 窶・competing in the race for the first time -- claimed a laudable second place in the women窶冱 event, while in the men窶冱 event, Maruyama fought hard in a crowded race to come in eighth.
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Scenes immediately after the start of the race. Runners in the general section of the race wear its official green T-shirts.
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Interview Tokyo Metropolitan Government Director Matsui went to the event as the athletes窶兮ttendant and here provides details of an interview he carried out with the athletes.
Scenes immediately after the end of the race. From left, Maruyama, director Matsui, a local JICA official called Yamaguchi, Ozaki. |
1) What was your first impression of Jakarta?
Maruyama: Well, it was the first time I had ever been in Jakarta, so everything felt fresh. In particular, as I was warming up for this event, the air I breathed into my lungs felt heavy, which I assume was because the humidity is greater compared to Japan and we were close to the equator.
Ozaki: It was my first visit to Indonesia itself, so I had this image of it being a country with a tropical climate because it is close to the equator. On the way traveling into the city center from Soeharto-Hatta International Airport, I saw many skyscrapers just like there are in Tokyo and realized I was in a major Asian city, which was surprising as it was so distant from my first impression of what the city would be like.
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2) How much interest did you feel Jakarta citizens showed toward sports? |
Ozaki: I had a warm-up using the surrounds of a stadium located in front of the hotel where we stayed. I saw many citizens involved in such activities as jogging, badminton and soccer, so felt that there was a considerable interest in sports among citizens.
Maruyama: The area around this stadium is built up as a sports complex with numerous facilities such as a baseball diamond, shooting range, golf course and badminton courts. While we were staying in the city, the Badminton World Federation was hosting the Indonesian Open.
And in July, the Indonesian national soccer team is to play an international friendly match against Manchester United.
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3) Please give us your frank impression of the 窶廱akarta International 10K 2009窶・event. |
Ozaki: During a technical meeting held before the event, I asked many detailed questions and the polite manner in which officials from the Jakarta municipal government and Indonesian Athletes Federation answered these showed to me just how deep the warmth of the Indonesian people is.
Even though there were 40,000 people taking part in the event, there was no major confusion and I think in this regard the event officials really offered us support in a wide variety of ways.
As for the race itself, after about 3 kilometers the pace of the race had sorted itself out and it was only a matter of maintaining that pace until the end. It was a race I think I could be satisfied with.
Maruyama: Even during the warm-up around the Monas Memorial immediately before the race, citizens were having fun playing soccer or badminton and the race started with a really festive mood.
Immediately after the start of the race, runners who have participated in it before formed a pack that held itself back, but after the 3-kilometer point the pack began to break up and Kenyan runner John Cherruiyot Korir broke away.
What surprised me a little was that the race was supposed to begin at 6:30, but the starter窶冱 pistol went off about two minutes early. In some of the races I have taken part in before now, there have been times when the start was delayed, but this was the first time that I had ever been in one that began early.
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4) Finally, one last word about the experience. |
Maruyama: What really left an impression with me was the extraordinary interest the Kenyan athletes showed toward competing in the Tokyo Marathon. If possible, I would like to take part in this event once again. And I would really like to express my deep gratitude toward all those involved in the event.
Ozaki: I have taken part in many races overseas up until now, but with this race I could experience all sorts of different things, which proved to teach me an enormous amount and will be a benefit for my competitive life from now on. I am grateful to all those who were involved in the event.
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| The race took place in an invigorating air. Why not have a try in taking part in the next race yourself? |
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- Aiming Toward Making a Contribution to International Society: Approaches Toward Internationalization at Tokyo Metropolitan University
| We give an introduction of the International Center, which was newly opened at the Tokyo Metropolitan University on April 1 this year. |
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—Status of Approach to Internationalization |
Tokyo Metropolitan University is training human resources contributing to the world on a base of carrying out world-leading research activities. As part of its approach to internationalization and globalization, the Tokyo Metropolitan University currently has international exchange agreements concluded with about 50 universities or research centers from overseas, and carries out joint research and student exchanges among these institutions.
Tokyo Metropolitan University also offers a wide variety of support services to aid the studies and lifestyles of the more than 200 foreign students enrolled to study at the institution. Since 2008, Tokyo Metropolitan University in cooperation with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government has begun accepting students from Asian countries in the latter stages of studying for postgraduate doctoral degrees, conducting such activities as high level research projects.
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—Establishment of an International Center |
On April 1, 2009, the Tokyo Metropolitan University newly established an International Center which aims to utilize the university窶冱 special features to connect with universities from throughout the world, accept outstanding students and researchers to enhance the standard of research being carried out and create international-level links to tackle issues on a global scale, all of which aims to promote internationalization at a higher level.
Specifically, Tokyo Metropolitan University窶冱 approach includes an improvement of its structure and facilities for accepting students from overseas through efforts such as an expansion of Japanese language education and lifestyle support services, commencement of a postgraduate midterm overseas study exchange program for the mutual exchange of students studying for doctorates at institutions that have exchange agreements with the Tokyo Metropolitan University, and an enlargement in the number of schools with which it has concluded student exchange agreements.
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—International House as a Base for Exchanges |
Tokyo Metropolitan University has set up International House as a base for international exchanges. International House contains such facilities as meeting or lecture rooms and accommodation facilities, allowing it to be used for a variety of international meetings or conferences, as well as offering a place to stay for foreign researchers or foreign students. The International House administrative office is located on the first floor of the building.
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International House
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Tokyo Metropolitan University
Minami-Osawa Campus
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—窶廱oan窶・Teahouse |
Did you know there is a traditional Japanese teahouse inside International House?
This graceful teahouse is called 窶廱oan窶・(pronounced joe-un) and derives its name from and is modeled on the Joan Teahouse in Inuyama, Aichi Prefecture, designated as a National Treasure, and constructed by Oda Urakusai, the younger brother of Oda Nobunaga, the renowned military commander from the Warring States Period (ca. mid-15th C to ca. mid-17th C). The teahouse provides a display of the traditional Japanese spirit of beauty built into a modern, cosmopolitan building. Hopes are that the teahouse will serve for young people about to embark on life in a global society as an example of the spirit of hospitality that should not be forgotten.
Foreign students at Tokyo Metropolitan University are welcomed to use the teahouse to come into contact with traditional Japanese culture.
International Center Website http://www.ic.tmu.ac.jp/en/index.html
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