SCIENCE AGORA

アゴラ2016 開幕セッション・キーノートセッション 開催報告
Keynote Session

開幕セッション つくろう、科学とともにある社会
Science Agora Opening Session - Let’s build a society harmonized with science

■開催概要/Session Information

■登壇者と発表資料/Presenters and Presentation Materials

■映像記録/Film Chronicle

■概要/Outline

11年目を迎えたサイエンスアゴラの目指すビジョンを示す本セッションでは、第一部で、AAAS CEOラッシュ・D・ホルト氏とDeNA 取締役会長 南場智子氏による基調講演が行われ、来賓による挨拶の後、濵口理事長より開会宣言が告げられました。つづく第二部では、「復興後の未来に向かって―高校生と考える震災復興5年」と題し、先の大震災で経験し、学んできたことや、残された課題について考える場として、高校生を主役に、研究者やジャーナリストとともにパネル討論が行われました。高校生の発言を受け止めながら、科学技術をめぐるコミュニティのあり方、災害時の緊急情報の共有方法や科学と社会の関わり方、被災を乗り越え自分たちはこれから何をすれば良いのかなど、未来に向けた議論が行われました。

This Opening Session presents the vision that Science Agora aims to achieve, as it welcomes the 11th year of its forum. In Part 1 of the session, keynote speeches were delivered by Rush D. Holt, Chief Executive Officer, American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), and Tomoko Namba, Founder, Chairman of the Board, DeNA Co., Ltd., After the greetings from the guests, Michinari Hamaguchi, President, the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), declared the Opening of Science Agora. This was followed by Part 2, titled “Toward the Future After Reconstruction—Considering Five Years of Reconstruction Following the Disaster with High School Students.” A panel discussion was held with high school students in the leading role, with researchers and a journalist, and provided a space for thinking about experiences and lessons drawn from the last major earthquake as well as the remaining issues. In addition to receiving comments and remarks from the high school students, discussions were also held in view of the future, covering topics that included the state of communities that are associated with science and technology, how emergency information is shared during disasters and the relationships between science and society, and what we can do going forward to overcome disasters.

■内容/Contents

<第一部>基調講演と開幕宣言
<Part 1> Keynote Speech and Opening Declaration

開幕にあたり、JST 理事長の濵口氏より、主催者を代表して挨拶がありました。「アゴラとはギリシア語で広場を意味し、サイエンスアゴラは、年代やセクター、国境を越え、私たちがこれからどういう世界をつくっていくのか、どういう時代をどう生きていくのか、今どのような問題に直面しているかを、科学というキーワードを使って考え、対話する広場です」と説明。「社会を前進させるためには科学が必要であり、イノベーションには幅広い多様な人びとのアイデアが求められ、サイエンスアゴラの役割が11年前に比べてますます重要になっているのではないでしょうか」と述べました。またセッション後半で行われるパネル討論について、「被災した高校生が科学に対してどういう思いを抱き、自分の将来に何を期待しているのか、深い体験に基づく意識で科学技術を見つめている彼ら彼女らの思いを共有したい」と語り、震災を経験して科学技術に対する信頼が大きく揺らいだ日本の現実も踏まえ、科学技術の発展をより幅広い人たちの幸福にどのようにつなげるかの観点が非常に重要であることを指摘。2015年9月の国連サミットで採択された国際目標である「持続可能な開発目標(SDGs)」にも言及し、「現代の課題の多くは国境を越えて起きている問題であり、単独の国では解決不能な事態に入ってきています。その中で、科学者や科学技術に関わる者が、どのように生きていくべきかをもっと深く議論し、その成果を日常の行動や日々の実践の中へどう溶かし込むのか、それを考える上でも、サイエンスアゴラは重要なイベントです」と挨拶を締めくくりました。

