118 TH YEAR NO. 41,369 ISSN 0289-1956 ©THE TIMES, LTD., 2014 ‘Summer Davos’ Special Wednesday, September 10, 2014

(Clockwise from above) Aerial view of the Tianjin Railway Station surrounded by modern office and residential buildings in Tianjin, China, which will host the Sept. 10 to 12 World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting of the New Champions 2014; a panel at the Annual Meeting of the New Champions 2012 in Tianjin, China; Li Keqiang (left), Premier of the People’s Republic of China stands with Klaus Schwab, Founder and Executive Chairman, World Economic Forum at the Opening Plenary of the Annual Meeting of the New Champions 2013 in Dalian, China; Participants move through the Meijiang Convention and Exhibition Center at the 2012 Annual Meeting of the New Champions in Tianjin, China. ap, world economic forum Olympic Games expected to provide economic stimulus

Minoru Matsutani number. The more factors included in million by 2030. pletely different experience. Infrastruc- STAFF WRITER the estimate, the bigger the number,” In 2013, the number was 10.36 mil- ture refurbishment, an economy Ichikawa said. While the Metro- lion, according to Japan National Tour- vitalized by reforms and other prepara- Expectations are high for the 2020 politan Government announced the ism Association, making the tions for the 2012 Games made the city Tokyo Olympics. economic effects would be ¥3 trillion, government’s target seem ambitious. stronger in its economy, culture and Businesses cannot ignore the eco- Ichikawa’s institute factors in more But the Olympic effect has already been many other areas, he said. nomic impact of sports. Japan will host items than the government, which only observed as the number of foreign visi- In the 2012 Global Power City Index, “Sports and Culture Davos” in autumn considered effects directly related to the tors from January to July is 26 percent the ranking of global city “power” pub- 2016, in response to a proposal by the Olympics such as construction of the fa- higher than the same period in 2013. lished yearly by the Mori Memorial World Economic Forum, which organiz- cilities to be used by athletes and others The Olympics helps boost tourism as Foundation, London surpassed New es the Annual Meeting of the New involved in the Olympics and the oper- people want to see the city hosting the York to become the No. 1 city in the Champions, dubbed “Summer Davos,” ating costs of the Games. Games. world, mainly because the British capital where Japanese politicians and business The thing that makes the largest con- “It’s possible the target of 20 million became stronger in the process of pre- executives are expected to outline the tribution to the ¥19.4 trillion estimate is will be achieved around 2017 at this paring for the Olympics. London was prospects of the economic effects on the the so-called “dream effect,” accounting pace,” Ichikawa said. The institute’s offi- ranked first again in 2013. Tokyo was country from the 2020 Olympics. for ¥7.5 trillion. cial estimate is the same as the govern- fourth after London, New York and Paris. Since Tokyo won the bid to host the “The dream effect is big,” he said. The ment’s and it expects 10 million of the “I believe Tokyo will energize itself 2020 Summer Olympic Games last Sep- dream effect, or an increase in con- 20 million expected tourists will visit even more, like London did,” he said. tember, various think tanks have an- sumption amid a big, uplifting event, Tokyo, he said. A reinforced infrastructure will re- nounced their estimates of the economic has been observed in every city that has To accommodate an increase in the main in Tokyo, which will continue to effects of the Olympics, with figures won the bid to host the Games, he said. number of tourists, Tokyo needs more attract foreign businesses and tourists, ranging from ¥3 trillion to ¥150 trillion. Japanese are known as money savers hotels. he added. Factors considered in calculating eco- and conservative consumers. But the In London, about 1,300 5-star hotel In the end, Ichikawa hopes the gov- nomic effects generally include stadium institute estimates they will use some of rooms, equivalent to about two Okura or ernment succeeds with deregulation and venue construction; hotels and their savings to make purchases in the New Otani hotels, and 45,000 standard to stimulate industry and attract for- other facilities for athletes and tourists seven years leading up to 2020. hotel rooms, equivalent to 300 hotels An illustration of the futuristic-looking Olympic Stadium, the main venue planned for eign companies. For example, the before and during the Olympics; con- Consumption is expected to increase with about 150 rooms each, were built the 2020 Tokyo Games ap government designated nine areas in sumption by tourists, the number of for high-resolution televisions, sporting between the announcement of London’s Tokyo as Special Zones for Asian which has already shown a remarkable goods and sports activities. Also, the hosting and the 2012 Games, he said. points out the acceleration of infra- regulations on accepting foreign workers. Headquarters in 2011 to attract for- increase after the hosting announce- number of people enrolling in English Ichikawa’s institute assumes the same structure construction with a view to However, construction is not the only eign businesses by loosening regula- ment; and infrastructure building to conversation schools will rise because will happen to Tokyo. catching up with the increasing de- area likely to see a shortage. Many white- tions. The government’s goal was to prepare for the influx of foreign visitors. people will be exposed to various inter- Hotel operators and real estate devel- mand caused by the Olympics is anoth- collar positions will need to be filled as lure 50 new headquarters of foreign The estimates cover from the time Tokyo national exchanges. opers are expected to build hotels or ex- er of the Games’ economic effects. deregulation and Abenomics’ growth companies and 500 new foreign com- won the bid through the 2020 Games. It may not be entirely realistic to com- pand the capacities of existing hotels. For example, construction on the Tokyo strategies are expected to lure foreign panies by 2016, but the target is far “Different organizations come up pare with the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, but Such moves should also help lure inter- Gaikan Expressway, which