The application for the CEPEX Japan Studies Award for 2013 will be posted next week (January 14-18, 2013) on this website.
Additionally, the CEPEX co-directors will be visiting the George Mason University campus for an information session in February 2013. Stay tuned, further details will be posted soon.
The 2013 CEPEX Japan Studies Award contest is open to George Mason University, George Washington and American University undergraduate students in good standing. There is no restriction on the major or field of study the student is pursuing. Nor is it required that the participating student be enrolled in a Japanese language course.
Desired Candidate Qualities
|
|
Application Timeline:
The 2013 Application will be posted on the CEPEX website in January 2013.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: Friday, March 15th, 2013, 5:00 pm (EST)
Application Review: March 16-April 1, 2013
INTERVIEW CANDIDATES ANNOUNCED: April 2, 2013
INTERVIEWS CONDUCTED: April 4-12, 2013
RESULTS ANNOUNCED: April 15, 2013
In-Person Pre-Internship Meeting: April 17-May 1, 2013 (Meeting date TBD)
2-Week DC Internship: May 20-31, 2013 (tentative dates)
10-Day Japan Trip: June 5-14, 2013 (tentative dates)
After a successful debut at George Mason University in Virginia in 2010, CEPEX is proud to be sponsoring the 4th Annual Japan Studies Award in 2013. The goals of this program are to support young future professionals interested in Japan and to strengthen the overall U.S.-Japan relationship.
The 2013 Japan Studies Award is open to all undergraduate students in good standing currently enrolled in degree programs at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia; George Washington University and American University. There is no restriction on the major or field of study that the student is pursuing. Nor is it required that the participating student be enrolled in a Japanese language course.
For consideration for this award, candidates will be evaluated by submitting a completed application packet by the deadline, which will include a variety of short answer questions and two essay questions. Select candidates will be asked to participate in a brief interview at CEPEX headquarters in Washington, D.C. The final winner will be chosen based on the quality of the submitted application packet and a successful interview. This year’s application deadline will be March 15, 2013.
The winner of the 2013 Japan Studies Award will participate in a two-week internship at the Washington D.C. branch office of Sojitz Corporation of America, a company with strong ties to Japan, beginning late May. During the DC internship, the student will have the opportunity to sit in on hearings on Capitol Hill and attend events at local think-tanks. The winner will also be able to experience working with Japanese speakers and will contribute to office operations at Sojitz Corporation though meaningful research on international policy topics.
After completing the internship in Washington, the 2013 Japan Studies Award winner will be invited on a brief trip to Japan. The student will be able to further their interest in Japanese language, culture and international business through a short internship at Sojitz Corporation’s headquarters in Tokyo. For more information about CEPEX and last year’s award, please visit http://www.cepex.org/. The full application packet and a timeline for the 2013 Award will be available in December 2013 on the CEPEX website.
Best of luck,
Christy Busch and Nicole Uehara, CEPEX Co-Directors of the Washington, D.C. office
About CEPEX
The Center for Professional Exchange (CEPEX) is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization dedicated to fostering the U.S.-Japan relationship and cultivating the next generation of Japan experts. For more information about our sponsors, please visit http://www.sojitz-zaidan.or.jp/ and http://www.ana.co.jp/asw/wws/us/e/.
2012 Japan Studies Award Winner
By Brian Roddewig
I just recently finished up my first week interning for the Sojitz’s Washington branch. What an interesting week it was!
I’ve lived around Washington D.C. for the majority of my life so far yet haven’t had the experience of commuting into D.C. in the morning as I’d typically schedule my visits around avoiding the morning and afternoon rush hours. Luckily it hasn’t been so bad. I commute each day on my county’s commuter bus to West Falls Church Metro station and ride the Metro into D.C. In the afternoon to my great luck the commuter bus has a stop directly in front of the building in which Sojitz in located! It’s very convenient. But like any true blood Northern Virginian I could talk about traffic and commuting much longer than anyone would be interested so let’s get into the interesting stuff.
