policy – Page 20 – Kiyoshi Kurokawa.com

Environment technologies ? Growth of Japan, Growth of Asia

Posted on 2009/11/182014/10/01 by kiyoshi kurokawa

Japan has great environment friendly clean technologies. Many of them are the best in the world.

Clean energies and environment friendly clean technologies are attracting attentions globally. Now is the time of huge opportunity for Japan to expand its business and provide its technologies throughout the world. The problem is that I don’t see this happening. As you know, our solar panel capture is getting behind rapidly globally; Japan is not the only country that has these technologies, Germany, China, US and others also have them. Dr. Yoko Ishikura also writes in her recent book “Senryaku Shifuto (Strategy Shift)” (in Japanese) , that it is crucial to seize the opportunity, and 1) consider “Both AND & OR”, 2) be prepared for the possibilities, and 3) take actions with speed.

“Promotion of Domestic Demand” is important, but if total gross economy does not grow, domestic demand will not and cannot grow. Moreover, Japan is one of the worst in the world in terms of “debt (to its people)”, and is the most aged and further aging country. I wonder what we and our government are going to do about the aging population which is clear even from the analysis on prospect of population change. It is so sad to see the lack of leadership In every sector of Japanese society.

I went to New Delhi in September to help introduce and promote Japanese environment-friendly technologies. Given an opportunity to express my view, I talked about how “mottai-nai” for Japanese corporate sector to waste such a huge business chance. We must go out actively and vigorously to growing countries, regions – in short to wide Asia, where our business opportunities are great. EU, America, Canada, Korea, and China are doing so already with speed. I urge those people in Japanese industries to wake up and get started- being insular mind-set will not do any good. To go and act global is the key to success. Collaboration with the world with speed is absolutely necessary and important for Japan to grow delivering needed technology, products and services.

Advertisement report on this New Delhi conference appeared in Nikkei (keynote, conclusion) (PDF.1, 2) so please take a look.

Ottawa, on Global Health, and Toronto, on Innovation

Posted on 2009/10/312014/10/01 by kiyoshi kurokawa

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Canada will host G8 Summit next year (could be the last G8 and first G20). Naturally, as part of effort to make Global Health as a major agenda for the Summit, various efforts, negotiation, processes must have been taking place among various sectors of Canada.

CCGHR hosted one of such meetings (October 25th). The meeting is more research oriented, with about 150 member attendance with 25% being members abroad and I was invited to give a keynote. It was full of enthusiasm and I joined a couple of workshops, its board meeting as a guest, and a private session for Canadian perspective for G8 agenda setting. It was a very interesting and learning day getting to know many new friends and colleagues.

Ottawa in late October is reasonably cold, but weather was nice. I met a Japanese scholar, a woman, well educated undergraduate at McMaster and at MS and PhD in Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health at McGill; she lived only several years when she was very young, now studies as a post-doctoral fellow in South Africa participating a joint project with UK on Mental Health and Poverty Project in Africa. A challenging mission!

Next day, I flew to Toronto as my re-visit (Ref.1) to join a few activities. Munk Center of the University of Toronto was kind to host a dinner in honor of me at Massey College. Next day, a panel was held at Munk Center on ‘Innovation, Globalization and the University’; after my brief keynote, the panel session was quite lively and constructive. It seems everyone agree that leading universities must become an open ground to nurture, connect, and prepare future leaders in more and more interconnected world. We must realize that problems of the developing and underdeveloped countries and the regions are not theirs, but ours as well in interconnected global world. There, I met another women medical doctor radiologist from Tokyo Woman’s Medical College, just began her study on Medical Education Research as resident junior fellow at Massey College. Such is a valuable opportunity to widen her vision and scope for her career. University of Toronto is a great institution which is characterized by heterogeneity, diversity and a wide spectrum of programs and courses.

Concerns about ‘Japan as seen from outside’

Posted on 2009/10/142014/10/01 by kiyoshi kurokawa

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As frequent visitors to my blog will already have noticed I am one of those who have had concerns about the future of Japan for some time. Until just several years ago, an odd optimism on economy of Japan that sounds somewhat like an ‘excuse’ was spreading widely in Japanese society along with expression such as ‘upwards economy since Izanagi Keiki’ (Izanagi keiki refers to an economic boom that lasted from 1966 to 1970). I was sending out warnings then, too. For instance, please see my interview in Toyo Keizai January, 2008 issue.

