http://chichiweb.seesaa.net/ 致知英語版ブログ ja http://chichiweb.seesaa.net/article/66473497.html Zizhi Tongjian Today's word CHICHI 2007-11-14T00:00:00+09:00 http://chichiweb.seesaa.net/article/63904833.html A legendary instructor──participants of his training classes call him so. The depth of content he teaches and the beauty of his movements are still deeply engraved in the minds of many people. This instructor is Mr. Kanji Nakata. Mr. Nakata... Special Feature CHICHI 2007-11-01T00:00:00+09:00


A legendary instructor──participants of his training classes call him so. The depth of content he teaches and the beauty of his movements are still deeply engraved in the minds of many people. This instructor is Mr. Kanji Nakata.

　Mr. Nakata was born in the year Showa 35 (1960) in Osaka Prefecture. After graduating the School of Economics of Osaka University, he entered Daiei, where he was in charge of training in the Education Department. This had decided the direction of his life. He was attracted by the significance and appeal of human resources education, and changed his job to work for a large-scale training company, aiming at becoming a training instructor. It was when he was 27.
　He stepped up tremendous efforts. Days of smooth sailing waited ahead. In his 4th year in the company, he won the Best Employee Award. In his 6th year, he became a manager supervising several instructors. He married Ms. Right and had kids.
　Things went wrong in the year Heisei 8 (1996). He developed acute myeloid leukemia. He struggled with the disease for 4 months. Anticancer drug treatment was effective, and he was discharged in February next year. He relished the happiness of being with his family.
　However, the peaceful days didn’t last long. On January 1 of the year Heisei 10 (1998), Mr. Nakata’s elder brother forced him to go to hospital, assuming something was wrong with him. Then a new disease was found. He was suffering from a brain tumor. He was immediately hospitalized and received a craniotomy procedure. Fortunately, the operation was successful. However, the pleasure didn’t last long. The leukemia recurred. This time, the treatment was effective again, and he was discharged in July of that year.
　Nevertheless, destiny continued to give him even tougher ordeals.
　After 1 month from being discharged, he happened to wake up early in the morning to find that he could not see out of his right eye. He received radiation therapy but it was not effective. Eventually he lost his vision in his left eye as well. Mr. Nakata became completely blind.
　However, many people adored his character and asked for receiving his training, even in such a state. With the support from people whom Mr. Nakata called “people like God”, he continued working as an instructor.
　After finishing his first training class since becoming completely blind, the managing director of the company that received his training said to him, “I have received and also held various training classes so far, but I have never encountered any training like yours. Your training is the best I have experienced.” This comment gave confidence to Mr. Nakata, and became the source of his activities afterwards.
Amid such days, his leukemia recurred once again. It was in January of the year Heisei 16 (2004).
“I can’t describe the feeling upon then with words. The shock was so tremendous that I felt like giving up my life.”
Yet, being encouraged by amazing supporters, Mr. Nakata started to powerfully walk his way again. It was then that our magazine featured him.

　What matters for flowers is fragrance. What matters for people is personality. He was a kind of person who reminded me with these words. His struggle with the diseases that inflicted him refined his character as if it were shining.
　Mr. Nakata suddenly passed away in August this year. While bathing, he collapsed face down in the bath tub, due to a stroke caused by the aftereffect of the brain tumor. Everything happened in just about 10 minutes. We suffer a real loss. Our sadness is endless.

“Tenshin”, or intrinsic qualities, is the world of Mr. Shinzo Mori in “Shushin-kyoju-roku* ”. I interpret its meaning as the truth that Heaven gave to the person alone.
　Mr. Nakata is exactly the person who lived his life by making his intrinsic qualities fully bloom.
He used to say with belief, “The spread of your magazine, ‘Chichi’, is sure to make Japanese people happy.” I sincerely pray for this soul mate. May he rest in peace.

*Shushin-kyoju-roku” is a book containing lectures on life delivered by an unparalleled educator Mr. Shinzo Mori.



⇒　Chichi WEB (Japanese version) ]]> http://chichiweb.seesaa.net/article/63919702.html Prefatory NotePerson with No Aspiration Is Like a Ship without a Rudder, a Horse without Reins.Takanori Nakajo, Honorary Advisor of Asahi Breweries, Ltd■Japan Guilt Theory That Is Still Prevalent The Japan Youth Research Institute, a founda... Prefatory Note CHICHI 2007-11-01T00:00:00+09:00


Prefatory Note

Person with No Aspiration Is Like a Ship without a Rudder, a Horse without Reins.

Takanori Nakajo, Honorary Advisor of Asahi Breweries, Ltd


■Japan Guilt Theory That Is Still Prevalent

　The Japan Youth Research Institute, a foundation of which I am a member of the board of directors (Mr. Tamotsu Sengoku is the Head Director), is often asked by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology to conduct a survey on the attitudes of young people. Every time I see the results of a comparison survey among Japan, the U.S., China, and South Korea, I am surprised to find that the youth in our country have such small dreams for the future. Their pride and love for the country is also extremely limited.
　Each time I face the reality of the youth in our country, the bearers of tomorrow, my heart aches and is troubled.
　More than half a century has passed since Japan lost WWⅡ. However, the occupation policy which continued for 6 years and 8 months after the war, especially “the War Guilt Information Program” (the policy to imprint the guilt of war onto the population) upon the initial stage, thoroughly penetrated the Japan Guilt Theory through the population, which has been prevalent for long periods.
　Caucasians were colonizing other countries on a global mass scale for 5 centuries. Amid such movements, our ancestors succeeded in establishing a modern state from the end of the Edo Period*1 to the Meiji Period*2. It was a significant milestone of our people in the modern history to have become one of the top 5 countries in the world despite being a colored race. There is no doubt that this great accomplishment is the result of high aspirations and big dreams of our ancestors.
　However, our country fought with great power and was defeated in the Showa Period. It was 62 years ago. Japanese people were overcome with the tremendous shock of the defeat. Then a tactful occupation policy followed, making Japanese blind to the essence of winning or losing the war.
　As Clausewitz described, war is “a continuation of politics by other means”, and is a conflict of national interests of both sides. Winning or losing the war has nothing to do with justice. Once one side wins, “Might is right.” Everything is controlled based on this theory, and all the history is written by the hand of the winner. Japanese people couldn’t even understand this reality. Even now, after half a century from then, Japanese are not aware of this fact, and many are still inflicted by masochistic view on history.
　With such a “woeful state” of adults, it is extremely difficult for youngsters to love their county and have dreams for the future. How can they live with high aspirations?
*1The Edo Period: 1603-1868
*2The Meiji Period: 1868-1912

