I have just retired from Development Bank of Japan and have become a free-lancer (or free unemployed). I looked for a teaching job, but now I am totally content with my new life where I do not need to hurry for a morning commuter train.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs had offered cushy posts, but I did not want to constrain myself to covering only one country. The world is undergoing a drastic change. The gaps created in the wake of the Western colonialism and the ensuing Industrial Revolution are taking their toll now, sharpening the confrontation between haves and have-nots nations. In advanced countries the function of the nation state is becoming obsolete, whereas developing countries endeavor to strengthen their sovereignty to promote their causes in the world.
I, as a former diplomat who had an opportunity to closely observe various civilizations, Asian, American, European, Islam and Russian, intend to start my second career as a publicist. For Japan could become an ideal venue for inter-cultural dialogue. She is at the crossroads of different values and mores. Japan accepted both Oriental and Occidental civilization in her history. Japan managed to build a modern economy in a short time.
It is true that the issue of Japan’s war responsibility vis-à-vis Asian countries was settled perhaps too hastily. It was done in order to make Japan a full-fledged player in the Cold War to the advantage of the West. Now that the Cold War is over and political consciousness in Asian countries is far greater than in the past, we, the Japanese, have to tackle this question with our own conscience.
Japan’s economy and culture are now thriving. Political freedom, too, has reached its peak. As Chief Economist of Development Bank of Japan, though I by all means avoided speaking up on economy (my comments would have dealt a final blow to the ailing Japan’s economy), I could acquire a lot of knowledge on Japan’s macro economy and familialize myself with the situation in province.

I will soon open a blog by the name of “Japan-World Trends” with a use of not only Japanese but also English, Chinese, and Russian languages. This blog is intended to facilitate a dialogue between intellectuals all over the world (About four hundred people are already on my list. Among them there are writers, academics, journalists and people from all walks of life, extending even to Bhutan) and to avert unnecessary conflicts which arise from misunderstandings and stereotypes on each other. I for one will use this blog to advertise my own place of living, Japan.
Well, from now on I will dedicate all my time to writing and research. I have had enough of ceremonial job. The life is too short for that. I count on your (moral) support.
With best regards,
Akio Kawato