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The coming book break on “From the History of Water Transportation to Global Water” by his Majesty the Emperor Naruhito, written in Japanese and published in April 2019 by NHK Publishing, Inc., will give a unique opportunity to help domestic and foreign journalists, and other guests, understand the real personality of the Emperor Naruhito and a direction he may take as the new Symbol of Japan in the Reiwa Period. The book, whose Japanese title is Suiunshi-kara-Sekai-no-Mizu-he (水運史から世界の水へ), has engaged himself for decades in not only research works but international actions for the betterment of global water. He wrote in 1984 in Oxford University his post graduate thesis titled "A Study of Navigation and Traffic on the Upper Thames in the 18th Century” in English. While His Majesty kept deepening his academic works, he quickly broadened his area of activities for global water. He assumed position of the Honorary President of the United Nations Secretary-General’s Advisory Board on Water and Sanitation (UNSGAB) in 2007-2015.
The book, a compilation of his selected speeches on water, shows what steps the Emperor Naruhito took to broaden his interest, action areas, and personality through his field exploration, careful consideration of nature and society in Japan and the world. The book break will start by showing a concise video lecture the Emperor Naruhito addressed in the United Nations. It will be followed by a lecture by Professor Kenzo Hiroki of National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS=政策研究大学院大学). With 38 years of field and policy-formulation experiences as a government official and scholar, Professor Hiroki has acted as the advisor on water to His Majesty for nearly twenty years, supporting his academic works, field visits and international activities.
Professor Hiroki will share episodes of interaction and conversation with His Majesty that hint a direction he may take as the new Symbol of Japan. He will also share some key comments and anecdotes of the Emperor that help the audience understand his personality. It will be interesting to know the views and perspectives of the Emperor on global issues such as climate change, environment, gender equality, poverty eradication, peace,and sustainable development that he sees through “the lens of water.”
The library committee is offering a cocktail party - "Meet the Author - starting at 6:15 pm, followed by a set dinner with one drink at 6:40 pm (Menu: TBD). Drinks can be ordered on a cash basis from the bar in the room. Book Break charges are 3,100 yen / 4,100 yen (members/non-members) per person. The member price is applicable to members’ guests.
To FCCJ members: Sign up now at the reception desk (03-3211-3161) or on the FCCJ website. To help us plan proper seating and food preparation, please reserve in advance, preferably by noon of the day of the event. Those without reservations will be turned away once available seats are filled. Reservations cancelled less than 72 hours in advance will be charged in full.
To non-members: Sign up now at the reception desk by email (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ). Please reserve and pay in advance by Tuesday, December 3rd, 2019. Those without reservations will be turned away once available seats are filled. No refund is available unless event is cancelled for the reasons on our part. Any attendees with food restriction should inform the reception desk (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ) three days before the event.
(The talk will be in English)
