Law School Blog
Japan
Thursday, December 14, 2006
Professor Toshiko Takenaka and I are currently in the middle of a trip to Japan, where we are speaking at a number of universities about intellectual property, tech transfer, and commercialization. Because this is my first trip here, it is wonderful to have the guidance of Professor Takenaka for whom this is still "home" in many ways.
So far, we have given presentations at Hitotsubashi University, Tokyo Medical & Dental University, and Keio University. Today we will speak at a conference at Waseda University. Tomorrow, I will take the Shinkansen (bullet train) to Osaka. This is the most important part of the trip, as far as my kids are concerned. They are fascinated by trains and have heard much of the famed Japanese "bullet train." However, this also necessitated a side trip to an electronics store in Tokyo to buy a digital camera to record the event for them (they are in Seattle). Professor Takenaka and her husband were indulgent of me and helped me through the intimidating process of buying a camera in a Japanese discount electronics store.
Now that I have the camera I am trying to use it. The good news is that the Japanese are very understanding of the need for photo documentation of one's travels. The photos accompanying this first blog entry are not from my camera, however, but from the various conference hosts. Hopefully in my next entry I will be able to include some photos from my own camera.
That's it for now. I will post another entry after I arrive in Osaka, where I will meet up with Professor Pat Kuszler to make presentations at a conference at Osaka University on Saturday and then at a smaller session at that school on Monday, December 18.
- Professor Sean O'Connor