Beyond National Egoism NetWork
What we can see from the catastrophe at the Fukushima nuclear power plant (Part 2)
(From a lecture recording)
Adjust the demand to stay within the limits of the electricity supply capacity
In the first part of this article, I described how “Even without nuclear power,
there will not be a shortage of electrical power”. Indeed, it is a fact that
tentatively, there is sufficient electricity with the present thermal and
hydraulic power. In addition, in our homes and in the industrial sector, we
ought to try to effectively utilize Japan’s energy conservation technology that
is said to be the best in the world, and further, take measures such as
conserving electricity.
I myself am very skeptical about whether economic growth is necessary in the
future. I feel that from now, in our economic activities and daily activities,
we ought to be creative in areas such as conserving energy and electricity, and
adjust and bring the electrical power demand within the limits of the present
electrical power supply capacity as a fundamental measure.
Japan’s electrical power policy in the past was to continuously build new power
generation facilities and increase the supply capacity while limitlessly
increasing the electrical power demand. However, this electric power policy is a
main cause of the considerably high rates compared to other countries that have
an electricity price system like Japan. At the same time, it is also a cause of
environmental destruction and wasting energy resources.
To increase the electrical power supply capacity without nuclear power
In reality, there are many people, such as in the industrial world, who have the
opinion that more electricity will be necessary in the future in order to
continue economic growth. Then, if we assume that it is necessary to increase
electricity without nuclear power from now, what should be done? I would like to
consider this point in more detail.
I feel that if there is a need to increase electricity, to put it simply, we
should increase thermal power more. Decentralized, small-scale, high performance
thermal power generation can be developed in addition to the conventional forms
of petroleum and natural gas thermal power generation. Why is thermal power
generation good? It is because compared to other methods of power generation,
thermal power is overwhelmingly more efficient.
Of course, there is the idea of natural energy. However, with the present
technology, we cannot say that power generation with natural energy is
efficient. We have high expectations for technological innovations in the
future. I will discuss this later, but for now, I would like to discuss thermal
energy some more.
Problems of conventional large-scale thermal power generation
Most of the large-scale power generation plants until now using thermal,
nuclear, or hydraulic power were constructed in rural areas far from major
cities. Electricity is drawn to cities through transmission lines over a
distance of hundreds of kilometers. But, while the electricity is transmitted
over transmission lines from afar, there is a large amount of electrical power
loss. In addition, it incurs considerable costs such as expenses for
transmission of electricity, and further, expenses for distribution of
electricity.
It is the same with nuclear power, but when generating electrical power at a
thermal power plant, most of the heat emitted is discarded. This precious heat
that could be used to heat things or used in heaters or air-conditioners as heat
energy is being discarded. In fact, it is wasteful.
If small-scale power generation plants were built in the suburbs of metropolitan
areas, in the middle of major cities, or inside of factories, that heat could be
used as is in heaters or air-conditioners in the form of heat energy. If this
were done, about 90% to 100% of the total energy of the consumed petroleum could
be effectively used as electricity and a source of heat.
Local production for local consumption form of demand-and-supply system for
electricity
Regarding energy overall, the method of using a decentralized or distributed
energy system is the most efficient. In this sense, it is hoped that the local
production for local consumption form of demand-and-supply system for
electricity spreads and expands.
In fact, a high-efficiency, small-scale power generation system using natural
gas with about 60% energy conversion rate has already been developed and is in
actual operation. In the Tokyo region, there is such a system in Kawasaki City.
This system alone has about the same electrical power generation capacity as one
nuclear reactor. If we increasingly build these kinds of systems in the suburbs
of major cities and medium-size cities, electrical power can be generated with
high-efficiency even though the land is small.
Fortunately, it is being discovered that there are large amounts of natural gas
located around Japan. The gas just needs to be drawn through pipes. It is said
that it will be possible to extract natural gas for the next 60 to 70 years.
