Hiroshima as host of G7 summit: University students make proposals on desirable outcomes, suggest carbon tax be introduced, nuclear capability disclosed
Nov. 6, 2022
by Masaharu Nakagawa, Staff Writer
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan held a presentation contest on international issues in Tokyo on November 5, where university students made presentations on the outcomes that should be achieved at the summit of the group of seven industrialized nations (G7) to be held in Hiroshima next May. Some contestants called for the creation of a taxation system as a measure against global climate change, and others called on China to improve transparency with regard to its nuclear capability.
Of the 81 applicants in 59 groups, nine people from five groups who passed the document screening took part in the contest. Satoko Baba, 21, and Kota Watanabe, 20, juniors in the faculty of political science and economics of Waseda University, proposed an international carbon tax system for trade as a measure against climate change. They explained that the system would deepen economic interdependence, facilitate the elimination of divisions among nations and promote cooperation. They won the Foreign Minister’s Prize, which is the highest prize.
Yoshikazu Manda, 22, a junior at the faculty of policy management at Keio University, won the prize for excellent work. He pointed out that multilateral disarmament negotiations have stalled at the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT) Review Conference and other conferences. He said that China, which has been increasing its armaments, should disclose information on its nuclear capability and the maximum number of nuclear warheads it possesses. Others proposed that food loss be reduced and be linked to measures against poverty, or that medical assistance to Africa be enhanced.
Masafumi Ishii, special visiting professor with the faculty of law, Gakushuin University, chaired the judging committee. He commented, “All the proposals were based on logical thinking and were very persuasive.” This contest has been held almost every year since 1983 to increase an interest in foreign policy and international affairs. This year’s contest was the 38th.
(Originally published on November 6, 2022)
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan held a presentation contest on international issues in Tokyo on November 5, where university students made presentations on the outcomes that should be achieved at the summit of the group of seven industrialized nations (G7) to be held in Hiroshima next May. Some contestants called for the creation of a taxation system as a measure against global climate change, and others called on China to improve transparency with regard to its nuclear capability.
Of the 81 applicants in 59 groups, nine people from five groups who passed the document screening took part in the contest. Satoko Baba, 21, and Kota Watanabe, 20, juniors in the faculty of political science and economics of Waseda University, proposed an international carbon tax system for trade as a measure against climate change. They explained that the system would deepen economic interdependence, facilitate the elimination of divisions among nations and promote cooperation. They won the Foreign Minister’s Prize, which is the highest prize.
Yoshikazu Manda, 22, a junior at the faculty of policy management at Keio University, won the prize for excellent work. He pointed out that multilateral disarmament negotiations have stalled at the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT) Review Conference and other conferences. He said that China, which has been increasing its armaments, should disclose information on its nuclear capability and the maximum number of nuclear warheads it possesses. Others proposed that food loss be reduced and be linked to measures against poverty, or that medical assistance to Africa be enhanced.
Masafumi Ishii, special visiting professor with the faculty of law, Gakushuin University, chaired the judging committee. He commented, “All the proposals were based on logical thinking and were very persuasive.” This contest has been held almost every year since 1983 to increase an interest in foreign policy and international affairs. This year’s contest was the 38th.
(Originally published on November 6, 2022)
