Japan is in various predicaments. It’s time to seriously have a ‘sense of crisis.’

Hello. This is Kamiyama.

What I've been thinking lately is that Japan might be falling behind other countries.
Ten years ago, I used to think Japan was number one.
Developing technology ahead of the world.
Simply put, technological prowess.
It feels like those aspects we were proud of are now losing to the world.

It's not that Japan might be losing to the world; it's already a crushing defeat.
Especially when it comes to creating new jobs in this era of innovation.
We might have a good reputation for doing detailed work.
But if everything else is bad, it's a crushing defeat in overall score.

If things continue like this, we will lose out on major markets entirely.
Current major corporations are also generally in decline.
Shouldn't we be developing new markets?

We also missed out on wearable computers.

For example, wearable computers.
Once again, Japan has fallen behind.

Now, the whole world is paying attention to wearables.
They are gathering technology to create wearable computers.
Among them, there are still very few wearable computers that Japan has put out.
Notable examples include rings worn on fingers and Nike watches.

"Japan missed the chance for wearables" Takeshi Natsuno
http://www.rbbtoday.com/article/2015/09/08/135035.html

I think if Japanese companies had more development capabilities, they should be able to create various things.
However, did they ultimately decide that it wouldn't sell or that they were behind the curve?
Do they think they can't compete globally, and then there's no further news from them?

If there's a clear vision beyond just selling.
They should be able to believe it will sell eventually.
Is it that they lack the stamina to get through that period?

Globally, even if something seems not to sell at first glance, research must be continuing.
Because if you can wear a computer on your body, it's convenient.
Eventually, with new ideas, they'll suddenly make a move one day.

They missed the smartphone before that. And even games, where they should hold the hardware, actually…

What did they miss before wearables?
Smartphones.
At that time, Japan took the stance that smartphones wouldn't sell, or that they were still waiting to see.
Ultimately, while they were waiting, global manufacturers snatched up the demand for smartphones.
If they could have believed in the certainty of sales and continued their research.
One can't help but think there might have been a different path.

Also, the game industry, which has been dabbling in various things recently.
About 10 years ago, when it came to game manufacturers, Japan was at the top.
It felt like Japanese manufacturers held market share wherever you looked.

However, now, Japanese manufacturers are increasingly localizing overseas titles.
I feel like we can no longer release titles on our own high-end machines.

In fact, even when I play them, overseas titles are more enjoyable.
They have an edge, or rather, they offer new experiences.

Originally, in terms of visuals and programming, overseas companies probably had that much potential.
I understand that, but are they concerned about the costs being too high?
I even get the impression that they are avoiding making software for high-end hardware with full effort.

Certainly, it becomes a huge investment costing tens of billions of yen.
I can also understand why they can't carelessly get involved.
However, overseas companies are competing by selling in the global market.
I can't help but wonder if Japanese companies could try harder.

Technology is also starting to lose. That's how it feels.

I think there used to be an image of Japan being synonymous with technology.
But now, is that really still the case?
While they certainly possess high technology.
Is it a problem with the organizations that handle it, or the production side?
If anything, I feel that the problem lies more with the production and management side.

Director Kojima, who created the title Metal Gear Solid, also said it.
Was it, 'Technology will be left behind if you just move away from it a little'?
I feel like we've been completely left behind, somehow.
I don't think it's okay to stay like this.
I feel that industries where Japan can thrive will gradually be eaten away.

Facebook is flying planes in the sky to make Wi-Fi available worldwide.
Amazon is delivering products with drones, and Tesla is researching autonomous driving.
Google is researching cyborgs and robots at a high dimension.
Microsoft is researching VR and holograms.
Apple hasn't created anything truly new recently, but they're acquiring various things and planning something.
While Y Combinator is nurturing the next generation of entrepreneurs.

I can't help but hope that Japan still holds a lot of potential.
Speaking of notable topics now, Olympic criticism? The decline of large corporations?
That being said, what I've written this time is purely my gut feeling.
I can only pray that this is just a gut feeling.
Oh, but I have a feeling that anime is overwhelmingly winning.
I wonder how that is?

I think each individual needs to think about creating new initiatives.

Amidst all this, what I myself can leave behind in this era is gradually becoming clear.
I make sure not to write 'work harder' and then not do it myself.

My next challenge is to try approaching the nurturing of entrepreneurs.
I hope that current Japan can fundamentally improve its potential to create new things.
People should be able to enjoy more interesting and exciting challenges.
And they should be able to further bring out the joy in work that had been lost.

I hope to continue creating services as a venture.
To make work, which is fundamental to human beings, more fulfilling.

I can see that Japan and the world are gradually changing.
I can see that the world is evolving at an accelerating pace.
That's why I believe the time has come for each and every one of us to give our all.
It is an era where we must devise ways to energize the world through our work.

Japanese people, our population is small, and we don't speak English.
We need to work harder and come up with more ideas.
Eventually, being a developed country might become a complete past glory.

I don't want to see such a Japan.
That's why I, too, must start with what I can do.
I will try a challenge that can change the social system from its roots.

If you have any thoughts about the future of Japan.
Isn't it about time we each start with what we can do, or things will get bad?
A future where markets are completely seized, the population declines, and we become poor.
At least I don't want to see Japan become like a developing country.
If there's anyone who feels something, let's definitely, definitely take action.