now connects companies, creating new jobs. Thanks to from met, he said. with different figures because of differ- sales of TVs that year because the Games national conferences to Tokyo, prompt- Tokyo’s Nerima Ward with Misato, Saita- Abenomics, female workers as well as fe- In coming up with its estimate of the ing assumptions. The Mori Memorial were the first ever to be broadcast in ing reinforcements of tourism ma Prefecture, and is planned to stretch to male leaders are expected to increase. Olympics’ effects, the Institute for Foundation’s Institute for Urban Strate- color. Things may be different now, but infrastructure, which will attract tour- Tokyo’s Setagaya Ward in the west and Ichikawa is optimistic the need for Urban Strategies assumed the special gies based their assumptions heavily on this demonstrates the Olympics can stim- ists, creating a synergetic cycle. Ichikawa, Prefecture, in the east, workers will be met as he expects the zones are successful and they will keep the London Games,” said Hiroo Ichika- ulate consumerism in people. The number of flights at Haneda and will be accelerated, Ichikawa said. Better government’s measures will help. attracting more foreign companies even wa, an executive member of the institute Other than the dream effect, the insti- Narita airports will also increase. The road conditions will aid the transport of “After all, Japan has 2 million part- after 2017. who is also a professor of urban policy tute estimates the number of foreign Ministry of Land, Transport, Infrastruc- goods and people in an economy ener- time workers. We will have enough peo- Nonetheless, Ichikawa is optimistic and the dean of Professional Graduate visitors will rise. ture and Tourism has a plan to increase gized through preparation for the Games. ple,” he said. about inbound tourism, saying Japa- Schools and the Graduate School of On top of the Olympics contributing total arrivals and departures by 39,000 Inevitably, more jobs will be needed The prospect for the economy look nese hospitality will definitely be appre- Governance Studies at Meiji University. to a tourist increase, the government’s per year at Haneda from the current to support such construction and other rosy until 2020, but how about after the ciated. He pointed out a survey of Using London, which hosted the 2012 initiative to make Japan one of the big- 447,000 and by 40,000 at Narita from the various projects as the expectations of Olympics? foreign tourists’ impressions of Japan Olympics, as a model makes sense be- gest tourist destinations in the world will current 270,000 by 2020. benefits from the Games stimulate the Athens hosted the 2004 Olympics and before and after their stay in Japan. cause London and Tokyo are both ex- also help boost the tourism industry. The ministry is in negotiation with economy. Greece went bankrupt. In Japan, the “Good service” garners higher respons- tensively developed cities, he said. As part of the growth strategies in municipalities and airlines to, for exam- The institute estimates 1.21 million city of Nagano hosted the Winter es after their stay than before. The Institute for Urban Strategies said Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s “Abenom- ple, add routes above Tokyo’s central jobs will be created because of the Olym- Games in 1998, but demand shrank rap- “The Olympics is the trigger for them in January it estimates the economic ef- ics,” the government is aiming to in- and residential areas and take other pics, or about 170,000 new jobs a year. idly after the Games and the economy to come to Japan. They will learn about fects to be ¥19.4 trillion. crease the number of foreign visitors measures to increase air traffic. As a way of filling the need, the govern- slowed, Ichikawa said. Japan and keep visiting. That’s our strat- “I think it’s a somewhat conservative per year to 20 million by 2020 and 30 The Institute for Urban Strategies also ment recently announced plans to loosen However, London has had a com- egy,” Ichikawa said.

PAGE: 1 B2 The Japan Times Wednesday, September 10, 2014 ‘Summer Davos’ special Transforming the corporate mindset

his growth strategies, better known as Lixil Group head says “Abenomics,” the prime minister has pledged to raise the proportion of leadership education women in leadership positions to 30 percent by 2020 and deregulate politi- key to global success cally sensitive industries. Lixil Group, according to Fujimori, Sayuri Daimon is moving forward to be more diverse Staff writer by introducing further numerical tar- gets. For example, 30 percent of new Yoshiaki Fujimori, president and CEO employees should be women and 30 of Lixil Group Corp., believes a true percent of those who got promoted leader must carry out two main tasks: should be women. He also said that implement innovative changes and one of its 15 executive operating offi- educate the next generation. cers is a woman. His belief is heavily influenced by “If we continue this way, we’ll be his former boss Jack Welch, one of able to hit the 30 percent goal,” he America’s legendary business execu- said. tives who led General Electric Co. be- Welcoming Abe’s vow to become tween 1981 and 2001. the “drill bit” to break through the A graduate of University of Tokyo’s “solid rock” of vested interests block- engineering department, Fujimori ing reform,” Fujimori said Japan, started his career in 1975 working for which played leadership musical Nissho Iwai Corp., a trading house, chairs for a long time, now has a bet- which later became Sojitz Corp. He ter leader who can show direction for joined General Electric Japan at age the future. 35 and became the first Asian to take a But Fujimori feels the Abe govern- senior vice presidency position at GE ment still needs to hammer out com- headquarters in 2001. prehensive measures to tackle issues “What I learned from Welch was involving people, such as nurturing that we must continue carrying out in- globally competitive Japanese and novative changes. Once we become Yoshiaki Fujimori, president and CEO of Lixil Group Corp., talks to The Japan Times dealing with the declining population. satisfied and stop innovating, we will about leadership at the Lixil’s head office in Tokyo in August. yoshiaki miura “Japan doesn’t have an environ- cease to grow and soon we’ll start fall- ment which can produce globally ing,” Fujimori said in a recent inter- earlier this year. a stark difference in their corporate competitive people,” he said. view with The Japan Times. Lixil Group’s sales have risen to cultures. Recalling when he first moved to GE After working with GE for 25 years, more than ¥1.62 trillion in the busi- “Japanese companies don’t value in his 30s, Fujimori said he was full of Fujimori decided to return to Japan to ness year ending in March 2014, up diversity. It’s not a pillar of Japanese confidence that he would win over his join Lixil in 2011. His decision came from ¥1.21 trillion at the end of March companies. But at GE, I found an en- American colleagues because U.S. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (third from left, front row) poses for a photo along with after Yoichiro Ushioda, a member of 2011. vironment where I can compete freely companies offer equal opportunities participants of the 19th International Conference for Women in Business in Tokyo on the founding family, asked him to take “If you want to change society, you regardless of nationality and skin to people from different countries to July 13. Viewing women as a crucial force necessary to save Japan’s teetering over the helm of the company. Since must change your company. If you color,” he said. “Lixil has the three work without discrimination. economy, Abe is encouraging companies to try to promote women to 30 percent of then, Fujimori has implemented bold want to change your company, you basic principles: diversity, equal op- “But on my very first day, I felt there leadership positions in all industries by 2020. Kyodo reforms to transform what he calls a must change yourself. Unless you can portunity and meritocracy.” was something I lacked. That was “super domestic company” into a change and reform yourself, you’ll Fujimori, who will also attend the up- leadership. In school or at work in leadership education will enable Japa- not many Japanese feel comfortable truly global one. never be able to reform your compa- coming Annual Meeting of the New Japan, I never had a chance to think nese people to be more competitive in communicating in English. Lixil, a major Japanese maker of ny,” said the 63-year-old president. Champions 2014, dubbed “Summer about leadership and never received the global market.” “It’s not just a matter of people metal building materials and plumb- As an active international business- Davos” in Tianjin, China, laments that leadership education,” said Fujimori, Just like Darwin’s theory of evolu- being able to speak English or English ing fixtures, has grown rapidly with person, Fujimori is one of several Japa- Japan lags behind emerging Asian coun- who received his MBA from Carnegie tion, Fujimori is convinced that those education being introduced at major expansions abroad through nese corporate executives who have tries, such as China and Singapore, in Mellon University in 1981. who will survive in a rapidly changing schools,” he said. M&A activity in the past few years. become regulars at the Davos confer- terms of adopting those principles. That came as a shock to Fujimori and, world are the ones who can adapt “A bilingual nation means a bilingual The company made American Stan- ence hosted by the World Economic “Unless those three principals are after realizing his shortcomings, he em- themselves to a new environment. brain. A bilingual brain means a bicul- dard Brands, a major American kitch- Forum based in Geneva, Switzerland, in rooted in our company, we will never barked on a journey to improve himself “We need to think about how to sur- tural brain. If Japan can nurture such en and bathroom fixture company, a recent years. The Davos conference be a global company, and foreigners to become a better leader, he said. vive 30 years and 50 years down the people, those people will actively speak wholly owned subsidiary in 2013. It brings together top political, business who come to work for us will not truly “Unless you start thinking about road. What do we currently need to do about Japan in the international com- also acquired an 87.5 percent stake, and academic leaders every January to be part of our company.” leadership and try to gain the neces- to survive in the future?” he asked. munity. If there is such a group of peo- together with the Development Bank discuss global issues ranging from the With a smile, he said he is imple- sary qualities as a leader, you can According to Fujimori, what Japan ple at Davos and in the world, they will of Japan Inc., of Germany’s GROHE economy to the environment to politics. menting reforms at his company at a never grow as a better leader,” he said. should do now is to declare it will be- definitely help boost Japan’s presence,” Group, one of the world’s leaders in Comparing Japanese firms to for- much faster pace than Prime Minister “I also realized that was what Japa- come a truly bilingual nation in 30 years. he said. “I’m sure those people will be- luxury bathroom and kitchen fittings, eign companies, Fujimori said there is Shinzo Abe’s national reforms. Under nese people lacked. So, providing Despite long years of English education, come an engine to change Japan.” Meeting the challenge of diversity

Atsushi Kodera nese trading giant Sumitomo Corp. to STAFF WRITER start a humble school operating out of a small Tokyo apartment. The latest views on the new roles of That school would become the pres- leadership and the changing issues ent Globis group of companies, which leaders are facing are two of the themes now operates an accredited business that entrepreneur Yoshito Hori is keen school on five campuses in major Japa- to check on at this year’s Summer nese cities and manages venture capital Davos conference. funds with ¥50 billion in assets under The dean of Globis Management management. School and managing partner of Globis Hori developed his own vision of the Capital Partners will participate in the ideal leader as he has kept asking him- Swiss-based World Economic Forum’s self what his role should be as he led his international conference, formally company in its rapid growth. called the Annual Meeting of the New Hori outlines his vision in a July 8 Champions 2014, taking place through LinkedIn article in English, paradoxi- Friday in China’s Tianjin. cally titled, “The Best Leaders Do . . . “Summer Davos is a place where peo- Nothing.” In the article, which has at- ple actually causing a shift (in views on tracted over 50,000 views, he compares leadership roles) will gather. . . . I want his ideal