■What We Have Lost in Exchange for Affluence

　I find that another big reason explaining the survey results is the affluence of this country.
　Although Japan is a country with few natural resources, it has established world-leading wealth now. All the 6.5 billion human beings hate poverty and are aiming at affluence. In view of this reality, affluence itself is nothing of concern. Whether it is a result of working hard or God-given, you just need to simply thank God.
　However, Japanese people intoxicated with affluence need to modestly listen to what global intellectuals have to say:
“Although affluence is the goal for all the human beings, strangely, once you get there, inevitably the energy to aspire will weaken, and the ability to persevere will wilt.” Without doubt, “the energy to aspire will weaken” means to become unable to visualize dreams. “The ability to persevere will wilt” refers to the loss of patience. Reflect on the reality of our country. The above mentioned survey results. Suicides exceeding 30,000 every year according to government press releases. Phenomena of killing those you find disgusting without a bit of patience and hesitation. These are exactly as pointed out by the global intellectuals.
　Looking back on the status of Japan before the war, we were incomparably poor. There was no need to tell the then youngsters to envision big dreams, as they used to head for large cities such as Tokyo or Osaka, with abundant spirit of “Come to me, more difficulties. Although my ability is limited, I will try and see what I can do.”
　Some of the mothers seeing off such youngsters were illiterate, but used to talk to their sons, “Please make sure to avoid doing anything that could be an object of contempt.” The sons had strong aspirations to be successful and cure the chapping that their mothers had been suffering from. Therefore, they could endure whatever hardships. As many as 600,000 Japanese in Manchuria (Northeastern China) upon the defeat in WWⅡ were detained in Siberia. Among them, 60,000 people died from hunger or were frozen to death.　
　When the cenotaph of the victims was established in Khabarovsk, Mr. Ryuzo Sejima, the former Chairman of ITOCHU Corporation, who used to be detained for as long as 11 years, his wife, and I visited the place. Mr. Sejima stood in front of the former concentration camp and told me that it was difficult to survive without having dreams and firm resolve: “Whatever happens, no matter how tough it might be, I will set foot in my motherland.” “I will never die until I see my beloved wife.” His remarks were infinitely painful, very heavy, and very noble.（Mr. Ryuzo Sejima passed away in the early morning of September 4. May he rest in peace.）

■What Saves Japan from the Current Status
　When I was leading Asahi Breweries, Ltd. at the time its performance was at rock bottom, I used to be enchanted by the pictures of Vlaminck. Many of his pictures are dark, mostly painting muddy roads or stormy scenes. However, the pictures never fail to have a strong light spotting from the upper right. When you are at rock bottom, you can’t help but searching for even a modest ray of light. A ray of light can give you the power to live, when you are in darkness.
The famous Shoin Yoshida*3 preaches: “Once you have aspiration, your vital energy will become even more vigorous.”
　I was taught the words of Wang Yangming*4 at military school: “Person with no aspiration is like a ship without a rudder, a horse without reins.”
　Dogen*5, the founder of the Soto school of Zen, also teaches us: “You are sure to achieve what you think desperately. If you are desperate, you are sure to come up with the means to achieve your goal.”
　I firmly believe that there is nothing but education and discipline that can save Japan from the current status.
Let me tell you this, the readers of “Chichi”. Even without citing the above examples of ancient times, Mr. Shinmin Sakamura, with whom you are familiar, always preached in his life of 96 years: “Pray, and any flower of yours will bloom.” “Where there is aspiration, there is a way.” The light you shed on a corner around you is sure to become countless waves illuminating this country, giving birth to youngsters with many dreams and high aspirations one after another.

*3Shoin Yoshida (1830－1859) was a Japanese scholar and teacher. He is cited as the spiritual leader/opinion leader of the Meiji Restoration.
*4Wang Yangming (1472–1529) was one of the most influential philosophers in the Confucian tradition. He is best known for his theory of the unity of knowledge and action.
*5Dogen was a Japanese Zen Buddhist teacher and the founder of the Soto school of Zen in Japan. He was a leading religious figure of his time, as well as being an important philosopher.


⇒　Chichi WEB (Japanese version) ]]> http://chichiweb.seesaa.net/article/63930293.html 【Conversation】 Enjoy Your Fate, and Cultivate Your Own Way Masatoshi Koshiba （Physicist） & Keiko Toyama (Pianist)Mr. Masatoshi Koshiba, a Nobel laureate in Physics, and Ms. Keiko Toyama, a pianist, are friends and have many opportunities to... Pickup Articles CHICHI 2007-11-01T00:00:00+09:00


【Conversation】 Enjoy Your Fate, and Cultivate Your Own Way

Masatoshi Koshiba （Physicist） & Keiko Toyama (Pianist)



Mr. Masatoshi Koshiba, a Nobel laureate in Physics, and Ms. Keiko Toyama, a pianist, are friends and have many opportunities to enjoy the same activities, despite the difference in their fields: science and art. Both of them have reached the pinnacle of their careers in their own ways, and have been active on the world stage. The two have experienced various difficulties since their childhood, but they have always cultivated their own ways positively and cheerfully. Looking back on their lives so far, they share with us how they have developed their intrinsic qualities.

⇒　Chichi WEB (Japanese version)



【Conversation】 How to Develop the Talents of Children
- The Way of Bringing up a One and Only Child

Nobuyuki Suzuki (President of BTR) & Setsu Goto (President of Office GOTO）



A Japanese player wrote another important page in the history of Major Leagues this year. The player’s name is Ichiro, who has achieved 200 hits in 7 consecutive years. Not only the Japanese but also the entire world lavishly praises his success. On the other hand, Ms. Midori Goto and her younger brother, Mr. Ryu Goto were both called geniuses during their childhood, and have been enchanting the audience all around the world with their violin sounds even now. All three represent Japan and are active worldwide. Mr. Nobuyuki Suzuki and Ms. Setsu Goto, who have brought them up, talk about their experiences on how to bring out and develop the intrinsic hidden qualities in the children.
⇒　Chichi WEB (Japanese version)

]]> http://chichiweb.seesaa.net/article/63879268.html Prefatory NoteManage an Organization Based on VirtueKazuo Inamori, Chairman Emeritus of Kyocera Corporation ■Royal Road That Sun Wen PreachedIn order to manage an organization, there is a way to manage by “force”, and a way to manage by “vi... Prefatory Note CHICHI 2007-10-01T00:00:00+09:00