At one point, there was a theory that petroleum would last only 20 or 30 more
years, but now, the dominant theory is that petroleum will last at least about
50 years. It is thought that by making effective use of petroleum and natural
gas, we should be able to meet the energy demands sufficiently.
Natural Energy Power Generation
Next, let us consider power generation by natural energy in detail. As methods
of power generation by natural energy, in addition to the conventional large-
scale hydraulic power generation, there are methods such as solar, wind,
geothermal, and small-scale hydraulic power generation. After the Fukushima
nuclear power plant accident, power generation by natural energy has been
garnering attention as a method of power generation to replace nuclear power.
When you say, "nuclear power" or "radiation", from the beginning, an image of
being dangerous accompanies these words. In comparison, when you say, "natural",
a safe and clean image comes to mind, and I feel that is "natural".
In addition, when you say "natural", we can almost envision a "free" or
"inexpensive" image. However, at least in the present technological standards,
power generation by natural energy is certainly not "free" nor "inexpensive". If
anything, it is rather expensive. Further, it also actually does not conserve on
petroleum.
The problems with solar power generation
At present, solar power generation is being highly-touted in Japan. Although the
technology has recently progressed much, a large amount of electricity is
required to make the silicon that is a material for solar batteries. Tracing
back, we find that the source of that electricity is petroleum.
Electricity cannot be generated at night with solar power generation. In
addition, since the solar panels remain outside, of course, dust accumulates and
blocks the sunlight. Furthermore, different from countries with a desert-like
climate that are blessed with sunlight and clear weather year-round, since there
are many cloudy or rainy days in Japan, the amount of solar radiation is very
small. Therefore, the rate of operation and efficiency falls significantly.
Considering these factors, solar power generation becomes fairly expensive. It
is said that it takes about 10 years to retrieve the installation cost, and from
there, finally, the balance becomes positive. Perhaps it can be said that solar
batteries are still at a stage requiring wide-scale technological developments.
There are problems with subsidies
There are several problems related to this issue. First, substantial subsidies
are provided by the government and local governmental entities when installing a
solar power generation system. With these subsidies, for example, people who
install solar panels may only need to bear half of the cost, so the subsidies
are a great help for these people.
However, those subsidies ultimately come from our taxes. At least at the present
stage, people who do not adopt solar power generation are subsidizing the people
who adopt solar power generation. Maybe this has meaning for promoting solar
power generation, but perhaps it can be said that it is a big contradiction.
Furthermore, these subsidies do not go to the people who adopt solar energy, but
ultimately go to the pockets of the producers and vendors of solar power
generation equipment.
Problems with the legislative bill for renewable energy
At present, "the law for renewable energy" is garnering much attention. This is
a system to make the electric power companies buy renewable energy such as solar
energy for a fixed period at a fixed price that is higher than the regular
electricity rate.
Already, purchasing of solar power generated electricity by electric power
companies has been implemented. At present, the household electricity rate is 23
yen per 1 kilowatt-hour. From April 2011, the electric power companies have been
buying at 42 yen per kilowatt-hour. They are buying at almost twice the price.
The electric power companies consequently charge the 19 yen difference to us
ordinary people on top of the electricity fee. Therefore, no matter how high the
rate for purchasing electricity, the electric power companies will not lose at
all. We, the many people who do not set up solar power generation equipment, are
the ones who lose.
Further, it is expected that the following type of problem will arise if people
are forced to buy electricity at high fixed prices during the fixed period. That
is, perhaps many people will emerge who plan to make money by setting up large
quantities of solar panels and having electric power companies buy the large
amounts of excess electricity generated.
By doing so, for example, if a wealthy person sets up a large quantity of solar
panels at one time, the person will automatically gain a large continuous
income. Then, poor people who cannot set up solar panels will have to continue
to pay that money.
Therefore, we must not just say, "Natural energy is wonderful" in a sort of
"mood". We must determine the policy for the future with full awareness that the
measures to spread natural energy have the potential to trigger a great
contradiction. I am repeating what I said before, but we are the ones who must
keep watch properly.
