K-SEC

Meeting Summary

February 20, 2017

Here is a summary of the materials we read at the K-SEC meeting on February 20, 2017.

  1. Attendees (in ABC order):

Kotake, Nishimura, Nishiwaki, Sadayasu,Sekiguchi, Shirashoji, Tomozawa, Tsurumoto, (Total of 8)

  1. Materials read:
  1. Trump’s unpredictability poses risk factor for the world – Nishimura

The global order based on freedom, democracy and the rule of law is being shaken. Caution must be exercised against attempts by China and Russia to exploit a change of administration in the United States to increase acts of hegemony and change the order.The peace and prosperity enjoyed since the end of World War II have been supported by the alliance forged with the United States as its pivot, as well as international cooperation and free trade. Donald Trump lacks this basic understanding. His isolationist and unpredictable speech and behavior will pose the greatest risk factor this year. Early this month, the Chinese military had its aircraft carrier conduct drills in the South China Sea with its carrier-based aircraft. If such movements are left as they are, “freedom of navigation," which is the common interest to the international community, will be threatened. Also it cannot be overlooked that Trump is avoiding criticism of Russia's annexation of Crimea and its military intervention in Syria. What kind of diplomatic strategy and guiding principle will Trump adopt in dealing with China and Russia? The Trump administration should not forget the obligations of checking China from making unilateral maritime advances, while avoiding a military clash with China.

And for discussion, a short presentation was offered on “What Japan should do in orderto beef up defense capabilities,” related to Trump’s request to invest in Japan’s defense capabilities. But from the beginning, lots of ideas were voiced, so this presentationwas not completed.

  1. “Recreate Tokyo” from Timeout Tokyo Magazine Jan-Mar - Shirashoji.

Tokyo is about to change and become more exciting city than it is now by Governor Yuriko Koike with the architect Kengo Kuma.
Yuriko Koike has been on a veritable roll. She has set out to clean up the Olympic-sized mess leftby her scandal-filled predecessors while addressing issues from the controversial (and now stalled) relocation of Tsukiji fish market to the working habits of her more than 160,000 subordinates at the metropolitan government.Koike understands that Tokyo is again recognized as one of the world’s leading cities in terms of overall strength. This reflects Tokyo’s many favorable attributes, including advanced technology, huge knowledge base, clean urban air and water, and world-famous safety. Going forward, she strongly believes Tokyo has the potential to enhance its overall strength even further by addressing key 4 challenges and her policies (3 Cities).
Koike was determined to lead Tokyotoward becoming a “safe city” where people feel confident and secure (eliminating utility-poles) ; a “diverse city” where every citizen can succeed regardless of gender, age, ethnicity or disability; and a “smart city” that is open to the world and a leader in environmental and financial technologies.
Especially she is eager to advance the concept of smart city. But this requires establishing an infrastructure: international schools, making it easier to employ housekeepers, creating one-stop business services in English – encouraging highly skilled professionals to work in Tokyo.’
Followings are Koike’s 4 challenges next four years:

1 To increase Tokyo metropolitan GDP from 94 trillion to 120 trillion.

2 to increase the number of foreign travelers twice to 25 million in 2020

3 to rank up Tokyo civilian 54% to 70%

4 to reach the top in Global Power City Index

Kengo Kuma is the architect behind Tokyo’s new Olympic stadium and an influential proponent ofmore peoplefriendly city. His grand design is not based on big building and flashy towers, but greenery and people-friendly alleys.For Olympic stadium, more than the stadium itself, its integration with the surroundinggreeneryas something that could become symbolic – having the stadium at the centre of a network ofgreenery combining its immediate surrounds with Meiji Shrine and Shinjuku Gyoen parks.

Traditionally speaking, Japanese architecture doesn’t aim to produce structures that stand out on their own. Instead, it emphasizes relations, such as the one between the building and the nature around it. The stadium will make use of wood, have nature, trees, as an integral part of the whole, and is designed to not appear overwhelming when seen from ground level. I hope it will help promote these elements of Japanese architecture to a global audience once again.
We will soon find out his architecture in below new station.Construction will start soon on the new [Yamanote line] station to be built between Shinagawa and Tamachi.

This one will incorporate a significant amount of natural materials, and have a wooden roof framework with a large white sheet spread over it, so the entire station will be bathing in light – something that hasn’t been done before in Tokyo. It’s set to open before the Olympics and will hopefully impress visitors.

C. Role assignment for March 6, 2017:

Kanzawa, Tomozawa

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