Meeting with Setagaya Ward personnel
The government of Vietnam plans to establish a basic law to aid its many citizens with disability. At the invitation of the Nippon Foundation, members of the team working on this project visited Japan from May 11 to 18 to observe facilities for those with disabilities. (Photo: Visit to Human Care Association independent-living center for the disabled)Vietnam, which is reported to be home to 5.1 million individuals with disabilities (as of 2005), has yet to establish a law to aid these people. However, it is currently working rapidly to rectify this situation, based on the current Japanese system.
The visiting group consisted of seven members from Vietnam's Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs (MOLISA), the Ministry of Justice, and the Ministry of Finance, and was lead by MOLISA Deputy Minister Lu Bak Hong. In addition to visits to independent-living facilities for those with disabilities, they went to the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare and the Cabinet Office to learn about Japanese government policies on the disabled, focusing mainly on the “Independence Support Law for Those with Disabilities.” Japanese representatives described the circumstances at locations such as a home for the disabled in Hachioji, a group home for the mentally disabled in Hino, and such Tokyo facilities as an employment center, its related factories, and a medical massage center.(Photo: Representatives visiting Japan)On the 13th, Yasuyuki Motohashi, manager of the Handicapped Facilities Promotion Department of Setagaya Ward's Health and Welfare Division, and Teruhisa Yokoyama, representative of the Center for Independent Living HANDS Setagaya, gave a presentation on local measures to support those with disabilities.
Mr. Motohashi described the conditions following the establishment of the Independence Support Law for the Disabled. Mr. Yokoyama, who uses a wheelchair, and has been assisted by helpers for 40 years, spoke from the perspective of someone who receives aid under the system. (Photo: The visitors with Chairman Sasakawa)The visitors from Vietnam showed strong enthusiasm for establishing a similar system in their own country, asking questions on many topics, including how handbooks for the disabled are issued, how levels of disabilities are designated, the number of helpers active in Setagaya Ward, and the amount paid under basic pensions for the disabled. Finally, they paid a courtesy call on Chairman Yohei Sasakawa of the Nippon Foundation, who offered encouragement and issued a call to work together on behalf of the disabled. ]]>
On the first day in Toyama Prefecture, members of the delegation visited the Toyama prefectural offices and Toyama city hall, meeting with the director of the prefectural Health and Welfare Department and the deputy mayor of the city. 
In the afternoon, the team visited the Mizuhashi Home Medicine-Kit Cooperative, where chairman Norio Kikuchi introduced them to three medicine-kit sales representatives. The team then accompanied the salespeople on their rounds, as they visited local residences and restaurants. (Photo: A commemorative photograph taken in front of a statue of a forebear of today's medicine salespeople)
The 2008 Award Presentation Ceremony for the World Health Organization's (WHO) Sasakawa Health Prize was held at the WHO headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, on May 22nd. Chairman Yohei Sasakawa of the Nippon Foundation presented USD 40,000 in prize money and a commemorative statuette to the winner, the Brazil-based Movimento de Reintegracao das Pessoas Atingidas pela Hanseniase (Morhan), which supports and promotes the cause of individuals recovering from leprosy. (Photo: Members of Morhan in Rio de Janeiro)
As a private-sector organization, Morhan engages in sustained efforts to control leprosy in cooperation with Brazil's Ministry of Health. These broad-ranging activities include prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and activities intended to win societal acceptance for individuals recovering from leprosy. Morhan undertakes both educational and informational services designed to fight bias and discrimination. The group has also established a community center to prevent the spread of leprosy and has helped the Brazilian government establish laws safeguarding the human rights of individuals recovering from leprosy. (Photo: Members of Morhan make frequent visits to leprosy facilities)
“We hope this prize will encourage Morhan to do even more,” said Chairman Sasakawa at the Awards Presentation Ceremony, praising Morhan's work. 
