In April 2002, SOF took over the administration of the WMU Sasakawa Fellowship Program from the Tokyo Foundation. Then WMU Japan Sasakawa Fellows Forum was just four months away. On top of shortage of time for preparation, what embarrassed me most is that the Roster of the Fellows we made failed to contain information on all Fellows. Yet, Mr. Yohei Sasakawa, chairman of the Friends of WMU, Japan, guaranteed the Secretariat a complete freedom to execute necessary preparation work as we thought best. Mr. Sasakawa's definite commitment to the establishment of a network for mutual exchange among the Fellows enabled us to complete such a large amount of preparation work in a limited space of time. It would have been better to incorporate comments and ideas from the Fellows in structuring a conference program through more frequent communication, but the short preparation time left us no choice but to give up comprehensive collection of comments and ideas.

　

　The Secretarial staff spared no efforts in preparing the Forum, while fulfilling their different assignments at the same time. Day after day, we discussed logistic issues, worked out budget and programs, drafted a variety of conference letters, and arranged social functions and post-conference excursions. During those laborious days, the Fellows' letters to Mr. Sasakawa forwarded to us often alleviated our fatigue and encouraged us a great deal. And when I witnessed on the previous day of the Forum many Fellows hugging their old friends with joy whom they saw after a long absence, I became convinced of the success of the event.

　

　After the completion of the Forum, we had to work on the selection of the Sasakawa Fellows for the year 2003. In result, it took us more time than expected to finish the present volume. Due to its limited space, it was impossible to carry all the papers contributed by the Fellows. Your kind understanding on this matter would be appreciated. I apprehend printing errors may still be found. Nonetheless, this book will conjure up memorable scenes from the Forum in your mind's eye.

　

　It would not have been possible to complete the Forum in success, without positive participation of the Fellows; assistance from WMU staff members, and, needless to say, invaluable financial support of the Nippon Foundation, sponsor of the WMU Sasakawa Fellowship Program. We express deepest thanks to all these people who helped us with the event. Our gratitude is also due to the Tokyo Foundation that made preliminary preparations for the Forum.

　

　Our hope is that the Fellows' Network link individual members together, thereby opening the way for extensive cooperation based on friendship. Lastly, allow me a little freedom to inscribe below the names of the Secretarial staff whose contributions to the Forum, I believe, deserve the kind reader's attention.