leadership role to a saying that to see what changes are taking place, the best leader is the leader “who does and how participants resonate with new nothing,” which he attributes to ancient ideas that may come up,” Hori said. Yoshito Hori, the founder of GLOBIS Chinese thinker Confucius. Since 2002, Hori has frequently globis The article argues Confucius is inten- joined WEF meetings, participating in tionally provocative, and states: “I think the Summer Davos six times, joining in to know the answer to their question: he (Confucius) meant that the best discussions on improving the state of ‘What’s going on?’,” Hori said. “But the thing for a leader is to create a well- the world among business, political, ac- government leadership ran into trouble structured, well-trained and fully func- ademic and other leaders of society. because it didn’t have the functionality tioning organization and then get out of The WEF saw a common issue emerg- or capability required to address such a the way and let other people get on with ing in recent years through discussions demand.” their jobs.” at its about 80 Global Agenda Councils, Another factor presenting difficulty But the article also adds the leader each of which focuses on a specific to leaders is an increasingly diversified should be “always ready to step out of theme from climate change to educa- the shadows and assume direct control, tion to the future of manufacturing and communicating the necessary message justice. ‘Leaders are now of change and transforming the busi- The issue was the dysfunction of ness model until the crisis has passed.” leadership in solving problems, accord- required to “What I mean by ‘do nothing’ is that ing to Hori. by leaving much of the work to others in In response, the WEF launched the recognize values of your organization, you can expect it to Global Agenda Council on New Models grow stronger. You as the leader have to of Leadership in 2011 to discuss “a se- their subordinates wait until your staff learn to do what ries of evolving factors that are affect- you can actually do yourself,” Hori said. ing the way companies and public and coordinate “If you allow time for that, the capabili- organizations operate, as well as how ties of your organization will increase.” leaders of those institutions are equip- them.’ Hori also recommends the leader use ping themselves to respond to those yoshito hori the extra time gained to engage in activ- changing parameters,” according to the ities that contribute to the betterment of WEF. society, which requires leaders who society. Hori, who has joined the council’s may have been once able to act on a For Hori, one such undertaking is G1 discussions along with the likes of U.S. single value system, to bring together Global, a Davos-inspired gathering of psychologist Daniel Goleman and people with diverse values, according leaders from government, business, ac- Lynda Gratton, professor of manage- to Hori. ademia, art, sports and the media in ment practice at the London Business “Leaders, too, are now tremendously which they discuss challenges facing School, sees several important factors diversified. The leader of the United Asia and the world and to make com- that have rendered what used to be a States is African American. A key leader mitments to create and innovate societ- functional leadership dysfunctional. in Europe (German Chancellor Angela ies. Among them is a growing use of mo- Merkel) is a woman. The World Bank The next conference, tentatively titled bile Internet devices such as tablet president is South Korean . . . and the “Japan in 2020: Boosting Innovation computers and smartphones. These de- CEO of Microsoft Corp. is Indian,” Hori and Dynamism” will be held on Sept. 15 vices enable people to watch major in- said. “Leaders are now required to rec- at Globis University Tokyo. Planned cidents as they develop, in near real ognize the values of their subordinates speakers include such luminaries as time. and coordinate them.” economist Heizo Takenaka, The Econo- “When the reactor housing exploded Leadership-related issues fascinate mist Tokyo Bureau Chief Tamzin Booth, at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power Hori, for whom creating the ideal leader and Glen Fukushima, a senior fellow at plant, everyone saw it in online video as is a long-running pursuit ever since the Center for American Progress in soon as it happened, and they wanted 1992 when he jumped ship from Japa- Washington D.C.

PAGE: 2 The Japan Times Wednesday, September 10, 2014 B3 ‘Summer Davos’ special Suzuki promotes Mie Pref. globally

Minoru Matsutani prestigious international races. It is locat- STAFF WRITER ed in Suzuka, Mie, and operated by Mo- bilityland Corp., a subsidiary of Honda Mie Gov. Eikei Suzuki, selected as a Motor Co. Young Global Leader by the World Eco- Ise-ebi and Matsusaka beef are “the top nomic Forum this year, is trying to pro- two” foods Mie is known for, while Miki- mote his prefecture on the global stage. moto Pearl Island in the Prefecture is the He has visited 10 countries in Asia, Eu- origin of Mikimoto Pearl. On the Pacific rope and the Americas since he took over coast of Mie, there are “ama cottages,” the prefecture’s top position in April 2011, which serve ise-ebi, abalone, fish and to discuss economics, academic collabora- other seafood freshly caught by ama. tions, exchanges and other subjects. Mie also has high percentage of foreign “Mie Prefecture has the highest growth residents. With a total population of 1.85 potential in Japan. It also has Ise Jingu million, the prefecture has about 41,000 Shrine, the origin of Japanese spirit. I use registered foreign residents, ranking it the those sales points to promote Mie to the third highest ratio of foreign residents in world,” Suzuki told The Japan Times at Japan’s 47 prefectures. the prefecture’s satellite office in Tokyo. He would also like to attract direct in- Regarding growth potential, Suzuki re- vestment from overseas as Mie has many ferred to a report by the Japan Center for small and midsize high-tech enterprises Economic Research, released in March, and the nation’s greatest growth potential. revealing that Mie has the highest expect- Among Suzuki’s outstanding achieve- ed economic growth among the coun- ments are his measures to tackle the de- try’s 47 prefectures from 2011 to 2025. clining birthrate. Aichi Prefecture holds second place and The ideal number of children