The potential and problems of wind power generation and small-scale hydraulic
power generation
Next, let us consider wind power generation. According to the April 22 Asahi
Newspaper, the Ministry of the Environment reported that after investigating
locations with suitable wind conditions throughout Japan, even taking into
consideration the low rate of operation of wind power generation, it will be
possible to build wind power generation facilities to supply the equivalent of 7
to 40 nuclear reactors.
However, solar power generation is still unstable, and the wind is not always
available for wind power generation. A system properly controlled with a
computer such as with a smart grid that can supply stable electric power is
necessary. In this aspect, Japan’s technology is considerably advanced.
Besides solar and wind power, a small-scale hydraulic power generation system is
an effective power generation method. Electric power is generated by turning
small-scale water wheels using water such as from agricultural water, industrial
water, tap water, final effluent from sewage treatment plants, and cooling water
used in air-conditioning equipment of office buildings and factories.
Even if we look only at agricultural waterways, there are several hundreds of
kilometers throughout the country. In various regions, including Kawasaki City
and Yokoyama City, the waterworks department is generating electricity by
installing small-scale hydraulic power generation systems in the water pipes of
the water supply.
When planning a solution for the energy problem, a major premise is to
transition to a system in which in the daily lives of individuals and production
system of businesses, wasteful use of energy resources is avoided as much as
possible. In addition, if natural energy is used whenever possible, even if on a
small scale, a large amount of electricity can be generated in Japan overall,
and compared to large-scale power generation systems, the burden on the
environment would become much smaller.
To spread natural energy power generation
In order to spread and promote natural energy, and make the various power
generation methods more efficient, technology needs to be developed even more.
However, until now, power generation methods with natural energy have not truly
been used effectively because fundamentally, the major electric power companies
have been monopolizing and at the same time, promotion of nuclear power has been
the national policy.
Therefore, as a direction for the future, I think that it is absolutely
necessary to liquidate the major electric power companies such as Tokyo Electric
Power Company, partition into transmission and generation parts, and allow
general private electric power companies to compete freely. If this were done,
electricity prices would decrease considerably, and more efficient service could
be provided.
Regarding nuclear power, if all nuclear power plants are decommissioned as soon
as possible, and the money from the government that was being poured into
nuclear power is routed to fund research and development and technological
innovations in natural energy, in the near future, we should be able to grow
natural energy into a major pillar for electric power supply along with thermal
and hydraulic power.
Will electricity prices increase if nuclear power is abandoned?
In addition, many people in the financial circles have the following opinion. If
nuclear power is abandoned and natural energy is used as an alternative, Japan's
electricity prices will increase. If this is so, businesses that have production
based in Japan will be at a tremendous disadvantage in international pricing
competition. Therefore, it will become necessary to move production bases
overseas.
This is certainly a major problem. However, I think that even if nuclear power
is abandoned, since thermal and hydraulic power can supply the necessary
electric power, fundamentally, electricity prices would not need to be raised.
Of course, in the initial adjustment period, there is the possibility of some
problems occurring, but I think it is necessary to be creative and overcome
them.
Regarding this issue, the problem lies in the fact that compared to other
countries, electricity prices are far too expensive in Japan. The root cause is
that the major electric power companies have set the electricity prices
arbitrarily. In addition, if the electric power demand increased even a little,
a tremendous amount of money was invested and large-scale power generation
plants were built one after another. That tremendous amount of money was added
to the electricity prices.
In order to fundamentally solve this issue, as I described earlier, we can
introduce a new way of thinking, that is, to meet the demand within the supply
capacity at the national level. The power generation section and power
transmission section of the major electric power companies should be separated.
Further, promotion of free competition among the electric power companies, and
ideas in such directions are also conceivable.
