After retirement, Staff Goto neutralized overseas

(Oita Godo Newspaper, July 24^th 2010, Morning Paper, Page 4)

 Not needed"

"I am not needed in Japan." In a hill at Singapore lies a bio laboratory "Bio pris", and in one of the room, Ito Akemoto, a professor from Kyoto university said quietly.

Mr. Ito is doing research about cancer cells in genetics and is a leading expert in the field. He reached the retirement age of 63 at 2002, and was recruited by the Singapore government, together with him, 9 people from his research office is relocated to Singapore to live. This is one example of the brain drain that is occurring in Japan, with causing some confusion in the academic world.

In Japan, when the researcher is near the retirement age, the management gives up hope on research, or will move him to a smaller office. In Singapore, the requirement for moving to Singapore is to have a good research. Mr. Ito was not confused.

Just recently, a AIDS researcher in Japan who have one year left before retirement came to Singapore. Even at ages 60 to 65 if healthy, why should they have to face the cruel reality of throwing their research away. That's why talent like this is going to other countries.

If there is no results, you lose your job     

In Singapore, talented researchers are scouted from all over the world, regardless of age and race. The country like Tokyo, do not have any natural resources. Therefore if nothing is done, the country will face extinction, that's why Singapore needs to adopt a strategy to attract talents to Singapore.

Science technology research department, Bio medical research head, Andrey win said that Singapore economy's profit is provided by research, that's why it is important. Researcher in the field of Medical research that have applications to life sciences is expected to have great results. There is a abundance of money which the government is willing to provide for the researcher. Like Japan, Singapore allocates a lot of money to research.

On the other hand, the evaluation is harsh. If there is no progress done by the researcher, the researcher is not pardon and will be forced. There is a researcher from American finest university, losing his job and ended up being a taxi driver.

Research that have direct connection to profits are emphasized, the other basic research are view lightly upon. Mr. Win replied that the research funds are taken from the tax payers and therefore it is only right that it is used for economical development.

In Mr. Ito case, the image that normal brain drain from japan might continue but there have been young researcher who is also not coming back to Japan. "After returning back to Japan, there might not be a post for me, it's extremely insecure.

Japan has a system where the brain drain of researchers is supported by the fact that people who go overseas find it hard to return to Japan. Like Mr. Ito, Okinawa science and technology researcher, Mr Riyama Ichiro said that Japanese research world and the close system is obstructing researchers to debut.

Mr. Gento who is familiar with Asia countries research said that it is critical for researcher to make a career out of research.

In Japan, where the system is life time employment, was not change from the Meji period. Hence when reaching retirement age, it is thought that researchers lose their research skills.

Comments

I think that brain drain is a serious problem. In the field of science and education, the older you get, the better you become. But apparently in Japan it is different. I have always think of being a university professor, to do research and contribute to society. But after reading this article, it seems that Japan is not very forgiving towards old people. But in future, there will be a lot of grey hair people and I think that this policy will have to change. It's ironic as I come from Singapore, and Singapore is the place where attracts talents. Maybe after graduation, I should go back to Singapore to work instead of working in Japan. I still have some time to think, what should I do ?

Tay Zhong Jie Edwin

Singapore

Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University, APM 4