Two Books

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The world is starting to show signs of instability. Whether it be the widening gap between rich and poor, the rapidly changing climate, or the unpredictability of what is in store for us, people are using the rapidly spreading internet to voice their fears and concerns. Another disconcerting trend is the malicious influence of deliberate misinformation, the rise of post-truth.

In the face of such looming crises, I am sure people are looking for guidance,  a roadmap indicating what steps to take.

Indeed, the ability to respond to crises is the hallmark of any well-organized company or organization. For if the organization is unable to deal with an unexpected situation satisfactorily, it risks exposure to reputation risk that endangers not only the trustworthiness of the institution but also its very existence.

There is now a book,  ‘Rethinking Reputation Risk: How to manage the risks that can ruin your business, your reputation and you’ that explores this very real threat. It also has cited a mention to the NAIIC on Fukushima Nuclear Disaster, so I was asked to review the galley of this book for comments.

The photo above shows the book cover. The back features blurbs from relevant experts endorsing this book. I too was asked, and I gladly obliged with 4 different rough ideas, but I was a bit disappointed to see that they were not edited further by professional editors to make them better.

”This thoroughly enjoyable book is a must-read for leaders of all organizations at all levels, right up to the board and its leadership.”

Dr Kiyoshi Kurokawa
Chairman of the National Diet of Japan’s Independent Investigation Commission

Another book I have featured here is ‘Whiplash: How to Survive Our Faster Future’ by Joi Ito of MIT Media Lab; I received a complimentary copy over the holidays. The book covers topics have been discussed with Joi for the past few years, and it seems to be turning into a great societal concern.

Yes, the only thing that is constant in this world is change.

 

A Busy Start to 2017

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A slightly late Happy New Year to everyone!

The new year began with holidays until the 3rd, followed by three days (4th~6th)of courtesy calls to all the people I have had the opportunity to work with, and again the weekend from the 7th to the 9th.

Whenever I have such extended periods of rest, I read a lot to pass the time in a meaningful way, but I also ended up becoming a bit tired of resting.

While I was unwinding over the long weekend, the HGPI team was very busy with the pressured stages of drafting a policy proposal to the Government and to further the World Dementia Council Global Team. Inviting guest speakers, greeting colleagues and fellow organizers, constant updating and correspondence regarding progress. One of the team members at HGPI even travelled over the New Year’s holidays, to London and back, in 3 days.

Then, my first seminar of the new year at the HGPI, which has by now become something of an established tradition. I would also like to thank everyone who attended.

Followed by a farewell reception for His Excellency Bruce Miller, the Australian ambassador, and a New Year’s reception at the Canadian Embassy. I was also very fortunate to get tickets to the January Grand Sumo Tournament in between, so fortunate that I went two times!

And then, New Year’s Celebrations at SafeCast. This organization is a peerless example of Citizen Science, a movement that is not only limited to Fukushima, or to Japan, but is spreading across the world at a rapid pace, as people seek more trustworthy sources of information. Even the IAEA is a fan.

I also received a lot of young people who wanted to talk with me to discuss their plans to start something new, and nothing pleases me more than providing the impetus for something ambitious.

And all the while, I wondered what sort of year 2017 will be. A bit worrisome, if the inauguration ceremony of Mr. Trump in the U.S and the rise of ‘post-truth’ is anything to go by.

I am also doing my best recently to be active on Facebook.

So dear friends and readers, I would like to wish you all the best for the year to come and do keep in touch!