In the opening of the forum, Michinari Hamaguchi, President, the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), greeted the participants on behalf of the organizer. He explained that “agora” is an Ancient Grecian word that refers to a public, open space, and that the Science Agora is a place for considering and discussing the kind of world that we will create in the future, how we will live through the different eras, and what issues we are confronted with today, based on “science” as a keyword and across the boundaries of age, sector, and nationalities. He further expressed that science is necessary for propelling society forward, and suggested that the role of Science Agora is becoming increasingly important than it was 11 years ago in view that innovation demands the development of ideas with many diverse peoples. With respect to the panel discussion held in the second half of the session, he spoke of the desire to share the views and thoughts of high school students who were affected by the disaster about how they feel toward science and their expectations of their own future, with an awareness based on their profound experiences. Taking into consideration the reality in Japan, where trust in science and technology has become greatly shaken as a consequence of the earthquake disaster, he also pointed out the importance of maintaining a perspective of how developments in science and technology can contribute to the happiness of an even wider range of people. He also touched on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the international goals that were adopted in September 2015 at the United Nations Summit. He closed his greeting remarks with the comments, “Many challenges of the modern world are issues that cross national boundaries, and the situation is becoming increasingly difficult to solve by the powers of individual countries. Amidst such circumstances, Science Agora allows scientists and other parties in the fields of science and technology to engage in more in-depth discussions about how to live, and is also an important forum in consideration of how the outcome of such discussions can be incorporated into everyday behavior and day-to-day practices.

レポート
濵口道成氏
Michinari Hamaguchi

基調講演の二人が注目した科学研究と社会の間の課題
The issues between scientific research and society that the two keynote speakers put the spotlight on

AAAS CEOのホルト氏は、教育者、科学者、政策立案者という自らが辿った経験をもとに、「Building relationships between science and society」というタイトルで講演を行いました。サイエンスアゴラは希少なイベントであり、重要かつ必要な場であると評価した上で、科学と社会の関係について、主に二つの観点で話がありました。

Rush D. Holt, Chief Executive Officer, American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), delivered his keynote speech titled “Building relationships between science and society” based on his own experience as an educator, scientist, and policymaker. He described the Science Agora as a rare forum and commended it as an important and necessary space. He then spoke mainly about two perspectives concerning the relationship between science and society.

初めに、「科学と社会のギャップ」について言及がなされ、イタリアのラクイラ地震(2009年)をめぐる科学者に対する訴訟事件や、日本での震災後の科学への信頼低下などを例に、「一般市民と科学者との意識には隔たりが広がっており、一般の人は科学が重要であることは分かっていても、自分には関わりがないものと考えています。一方で、『科学者の側も自身の研究の説明を充分に尽くしてはいない』と考える人が多いのではないでしょうか」と述べました。また、自らが率いるAAASの活動について、「科学への信頼の源になろうと努めており、科学教育、科学・工学に関する国際協力、科学及び技術の政策に関わる多様な計画の提言も行っています。科学者と一般の人たちとのコミュニケーションを促進し、科学に関する知識を深められるようなコミュニケーションに努めています」と語りました。

He began by talking about the gap between science and society. Using the case studies of the lawsuit against scientists in the L’Aquila earthquake in Italy (2009) and the decline of trust in science after the earthquake in Japan, he spoke about the widening gap in awareness between the general public and scientists, explaining that while the general public understands the importance of science, they consider it to be something unrelated to their own lives. On the other hand, he suggested that there are probably many people who feel that the scientists have not done enough to provide explanations of their own research. With respect to the activities of the AAAS which he leads, he explained, “Scientists are putting effort into becoming a source of trust in science, and a wide range of plans related to scientific education, international cooperation in the fields of science and engineering, and science and technology policies has also been proposed. Efforts are also in place to promote communication between scientists and the general public, and to facilitate communication aimed at improving scientific knowledge.”

次に、「科学的方法の有効性」について、「科学とは、問いを発し、エビデンス(証拠)をもとに答え、理解を深める行為であり、透明性があり、誰にでも検証できる開かれた取り組みである」とし、「それゆえ信頼できるのです」と強調しました。一方で、「科学者は研究に没頭しすぎて社会に対する説明が不十分になることもあります。一般の人びとももっと科学者に対して、『あなたの解決しようとしている問いとは何か? その研究のエビデンスとは何か? 人びとにとってなぜその研究が重要なのか?』を尋ねるべきです」と述べ、「エビデンスに基づくという科学の姿勢は、公共政策の全てに必要であり、その科学的思考法は誰にでも習得できるものです」と付け加えました。また、「日本の科学技術基本計画を、研究機関に研究費を配分するだけのものに終わらせてはなりません。この計画を社会・経済の発展に役立てるためには、一般の人びとが、科学を自分たちのものとして考え、エビデンスに基づく理解は自分たちの義務であり、特権でもあると考えられるようにしなければならないでしょう」と述べ、講演を締めくくりました。

