xvi
Preface (3): A Society We Are Aiming At
Creation of a New Society and Values by Resolving Issues
In the twentieth century, people were released from various constraints. Many people became free of constraints such as labor for securing food, clothing, and shelter;
had inability to move; and are not being able to acquire information. The dream of
longevity has also been realized.
As we acquire these things, it may not be that easy for us to recognize that we
“have in fact become free.” Consider the predicament of farmers of the Edo period.
Lacking food, clothing, shelter, and without access to external information, they
relied on traveling by foot and manual power, and endured hunger when struck by
crop failure. Compared to their situation, today’s reality is like a dream. Even if we
do not go back to the Edo period, we were forced until recently to choose between
working in the more urban Pacific Ocean belt zone and remaining in the countryside. Now, the situation has changed completely. Although it is not always evident,
we can now freely choose where we want to live or work. In this sense, we have
become free.
Even if we cannot deny that there are negative aspects of our civilization, we
have fulfilled our longstanding dream of affluence and longevity. A question that we
might ask now is whether we humans have the wisdom and ability to take advantage
of the freedom we have gained, and work toward creating a better society.
However, it is unlikely that we will have to think in a new, difficult manner.
Rather than resolving the issues that need to be resolved under current restraints, we
should resolve them by expanding on the freedoms we have gained. By doing so, a
better society will naturally emerge; one that will generate a new sense of values.
Perhaps, we should proceed based on this thinking. Let’s do that and move forward.
We can participate in society by freely choosing from among various options such
as hobbies and work, nature and stimulation, and friends and family. Such a society
has come within our reach with our efforts.
“Platinum Society”: A Vision in the Twenty-First Century
During the Edo period, for example, when food was in shortage, it was not necessary to come up with a vision. As people wanted to be able to eat, they had no choice
but to diligently engage in farming. During the age of industrialization, people
wanted to buy televisions or cars, and for that, they hoped for better salaries. In
other words, becoming affluent must have been the implicit vision.
The vision in the twenty-first century must be one of a high-quality society. To
be precise, it must be a society where people can maintain quantitative affluence,
enhance it if necessary, and enjoy a better-quality life and living situation. Or in
other words, a society where they can enjoy a better quality of lie (QOL). Let’s
Preface: From “Vision 2050” to “New Vision 2050”
Preface (3): A Society We Are Aiming At
Creation of a New Society and Values by Resolving Issues
In the twentieth century, people were released from various constraints. Many people became free of constraints such as labor for securing food, clothing, and shelter;
had inability to move; and are not being able to acquire information. The dream of
longevity has also been realized.
As we acquire these things, it may not be that easy for us to recognize that we
“have in fact become free.” Consider the predicament of farmers of the Edo period.
Lacking food, clothing, shelter, and without access to external information, they
relied on traveling by foot and manual power, and endured hunger when struck by
crop failure. Compared to their situation, today’s reality is like a dream. Even if we
do not go back to the Edo period, we were forced until recently to choose between
working in the more urban Pacific Ocean belt zone and remaining in the countryside. Now, the situation has changed completely. Although it is not always evident,
we can now freely choose where we want to live or work. In this sense, we have
become free.
Even if we cannot deny that there are negative aspects of our civilization, we
have fulfilled our longstanding dream of affluence and longevity. A question that we
might ask now is whether we humans have the wisdom and ability to take advantage
of the freedom we have gained, and work toward creating a better society.
However, it is unlikely that we will have to think in a new, difficult manner.
Rather than resolving the issues that need to be resolved under current restraints, we
should resolve them by expanding on the freedoms we have gained. By doing so, a
better society will naturally emerge; one that will generate a new sense of values.
Perhaps, we should proceed based on this thinking. Let’s do that and move forward.
We can participate in society by freely choosing from among various options such
as hobbies and work, nature and stimulation, and friends and family. Such a society
has come within our reach with our efforts.
“Platinum Society”: A Vision in the Twenty-First Century
During the Edo period, for example, when food was in shortage, it was not necessary to come up with a vision. As people wanted to be able to eat, they had no choice
but to diligently engage in farming. During the age of industrialization, people
wanted to buy televisions or cars, and for that, they hoped for better salaries. In
other words, becoming affluent must have been the implicit vision.
The vision in the twenty-first century must be one of a high-quality society. To
be precise, it must be a society where people can maintain quantitative affluence,
enhance it if necessary, and enjoy a better-quality life and living situation. Or in
other words, a society where they can enjoy a better quality of lie (QOL). Let’s
Preface: From “Vision 2050” to “New Vision 2050”