I assume that there are many those who do not want to or will not buy my opinion, but just recall, at the time of ‘Lehman’ shock, there was an atmosphere in Japan of ‘Japan will be all right’ at least in the beginning. However, generally speaking, I think basically Japanese enterprises- especially managements – are weak. Of course new industries emerge but I hear many instances of major companies obstracting the growth of new businesses by entrepreneurs while they are still young and small. Big enterprises are naturally slow in adjusting to changes, which is a common story. Also, I feel that a large number of Japanese people are not good at intuitively sensing the value of ‘Diversities and Differences’ that exists in this global world simply because they do not have much first hand experience.

This truly is the crucial stage for Japanese politics, economy, industries, and universities in the face of, as correctly put by Asia Innovation Forum;The Earth’s limits, Asia’s growth. The ‘leaders’, unable to catch the essence of global age having climbed up the ladder in many decades-old system, think that situation in Japan is ‘so-so’ and tend to lie back in their comfortable chair failing to take any drastic actions. Some people compare them to ‘frogs in lukewarm water’. Oh, but Japan has so many ‘strength’ that it can utilize and I would urge all of you to take advantage of this strength. ‘Entrepreneurial spirit’ is the key word. We must recognize our ‘weakness’, focus not only to domestics but broaden our views to international affairs and collaborate with partners around the world in taking actions. Speed matters.

Japanese who have long worked abroad as an independent ‘individual’ understand and feel intuitively what I have just said. I call this an ability to ‘see Japan from ‘outside’’. What they see is very different from ‘Japan in the world’ as seen by most Japanese because most Japanese have been used basically to‘see world from Japan.’.
In the past two weeks, I had a visit from two Japanese scholars/researchers. One is Professor Hisashi Kobayashi of Princeton University. I assume you all have heard of him. He was so concerned abut the too-domestic-focused ideas and actions of Japan that he decided to come to see me. I shared his view 100% so we discussed very much on what to do or what could be done. I believe that readers of my blog would understand how I am making efforts to make changes, but even universities, the ‘campus of intellects’ that should be standing highly by itself, are seeing things in a narrow inward way. Especially at the ‘leading’ universities, the young students naturally would think that the standard there is ‘first class’, and this general perception in Japan is causing significant damages.misleading students.

The second guest wasDr. Ryo Kubota.　He has been working in the field of biomedical research in USA for 10 years and founded a Biotech Venture. Dr. Kubota stopped by at my office during his stay at Tokyo to express his deep concern about how Japanese research and venture businesses were being conducted. He was apparently alarmed by what was happening in Japan.

I think that the concerns of these two people represent‘Patriotism’. Experience such as theirs’ will hardly nurture narrowly-minded ‘Nationalism’.

In addition to these two Japanese guests from abroad, I had opportunities to welcome visitors from the top managements of SITRA (Ref.1), a public investment fund of Finland and two biotechnology related investment funds of US in sequence. Everybody had same topics, concerns and points.

It is so important to have more people, in their young age as much as possible (because you can afford to make mistakes…. You can learn from the mistakes and become wiser…) to go abroad to the wide world and to know what is happening there, to see Japan from ‘outside’, to have first hand experience and to become more capable of sensing instuitively how Japan would look like from ‘outside’. ‘A frog in a well does not know the great sea’ – just as the proverb goes. ‘Knowing’ the great sea through actual experience is crucial to everybody especially in this global era. The two Japanese visitors from overseas were so worried about the current status, thus the future of Japan precisely because they have had this actual experiences.

Well, even so, Japan holds yet the 2nd or 3rd place in the world economically. In addition, we have so many strength that others would envy. I urge you all to go out and fly. Don’t become secluded.

Dr. William Saito (Ref.1) is a Japanese American that I have been working with for these two years and he also shares the same view with me. His evaluation is actually very severe, clearly recognizing the systematic weakness of Japan perhaps partly because of his experiences and success in a venture business in the United States. We are struggling to bring about some changes… sowing seeds, crafting exciting mechanisms…

STS Forum, Science and Technology Ministers’ Meeting, Session with Young Scientists

Posted on 2009/10/102014/10/01 by kiyoshi kurokawa

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STS Forum （Science and Technology in Society Forum） was held in Kyoto. I have been involved in this Forum since its start. It is a daring attempt to bring together people in politics, business, science and other fields from all over the world to discuss about issues we all share in common.