Prefatory Note

Manage an Organization Based on Virtue
Kazuo Inamori, Chairman Emeritus of Kyocera Corporation

■Royal Road That Sun Wen Preached
In order to manage an organization, there is a way to manage by “force”, and a way to manage by “virtue”. In other words, there are 2 ways to govern a group; “royal road” based on virtue, and with an “iron fist” based on force.
　Consideration on this “royal road” and “iron fist” methods reminds me of a part of a speech delivered by Sun Wen, the father of the Chinese Revolution, held in Kobe in 1924.
　Sun Wen considered establishing a new China through the revolution. Seeking support from his friends, he visited Japan, which was leaning toward the imperialistic direction on a day to day basis, and made the audience confront the following issue.
“The material civilization of the West is a civilization of science. It has become a civilization of force, and pressing Asia. This is a civilization of an “iron fist”, as it has been referred to in China since ancient times. There is a more excellent culture of the “royal road” in the East. The essence of a culture of the royal road is moral, benevolence, and righteousness.”
“You, Japanese people, have adopted a culture of an iron fist from Europe and the U.S. At the same time, you have the essence of a culture of the royal road in Asia. In view of the future of the world culture, whether Japan will be a watchdog of the iron fist methodology of the West, or become a shield and castle of the royal road of the East, depends on what Japanese people choose carefully, after through consideration.”
　Unfortunately, Japan didn’t listen to Sun Wen’s advice, pursued the “iron fist” methodology with great rapidity, and stuck to its policy to beef up its wealth and military power. At the end of the day, Japan lost the war in 1945.
　The “royal road” that Sun Wen preached is a national policy based on virtue. In China, “virtue” has been described with 3 words from ancient days: “benevolence”, “righteousness”, and “courtesy”. “Benevolence” is to care for others, “righteousness” is to be in reason, and “courtesy” is to know good manners. Also, a person with all the 3 aspects of “benevolence”, “righteousness”, and “courtesy”, was called “virtuous”.
In a nutshell, “to manage by virtue” means to govern a group with lofty humanity.


■Corporate Management Depends on the Caliber of the Top Management

　In corporate management alike, I believe managing by “virtue” is the only way to establish a company that can prosper for long periods.
　In general, many companies in Europe and the U.S. are proceeding with corporate management with a forceful approach. For example, they wield their authority over personnel issues or appointment power based on the theory of capital. Or they try to control employees using financial incentives.
　However, there is no way for a management style, which controls people with power or stimulates human desires by money, to last long. Even if there is a temporary success, such management will someday lose people’s minds, and is sure to be ruined. Corporate management must be something to aim at eternal prosperity, and the only way to achieve this goal is to proceed with management based on “virtue”.
　In fact, a company grows and develops, as the personality of the management improves. I describe this as “Corporate management depends on the caliber of the top management.” As the saying goes, “A crab digs a hole that is like his own shell.” Even the management wants to make a great company, the company can be only as big as the size of the humanity of the management.
　For example, it is often seen that management that succeeded in a small company starts to lose control as the company grows bigger, and ends up in bankruptcy. It is because the management couldn’t make their caliber bigger, as the organization grew bigger.
　If management wants to develop the company, it is required first of all for management to make continuous efforts to improve their caliber, in other words, their humanity, philosophy, way of thinking, and personality.
　However, fewer and fewer in management understands this idea in Japan these days. There has been a succession of management who has lost modesty just by making a little bit of success in their business, became arrogant, pursued self-interest, and ended up losing the success they once gained.
　Now the time has come to learn from the wisdom of sages and renew our understanding on the importance of “virtue”. Doing so will not only lead to development of a group, but will also make a substantial contribution to revive the degenerating Japanese society. ]]> http://chichiweb.seesaa.net/article/62715962.html 【Conversation】 Things Learned from the Book of ‘Golden Rules of Life’, “Shushin-kyoju-roku”Hidefumi Matsui (Advisor of AFLAC Japan) & Yoshitaka Kitao (CEO of SBI Holdings, Inc.)There is a book selling well continuously since its first edit... Pickup Articles CHICHI 2007-10-01T00:00:00+09:00



【Conversation】 Things Learned from the Book of ‘Golden Rules of Life’, “Shushin-kyoju-roku”

Hidefumi Matsui (Advisor of AFLAC Japan) & Yoshitaka Kitao (CEO of SBI Holdings, Inc.)

There is a book selling well continuously since its first edition in the year Heisei 1 (1989) without much attention. The book is “Shushin-kyoju-roku*”, written by an educator named Mr. Shinzo Mori. The book has attracted not only those in the field of education, but also management and leaders in various fields. Mr. Hidefumi Matsui and Mr. Yoshitaka Kitao both cite the book as “the book that has always been with me” and say, “The book taught me many things about life.” They share with us many things they have learned from the book of golden rules of life, “Shushin-kyoju-roku.”
*”Shushin-kyoju-roku” is a book containing lectures on life delivered by an unparalleled educator Mr. Shinzo Mori. ⇒　Chichi WEB (Japanese version)


【Conversation】Principles of Making a Good Company

Masatsugu Nakai (President of Chibo) & Youji Aoya (President of Bandou Taro)

Mr. Masatsugu Nakai is the president of Chibo, the chain of Okonomiyaki* restaurants, a specialty dish of Osaka, that has its stores both in Japan and abroad. On the other hand, Mr. Youji Aoya runs many Japanese food restaurants in the Kanto region, centered around Bando Taro, the restaurant of noodle stew. Both of them lost one of their parents when they were young, and started their business from scratch. They have developed their companies and continue to do so, by overcoming many hurdles. What are the principles of making a good company that the two have learned by devoting themselves? Also, what are the principles of living a good life?
*Okonomiyaki is a Japanese-style pancake containing vegetables and other foodstuff.

