Mr. Kazushige Taniguchi, the Special Representative of the World Bank in Japan delivered a lecture on 2 June at Hosei University. He explained the implications of the falling birthrate and increasing national debt on the future financial, economic and social conditions in Japan. After the bubble economy burst in the beginning of 1990`s, Japan`s economy in terms of GDP remained stagnant for twenty years, while it had grown rapidly in previous decades. This necessitated the Government of Japan to borrow extensively to finance its national budget deficit. Mr. Taniguchi said the level of Japan`s debt is higher than that of Greece, but so far it is financed by domestic saving. This may not be possible in the near future as the national debt continues to increase. To change this current prospect, it is not sufficient to cut down waste. He suggested that investing in developing countries in proper ways is one solution for not only Japan but also for the world.(Kotaro Takahashi)

本日は世界銀行駐日代表の谷口様をお招きし、日本の将来と途上国への投資の問題を中心にお話をいただきました。日本ではバブル崩壊以降株価や土地の値段が下がり出生率も低い状況が続いている。他方、経済対策としてバブル崩壊後20年間に年平均20兆円以上、国債を財源として予算を増やしながら減税をした結果、国の借金が累計で約500兆円増えたが、GDPはほとんど伸びなかった。　これらの借金の返済は大変なことだが、仮に予算のムダを20兆円切ったとしても、新しい借金が増えないだけで、過去の借金は一銭も返せない。　他方、日本の人口は今世紀末には現在よりも約8,000万減って、1/3になる可能性がある。　世界経済に目を向けると、途上国は過去20年間に10倍、5倍といった成長をしており、今後もアフリカを含めて高い成長の可能性がある。日本も、内向きなままではジリ貧である。世界に目を向け、途上国援助はチャリティではなく投資という発想で、途上国と共に発展するという戦略が必要。 日本が今後の世界と共に持続的発展をするためには、例えば環境分野に対して投資していくべきだと述べられました。(高橋孝太郎)

Mr. Shigeki Takizaki, Director of the National Security Division and the Office for International Peace Cooperation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs delivered a lecture on 26 May at Hosei University. He explained the exclusive defensive nature of Japanese defense forces and the role played by the Japan-US security structure. Japan`s commitment to the international community is carried out through bilateral diplomacy with the neighboring countries, multilateral security dialogues, arms control, disarmament, non-proliferation of nuclear weapons and contribution to international peacebuilding efforts. According to Mr. Takizaki, peacebuilding consisted of consolidation of peace and nation building. Japan`s initiatives in peacebuilding included participation in UN peacekeeping operations and multilateral forces, expansion of ODA activities, intellectual contribution on human security, respect for local ownership, leadership at UN Security Council and Peacebuilding Commission, training of peacebuilders from Asia and Japan, and support to PKO centres in Africa and Malaysia. Mr. Takizaki referred to a special session held by the Security Council under the chairmanship of Foreign Minister Okada on 16 April to debate on how to strengthen the peacebuilding activities, by quoting what Foreign Minsiter Okada said, “Creating a long-lasting peace requires sustained cooperation between a post-conflict country and the international community…Japan will continue to participate actively in the efforts towards achieving sustainable peace in post-conflict countries.(Rena Kondo)

Today Professor Hasegawa presented “Alternative Approaches to International Theory” that included Constructivism, Hitorical Sociology and Post-Modernism. He explained the meaning of rationalism, positivism and epistemology in understanding the “image” of international relations and global developments. Professor Hasegawa referred to the discussion held by President Obama and Prime Minister Hatoyama about Hutenma issue and explained how various points of view advocated by realism, liberalism, social constructivism, historical sociology and post-modernism.（Miyu Kameyama）

2010年5月12日のGlobal Governanceの授業では、吉崎知典・防衛研究所第5研究室長による「グローバルな紛争処理」について講…