Guest

Nobuko Nakano Brain scientist

Considering the Pathology of Japanese Society and a Prescription Amidst
the COVID-19 Pandemic - Aiming for a Society That Recognizes Diversity as StrengthK A ZUO NAK AMUR A

Ta l k W i t h

N O B U KO N A K A N O

Considering the Pathology ofJapanese Society and a Prescription Amidst
the COVID-19 Pandemic
Aiming for a Society That Recognizes
Diversity as Strength
Nobuko Nakano
Brain scientist

Kazuo Nakamura

Chairman and CEO, CMIC HOLDINGS, Co., Ltd.

Considering the Pathology of Japanese Society and a Prescription Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic
Aiming for a Society That Recognizes Diversity as Strength

KAZUO NAKAMURA

The COVID-19 pandemic has recently brought thepathology of Japanese society to our attention. So
far, the society has been based on economic
rationality, but now it needs to make anunprecedented transformation. Many people arestruggling and worried about the future. Facing sucha situation, what is the best approach for us to take inlife? Brain scientist Nobuko Nakano is far more than atypical researcher and is highly active in manydifferent forms of media. CEO Nakamura had a chatwith her to hear her views about the illness ofJapanese society and the prescription to heal it.

Talk WithNOBUKO NAKANO

information around them. For example,

women. Cases have almost doubled

they might consider what the people incompared to last year for women. I

front of them are thinking, or they may

think the Japanese government

consider how other people who are notenacted the “Go To” campaigns

present could feel later even if they arebecause economic difficulty has served

not feeling in such a way now. In theas one contributing factor to theterminology of psychology, we would

suicides. However, these campaigns

say that people cannot ignore thehave not worked well due to the risk ofthoughts of the reference group when

spreading the infection.

making decisions. We can findNakamura A few days ago, I spokeinteresting qualities by examining art inwith my eldest son and his friends, whoorder to quantify and clarify these

consider the entire group when trying

graduated from an international

characteristics.

to understand an individual’s

school. They commented that no one

Nakamura And now the topic turns todecision-making process.

in their circle of friends felt as if theyart!

Nakano You are right. Homo sapiens

were being pushed into a corner

Nakamura First, could you briefly

signal caused by increased blood flow.

Nakamura I am also interested in the

Nakano The way artwork prices arehave a considerably strong but

mentally. I wondered why this was, andexplain what brain science is?

The emergence of fMRI allowed for thesensory organs. The eyes, ears, taste

decided is extremely interesting. Thereimperfect social nature, though nottheorized that it may be related to the

Nakano “Brain science” is a relatively

brain to be mapped at a macro-levelbuds, and other organs are all linked toare many parameters involved, such asperhaps as strong as that of bees orfact that they were raised in a highly

new term. It used to be calledperspective with a time course that isthe brain, but we do not yet

the value a piece of work holds as art

ants. It would be truly fascinating if weinternational, diverse environment andcerebrophysiology or neuroscience.

easier to observe than with PET. This

understand everything. What kinds of(which is fundamentally difficult to put a

could, to some extent, clarify the true

have a broad range of experience.

These terms are still popular in

led to the popularization of the term

research methods are being

price on) and the market’s evaluation.

form of humans’ imperfect social nature.

Nakano I think that is a significant

academia today. The reason why“brain science.”

implemented in this area?

However, art has a quality whereby the

For example, in thermodynamics there

factor. Within a homogeneous society,cerebrophysiology became brain

Nakamura So, with fMRI, people foundNakano There is the molecular

price rises if everyone thinks it is good.

is a concept called phase transition. If

people tend to think that other people

science can be found in thethe key to identify the connections

approach, and there is macro-level

I thought that this would be a gooda super cooled liquid is stimulated

enjoy unfair advantages. When people

development of functional MRI (fMRI).

between different functions in the

mapping using fMRI. With fMRI, we

model for studying crowd psychology,

even slightly, it instantly solidifies. It isstart to think in this way, they end up

fMRI is a method for visualizing brain

brain. I am very interested in how brain

basically examine blood flow. Here, theso I am working to analyze the market.

