FORUM PERSON

Me and the Tokyo International Forum

SAMUEL M. SHEPHERD
Secretary-General of the Fulbright Program

Mr. SAMUEL M. SHEPHERD
Born in Oklahoma, USA, in 1945. Lived in Tokyo, Sapporo, Okinawa, and other parts of Japan between 1947 and 1964. Studied at the Okinawa Branch of Maryland State University for 1 year in 1964. Attended Point Loma Nazarene University in California from 1964 to 1967, graduating with a BA. Went on to the Graduate School of Hawaii University under a scholarship from the Tozai Bunka Center from 1967 to 1969, obtaining an M.A. in Asian History. Returned to Japan as a Fulbright scholar from 1973 to 1975, serving as Assistant Supervisor of English Instruction at the Kanagawa Prefecture Education Center. Appointed Vice-Chairman of the American Cultural Exchange (a non-profit educational foundation based in Seattle, USA) from 1977 to 1994. Once again returned to Japan in March 1994, and has served as Secretary-General of the Fulbright Program since April of that year.

People who are good at cross-cultural communication have the quality of "empathy".

The Fulbright Program is a well-respected overseas study program that has produced leading lights in a variety of fields from among its huge number of scholars to date. One of the commemorative events held to mark its 50th anniversary this year, the Japan-US Fulbright Program 50th Anniversary Ceremony and Symposium, will be held in Hall B of the Tokyo International Forum on May 26th. As a prelude to the event, we visited the Secretariat of the Fulbright Program, and spoke to its Secretary-General Mr. Samuel M. Shepherd about the progress and future activities of the Fulbright Program. Mr. Shepherd spoke to us cordially in fluent Japanese.

The Japan-US Fulbright Program celebrates its 50th anniversary this year

Introductory tools to various programs, prepared for the Japan-US Fulbright 50th Anniversary commemorative events

The Fulbright Program is a scholarship system that started with a proposal by the late Senator J. William Fulbright in 1946. It was launched with the aim of deepening mutual understanding with other countries through human exchanges, and was originally funded entirely from the US federal budget. At the end of the Second World War, a lot of people were wondering how we could make sure another world war could never happen, and how we could solve problems without resorting to arms. Senator Fulbright himself had experience of studying overseas. He felt that an effective way of achieving these ends was through international and educational exchange, and understanding the viewpoints and cultural backgrounds of other countries. He thought it would be ideal if people could go to other countries and live there long term, at least for a year, thereby learning and understanding the culture and background of that country through direct personal experience as they went about their work. Of course it was also important to form friendships, but this should not be the main purpose. The purpose should be to understand and respect the other party and be involved in interchange, without necessarily becoming friends. In this way, problems could be solved without recourse to arms. Based on this kind of objective, America currently has Fulbright Program exchanges with around 150 other countries, including Japan. The program of exchanges with Japan started in 1952 and reaches its half-century this year.
The Fulbright Program in Japan is divided into three categories, namely study at university as graduate students, university posts for teachers, and research by research fellows. All of these are based on intellectual exchanges between Japan and the USA. The number of Fulbright alumni currently stands at around 6,800 Japanese and 2,000 Americans, all prominent in their respective fields after their return home. Yasushi Akashi (former Under Secretary-General of the UN), Hayao Kawai (Director-General of the Agency for Cultural Affairs), and photographer Ruiko Yoshida are among those who had experience of living in America under the Fulbright Program. They say that this helped them to broaden their field of vision and discover new paths, and that the experience was extremely stimulating. The fact that they were involved in mutual understanding would appear to be highly significant for them.

Fulbright scholars from now on will need to have a "spark"

Another major objective of the Fulbright Program is to cultivate human resources capable of accepting leadership in the younger generation. My hope is that Fulbright scholars will take up guiding positions in various fields in future. For this reason, I think the process of selection of scholars is quite rigorous. In most other systems of overseas study, I think the academic record is given primary emphasis. Of course, a certain level of academic ability is an absolute prerequisite for the Fulbright Program, too. Ability in English is also required. But on top of these, we also need to know the detailed motivation, reasons, and purpose of the scholars. In other words, why do they want to go to America, what do they want to do there, what is their underlying philosophy, and what sort of social contribution do they want to make. Rather than people with nothing but A's in their grades, we're looking for people who have leadership potential, people with a proper vision. People with a "spark", as we say. Something that makes them shine out above the others.
While I think that, to a degree, changes will come as time moves on, the basic principle of "cultivating leaders between Japan and America" will not change in the 21st century. Indeed, it will probably be the main objective. As we move into the new century I think programs such as this will grow increasingly important. Going abroad to study will become an indispensable part of education. There will be more chances to have contact with other countries, and these contacts will often be indirect, even if not direct. Larger countries, in particular, will have a global responsibility. Whether governments or corporations, public or private, we will frequently be expected to make decisions from a global point of view. To foster the ability to move smoothly and flexibly between countries at such times, we will need to create opportunities for people to live abroad and live in the midst of different cultures, as in the Fulbright Program.

Self-establishment is necessary in the world of globalization

When we live in another country, we not only learn about that country's culture. The experience also has the effect of making us examine our own culture and ourselves. This is an important experience in the process of self-establishment. When I myself came to Japan as a Fulbright scholar in 1973, my whole view of life changed. I also feel that it was a very precious experience to have contact with both American and Japanese culture when I was a child.
While of course nations are important in the world of today, the frontiers between them have gradually diminished. National frontiers are no longer an obstacle, particularly in economic matters. At the same time, though, a very strong awareness of ethnicity or religion has emerged. In a sense, this is a paradox. We now have globalization (thinking about things on a global scale) side by side with nationalism (or ethnocentricity). These cause a certain tension in the world. For industrialized nations to be active within this kind of world, we surely need to adopt ways of thinking that go beyond national frontiers.
Something that's important towards achieving this is self-establishment. First of all, it's important to understand and know all about the language, culture and history of one's own country. From there, one can gradually move on to learning the language and culture of other countries. An inadequate grasp of one's own language will not do. We cannot properly express our own thoughts unless we have full mastery of our own language. International exchange is an effective means of cultivating people who know about their own countries and can think about things with an understanding of other countries.
Of course, just being good at English doesn't necessarily make someone good at cross-cultural communication. On the contrary, some people are good at communication even with fragmentary English skills. People who are good at cross-cultural communication are those who have the quality of "empathy".

Commemorative event to be held at the Tokyo International Forum in May

I am absolutely delighted that we will be holding our 50th anniversary ceremony and symposium in Hall B of the Tokyo International Forum. We've already held a number of public lectures and other events there in the past, and are always very happy with the thoughtful attention and sincerity with which our needs are met. I can think of nothing to criticize. Some of our staff feel a little uncomfortable with the see-through bridges (laughs). But I don't find that a problem. The fact that you are successful in your various projects is due to the "empathy" with which you approach communication. I hope we can rely on the Forum again in the future.

The Tokyo International Forum meets our needs with sincerity and thoughtful communication.