Am I afterall ‘Henjin (out-of-box)’, ‘a breaker of stereotype of Japan’?

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In the morning of September 19th at Pacifico Yokohama Convention Center, I delivered a keynote speech at ‘BioJapan 2007-World Business Forum.’  The first speaker was Dr. Maraganore, CEO of Alanylam Pharmaceuticals (I met him about 3 years ago), the title of his speech was ‘Progress in development of a new class of innovative medicines.’  Next speaker was from Denmark, Mr. Riisgaard, Novozymes CEO, who talked on ‘Bioethanol-A sustainable contribution to the future energy supply’ and then I spoke under the title of ‘Innovation in Biotechnology: where is it headed to?’

People from OECD were also there and I had dinner with five of them at the night before.  I knew two of them from long time ago.  It’s a small world, isn’t it?

By the way, the latest Newsweek Japanese edition (September 19, 2007) is published with its cover story, ‘A Confession of Foreign Correspondent in Tokyo.’  Mr. David McNeill wrote an article, ‘I want to tell about Japan as it truly is.’  Mr. McNeill is an English correspondent of ‘The Independent’ at Tokyo but also writes for several other newspapers around the world.  He is also the coordinator of ‘Japan Focus.’

Under the subtitle of the article, ‘Although Japanese officials prefer stories of exotic Japan,’ I found a statement as below.

“・・・I also like to find and introduce such individuals who breaks the stereotype of Japan as a huge machine and that Japanese people are working there like honeybees without faces.  There are many original and talented individuals in Japan such as Kenji Kawakami who presides ‘the Society of Chindogu (a unique instrument)’;  Kiyoshi Kurokawa, a special advisor to the cabinet; Jun Takahashi, a designer;  Kazue Mizushima, a composer;  Eitetsu Hayashi, solo Taiko drummer, and so on.  I feel very lucky that I am paid for writing about their works in articles.”

Am I different from average Japanese after all?  It doesn’t particularly bother me, rather flattered to be seen so ‘properly.’

At the night, I had dinner with some British people involved in health policy and from media such as ‘the Independent.’

Speech at a wonderful young people’s meeting “Project 13%”

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Ken Shibusawa is one of my friends.  He is a businessman who studied at UCLA Andersen Business School and is recently popular known as Eiichi Shibusawa’s 5th generation.  The amount of information he sends out is substantial as in his blog "Alternative investment diary" (Japanese title:「オルタナティブ投資日記」) and "Thinking of Eiichi Shibusawa’s 『Analects and abacus』" (Japanese title:「渋沢栄一の『論語と算盤』を今、考える」).  Also he has recently published several books related to Eiichi Shibusawa’s philosophy. Please look it up at Amazon.

A while ago, in the afternoon of Sunday, September 9th, I was invited to talk at "Project 13%" which is run by Mr. Shibusawa and went to International House of Japan, a historic building in Roppongi.  About 150 people gathered mostly young people at a glance, and a lot of women. Most of them were entrepreneurs which is something unique for a lecture in Japan.  I found it a different society from the Red Herring which I recently introduced, but most of them seemed to share the same spirit.

The lecture began with my keynote speech.  I started by asking "Please raise your hand if you are 40 and above." Around 30% of the participants raised their hand and about 40% were women.  I began to talk about innovation referring to this point.

Shibusawa1

Photo1: My speech. Casual Sunday afternoon.

After my speech was Kaoru Iokibe (University of Tokyo) followed by Naoko Nishizawa (Keio University) and Masakazu Shimada (Bunkyo Gakuin University). It was a panel by young energetic 3 scholars.  Dr. Iokibe talked about "Shigenobu Okuma", Dr. Nishizawa talked about "Yukichi Fukuzawa" and Dr. Shimada talked about "Eiichi Shibusawa."  They each introduced the great predecessors, shared their opinion and went into panel discussion (photo2).  It is very encouraging to see such young and passionate scholars.  Dr. Iokibe who talked about Shigenobu Okuma turned out to be the son of Dr. Makoto Iokibe, Professor of Kobe University who later became the President of National Defense Academy in Japan whom I introduced in my blog in August.  No wonder, they have an uncommon surname and their academic field is similar.  They were all wonderful, but time was not enough.

