スクリプトは事前提出されたものですので、ビデオの音声とは異なる場合があります。

The Rising Sun Strikes Back

Yanai Kazuki (Osaka Prefecture University College of Technology)

One day, when I was in Australia, I had the chance to visit an electrical appliance store. I went there because I wanted to know how famous Japanese products were. I looked around until I found the TV and audio corner. Japanese TVs are famous for their beautiful screens, so I had no doubt that this area would be filled with Japanese products. However, I was struck by how many LG and Samsung TVs there were and there weren't as many Japanese TVs as I had thought. I decided to talk to a shop assistant there and ask him how Japanese products were going. He told me that there used to be many Japanese products but these days Korean products got more attention. He said that although Japanese TVs have beautiful screens, the Korean TVs now have similar screens and are less expensive and more stylish. I was really shocked.

According to The Nikkei Newspaper, in the early 1990's, Japanese companies had 75% share of the worldwide TV market. However, in 2011, Samsung had the largest share with LG in 2nd place and Sony in 3rd place. Samsung and LG together got nearly a third of the worldwide share yet Sony has only about 10% of it.

As all of you know, Japan has evolved into a leading industrial nation in the last sixty years. The generation that brought about this change spent a great deal of time inventing and developing the special skills needed for this success. However, in more recent times, to attract customers with lower costs, Japan has built many factories overseas. The skills and techniques that previous generations handed down to us are spreading to other countries and they are developing and enhancing them. It is an emergency for Japanese industry. How can we stand by and let Japan become weaker and weaker?

While I was job hunting, I learnt about the noses of the Shinkansen. They are famous as an example of the pinnacle of hand made products in Japan. They are made by experienced craftsmen who work in a small factory. The most amazing thing is that the beautiful curved surfaces of the noses are created using only hammers. These products are like masterpieces. The person in charge of the factory says that this skill is not something that can be taught. He also says that it takes at least ten years to master it and he believes that the skill is so deep that once they stop making them no one else will be able to make them. Not only the nose but the whole Shinkansen is packed with the highest level of modern technology and traditional skill which the previous generation has developed. I personally think that these high end products are the future of Japanese industry. I also believe that they are attractive to people and could be in use by people all over the world. But this is not the case. Why hasn't the Shinkansen spread to other countries?

I feel that it is because Japanese engineers don't have enough communication skill in English to promote the advantage of their products. In order to promote products to overseas clients, companies have to use salesman who can speak English but don't have deep knowledge of the product or understand how useful they really are. Engineers know about their products better than anyone and they are proud their works. So now it is time for Japanese engineers to explain their products directly to their customers overseas. The engineers will also benefit from the experience by learning about their customers' needs and demands and how they can develop products directly.

Indeed, Japanese industry might be decreasing and the domestic market is getting smaller and smaller. Furthermore, emerging countries are getting more and more powerful so the world market is now really competitive. However, we don't need to feel ashamed at all. There are so many engineers who are skilful and well-trained, and they passionately want to make our lives better with a strong industry. We have so many things that can be proud of including Shinkansen in Japan. They are all things that are a blend of traditional and modern technology.

I will become a working member of society next year. As an engineer myself in the industrial field I hope I can keep these beliefs in my mind and I'd like all of you to consider them too. I believe that our generation will further develop our industrial society and keep our status as world leaders. And there will be Shinkansen all over the world.