Next, with regard to the effectiveness of scientific methods, he explained that science raises questions and answers them based on evidence (proof); it is an act that seeks to deepen understanding, has transparency, and is an open initiative that can be validated by anyone. He emphasized that these are precisely the reasons why it can be relied on. On the other hand, he stated, “Scientists may also become too absorbed in their research, resulting in inadequacy in their explanations to society. The general public should also raise more questions toward scientists, such as ‘What are the questions that you are attempting to find solutions to? ‘What is the evidence of your research? Why is that research important to the people?’” Furthermore, he added that a scientific approach based on evidence is necessary across all public policies, and this scientific way of thinking can be acquired by anyone. In closing, he explained that Japan’s Science and Technology Basic Plan must not entail only the distribution of research grants to research institutes. For this plan to fulfil its role in social and economic development, the general public has to take ownership of science, make it their duty to develop an understanding based on evidence, and consider it a privilege.

→関連記事/Related article
Science Portal「社会・経済発展のために人々が“科学は自分たちのもの”と考えられる世界を」
Science Portal: “Toward a world where the people consider science as ‘something belonging to them’ in order to achieve social and economic development” (in Japanese)
http://scienceportal.jst.go.jp/columns/highlight/20161111_01.html

レポート
ラッシュ・D・ホルト氏
Rush D. Holt

DeNA 取締役会長 南場氏は、「『産学連携』...言うは易し...」というタイトルで、個人の体験をもとに、科学の成果を事業化する際のさまざまな困難とやりがいを語りました。南場氏が科学に関心を持ったのは、家族の突然の病気がきっかけだったそうです。「なぜ自分は家族を病気にしてしまったのだろう」という言葉が浮かび、病気の原因や治療法を自ら調べるうちに、「日本の医療を“シックケアからヘルスケアに転換”する必要性」を感じたと言います。そしてヘルスケアを進めるためには、「自分のカラダの設計図(遺伝子)を知った上で、自らが主人公となり、意思決定のできる社会をつくることが大事」であると考え、遺伝子検査サービスの事業を展開したと、その経緯を語りました。

Under the title “Industry-Academia Collaboration—Easier Said Than Done...,” Tomoko Namba, Founder, Chairman of the Board, DeNA Co., Ltd., spoke about the various difficulties and rewards when commercializing the output of scientific research, based on her own experiences. She had first developed an interest in science when a member of her family suddenly became ill. She had wondered “Why have I made a member of my own family ill?” In looking up the causes and treatment methods for the illness, she felt the need for medical treatment in Japan to make a transition from “sick care” to “health care.” To move forward into health care, she felt that it was not only important to understand the design (genetics) of one’s own body, but also to become the protagonist in creating a society that is capable of making decisions. This was the background that led her to develop a business providing genetic testing services.

実際の産学連携の取り組みでは、研究成果を社会に還元してこそ真の研究であると考える研究者と出会い、協力を得て事業の立ち上げに邁進しますが、その過程で産学連携に立ちはだかるいくつもの障壁にぶつかった体験が語られました。“営利主義”への根強い拒絶反応や異なる“手順”による相互不信で本当に心が折れそうになる逆風の中、数々の困難を乗り越えられた成功のカギは、ビジョンの共有、周囲の言動に動じない研究者の強い姿勢やブリッジ役を担える人材の存在、そして大学と企業によるチームの相互理解だったと語り、「産学連携とよく言われますが、形だけではなく、お互いに信頼し合いリスペクトし合うことが大切です。私たちは通信技術やAIを使って社会を変革するチェンジエージェントでありたいと考えています。今回の経験を糧に、今後も研究者と協力しながら事業にして取り組んでいきたい」と意欲を語りました。