Shibusawa2

Photo2: Panel. From left, Dr. Iokibe, Dr. Nishizawa and Dr. Shimada. MC was Mr. Shunichi Ozasa (Bloomberg TV)

The last part of the lecture was a talk session between Mr. Shibusawa and Dr.Hiroshi Tasaka, Professor of Tama University Graduate School whom I have recently introduced on several occasions.

Shibusawa4

Photo3: Dr. Tasaka (left) and Mr. Shibusawa

It was a wonderful sunny Sunday afternoon.  It’s been a while since I had a nice meeting, seeing a garden surrounded by shiny sunlight and refreshing nature.  I met a lot of people.  They all seem to have spent a happy afternoon.

There are a lot of blogs introducing this seminar of Project 13%, so let me introduce some of them (in Japanese only).

　「クロスワイズ代表取締役です☆」 (I am company executive of Crosswise corp.)
　「港区ではたらく女社長のblog」 (A blog of a female CEO in Minato-ku)
　「Capriのゆる～い日記」 (A loooooose diary by Capri)
　「team_yama with Toshi」         etc.

It’s exciting to see a lot of people full of energy.

Take care, to all the participants!

See you again!

From Dalian – attending New World Champions

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I’d been to Dalian from 5th to 8th September.

It was a conference of “New World Champions" that the so-called Davos Forum (World Economic Forum－WEF) over.  I have attended 7 consecutive years of Davos Forum that is held every year in January and I have also attended other conferences that the WEF preside over.  I think they are considerably familiar for the readers of my blog. Davos Forum of this January and conference at Singapore in June etc are as I have reported.  The conference hall in Dalian was a very big one.

The conference was a large successful meeting where about 1,700 people had gathered from 90 countries mainly from Asia.  Especially, the participation of young people and new enterprises was great, and was very much crowded.  From Japan, politicians like Jyunko Kawaguchi, Motohisa Furukawa and Keiichiro Asao, university people like Heizo Takenaka, Director Nagata of Ritsumeikan University, and Yoko Ishikura etc. were present.  Also, stakeholders from wide range of society, mainly business people such as Yoichi Funabashi, chief editor of Asahi Newspaper and Tamura, Administrative Vice Minister of the Ministry of Environment were there.  I also met Hiroshi Tasaka and Kumi Fujisawa whom I have introduced on this site recently.

Dalien20070908001_2Photo1  With Ms.Tsubouchi in charge of Geneva headquarters of WEF Japan at hall entrance.

Dalien20070908002Photo2 From left, Director Lee of WEF Asia meeting, Tsuchiya in charge of Geneva headquarters Japan, Ishikura, I and Takenaka.

Dalien20070908003Photo3  From left, Toru Takanarita the editor of Asahi Newspaper, I and Yoichi Funabashi the editor in chief.

I participated in two panels as a panel member.  First panel was “The Transformative Potential of Science and Technology in Asia”.  Mr. Graves, the chairperson of this session is related to the production of the program that used as its anchor Ms. Nonaka who later became Chairman of Sanyo electric and was a  topic and Ms.  Yoriko Koike, one of the star politicians of today. I exchange E-mails with him even after the meeting.  Wan Gang, the Minister of Science and Technology of China, is originally a scientist and also was the president of a university.  His opinion was also excellent.  Look it up on the site of weforum.org.

Moreover, the PR activity for “Table for Two” project which was planned by James Kondo our colleague, Furukawa a Democratic Party congress member, Nakata the Mayor of Yokohama, Chino of Itochu corporation and Young Global Leaders of WEF of Japan is also active and during this meeting Press Release to the world was also conducted.  Excellent!  It is a practical program based on groundbreaking idea of offering the surplus of the intake of nutrition which cause the obesity and diabetes in advanced countries to the malnourished children in developing countries through WFP (World Food Program).  I would encourage all domestic companies as well as international companies to participate and please introduce us to any interested companies.  Please read also my support message of this program.

Dalien20070908004Photo4  Furukawa the congress member of Democratic Party and I in front of a “Table for Two” poster.

On the second night of reception, Prime Minister Wen Jiabao came to greet and then excellent shows with good tempo in large numbers were performed one after another.

Dalien20070908005Photo5  “Thousand Armed Avalokiteshwara” by deaf young people in reception. Really excellent! Some of you may have seen it on television in Japan.

Dalien20070908006Photo6  A scene from the reception shows.