In any case, perhaps it means the ways of the government and electric power
companies were very abnormal. After the nuclear plant accident at Fukushima, a
considerable amount of information surfaced about the electric power companies’
monopolizing everything, fabricating data, concealing nuclear power plant
accidents and giving instructions to fake events. However, there is probably
still much more information that has been concealed.
In the background of the accident this time, there is a structure in which
without mentioning names, media and scholars under the government’s thumb who
received research funding from organizations such as electric power companies,
the government, bureaucrats, politicians, and the financial world, swarmed to
the concessions and rights behind the electrical power, secretly joined forces
with conspirators, deceived the citizens and used them at will, gaining
concessions worth an enormous amount of money.
What is behind the support to continue nuclear power?
Let us dig more deeply and think about this issue. For example, in regions that
have nuclear power related facilities, of course there are people who say
nuclear plants should be stopped because they are dangerous. Nevertheless, of
the people who work in nuclear power related facilities, quite a large number of
people think that nuclear power is necessary for daily life, even if nuclear
plants are dangerous.
They have children and families. There is no other work. Their livelihood
depends on it. Perhaps even while knowing nuclear plants are dangerous, they
feel that there is no choice. This is the very sad reality.
However, considering another side of this issue, if for one’s livelihood, there
is truly no choice but to the support the continuation of nuclear power, and
this is connected to supporting nuclear power in the country overall, this is a
serious problem. It is possible that another major accident will occur. Is it
okay even if this is the case? What will happen to the other people?
By saying things like this, naturally, people will say I can say such things
because it is about other people, and not myself. I am fully aware of this.
However, we cannot be arguing at this point. You might be told there is no other
choice. This means there are people who say that nuclear power is necessary for
their livelihood, and they have no other alternative.
In a sense, this is at the limit. People do not have the leeway to consider
others because they need to make a living or because they need to ensure their
family's livelihood. Perhaps this is the way it is among people with each other.
You can understand well if you put yourself in that position. It is a truly
harsh and sad reality.
Even now, among the people who live in regions far away from nuclear power
related facilities, such as in Tokyo, Nagoya, or Osaka, there are many who
support nuclear power. If nuclear power plants were brought to Tokyo, would they
still support nuclear power? These people support nuclear power, but would they
still be in favor of nuclear power if a nuclear plant were built near where they
live? Probably, they would not.
Now, even among the people who say they support nuclear power, they probably
would support nuclear power if the nuclear power plants were far from where they
live, but honestly, the majority would be in a bind if the nuclear plants were
brought nearby.
Similar to the Futenma Military Base relocation issue
This issue is similar to the Futenma Military Base relocation issue in some way.
The prime minister at the time said he would like to move the base outside of
Japan, and if that were not possible, at least move the base outside of Okinawa.
However, he was told "No" by the U.S. Then, even if you ask another prefecture
to accept the base, in the end, no one would accept it. The people in any
prefecture would be in a bind if a new military base were brought to their
prefecture. In this way, ultimately, we are pushing all of the military bases
onto the people of Okinawa.
Related to this issue, many people are speaking out, sympathizing with the
people of Okinawa. However, in that case, shouldn't we accept the base in our
own region? I think there were many people who did nothing but blame the former
prime minister's lack of power, without having any inclination or preparation to
share the suffering of the people of Okinawa.
Then, what should we have done? I think the citizens of Japan, ought to have
united, called on the government of Japan, and depending on the circumstances,
made a demand directly to the U.S. government to relocate the Futenma base
overseas.
Considering the present international situation, I think we, ourselves, ought to
unite and clearly tell the U.S. government, "Japan does not need or want U.S.
bases". However, if the result of new thorough and sufficient discussions is,
"U.S. bases are necessary in Japan", instead of pushing the bases onto only
Okinawa, I think we ought to accept and allocate the bases throughout the entire
country of Japan.
Egoism is the root of the various problems
In any case, whether it be nuclear power plants or the Futenma base relocation
issue, the positions in which we have been placed differ, and although there are
delicate issues in the background, what we can see here is each person's
selfishness or egoism, "as long as it is in my interests".