My role was to give a keynote lecture at the Science and Technology Ministers’ Meeting (Photos 1-4) with Dr. Philip Campbell, Chief Editor of ‘Nature’. Ministers from 24 countries (9 from Africa) participated The meeting was chaired by Mr. Keisuke Tsumura, Science and Technology Vice-Minister and a young and bright legislator iand one of future leaders of the Democratic Party of Japan. After our keynote lectures, ministers at the audience talked actively about the policies and issues of their home countries.

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Photos 1-4 With participants

On the 2nd day, I co-chaired the session of ‘Proposals from Young Scientists’with my old friend Prof ohamed Hassan, Executive Director of TWAS and other places. It was a long session of 2 hours or so, where 8 young scientists introduced themselves and split to 4 tables of 8-10 guests and had 1 hour discussion. In the end, each table presented summary and recommendations based on what they discussed. The summary of the session is available, too. Some people teased me and said that I belonged to the young people.

Photo 5: With Young Scientists at the Forum. Front row, at the center is myself, Mr. Ono of JSPS, the sponsor institution of this Forum, and Professor Hassan.

Mr. Ellis Rubinstein, President and CEO of NYAS told me that he would participate at some point of the meeting, but he was unable to make it because of some other responsibility. For NYAS, I serve as an advisory council member of ‘Scientists Without Borders’ .

Hanoi and Yangon

Posted on 2009/10/012014/10/01 by kiyoshi kurokawa

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It’s been a long time since I was at Hanoi last time. Now I am here again for two reasons: to move for YES (Young Engineers and Scientists) Award (Ref.1, 2) of Honda foundation
and to have an informal talk with the officials of government of Vietnam on its Science and Technology policies.

As I always say in every opportunity, it is my deep conviction that the most fundamental goal of education in Japan is to produce human asset that is ready to cope with this speeding global age and it should be done through promotion of active multi layered international exchanges. I am sure that those of you who are frequent visitors of my blog know this…

For this purpose I am helping the Honda foundation on its YES program that is supporting young generation of Vietnam, India, and other ASEAN countries.

While I was waiting for my colleagues to join me from Cambodia, Drs. Thang and Ann (photo1) came to see me at the hotel. I have known them for more than 10 years, ever since I was councilor, and later President, of the International Society of Nephrology. Now, they are leading figures in this field in Vietnam. Dr. Ann has experience of spending 3 months at Tokai University by invitation. I recall that it was 17 or 18 years ago when I first visited Hanoi and saw hospitals operating in unbelievably bad conditions.

Photo 1: From left, Dr. Thang and Dr. Ann.

Dr. Ca, whom I believe is the “number 2” in Science and Technology Department, organized my meeting with the government officials including two former ministers and we enjoyed heated discussions. Dr. Ca and I are familiar with each other because we both participated in the Conference of the Science Council of Asia for these 7, 8 years. Every time I see him, he is promoted to higher responsibilities. I am happy to see this.

Photo 2: With Dr. Ca. From left, Dr. Ishihara of Honda foundation, Dr. Ca, myself, Dr. Sunami of GRIPS, local officer.

Photo 3: Electric wires in the town. So crowded!

In the evening, by chance, I was able to stop by at the wedding party of Dr. Thang’s daughter for 10 minutes before going to the airport. So many guests were there.

I spent one night at Bangkok and left for Yangon, Myanmar. At Yangon, I visited the Yangon Technological University (Ref.1) located in a beautiful simple scene to exchange views with the professors and President on what the best possible YES program of Honda foundation would be. After this, went to pay a visit to H.E. Nogawa at the Embassy of Japan, to JICA office, and Myanmar Association of Japan Alumni (MAJA) (approximately 800 alumni including short stays).

The President of MAJA, Dr. Kyaw was about the same generation as I. He studied as research student at Department of Neurosurgery at School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo and earned his degree under the supervision of Professors Shimizu and Sano. Good old memories! This sort of relationship is even more necessary for tomorrow’s Japan, and I want even more young people go study abroad, to mix and compete with others, but even at this global age, the number of students studying abroad is decreasing in Japan for some reason. In other words, “inward looking, secluding” mentality is spreading – a strange phenomenon. I think this problem is more prominent in boys.

I also want more energy in professors. If professors are “inward looking”, nothing much can be done about it, but at least they should put young students at the top priority because they are going to handle this nation in the future. This is really a problem. Same problems exist in companies, too.