The second panel during dinner, in which I participated, was a session on Energy.  It was so nice.  I met Lady Barbara Thomas Judge, former Commissioner of (Unites States) Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC),  who had visited Tokyo Stock Exchange many times about 20 years ago  and who strongly supported my opinion related to nuclear energy, almost after one year.  I participated with her in BusinessWeek CEO Forum performed in Beijing last November in the same panel.

Dalien20070908007Photo7  Lady Judge, I and Ishikura.

Dalien20070908008Photo8  Prof. So (From Dalian. He used to teach in the Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University), Director Nagata, I and Tsukamoto the Director of JETRO.

There were various new encounters and reunions.  Friend’s circle extended and I also got dynamic energy, it really was stimulating three days.  Gained much more encouragement.  Our involvement in these activities also seems to have stimulated young people who participated from Japan which is very good.  As I always say, future is in the hands of young people.

Dalien20070908009Photo9  Dr. and Ms.Professor Schwab, Chairman of WEF and I at Japan reception.

Dalian is a very beautiful city.  Japan has constructed its infrastructure which is maybe the reason for the hearty welcome.  They show us the headquarters of Manchuria Railways, the laboratory of Manchuria Railways, and so on.  They are maintained beautifully and are located at the center of city.  About 4,000 Japanese enterprises are now operating in Dalian, and I think the contribution of Japan to expand its economy, employment etc. is considerable.  Most local staffs speak Japanese in the hotels etc.

I woke up at 5:30 in the morning on 8th and went to Chubu International Airport by 8:00 a.m. flight.  From Chubu International Airport travelled to Nagoya railway station by Meitetsu railway and then again travelled to Tokyo by Shinkansen. I arrived at the assembly hall of Japanese Society of Nephrology at 3 o’clock and did the memorial speech for its 50th anniversary.  After that, I immediately headed to Science Council of Japan and participated to the 2nd day of international conference “Sustainable Society” held every year. I gave the last (closing) speech from 6 o’clock.

Whew, I am hopping here and there busily.

To Top Management Seminar, Karuizawa

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I participated in Karuizawa Top Management Seminar which was held on July 13 in Karuizawa. Professor Reona Ezaki, myself and Professor Tasaka Hiroshi were the 3 members of the Panel and the topic was "Innovation and Human Power". Tasaka Hiroshi who was hosting the seminar is professor at Tama University and is managing Sophia Bank along with Ms Kumi Fujisawa. The report summary will be published on the site in the near future.

Dr. Ezaki is a very well-known personality and Dr. Tasaka who is an extrovert person with good social interaction has written number of books which are posted on his site and multiple blogs (both links are in Japanese). I asked him to come to the hearing of “Innovation 25 conference" to express his views. He is also supporting the Social Entrepreneur Activity through the activity called ‘Sophia Bank’ with Ms. Kumi Fujisawa. Isn’t it wonderful! Our interim report of “Innovation 25” also indicates the importance of these "Social Entrepreneurs". There was a series on this reported in Nikkei a while ago, too.

On the same day the honor lecture was delivered by Dr, Makoto Iokibe , former Professor of Political Science of Kobe University who was inaugurated last year to the President of National Defense Academy of Japan . He is a famous personality whose information is available on Wikipedia as well. When I was President of the Science Council of Japan, he helped me a lot as a member at international conferences etc. He told us many interesting things. I heard that lectures of President are organized every month. It is wonderful that Dr. Iokibe gives lecture every month as the provost.  I was especially impressed by his comparison of the strategies Japan has adopted in Asia after its victory in Russo-Japanese war 100 years ago with Kandata, a  thief which appears in the famous short story of "Kumono Ito (spider’s thread)" , by Ryunosuke Akutagawa.

RedHerring and Steve Jobs

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Have you heard of RedHerring?

It’s a famous media in Silicon Valley. They held a 2 day conference from July 22 to 24 in Kyoto, for the first time in Japan. Venture entrepreneurs and venture capitalists gathered. I was asked to make a speech on “Innovation” so I went to participate. You can see part of the program, speakers and panel in RedHerring Japan 2007 site. I was new to such kind of gatherings, so to get a grasp of what it was like, I took part from the first day.  People like Mr. Semmoto formerly from KDDI (also met him in St.Petersburg in June) and Mr.Idei formerly from Sony (I introduced him in my blog in April “From Camarague”) were familiar to me, but to know the audience before I speak is very important, so thought that it was a good opportunity.

