Profile

Playwright

Born in Kyoto on March 26, 1934. After graduating from the Kyoto University Faculty of Letters and finishing the Doctoral Program of the Kyoto University Graduate School of Letters, served as a lecturer at Yale University (USA), assistant professor and professor at Kansai University, a guest professor of the Columbia University, a professor at Osaka University, and President of the University of East Asia. Involved in playwriting and critiquing on the side, and has authored many works. Currently serving as Assistant Director of the Suntory Foundation. Persons of Cultural Merit and is a member of the Japan Art Academy.

Chairman, Platinum Network / Chairman, Mitsubishi Research Institute Inc. / President Emeritus, University of Tokyo

Born in 1944. Specialized in chemical systems engineering, global environmental engineering and knowledge structuring.

Graduated in chemical engineering from The University of Tokyo's Faculty of Engineering in 1967 and obtained a Doctorate from the School of Engineering of that same university in 1972. After working as a professor for The University of Tokyo's Faculty of Engineering in 1988, Dean of that same university's School of Engineering and Faculty of Engineering in 2000, and Vice President of that same university in 2003, was appointed the 28th President of The University of Tokyo in April 2005. After retiring from the office of the President in 2009, served as Chairman of the Mitsubishi Research Institute, Inc. and Advisor to the President of The University of Tokyo. Some of his major publications are "Recreating Japan" (Toyo Keizai, Inc., 2011), "Low Carbon Society" (Gentosha, 2010), "Vision 2050: Roadmap for a Sustainable Earth" (Springer, 2008) and "Japan with the Problems of a Developed Nation" (Chuokoron Shinsha, Inc., 2007).

Governor of Hyogo Prefecture

Born in Shingucho, Tatsuno City, Hyogo in 1945. Graduated from The University of Tokyo's Faculty of Law in 1968.

Hired by the Ministry of Home Affairs in 1968 where working in Tottori, Saga, Miyagi and Shizuoka Prefectures. After working in the Land Bureau of the National Land Agency and the Local Tax Bureau of the Ministry of Home Affairs, served as section chief in the Civil Aviation Bureau of the Transport Ministry, the Local Administration Bureau, the Local Finance Bureau, and the Minister's Secretariat of the Ministry of Home Affairs. Served as Assistant Vice-Minister for the Ministry of Home Affairs in 1995, Deputy Governor of Hyogo Prefecture in 1996 and Governor of Hyogo Prefecture since August of 2001. Currently President of the Union of Kansai Governments.

Dean, Faculty of Law Doshishya University

Born in Kobe, Hyogo in 1964. Graduated from the Doshisha University Faculty of Law in 1987.

Studied at George Washington University(USA) from 1991 to 1995. Completed the Doctoral Program of the Kobe University Graduate School of Law (International Relations) in 1995 and began teaching as a full-time lecturer (American Studies) at the Hiroshima University Faculty of Integrated Arts and Sciences. Obtained a Doctorate (Political Science) from Kobe University in 1998. Served as an assistant professor at the Hiroshima University Faculty of Integrated Arts and Sciences in 1999, an assistant professor (History of Foreign Policy & National Security Policy) at the Doshisha University Faculty of Law in 2000. Has been teaching at his current post since 2005.

Named Dean of Doshisha University Faculty of Law in 2011. Specialized in American diplomacy and national security policy. His writings include "Changes in Current USA Diplomacy: From Reagan and Bush to Obama" (Yuhikaku, 2009) and "American Diplomacy" (Kodansha, 2005).