thought that certain triggers may

turning that mindset back onto

activity based on changes in the MR

science explains the relationshipbottleneck is that we do not know the

Nakamura The science of animal

cause human groups to experience

themselves. They think that because

between the brain and the heart. It is

exact degree to which the data reflects

groups such as grey starlings and fish issudden changes in the manner of thisthey look at other people in such aobvious that my brain is in my head,nerve activity.

related to the study of decision making

phase transition. I hope to formulateway, other people must be seeing

in groups. For example, we might lookthis process.

but why is there the typical concept of“my heart” being somewhere inside
my chest.
Nakano Just like how the word is

Crowd psychology andthe science of groups

based on the name for the actual

KAZUO NAKAMURA

at the movements of a group of greystarlings in flight. When one bird
changes direction quickly following an
attack from an outside enemy, theReconsidering the true
nature of wealth amidst
the COVID-19 pandemicorgan, we tend to feel that our chest

Nakamura Which field are you mostother birds instantly follow. On theserves as the center of our emotions,interested in now?

other hand, it is thought that birds fly

not our brain. I believe this is true for

Nakano I have always been fascinatedas a group, and there is no particular

Nakamura COVID-19 has cast a darkpeople all around the world. However,by crowd psychology. Many people

leader. If we consider a group of

shadow over society as a whole, andif we look for the source of ourbelieve that decisions are madehumans to be like a herd of animals, itmany people are suffering. We canemotions, we end up at the frontal lobe

entirely by individuals, but it is almost

could be very interesting to study the

only hope to give some kind of triggerof the brain. This separation has

impossible for someone to decide on

differences in behavioral characteristics

that can brighten things.

sparked a long-running debate. The

things using solely their own mind.

between highly productive groups andNakano This is a critical topic. The

problem of the heart and brain may be

People always consider the wishes of

non-productive groups. As humans cannumber of suicides has increased

the final frontier.

others and are affected by the

only ever exist in groups, it is crucial toconsiderably, particularly amongNOBUKO NAKANOConsidering the Pathology of Japanese Society and a Prescription Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic
Aiming for a Society That Recognizes Diversity as Strength

KAZUO NAKAMURA

emotional discomfort in a diverse

not a bad thing, and that there iscommunicate in virtual spaces, in thetolerance has become narrow.

environment. Many people feel

actually value in such differences. Thisend we need this fundamental

Nakano Yes, there are people who see

comfort in a monolithic

is thought to enhance children’s

element.

keeping the rules to be part of theirenvironment, so we currently

self-esteem and to contribute to an

Nakamura If companies make a place

identity. It may be tough to revert to aneed education that functions as

autonomous desire for emergent

like a park, however small it may be, thisprevious state once rules have beena phase transition toward alearning. This cannot be graded in acan create networks that cross work

established.

mindset whereby wealth isuniform manner, so it imposes a larger

boundaries and produce creative ideas.

Nakamura Rules are important, butachieved by nurturing different

burden upon educators. In practicalNakano Research institutes abroadmanners and etiquette are even moreopinions.

terms, this approach can only becreate spaces like that. There is a breakcrucial. It’s not right to coerce people

Nakamura There is a limit toachieved with sufficient resources, butof about two hours for snacks, letting

to obey the rules simply because there

what an educational curriculum

it serves as a lifelong asset for children.

“research nerds” come together fromare rules, thus ignoring manners andthem in the same way, too. They thenbased on government guidelines can

I hope that such a curriculum will bedifferent areas to exchange ideas, which

etiquette.

try to avoid being thought of in such a

do. Perhaps art could give us hints for a

spread in Japan as well.

helps create interesting new fields.

Nakano We need to remember thatway by others, and they suppress

new direction.

Nakamura We need to place

Nakamura I am currently preparing tothe original purpose of creating rules isthemselves to a severe degree,

Nakano New York’s Museum ofimportance on looking at, thinking

make such a space when the pandemic

to avoid making others feel unpleasant.

ultimately exhausting themselves

Modern Art has developed an

about, and sensing things. It is crucial

is over. I have also rediscovered thephysically and mentally.

educational curriculum called Visual

to take children to many different

importance of festivals.

