Acknowledgements

The editors wish to acknowledge with gratitude a large number of individuals and institutions who have contributed towards the finalization of this book.

The preparations for the volume began with the symposium on The Fragile Tropics of Latin America: Changing Environments and Their Sustainable Management, organized by the Centro de Estudios Latinoamericanos, University of Tsukuba, 29-31 May 1990. The symposium was sponsored by the University of Tsukuba, Japan, the United Nations University, and the Associação Central Nipo-Brasileira.

The co-editor, Prof. Nishizawa, who served as Chairman of the Organizing Committee, would like to acknowledge the help of the members, including Vice-Chairmen Prof. Takashi Maeyama of Shizuoka University and Prof. Em. Shozo Yamamoto of the University of Tsukuba; the late Mr Shunjo Matsuda; Prof. Tomio Fujita of Kanagawa University; Prof. Mario Hiraoka of Millersville University of Pennsylvania; Prof. Em. Hilgard O'Reilly Sternberg of the University of California, Berkeley; Amb. Keiichi Tatsuke; Mr Masahiro Maeda of the Sociedad Latino-Americana; Mr Katsuhiro Kotari of the Japan International Development Agency (JICA); Dr Eiji Matsumoto of the University of Tsukuba; Mr Hajime Mizuno of Sophia University; Dr Ichiroku Hayashi of the University of Tsukuba, Mr Masao Kosaka, then with the Institute of Developing Economies in Tokyo; Mrs Iyo Kunimoto of Chuo University; Dr Takao Ueda of the University of Tsukuba; Dr Noritaka Yagasaki of Yokohama National University; Dr Fujio Masuda of the University of Osaka; Mr Yoichi Koike of the Institute of Development Economies; Dr Chiyoko Mita of Sophia University; Dr Toshihiko Naito of Tohoko University; Dr Isao Saito of the University of Tsukuba; Dr Hiroaki Maruyama of Kanazawa University; Dr Shuji Yamashita of Tokyo Gakugei University; Dr Noboru Hida of Akita University; Mr Motoko Iwami of the Long-Term Credit Bank of Japan; and Mr Kentaro Nagata of the Associacao Central Nipo-Brasileira.

The symposium was supported financially by the Inoue Foundation for Science; the Japan Automobile Manufacturers' Association, Inc.; the JapanBrazil Economic Committee; the Japan Electrical Manufactures' Association; the Japan Iron and Steel Federation; Mitsui & Co., Ltd.; SYNNYO-EN; the Federation of Electric Power Companies; the Japan Shipbuilding Industry Foundation; the SOKA GAKKAI; and the Tokyo Bankers' Association.

We would particularly like to thank Prof. Em. Hilgard O'Reilly Sternberg again for his important input to the symposium, as well as his constructive review and criticism of the manuscript. We are also indebted to the following individuals for their critical review and constructive comments on various chapters in the manuscript: Prof. Riordan Roett, Johns Hopkins University, USA; Dr David W. Goodall, CSIRO, Australia; Prof. Jeremiah F. Epstein, the University of Texas at Austin, USA; Prof. John Saunders, Missisippi State University, USA; Prof. Cyrus B. Dawsey, Auburn University, USA; Prof. Stefan Hastenrath, the University of Wisconsin, USA; Prof. Geoffrey Scott, the University of Winnipeg, Canada; Prof. Carl F. Jordan, the University of Georgia, USA; Dr Vernon E. Kousky, the National Meteorological Center, USA; Prof. Michael Eden, the University of London, UK; Prof. Brian J. Godfrey, Vassar College, USA; and Prof. Takeshi Matsui, Nihon University, Japan.

At the United Nations University, we would like to acknowledge the role of the Academic Officer, Mr Dieter Koenig (now with the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, Geneva) for his support.

The constructive comments of all the above have been very helpful in completing the book. Nevertheless, any remaining mistakes or misinterpretations are the responsibility of the editors.

Toshie Nishizawa
Juha I. Uitto