I left Yangon in the evening for Japan. It was a busy trip, but there were lots to see and hear, and many nice people to meet.

I arrived at Narita next morning, spent some time at GRIPS, and in the evening went to the recording of “Prime News”, a television program of BS Fuji channel. The topic of that night was “Davos meeting, the world, and Japan”. The guests were Mr. Motohisa Furukara, “secretary-genral” of National Strategy Bureau of Cabinet headed by Deputy Prime Minister Kan and Ms. Kumi Fujisawa of Sofia Bank, and myself. By any chance have you seen it?

Asia Innovation Forum; Eyes to see Japan from “outside”

Posted on 2009/09/162014/10/01 by kiyoshi kurokawa

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As I introduced to you in my recent column, the “Asia Innovation Forum” opened at Roppongi Hills for two days on September 14th and 15th under the initiative of Mr. Idei, the former CEO of SONY. By looking at the program you may see that “Group 20” worked very hard to make this happen and I am proud with the result. I was also delighted to see so many people coming. We used Twitter and web cast to achieve more effect.

From the beginning we planned this year’s forum mainly for Japanese so there were only a few non-Japanese participants. I was unfortunately unable to attend the start of the first day due to other obligations, but the sessions seemed to have run pretty well. The speakers were all very qualified as well as good debaters with so much to say that the moderators had hard time trying to spare enough length of time for each of them. The moderators all did wonderful job.

I managed to attend whole day on the 2nd day. I saw Mr. Ken Okuyama (Ref.1) after a long time at lunch. He has a wonderful talent to speak of big views and to take actions. President Fukutake of Benesse Co. gave an attractive speech on the world famous “Naoshima” island. A warm, gentle style of Dr. Yonekura in moderating the succeeding panel was also nice. The last panel by “Group 20” ran a bit short of time unfortunately. Dr. Sadako Ogata delivered a closing remark. There was also a session by people aiming to be social entrepreneurs. It was a remarkable close-up.

We used “Twitter” for something new and Webcast was also available. Thanks to staffs for their hard work.

The “Group20” might appear strangely different for traditional Japanese business people. Its members are comprised of young leaders that possess high ability to challenge the global age, a completely different type compared to traditional “elites”. On the other hand, however, I saw a weakness in their words because their views were only from the standpoint of home country ? not being able to look at the world affairs apart from Japanese point of view. I have the impression that they are not really being able to see or feel Japan “from international point of view”. But this is precisely the point how people of the world see Japan. Maybe it is because these young Japanese people have no experience of living abroad for a long period as an individual, free from Japanese organizations or companies. If you are working for a Japanese company, no matter how long you have lived abroad it is nothing but a “long business trip” because you would be acting in accordance to the instructions of the management. You would not be free from Japanese society or culture of Japanese business. I saw this problem being expressed in many questions raised by non-Japaneses who participated in the panels. It is important to understand your “strength” and “weakness”. You are all our precious human asset with whom we entrust the future of Japan.

My closing comment was structured around this “lack of overseas experience” in Japanese young people. I also pointed out that talents of women are being wasted which was another big problem. The latter issue was discussed in an article next day in “Newsweek International” (Sept.21 edition) featuring “the Female Factor” (see the picture at the top) titled “The Real Emerging Market”. Such discussion is not only my view (you will find this theme repeatedly in my blog), but also a world trend. Thinking of Japan as a different, special country is a terrible mistake. So I made the tone of my comment stronger than usual. Let me remind you that the theme of this year “The Earth’s Limits. Asia’s Growth and Japan’s Role” was selected because people expect a lot from Japan. There are so many things that we can and must do. Action is everthing.

Summer Davos-2 Japanese women shine

Posted on 2009/09/152014/10/01 by kiyoshi kurokawa

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I would like to write about my impression on this year’s Summer Davos. In short, China, not only because it was the host country, demonstrated great energy, presence, and commitment of government through speeches by Premier Wen Jiabao and the Mayor of Tianjin and so on. The details of this meeting are reported at the website (webcast １, ２ , photos ). Dr. Ishikura also writes many columns in her blog （Sept.12, 15, 16）. These reports are very lively and informative so please take a look.

Many people participated from Japan and I was happy about it. There were many interesting sessions taking places in parallel in more than one venue, personal net workings to do and consultations to attend…so I was quite busy. At the reception on the 2nd day, I enjoyed encounters with many old and new friends.

