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Long, healthy lifespans will benefit the nation

　I hardly noticed two years ago when I reached the age of 80, a milestone known as “sanju” in Japan. Despite my age, I have enjoyed myself every day while cheerfully engaged in two pursuits: my business and efforts to express my views and beliefs. My policy is, “If you run after two hares, you will catch both.” Many people who reach sanju celebrate their longevity with items in the colors of yellow and gold. Today, more citizens are living past the age of 100. The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare announced that there are 95,119 Japanese centenarians and older, according to the basic resident register as of September 1, 2024. This number has continually risen and set new records since the 1970s. Women make up 88% of the total at 83,958, while men number 11,161. There were 153 centenarians in 1963, 1,000 in 1981, and more than 10,000 in 1998. It certainly seems like things are changing, and that more people will reach the age of 100 in the future.
Going forward, emphasis will be put on “healthy life years,” rather than simply on extending lifespans. The Center for Supercentenarian Medical Research at the Keio University School of Medicine does fascinating research on this topic by studying “super centenarians.” There are slightly more than 100 of these people in Japan who are over the age of 110. According to this research, many supercentenarians who maintain healthy lifespans share three things in common: good cognitive function (meaning they do not suffer from dementia), physical strength, and healthy blood vessels in the circulatory system (centered on the heart). Personality-wise, they tend to be sincere people who follow through on their decisions. They are open, curious, energetic, and interested in trying new things. Of course, I imagine that my business activities and efforts to express myself will be helpful for achieving a long, healthy life.
In the future, an important political issue will be the heavier burden placed by the growing elderly population on society. Politicians are discussing medical expenses for “late-stage” elderly people. In principle, their current copay amount is 10% of the medical bill. People with a certain amount of income pay 20%, and those with similar income as working adults pay 30%. The government is thinking of expanding the 30% category, which I am sure will require careful consideration. It seems that we cannot avoid charging elderly people more for medical care, according to a set standard, to ensure access to a long-lasting insurance program that does not put too much strain on the working population. Therefore, elderly people must do all they can to maintain their health.

Tech companies are bowing down to Trump in hopes of cheap energy

　The powerful snowstorms of 1962-1963 and 1981 caused nationwide damage. It seems like less snow falls in Japan today, perhaps due to global warming. Kanazawa City used to frequently experience annual snowfalls of 100 centimeters or more, but lately the maximum snow depth is more like 30 centimeters. I grew up in Komatsu, Kanazawa, and other parts of the coastal region along the Sea of Japan, a region known for its heavy snowfall. I used to look forward to seeing snow in Tokyo, and I would go outside to make snowmen and have snowball fights. Remembering this, I am somewhat saddened by the declining snowfall.
Although there is a scientific consensus regarding global warming, one person who utterly disbelieves this phenomenon is American President Donald Trump, who took office on January 20. The Sankei Shimbun newspaper published an article on November 7, 2024, “Trump Rejects Biden’s Climate Change Initiatives, Talks of Withdrawing From Paris Agreement: Musk Holds the Key.” It read:

“President-elect Trump, a member of the Republican Party, plans to totally negate the climate change initiatives of the Joe Biden administration. The possibility is high that he will withdraw from the international framework of the Paris Agreement, just like during his first term. Trump declared that America will have the lowest energy costs of any nation, and stated that it will step up production of oil and natural gas. The COP29 United Nations Climate Conference starts on November 11, where it is expected that participants will regard Trump as an even greater threat.” “Trump repeatedly said ‘Drill, baby, drill!’ during his campaign and promised to repeal Biden’s initiatives, including regulations on oil and natural gas production, as well as increased vehicle emissions limits. He also pledged to exit the Paris Agreement.” “Trump opposes decarbonization, which he sees as a hindrance to the American economy. Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) investing – which provides proactive support to companies in these fields – was derided by Trump as ‘poorly performing woke financial scams.’” “From another perspective, it is possible that the businessman Trump could change his mind if these investments were profitable. He previously took a negative stance on nuclear power, bringing up the Tokyo Electric Power Company’s Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station. This time, he spoke about promoting nuclear power to reduce energy costs. Nuclear power was discussed at last year’s COP28 as an effective measure to cut carbon emissions. They released a declaration pledging to triple global nuclear energy capacity by 2050 (compared to 2020), which was endorsed by 22 countries including Japan, the United States, United Kingdom, and France. Views of nuclear power are changing.” “The one holding the key is Elon Musk, who leads the electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer Tesla. He previously opposed Trump on nuclear power and EV regulations issues, then rapidly established a rapport with him during the presidential election. Trump said he would give Musk an important position in his government where he could work on industrial deregulation and government spending cuts.” “The most pressing topic for the IT industry is global electricity shortages, an increasingly serious issue that impacts the economy. Top figures at major American tech companies are drawing closer to Trump in hopes that he will soften his policies compared to the radical energy initiatives of his first term.”

