1.Your Duty as Responsible Citizens
          by Kenzo Kawaguchi, General Manager of OVAC

2.For Innovations, Triumphs and Experiences for many years to come
          by Guest Commentator, A. Elizabeth (Beth) Eck, FIRSTLINK
                Vice President of Training and Volunteer Services

Kiyomi Tsujimoto, a former lawmaker of the Lower House and Social Democratic Party, resigned over abuse of her policy aide's salary. She took a leading part in passing of the Law to Promote Specified Nonprofit Activities, so her resignation caused a sensation not only in the National Diet but also grass-roots movements.

Under the policy-aide system a lawmaker may hire one government-paid aide, who assists in enhancement of policy formulation. Ms.Tsujimoto channeled the bulk of her policy-aide's salary to cover her private secretaries' salaries. What she did is illegal, and she should take
the responsibility. It is very regrettable as a colleague in the area of civil actions, but her decision to resign was unavoidable.

Ms.Tsujimoto entered the political world from the Peace Boat, a grass-roots organization. It is said that she breathed fresh perspective into the SDP that has been comprised by a number of union-leader-turned-lawmakers. She did not have support of any specific groups, and her funds for political activities were insufficient. All the more reason, she was expected to be active independently without special interests of any particular group in mind.

The point we have to think about is why such a lawmaker would abuse government expenditures illegally. How committed were the citizens, who had entrusted her with citizen-oriented politics, in supporting her? Ms. Shin Sugok pointed out (in the Asahi Shinbun March 26, 2002) "Her resignation from the Diet means an irreparable loss to Japan. I don't think that either the citizen's groups or the SPD supported her properly."

In February 2001, the Osaka Voluntary Action Center held a symposium on "How to live as citizens" in commemoration of the International Year of Volunteers. It was designed to discuss future volunteering and the whole concept of citizen's movements including participation in political activities. Indeed, we invite Ms. Tsujimoto as one of the debaters in the symposium.

The argument was raised that the citizens and NPOs should work to eliminate aversion and bias toward participation in political activities and take a much more active part in it in cooperation with members of the Diet. In Tsujimoto's argument she stated, "Above all we, citizens, must think about our own responsibilities before we complain to the government or statesmen."

If we agree, what are practical concrete measures for participation and support in political activities by citizens? One is to give financial support to reliable lawmakers. That is to say, cash donation. Her scandal brought to light the fact that she had been short of funds to hire her private secretaries legally despite her receiving a good deal of support.

Of course, proper management is required to receive donations. It is vital to have citizens increase their awareness of donation, but at the same time the persons/parties who canvas public support should be responsible for their strategies. What is expected is management strategy to win the public support, but not spiritual logic such as moral cleanliness. I don't think Ms. Tsujimoto neglected her duties; but as Ms. Shin pointed out, we have to reflect relationship between Tsujimoto and us.

The donations from citizens, which are voluntary, may not be a stable source of financial income under the present circumstances. It, however, is the resources we should watch as far as we should place emphasis on public participation in politics.

The other important action is voting. The Lower House by-election (in the Osaka No. 10 Constituency) will be held in October as a result of Ms. Tsujimoto's resignation. She is banned on running in the by-election unless the Lower House is dissolved and the general election takes place. Since the political situation is still unclear, it is likely that she will run in election in the not-so-distant future.

On her running, we will be put to the test as voters: What opinion do I have regarding this scandal? If I were voting in the by-election, who would I choose? Using this case as an excellent opportunity, we as citizens should question ourselves about our political awareness.

On May 10, 2002 the joint proposal submitted by the Osaka Voluntary Action Center (OVAC) and FIRSTLINK of Columbus, Ohio USA was approved for funding by the Japan-U.S. Community Education and Exchange. The project will make possible an in-depth exchange of information and training that will assist both partners in increasing volunteerism among the pre-elder (50-65 years old) population.

The elder population is expanding all over the world, especially in U.S. and Japan. While many older elderly (70-90+ years old) must deal with debilitating health issues, a very large population of pre-elderly are dealing with issues associated with preparing for retirement and developing a satisfying retirement lifestyle. Many of those 50-65 years old, especially Japanese businessmen and professional people, are unfamiliar with volunteer work and how to go about becoming involved in meaningful community service activities that will improve their communities. At FIRSTLINK, we have been promoting and administering a number of programs that engage persons over the age of 50 in community volunteer efforts. OVAC encouraged our partnership to bring new models of service to the Osaka community.

OVAC is initiating a new project "Masters Volunteer Project" that will educate persons over the age of 50 regarding volunteer service. The comprehensive Masters Volunteer Project curriculum will include sessions on the definition of a volunteer, designing a volunteer lifestyle, types of volunteer service jobs available, the role of the NPO in volunteerism and hands-on volunteer experiences. FIRSTLINK will conduct sessions on how "baby boomers" can prepare themselves for volunteer service and give concrete examples from the U.S. experience as well as conduct a workshop that will lead participants through developing a personal plan for volunteer activities and how to implement that plan. Participants will go home with a clear sense of how they can make a difference in their community.

Both OVAC and FIRSTLINK expect to gain insights that will help to redesign their own programs and training curricula to more fully meet the needs of pre-retirement older people. Studies have made very clear that it is important in engage persons as early as possible in community service to encourage lifetime service. Partnerships with employers can dramatically increase older employee involvement with volunteerism. Education of individual volunteers and NPO staff is essential to creating positive and meaningful volunteer experiences. We know that both partners will learn much to share with our colleagues. From the Osaka workshops and lectures, FIRSTLINK will be going directly to the International Association for Volunteer Efforts (IAVE) biennial conference in Korea where the OVAC experience and models for working with older adults will be shared. In addition, FIRSTLINK will share our experience with the U.S. Volunteer Center National Network that includes more than 500 diverse organizations that serve as volunteer centers in the U.S.

The partners look forward to sharing innovations, triumphs and experiences for many years to come.