for a was ranked third. couple in Mie Prefecture is 2.5, while the Mie is home to many large factories, Mie Gov. Eikei Suzuki talks to The Japan Times at the prefecture’s Tokyo office in actual number is 1.7. Suzuki, who took including those of Honda Motor Co., August. yoshiaki miura 3½ days of “quasi” paternity leave in July Toshiba Corp. and Sharp Corp. This plac- 2012, has encouraged male employees of es Mie very high among prefectures in He also helped to facilitate an agree- fecture Inc. I don’t want to make pacts the prefectural government to also take terms of the monetary value of shipped ment in joint research on environmental just for friendship. I want to bring Mie to paternity leave. manufactured goods. technology between Mie University and the global stage and bring profits to Mie,” The ratio of men taking paternity leave Suzuki’s overseas visits have yielded Fraunhofer, a world-renowned research Suzuki said. in the prefectural government had been concrete results such as signed memo- organization based in Germany. “Our job is to lower the hurdles for about 5 percent, and Suzuki last year set (Above) Ise Jingu Shrine, the randums of understanding with states, Suzuki has also been successful in companies in Mie to do business with a goal of increasing that to 10 percent by center of sightseeing in Ise City, cities and provinces of other countries. building a close relationship with Tai- foreign counterparts by way of exchanges March. The government undertook mea- Mie Prefecture, is visited by Last month, Mie Prefecture and Wash- wan, which sends many tourists to Mie. and diplomacy,” he said. sures to encourage paternity leave and almost 7 million people from all ington State signed a Memorandum of Thanks to his efforts, in May last year, the Suzuki also promotes tourism in Mie the figure ended up at 13 percent in over the world every year. (Right) Understanding on various industrial col- Japan-Taiwan Tourism Summit was held to the world, focusing on Asia, and he is March. Succulent, high-quality laborations, including in the aerospace, in the city of Shima in the prefecture, planning to visit Thailand and Malaysia In another move to tackle the declin- Matsusaka beef is one of “the life sciences and information technology bringing together members of the tour- this fall. ing birth rate, Mie began subsidizing fer- top two” foods, along with industries. ism industries of Japan and Taiwan. The two countries are “big markets” for tility treatment for men in April, making ise-ebi spiny lobsters, Mie In the aerospace sector, Washington The amicable relationship stems from Mie tourism, Suzuki, who plans to meet it the first prefecture to do so. Prefecture is known for and is State is the home of Boeing and many various exchanges. In February last year, many travel agencies and other travel-re- Currently, about one in six couples are also one of the most famous manufacturers of mechanical parts used in Mie became the first Japanese prefectural lated companies during his visits, said. receiving fertility treatment, but in Japan beef brands within Japan and aircraft are based in Mie. For example, Mit- government to exhibit lanterns in the an- Visitors from Malaysia are on the rise. it is mainly women undergoing treat- internationally. jingu shicho, Mie subishi Heavy Industries Ltd. has chosen nual Taiwan Lantern Festival, organized The number of Malaysians who visited ment, Suzuki said. Meanwhile, the World prefecture tourism federation its factory in the prefecture to build the by the Taiwan Tourism Bureau. Mie ex- Japan rose by 50 percent from 2012 to Health Organization said men contribute vertical and horizontal tail fins of its next- hibited ninja and ama (female divers) 2013. The corresponding number was 67 to infertility in 48 percent of the cases, generation Mitsubishi Regional Jets. lanterns to promote Mie. percent for Malaysians who visited Mie with men being the sole cause in 24 per- Urayasu in . Asked what he thinks of being selected “In the field of aircraft manufacturing, The Iga district in Mie is the birthplace Prefecture, Suzuki said. cent of cases and both men and women “On measures to tackle the declining as a Young Global Leader, he said, “Lead- making it lighter is the never-ending of ninja, and Mie boasts 1,000 registered Asked about the strong points of Mie contribute to infertility in the other 24 birth rate, Japanese men have had the ers, especially politicians, can easily be- theme. Mie can offer that technology, giv- ama (female divers), accounting for half tourism, the first thing he cited was Ise percent of cases. mentality that it’s a women’s job. I think come a big fish in a little pond. Therefore, ing us a win-win relationship,” Suzuki said. of the ama in Japan. Ama in Mie dive for Jingu Shrine, Japan’s foremost Shinto “Globally, both men and women go to that is one of the main reasons for the de- being in a global community such as this In life sciences, the University of Wash- Japanese ise-ebi spiny lobsters and other shrine, which underwent a partial re- hospitals for fertility treatment. Only in clining birth rate,” he said. and having an opportunity to add to my ington is renowned for its focus on pri- marine products. building last year, something that hap- Japan do women go alone most of the Suzuki said he can do many small value is great.” mary care and nursing in the U.S., while Suzuki is not interested in simply en- pens every 20 years. time,” he said. things that will eventually change the “I want to expand my views as a politi- Mie Prefecture has been designated as a tering into sister city agreements that are Suzuki also cited Suzuka International Suzuki’s push for men to have subsi- culture and people’s mentality. cian and continue to send the message to special innovative zone to collect big often little more than just gestures. Racing Course, or Suzuka Circuit for dized fertility treatments has caught on in “And that’s the most important job as a the world that Mie’s economy has great medical data of residents, Suzuki said. “I consider myself the CEO of Mie Pre- short, a motorsport race track that hosts both Fukui Prefecture and the city of leader,” he said. potential.” Young global leaders focus energy and knowledge on better future for all The Forum of Young Global Leaders (YGLs), created in 2004, Photonics Society from 2007 to 2011. He was also Founding is a unique community formed by the most exceptional lead- Chair of