⇒　Chichi WEB (Japanese version)



【Conversation】 Learn from the Natural Law Revive Forests, and Human Beings Will Become Alive

Akira Miyawaki (Professor Emeritus of Yokohama National University/Director of the Research Institute of Japanese Center for International Studies in Ecology) & Aya Kuwamura (Proprietress of Japanese Restaurant Wakuden)

For more than a half century, Mr. Akira Miyawaki, a plant ecologist, has been studying and reforesting areas with real forests in which lives can benefit from. His tree-planting activities are said to have taken place at 1,500 sites at home and abroad, or 30 million trees. Through his practices, he has discovered universal principles common to people and plants. Ms. Aya Kuwamura, proprietress of a Japanese restaurant inn, Wakuden, relates to his ideas and leads the reforestation activities. She has also been reflected on the should-be figure of people and companies through the reconstruction of a Japanese inn that went almost bankrupt. What are the golden rules of life that the two have grasped?
⇒　Chichi WEB (Japanese version)

【Conversation】 Human Studies Learned from Chinese Classics

Eiichi Tanizawa (Professor Emeritus of Kansai University) & Shoichi Watanabe (Professor Emeritus of Sophia University)



In order to survive a chaotic state of society without deviating from the right path, solid guidelines of life are needed. Chinese classics, which have deeply penetrated into Japanese’ minds, encourage and lead us when we can not make a decision or when we are in disappointment. Mr. Shoichi Watanabe and Mr. Eiichi Tanizawa, who are well-versed in ancient and modern classics, have picked up words resonated with their hearts from Chinese classics. Let’s learn the golden rules stated there.

⇒　Chichi WEB (Japanese version) ]]> http://chichiweb.seesaa.net/article/63310430.html Recently we have released “Daily Word from Sontoku Ninomiya*1” and “Daily Word from Shushin-kyoju-roku*2”, so that we have released 6 books of this Daily Word series in total. After finishing the edition of sayings of the 6 old sages, the... Special Feature CHICHI 2007-10-01T00:00:00+09:00



Recently we have released “Daily Word from Sontoku Ninomiya*1” and “Daily Word from Shushin-kyoju-roku*2”, so that we have released 6 books of this Daily Word series in total.
After finishing the edition of sayings of the 6 old sages, there is a feeling of amusement that is swelling silently in my heart. This is a feeling that all the words of the 6 masters of life boil down to one thing:
　　What matters for flowers is fragrance.
　　What matters for people is personality.
　No matter how gorgeous and glossy artificial flowers may look, they don’t have the charm to really attract people. Likewise, no mater how capable a person may be, the person is not attractive as a person, if the person is arrogant and unbearable.
*1 Sontoku Ninomiya (1787-1856) was a prominent 19th century Japanese agricultural leader and philosopher. He was born to a poor peasant family but became a great landowner through hard work. Even to this day, he tends to be regarded as a symbol of hard work and perseverance.

*2 “Shushin-kyoju-roku” is a book containing lectures on life delivered by an unparalleled educator Mr. Shinzo Mori

　First of all, you have to create yourself. Refine a person, or yourself respectably, and become a person with the fragrance of virtue.――What the 6 sages talked about throughout their lives are condensed into this one point. This is exactly the most important principle of life, the principle that you can be sure your life is absolutely fine if you comply with this, or the golden rule of life.
　Then, how is it possible to create yourself? What the 6 sages said can be largely summarized by the following 3 things:

　The first thing is to be determined in your life. Unless you are determined, you will never start your true life. The old sages preach this point repetitively.
A fisherman in Okinawa once said,
“When I make a determination to go to a pelagic fishing ground, winds blow, the sail bustles, and waves start to ripple. However, if I am not determined, winds will not come to my ship.”
The same thing can be said about life.
　The second thing is not to be arrogant, and be humble, respectful, and modest. A person who is humble when out of luck, becomes arrogant when things start to go well. This is the common down side of human beings. However, when a person becomes arrogant, Heaven pulls the carpet under the person. There are countless examples of this case.
　The third thing is to be sincere. Sincerity is the best virtue of human beings that old sages cherished the most.
　If I were to add one more thing, it would be “endurance”. By continuing for long periods, the golden rule of life will become rock-solid.

　Lastly, I would like to introduce Sontoku Ninomiya’s poem on virtue.

　　Both my parents and their parents are inside me. Love myself, respect myself.

　Your life is not your own possession. Your life is the life continued for generations including your parents and their parents, in an unbroken line. Your life is there because the flame of life has continued without interruption even once. In your body, the flame of continuous lives of millions or tens of millions of your ancestors is burning.
You have to profoundly consider that you are the crystallization of such precious lives, and have a way of living by loving yourself and respecting yourself.

⇒　Chichi WEB (Japanese version) ]]> http://chichiweb.seesaa.net/article/62738690.html 【Conversation】First Class-ism Develops PeopleTomoyuki Suzuki （Former Special Advisor of The Asahi Soft Drinks Challengers）＆ Shigeo Fukuchi （Advisor of Asahi Breweries, Ltd.） There are invariable principles to becoming a winner.Mr. Tomoyuki ... Pickup Articles CHICHI 2007-09-01T00:00:00+09:00


【Conversation】First Class-ism Develops People

Tomoyuki Suzuki （Former Special Advisor of The Asahi Soft Drinks Challengers）
＆ Shigeo Fukuchi （Advisor of Asahi Breweries, Ltd.）



There are invariable principles to becoming a winner.
Mr. Tomoyuki Suzuki, who was called as a legendary man in the field of American football, demonstrated that. The Asahi Soft Drinks Challengers used to be always at the bottom of the West District First League rankings of amateur American football. However, the weak team became the champion after 2 years, and furthermore, had a great accomplishment of the second straight championship. Mr. Suzuki was the man who led the drastic reform of the team. How did he cultivate the destiny of the team? Also, what is the essence of success common to companies and sports? He explores the invariable principles, together with Mr. Shigeo Fukuchi, advisor of Asahi Breweries, Ltd., which showed remarkable growth with the hit of the Asahi Super Dry, after a long sales slump.
⇒　Chichi WEB (Japanese version)


【Three-way Conversation】Transform This World into Heaven by Everyone

Shifu Yoshimura （Philosopher）＆ Tentsukuman（Film Director/Street Poet）　
＆ Fumiaki Nakamura（President of Kurofune Company）



Let’s start from changing the world within a 3m in radius. You can change the world from there…
An extra edition of a newspaper bearing such a message has been distributed by volunteers in Japan, as many as 30 million copies.
Mr. Tentsukuman is the person who developed this philosophy to change the world by starting from the small world around you. Mr. Fumiaki Nakamura has been supporting him to gain further support for his activity. The two men are trying to make people aware of what he is trying to do in Japan, which is getting further isolated and depressed. They exchange their views on what each one of us should do to cultivate the destiny of Japan, together with a philosopher, Mr. Shifu Yoshimura, who empathize with their activities.
⇒　Chichi WEB (Japanese version)


【Conversation】How Feudal Warlords Cultivated Their Destiny

Fuyuji Domon （Writer）＆ Ryutaro Abe （Writer）




The Sengoku Period (100 years war) was an age of rival warlords. The fierceness of the battles among the warlords for the survival of their states is far beyond the imagination of us, who now live in a peaceful period.
How did they cultivate their destiny between life and death? The writers, Mr. Fuyuji Domon and Mr. Ryutaro Abe exchange their views on this theme.