She spoke about her experiences in actual industry-academia collaboration initiatives, where she met with researchers who consider the act of giving back to society through the output of their research activities as true research, and pushed forward on establishing her business with the cooperation of such researchers. In that process, however, she encountered several barriers that stood in the way of these industry-academia collaboration efforts. In the face of adversity in the form of deeply rooted rejection of commercialism and mutual distrust due to differences in “procedures” that threatened to break her spirit, she overcame countless difficulties to attain success. The key behind her success lay in the sharing of the vision, the strong attitudes of the researchers who remained unmoved despite the words and actions of those around them, the presence of capable and talented people who served as a bridge between the two sectors, and the mutual understanding between teams from universities and private-sector corporations. She spoke about her motivation as follows: “While we speak often about industry-academia collaboration, it is not only the form, but also mutual trust and respect, that is of great importance. I believe that our goal is to become agents of change who can transform society by harnessing communication technology and AI. By taking advantage of this experience, I aim to continue tackling the challenges of commercializing research in collaboration with researchers.”

レポート
南場智子氏
Tomoko Namba
レポート
基調講演を受けた対話の様子。「仕事をする上で大切にしていることは?」との濵口氏の質問に、南場氏は、「目指す頂を明確に決め、一つ一つの意思決定が本当にその目指す頂に向かっているかどうか確認すること、私がくよくよしてしまうタイプだからこそ、チームのために、一度下した意思決定はそれが良かったと言えるようにがんばることも大事にしています」と答え、ホルト氏は、「AAASの使命は世界中の科学・工学・イノベーションをすべての人の便益のために前進させること。科学に対する信頼の低下を止め、より良い社会のために科学と社会をつなごうと日々取り組んでいます」と、両者の思いが交わされました。
Scene of the discussion following the keynote lecture, where the two speakers exchanged their views. In response to the question from Hamaguchi about “What do you put great importance on in your work?” Namba responded, “I identify clearly the goal to work toward, and verify that each and every decision that I make is truly directed toward that goal. As I have a tendency to worry and fret about things, I place great importance on putting in my best effort so that I can say that the decisions that I make for the team are good decisions.” To the same question, Holt responded, “The mission of AAAS is to advance science, engineering, and innovation in the world so that they benefit all the people. Every day, I am putting effort into putting the brakes on the decline in trust toward science, and linking science and society in a way that can contribute to improving society.”

第一部の最後に、復興庁 復興副大臣の橘氏、内閣府 大臣官房審議官(科学技術・イノベーション担当)の進藤氏、文部科学省 科学技術・学術政策局科学技術・学術総括官の神代氏、日本経済団体連合会 未来産業・技術委員会 企画部会長/株式会社東芝 技術シニアフェローの須藤氏、日本学術会議 第三部部長の相原氏がそれぞれ登壇し、各々が見ている科学と社会の課題と、サイエンスアゴラへの期待の言葉を述べました。その後、濵口氏が開会を宣言。サイエンスアゴラ2016が幕を開けました。

At the end of Part 1, Keiichiro Tachibana (State Minister for Reconstruction, Reconstruction Agency), Hideo Shindo (Deputy Director General for Science, Technology and Innovation, Cabinet Office of Japan), Hiroshi Kamiyo (Deputy Director-General, Science and Technology Policy Bureau, Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT)), Akira Sudo (Chairman of Sub-committee on Policy Planning, Committee on New Industry and Technology, KEIDANREN / Senior Fellow, Toshiba Corporation), and Hiroaki Aihara (Chairperson of Section 3, Science Council of Japan) each took to the stage to talk about the challenges of science and society from their own perspectives, and their expectations of Science Agora. After that, Hamaguchi delivered the opening declaration, marking the official opening of Science Agora 2016.