the Southern California Japanese Scholars Forum. ers from every region of the world and every stakeholder in His work has been featured in the media, including Nature, society. These honorees have committed their energy and BBC, Wired Magazine, TIME Magazine and others. knowledge to the most critical issues facing humankind. Al- ready successful and accomplished in their own fields, they Kentaro Ichiki join and create a community of insight and action that is truly (Creative Director of Hakuhodo Inc.) committed to improving the state of the world. The YGL com- Ichiki is comprehensively in charge of advertising produc- munity is the voice of an optimistic future and an energetic tion of TV commercials and media development, product de- catalyst for change. velopment and planning business strategies based on The Forum of Young Global Leaders has established a management problems of clients. He has successively built comprehensive selection process for identifying and select- brands in numerous fields, including cars, household appli- ing the most exceptional leaders 40 years of age or younger. ances, games, cosmetics and dining both domesticly and Every year, thousands of candidates from around the world overseas. Now he also serves as the editor-in-chief of “KOH- are proposed and assessed according to rigorous selection KOKU” Magazine published by Hakuhodo. criteria. Only the very best candidates are selected and all On the occasion of being selected as a YGL, Ichiki said “I efforts are extended to create a truly representative body. am pleased to serve as a bridge between art and science, Reflecting the diversity of stakeholders, theY oung Global marketing and design, and technology and emotion, to dis- Leaders include leaders from politics, business, civil society, cover new ways of storytelling for the world.” academia and arts and culture from across seven geograph- ic regions. Together, they form a unique community that can Tonni Agustiono Kurniawan dramatically affect the lives of future generations and craft (JSPS Postdoctoral Fellow, Institute for the Advanced Study innovative responses to address global and regional chal- of Sustainability at United Nations University) lenges. It is a support system that questions, and constantly Tonni Kurniawan is an Associate Professor at the Xiamen pushes its members to not only do more, but to be more, University in China. Prior to joining the university, he was a too. scholar at the United Nations University Institute of Advanced This year’s class of YGLs come from 66 countries and Studies of Sustainability in Tokyo. His research focuses on equally represent the public and private sectors. Out of the wastewater treatment and water purification, specifically the total 214 YGLs honored, 109 are women. Bold, brave, action- applications of water technologies to remove heavy metals oriented and entrepreneurial, these select individuals have from contaminated water. His work seeks to capture water di- proven their commitment to making the world a better rectly from non-traditional sources such as municipal waste- place. From Japan, seven outstanding people have been water and restore it to near drinking water quality using chosen to be part of this remarkable community. low-cost absorbents to remove pollutants. Recently, Kurni- awan has been identified by the Institute for Scientific Infor- Iwao Aso mation-Thompson Reuters among the top 1 percent of (Group Chairman of ASO Corporation) researchers in the field of engineering. After earning a bachelor’s in Economics at Keio University in 1997, Aso entered the Long-Term Credit Bank of Japan. In Soichiro Minami 1999, he went to the U.K. to study international relations at (Founder and Chief Executive Officer of BizReach) the University of Cambridge, returning in 2000 to join ASO Swimmy Minami is the Founder and CEO of BizReach, Inc. Corporation as an auditor, becoming director in 2001. which has launched a series of industry changing online ser- In 2005, he was assigned as an independent director of vices, including BizReach, LUXA, RegionUP and others. Dwango Co., one of the leading telecommunications and BizReach is now the premier online professional network- media companies in Japan. Since 2011, he has served as the ing service for career-driven professionals and talent seeking Group Chairman of ASO Corporation. employers in Japan. LUXA is a discovery e-commerce site focused on empow- Ken Endo ering consumers to find unique products and experiences. It (Researcher at the Sony Computer Science Laboratories, Inc., offers its members a selection of merchandise, including Xiborg founder) electronics, apparel, food, lifestyle items and the best in home While many people have started preparing Tokyo for the decor and entertaining essentials. 2020 Olympics and Paralympics, engineer Ken Endo has been Before founding BizReach, Swimmy was a founding mem- working to help Paralympic athletes sprint to the finish line. ber of the Rakuten Eagles, the firstJ apanese expansion base- Starting when he was a doctoral student at MIT, and now at ball team in 50 years. Sony Computer Science Laboratories in Japan, Ken works on robotic prosthetic legs. By reducing the number of motors Eikei Suzuki and increasing the use of springs in the prosthetic legs, Ken (Governor of Mie Prefecture) hopes to develop prosthetic legs that function as well as real Suzuki was employed by the Ministry of Economy, Trade ones. and Industry (METI) in 1998. Suzuki worked as a member of Shinzo Abe’s staff during Mr. Abe’s first term asP rime Minis- Keisuke Goda ter (2006), leading work on education reform and environmen- (Professor of Physical Chemistry at University of Tokyo) tal issues. Goda’s research has focused on the development of inno- When he was 36 years old, he was elected as the governor vative technologies such as novel methods, devices, and in- of Mie, becoming the second youngest governor in Japanese struments for a diverse range of scientific, industrial, and history. Currently 39 years old, he is the youngest prefectural biomedical applications. His goal in teaching is to educate governor currently in office.H e raised Mie’s medium-term and produce global leaders who will shape science, industry economic growth rate to become the highest of the nation’s and medicine in the 21st century. prefectures. Goda served as Co-Chair of Los Angeles Chapter of IEEE Suzuki is also a member of the Fertility Crisis Taskforce.

