Clouds on the horizon

(Challenges facing Japan in the 21^st Century)

Hiroshi Hamada Chairman of Committee on Human Resources Development, Keidanren Chairman and CEO, Ricoh Company, Ltd.

As we enter the 21^st century, we must realize that serious problems have carried over from the last century. The '90s was a Lost Decade. The Japanese economy failed to achieve any genuine growth in this period. We accumulated an enormous national debt that even surpassed the GDP. Our national pension and health insurance systems are on the brink of collapse.

If you were to ask a young person today to describe these times, he might say: "The future is uncertain." To my great regret I have to admit that my generation is to blame, specifically the leadership right across the board.

In this new decade starting now, we must find the clues to each problem, and act upon them. Moreover even more serious problems loom in the 21^st century: on the global scale, environmental problems; in Japan, a national educational crisis.

Concerning the environment, two areas are especially critical at the moment: depleting energy resources, and food shortages. Once we reach the limits of what the earth can provide, Japan will be critically affected because we are terribly dependent on the outside. We cannot afford to ignore this situation.

They say: "In crisis lies opportunity" and "You are never stronger than with your back against the wall." That being the case, in this century, Japan should strive to play a leading role in tackling environmental problems through technology, regulations, systems and nationwide initiatives.

When it comes to educational reform, I can honestly say that we have discussed the matter to death. Now is the time to act. If we wait for parliament to pass a bill, then for the Ministry of Education to review it and pass it on to the regional education boards, nothing will happen. We might as well watch the river flow until it becomes clear. For this also we are to blame. What really counts now is that influential leaders in every field take action, no matter how small, to reform the educational system.