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Photos 1-4: 3 scenes from the receiption, President of the China Daily and his staffs, Prof. Moon of Yonsei University (left end).

At the IdeasLab session Keio University and the University of Tokyo participated. This was also good. Dr. Yoko Ishikura took lead of these sessions. I did not fully listen or discuss in these sessions but Drs. Murai, Natsuno, etc. at Keio University gave a nice exciting presentation on IT field, focusing on Internet and cell phones. Especially, the high-tech cell phone presented by Dr. Natsuno surprised the audience. But why is it that the Japanese people do not try to develop a targeted market for such first class technology? Why don’t we make effort to present it? This issue is discussed also at “Cho (literally meaning ‘surpass’) Galapagos study group” where I participate with Drs. Natsuno and Murai and we are planning to announce policy recommendations shortly. The University of Tokyo gave presentation on sustainable human society, with focus on ecology, particularly ‘water’ problems. This was also a very interesting session led by Dr. Hashimoto, a specialist on photocatalyst and Dr. Oki doing research on global balance of water resource but unfortunately the time was not enough.. Details of these sessions are available on the web (Ref.1 2), so if you have time visit the sites and enjoy.

Photo 5: Panel on Global Competitiveness report

The World Economic Forum, organizer of Davos meeting also announces “The Global Competitiveness report” every year. Dr. Ishikura participated from Japan to help analyze, evaluate and make reports. For the year of 2009-2010, Japan scored 8th among 133countries (8/133). Not bad – but this does not entitle us to sit back and relax. There are yet so many things that can be done. Lift your spirits high and keep on working. Find out what you are good at or unique, and make it better, utilize it, see the world trend, broaden your horizon and go out to take action.

Nick Gowing, a famous anchor of BBC, hosted the panel on this report .The panelists were vice minister of Vietnam (75/133), minister of trade of Costa Rica 855/133), vice minister of Mauritius (57/133) and Dr. Ishikura. Dr. Ishikura first explained the report and then comments and remarks by each panelists followed, ending with a question from Nik (isn’t it a bit impolite?) to minister of Zimbabwe (132/133) who was in the audience. The minister responded by explaining his thoughts on the issues, plans, and promises to the world and then Nik turned to Ms. Ishikura for a comment. Her comment was good, actually.

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Photos 6-9: Panel hosted by Ms. Kuniya (6.7) and Ms. Doden (8,9)

On the last day, we had a heated panel on global economy “Asia’s New Role in Managing the Global Economy” . Ms. Hiroko Kuniya, host of a popular interview program “Today’s Close Up” at NHK, did a good job handling discussions on difficult issues such as the role of IMF with five outstanding panelists. One of the last panels just before the wrap-up session of all panels was “China, Japan and South Korea; Shifting the Power Equation Together?” hosted by Ms. Aiko Doden who is also a reporter of NHK. They must have had only a little time to discuss in advance with the panelists, but they both did very well. I believe the panels will be broadcasted in Japan shortly.

These three Japanese ladies that I introduced to you are very good English speakers, but not just that. They are also wonderful hosts; handling the flow of discussions smoothly by stepping aside, but not missing the chance to draw good comments from the panelists at a good timing, not afraid to challenge them if necessary. It is a hard work, calling for a very different type of skills than the panelists. I guess they learn how to do this by seeing good examples, experiencing, and getting feedbacks. In anything we do, we improve by studying, seeing examples of the world, copying good examples, trying, experiencing, getting feedbacks, and by reviewing.. This kind of skill is what we might call “Tacit Knowing”- an ability that cannot be learned from manuals or user’s guide.

This year many Japanese came to participate and were active but I have an impression that Japanese women’s work as host, taking charge of the flow of panels, was particularly noticeable and therefore shining. In all of the 4 sessions which I wrote about, including IdeasLab, Japanese women served as hosts but the panelists and speakers of the presentations were all men. Were these women even more prominent because of this? It might be so because their role was to cast a spotlight to each of these men, one after another, and they were all in established positions. Am I being a bit prejudiced? Anyway, it is good for Japanese to attract attentions.

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Photos 10-11: At dinner together

In the evening of the final day, I had a nice dinner with Ms.Kuniya, Ms. Doden and other Japanese people, about 12 people altogether. (Photo 11). I fully enjoyed this opportunity and appreciated it. By the way, the attendants were half men and half women.

