The Power to Compete: An Economist and an Entrepreneur on Revitalizing Japan in the Global Economy

ConclusionWhat Is the Power to Compete?

Japan Uniquely Incorporates and Interprets Cultures

Hiroshi:

Over three months, I've discussed different themes with you based on my “Japan Again” proposal. While we've been having these discussions, the Abe administration has been hard at work preparing its growth strategy, and although some of my proposals were adopted, essential issues like the restart of nuclear power stations have been set in line with the scenarios drawn up by the bureaucrats. We are now nearing the end of our debates. How have you felt about our discussions over these last three months?

Ryoichi:

I fully support your proposal. The issue now is all about how we can realize it. If we could just find something that we could make a breakthrough on, we could start from there. Our next step is crucial. How can we switch to the new path? I think we'll need to borrow the wisdom of many different people.

Hiroshi:

We should go for the low-hanging fruit first, and for us I think that means the neutrality of the Internet. Let's make the Internet open, lower the price of infrastructure, and give people even more freedom in the way they use it. That is the first goal. I proposed this at the Industrial Competitiveness Council within my IT autobahn concept, which I've talked about before. Information and communications technology infrastructure should be nationalized, and we should create the world's fastest and cheapest communications environment. It should be free and open to ...