　Trump plans to put Musk in charge of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg (whose company operates Facebook), Google CEO Sundar Pichai, Apple CEO Tim Cook, and Amazon Executive Chairman Jeff Bezos visited Trump’s home at Mar-a-Lago from November to December. It seems clear that Trump will strive to lower energy prices, which would benefit the EV and tech industries, while regarding climate change as an issue of less importance. In 2025, the entire world will have to cope with the impacts of the second Trump administration.

American viewers love a series that authentically depicts Japanese culture

　After an earthquake struck Noto on January 1, 2024, the people on that peninsula are facing a harsh winter. I was born in Ishikawa Prefecture’s Komatsu City, and I have many memories of the Noto area. I cannot help but feel that reconstruction will be a difficult task in this era due to the region’s low birth rates and aging population. In my opinion, now is the time to drastically re-examine our country in the hopes of creating a Japan that is prosperous in perpetuity – a place of profound history, traditions, and culture.
　While pondering these matters, I saw some good news about the TV series Shōgun winning four prizes at the Golden Globe Awards, including best drama television series. Sanada Hiroyuki took home the best actor performance award, Asano Tadanobu the best supporting male actor award, and Anna Sawai the best female actor award. The online magazine Courrier Japon published an article on March 2, 2024, titled, “Monumental Shōgun Series Conveys Authentic Japanese Culture to the World.” The author lauds producer Sanada for his work on this series:

“I was astounded by Sanada’s dedication to Japan’s culture, national traits, and spiritual roots. For instance, he gave continuous thought to the samurai spirit and the meaning of ritual suicide.” “I think it is fair to say that Shōgun’s genuine depiction of Japan is its most significant quality.” “Japanese supervisors participated in all parts, including the sets, artwork, and gorgeous costumes. Everything looked natural to Japanese eyes, from the actors’ movements to the way they walked and how their hair was styled. I was mesmerized watching the female actors walk with a shuffling step, and the military commanders quickly arranging their kimono when sitting down.” “The series brought in a Japanese kimono expert to teach the Canadian crew and ensure the samurai wore their swords at the proper angle, which was a matter of great importance at that time.” “Some may say that viewers cannot understand these small details. However, I sensed Sanada’s intense devotion to creating the most authentic work possible, something he mentioned multiple times during the shoot.” “Sanada has worked hard to portray Japan in a faithful manner in his Hollywood career, and he referred to Shōgun as his ‘dream project.’ Here, we can see these efforts bear fruit.”

　Many Japanese people should emulate Sanada’s passion and zeal about sharing genuine Japanese culture with people across the globe. This passion is the reason why Shōgun has reached so many American viewers and won so many awards. Japanese citizens should be able to feel great pride in their culture.

Remembering Abe, 80 years after the end of the war

　With a solid outlook on the future, Prime Minister Abe Shinzo strived to ensure Japan’s eternal prosperity. I watched everything he did since the time when I was vice-chairman of an organization working to help him become prime minister for the first time. More than anything else, I was impressed by his statement on the 70th anniversary of the war, released 10 years ago in 2015.

“In Japan, the postwar generations now exceed eighty per cent of its population. We must not let our children, grandchildren, and even further generations to come, who have nothing to do with that war, be predestined to apologize. Still, even so, we Japanese, across generations, must squarely face the history of the past. We have the responsibility to inherit the past, in all humbleness, and pass it on to the future.” “Our parents’ and grandparents’ generations were able to survive in a devastated land in sheer poverty after the war. The future they brought about is the one our current generation inherited and the one we will hand down to the next generation. Together with the tireless efforts of our predecessors, this has only been possible through the goodwill and assistance extended to us that transcended hatred by a truly large number of countries, such as the United States, Australia, and European nations, which Japan had fiercely fought against as enemies.” “We must pass this down from generation to generation into the future. We have the great responsibility to take the lessons of history deeply into our hearts, to carve out a better future, and to make all possible efforts for the peace and prosperity of Asia and the world.” “Japan will continue to firmly uphold the principle that any disputes must be settled peacefully and diplomatically based on the respect for the rule of law and not through the use of force, and to reach out to other countries in the world to do the same. As the only country to have ever suffered the devastation of atomic bombings during war, Japan will fulfil its responsibility in the international community, aiming at the non-proliferation and ultimate abolition of nuclear weapons.” “Japan will firmly uphold basic values such as freedom, democracy, and human rights as unyielding values and, by working hand in hand with countries that share such values, hoist the flag of ‘Proactive Contribution to Peace,’ and contribute to the peace and prosperity of the world more than ever before.” “Heading toward the 80th, the 90th and the centennial anniversary of the end of the war, we are determined to create such a Japan together with the Japanese people.”

　I was deeply touched by the phrase, “We have the responsibility to inherit the past, in all humbleness, and pass it on to the future.” Hearing Abe’s words, I felt a renewed ambition to express my views and share correct historical facts as a way to encourage Japanese people to regain a sense of national pride. One facet of my efforts is the Shoheijuku, which is celebrating its 14th anniversary this year. I keenly hope that this academy will turn out politicians who can be active on the global stage and speak about the future in the same manner as Abe.

January 16 (Thursday), 9:30 p.m.