On Monday I came into work and was briefed on what we would be doing during the week and there was a weekly meeting. I was shown the spot I would be working. It’s an entire office space just for me! I have my own business desk and even a chair across the desk. I feel so official sitting at my desk. It feels like I’m advancing forward into the working world. In the afternoon I went with Ms. Busch to a talk at the American Enterprise Institute on the future of U.S., China and Taiwanese relations. Wow, I like to think of myself as a pretty informed person but this talk really opened my eyes to the complexity of International relations. It feels like your being given access to information that only a few select few know.
On Tuesday, I went to two talks on very interesting subjects on Iran’s domestic policy and the last one was with Kenya’s vice president on changes in Kenya. As I stated earlier I like to keep myself informed on international happenings so being given access to experts on these matters is a very cool feeling. Being informed by the experts on Iran’s domestic policy gives me an extra consideration when it comes to watching the foreign policies choices it makes. The meeting on Kenya’s future was quite interesting. I haven’t had the opportunity to be that close to a foreign dignitary ever. I can see why he is the vice president as he was quite charismatic and managed to paint a bright picture for the future of Kenya.
On Wednesday, I got to go to two more interesting events. One was a talk at the Center for National Policy about “China’s quest for oil” which painted a quite interesting picture about Chinese actions in the future regarding oil. The second event was held at the Dirksen Senate Building. I’ve been to Washington many times and even once to the White House yet I’ve never been to the Senate. It is quite a cool experience. The talk was on U.S.-Chinese relations so it was interesting to hear especially coming right from another talk on China. The talk was led by my state’s senator, Senator Mark Warner, was it was nice to see my senator at working fielding questions and handling the debate. Afterwards I walked around and explored the Senate building! I was not questioned by anyone so I must have looked official in my suit.
Thursday there was a nearly all-day event on multiculturalism in Europe. I have a good number of European friends that I have spoken to about multiculturalism in Europe and their views on it. So it was quite interesting to see what the speakers had to say about multiculturalism compared what my friends had to say about it. The panel was so engaging that we ran 45 minutes late!
Friday was a day for finishing up summaries and reports. At lunch I went out with Mrs. Uehara and Ms. Busch to a delicious Spanish restaurant. The New York office called to say we could get out early because of the holiday weekend! It was quite nice as my bus was running a holiday schedule as well so I managed to immediately get a bus home.
We are pleased to announce the winner of the 2012 CEPEX Japan Studies Award. We were very impressed by the high caliber of the candidate pool. Narrowing down the applicants was an extremely difficult task. Our selection criteria for this year’s winner took into account the quality of the 2012 JSA application packet and the result of an in-person interview at the CEPEX headquarters in Washington, D.C.
After careful deliberation, we are delighted to announce that the winner and recipient of the 2012 CEPEX Japan Studies Award is Brian Roddewig. Brian is a Junior at George Mason University with a major in Global Affairs. He is a member of Nippon Maru and has a strong interest in and keen knowledge of international relations. As the 2012 CEPEX JSA winner, Brian will participate in a two-week internship in Washington, D.C. followed by a ten-day trip to Japan to further his study of Japanese language, culture, and U.S.-Japan relations. The trip to Japan is made possible by the generous support of All Nippon Airways (ANA) and the Sojitz Foundation.
The 2012 JSA runner up is Tram Phung. Congratulations Tram on being selected as a finalist and for your outstanding application and interview!
This is the third year that CEPEX has collaborated with George Mason University for the Japan Studies Award. We plan to continue the award next year contingent upon available funds. We hope that many of you who applied this year will apply again in 2013.
CEPEX would like to extend a special thank you to Professor Sufumi So and the GMU Japanese language department for their unwavering support for this program. We look forward to working with you next year and beyond.
Congratulations again to Brian Roddewig and the other wonderful candidates for the 2012 CEPEX Japan Studies Award!
