RISE's Activities of the New Year Began Slowly but Surely with the First Sunrise of 2012—the Hope Is to Effect Change in Japan
Did you notice in the New Year's cards you received this year, many messages that spoke of wanting to finally make 2012 a “good year” or expressed wishes that this year would be filled with peace and happiness? But the news that we see on television or read in newspapers at this beginning of a new year speaks otherwise and does not paint a rosy economic or political picture.
It feels like this turn of the year is one that carries with it a feeling of apprehension and stagnation. While each Japanese citizen has hopes for a bright future, they seem to be frustrated at not knowing what kind of future awaits them or what it is that they should be doing.
When we founded the Research Institute of Self-Esteem (RISE) in July last year, we raised the following as our awareness of the issues in Japan related to self-esteem:
“Through those activities, we were convinced that the fulfillment of a society which promotes Diversity and Inclusion should be based on the social culture where everybody believes that “I am a worthwhile person and others are as well” and everybody respects their own values and those of others, a state which will add creativity to society by helping to bring forward a lot of different ideas. In order to promote D&I in Japanese society, and thus to make Japanese people more positive, gaining affirmative self-awareness and creative spirit is what is needed most in Japanese society today.
However through the various research projects GEWEL has conducted, we learned that Japanese people have a relatively low level of self-esteem. They do not behave that they are worthwhile, either that or they are too shy to express their positive self-confidence publicly. This may be one of the unique qualities of the Japanese people, however if we continue to behave like this on a global stage, we may be misunderstood, with people from other countries thinking that Japanese people do not have the will to communicate to other people. In order to display leadership globally, we should change ourselves to have a more healthy self-outlook.”
Upon witnessing the process of reconstruction from the Great East Japan Earthquake unfolding, our awareness of the issues described above has become even stronger. We created many opportunities for dialogues with local youths as they worked towards the resurrection of their communities from the earthquake disaster and with youths who frequently visited the afflicted regions to provide reconstruction assistance. We believe that the “creativity” of people who are not caught up in conventional customs and values is indispensable for reconstruction from the earthquake. We saw that the goal of the youths, too, is not reconstruction that returns them to the same state as that before the tragedy, but to create new, sustainable communities.
As mentioned, RISE believes that the creativity of society and organizations arises when they recognize and accept people with a wide range of values. We believe that fostering high self-esteem and preparing an environment of further diversity and inclusion is required for the Japanese people to become even more creative and positive in their thinking.
Another issue is the urgent need for “true globalization in Japan,” with Japanese companies in a position where they are easily swayed by discussions on Japan's participation in Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations, the deterioration of the European economy and the extremely high appreciation of the yen.
According to various forecasts announced at the beginning of this year, the general view seems to be that the trend of the appreciated yen – which seems almost like a pegged rate right now – will not see an end until after November's US presidential elections. As we see increased activities by major Japanese companies in the acquisition of overseas companies or the establishment of even more overseas production bases, will Japanese companies be able to succeed in achieving true globalization and reestablishing a prominent global position for themselves?
I saw a rerun of the program “Hyakunen (100 years) Interview” at the end of last year. In it, author Nanami Shiono said something to the effect that the Roman Empire was able to maintain its territories for roughly 400 years because of its tolerance and receptivity. Roman citizenship was granted to those from conquered provinces if they contributed in some way to the empire. Although we cannot go as far as to say that the relationship of the conqueror and the conquered did not exist at the time, it was at least kept to a minimum. This was the period in which Rome prospered the most.
Last year, I read “Day of Empire: How Hyperpowers Rise to Global Dominance – And Why They Fall” by Amy Chua. In it, Chua wrote that the cause of the decline of the Roman Empire was its shift to intolerance.
In the words that we use at RISE, one could say that the source of the rise of the Roman Empire was “diversity and inclusion.” That is to say, diversity and inclusion are the conditions for becoming a major power. Being a major power, in this case, refers to world dominance. However, understanding diversity and inclusion is an absolute requirement if a company is to globalize successfully.
Is this something that is possible for Japanese companies to achieve? Of course, it is “possible”, but it is something that will take much time. Even if Japanese companies adopt English as their official in-house language or promote cross-cultural training, we believe that true globalization will be difficult unless a corporate culture based on the spirit of diversity and inclusion (respecting each individual; fostering a healthy sense of self-esteem and respect of others) is established.
In this kind of severe environment, we at RISE, the Research Institute of Self-Esteem, want to carry out the following kinds of research in relation to diversity and inclusion, and self-esteem.
- The relationship between diversity and inclusion, and self-esteem
- The relationship between the amount of self-esteem a person possesses and their life and social behaviors
- Systems for fostering high self-esteem
Our aim is for RISE to make a contribution through such research to the realization of a bright and hope-filled Japanese society.
Last November, we carried out a survey of Japanese businesspersons on their awareness related to work and their self-esteem level. We will be publishing the results of this survey sequentially on our website so be sure to check back soon.