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(2) Keyword creates the future
This 1956 Economic White Paper states that “modernization” is the only course the nation’s economy can take. The period from the thirties of the Showa era (i.e., 1955-1964) till the end of the 20th century was a period when all things in society underwent change in the name of “modernization”: a small factory turning into a big one; coal being replaced by oil; the shift from sea salt to refined salt; and non-flush toilets converted to flush ones. These were all examples of modernization. Indeed, a single keyword ― “modernization” ― helped to rapidly advance the times.
Osamu Shimomura, an economist who promoted the post-war high economic growth, is quoted as saying as follows. “People who argue vehemently about each and every weak point of the Japanese economy and predict an imminent catastrophe remind me of Andersen’s tale, The Ugly Duckling. It could be that these people regard the Japanese economy as a duck or a duckling. The actual Japanese economy bears a number of characteristics of becoming a beautiful swan.” (Quoted from “Economist Sanguozhi (i.e., Records of the Three Kingdoms),” by You Mizuki, Bunshun Bunko, 1999.)
Indeed, I think this applies to present-day Japan too. At a turning point of the times, we are prone to become more pessimistic about the future, noticing only demerits ― not merits. That is why we need an impetus to advance into a new era.
To table of contents (English)
(Date published / 公開日： 6/27/2021)
(Date last updated / 最終改訂日: 6/27/2021)
