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Comments by Selection Committee Chair

The fiscal 2008 Asian Neighbors Network Program solicited applications in line with its goal of supporting the creation of problem-solving networks. Several changes were made to the program this year. Whereas project proposals in previous years were not required to correspond to any particular field, this year five fields were suggested: movements of people, peace building, international medical cooperation, resources management, and creation and recreation of culture. Furthermore, in light of the fact that the project topics have significant potential for expansion, the maximum amount of grants was increased from ¥5 million to ¥20 million.

This year we received 241 applications, comprising 159 from within Japan and 82 from overseas. This is the largest number in the program's history and significantly exceeds the 175 applications received in fiscal 2007. One factor behind this increase may have been the holding of seminars in Japan to explain the application process. After rigorously screening the applications, we selected 14 project proposals for recommendation to the Board of Directors. Many of the selected proposals fall into the categories “movement of people” and “creation and recreation of culture.” Many of the applications pertaining to peace building and international medical cooperation were not selected because they sought to perform activities already being carried out through the assistance programs of the Japanese government and the Japan International Cooperation Agency.

To maximize the impact of the program's purpose of supporting network formation, the selection committee paid particular attention to two factors: (1) whether a proposal would lead to the creation of a network hub and (2) whether, if a network hub already existed, a proposal would contribute to the development of the network through expansion and increased density. There are a variety of ways to create networks for solving problems; one thing all networks have in common, however, is that they are composed of nodes and links. The more dynamic the network, the more common it is for the nodes with the most links to form new hubs as the network develops. Based on this standpoint, in selecting projects the committee paid particular attention to hub creation and network development. In recommending the 14 selected proposals to the Board of Directors, the selection committee hopes that such network formation will spur activities aimed at achieving the desired objectives and will cultivate individuals capable of undertaking such activities.

Here I would like to introduce two projects that the selection committee deemed particularly worthy of mention. The first, led by Naoko Hashimoto, is entitled “Facilitation of Sustainable Migration/Return of Japanese-Filipino Children and their Mothers from the Philippines to Japan: Through Multisectoral Networking and Pilot Cases” (grant amount: ¥20 million; period: two years) With this project, the International Organization for Migration aims to take advantage of its international reach and neutrality to establish a network among foundations, institutions, businesses, and other organizations concerned with issues relating to children of Japanese-Filipino descent. In so doing, the project seeks to establish a system whereby such children can live in Japan while achieving financial independence. While the project will face such difficult challenges as following up on each person's status after the project's conclusion and mediating with their employers, this is an issue that needs to be resolved. The selection committee was impressed by the potential for applying the results of this project to other situations concerning immigrants and refugees.

The second project I wish to highlight is “Multilingual Support for Education Through Information and Communication Technology: Toward a Multicultural Society with Asian People from Overseas,” led by Chigusa Kita (grant amount: ¥19.73 million; period: two years). In recent years, schools throughout Japan have been encountering language problems in teaching non-Japanese children. This project aims to provide a solution by creating an information network that will allow schools nationwide to reuse the various multilingual course materials and school-related documents that have been created by schools and boards of education. It is hoped that a hub will be formed to centralize information that was previously scattered throughout the country and that similar movements will develop in medicine and other fields.

The selection committee also held discussions on the challenges faced by the Asian Neighbors Network Program and the action that should be taken to address them.

Program Direction and the Concept of Networks

This is the sixth year of the Asian Neighbors Network Program. Over the course of the program's short history, our thinking regarding networks has gradually evolved. In its early days, the program emphasized two-way connections and communication between different regions, cultures, or other entities that transcended established frameworks. But now, as I noted earlier, we are seeking to develop networks by strengthening the bases of activity and cultivating the individuals who act as network hubs.

At the same time, debate has arisen within the committee regarding the relationship between networks and the objective of this program, problem solving. We must consider this issue, including from the perspective of whether the program needs to be reviewed.

Overseas Applications

Of the 14 proposals recommended for grants this fiscal year, only three are from overseas applicants. Moreover, only one proposal from Southeast Asia was selected. This may be due to a variety of factors; it is conceivable, for example, that this program is not widely known in Southeast Asia or that its themes and application guidelines are in some way incompatible with the region. In light of this, we need to consider how to identify and support projects that contribute to solving the problems faced by the people of Southeast Asia through this program.

Post-selection Follow-up and Partnerships

A number of proposals selected for grants in fiscal 2008 requested large amounts of funding. Cooperation between grant recipients, the selection committee, and Toyota Foundation program officers will be essential if these projects are to be administered effectively. I hope that in two years' time the Foundation will hold a symposium, workshops, and other events to facilitate information exchange with the aim of assessing the results achieved by each project and their impact on society.

Increasing flows of people, goods, capital, and information in Asia have been accompanied by problems in many areas, including migration, the environment, infectious disease, and human security. Solving problems in many of these fields will undoubtedly require a variety of exchange and cooperation. By laying the groundwork for this effort, including by cultivating human resources, we hope that this program will make a major contribution to overcoming the challenges facing people in the Asian region.

TAKASHI SHIRAISHI