xlvi
A System for Innovations
Dr. Hiroshi Yoshikawa, who is featured in an interview at the end of this book,
argues in his latest book Demography and the Japanese Economy that economic
growth has been brought about by innovation rather than by an increase in the size
of the workforce. Seeds of innovation can be cultivated by the Platinum Society and
its buds are already bearing fruit in many places.
Innovation stems not only from the making of goods but also by making them
more affordable. The basic mechanism of a free market is one like Henry Ford’s,
where he shaved the price of cars to a tenth, allowing for 100 times the number of
people to buy cars, thereby expanding the market by tenfold. However, for instance,
even if advanced medical and assistive robots are invented, companies will have
little motivation to lower the price if the current social security system must fund
them. This would cause considerable financial strain on the government. That would
be akin to saying that expensive cars should be distributed to citizens because they
are great. The necessary condition for innovation is a system in which the companies are motivated to lower prices. To realize the SDGs aim of leaving no one
behind, it would be effective to work through the free market.
While the capitalistic system based on democracy appeared to have triumphed
after the end of the Cold War in the twentieth century, this system is now facing
challenges. We must find answers within the finite limitations of Earth’s resources
while wisely utilizing the advantages of a free market.
Twenty-First Century Is a Turning Point
From avoiding population explosion to overcoming a declining birthrate, abolishing
hunger to preventing obesity, fossil resources to renewable energy, mining resources
to urban mining, overcoming pollution to harmonizing with nature, high-speed production to leisurely living, compulsory participation to free participation––the
twenty-first century marks a great turning point in human history. The issues that we
face today may be resolved by fully utilizing the freedom we have achieved through
civilization. We will achieve resource self-sufficiency, harmony with nature, health
and self-reliance, lifelong learning, freedom of participation, a rich culture, and
diverse options, when we resolve these issues. In other words, we will be working
toward a platinum society.
Platinum Society Network
The vision for the twenty-first century is a platinum society. Its buds are already
sprouting in many places. However, what should we do to work toward a platinum
society from the society that we currently live in? We have little time left. What kind
Preface: From “Vision 2050” to “New Vision 2050”
A System for Innovations
Dr. Hiroshi Yoshikawa, who is featured in an interview at the end of this book,
argues in his latest book Demography and the Japanese Economy that economic
growth has been brought about by innovation rather than by an increase in the size
of the workforce. Seeds of innovation can be cultivated by the Platinum Society and
its buds are already bearing fruit in many places.
Innovation stems not only from the making of goods but also by making them
more affordable. The basic mechanism of a free market is one like Henry Ford’s,
where he shaved the price of cars to a tenth, allowing for 100 times the number of
people to buy cars, thereby expanding the market by tenfold. However, for instance,
even if advanced medical and assistive robots are invented, companies will have
little motivation to lower the price if the current social security system must fund
them. This would cause considerable financial strain on the government. That would
be akin to saying that expensive cars should be distributed to citizens because they
are great. The necessary condition for innovation is a system in which the companies are motivated to lower prices. To realize the SDGs aim of leaving no one
behind, it would be effective to work through the free market.
While the capitalistic system based on democracy appeared to have triumphed
after the end of the Cold War in the twentieth century, this system is now facing
challenges. We must find answers within the finite limitations of Earth’s resources
while wisely utilizing the advantages of a free market.
Twenty-First Century Is a Turning Point
From avoiding population explosion to overcoming a declining birthrate, abolishing
hunger to preventing obesity, fossil resources to renewable energy, mining resources
to urban mining, overcoming pollution to harmonizing with nature, high-speed production to leisurely living, compulsory participation to free participation––the
twenty-first century marks a great turning point in human history. The issues that we
face today may be resolved by fully utilizing the freedom we have achieved through
civilization. We will achieve resource self-sufficiency, harmony with nature, health
and self-reliance, lifelong learning, freedom of participation, a rich culture, and
diverse options, when we resolve these issues. In other words, we will be working
toward a platinum society.
Platinum Society Network
The vision for the twenty-first century is a platinum society. Its buds are already
sprouting in many places. However, what should we do to work toward a platinum
society from the society that we currently live in? We have little time left. What kind
Preface: From “Vision 2050” to “New Vision 2050”