<第二部>高校生と研究者、ジャーナリストの対話
<Part 2> Panel discussion with high school students, researchers, and a journalist

第二部では、東日本大震災、熊本地震で被災した高校生3人が登壇し、研究者、ジャーナリストが加わり、震災から何を学び、残された課題は何かを語るパネル討論が行われました。はじめに、登壇者のショートプレゼンテーションが行われた後、モデレーターの橋本氏が「今日の主役は高校生です。タイトルの通り、高校生の話を受け止めながらみなさんと一緒にストーリーを作っていきましょう」と呼びかけ、討論が始まりました。

In Part 2, three high school students who had been affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake and the Kumamoto Earthquake took the rostrum with researchers and a journalist in a panel discussion about the lessons drawn from the earthquake disaster, and the issues and challenges that remain. The speakers made short presentations at the start of the discussion, followed by an introduction of the high school students from Kazuhito Hashimoto, Executive Member, Council for Science, Technology and Innovation, Cabinet Office of Japan, the moderator, who launched the discussion by explaining, “The leading characters for the day are high school students. As the title suggests, let us all create a story together as we listen to what these high school students have to say.”

レポート
司会の橋本和仁氏(左)と高校生。左より大浦葉子さん、遠藤 瞭さん、中武 聖さん
Moderator Kazuhito Hashimoto (left) with the high school students. From left, Yoko Oura, Ryo Endo, and Misato Nakatake.

被災の体験から語られた災害に伴う情報インフラのあり方
The state of information infrastructure in disasters, based on actual experiences of a disaster

「シンとした静けさの中で、突然の揺れに襲われた」と、熊本地震の体験をリアルに語ったのは、岩手と熊本で二度も大きな震災を経験した高校2年生の中武さんでした。熊本地震が起きたのは夜の9時。ちょうど勉強中で、緊急地震速報を受け取れぬまま強い揺れを感じたと語り、その恐怖から、「テレビやラジオをつけていなくても地震速報を受け取れる方法があると良いと思います」と発言しました。情報通信技術を研究するアハメッド氏は、災害時は、電気などの生活基盤の前提が崩れてしまうと説明、「時には最先端技術よりも、途上国で使われている警報(サイレン)が役立つこともある」と、災害時の情報インフラのあり方を示唆しました。中武さんは、「自分がスマートフォンを持ったのは最近のことで、家族も情報弱者でした。サイレンは原始的だけど画期的、技術は組み合わせが重要ですね」と、経験したからこその感想を口にしました。

Misato Nakatake, Year 2, Kumamoto Prefectural Uto Junior and Senior High School, had experienced two major earthquakes in Iwate and Kumamoto. She described the reality of her experience of the Kumamoto Earthquake, saying “Amidst a deafening silence, sudden shake struck.” The Kumamoto Earthquake occurred at 9:00 p.m. She had been studying at the time, and felt strong tremors without having received any early earthquake warnings. Having experienced that terror, she said, “I think it would be good to have a means of receiving early earthquake warnings without needing to turn on the TV or radio.” Ashir Ahmed, Associate Professor, Department of Advanced Information Technology, Kyushu University, who is engaged in research on information and communications technology, explained that during a disaster, the premises of our everyday lives, such as electricity, collapse. He suggested a way forward for information infrastructure during disasters by stating that “Sometimes, the types of alarms (sirens) that are used in developing countries may be of greater use than cutting-edge technology.” Nakatake spoke of her impressions based on her personal experiences, “I have only recently acquired a smartphone, and my family did not have adequate access to information. Although sirens are primitive, they are also a revolutionary invention; it is important to combine different types of technology.”

小規模分散型のエネルギー拠点開発を福島県で進めている藤田氏は、ショートプレゼンテーションで、情報技術は着実に進化したが、使えない人が生まれている現実を踏まえ、「もう一度情報というものを捉え直し、個人任せの財産ではなく、道路や橋と同様に社会インフラとして強化を図る部分は強化するなど、社会イノベーションによって整えていく対応が必要でしょう」と語りました。その内容に関係し、福島県大熊町で被災した高校1年生の遠藤さんは、「大熊町では、未だふるさとに戻れない住民のコミュニケーションを促すためにWi-Fi とタブレットを配布していますが、年配の方が使えているのか疑問です」と、最新技術と情報弱者の接点の難しさを指摘しました。

