The 62nd Kyoto University Future Forum was held at the University's Clock Tower Centennial Hall, with a lecture given by guest speaker Dr Minoru Kawashima, Director of the Community Healthcare Division of Takao Hospital and a graduate of the University's Faculty of Medicine.
In his lecture entitled "Tottering along, how far can I go?", Dr Kawashima described events in his life with occasional touches of humor. He made his debut as a professional boxer while he was a medical student, and looked after his children at home between boxing matches. After retiring from the sport he moved frequently, working variously for emergency medical units and community healthcare services, each time being drawn to the next position through community connections. In the wake of the Great East Japan Earthquake on 11 March 2011, Dr Kawashima committed himself to rebuilding the community healthcare system in the disaster zone, acting as director of a hospital in Kesennuma, Miyagi Prefecture.
The lecture was followed by question-and-answer session where Dr Kawashima and the audience had a lively discussion. Participants showed keen interest in his multifaceted mode of living, to which Dr Kawashima responded by explaining his determination to contribute to the development of medical care services in the home.
Among comments received from participants after the event were the following: "I was impressed by Dr Kawashima's way of living, moving from place to place forming bonds with people and living his life at his own pace"; "What Dr Kawashima says is quite persuasive because it reflects how he has valued people's life in medicine"; and "Among many KU graduates living unconventional lives, his story was quite unique. His way of living will be a good guide for my life in the future".
Dr Kawashima delivering his lecture
The KU Clock Tower Centennial Hall venue