I think we can say that, ultimately, the root of the various serious problems in
Japan and the world is "as long as it is in my interests", that is, egoism. I
feel that without eliminating egoism, the serious problems of Japan and the
world cannot be solved. Hasn't this become more and more clear through the
Fukushima nuclear plant catastrophe?
Regarding the Fukushima nuclear plant accident, a big problem is how to restore
to the original state from now. At the same time, I think that if we let this
opportunity slip away, we will not have a second chance to permanently abolish
nuclear power, nor truly change Japan to a good direction. In this sense, I
think that now is a big chance.
The future of Japan and the world is in the hands of each one of us
I think many of you probably already knew about the information related to
nuclear power in today's talk up to this point. In the end, the issue is what
can we do from now?
If we clarify the information to this extent, the only option we have is to
abolish all nuclear power. In order to abolish all nuclear power, each one of us
must verify this fact clearly with data and convey this to others with
certainty.
In fact, we are by far the majority. We ordinary people constitute 99% of the
citizens. Even so, we have been completely led around by 1% of the people. It is
important that each one of us becomes smarter, increases in strength, and takes
action.
When I say, "convey with certainty", what I mean is not only conveying the truth
about nuclear power with facts. In order to convey this message to all of us who
constitute the 99%, a chain reaction, where the people to whom this message was
conveyed further convey the message to others, must arise. The importance of
this must be conveyed properly from person to person.
I feel that if this chain reaction does not arise, we will never be able to
bring to reality permanent abolishment of nuclear power. Furthermore, we will
not be able to create a society of true peace where everyone is happy. I feel
this is the most important point as we take action.
It is not enough to try to change only nuclear power
Then, is it okay to consider only nuclear power? This society is not one in
which nuclear power is the only abnormal point. Issues including those related
to politics, economics, social welfare, education, and livelihood all are
closely intertwined.
Therefore, if you try to solve the problem of nuclear power only within the
framework nuclear power, in the end, it will be impossible. If you try to solve
this issue, another problem will surface elsewhere. If you try to solve that
problem, again, another problem will surface. In this way, I think it is like
"mogura tataki (whack-a-mole)", an arcade game where you try to hit moles as
they pop up from many different holes.
For example, even if you think that since there are various problems in the
educational system, we need to make changes, the bigger the problem, the more
difficult it will be to make changes within the framework of the educational
system. The reason is that this society overall has become this kind of system,
and everything is intertwined closely with each other.
This society overall is a competitive society. Within this competitive society,
it is extremely difficult to aspire toward truly human education instead of
competitive education. To change education, the way of industry and economics,
in particular, must change. Also, at the same time, politics must change.
It is important to consider the direction of the overall society
Since everything is closely related in this way in this society, I think that we
have come to a period where we must think about the direction in which this
overall society will head.
In other words, in which direction is our civilization headed? I would like to
talk about this point now.
For example, I said that this society is a competitive society now, but why has
it become a competitive society? Why did such a thing as nuclear power emerge in
this society? Why is economic growth said to be important? I would like to
consider these kinds of things from a different angle.
Egoism is the foundation of this society
Saying it another way, what is the most fundamental cause of this kind of
nuclear power plant accident occurring? This nuclear power problem cannot be
solved in the true sense without searching for and removing that fundamental
cause. Furthermore, other problems that accompany this will also not be solved.
Why did the nuclear plant accident occur? What is the fundamental cause? I
touched upon this earlier, but isn't egoism, that is, our selfishness, at the
base of this society? To put it simply, isn't this society itself formed with
ego at the base?
Egoism arises from the sense of separateness
I think this egoism arises ultimately from the idea that our existences are
separate from each other. Ordinarily, we do not have open confrontations or
fighting with each other, but ultimately, we are originally separate existences
from each other. After all, the most important is oneself or one’s family.