Approximately there were about 150 participants. Half were Japanese and the rest were diverse, but all young. 70% of the Japanese were from Silicon Valley. Half of the foreigners were based in Japan and there were a lot of Koreans from Silicon Valley. Most of them were ICT related ventures and not so many bio people.

Mr. Fredrick Haren from Sweden talked about “Creativity, Innovation” which was very unique and full of impacts. (Some people may say that he is an "out of box" type.)   He introduced his book called “New Ideas” and later, as we got along so well, gave me the book saying he brought some with him. I seem to be compatible with queer people. Maybe because we share something like Don Qixote? Sounds odd, though.

Well, since it was like that, I listened to other people’s story and changed my slides back and forth. Eventually, I used the slides at GIES2000 and part of Prof. Jorgenson’s slides that was used at the Workshop in June. These were updated slides based on Prof. Jorgenson’s latest book, 「Productivity: Information Technology And the American Growth Resurgence」（MIT Press, 2005）. This is a perfect guide to learn about the growth in the US industry and IT related companies after the IT bubble burst in 2000.  For everyone in the industry, policy, university related field, please read it thoroughly. This is another example of dynamism of United States that many such books are published from universities. I closed my speech referring to Steve Jobs’ 2005 commencement speech at Stanford University. It goes like this.

1） you can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something…
2）　You’ve got to find what you love. Don’t settle.
3）　Death is Life’s change agent.
4）　STAY HUNGRY, STAY FOOLISH！

To grasp the meaning of these, you have to read his speech thoroughly.  Go to the link that I cited above. I think it is a wonderful message. I envy the graduates for being given the chance to listen to his live speech. By the way, Bill Gates delivered a commencement speech this year at Harvard, and this is also a very touching speech. Their words are based on their true experience, therefore convincing more than anything else.

Since I closed my speech with this slide, President of RedHerring, Mr. Alex Vieux who acted as MC totally got happy and added his story after my speech. I was delighted.

The participants were obviously not the Japanese businessman type that I usually see. They enjoy their work, young, energetic, outspoken, and spoke out without caring whether their English was good or bad. It was quite interesting.

I met with Ms. Etsuko Okajima, a friend of Yoko Ishikura and met many other people. You can see photos of the party etc. at http://v.japan.cnet.com/blog/katsuya/2007/07/24/entry_27011214/. (My photo was posted too!)

Hideyo Noguchi Africa prize and a speech by former Prime Minister Mr. Junichiro Koizumi

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In the blog of June 19 (“A few words about the low plublicity of Japan, from Paris”), I have quoted three cases as an actual example but all these three were about the large contribution of Japan in Africa. The contribution of Japan in Africa is not much recognized domestically or internationally as compared to its contribution in Asia. This may be due to geographical conditions. As I have mentioned in the above column, my article “Challenges for Japan’s Scientific Community in the 2008 G8 Summit” appeared in Business Daily Africa, one of the newspapers in Kenya, as “Analysis: G8 Summit will provide a major test for Japanese scientists”, “Comment: Challenges for Japan’s Scientific Community in the 2008 G8 Summit”. It is only at individual level but I want the world to know a little about the contribution made by Japan. World today is On-Line age, isn’t it?

After 8 years, Japan is hosting the next year’s G8 summit (which will be held at Toya Lake in July).  Japan is going to play a leading role, and the fourth meeting of  TICAD（Tokyo International Conference on African Development）(Ref. www.ticad-csf.net/eng/index.htm), a groundbreaking national  undertaking  that was started with the United Nations 15 years ago as a part of  aid to Africa, which is held once in every 5 years, will be held in Yokohama in May. This conference is well recognized by various countries in Africa and the heads of more than 50 countries from Africa will gather in Tokyo for this conference.  However, how many people in the world know about it? Recently, the media is only concentrating on the topic of China reaching to Africa…….

