Daan Bauwens — Japan accentuates the social side

After two decades of economic stagnation and serial natural disasters, a growing number of young Japanese believe social entrepreneurship is the best way to rebuild their society....

"After the financial crisis we have seen a return to traditional values," says Japan's leading business analyst Kumi Fujisawa. "People aren't looking for short-term gain but concentrating on long-term perspectives. There's a return to idealism, people want to contribute to society again." 

According to polls organized by the Japanese government, the value of work is being reconsidered in Japan since the start of the financial crisis. The number of people that answered that they wanted to work "to contribute to society" rose sharply after the burst of the asset bubble, from 46% to 64% in 1991. That number is above 65% at present.

Asia Times Online
Japan accentuates the social side
Daan Bauwens