Nikki Lindsay, CEPEX Co-Director, Washington, D.C. Office
Christy Busch, CEPEX Co- Director, Washington, D.C. Office
The 2012 CEPEX Japan Studies Award contest is open to George Mason University undergraduate students in good standing. There is no restriction on the major or field of study the student is pursuing. Nor is it required that the participating student be enrolled in a Japanese language course.
Desired Candidate Qualities
|
|
Application Timeline:
APPLICATION DEADLINE: March 16th, 2012, 5:00 pm (EST)
Application Review: March 16-April 1, 2012
INTERVIEW CANDIDATES ANNOUNCED: April 2, 2012
INTERVIEWS CONDUCTED: April 4-13, 2012
RESULTS ANNOUNCED: April 16, 2012
In-Person Pre-Internship Meeting: April 17-May 1, 2012 (Mtg. date TBD)
2-Week DC Internship: May 21-June 1, 2012
10-Day Japan Trip: June 5-14, 2012 (tentative dates)
CEPEX 2012 Japan Studies Award Application Packet
Click on the blue link above to access the application packet.
For further information or questions, please contact the CEPEX co-directors Christy Busch or Nicole Lindsay at 202-429-0280.
After a successful debut at George Mason University in Virginia in 2010, CEPEX is proud to be sponsoring the 3rd Annual Japan Studies Award in 2012. The pool of candidates for the 2012 award promises to grow, making the benefits of winning even more prestigious. The goals of this contest are to support young future professionals interested in Japan and to strengthen the overall U.S.-Japan relationship.
The 2012 Japan Studies Award is open to undergraduate students in good standing currently enrolled in the degree programs at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia. There is no restriction on the major or field of study that the student is pursuing. Nor is it required that the participating student be enrolled in a Japanese language course.
For consideration for the award, unlike the previous two years, participants will no longer be required to submit a paper or project on Japan. Beginning in 2012, candidates will submit a completed application packet by March 16, 2012, which will include a variety of short answer questions and two essay questions. Select candidates will be asked to participate in a brief interview at CEPEX headquarters in Washington, D.C. The final winner will be chosen based on the quality of the submitted application packet and a successful interview.
The winner of the 2012 Japan Studies Award will be granted a two-week internship at the Washington D.C. branch office of Sojitz Corporation of America, a company with strong ties to Japan, beginning late May. During the internship, the student will have the opportunity to sit in on hearings on Capitol Hill and attend events at local think-tanks. The winner will also be able to experience working with Japanese speakers and will contribute to office operations at Sojitz Corporation though meaningful research on international policy topics.
After completing the internship in Washington, the 2012 Japan Studies Award winner will be invited on a brief trip to Japan. The student will be able to further their interest in Japanese language, culture and international business through a short internship at Sojitz Corporation’s headquarters in Tokyo. For more information about CEPEX and last year’s award, please visit http://www.cepex.org. The full application packet and a timeline for the 2012 Award will be available in November 2011 on the CEPEX website.
Best of luck,
Christy Busch and Nikki Lindsay, CEPEX Co-Directors of the Washington, D.C. office
About CEPEX
The Center for Professional Exchange (CEPEX) is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization dedicated to fostering the U.S.-Japan relationship and cultivating the next generation ofJapan experts.
CEPEX collaborated with Florida International University, a dynamic public university in Miami, Florida, for a timely discussion on the global perspectives on the future of nuclear power on October 19, 2011. The event included a distinguished panel of speakers including: Kiichiro Sato, President, JETRO New York; Mark Holt, Energy Policy Specialist, Congressional Research Service; Hon. Eva Alexandra Countess Kendeffy, Consul General of the Federal Republic of Germany; Hon. Gaël de Maisonneuve, Consul General of France; Dr. Jerry Brown, FIU Professor; Dr. Steven Heine, Director, Institute for Asian Studies; Dr. Friedman, Director, EU Center of Excellence and Dr. Joerg Reinhold, Associate Professor, Physics.