Last year, Prime Minister Koizumi visited Africa.  He had been to Ethiopia and Ghana on this visit. Why Ethiopia and Ghana will be discussed later.  Accra, the capital of Ghana, is the place where Dr. Hideyo Noguchi passed away due to the yellow fever and there is Hideyo Noguchi Memorial Institute.  At this institute, Prime Minister Koizumi has declared the foundation of “Hideyo Noguchi Africa prize” by the government of Japan. This is an international award that acknowledges medical research and medical services that contribute to control the infectious disease in Africa. It will be given to an individual who has contributed in these two fields (It is introduced on Internet TV of the government also). The Awarding ceremony will be held once in every 5 years and we are planning to announce the first prize next year at TICAD. Currently, the selection is in process. As you know, issues like development in Africa, HIV/AIDS, poverty etc. are the serious problems of the world.

The other day, Mr. Koizumi, former prime minister went to the board meeting of "Japan Federation of Economic Organizations" to address the board for the fund-raising of this award. I heard that his speech was excellent. It was a short speech without any note, addressing about 200 business leaders including Chairman Mr. Mitarai. I heard that the atmosphere in that hall has changed dramatically after the speech. Please download and see the file, since the content of the speech is posted with the permission of former prime ministers’ office.

Down load the (PDF) “Introduction by Junichiro Koizumi, Member of Parliament, in standing committee meeting of Japan Federation of Economic Organization" (In Japanese only)

How do you feel about it?  Isn’t it really an excellent speech? I think it was a very lively speech full of wit. I am thinking of translating this speech into English and transmitting it to the media in Africa.
If you think carefully, we can certainly say that the business people got hypnotized by “Koizumi magic”. This means Prime Minister Koizumi is very genius and “out of the box”. Actually, from the historical viewpoint, people who changed the world and the society through science and technology were all ”out of the box” , having imagination beyond the common sense of the people in that era. I have also mentioned this once in front of Prime Minister Mr. Koizumi at the meeting of Council for Science and Technology Policy that was held at his official residence. Everyone started laughing but I was quiet serious.

It is the same opinion as in the blog of June 4 ("St Petersburg, then from Mr. Deguchi to Don Quixote") as well as in the mail magazine of Mr. Deguchi  （in Japanese only）that “Don Quixote" is very important in all-times.

From Singapore. Participation in World Economic Forum on East Asia

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I returned back home after finishing the overseas work in Slovenia and Paris. Then I worked one day in Japan and came to Singapore for participating in Asia-Pacific/East Asia conference, “Davos Forum” (World Economic Forum), which is held annualy in January. The events of the conference can be viewed at Website of World Economic Forum.

Davos meeting is held every year in January at Davos in Switzerland, and recently it is widely known in Japan as well. I have been attending this conference since last 6 years and have written about  the events of the conference. (Year 2007 etc.). Furthermore, besides this conference, they have been deploying various activities worldwide. Refer to www.weforum.org  http://www.weforum.org/en/index.htm

This East Asia conference has been held since past few years and last year it was held in Tokyo, Japan for the first time. I participated in India Economic Summit, conducted in New Delhi, last year  and this time I will be participating in panel called Innovation “Mantra”.

The photographs and video of this panel can be viewed at the following sites.
Photographs:
www.pbase.com/forumweb/eastasia2007&page=11
www.pbase.com/forumweb/eastasia2007&page=12

Video:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ryOgSPKOQpY
 
The participants from Japan were Dr. Heizo Takenaka, Economic counselor, Mr. Khono from ministry of foreign affairs who is going to work as Sherpa for the G8 summit next year, Mr. Hirotaka Takeuchi, whom I have introduced in my blog  6/8, Mr. Tsukamoto from JETRO and Mr. Yokoyama from Social System Design.  They all are my associates, friends, and good debaters. Mr. Wakabayashi, the state minister for the environment,  participated in this meeting also and talked about principles and position of Japan in G8 summit.  This was very good, too.

After returning to Japan,  Mr. Fujisue of Democratic Party promptly wrote about this on his own website.

Whenever opportunity arises, we must report, ask questions, and write relevant details about the topics and queries. Presence of Japan should be improved much, much more. 
I would like to express my recognition and appreciation to all who have participated in the conference for their hard work.

From Paris, Comment on Japan’s weak public relations

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I’ve left Slovenia and am now in Paris.  It’s a wonderful city.  My previous visit was in early May, but every time I come here it lifts my spirits.  It is a bit hot though, with temperatures at about 30 degrees Celsius.

My article “Challenges for Japan’s Scientific Community in the 2008 G8 Summit” is now uploaded on the site of the Association of Japanese Institutes of Strategic Studies, or JIIA. (The pdf version is here.)