Tsuyoshi Fujita, Director of Social Environmental Systems Research Center, National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES), who is engaged in the development of small-scale dispersed energy hubs in Fukushima Prefecture, delivered a short presentation. He explained that although information technology had progressed steadily, the reality is that there are people who are unable to utilize such technology. In light of this reality, he said, “It is necessary to consider anew the concept of information, and to handle it by developing it through social innovation. For example, instead of treating it as an asset left to the responsibility of individuals, strengthen the parts that should be strengthened as social infrastructure, in the same way as roads and bridges.” In relation to this point, Ryo Endo, Year 1, Fukushima Prefectural Futaba Future High School, who had experienced an earthquake in Okuma, Fukushima Prefecture, pointed out the difficulties in connecting advanced technology with those who are information illiterate, explaining that “In Okuma, Wi-Fi and tablet devices are distributed to residents who are still unable to return to their hometowns, in order to facilitate communication. However, it is doubtful if the elderly is using such technology.”

さらに、遠藤さんは2011年3月12日、震災の翌日に大熊町から避難したことを思い起こし、「ほとんどの人は、なぜ逃げるのか分からない中での避難でした」と当時を振り返りました。当時小学生だった遠藤さんも、「原発で働く父となぜ一緒に避難できないのか分からず、とても不安で、科学技術との間に大きな距離を感じた」といいます。行動の判断基準となる情報の重要性を体験し、「“知っていること”と“知らないこと”の違い」と、さらには「残された課題を“知ろうとすること”の大切さ」に注目し、「原発、廃炉についての情報は、一般の人にとってむしろ知らない方が不安にならないのかもしれませんが、大熊町の住民からすると、情報が分からないと、東電などに示された案にただ首を縦に振ることしかできない状況に陥ってしまうので、積極的に知ろうとしていくことが必要ではないかと思います」と語りました。

Furthermore, Endo recalled his experiences of evacuating from Okuma on 12 March 2011, the day after the earthquake struck. Looking back on his experiences at the time, he said, “Most of the people were evacuated without understanding why they were escaping.” As an elementary school student then, he said, “I did not understand why I could not seek refuge together with my father, who was working at the nuclear power station. I felt very anxious and uneasy, and felt very distanced from science and technology.” Having experienced the importance of information, which serves as criteria for making decisions on what actions to take, he focused on the differences between “knowing” and “not knowing,” as well as the importance of “attempting to learn about the issues that remain.” He explained, “Although the general public experiences greater anxiety when they do not have any information about the nuclear power station or the reactors, from the perspective of Okuma’s residents, not having the information meant being in a situation where they could only agree to the proposals presented by TEPCO (Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings, Inc.) and other authorities. Hence, I think that it is necessary to take a proactive attitude in attempting to find out more.”

レポート
パネルディスカッションの様子。右側の3人は、右より、南 砂氏、藤田 壮氏、アシル・アハメッド氏
Scene of the panel discussion. From right, Masago Minami, Tsuyoshi Fujita, and Ashir Ahmed.

科学技術の恩恵を平等に享受できない格差を減らすために
To eliminate inequality for those who are unable to share equally in the benefits of science and technology

福島県浜通りで被災した高校3年生の大浦さんは、地元の医療が充分に行き届いていない現実を紹介し、「これからますます高齢者のための医療が大切になると思います。将来は故郷で、どこに住んでいても誰に対しても平等な医療を実現したい」と語りました。長年日本の医療現場を新聞記者として取材してきた南氏は、「平等な医療は日本の医療の大きな課題です。地域の偏在と、診療科目の偏在という問題があり、東北の地震は、もともと医療資源が乏しい地域に起こってしまいました。津波では、緊急医療援助隊はなすすべもなく、津波が去った後の被災地では、命をつなぐための医療が奪われました。20世紀の後半、日本の医療の最先端の現場では、ひたすら高度医療技術を追ってきて、地域医療を少し忘れ去っていた部分があります。高度に進歩した医療技術が地域医療にも波及していきますので、どちらか一方だけでよいということはありません。このように、高校生に地域医療に注目していただくのは本当に嬉しいですし、これからも被災地から医療を担う方がたくさん出てきてほしいです」とエールを送りました。

