JICA President, Dr. Kitaoka, Lectures at the New JICA-DSP Course at the University of Tokyo
2019.04.22
On the occasion of the launching of a new JICA Development Studies Program (JICA-DSP) course with the Graduate School of Public Policy (GraSPP) of the University of Tokyo, Dr. Shinichi Kitaoka, President of JICA, delivered a lecture on April 5 at the University. It was the first lecture of the new 13-lecture series course titled "Japan's Modernization Experience and Its ODA Policy." There were almost 90 attendants, consisting of the students of GraSPP and other programs, and faculty members within the University.
In his lecture, Dr. Kitaoka highlighted Meiji Restoration of the late 19th century as the starting point of Japan's modernization. Starting with the brief reference to the political system of the Edo period (1603–1868) and the dividend of the long-lasting peace during the period, as the background of the modernization, Dr. Kitaoka described the processes of the downfall of Bakufu; making of the new Meiji state; road to the Meiji Constitution and parliamentary politics. He further pointed at the lack of informal mechanism to control the independence of the military as a big weakness of the Meiji Constitution. Even so, Dr. Kitaoka concluded that the Meiji era could be characterized as the one of democratic changes.
His lecture was followed by a few questions from the floor. They included the ones about the resistance against the abolition of Samurai system and the peaceful handover of the Edo Castle.
This omnibus course, which consists on Japan's Quest for Sovereignty, modernization of Japan's Administrative System, Legal System, International Economy Economic Growth and Industrial Policy, ODA (including quality infrastructure, rule of law promotion, human resource development, and emerging powers and Japan's ODA), will continue till July and the sessions will be delivered by different lecturers from the faculty of the University and JICA.
View of Lecture 1
View of Lecture 2
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