Nakamura We need a system to help

Thinking Strategies (VTS). This involves

places and give them a wide range of

Nakano While the reasons for this havesuch people. I think that a truly wealthy

showing children pictures and asking

experiences.

not been clarified yet, if people

society is the one that better

them what they personally think about

recognizes diversity, that enables

the pictures, rather than asking who

people to have fun without spending

made the pictures and when.

money, and that accepts things that

Amazingly, data shows that thismay appear to be nerdy.

approach improved the children’s

Nakano The same goes for art as well.

grades. The reason for this result is that

I believe the phrase “He who does notwork, neither shall he eat” is at the root

experience difficulties because festivals

Breaking free froma pathological society

Talk WithNOBUKO NAKANO

these utility functions. Encouraging

Create incentives for
activities that enhance
beautyare not held, they tend to seek somepeople to engage in beautiful behavior
in their workplaces will aid society.
Nakamura We need to achieve asystem that can value things that areinteresting in their differences instead

kind of sacrifice. I feel that many people

Nakamura You mentioned economicof economic rationality only, as well as

are troubled from losing the structure

rationality earlier. What do you think is

nerdy qualities and beauty as you justof festivals that have been practiced

needed for management activities

mentioned. Considering environmental

Nakamura Among the changes tosince ancient times. People attempt togoing forward?

problems on a global scale, I cannot

children can learn that everyone has

work styles that the COVID-19

obtain relief by putting others on a

Nakano I feel that beauty will serve as

help but feel we have entered an age

different ways of thinking, that this ispandemic has brought about, I havepedestal and attacking them. If theya key concept. Acting in a beautiful wayof coexistence that goes beyond livingof the pathology of Japanese society.

personally come to appreciate

find an individual who does not follow

works as an incentive in and of itself. It

with nature and includes robots, AI,

Some people may not seem like they

the importance of the “parkthe rules, everyone starts to pounce on

would be ideal to demonstrate theand other animals and plants. Going

are working now, but their actions may

effect” on companies. We canthem. It is truly bizarre. Nobody wants

benefits in an easy-to-understand way,

forward, there will be a greater needprove useful 30 years hence. Similarly,

relax and have ourto be under attack, and this thoughtsuch as how people are healthier andthan ever before for diverse thinking

art may not help us stay alive

imaginations andleads to a vicious circle that makes

live longer or how organizations canand future-oriented social design.

tomorrow, but it may be needed tocompetitiveness invigorated

people even more troubled. As a result,develop if they prioritize beauty. The

Finally, I would like to mention that I

help us survive three years thereafter.

simply by sharing snacks

society today is in an extremely

economic models of the 20th century

attended high school and college with

Nakamura Yes, that’s right. Some

together and talking where wepathological state.

have reached their limits, and we canyour father-in-law, so I have known you

artists that are famous today were notcan see each other’s faces,

Nakamura Japan was originally a

now see the cracks in a society thatfor a long time. I have often seen you inrecognized in their lifetimes. However, I

without needing to do muchcountry where people coexisted with

only pursues economic rationality.

the media, and I can see that you arethink the instinctual desire to draw andelse. I have come to feel how

different things, rather than rejecting

When I consider which parameters wevery successful. It was a pleasure toto express oneself is truly human. I

important these kinds ofthem. Mixed bathing at hot springs is ashould add when redesigning the

speak with you today as a scientist.

believe that modern-day Japan caneffects are.

typical example of this. It is of course

economy, I think we should give moreThank you for taking the time to talkcreate a basic safety net to support

Nakano That is an interesting

wrong to bring trouble to others or tovalue to elements like beauty and thewith me.

such people.

observation. Though it iscause problems. However, if there wasdesire to be with a certain person or to

Nakano On the other hand, it is true

economically rational tonot such a fixation on rules, we would

be satisfied. There is a need to build anthat many people will experienceeliminate costly offices andhave a more tolerant culture, yet thiseconomic model that incorporates

Inform

EngageResearch

The harmo smartphone
app aggregates and distributes
information related to COVID-19
that has been officially published by thePrime Minister‛s Office, the Ministryof Health, Labor and Welfare,and other government bodies.

Antigen tests

Antibody tests

PCR tests

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We provide support for thework involved in carrying out
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(in Setagaya Ward, starting inNovember 2021)

This helps to alleviate users‛
concerns and preventthe spread of

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CMIC CDMO division

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Conducts clinical trials as
a CRA (Clinical Research
Associate).

Entrusted with work related to
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Supports clinical trial workat medical institutions.

