| Shuji Nakamura |
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Question and answer time
Questioner 1: One question is why you pursued legal action in Japan instead of in America, though your judicial action in America seemed to be easier to win. Another question is how much is your annual income compared with the income at your former company in Japan.
Nakamura: Concerning the judicial action, as you say I want to do it in America. However my judicial action is against Nichia over the patent ownership under Japanese law. Though I think that the handling of cases in America is fairer than in Japan, and I would like to pursue legal action in America, my judicial action is under the patent law in Japan, and so I have no other choice but Japan. This is the reason, although I would like to pursue the judicial action in America.
Another question is concerning my earnings. I resigned Nichia in 1993 and at that time my annual income was 16 million yen in all. The salary of a university professor is guaranteed for 9 months and the amount is $160,000. The salary for the other 3 months I must get from research funds. In total my annual earnings are $220,000. It is my publicized salary - I get private earnings through consulting, but I can't talk about this. Anyway, there is an absolutely enormous difference in the salaries. As I said earlier, researchers in Japan are just salary men.
Questioner 2: I am very impressed by your excellent achievements, and in fact made a presentation about your work when I was asked to give a lecture. I wonder why there are not more people like you in Japan. And I hope that you will contribute more to the development of our country. Presently in Japan there are many misuses of foreign words, where we put them into katakana and change their meaning. As you live in a foreign country now, I would like to know what you think about the Japanese culture, civilization and education system.
Nakamura: It is a difficult question that I can't answer briefly. In Japan is a single race, the Japanese, and so in Japan there is a kind of situation of national isolation, with us only speaking Japanese. Now we are in the age of globalization. If we don't become multicultural and learn to speak other languages, I feel a strong sense that Japan would be left alone. America is composed of many races and there are many kinds of people. In contrast Japan seems to be in a situation of national isolationc to answer your question briefly.
Questioner 3: I heard that American students go on to master courses and doctorate courses whilst receiving a salary. However in Japanese universities students have to pay fees to do study and research. I think that in such difference situations, the motivation of the students is not the same. If Dr. Nakamura was an assistant or an assistant professor, I would like to hear how you would raise the motivation of the students. I am really keen to hear your suggestions.
Nakamura: Japanese students are already burned out due to the university entrance examination. Accordingly that question is very difficult to answer. My personal opinion is that until you get rid of the current university entrance examination, nothing can be done. Students of universities are robotized by the preparations for the entrance examination. Japanese students waste their youth on overcoming this 'Ultra-Quiz.' Japanese students still spirited when they enter primary school. But as they progress through the grades of primary school, junior high school, senior high school and university, the Japanese students become more inactive step by step. The students rote-learn the solutions to the university examination - the 'Ultra-Quiz.' That is extremely tough - no one can do it so they all lose confidence. When the students are asked what their dreams are, very few students raise their hand and give an answer. If I was in such a situation, I couldn't raise my hand either. The Japanese students bullied by this most exclusive and difficult examination - this Ultra-Quiz - therefore they are filled with frustration. As it seems pitiful to keep urging these students on, I too can't say any words of encouragement. This is the actual education system used in Japan to train Japanese lifetime salary employees. On the contrary American students don't suffer this kind of pressure. Throughout the period of primary school, junior high school and senior high school, they enjoy their life freely - just like play. As they are able to play freely during their adolescence, they grow up stress-free. As I am sure you agree, I think that youth is the most important period. All of the energy of the intellectual ability and physical vigor of youth are poured into memorizing solutions for this Ultra-Quiz, the results of which destroy their confidence - this is education in Japan. In America students play freely while school age, consequently American students are overconfident. As you know, Americans are excessively confident. This was caused by their growing up without stress. Whether they are capable or not is another question. However, when they go to universities and find a theme they like, because they have self-confidence they study really hard and make good progress. Therefore I think that there is no way of letting Japanese universities become active in the present situation without first changing the university entrance examination system.
Tarui: I think there are other questions that people want to ask, but the scheduled time is over. Now I will close the Q&A session. Professor Nakamura, I appreciated your speech. Thank you very much.
Nakamura: Thank you.
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