Born in 1935. After graduating in law from Kyoto University, Prof. Kuramitsu joined Osaka Gas Co., Ltd. where serving as Associate Director of the Research Institute for Culture, Energy and Life. He is currently Administration Professor at the Kobe University Graduate School of Business. Prof. Kuramitsu is active in urban issues, urban activation and lifestyles, while also in theater and event production. His writings include Presentiment of a New Industrial Society (co-authored, TBS Britanica), The Dangers of Being Middle and Old Age (Coauthored, Fuji Publishing), Promenade Through Time (from the Series Talks with Hiromi Kuramitsu, KBI Publishing), etc. Prof. Kuramitsu is presently a member of the Shiga Next Century Committee, Study Committee for the Sakai World Ethnic Festival, Osaka Rinku Town Business Confab, as well as advisor to the Tottori Administration Research Center, Plant News Research Center, etc.
Yoshiaki Taguchi Coordinator
Born in 1934, Prof. Taguchi graduated in economics from Kobe University. He served as Professor and Director of the Institute for Economic Research of Osaka City University before assuming his current post of Professor of Economics at Nara Sangyo University. He specializes in the theory of local economics and is an expert on urban issues. His writings include Outlook on a Multifarious Metropolis (co-authored, Tokyo University Press). The City of the Future (Toshibunka), Conceptual View of the Kansai As a World-Renown Metropolis (Hakuchi), The Theory of a New Autonomous City (Gyosei), etc. His in-depth analysis and easy-to-understand explanations are absolutely necessary towards comprehending the theory of local economics. Prof. Taguchi has made important proposals on both the state and regional levels, and is high respected all over. He is a member of th Osaka Waterworks Business Confab, Osaka General Planning Committee. Osaka Housing Committee, Fujiidera General Planning Committee, Matsubara General Planning Committee, etc.
Shinya Hashizume Panelist
Born in 1960. Dr. Hashizume received his Doctorate in Engineering from the Faculty of Architecture at Kyoto University. Currently. Dr. Hashizume is an Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Humanity of Kyoto Seika University. Dr.Hashizume specializes in modern architecture and urban planning and has opened new frontiers through his research into the bustling place, the history of display techniques, and the history of commercial architecture. He also is involved in joint research projects such as the Favorite Ambient Society and the Search for Modern Ruins. Dr. Hashizume is an up-and-coming scholar with a peculiar eye for "playgrounds" in the city. His writings include Kurabu: Cultural Study of Japanese Clubs (Gakugei Publishing). Labyrinth Cities: Exhibition, Show and Side Show in Modern Japan (Heihan). Haunted Houses (Chuo Koron), Making Prosperous: Stories of Japanese Urban Designers (JDC & Hasegawa Engineering Research Institute), etc. He also co-authored Space & Culture: Analysis of Osaka City (TBS Britanica), The Sights of Japanese Exhibitions (Gakugei Publishing), etc. Dr. Hashizume is highly original and full of rich suggestions.
Jiro Masui Panelist
Born in 1943. After graduating from the Kobe University of Commerce, Mr. Masui joined the Kobe City Government. Before assuming his current post of Deputy Director General of the Industry and Agriculture Promotion Bureau. Mr. Masui served as Manager of the Kita Ward Office Taxation Division. Manager of the Finance Bureau, Manager of the Finance Division (Finance Bureau). Director of the Planning and Coordination Bureau and Deputy Director General of the Economic Affairs Bureau. Mr. Masui is also active in industrial recovery efforts in Kobe as a result of the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake.
Kazuko Murakami Panelist
Ms. Murakami is a spirited and highly telented person who has worked as a journalist, essayist, disc jockey and assemblywomen. Ms. Murakami is currently Programming Advisor for Sun TV. She also hosts a very popular program "Essay on Gourmet with Kazuko Murakami". She is an urban detonator, having conceptualized the Western Confectionery Heaven Exhibition in Kobe, Bridal City Takasago and other events. Ms. Murakami also directed the Scents of Urban Development in Ichinomiya (Awaji Island) as well as helped to extend a bridge between lchinomiya and sister-city Grasse. France. She is truly an indispensable part of the Symposium. Her writings include Eating in Kobe (Kyoiku). She also co-authored Kobekko's Thoughts on Kobe (Kobe Shimbun Press), etc.
Bruce MacMillan Panelist
Born in Vancouver, Canada. Mr. MacMillan graduated from the University of British Columbia with a Bachelor of Commerce degree. Mr. MacMillan has worked in international financial and management consulting and manufacturing business. He currently is the President of Cruise BC and is a Past Chair of the Convention and Incentive Travel Association of Canada(CITAC). He also serves as an Executive Committee member of the Canadian Business Travel Program Marketing Council as well as Vice President, Sales and Market Development of Tourism Vancouver.
