Defining the contribution of engineering to society

Engineering turns science and technology into something tangible and useful to society. It is applied in creating various structures, home appliances and other infrastructures and equipment, which make human lives safe and convenient. From Nov. 29 to Dec. 2, Kyoto will host the World Engineering Conference and Convention (WECC) 2015, in which engineers from around the world gather to discuss importance of engineering and showcase their technologies. The World Federation of Engineering Organizations (WFEO) holds it every four years. How can engineering contribute to society? How can Japan contribute to global engineering? What is the significance of Japan hosting the WECC? The Japan Times held a forum to discuss these issues on June 11. Participating in the forum were Ryoji Chubachi, president of the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology; Keisuke Hanaki, a professor in the Department of Urban Engineering and adjunct professor of Integrated Research System for Sustainability Science at the University of Tokyo; Hideo Nakamura, president emeritus of Tokyo City University; and Junichi Sato, president of The Japan Federation of Engineering Societies. The moderator was Yoshitaka Uchijo, an advisor and contributing editorial writer for Kyodo News. Below are excerpts of their discussion:

Panelists and a moderator (center) pose before their discussion on the definition of engineering, Japanese contributions to engineering in the world and the challenge in training people with the right skills to be engineering leaders at The Japan Times' offices in Tokyo on June 11. | YOSHIAKI MIURA

SHARE
Jun 29, 2015

Moderator: Thank you very much for participating in this forum. Today’s theme — as it is for the WECC 2015 — is “Engineering that Contributes to Society and Japan’s Contribution.” This is a very expansive theme and I hope to get a variety of viewpoints from the panelists.

First, Mr. Sato, will you explain the significance of engineering for society, this country and the world? Also will you explain the significance of the WECC being held for the first time in Japan this year?