Addresses by His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince (2005)

Address by His Imperial Highness The Crown Prince On the Occasion of the Opening Plenary Session of the Second Annual Meeting of the Science and Technology in Society Forum(2005)

Address by His Imperial Highness The Crown Prince
On the Occasion of the Opening Plenary Session of the Second Annual Meeting
of the Science and Technology in Society Forum
Sunday, September 11,
2005 Kyoto International Conference Hall, Kyoto, Japan

Excellencies,
Distinguished participants,
Ladies and gentlemen,

I am pleased that the Second Annual Meeting of the Science and Technology in Society Forum is convening here in Kyoto today with a large number of esteemed participants from around the world.

The progress of science and technology during the last century has been extremely remarkable. Most notably, in the last two decades, the advancement of science and technology has exceeded all expectations, particularly in the fields of life sciences and information and communication technology. Humanity has benefited greatly from this development; in fact, the application of this development has truly changed our lives.

On the other hand, this rapid progress has raised some basic questions, such as whether the fruits of innovation have been shared fairly amongst all groups of people, whether the development of science and technology can be harmonized with nature, or whether science and technology should be allowed to develop simply because they seem to have infinite potential.

We all know that there can be no simple, uncomplicated answers to any of these questions. In fact, these questions have been growing ever more complex as a result of globalization. However, the cost of failing to seek answers to these questions is too great to countenance, as the very survival of the human race could be endangered. We can say at least, I believe, that science and technology should be used appropriately for the future of our planet earth, including all the living species and the environment, in addition to human beings.

This is why I welcome the endeavors of the Science and Technology in Society Forum to encourage worldwide debate among such a diversity of forum participants. I am confident that this Annual Meeting will contribute substantially to formulating a new outlook on science and technology.

In conclusion, I sincerely hope that this worthy initiative will provide a beacon to guide us toward sound advancement of science and technology that will benefit us all.

Thank you.

Address by His Imperial Highness The Crown Prince on the Occasion of the Opening Ceremony of the International Quantum Electronics Conference 2005 and the Pacific Rim Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics 2005(2005)

Address by His Imperial Highness The Crown Prince
on the Occasion of the Opening Ceremony of
the International Quantum Electronics Conference 2005 and
the Pacific Rim Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics 2005
Monday, July 11, 2005
Toshi Center Hotel, Tokyo

Distinguished participants, ladies and gentlemen,

Before giving my address, I wish to express my deep condolences on those who lost their lives in the tragic incident in London last Thursday.

It is indeed a great pleasure that today the International Quantum Electronics Conference 2005 and the Pacific Rim Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics 2005 are being held here with such a large number of participants from Japan and overseas.

The year 2005 is the World Year of Physics, which marks the centenary of the publication of Dr. Albert Einstein's innovative treatises, including the one on the special theory of relativity. Based upon modern physics, optical science and technologies have made remarkable progress over the past 100 years, enriching human lives as a result. Particularly, the invention of the laser has made possible advanced information communication technologies of our time, not the least of which is the Internet. Lasers have become an indispensable tool for modern medicine as well.

In these Conferences, much information will be exchanged through keynote speeches by a Nobel laureate in physics, through symposia on various issues, and through presentations on research projects. I am convinced that the Conferences will prove truly meaningful by providing every participants with the opportunity to review ongoing research activities and practical applications from various points of view.

I conclude with the hope that this gathering of experts in various fields and the sharing of their wisdom will promote significant development of optical science and technologies, resulting in the upgrading of living standards for people around the world.

Thank you.

Address by His Imperial Highness The Crown Prince on the occasion of the Inaugural Session of the Annual Meeting of the Boards of Governors of the Inter-American Development Bank and the Inter-American Investment Corporation(2005)

Address by His Imperial Highness The Crown Prince
on the occasion of the Inaugural Session of the Annual Meeting
of the Boards of Governors
of the Inter-American Development Bank
and the Inter-American Investment Corporation
Sunday, April 10, 2005
Okinawa Convention Center, Okinawa

President Iglesias,
Excellencies,
Distinguished participants,
Ladies and gentlemen,

It is a great pleasure for me to attend, here in Okinawa, the 46th Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of the Inter-American Development Bank and the 20th Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of the Inter-American Investment Corporation.

The Inter-American Development Bank has achieved a large number of successes in advancing social and economic development as well as trade and regional integration in Latin American and Caribbean countries. The Inter-American Investment Corporation has likewise contributed significantly to the growth of regional economies, primarily by providing finance to small and medium-sized enterprises.

A considerable number of Japanese nationals, including many from Okinawa, have emigrated to Latin American and Caribbean region over the years. The efforts and achievements of these Japanese immigrants have provided the basis for strong ties that have lasted for more than a century between Japan and this region. Recently, an increasing number of descendants of these Japanese immigrants have come back to Japan, contributing to strengthening further human and economic ties between the two.

I am pleased that Japan has been deeply engaged in the activities of the IDB group, in its role as the largest non-regional shareholder. In 1991, I fortunately had the opportunity to give the welcoming address at the Annual Meeting of the group held in Nagoya. Fourteen years later, with the backdrop of progressing globalization, and increasing economic ties between Latin American and Caribbean countries and Asian countries, it is of great significance that the IDB group has once again selected Japan as the site of its Annual Meeting of this year.

I understand that Latin American and Caribbean countries have gone through a number of economic challenges since the Nagoya meeting. Nevertheless, they have achieved steady economic growth by various means including the expansion of both intra-regional and inter-regional trade. I expect that the IDB Group will play an increasingly important role in assisting the countries of the region to help themselves in these spheres.

In closing, I hope that this Annual Meeting will prove to be a forum that will contribute substantially to deepening mutual understanding between Latin American and Caribbean countries and Asian countries and will ensure an even brighter future for both regions.