⇒　Chichi WEB (Japanese version)

]]> http://chichiweb.seesaa.net/article/63307931.html There is a book entitled “Human Studies in Prison”, which puts together the conversations between Mr. Tadayuki Furumi, who was the deputy chief of General Affairs Board of Manchuria (, which was said to be the de facto Prime Minister) until... Special Feature CHICHI 2007-09-01T00:00:00+09:00


There is a book entitled “Human Studies in Prison”, which puts together the conversations between Mr. Tadayuki Furumi, who was the deputy chief of General Affairs Board of Manchuria (, which was said to be the de facto Prime Minister) until Japan’s defeat in the World War Ⅱ, and Mr. Hiroshi Jono, who fought with the People’s Liberation Army even after Japan’s defeat.
　Mr. Furumi was detained in Siberia after Japan’s defeat. He was further transported to China, sentenced to 18 years in prison in a military trial, and was taken into custody to the Fushun Prison. It was the year Showa 38 (1963) that he retuned to Japan. He spent the prime time of life from 45 years of age to 63 years of age in prison. He told that he was surprised to find out that his son, who was in the 6th grade of elementary school when he last saw him, was already married and had kids.
　Mr. Jono fought with Mao Zedong by organizing Chinese people as a field army in Shanxi Province, even after Japan’s surrender. However, he became a captive in the year of Showa 24 (1949), and spent 7 years in the Taiyuan Prison. Then he was transferred to the Fushun Prison, where he met Mr. Furumi.
　The two, who spent their life in prison together, openly talk about “the epitome of human society” in this book, which is the very cornucopia of human studies.

　Let me share one of the stories with you.
　Many people suffered from nervous breakdown in prison. What these people had in common was that they suck up to people with authority. They paid their entire attention to gain the favor of the administrator of the prison, tried to play along with him, and ended up suffering from nervous breakdown after being swayed by him.
　Also, the same thing can be said about those who miss their family and spend time solely on looking at the pictures of their wife, children, or mother. Their mind is dominated by the desire alone, and stops to react to the other things. Mr. Furumi says,
“I thought that human brain is finished when it stops to react to external stimulations. It is the same for everyone to miss the family, but the issue is how to deal with the feeling consciously. There is no point in missing the family, as you are in prison and there is no way to see them in Japan, across the sea.”
　What is more important than that is to focus on what you should do now under the environment to bring out the best, and how you can obtain the mindset. The two were fretted about these issues.
　Although it has been a long time since the two predecessors passed away, the precious wisdom obtained in their 18 years of prison life is still fresh, showing us what is important to “cultivate your destiny.”

“Daily Word from Sontoku Ninomiya* ” was edited by Mr. Issei Terada and has been published recently.
　What bears special mentioning about Sontoku is that although he experienced hardships in life, he never criticized or complained about the system or authority, accepted the reality given to him, and made utmost efforts to improve the reality as much as possible.
　When I reflect on that fact, his words, “My way is all about sincerity and execution”, resounded in me.
* Sontoku Ninomiya (1787-1856) was a prominent 19th century Japanese agricultural leader and philosopher. He was born to a poor peasant family but became a great landowner through a hard working. Even to this day, he tends to be regarded as a symbol of hard work and perseverance.
　The Chinese classic, “Zhongyong “, or "The Doctrine of the Golden Mean” teaches us: Every person has a given position. Never be envious or jealous of others, and instead, do your best wholeheartedly.
　Under the given conditions, never curse your destiny, never complain, and make the utmost efforts you can make now─The key to cultivate your destiny lies in this attitude.

⇒　Chichi WEB (Japanese version) ]]> http://chichiweb.seesaa.net/article/63856315.html Prefatory NoteLeaders Should Never Become IndecentJiro Ushio, Chairman of USHIO INC.■There Are “Three Highs” for Leaders As Well I had close friendship for nearly 40 years with Mr. Saburo Shiroyama, a novelist who passed away in March. He w... Prefatory Note CHICHI 2007-09-01T00:00:00+09:00


Prefatory Note


Leaders Should Never Become Indecent


Jiro Ushio, Chairman of USHIO INC.

■There Are “Three Highs” for Leaders As Well
　I had close friendship for nearly 40 years with Mr. Saburo Shiroyama, a novelist who passed away in March.
　He was slim by nature, but since his wife passed away 7 years ago, he became frail to the extent his weight was temporarily under 40kg. We used to enjoy playing golf together 3 or 4 times a year, but he began to leave in the middle of the rounds. He lost the vigor he used to have, and I had been concerned about that.
　Mr. Shiroyama occasionally participated in “the Gathering with Mr. Sohei Nakayama”, in which I had been participating in since about the year Showa 40 (1965). There he shared stories with profound implications, with us.
　One of the most impressive stories I heard that I still remember now, is that we were told that there are “three highs” for leaders just like young women who desire “three highs (high educational background, high income, and high height)” as conditions for an ideal marriage partner.
　First “high” is “high stability”. Speaking of people in the management, their business performance must be stable. In the case of leaders in whatever fields other than management, it is important to have their own solid criteria about life and a direction to pursue.
　The second “high” is “high sensitivity”. People with high stability tend to be inferior in terms of sensitivity. However, high sensitivity is required to deal with dizzying pace of changes of the times.
　The third “high” is “high blandness”. Selflessness, unpretentiousness, no appetite for fame and positions, and little material greed. In a nutshell, it is an especially important requirement for leaders not to be indecent.
　Mr. Shiroyama mentioned he was comfortable if people interpreted that he liked those with these “three highs”. It seems people he preferred to write about were those who satisfied the “three highs”, including Koki Hirota*1 of “War Criminal: The Life and Death of Hirota Koki” and Reisuke Ishida*2 of “Rustic, Savage, but Not Indecent”.