According to the WHO, the Democratic Republic of the Congo successfully brought leprosy under control as of the end of 2007. WHO defines success as a rate of infection of below one case per 10,000 population. Today, only three nations – Mozambique, Nepal, and Brazil – have yet to bring leprosy under control. (Photo: Torres delivers a speech on Morhan's receiving the prize)
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Coral Network is a nonprofit organization that promotes conservation activities related to the natural environment of the sea, especially coral reefs. It held its first workshop of the year from April 3rd to 6th in Ishigaki City, Okinawa Prefecture. The purpose of the workshop was to train coral reef monitoring leaders on “Reef Check,” part of a global survey of coral reef health. The workshop was attended by nine people from the Tokyo metropolitan area and Okinawa. (Photo: Detailed explanation before training at sea (Secretary-General Miyamoto is at the center))
There are limits to the number of surveys researchers can conduct on coral reefs. To remedy this problem, a group of international coral reef researchers devised a method to conduct regular global surveys based on the cooperation of volunteer divers. This method is called “Reef Check,” which aims to conduct periodic and standardized surveys of coral reef health around the world for use by researchers. The Reef Check network, which was established in 30 countries in 1997, has expanded to 84 countries, and the number of monitoring locations in Japan has increased to more than 20. (Photo: Confirming the steady recovery of coral reefs from a bleaching event discovered last year)
In order to obtain certification, divers of a requisite experience level take courses on five academic subjects, including fish, invertebrate animals, corals, and coral reefs. They also take a two-day marine training workshop on identifying bottom sediment and must pass the examinations given on every subject. At the workshop held at the International Coral Reef Research and Monitoring Center of the Ministry of Environment on Ishigaki Island, experienced divers struggled to learn how to identify and classify corals and invertebrate animals. Then, after listening to lectures for two days, they undertook a two-day diving course in the waters off Yonehara Beach. (Photo: Courses at the Ministry of Environment Center, after which difficult examinations were administered)
This workshop for training monitoring leaders has been financially assisted by the Nippon Foundation for three years. So far, nearly 30 people have been certified as “team scientists” and are currently engaged in reef check surveys in their local region. Miyamoto says, “An increase in the number of leaders means an increase in the number of reef check points in Japan, which will lead to the expansion of our environmental conservation network.” Coral Network plans to hold two more training workshops this year. (Photo: Learning about the distribution of coral reefs and their role in the global ecosystem)
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Uppsala University, which was founded in 1477, is the oldest and most prestigious university in northern Europe, having produced eight Nobel laureates. It is also the alma mater of Carl Linnaeus, who is known as the father of modern taxonomy. Uppsala City, in which the university is located, is the former capital of Sweden and has a population of about 180,000. With 45,000 students, it has the atmosphere of a typical university town. (Photo: Chairman Yohei Sasakawa)
The celebration at the university was attended by 50 people, including professors and students. Following Rector Hallberg, Chairman Sasakawa delivered a speech and pointed out that the SYLFF program has reached 68 universities in 44 countries, with more than 10,000 people receiving fellowships. He stated, “The SYLFF Fellows from Uppsala University, who are already blessed with leadership potential, are at the heart of this network. By bringing your knowledge and experience to bear on the common problems that confront us, I believe you will help to move the world in the right direction..” (Photo 3: Chairman Sasakawa handing out certificates)
Following his speech, Chairman Sasakawa handed out certificates to nine new SYLFF fellows. Ms. Marie and Ms. Magdalewa, who were among the new fellows, said, “We have been given a rare opportunity. We want to make use of it to study hard.” (Photo 4: Ms. Marie (right) and Ms. Magdalewa)
With the support of the Nippon Foundation, the Japan-based Asian Education and Friendship Association (AEFA), builds schools for minority communities living in Asia's remote mountain regions. AEFA also encourages the newly constructed schools to sign friendship agreements with Japanese schools in order to foster international exchange. This fiscal year, 10 Japanese schools will join the sister school program. One of these was Higashidate Elementary School in Fukushima Prefecture. Higashidate will be the first school from Fukushima to participate. Masayoshi Endo, Secretary-General of AEFA, visited the school to sign the agreement, and introduced its new sister school--Natur Elementary School in Salavan Province, Laos--in a lecture to the students. (Photo: Higashidate Elementary School)