Summer Davos at Dalian: ‘D.Light’ and other flourishing Social Entrepreneurs

Posted on 2009/09/122014/10/01 by kiyoshi kurokawa

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As at elsewhere, ‘Social Entrepreneurs’ is in the spotlight at Summer Davos also. Japan as a high tech country tends to see the world just from her perspective making international contribution with philosophy or products that lack ‘knowledge or sensitivity to the local situation’ or having ‘too much focus on cutting -edge technology’ – both being the ‘weakness’ that Japanese must recognize.

The D-Lab of MIT which I have introduced to you in my blog is a good example of the project that started with consideration to these points.

At IdeasLab, the session on social entrepreneurs, many examples were introduced but I would say Ned Tozan of ‘D.Light’ (Ref.1) caught most attention. In India and Africa, many places are without electricity so some people burn kerosene at night. This is apparently dangerous, unhealthy, and costly for poor people. What can we do about it? Their work starts from this question. Their enthusiasm was felt to all who listened.

Other examples included: 1) Activities to provide modest education and skill training to migrant workers for their possible career opportunity after their return to homeland. 2) Helping people with only small land to be financially independent 3) Helping young women forced in prostitution in Cambodia and other lands to become financially independent.

I asked Mr. Tozan ‘Did your project stem out from D-Lab (Ref.1) ?’ and his answer was ‘Yes’. Recently I posted a column on D-Lab, a wonderful new course that started at MIT. I was told that this activity spread through the alumni and heard about a successful example of a Stanford student. I had a feeling that D.Light was it, and correctly so. Just looking at the background of Sam Goldman (Ref.1), CEO and founder of D.Light, you will see how American youth are aware about the world affairs, have energy and vitality to do something about them. I also admire from the bottom of my heart the innovative ways elite universities of America treat the students and their ambitions.

I think that more social entrepreneurs would emerge from Japan if more Japanese business people or youth see global issues through their own personal experience. Letting them pass time in ‘Hikikomori (Social Withdrawal)’ is ‘mottainai’. I wonder whether young people in Japan find it difficult to draw a bright picture of future when they see people 20-30 years older and think to themselves that those kind of life are their only options. But they are so wrong!

In order to open up Japan to the world, it is crucial to ‘let young people experience and see more of the outside world’ (Ref.1, 2, 3). It is now almost my mantra, but once again, I confirmed its importance. The world is big. As Steve Jobs puts it, ‘Don’t Settle, Keep Looking’(Ref.1)

World Economic Forum Japan meeting in commemoration of the opening of Tokyo Office, then to New Dheli, Taipei, and Summer Davos in Dalian

Posted on 2009/09/112014/10/01 by kiyoshi kurokawa

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WEF annual meeting in Davos may be described as the world famous place for the so-called “Track II” dialogue by members of the global society. On the year of its 39th anniversary WEF opened Japan Office in Tokyo. I understand that the Tokyo office is the fourth office of WEF in the world. How exciting! But then, why? Might it be because of their high expectations for Japan? Then, we certainly must do our best.

On September 4th and 5th, a meeting to announce the opening of Japan office was held in Tokyo. Large number of people gathered making this meeting very lively. As the election of the Shugi-in (i.e. House of Representatives) just ended with the implication of the possibility of establishment of historical new administration, Mr. Hatoyama, the head of Democratic Party of Japan (and Davos meeting caucus) joined to deliver a reassuring message. I also participated in the panel afterwards.

In the afternoon of the opening day of this meeting I left for New Delhi. Arriving early next morning via Singapore I went straight to the meeting titled “India and Japan of Clean Energy Technology”(Ref.1, 2). The conference opened with the keynote lectures of Dr. Pachauri of IPCC (it’s been a year) and myself followed by a number of presentations from Japan introducing ecological technologies through which they seek “Win-Win” partnership of India and Japan. Ambassador Domichi also came to greet, and we had an honor of having him at the reception party in the evening.

India has a population of 10 million with expectation of annual 6-8% growth in economy for many years to come, but to my regret, Japanese business people residing in India are only 3,300 in total. Isn’t this sad? Although high potentials for establishing “Win-win” partnerships exist, we have such few Japanese doing business in India. I think this is such a waste of opportunity, as I always say. (Ref.1) Chinese and Korean industries are making quick moves into India. I did point this out clearly to people participating from Japan.

