- I am honored to have the opportunity to present this inaugural address on behalf of all the new officers of Keidanren.
- Having just been elected by the entire membership of this 56th General Assembly, we as new officers are proud to carry the weight of responsibility and trust you have placed in our hands as executives of this historic organization -- Keidanren.
- In recent years, under the enlightened leadership of former Chairman Gaishi Hiraiwa, elected in December 1990, Keidanren focused its agenda on the earth, our markets and our people, seeking solutions to basic economic problems confronting Japan during the transition accompanying the end of the Cold War.
In response to the aftermath of the bursting of the bubble economy, Chairman Hiraiwa initiated the Keidanren Charter for Good Corporate Behavior, which endorsed the adoption of a higher level of corporate ethics for all businesses. He also initiated the Keidanren Charter for a Global Environment, which endorsed the principle of "Kyosei" or economic symbiosis or harmony, and encouraged the building of more positive relationships between Japan and the West as well as the rest of Asia and the Pacific Rim. In actions such as these, Chairman Hiraiwa demonstrated his dynamic leadership on a wide range of issues.
In 1993, Chairman Hiraiwa was appointed chairman of the Prime Minister's cabinet-level advisory committee, The Economic Reform Study Group which helped formulate a blue-print for the fundamental reform of the Japanese economy as it enters the 21st century.
- Chairman Hiraiwa made several insightful points in his earlier remarks and I would like to add to those briefly. I and the other new officers appointed today, pledge ourselves to continue on the road to political, administrative, and economic reform that was paved by these extraordinary efforts coupled with those of our predecessors. We also pledge to work for consensus among business leaders and work to pool their collective expertise in order to chart a new course for Japan's economic future.
- Our world is currently undergoing what may be the most radical change we have so far experienced during this century and with the end of the Cold War our international leaders are struggling to define a new world order. Japan is also undergoing a similar period of change that is no less momentous than that which accompanied the Meiji Restoration or the end of WW II. The nation is being propelled toward fundamental structural reforms in politics, economics and society.
- Within this process of reform, we must confront a number of critical domestic and international issues. While it is important to preserve the sound structures and traditions established by our business community, I believe we must commit ourselves to reevaluating those structures and traditions that no longer meet the current needs of society. We must also work to strengthen both domestic and international relationships which will support the growth of a healthy economy and society in the coming century.
As we strive to adhere to the principle of corporate responsibility, we must also strive to contribute to technological progress by exploring new business frontiers and demonstrating our entrepreneurial spirit.
- Another key issue for us to consider is our role in the globalization of the economy. Today, Japan is playing an ever-increasing role in the world's economy -- I believe that we in the business community must follow the principles of "mutual understanding" and "competition and cooperation," if we as a nation are to build cooperative relationships with the global community.
The global expansion of Japan's business community has brought us into contact with many other cultures and value systems -- I believe that demonstrating respect for these cultural differences is a key to future progress and harmony, for both Japan and other nations.
With this principle in mind, we must work to refine our own Japanese values while we work to establish a universal system of values that can be understood throughout the world.
- Based on these perceptions, I propose that we follow a course founded on "courageous planning and steadfast implementation of policy," while remaining mindful of the need for "change, creativity, and credibility." We shall focus on the realization of critical policies in areas such as government deregulation, administrative reform and the enhancement of social infrastructure.
At the same time, we also resolve to work to establish greater mutual understanding and trust between Japan the rest of the world. In this way we hope to contribute to the building of a new global order, to enhanced economic cooperation with developing countries and to the solution of environmental and other major global problems.
- Finally, on behalf of the newly elected officers, I would like to ask you all for your continuing support, understanding and cooperation as we attempt to forge a new Keidanren for a new era. We will be open to advice and opinions from both Japan and other nations as we embark with confidence and energy on the path we have chosen.
Thank you very much.