Kiichiro Sato spoke about the effect of the earthquake and tsunami on Fukushima Daiichi, and the ensuing global supply chain repercussions. Despite the major impact of the earthquake and tsunami, Japan swiftly began to rebuild roads, resume shinkansen service, plus rebuild Sendai airport and build temporary houses. Mr. Sato included a comparison of radiation levels in Japan compared with Paris, New York, Moscow, Beijing and London. Despite radiation fears, Japan’s radiation levels in July 2011 were lower than each of the other cities around the world. The rolling blackouts have impacted global supply chains. While Japan had pioneered the “just-in-time” inventory system, now Japan created a “just-in-case” system. Industrial production has recovered to 96% of the pre-earthquake level by August, with uplifting examples such as Renesas working 24/7 and collaboratively to restart production and aid recovery.
Mr. Sato highlighted Japan’s intention to shift towards renewable energy while decreasing the amount of oil in the energy mix. The Noda Government will create new energy and environmental strategies in 2012. Foreign companies are bringing to Japan their smart grid, solar and wind power projects.
To view the presentation: Sato “The Future of Nuclear Power in Post Fukushima”
Mark Holt, Energy Policy Specialist at the Congressional Research Service, provided the view of the US nuclear industry after the incident at Fukushima Daiichi. All of the 104 current nuclear reactors were ordered from 1963-1973. 69 are pressurized water reactors (PWR) with 35 boiling water reactors (BWR). Of the BWR, 23 are GE Mark I containments similar to Fukushima Daiichi. The Atomic Energy Act limits operating licenses to 40 years, with unlimited renewals. The oldest operating reactor is in Oyster Creek, NJ and was licensed in 1969.
Post-Fukushima, the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) created a task force that issued safety recommendations. The report led to Regulatory Actions and investigation of earthquake vulnerability. Coincidentally, a 5.8 earthquake struck the East Coast in August, close to the North Anna nuclear plant in Virginia. This raised the concern on seismic vulnerability, and both NRC and Congress are focusing on nuclear power plant sites operating near seismic hazards. The Obama administration continues to support nuclear power as part of the clean energy program. Fukushima’s impact led to TEPCO withdrawing from the South Texas project. Other proposed new reactors were already delayed due to economic factors.
To view the presentation: Holt US Nuclear Outlook
Hon. Eva Countess Kendeffy, Consul General of the Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany in Miami spoke frankly about Germany’s plan to end nuclear energy. Germany had 17 nuclear plants and immediately shut down 8 of the older plants after Fukushima. By 2022, all of Germany’s nuclear power plants will be shutdown.
Public opinion in Germany has always been very negative towards nuclear energy, which provides 17% of Germany’s energy. Nuclear was a bridging energy until renewables could take over in 2036, but Fukushima sped up the plans. Renewable energy provided 20.8% of energy in 2011, with plans to reach 35% by 2020. Germans view nuclear power as too risky. Consul General Kendeffy said, “After Chernobyl, Three Mile Island, and Fukushima, it’s impossible to guarantee 100% safety.”
Germany is a leading force in harnessing renewable energy for power generation including wind power, biomass, hydro and solar. Germany’s energy mix in the future will include renewables, gas and coal. In the transition phase, Germany plans to use new technology for carbon-capture storage for the increased coal. Every power customer must pay an additional 3.5 cents/kilowatt hour to promote renewable energy. There are challenges, but Germany is well on the way to increasing renewable energy. President Obama said the nation that leads the clean energy economy will be the nation that leads the global economy. Consul General Kendeffy agrees, and believes Germany will be that nation.
Hon. Gael de Maisonneuve, Consul General at the Consulate of France in Miami discussed the French perspective. France provides an interesting contrast to Germany, with nuclear comprising 80% of their energy mix. France operates 58 nuclear reactors on 19 sites, and is the world’s largest net exporter of electricity. EDF is the state-owned and sole operator of French nuclear power plants, which are all standardized PWR. An EPR, 3rd generation nuclear reactor, is being built in Flamanville in Normandy.