*1Koki Hirota (1878-1948) was a Japanese diplomat, politician and the 32nd Prime Minister of Japan from March 9, 1936 to February 2, 1937. Following Japan's surrender in WWⅡ, Hirota was arrested as a Class A war criminal and was brought before the International Military Tribunal for the Far East. He offered no defense and was found guilty. He was sentenced to hang, and was executed. The severity of his sentence remains controversial, as Hirota was the only civilian executed.
*2Reisuke Ishida was the Head of the Japanese National Railways from 1963 to 1969.
　
■Never Become Arrogant Even in Favorable
Circumstances
　Through my experiences, I realize the importance of Mr. Shiroyama’s warning, that leaders should never become indecent.
　As previously introduced in this Prefatory Note, I met great criticism from the public when I was young. It was because the company, of which I served as an outside director at my friend’s request, went bankrupt. I visited Mr. Wataru Tajitsu, who was the then president of Mitsubishi Bank, Ltd. (current The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd.) that we had business with, for apology. Upon then, Mr. Tajitsu kindly advised me, “You were not protective enough and you have to reflect on that. However, what is good about you is you are not indecent. You should never lose the virtue in the future.”
Also, when I was working on creating a private-sector-led society with Mr. Toshio Doko at Doko Ad Hoc Commission on Administrative Reform, Mr. Doko spotted and argued, “People talk about the issues surrounding respecting the bureaucrats and looking down on the citizens. However, the situations were not triggered because the bureaucrats were arrogant. It was rather the indecent mindset of the citizens, who tried to suck up to the bureaucrats, triggering the situations.”
　　It is difficult to keep posture of not being indecent. There are countless examples of respected leaders, who were with honest poverty in pioneer days, expose indecency and lose modesty when their work succeeds. I think it is a more difficult theme to never become arrogant even in favorable circumstances, than to stick to honest poverty in adversity.
Mr. Shiroyama’s last novel, “Commanders’ Suicide Attack”, underlines that how many people had to suffer from the selfishness of leaders. I would like to take each word left by Mr. Shiroyama as an important warning for leaders, and continue thinking about it.


⇒　Chichi WEB (Japanese version) ]]> http://chichiweb.seesaa.net/article/62768674.html 【Conversation】 Learn Life Lessons from “The Analects of Confucius” - Explore the Way Human Beings Should Live and the Way Leaders Should Be in the Universal DocumentYoshiyuki Kasai (Chairman of Central Japan Railway Company) & Hei Seki (Cr... Pickup Articles CHICHI 2007-08-01T00:00:00+09:00


【Conversation】 Learn Life Lessons from “The Analects of Confucius” - Explore the Way Human Beings Should Live and the Way Leaders Should Be in the Universal Document



Yoshiyuki Kasai (Chairman of Central Japan Railway Company) & Hei Seki (Critic)




Mr. Yoshiyuki Kasai was one of the key players of the privatization and separation of the Japanese National Railways, and he is also one of the leaders in the Japanese business world. He has achieved large-scale reforms in businesses, and underlying that force was the words from “The Analects of Confucius”, of which he was taught by his father, who was a Japanese teacher, when he was in elementary school. On the other hand, Mr. Seki also learned about “The Analects of Confucius” from his grandfather during his boyhood, at the peak of the Cultural Revolution in China, and the teachings have become his body and soul. Although the two were born in different nations and at different periods in time, they exchange their views here on human studies through “The Analects of Confucius.”
⇒　Chichi WEB (Japanese version)

【Conversation】 Live the Present, Led by the Teachings of Old Sages


Aoji Tanasawa (President of ELEGANCE Co., Ltd.) & Ryuichiro Misaki (Writer)

Ms. Aoji Tanasawa suddenly developed myasthenia, which is an intractable disease with unknown cause, in her twenties. On the other hand, Mr. Ryuichiro Misaki developed cancer in his forties, when he was a busy corporate director. Both of them had a brush with death, encountered teachings of old sages, became conscious of their missions, and have lived their new lives. The two people, who are walking their own ways respectively to do their best to radiate their saved lives, talk about the impressive teachings of old sages.
⇒　Chichi WEB (Japanese version)

【Conversation】 Advance, while Learning and Being Taught

Jiro Ushio (Chairman of USHIO INC.) ＆ Danjuro Ichikawa XII (Kabuki Actor）



This March, Kabuki, the traditional performing art that Japan can be proud of, has opened a new page. A Kabuki performance was performed for the first time in history at the Paris Opera House with a proud history and tradition. Danjuro Ichikawa XII made a strong impression on the world, by setting the audience alight with his heroic Roppo* and the statements in French. While basking in the afterglow of the historic stage, he talks about the path to reach there, and conditions of first class people etc., together with Mr. Jiro Ushio, who has been continuously supporting his activities.
*Roppo is a unique way of walking to express the character, and is mainly used upon getting out off the stage. In this case, Danjuro got out of the stage by using his heroic Roppo of energetically stamping the stage.

⇒　Chichi WEB (Japanese version) ]]> http://chichiweb.seesaa.net/article/63307580.html Recent news from Cambodia reported that a girl, who had gone missing at the age of 9 while taking care of buffalos, was discovered and rescued after 18 years. According to the news report, she had become 27 years old, and seems to have live... Special Feature CHICHI 2007-08-01T00:00:00+09:00


Recent news from Cambodia reported that a girl, who had gone missing at the age of 9 while taking care of buffalos, was discovered and rescued after 18 years. According to the news report, she had become 27 years old, and seems to have lived in a jungle. Therefore she doesn’t understand any language, tears off her clothes, walks on all fours, and has completely become wild.
　This incident reminds us of the fact that human beings are not born as human beings, but become human beings. If this is the case, then what makes human beings, human beings?

　Mr. Mitsukuni Tokugawa, the lord of the Mito domain known as an enlightened lord, was the second son of Yorifusa, the 11th son of Ieyasu*1. Although Mitsukuni was brilliant, he was also eccentric and impudent when he was young, a bad boy to the extent that his close aid described him as having bad morals. However, Yorifusa was determined that Mitsukuni would be his successor, seeing his potential. Having said so, Yorishige, Yorifusa’s first son, was mild and had better reputations from those around them. Compared to that, Mitsukuni was thought of as being an outrageous eccentric and that his future most likely would not amount to much. Mitsukuni, who was regarded as such, completely transformed his way of living, by reading “Hakui-den” , or “The Story of Hakui” in “Shi Chi”*2 at the age of 18.
*1Ieyasu Tokugawa was the founder and first shogun of the Tokugawa Shogunate (1603-1868) of Japan.
*2 “Shi Chi” is a series of Chinese classics completed around the 1st century B.C., depicting Chinese history.

