Slashdot Mirror
The Lack of Scientific Philanthropy In Japan
ananyo writes "The University of Tokyo this week will unveil Japan's first institute named after a foreign donor: the Kavli Institute for the Physics and Mathematics of the Universe. The announcement adds Norwegian philanthropist Fred Kavli's name, along with a US$7.5-million endowment, to one of Japan's most successful institutes. The new center marks a turning point for Japan: to date, the country's universities and research institutes have long had to make do with few philanthropic donations. Strict laws governing university finances, and the lack of a philanthropic tradition, have discouraged the gifts that serve Western institutions so well. To get around the laws, instead of handing the endowment over to the institute, the Kavli Foundation will continue to manage the sum, giving the institute the return on the funds."
Hi there, I'm the AC above to whom you're replying. I wish I had the patience to give you a polite and considered response, but I've had a really hard day fighting people who are quite possibly as ignorant as you, perhaps more so.
Unfortunately (for both of us, sigh), as a non-Japanese, I have a relatively low tolerance for bullshit. To wit:
And retirement is optional from 60, not compulsory.
This is bullshit. To give you just one example, Tokyo University has the following policy:
Article 18 Mandatory Retirement Age
1. The mandatory retirement age of employees is 60 years of age, and the retirement date is
the first March 31 that falls on or after the day employees reach retirement age.
Source: The University of Tokyo Rules on Conditions of Employment of Academic and Administrative Staff