The EU has climate change goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increase renewable energies to 20% of the energy mix by 2020, and decrease by 20% the total amount of energy use by 2020. For France, nuclear energy will assist in reaching the EU goals and remain competitive.
Post-Fukushima, President Sarkozy enacted major initiatives to enhance nuclear safety. Review of all nuclear power installations are being conducted, taking into account lessons learnt from Fukushima regarding earthquakes, loss of power supply and loss of coolants. At the European-level, stress tests of all nuclear installations will be conducted.
Consul General Maisonneuve concluded by quoting former Mohamed El Baradei, IAEA Director, who said in 2005: “We can’t live without nuclear energy which already provides 14% of global power, and it will be 24% in 2050. One and a half billion people have no access to power. And without power, there is no development.”
To view the presentation: Maisonneuve France Nuclear Power
Join the Center for Professional Exchange (CEPEX) and Florida International University’s Asian Studies Center, European Union Center and Department of Global and Sociocultural Studies for a thought-provoking reflection on the March 11th crisis at Fukushima Dai-Ichi and the future of nuclear power around the world. In the aftermath of the crisis, countries around the world conducted reviews to evaluate their nuclear strategies and safety protocols. This seminar will include presentations by experts discussing how views of nuclear policy have changed in the US, Japan, France and Germany. See poster here.
“The Future of Nuclear Power in a Post-Fukushima World”
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
5-7:30 pm (Networking Reception to follow)
PG-5 Market Station Room 153 (map)
Florida International University Modesto Maidique Campus
11200 SW 8th Street, Miami, FL 33199
Featuring: (bios)
Mark Holt, Energy Policy Specialist, Congressional Research Service (CRS)
Kiichiro Sato, President, Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) New York
Hon. Eva Alexandra Countess Kendeffy, Consul General of the Federal Republic of Germany
Hon. Gael de Maisonneuve, Consul General of France
Dr. Steven Heine, Director, Asian Studies, FIU
Dr. Rebecca Friedman, Director, MEUCE & European Studies, FIU
Dr. Joerg Reinhold, Physics, FIU
Moderated by:
Dr. Jerry Brown, FIU Founding Professor of Global and Sociocultural Studies
CEPEX Co-Directors
—
This event is FREE and open to the public.
Hitachi students and JET Program alumni tour the Newseum.
August 1st JETAADC members joined a student delegation from Hitachi City, Japan at the Newseum. Nineteen students and two teachers traveled to Washington, DC for a week filled with sightseeing and cultural exchange activities. The Newseum event included the 19 students and 2 teachers from Hitachi City, 4 employees of Hitachi’s DC office, 7 JETAADC members, 5 WAC members, the CEPEX co-directors and the Japan Studies Award intern. The Japanese students,
Hitachi JHS students with Leigh Ann.
JET alumni and WAC students toured the Newseum together. Afterwards, the Hitachi students gave presentations in English about their hometown of Hitachi-shi in Ibaraki and their hobbies. The students are very proud of the beautiful sakura and sakura matsuri in their city.
Hitachi City’s hilltop location provided refuge for victims of the March 11 earthquake and tsunami in the Tohoku region of Japan. Hitachi City, a city of almost 200,000 people, is located 60 miles from the Fukushima Dai-Ichi nuclear power station. When asked what they were doing when the earthquake struck, most of the students said they were studying, and others were listening to music, sleeping and helping parents. The students were selected from four or five
Student Presentations
junior high schools in Hitachi City. Many expressed an interest in science including black holes and the Kennedy Space Center. The students said they enjoyed their visits to the Smithsonian Natural History and Air and Space museums. When asked what surprised them the most, many students said the large size of American food.
(L-R): Olivia, Michael, Christina and Amanda, Global Education Director. (Not pictured: Rachel)
World Affairs Council (WAC)
http://www.worldaffairsdc.org/
© 2024 CEPEX - The Center For Professional Exchange | 900 19th Street Suite #260 | Washington, D.C. 20006
Design by SRS Solutions -
Web Site & Customization by Derek Lee Web
