CHIANG MAI, Thailand -- Last week a conference was held in Kyushu under the auspices of the pioneer Ritsumeikan Asia-Pacific University, whose student body and faculty are divided between Japanese and foreigners of many nationalities. The conference was original in that it also involved students representing several dozen other universities. All gathered in Beppu city to discuss the crucial issue of tourism in our times -- from "dynamic," "sustainable" and "boundless" angles. Scores of educators, from Ritsumeikan and other foreign universities attended.
Crowning the deliberations was a surprise appearance by Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, who addressed the general assembly. He expressed his personal commitment to increasing the number of tourists to Japan as well as his faith in the students as future leaders of the region.
The debates at Beppu cannot be easily summarized, although a recent supplement in The Economist gives a vivid picture of related arguments, challenges and problems pertaining to academia in these changing times.