ICHARM holds a special lecture, “Global trend and Japan,” by Mr. Koïchiro Matsuura, the eighth director-general of UNESCO.

Mr. Matsuura answers a question from a master’s student.

ICHARM holds ICHARM R&D Seminar for the executives and researchers of the National Institute for Land and Infrastructure Management and the Public Works Research Institute to learn the latest knowledge and findings on water issues by inviting domestic or foreign experts in hydrology and water-related disasters.

Mr. Matsuura (right) and the audience.

The 64th seminar was held on January 16, 2019, as a special lecture by Mr. Koïchiro Matsuura, the eighth director-general of UNESCO. After becoming the first Asian who assumed the top position of UNESCO, Mr. Matsuura led the organization for 11 years from November 1999 to November 2009. During his tenure, he carried out so many projects including the organizational reform of UNESCO and the establishment of ICHARM as a UNESCO category II center in March 2006.

A master’s student asks Mr. Matsuura a question.

On this occasion, Mr. Matsuura spoke about the current global situation under the title of “Global trend and Japan.” Dividing the post-WWII era into three phases – the Cold War, America as No. 1 superpower, and China’s rise and global disorder, he explained how the recent surge of populism around the world became possible and how the power shift in Eastern Asia has evolved over time. Referring to the fierce competition between China and the U.S., he insisted that now is the time for Japan to meet global expectations and play an important role in restoring global order.

The ICHARM auditorium was packed to its full capacity of about 70 people. After the lecture by Mr. Matsuura, many people including master’s and doctoral students studying at ICHARM asked questions. The seminar ended after taking photos with everybody there.

Among the audience were Dr. Tadahiko Sakamoto, the former president of PWRI, and Prof. Kuniyoshi Takeuchi, the founding director of ICHARM and a professor emeritus of Yamanashi University, both of whom made significant contributions to the establishment of ICHARM. In addition, the MC of this special lecture was Dr. Yoshiyuki Imamura, the director for Special Research of ICHARM, who was dispatched at that time to UNESCO from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism and also dedicated himself to the creation of ICHARM. The 64th seminar was a great opportunity to learn global issues from the experienced professional, as well as to meet the founders of ICHARM.

Mr. Matsuura (front row, center) and the audience.