PAGE: 3 B4 The Japan Times Wednesday, September 10, 2014 ‘Summer Davos’ special Ranking restaurants, food a centuries-old tradition

Makiko Itoh portant. special to the japan times By the early 19th century, booksellers in Edo, who were also the publishing houses When it was announced some years ago of the day, were issuing booklets or paper that the Michelin Guide had awarded sheets with restaurant rankings every year. more stars to restaurants in Tokyo than any These were usually presented as banzuke, other city it covered, it made international the way sumo wrestlers are ranked; restau- headlines. But rating and ranking restau- rants or their signature dishes were listed rants in Japan is nothing new. In Tokyo as “grand champion,” “champion” and so and in Japan in general, people have been on. Highly ranked establishments would writing about and hotly debating the rela- be swamped with business soon after a tive merits of eating establishments and new listing came out, and the validity of the food they serve for centuries. the rankings themselves were hotly debat- The basics of Japanese cuisine (wash- ed. oku) as we know it today started to take The interest in ranking restaurants was shape during the Muromachi Period not limited to Edo; similar lists were issued (1392-1573). Public eateries, mostly stalls in Kyoto and too. Rankings were set up near popular shrines and temples also put out for single food items such as catering to worshippers, are first men- confectionery or pickles as well as the best tioned during this time. rice growing regions, sake, the tastiest fish But it wasn’t until the Edo Period (1603- dishes for each season and more. Naturally 1867), when the nation became relatively certain brands became more desirable due peaceful and prosperous under the rule of to their ranking. the Tokugawa Shogunate, that the restau- A newly appointed government official rant and hospitality business really took found himself in hot water in the late 18th off. By the early 18th century the popula- century, when it was discovered he had (Above) A sugoroku board game tion of Edo had reached one million (as a served a cheaper brand of yokan, a sweet, produced around 1850, depicting comparison, the population of Paris at the dense bean jelly, rather than the Grand several famous restaurants and food time was about 550,000). It’s estimated that Champion brand of the time, Suzuki establishments in Edo and their around 30 percent of the residents of Edo Tango. He was forced to prostate himself in signature dishes. (Right) Narai-juku in were single men; these included samurai shame in front of outraged guests, who Nagano Prefecture was a station on who were sent to Edo from their home re- were also his colleagues and superiors, for the old Nakasendo route. It has been gions on temporary assignment, ronin and this insult. carefully preserved to look much as it men from the merchant and artisan class- The Edo Period also saw a big increase did in the Edo Period. NATIonal diet es who came to Edo to look for work and in travel - at first just for official business, library, makiko itoh seek their fortune. but later for pleasure as well. Since these men often lacked the facili- While traveling was strictly controlled by ties or the skills to cook for themselves, nu- the government, it wasn’t impossible by merous establishments sprang up around any means. In the early 19th century, mak- such as Narai-juku in Nagano Prefecture, a and compare. Visiting these old establishments is a town to cater to their needs. Many were ing a pilgrimage to Ise Jingu Shrine in cur- stop on the Nakasendo, have been careful- Much of modern Japan looks nothing heady combination of history and delecta- the forerunners of the fast-food restaurants rent day Mie Prefecture became very ly preserved and still look much as they like it did in the 18th or 19th centuries, es- ble flavors. of today, serving quick meals to busy peo- popular amongst the citizens of Edo as did in the 18th or 19th centuries. pecially Tokyo. However a surprising num- The interest in reading, writing and talk- ple on tight budgets. Sake was served all well as the other cities and towns along the A 21st century trend in food tourism is a ber of businesses that were established in ing about food continues to this day. It’s day along with big bowls of white rice. Tokaido, the heavily trafficked road from throwback of sorts to that time. Many re- those bygone days still exist, many run by practically impossible to avoid shows Three of the major foods that represent Edo to Kyoto. Much like the pilgrimages to gions around the country are using B-kyu the same families, especially in food-relat- about food and eating out on Japanese TV, Japanese cuisine to this day — sushi, tem- Santiago de Compostela or Canterbury Gotochi Gurume (B-class regional gour- ed businesses. and magazines and books about food and pura and soba noodles — became widely that were popular in Europe, the Ise Shrine met) - casual, inexpensive local cuisine - to The oldest traditional or wagashi con- eating out are still very popular. popular and all got their start as quick, pilgrimage was often just an excuse to get attract tourists. One of the most successful fectioner in Japan, Shiose, was established Nowadays the hottest restaurant rating cheap food served from stalls or casual no- the proper travel documents, the equiva- B-class dishes is the yakisoba (stir-fried in 1349 in Nara, and then operated in action is on the internet, where thousands frills eateries in Edo. lent of passports today. noodles with a Worcestershire sauce-like Kyoto for a few centuries before subse- of restaurants are reviewed in detail on As time passed and the dining scene in It wasn’t long before travel guides were sauce) made in Fujinomiya in Shizuoka quently moving to its current location in sites like Tabelog and Gurunavi, as well as Edo became ever more sophisticated, en- published that noted the various “can’t Prefecture. While the town has other at- Nihonbashi, Tokyo. One of their signature on blogs and social networks. tertaining guests at elegant restaurants miss” regional specialities to be enjoyed by tractions such as stellar views of Mt. Fuji, sweets was used as an offering to the gods While the technology has changed, the Ramen became popular in the 20th called ryotei became fashionable among the knowledgeable traveler at the shukuba it’s the noodles that draw devoted fans to by Ieyasu, the first Tokugawa Shogun, be- passionate interest in seeking out the best century. With many regional differences, well-to-do samurai and merchants. A mid- or rest stop towns along the Tokaido, as Fujinomiya in droves. fore an important battle in 1575. While restaurant or dish as well as talking about it is typical of B-class local gourmet food. level samurai who was in the employ of the well as other busy roads such as the Na- Ramen, another dish that established it- businesses more than 650 years old are it, is an important part of Japan’s cultural This one is from Hakata in shogunate or a regional lord typically spent kasendo. Shukuba businesses enthusiasti- self in the early 20th century in Japan via rare, there are numerous restaurants and heritage. And it’s this passion that contin- Prefecture. MAkiko itoh about 25 percent of his income treating cally marketed their local cuisine to entice China, is typical of B-class regional gour- other food-related businesses that were ues to spur on the producers of food to do guests, so knowing the right places to go people to stay in their town rather than met food; inexpensive yet made with care, founded in the 18th through early 20th their best, and makes dining out in Japan and the right dishes to order was very im- one down the road. A few shukuba towns with numerous regional variations to try centuries in Tokyo and throughout Japan. so rewarding.

