Maybe the task of the historian is to record and interpret the past. But it is also tempting to ask questions of the future, especially within the context of globalization. How serious is the present economic downturn, and when or by what means will recovery come? Will the high level of culture characteristics of Japan’s past survive? Now, The Kawamura Fellowship has given me the best answers to these questions.

During this fellowship, I am most interested in two aspects of Japan: Japan’s economy and culture. As for its economy, since we are now facing a global economic slowdown, I really want to know the real situation in Japan. Also, I want to feel both the traditional and modern ways of Japanese society. After so many visits and meetings, I found the answer.