Fundamentally, hasn't the "sense of separateness", in which we are all
existences with conflicting interests, become the foundation of this society?
I think that from this sense of separateness, in the end, egoism, which is as
long it is in the best interests of myself, my family, my organization, and my
country, has resulted.
In this society of egoism, taking business for example, one's own business
prospering more than other businesses becomes more important than anything else.
Further, since one's livelihood is also at stake, it becomes as long as it is in
the best interests of my business even more so.
Egoism arises from the notion that we are separate from each other. In addition,
various things emerge from egoism such as an excessive sense of competition,
that is, the sense that one cannot feel stable unless one becomes more
materially prosperous, or achieves higher status or title. One always seeks
"more and more". Despite this, it is a way of life in which the heart is
unstable and anxious forever.
If opinions differ among people, anger, envy, and hatred arise. If a person is
alone, he or she feels a sense of loneliness and blames him- or herself. All of
these negative emotions fundamentally emerge from the way of thinking that
humans are separate existences.
In fact, we are members of one whole
However, humans are truly not separate from one another, and it is something you
can understand if you think about it a little. It is reasonable. We are living
one life. We were made from the same ancestors. According to a scientific
research, all people living on earth today are descendants of one woman who
lived in East Africa 150,000 years ago.
Even with just that fact, it means we are sharing "one life". In English, it is
"oneness", and in Japanese, it is "one indivisible body". Our reality is that we
are beings that cannot be cut off from each other even if we try to cut
ourselves apart from one another.
In the human body, the various tissues, cells, and organs are not separated from
one another and are cooperating and living one life. In the same way, we are all
in an inseparably close relationship as members of one body. I think this is the
true form of a human being's existence.
As evidence, by thinking a little calmly, anyone will realize that within us, we
have a desire to be friendly with others. When we fight with others, we do not
feel good. The desire to be friends and for everyone together to become happy is
an instinct inherent in everyone. This instinct of coexistence is inherently
provided within us. Along with the instinct of self-protection, we have an
inherent instinct of coexistence desiring that everyone together becomes happy.
Abandoning Egoism
This truth of being members of one body does not only pertain to humans. Each of
us, all animals, plants, nature and the universe are living the life that has
continued without any breaks. I think we instinctively feel at ease in nature
because we are basically one with nature.
In reality, we are all one, and it is a very superficial way of thinking to say
that humans are separate from each other. I think that when you stand from the
point of view that "we are all members of one body", various things change. To
put it simply, shedding off egoism begins.
Egoism is not only individual egoism, but also there is group egoism such as
family, organizations such as businesses, regions, and nations. In a sense, we
can say that egoism was the motivating force for the human civilization to
develop ? to the present state.
However, looking at the reality that human society is virtually at an impasse
because of the various serious problems, we can see that human society can no
longer develop with egoism. Rather, we can say that through egoism, we have
reached the point where we could destroy ourselves.
In other words, it means human society’s way of being and way of thinking up
until now based on egoism is fundamentally mistaken. It is probably not an
overstatement to say that egoism is the fundamental cause of individual and
societal suffering and strife of humans.
Including this nuclear power issue, in order to overcome this difficult
situation and bring to realization a peaceful society where everyone is happy,
now of all times, we must make up our mind to earnestly seek a way to break away
from egoism.
Individual egoism, group egoism, and national egoism
From long ago, shedding individual egoism or eliminating egoism has been the aim
of honest religions. Even if not related to religion, it has been a serious
challenge for sensible people who have devoted themselves with great pains.
Further, certainly, as a human being, it is an undeniable fact that there is
nothing more difficult than shedding or eliminating one's ego.
Incidentally, of the various egoisms, the biggest one that brought about the
impasse in human society is national egoism. The present international society
is operating with the nation as a unit, and the fundamental policy of the
various nations is based on egoism, which is, "as long as it is in the interests
of my own nation". Then, suspicion, distrust, competition, and conflicts arise
among the nations.
