| Opinion |
13,November 1998 |
Akio Nakajima (Former member of the House of Representatives) Born in 1936. Graduated from University of Tokyo, and then entered into the Minister of Education, Science and Culture in1960. Held a post of the Minister's secretariat councilor in 1986. Retired from the office in 1988. Took part in establishing The Japan New Party in 1992. After having held the post of policy chairman, became a member of the House of Representatives in 1993. Afterwards, entered into The New Party SAKIGAKE. Successively held posts of the chairperson of the ruling party administrative and financial reform project team and a parliamentary Vice Minister of Japan Environment Agency . Currently, the chairperson of International Education Exchange Baba Foundation. JIPR advisor. E_MAIL:nakajima@jipr.org |
Due to these scandals, Japanese politics whose credibility started out low is getting into a state confusion. Without the help of bureaucrats behind the politics, no new economic and political developments can take place. With the aging society closing in, the nation is now in the state of anxiety. Although we could name several reasons for the current situation such as the adhesive structure of politics, bureaucracy and industry and delay in catching up international structural reform, I think the major reason of the current situation is that the whole Japanese society is suffering from "organizational disease" and not being able to get out of the situation. That is, an excessive emphasis on promises and human relations with fellow workers in the same organization creates contradictions between the pressure and social responsibility of organization. This eventually leads to destruction. When an organization carries out social activity, the organization usually creates a responsibility system that involves a small number of personnel to entrust the operation of the whole organization. In Japan, the executive post of these organizations is not transparent. The symptom of "organizational disease" promotes the observance of "social justice" among peers but neglects "social justice" in a wider sense of the word. To make it impossible for the organization to have "dependent" human relations which the Japanese like, a total inspection including action of the term system of officers, etc., periodic exchange with outside the organization and sharing of information about conference, etc. with public should be carried out. However, from a more fundamental point of view, I consider the issue of how to create talents with wide knowledge, human fascination and active executive ability through Japanese junior high schools and high schools is the main issue to be discussed in the future. For example, the youth who devoted themselves to preparation for their entrance exams into colleges and universities without having contact with the outside world and through rote learning can only become people who enter organizations where they are well treated within the lifetime employment system and where they try to be shrewd to show their loyalty. It is simply impossible to expect unyielding spirit "I will accomplish my purpose at my cost " in these people. |
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