Higashidate Elementary School serves the town of Yamatsuri, located at the southern end of Fukushima Prefecture. The town has a population of about 6,548 and is famous for its progressive policies. Specifically, in recent years, it has resisted the national policy by refusing to merge with other municipalities, refusing to join the national resident registry network, and paying its town councilors a per diem. It has also built the Mottainai Library, which houses about 435,000 books donated by people all over Japan. Higashidate Elementary School was founded in 1873.(Photo: The activities of AEFA explained in the principal's office)
Regarding the new friendship agreement with Natur Elementary School, Higashidate Elementary School Principal Shishido stated, “There are many disadvantaged countries in Southeast Asia. I believe that learning about the actual situation in these countries will encourage our children to create new hopes and dreams for the future.” The school plans to send its students' essays and artwork to Natur Elementary School and to introduce an environmental study of the Kuji River, carried out by its fourth-graders. (Photo: Secretary-General Endo Speaking to the Children)
Natur Elementary School' s classes are currently conducted in a crude hut. By the end of the year, however, a new building consisting of three classrooms, a community space, a toilet, and a well will have been built through AEFA. In his lecture, Secretary-General Endo introduced Salavan Province in Laos and the children of Natur Elementary School, promising, “We will build a new school by Christmas and deliver your letters and pictures to the kids there.”(Photo: The current Natur Elementary School)
This year’s cruise consisted of two parts: the cruise itself, and activities in Ogasawara. On board, the 497 children lived together in extremely limited confines. Four children from different grades were assigned to each room, so junior high school students could take care of elementary school students in the same room. Since the students didn’t know each other beforehand, it took some time for them to develop a sense of camaraderie. Many children were not accustomed to group living and felt nervous aboard a rolling ship.(Photo: Girls enjoying canoeing)
In a letter sent to the B&G Foundation, an elementary school student wrote, “When I went to the sea, I used to pick up shells and play on the beach. Even then, I felt that the sea was vast, but this experience made me realize that it was even bigger. On this cruise, I learned that the sea was fresh and beautiful and supported a lot of life. I think we should work to protect it.” A mother stated, “My daughter was deeply impressed by the experiences that she could not have at school or in her daily life and came home with new knowledge.” Another parent was pleased with the growth of his child, saying, “My child found how wonderful it was to meet other people.”(Photo: Exercises on the ship)
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When an audience member asked what would happen if Barack Obama was elected President of the United States, he said, "Islamic countries have a strong distrust of the United States, which uncritically supports Israel. If Mr. Obama is elected, the conventional concept that there is false democracy in the Unites States will disappear and be replaced by trust. At the very least, his approval rating would be 100 percent in Indonesia, where he grew up."（Photo: Discussion with the audiences）
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In his meeting with the president, Chairman Sasakawa explained Japan's Basic Act on Ocean Policy, enacted in Japan in 2007, and the human resources development project promoted by the secretariate of the Sasakawa Pacific Island Nations Fund. He also underscored two issues: 1) that Japan and the Republic of the Marshall Islands need to strengthen exchange as maritime nations with vast exclusive economic zones (EEZ); and 2) that the nations could work together in various projects, including environmental conservation and the development of fisheries and undersea resources.（Photo: They exchange each idea of the two countries' relationship）
The meeting included representatives from 16 organizations, including The Nippon Foundation. Simultaneous interpretation was provided in Japanese and English. In Chairman Yohei Sasakawa's opening speech, he outlined his hopes for the meeting: "People are interested in what the Nippon Foundation and other foundations do, and what positions they take. Perhaps if the representatives of our organizations can come together and exchange views, we can better understand each other and develop cooperative programs. You were invited here to help you to grasp our collective range of activities."