Q3. How did you promote sake to Chi- ing market share in China, I’m not going to Blazing a trail for Japanese sake in China nese people? How are sales in China? give up, and I’m going to continue to How about the reputation in China? spread genuine sake, especially junmaishu Sake in China is mainly consumed in (pure rice sake), made to Japanese stan- Masato Nakatani is the sixth-generation Q2. Can you tell us about the difficulties Japanese restaurants. Our main sales activ- dards, in China. head of Nakatani Brewing Co. in Nara Pre- you encountered in making sake and op- ity is to sell Asaka sake produced by Tianjin fecture, and one of the most outstanding erating a company overseas? How did Nakatani Brewing. The penetration ratio of Q5. Since washoku traditional Japanese figures involved in developing the world- you overcome them? Asaka in Japanese restaurants is the best cuisine has been added to UNESCO’s In- wide sake market. Nineteen years ago, Na- If I had created a joint venture with a advertisement. Besides restaurants, super- tangible Cultural Heritage list, many katani began brewing sake in Tianjin, Chinese company, I would have been markets and department stores, including breweries would wish to expand sake China, and the high-quality “Asaka” sake forced to hire employees accustomed to Aeon, and online shops are also sales consumption abroad. However, at the enjoys nearly the top share of China’s sake working for state-run companies under channels. same time, they don’t have the know- market. As a representative example of sake, the communist system. To avoid that, I es- My company accounts for a quarter of how to do that effectively. Do you have Asaka will be served at the Japan Night tablished Tianjin Nakatani Brewing as an the sake market in China, while Japanese any advice for those breweries? event, part of the World Economic Forum affiliated company of a 100-percent for- imports account for another quarter. I know many highly motivated sake Annual Meeting of New Champions to be eign-capital company. The brewery in Tianjin has a wholesale breweries have already exported their held from Sept. 10 to 12 in Tianjin, China. In order to counter the poor reputation subsidiary, which imports “Naragin” products and it may be too late for brewer- of Chinese products, I decided to brew sake from Nakatani Brewing Co. in Japan, ies to try to export now because most trad- Q1. Can you tell us why you wanted to pure-rice ginjo sake, a type brewed with as well as sake from other breweries such ing companies and local retailers are make sake in China? particular care. as “Hakushika” sake from Nada, Hyogo satisfied with existing products. When the toji, or sake brewing master, of Masato Nakatani As there were no veteran sake brewers Prefecture; “Nikaido” shochu (distilled Taking “Dassai,” one of the most well- Nakatani Brewing Co. came over in the au- in China, I set up a system to manage sake) from Oita Prefecture; and “Satsuma known and popular sake brands from tumn of 1994 to discuss the sake brewing industry that was in a slump at the time. the company with specific numerical in- Muso” and “Kikaijima” shochu from Ka- Yamaguchi Prefecture, as an example, it season, which begins in autumn and ends An optimal place to make sake in China structions and brought in the latest goshima Prefecture. Tianjin Nakatani proved effective to make it better known Tianjin Nakatani Brewing’s Asaka, which in spring, I heard that there were sake would be a place with high-quality rice equipment from Japan to support such a Brewing is the exclusive distributor of the in Tokyo, then pitch to trading compa- will be served at this year’s Japan Night makers in China from him. and cold winters. While scouting locations, system. four brands in China. nies and local retailers. Even if a brand of event, part of the WEF in Tianjin, I had left a trading company, Kanemat- I met Li Hengqi, the manager of the city of There were no trustworthy wholesal- sake is picked up once, there’s no guar- China. Nakatani Brewing Co. su Corp., the previous year and although I Tianjin’s office in Osaka and decided to ers in China, which has only recently Q4. What is your goal? antee lesser-known ones will get repeat was studying for the bar exam, I became make sake in Tianjin. begun shifting from communism to cap- Since there are no specific manufactur- business. Although continuous sales ac- porting 18 years ago, and now our ex- interested in making sake in China. My job In January 1995, I established Tianjin italism. To get around this, I established ing standards for sake in China some man- tivities in local areas are indispensable, ports account for 40 percent of our at Kanematsu was helping Japanese man- Nakatani Brewing Co. and began prepar- sales offices in , Dalian, Shang- ufacturers are selling synthetic sake as there are not many sake manufacturers business, which, I believe is the highest ufacturers build factories overseas and I ing to brew sake. Li resigned from the hai, Guangzhou and other cities. In pure sake. Because the cost of synthetic with the time and money to spend on ratio among Japanese sake breweries. I thought I could use the experience. Also, I Tianjin government and became vice pres- other words, I created my company’s sake is low, they can sell it cheaper than those activities. think it’s safe to say that it’s always bet- thought I could be successful in the sake ident of Tianjin Nakatani Brewing. own sales channels. pure sake. Although synthetic sake is gain- Nakatani Brewing Co. worked on ex- ter to be at the forefront in business. Nihonbashi: Historic and modern ihonbashi Nis a busi- ness district in Chuo Ward, Tokyo, which grew around the bridge of the same name which has linked the sides of the Nihon- bashi River since the 17th century. It is an Soba is one of three major foods, along with area where sushi and tempura, that represent Edo Period people can ex- cuisine. All three remain very popular and there perience the are many soba restaurants in Nihonbashi fusion of both today. MAkiko itoh historic and modern Japan. At the end of the Tokaido and Nakasendo roads to Edo, the area grew as a major trading center and cultural hub and there are shops and theaters in the area giving a glimpse of that history. Although there is excellent food nationwide, Ni- honbashi is home of a number of famous, well-established shops that have been standing for more than 100 years. Its early development is largely credited to the Mitsui family, who had their wholesaling business in the area and built Japan’s first department store, Mitsukoshi, there. In later years, Nihonbashi emerged as Tokyo’s (and Japan’s) predominant financial district and is home today to the Tokyo Stock Exchange, the Bank of Japan and many other major businesses.

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