C. Kojima

C. Namba

E. Uematsu

H. Obayashi

I. Kawakami

J. Fujita

K." Kimura

K.N. Sato

M. Wakatani

N. Sato

S. "Nisio

T. Takeda

Y. Takaiwa

Y. Terashima

National Institute for Fusion Science (NIFS-Repository)

§ 29. Archival Studies on the Nuclear FusionResearch at Universities in Japan (III)-An Interview with SEKIGUCHITadash i, Professor Emeritus at theUniversity of Tokyo-Nisio, S., Uematsu, E. (Nihon Univ., College ofScience & Technology),Kawakami, 1. (Nihon Univ., Professor Emeritus),Kojima, C. (Nihon Univ., College of Commerce),Takaiwa, Y. (KEK, IPNS),Takeda, T. (The University of Electro-Communications),Sato, N. (Tohoku Univ., Professor Emeritus),Sato, K.N. (Kyushu Univ., RIAM),Wakatani, M.* (Kyoto Univ., School of EnergyScience),Terashima, Y. (Nagoya Univ., Professor Emeritus),Obayashi, H. (NIFS, Professor Emeritus),Fujita, J. (Daido Institute of Technology),Namba, C., Kimura, K.*Passed away on January 9, 2003.Objective ofthe InterviewThe time span of half a century for nuclear fusionresearch is so long that some of the key persons in theearly stage of the research have retired, and others alreadypassed away. Thus we have adopted interview methodas one of the ways to obtain the primary document.InterviewIn FY2002 the following interview was held.(1) Date: April 13,2002.(2) Place: Nihon University, College of Science andTechnology.(3) Interviewee: Sekiguchi Tadashi, Professor Emeritusat the University of Tokyo, who played an importantrole at the critical times of the nuclear fusion researchin Japan.(4) Subject: The circumstances of the fusion researchesin Japan later half of 1980's. (We had an interviewwith the same interviewee in FY2000 on the samesubject during the previous period 1965-1986, andpublished a report on it as NIFS-MEMO-33.)(5) Report published: NIFS-MEMO-40.Procedure of the Interview(1) Questions in advanceQuestions from interviewers were first gathered andsummarized as follows: The questions in outline werehanded to the interviewee in advance.• Activities of Science Council of Japan• Starting-up of the Japan Society of Plasma Scienceand Nuclear Fusion Research• Establishment of National Institute for Fusion Science• Role of Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research fromMonbusho on the nuclear fusion research in Japan• The others.(2) Response from the intervieweeThe response from the interviewee to the questionsabove mentioned was obtained. The summary of theresponse in length of 12 pages was distributed to theinterviewers prior to the interview.(3) Talk given by intervieweeThe interviewee gave a talk toward the pluralinterviewers.(4) Questions and answersQuestions and answers were given in the course ofinterviewee's talk.(5) DiscussionsDiscussions were held to understand the historicalfacts in the interviewing group(6) Transcription and record makingAfter preparing a rough transcript, all theinterviewers checked and edited it for accuracy andclarity. The response given in advance by theinterviewee was also checked and confirmed forauthenticity. The edited transcript then went on to theinterviewee for corrections or additions.(7) PublicationNIFS-MEMO-40 consists of the question outline,the response by interviewee and the interview record.Outcome of the interviewThe interview was very successful, mainly due to thecooperative manner of the interviewee. We could notonly experience the days with the speaker but also getmany access points to further studies.It is crucially important for interviewers to preparethemselves on the subject and the questions to be asked.In the present case, the number of interviewers andaudience was 20 or so, and there happened a problemwhat is the essential difference between an interview and acolloquium or something like a press conference.Following points have come up to us through theinterview:(1) Pre-interview preparation• Prepare enough materials concerning the subject ortopics to be explored• Define the focal points of the interview and toformulate them into detailed and significant questions• Keep the general direction given in the questionoutline(2) To make sure whether the interviewee preserves anymaterials that ought to be deposited.(3) To treat sensitive personal information or what theinterviewee wants to be kept confidential with carebecause of ethical considerations.(4) To develop the effective interview method in a morepractical way, including the technique of oral history.Future planWe are planning to extend the interview toward morepersons and subjects including those in the field ofindustry.397

"Archival Studies on the Nuclear Fusion Research at Universities in Japan (III) -An Interview with SEKIGUCHI Tadashi, Professor Emeritus at the University of Tokyo-"

"Archival Studies on the Nuclear Fusion Research at Universities in Japan (III) -An Interview with SEKIGUCHI Tadashi, Professor Emeritus at the University of Tokyo-"

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