Clarifying the relationship among the organizations, Sasakawa said, "The foundations here and abroad are all autonomous. They are sibling organizations. The Nippon Foundation has no binding or controlling power over its partners." Chairman Sasakawa also commented that The Nippon Foundation is currently focusing on organizing nonprofit organizations, nongovernmental organizations and volunteer groups, supporting the activities of these groups to assist the elderly, the disabled, and the poor. Thereafter, all participants introduced themselves and discussed their activities, exchanging views on how best to build cooperation.(Photo: Participants listening to reports by the partner organizations)
In March, a stakeholders' conference was held at Hanoi National Institute of Ophthalmology, where representatives of Juntendo University, HKI, and The Nippon Foundation met to discuss the training to be conducted this coming July. Stakeholders' roles were decided upon, and the schedule was confirmed, moving the project from the planning to the operational stage. (Photo: Stakeholders' conference at Hanoi National Institute of Ophthalmology)
The goal is to train 15 ophthalmologists and 415 local medical workers and treat 1,500 cataract patients over the three years from 2008 to 2010. Training will be flexible and will range from the technical skills involved in cataract surgery to basic public health training. The course is expected to advance the skills of medical workers and significantly reduce the number of people who lose their sight to cataracts. (Photo: A cataract operation)
Many patients also have no understanding of cataracts and accept the loss of sight as a natural result of aging. Experts point out that this problem is largely attributable to the lack of knowledge among medical workers. The Nippon Foundation intends to improve the overall public health system in Vietnam by providing appropriate training for medical workers in the provinces, districts, and villages. (Photo: Cataract patients waiting to see a doctor)
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On May 8, the Nippon Foundation decided to provide 10 million yen in emergency supplies to Myanmar, following the catastrophic damage it sustained in the Cyclone Nargis. This aid is part of a joint project with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Secretariat. Supplies will be sent to Myanmar via Royal Thai Air Force aircraft. The emergency aid is being provided in response to a request from ASEAN Secretary General Dr. Surin Pitsuwan (former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand). (Photo: Emergency aid to Sri Lanka)
Meisei Gakuen has rented the former Yashiokita Elementary School building from Shinagawa Ward, renovating part of the facility. A total of 41 students (16 preschool, 25 elementary school), are enrolled.(Photo: Parents waving to children entering the venue)
In 1933, the Ministry of Education decided to focus on oral deaf education in teaching deaf children. Under this method, children with hearing disabilities simply imitate the shape of their teacher’s mouth. To enforce this way of learning, sign language was barred in many schools for deaf children. (Photo: Children presenting a short play)
Although oral deaf education is still used in many schools for the deaf, Tatsunoko Gakuen was established in 1999 by parents who wanted sign language education. Since the school was free, the BBED asked the Tokyo Metropolitan Government to approve the unique educational curriculum. Shinagawa Ward was thereafter designated a special education zone by the national government, and 45 million yen was raised to organize a private school--Meisei Gakuen.(Photo: Children picking up balloons following the ceremony)
Motorboat racing began at Omura on April 6, 1952, after which race courses were built all over the nation in response to its popularity. Decades later, South Korea also took up the sport, adopting the Japanese style of organization, including operating and racing procedures, and the establishment of the Cycling and Motorboat Racing Act of 1991. (Photo: Photos of Misari Motorboat Racing Course on display)
The six racers (four men and two women) who participated in the exhibition represent South Korea’s top motorboat racers. Although the race was held while tickets were being sold (meaning that punters could not bet on the Korean race), many spectators gathered to watch and cheer the racers. The winner of the race was a woman, Pak Jung Ah (29), who started from the first slot and demonstrated superb racing form.(Photo: An exhibition race at Omura Motorboat Racing Course)
Winners of a Chinese quiz tournament about Japan visited the country this past January, following which they conveyed their impressions to the Japan Science Society. The tournament is sponsored by the Japan Science Society with support from The Nippon Foundation as an extension of a project to distribute Japanese educational and research books to Chinese universities. The fourth tournament was held last September in Eastern China, Jilin and Heilongjiang Provinces, and the 22 students who won the contest or who served as emcees were invited to Japan. The students visited Tokyo, Okinawa, Kobe and Kyoto.(Photo: Students listening to Chairman Sasakawa)
The impressions of many students involved comparisons to China. Their general feeling was that the cities are clean, and the people polite. Lyu Xin of Changchun Teachers College said, “Japan is so clean it seems in danger of becoming transparent.” Song Ying, a staff member at Zhejiang Gongshang University, said, “Japan is indescribably clean, and the trains are quiet.” Sun Wen Bo of the Anhui China-Australia Technology and Vocational College, said, “I’m deeply impressed the cities are so clean, despite the absence of trash cans.” (Photo: In Kyoto, female students delight in wearing Japanese kimono)
During their visit to the Nippon Foundation, Chairman Yohei Sasakawa encouraged the students to learn more about Japan, rather than simply learning to like the country. Accordingly, Chu Yan An of Nanjing University wrote, “Through the exchange of views between young people, we were able to grasp the conditions in each area of the country, something that we couldn’t learn from textbooks.” (Photo: Two students enjoying themselves at a toy store)