Adding to this, because of national egoism, the egoism of individuals living in
that nation and businesses and others conducting activities in that nation also
is also amplified. For that reason, as individuals also, materialistic desires
increase and we want more and more, and competition among businesses
intensifies.
The science and technology civilization develops even more rapidly because of
competition among businesses, conflicts among nations, and wars. As a result,
the scale of wars enlarges, and that in turn, advances scientific technology. In
addition, the result of the competition to acquire resources is that destruction
of the environment advances. The overall result of these kinds of factors is
that the present human society is facing an impasse in various aspects.
National egoism is the main culprit behind the various problems
In this way, conflict in national egoism is the culprit behind the various
serious problems internationally and domestically. At the same time, to
fundamentally solve the various serious problems, even if events such as
international environmental conferences and disarmament meetings are held, if
the meetings are based on conflicts in national egoism, maneuvering is done from
start to finish to bring things toward one’s own nation's advantage. National
egoism has become a major barrier such that agreements toward solutions cannot
be reached at all.
Until now also, the necessity of eliminating national egoism has been preached.
Regarding this, it is armchair theory at that all nations would discuss and give
up national egoism at the same time. This is clear even if you look at the
tactics at international meetings. In order to overcome the crisis facing human
society and the society of Japan, I think it is absolutely impossible to try to
solve from within the flow of the history of human society up to now. To solve
fundamentally, it is absolutely necessary to go outside the flow of the history
of human society up to now.
Japan leads and renounces national egoism
In the international society also, Japan should take the lead and unilaterally
renounce national egoism, which had been considered inherent until now. As I
described before, to shed or eliminate individual egoism completely is very
difficult. Therefore, entrusting this to the nation has significant meaning.
I think that something that is difficult for an individual to bring to reality
can be entrusted to the nation. If national egoism is encouraging the egoism of
individuals, groups, and others, then it is anticipated that by eliminating
national egoism, the level of individual and group egoism will decrease.
Let us raise an ideal for Japan that everyone can accept
This is my proposal, "Let us go beyond national egoism and raise an ideal in
Japan to shed national egoism". Concretely, it is for "Japan to aspire toward a
nation for international peace and the environment". At the base of this bright
ideal is that we devote ourselves and put forth the resources of the nation of
Japan toward the various difficult problems of the world using peaceful methods.
Fortunately, the present constitution of Japan is the first constitution in
human history that abandons national egoism. This means Japan is blessed with
the most advantageous condition among the nations of the world to raise an ideal
to aspire for abandoning national egoism.
Domestically, this wonderful ideal of abandoning national egoism would bring
about major changes in industry, education, social welfare, environmental
measures, and other areas. At the same time, by having our daily work and
studies or daily lives become directly connected to the happiness of the
citizens overall as well as the hopes of humanity for permanent world peace and
happiness of humanity, we would feel satisfaction and motivation in living every
day, and individually and organizationally, a society that abandons egoism would
be built rapidly.
If this were to happen, the many concerned people of the world who love peace
would accept and be satisfied anew that this indeed is the most realistic way
and right path to solve the problems of human society. By doing this, there is
no doubt that there would be a huge rise in momentum in the countries of the
world to renounce national egoism. If this were to happen, I think that in a
surprisingly short period, this world would be a world free of national egoism.
Let me repeat this once again. I think that in the vision or direction to try to
bring to reality a nation free of egoism or a society free of egoism, we will
head with certainty toward solving fundamentally the nuclear power problem and
the various serious problems of society such as education and environmental
problems. This is the point of the proposal in my book, “Beyond National Egoism
”.
Finally, I would like to end this talk by saying that I would appreciate your
reading this book, “Beyond National Egoism”, in order to understand this
proposal more deeply.
(If you have any comments regarding this blog, please send email to the address
below.
Comments will not be released to the general public without consent.)
vojnehosa@za3.so-net.ne.jp
Wednesday, August 3, 2011