At Sotokufu, the office of governor-general of Taiwan. The bust behind us is Sun Yat-sen.

Next day, I went to Taipei to join in with my colleague at GRIPS, Dr. Sunami and others. Here again, the topic is “Japanese clean energy technologies” but it seems that the world does not know how good Japan is in this field. Japan’s existence is not prominent. Why? I discussed on this, too. In this global age, it is important to recognize your advantage or weakness about global issues and collaborate with others so that you can quickly spread into the society or the world. This “Creation of new social values.” is what the innovation of the 21st century is all about.

After Taipei, I went to Dalian via Shanghai to participate in the “New World Champions”, the so called ‘Summer Davos’ organized by WEF. It’s a bit busy travel, but this is diplomacy, making friends world wide. The first New World Champions took place in Dalian, the second in Tensin. Participants included many young business people so naturally the event was quite energetic.

From the very first day I attended 3 sessions. I was happy to hear that as many as 80 people came from Japan and was participating actively. I saw many friends from the day 1. Dr. Yoko Ishikura’s Blog also reports on this event so please take a look. Premier Wen Jiabao of the People’s Republic of China delivered a speech as in the first and second meetings. He talked about the policies China took to respond to this global economic crisis, explaining how their outcomes were, how the current status is, and sent out strong confident message that China is ready and willing to continue taking up responsibilities.

In the evening, I attended several receptions including Japan dinner hosted by Taiyokeizai no Kai.

Democratic Party of Japan has won the election and?

Posted on 2009/09/082014/10/01 by kiyoshi kurokawa

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On August 30th, Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) won a historical and land-slide victory over Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), the political party that held political leadership since 1955 building so-called ‘Regime 1955’ and ‘Iron-Triangle’ structure of Japan Incorporated (a brief break by Prime Minister Hosokawa lasted less than one year, but the Regime ’55 did not change a bit).

The result has far-reaching implications on the future of Japan. The results may not indicate the public at large tried to punish LDP for economic downturn, rising unemployment, and widening of income disparity or ‘Kakusa’, a view popular by the media here and there. Rather the results may indicate a rising awareness of the public’s thirst for ‘Change’ and realization that JDP cannot Change of resistance from heavily tied ‘establishments’ and ‘stakeholders’ of the ‘Regime ’55, eg, centralized powerhouse of bureaucrats-run ministries silos, big corporate establishment, farmers, civil construction and other interest groups.

This view which I portrait above seems consistent with the views of other opinion leaders outside of Japan who have watched and closely worked with and in Japan. An Op-Ed appeared in September 7th of New York Times by a well known author of Japan, Ryu Murakami, ‘Japan Comes of Age’ also portays the public perception of reality of Japan.

The Economist, September 5th and other issues, for example, provide several pages of coverage such as ‘The vote that changed Japan’ , ‘Lost in transition’, ‘New bosses’ and ‘Banzai; A landslide victory for the DPJ Japan’ . Other media and presses abroad share similar commentaries.

In Huffingtonpost, a liberal on-line news and blog, which President Obama is one of frequent contributors, Dr Sunil Chacko (Ref.1), another frequent contributor and a friend of mine, also wrote on the DPJ victory with a title ‘Japan’s New Era’.

A writer, journalist, and a well know observer of Japan, Bill Emmott sent me an email in February saying ‘I also wrote a quick column for The Guardian the same evening I bumped into you for their online version with a title ‘A silver lining for Japan; The economic suffering here has been harsh and long, but at last political change is coming’.

When you read his column, it is of particular interest to note its concluding sentence (underlined) of the last paragraph, precisely the pointing to our democracy as I have been often pointing out in my speaking engagements and writings （Ref.1, 2, 3) (the sites are in Japanese except Ref.2). The paragraph reads as:

‘It is a country, in other words, that is in desperate need of a change of government, and the election of a party dedicated to repairing broken social services as well as shaking up the economy. No doubt as and when the DPJ wins power, it will bring disappointments and its own occasionally shambolic ministers. No matter. The important thing in a democracy is to punish those who have failed and to bring in a new crowd capable of making new mistakes. Japan has waited far too long for that.’

Be aware, Japan remains still second largest economy of the world, thus Japan must and is expected to carry its own responsibilities in the world affairs even in ‘The Post-American World’. Indeed, Japan has lots to offer to the global challenges, but not much signs of proactive action and engagements matched to its own economic power, at least to me.