The article points out how the Japanese government is not very good at public relations, both domestically and internationally, which is working to its big disadvantage. I wonder if it’s a mentality that everything is up to the government that results in weak PR.  No, because Japanese private companies and universities are bad at public relations too.  Basically, the sense of where the responsibility lies seems to be unclear. 

I wanted to show in a small way my sense of responsibility, through my March 13 posting entitled “Jeffrey Sachs and the Millennium Village Project” and one on May 29 called “Nikkei Discussion with President Yonekura of Sumitomo Chemical and Professor Jeffrey Sachs.” I want more people to learn about Japan’s activities and contributions around the world so that they will become more confident.
 
I understand that “be modest,” “never brag,” or “stay quiet because the truth will eventually be known” are considered Japanese virtues.  But government projects are using taxpayers’ money.  So, the government needs to better communicate its activities to the public, casually on a daily basis and with style.  Well-planned public relations is an indispensable strategy for a nation.  But the big problem is that those in responsible positions lack the sense that they are working with public money.

For a long time, the basic principle of the Japanese government was represented in a saying that goes, “You can make people follow you, but it is difficult to get them to understand the reason.”  One classic example of this mentality may be the recent problems at the Social Insurance Agency.  It really shows how lightly it takes the public.  Enough is enough.  Browsing through government websites also makes me think that the government doesn’t care to get the public to read the information and understand it.  I have always mentioned this to the people in charge of the sites, but they probably don’t have the power change them. Basically, public offices are filled with people that always give reasons why you can’t try something new.
    
Abraham Lincoln who is considered by many Americans to have been the greatest president of the United States delivered a speech in 1861 that goes, “Government of the People, Government by the People, and Government for the People.”  I feel that this basic principle of democracy has not taken root in Japan even today.   

What do you think?  After giving some thought to what you can do, take action.  Start doing it, even if it’s something small.

Nikkei Discussion with President Yonekura of Sumitomo Chemical and Professor Jeffrey Sachs

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Discussion with President Yonekura of Sumitomo Chemical and Professor Jeffrey Sachs, who visied Japan in March is published on THE NIKKEI WEEKLY（Vol 45, No.2, 287／May 28, 2007）

"Extreme poverty can be ended, not in the time of our grandchildren, but our time."

Source:　THE NIKKEI WEEKLY（Vol 45, No.2, 287／May 28, 2007）

Sending out “Innovation 25” interim report

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I have been reading the comments in media and blog etc. about “Innovation 25” interim report which I mentioned in my column on February 28th. A discussion at Council on Economic and Fiscal Policy presented something similar to my thoughts which I expressed in my blog on March 12th. Finally university reform seems to be aiming at the same direction. However, expecting universities to carry out reforms spontaneously is difficult and it is not surprisingly so when you come to think about the history of their establishment. If you look at Mr.Deguchi’s DND , you will find lively discussions going on about this also. I appreciate it.

I am also sending out more messages. It is important to do so because it gives me an opportunity to listen to your thoughts and opinions. In the March 2007 edition of “JST News” I am talking about the “keyword” of innovation under the title of “A society that nurtures out of box talents, heterogeneity and nails that stick out”. It was broadcasted on cable television as part of government’s PR activities. I received calls saying “I saw you on TV”, but unfortunately I missed it because I am not a cable TV user.

In the column “economics classroom” of Nikkei newspaper March 27th edition, I touch upon the essence of innovation under the title “Social system reform is the essence”. The top headline is “Overcome environment and disparities; don’t fall behind in policy competition”, sub headlines are “A flat world that can not be turned back”, “Conquer the logic of suppliers and collaborate” and “Social entrepreneurs gaining importance”.

The executive summary of “Innovation 25”　English version is now posted on the web site of Prime Minster of Japan and His Cabinet. A bit late, but isn’t it something unique for a Japanese policy? British Ambassador Sir Fry whom I met at a certain gathering gave me an immediate response to this and told me that he has read the report. I think it is important to send out this kind of messages and to get feedbacks.

Anyway, Japan is not so visible from the outside. Government, private sectors and academic societies do not even think of sending messages out to the public. What are they to do in this world of flat and global era with such a stance, I wonder.  Every now and then I write and say “open your eyes, heart and think”. The world is indeed broad.