Here is the story of “Hakui-den”. Hakui and Shukusei were the children of a lord of a small country. The lord designated the youngest brother, Shukusei, as his successor and passed away. However, Shukusei tried to concede the position to his elder brother, Hakui. Hakui didn’t accept that, saying, “It is against our father’s will”, and left the country. Shukusei also followed him. Hakui and Shukusei tried to look for King Wen of the country named Zhou*3 for support. However, King Wen had already passed away, and his son, King Wu succeeded him, and was trying to topple the supreme ruler, Yin*4. Hakui and Shukusei expostulated King Wu, saying, “It is against filial piety to topple Yin when you have not even finished your father’s funeral. Yin is the lord of Zhou, and therefore it is against benevolence for the vassal to topple the lord.” The guards tried to kill them, but they were saved by the general serving King Wu, saying, “These two are the sons of righteousness.”
　Soon after that, Zhou toppled Yin and came to rule over the whole land. Although everyone else was going to Zhou, Hakui and Shukusei denied getting a salary from Zhou because the country was against righteousness. They hid themselves in a mountain, and died from hunger. They consistently adhered to their faith.
*3 Zhou is an ancient Chinese dynasty.
*4 Yin is the oldest Chinese dynasty whose existence was confirmed archeologically.　──Mitsukuni was tremendously overwhelmed after reading this story at the age of 18. “I have taken it for granted to become the successor as I am of better caliber than my brother, Yorishige. Have I ever considered his feelings even a moment…? Do I have even a little bit of the admirable attitude of Hakui and Shukusei to adhere to righteousness…?”
　From that point, Mitsukuni has transformed. He named his study room as “Jisshinsai” and devoted himself into reading classics. Through the experience, he strongly felt that history books were required to know the trails of the ancients. This feeling triggered the idea of editing “Dainihonshi”, or “The History of Great Japan.”
　Mitsukuni was determined to do one more thing, which was to adopt Tsunaeda, his brother Yorishige’s son, and make him as the successor without bearing a child of his own. Mitsukuni notified his brother of this determination at the age of 36, upon their father’s death, and executed it at the age of 63.
　Mitsukuni had become a human being from the teachings of “Hakui-den” and realized his motto in life: “Human beings become human beings by having classics in their minds. Learning becomes learning by living a life with morality.”

　The Chinese character to describe “teaching” consists of two parts. One of them indicates “filial piety”. Mr. Masahiro Yasuoka*5 said that this “filial piety” is not limited to among parents and children. Rather, it indicates succession and unification of old and young, and new and old. He preached that both individuals and peoples would advance and prosper where there was no disconnection. The other part of the character indicates pointing to something with a whip. The character exactly embodies what teachings are all about.
Human beings need to learn from teachings, and pass on the teachings.　
*5 Mr. Masahiro Yasuoka was a famous scholar of Oriental philosophy. He was a spiritual advisor to many high-ranking members of Japan's political and business elite, including a number of postwar prime ministers.

⇒　Chichi WEB (Japanese version) ]]> http://chichiweb.seesaa.net/article/63752736.html Prefatory NoteBe Considerate of OthersHidesaburo Kagiyama, Advisor of YellowHat■People with No Sparkle in Their Eyes“Although there are many people who are alive but live like zombies, you are still alive even after you have passed away.” ... Prefatory Note CHICHI 2007-08-01T00:00:00+09:00


Prefatory Note


Be Considerate of Others


Hidesaburo Kagiyama, Advisor of YellowHat

■People with No Sparkle in Their Eyes“Although there are many people who are alive but live like zombies, you are still alive even after you have passed away.”　
　These are the words of Ms. Michiko Sato, a poet who lives in Osaka, presented to the deceased boy, Migaku Okui.
　The boy Okui was considered a genius, but sadly, he was suddenly killed in a traffic accident. The paintings he left were put together and published as a book entitled “Shouts of a 19-year-old,” which is fabulous.
　Currently in Japan, I have seen an increase in the number of people with no sparkle in their eyes, nor light or power in their words. Recently, I have seen the unlively faces, figures, attitudes, and behaviors of people I happen to come across with on public transit or to pass by on the street, and they have made me think there are many people who personify Ms. Sato’s expression: “There are many people who are alive but live like zombies.”
　Some of them may have become exhausted by being cracked by the irrationalities of society, or have been suffering every day from excessive expectations by their companies. Also, some of them are responsible for their own demise, as they made wrong decisions in life. The “ki” or vital energy from them has a common negative, passive, and dark image.

■Live a Way of Life with Consideration and Class
On the other hand, in Japan now, if you ask if all the people taking actions based on having a positive and active way of thinking are all “lively and living humanly,” the answer is not necessarily “yes”. People who disregard others to satisfy their own desires, showing egoism, though living life with enthusiasm. People who ignore others for their own benefit. People who do not try to understand other’s efforts, burdens, sincerity and continue to gain from them endlessly, also fit the definition of the “living dead”.
　The cause of this is that they live without a humane heart. The selfishness is active, rather than passive, and therefore, has become a negative legacy in society, by producing people, who are suffering and exhausted, one after another.
　“The Black Gold”, a British independent film depicting the reality of the coffee industry, which continues to prosper, tells you the predicament of the commercial farms producing coffee. (The film is not screened in Japan.) The commercial farms can get only 1/1000 of the price of coffee, whose taste and flavor we fully enjoy.（Morning edition of the Tokyo Shimbun on February 21.）
　We would like to take thought for the fact that our activities to enjoy the pleasure alone and to show our egoism, are forcing tough labor on others, and agonizing many people including those who live immensely apart from us. It is important to notice that our desire “to purchase even 1 yen cheaper only for myself” is the cause of producing worn-out people.
　One of the proverbs of Mr. Kanjiro Kawai* says, “Going to purchase a product, going to purchase myself.” I believe that it is a graceful way of living to take into account other people’s feelings, which can not be seen with eyes, and be considerate of others, rather than gorgeously decorating your outlook.
*Mr. Kanjiro Kawai (1890~1966) was a Japanese potter, who was also active in writing.　The only distinction among people is “whether they have class or not.” There is no one in between, so those who are without class are all vulgar. This is what I have learned from Mr. Tanaka, who lives in Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture. Currently in Japan, there has been more and more number of people, who are without class.
　In order to realize a “Beautiful Country, Japan”, which Prime Minister Abe is aiming for, it makes more sense for Japanese people to become people whose way of living is with consideration and class. Such a way of living is exactly the way of living that of having “life even after passing away,” according to the words of Ms. Sato.