Yoko Oura, Year 3, Fukushima Prefectural Fukushima High School, who was affected by the earthquake disaster that struck Hamadori in Fukushima Prefecture, touched on the reality of the inadequacies of local medical care and healthcare. She said, “I think that medical care for the elderly will become increasingly important going forward. In the future, I hope that we will be able to achieve equality in the provision of medical care to everyone in the hometown, regardless of where they live.” In response, Masago Minami, Director, Chief Officer, Yomiuri Research Institute, The Yomiuri Shimbun, who has covered the site of medical care in Japan for many years as a journalist, encouraged the students with her words, “Equality in medical care is the most serious issue confronting the field of medicine in Japan. We are faced with the problems of uneven distribution among the regions and unevenness in the subjects of medical treatment. The earthquake in the Tohoku region struck regions that had poor medical resources to begin with. The disaster relief medical teams could do nothing during the tsunami, and after the tsunami had retreated, the affected areas were robbed of medical care that could help to save lives. In the second half of the 20th century, the sites of the state-of-the-art medical treatment in Japan were focused on pursuing advanced medical technology, and neglected medical care in the localities. Since advancements in medical technology also have a ripple effect on community medicine, it is not sufficient to concentrate only on either aspect. Hence, I am truly glad to see a high school student put the focus on community medicine, and hope that many leaders in the field of medicine will emerge from these disaster-struck areas in the future.”

その後、フロアの濵口氏から高校生に対して、「10年後にあなたたちは何をし、どこで何をやっているのだろうか。それを実現するためには今何が必要だろうか」という問いが投げかけられました。大浦さんはその問いを受け、「地元の病院で医師として働きたい、地元の復興のために地元の担い手となりたいです。また、医療の地域格差をなくすために、地域の病院にも最先端の医療を導入してほしいと思っています」と語りました。遠藤さんは、将来は原子力工学を学び、放射性廃棄物の減量化の研究をしたいと語り、廃炉作業の現場で働く人びとの姿から、「若者がそれを担っていけば作業が進展していくと思う」と意気込みを述べました。また、中武さんは、将来は災害時などで人の役に立つ医療分野で働くことを望んでおり、「理系文系を分けずに総合的に見る力をこれから自分の中で鍛えていきたいとすごく思います」と語りました。未来の夢を語る高校生3人の姿に対して、司会の橋本氏は、2050年を生きる高校生たちの生の声の価値について「その情報を、行政、あるいは教育の中に入れていく必要があります。まさに対話が必要だということを改めて感じました」と語りました。

After that, Hamaguchi addressed the high school students from the floor, asking, “Where will you be, and what will you be doing 10 years from now? What do you need to do now in order to achieve that?” In response to the question, Oura answered, “I would like to work as a doctor in a local hospital, and serve the local community in its reconstruction efforts. Furthermore, in order to eliminate the regional inequality in medical care, I would like to introduce state-of-the-art medical care even into the local hospitals.” Endo spoke of his desire to study nuclear engineering in future, and to engage in research aimed at reducing radioactive waste. Based on what he had seen of those working on the sites of work on decommissioning the nuclear reactors, he said enthusiastically, “If young people take up the responsibility of that work, I believe we will be able to make progress on the work.” Nakatake spoke of her wish to work in the field of medicine in the future, which can serve people during times of disaster, and of her strong desire to foster her own ability to look comprehensively at issues without distinguishing between the sciences and the humanities. In response to the three high school students who had spoken about their dreams for the future, moderator Hashimoto commented about the value of the frank opinions of high school students who will live on till the year 2050. He said, “It is necessary to incorporate this information into administrative policies and education. I have gained a renewed sense of the need for dialogue.”

パネル討論後のショートコメントでは、復興副大臣橘氏が、「高校生のみなさんの将来に対するしっかりとした意見やふるさとへの想いは、この地域は続いていくだろうかと思っている人々にとって、何より心強いものでしょう。私はみなさんの10年後の姿が大変楽しみです。これからもぜひ頑張っていただきたいと思います」と感謝と期待の言葉を述べ、パネル討論は幕を閉じました。

In the short comment delivered after the panel discussion, State Minister for Reconstruction, Tachibana, expressed his gratitude and expectations, closing the panel discussion with the following words: “The steadfast views toward the future and love for the hometown expressed by these three high school students are more encouraging and reassuring than anything else to all the people who are wondering if this region will be able to continue surviving. I am sincerely looking forward to seeing you become a positive force for Fukushima in the next 10 years, and I wish you all the best.”

