Press Conference:
The Government's Decision to Refuse the Science Council of Japan's Nominations
Yukio Himiyama
Board Member of the Association of Japanese Geographers,
President of International Geographical Union & Professor Emeritus
of Hokkaido University of Education
Youichi Kibata
Chair of the International Connections Committee of the
Japanese Historical Council & Professor Emeritus of the University of Tokyo
Izumi Sato
President of Association for Modern Japanese Literary Studies
& Professor of Aoyama Gakuin University

13:00 - 14:00, December 02, 2020
(The speech and Q & A will be in English and Japanese with English interpretation.)

Criticism of Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga for excluding six humanities and social sciences scholars from a list of candidates to become new members of the Science Council of Japan continues to grow. Over 500 academic societies, universities and civil organizations have protested what many have called an unprecedented intervention into personnel issues at the national academy.

Suga continues to insist that his actions were relevant and legal. In October, humanities and social science scholars joined to launch the Japanese Liaison Council for Academic Societies in the Humanities and Social Sciences, which is independent of the Science Council but also protesting the government's decision. Three senior members of this new group will discuss the controversy and what it means for freedom of thought in Japan.

Yukio Himiyama is the former president of the International Geographical Union and a professor emeritus of Hokkaido University of Education Youichi Kibata is chair of the International Connections Committee of the Japanese Historical Council and a professor emeritus of the University of Tokyo. Izumi Sato is president of the Association for Modern Japanese Literary Studies and a professor of Aoyama Gakuin University.

How to attend:
Please register at front@fccj.or.jp with your name, name of media outlet, FCCJ membership number. Due to space restrictions, please note there will be a limited number of reservations to attend. Doors open at 12:30. Please sign in your name and contact details at the reception with your own pen and to have your temperature taken before proceeding.
 
How to watch online: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCe8K6odES9H0wSq71vppauA/live
Livestreaming of the press events will be available and video of this event will be uploaded to our FCCJ YouTube channel.
 
How to ask questions: https://forms.gle/oewzezjPpZCvR7fp6 
Members watching the event online can submit questions for the speakers in advance using this submission form (English only).
 
TV crew: Please make a reservation at front@fccj.or.jp. Door open for TV crews only at 12:15. There will be five positions available for livestreaming.                                               

 
Professional Activities Committee