⇒　Chichi WEB (Japanese version) ]]> http://chichiweb.seesaa.net/article/63303110.html This is an anecdote of a Kabuki actor, Sojuro Sawamura the First*1, who made Genroku Kabuki*2 flourish. It was upon his final performance, where all the actors were quite nervous to support the brilliant close of the career of this master o... Special Feature CHICHI 2007-07-01T00:00:00+09:00


This is an anecdote of a Kabuki actor, Sojuro Sawamura the First*1, who made Genroku Kabuki*2 flourish. It was upon his final performance, where all the actors were quite nervous to support the brilliant close of the career of this master of Kabuki.
“Allow me to inform you. Allow me to inform you. Allow me…”
In a scene, one of the actors had forgotten his lines and got flustered. Sojuro, who noticed this, promptly said,
“It sounds like highly confidential. Come closer, come.”
　With that, he invited the actor, who inched along toward Sojuro and whispered,
“I’m sorry. I forgot the lines.”　
Sojuro listened to this with his hands over the ear, and then put his hands over the mouth and said,
“I think this is enough. Just say ‘That’s it, Sir’ and get yourself out of the stage. It will work.”
The actor raised his voice to say “That’s it, Sir,” and got himself out of the stage. It did work and the stage performance could go on.
I admire the prompt response of Sojuro, who had a quick wit and took advantage of the opportunity. It must be something that could be done because of his many years of discipline and magnanimity as a person.
*1Kabuki actors inherit their names, like Sojuro Sawamura the 2nd, Sojuro Sawamura the 3rd, etc.
*2Kabuki thrived during the Genroku period (1673–1735). The structure of a Kabuki play was formalized during this period. Conventional character types were determined.　
　When Mr. Gaishi Hiraiwa (Former President/Chairman of the Tokyo Electric Power Company, Incorporated) was young, he worked as a secretary to the then president, Mr. Kazutaka Kigawada. During the period, when the president Kigawada tuned his face to Mr. Hiraiwa, he could tell what the president wanted to say, and what the president wanted him to do. He could enable such miracles, as he always tried to become single-minded with the president, and lived a time shared with the president.

”I Ching”, one of the oldest of the Chinese classic texts, says, “Isn’t it the God who sees signs and can predict an incident faster than anyone else?” It also teaches us, “If you seize an opportunity, execute it immediately.”

　Then, what should we do to take advantage of an opportunity? I believe the requirements can be summarized into the following 4 items.
　The first item is “sincerity.” Work wholeheartedly, and you will see that “sincerity reaches heaven”, functioning like God. This is something everyone who lived seriously has been insisting upon since ancient times.
　The next item is “agility.” You have to maintain a positive sense of tension, in order for you to have something that rings a bell. The following are the words of Mr. Masahiro Yasuoka*3.
“The core meaning of agility is to make your mind and body work, so as to be careful as much as you can, to be helpful, to serve frequently in order to make your life beautiful, for your work, for your friends, and for the world. In plain words, never slack off and always stay agile. Instead, you can substantially slack off when it comes to mundane things in the world.”
　The third item is “commitment.” Surprisingly, people are not good at making commitments. “Shu Ching”, another oldest of the Chinese classic texts, says, “Everyone has his or her own important mission. However, there have not been many people who commit to the mission since olden days.” Most people end up lukewarm. However, there is a stage that only those who commit can reach.
　The last item is “courage.” Be constantly active. If you hesitate, you can’t take advantage of an opportunity.
*3 Mr. Masahiro Yasuoka was a famous scholar of Oriental philosophy. He was a spiritual advisor to many high-ranking members of Japan's political and business elite, including a number of postwar prime ministers.

　Let’s learn how to take advantage of an opportunity from each life of those active in his or her own field.

⇒　Chichi WEB (Japanese version) ]]> http://chichiweb.seesaa.net/article/63151538.html 【Conversation: Be Desperate, and There Is Always a Way out of an Impossible Situation. Always Have Someone to Respect in Your Mind – Devoting Life to the Recovery of the Resona Group】Jiro Ushio (Chairman of USHIO INC.) ＆ Eiji Hosoya (... Pickup Articles CHICHI 2007-07-01T00:00:00+09:00

【Conversation: Be Desperate, and There Is Always a Way out of an Impossible Situation. Always Have Someone to Respect in Your Mind – Devoting Life to the Recovery of the Resona Group】


Jiro Ushio (Chairman of USHIO INC.) ＆ Eiji Hosoya (Chairman of Resona Holdings, Inc.)



4 years ago, “the Resona Group” requested for an injection of public funds of 2 trillion yen, and was forced into nationalization. The direction of its recovery was an important issue, which could influence even the direction of the Japanese economy. As the instrument of change, Mr. Jiro Ushio singled out Mr. Eiji Hosoya, who had achieved remarkable results for the privatization of the national railways. How did Mr. Hosoya take advantage of the opportunity in the impossible situation? He looks back to the road of reform, together with Mr. Ushio.

⇒　Chichi WEB (Japanese version)

【Conversation: A Light Found in the Darkness】



Hiroyuki Yoshiie (Head of the Education Rebuilding Council Office/Member of the Yokohama City Board of Education) ＆ Hiroyuki Sugimoto (CEO of S-GRANT.CO.,LTD.)



In Japan, currently there are 640,000 youngsters called NEETs (Not in Employment, Education or Training), who can’t find what they want to do and lost the energy to live. Mr. Hiroyuki Yoshiie and Mr. Hiroyuki Sugimoto also once had a period of wandering in a long tunnel. The two men have overcome unfathomable anguish and conflicts, and they are currently running their own way of education and management respectively with the utmost effort. How did they seize opportunities in their lives to take advantage of them?

⇒　Chichi WEB (Japanese version)


【Conversation: How to Take Advantage of the Current Opportunity in This Country】



Shoichi Watanabe (Professor Emeritus of Sophia University) & Terumasa Nakanishi (Professor of Kyoto University)

Currently, discussions are increasing in Japan, on exercising the right to having a collective self-defense and constitutional amendments etc. On the other hand, if you look abroad, there are movements wielding a keen edge to Japan, such as the Resolution protecting the human rights of comfort women, and the production of a film featuring the Nanjing Massacre, and we can’t help but wonder “Why at this time?” Mr. Watanabe and Mr. Nakanishi, both have the eyes penetrating the history, exchange their views on the future international situation, touching upon the movements of the anti-Japanese organization behind that, and how Japan should advance under such circumstances.


⇒　Chichi WEB (Japanese version) ]]>