レポート
橘慶一郎氏
Keiichiro Tachibana
レポート
開幕セッション終了後に行われたアフタートークの様子。一般参加者も加わり自由な対話が行われた。ホルト氏を囲んだ輪では、「自分の家族以外の人や、専門の人に経験を語る機会を通じて、もやもやした思いを形にできた気がします」と本セッションを振り返る高校生の中武さんに、ホルト氏が、「震災を経験し、その話をするのは大変だったと思うが、経験を共有してくださったことをとてもありがたく思っている」とお礼の言葉をかける場面もあり、終始和やかな対話が続きました。
Scene of the after-talk held after the Opening Session. A free dialogue was held, which also included members of the audience. In the circle of people who surrounded Holt, senior high school student Nakatake looked back on the session and commented, “Through the opportunity to talk about my experiences with people outside of my family, and with professionals, I feel that I was able to give concrete form to thoughts that had been unclear before.” Holt also expressed his thanks by saying, “I believe it must have been difficult to talk about your experiences of the earthquake, and I am very grateful that you have shared your experiences with us.” This friendly atmosphere continued from beginning to end.

【ライターのひとこと】
【A word from the author】

第一部、第二部を通して、科学と社会の間には多くの課題があることが明らかになったセッションでした。第一部の基調講演では、科学と社会の接点に横たわる問題点が浮き彫りになりました。ホルト氏が指摘した、科学者と一般市民の隔たり、科学的思考の重要性、そして南場氏が指摘した産業界と科学界の意識と作法のギャップ。これらの壁をいかに乗り越えていくかが社会と科学の新しい関係を築く上でカギであることが共有されました。第二部のパネル討論では、震災という非常事態が取り上げられましたが、非常事態であるからこそ普段見えない問題が明確になったという印象を受けました。大震災から学んだこと、残された課題の議論から、災害という緊急事態において私たちの生活の基盤である情報や医療などの社会インフラの危うさが再認識されました。最先端を追うだけでなく、さまざまな立場の人、多様な地域、多くの状況を想定し、全体的な視野で総合的に考えていくことの重要性が認識されました。今回挙がった課題を特定の問題とせずに取り組むことで、新しい価値観に基づく社会と科学の関係性を築けるものと感じました。

Through Parts 1 and 2 of the session, it is clear that many issues are present between science and society. In the keynote speeches delivered during Part 1, the problems that span the intersection between science and society came into sharp relief. Dr. Holt pointed out the gap between scientists and the general public, as well as the importance of a scientific approach, while Ms. Namba pointed out the gap in the awareness and behavior between industry and academia. They shared that the key to building new relationships between society and science lies in how we overcome these problems. In the panel discussion in Part 2, the speakers touched on the emergency situation brought about by earthquakes, giving the impression that the emergency situations highlighted problems that we would not have noticed otherwise during times of normalcy. Through the discussions on lessons drawn from major earthquakes and the issues remaining, we reaffirmed the threats that crises such as disasters bring to the social infrastructure that forms the basis of our everyday lives, such as information and medical care. Instead of simply pursuing cutting-edge technology, we recognized the importance of considering the issues comprehensively from a big-picture perspective, based on assumptions that cover people in various positions, diverse regions, and many circumstances. By approaching the issues raised during this session without limiting them to specific problems, I felt that it would be possible to establish a relationship between society and science based on new values.

文責:大西 将徳(科学コミュニケーター)
Writer:Masanori Ohnishi (Science Communicator)

→関連記事/Related article
Science Portal「海外から見た日本の“震災復興5年”と被災地の若者が描く未来社会」
Science Portal: “Japan’s ‘Five Years of Reconstruction Following the Earthquake Disaster” as Seen from the Perspective of Foreigners, and the Future Vision of Society Drawn Up by Youths from Disaster-Struck Areas” (in Japanese)
http://scienceportal.jst.go.jp/reports/other/20161116_01.html

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