June 30, 2010
The World Bank’s Executive Director for Japan, Mr Toru Shikibu paid his respect to the President of Kyoto University, during his visit to Kyoto University’s Graduate School for Management for offering a lecture at a seminar for supporting international internship.
Mr. Shikibu explained the World Bank’s employment records and requirements for Japanese applicants and what is required to follow a career path of working in an international institution. The President also reported on recent lack of interests among Japanese students of Kyoto University in seeking success abroad. The President continued to explain about Kyoto University’s idea of ‘graduate school for leading the world.”
The discussion was followed by opinion exchange regarding ways to improve internationalism and invigorate international activities among Japanese people. At the end of the seminar, the President stressed the importance of reminding students of how great international activities can be at an early stage. Mr. Shikibu’s courtesy call to the President ended by the President expressing his appreciation to the World Bank for providing a lecture and mentioned the need for providing opportunities for the entire Kyoto University students to attend a lecture like this one.
After meeting the President, Mr. Shikibu offered a lecture at the Graduate School for Management as part of International Internship Support Seminar Series, on the subject of World Bank Group’s movements and the position of Japan. Many of the Graduate School of Management students attended the lecture. The seminar began with a brief introduction of Mr. Shikibu’s background and then, Mr. Shikibu went on to describe the organization and the history of the World Bank Group, the contribution the World Bank Group made to global economy and the development and restoration of the world, the roles Japan has played within the framework of World Bank Group, and some topics on management such as world Bank’s financial status and the flow of funds. He also talked about hotly debated subjects such as the influence of global financial crisis in recent years and the World Bank’s response, and the contents of legal reform that is currently taking place. At the end of the seminar, Mr. Shikibu explained about internship, job opportunities and scholarships available to students.
During the question and answer session, active discussion took place, with many students questioned on various topics described in the seminar, including questions such as what changes we can expect from legal reform and what he actually does for his work. A the end of the session, Mr. Shikibu offered his opinion that when he saw Japan from outside (Washington DC), recent Japan, including young Japanese people, appeared to become more introverted than it was in the past. He sent out a message to the students that he hoped to see an increase in the number of Japanese young people who aimed to take active roles on the international stage, including the World Bank.
 Visiting the President |  The lecture |