What CMIC Groupcan doinfection.

Prevent

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new roles by utilizing their skills andexperience accumulated in the medical andhealthcare fields.

to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic
withCollaborating entsmrn
local gove

vaccines
Administering

We are signing partnership agreementswith many local governments tofacilitate smooth vaccine
administration. (since February 2021)

We use the insights
accumulated at CMIC Group through clinicaldevelopment of pharmaceuticals to offer services that
help facilitate smooth vaccine administration.

Comprehensive
partnershipagreement with
Yamanashi
Prefecture

Call center

Workingwith Kofu Cityand Hokuto City

Helping build systems
for local municipalities(e.g., stationed personnel)

Monitoring and
Register vaccinationing
aggregat ormation
inf

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Establishingvaccination sites
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Partnershipagreements with
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Mount Yotei

Vaccinelot #Message area

16

17

See the video!
Introducing “harmo Vaccine Care for COVID-19”

https://youtu.be/-UgYFN9emkM

Q What are CMIC Group’s initiatives for COVID-19?
At CMIC Group, we support activities related topharmaceuticals and vaccines, from development andproduction through to sales; we sell reagents for
antigen and antibody research; and we offer
information through the electronic prescription record
app “harmo” along with other efforts. In addition, we
have started offering services to facilitate smooth
vaccine administration, empowering local governments
to secure talented people for work tasks and to notify
local residents individually (with preliminary diagnosis
slips or vaccination cards), helping solve issues bymeans such as responding to inquiries regarding
vaccination procedures and managing health data after

vaccination. CMIC Group has accumulated 20+ yearsof experience in assisting clinical studies forpharmaceutical development and supporting clinicalstudy facilities. Based on this experience, we help to
operate vaccination sites, respond to adverse effects,
and carry out other activities to manage vaccines andto ensure vaccinations go smoothly. As a preliminary
step, we have secured a comprehensive agreementwith Yamanashi Prefecture as well as partnershipagreements with Kofu City, Hokuto City, and sevenmunicipalities near Mount Yotei in Hokkaido (as ofMarch 2021).

Q What is “harmo Vaccine Care for COVID-19”?
This system enables the user to easily record andmanage vaccination information regarding who had
which vaccine at what time by simple operations using
a tablet and barcode reader (Wi-Fi connection
required). The system also helps to prevent vaccination
errors and enables long-term individual follow-up
activities. Normally, vaccination sites record vaccination
information manually in a ledger, and then visuallyconfirm the vaccination period and vaccine
manufacturer if multiple shots are needed. If an issue
occurs with a particular vaccine after administration,

there is a need to verify the vaccination ledger before
contacting the people who received that vaccine.
However, others have pointed out the issue that local
governments find it difficult to respond due to limited
human resources. Use of “harmo Vaccine Care for
COVID-19” enables personnel to confirm the correct
vaccination periods and frequency, helping prevent
errors and oversights due to human error. In an
emergency, the app also enables affected individuals
to be swiftly identified and notified, thus helping solve
issues that arise at vaccination sites.

does “harmo Vaccine Care for COVID-19” differ fromQ How
the system developed by the government?
“harmo Vaccine Care for COVID-19” has three
features: (1) registering and aggregating vaccination
information, (2) functions to prevent vaccination
errors, and (3) individual follow-up activities. Though
the government’s system is planned to implement
similar features for registering and aggregating

vaccination information, we see feature (2) (3) uniqueto CMIC enabling function (1) to be achieved
accurately. Information regarding vaccine
administration can be managed in a single location,
thereby achieving safe vaccinations for local residents
while reducing the burden on local governments.

18

Series

CMIC Group’s Initiatives to Diversity & Inclusion

9

Aiming for

Eri Yamamoto
Para Powerlifter / Project Leader, Promotion Strategy Department, Nippon Foundation Paralympic Support Center

Barrier-Free Minds

Ms. Yamamoto was born with spina bifida, which impaired the use of her legs from birth. She began swimming at 9 years
old and competed in the Kinki Tournament, the Japan Championships, and other competitions for para swimming. She
studied parasports in graduate school and thought “Which is more fun? A life where I do para powerlifting, or a life where I
don’ t?” and decided to chase her dream once again, aiming to participate in the Tokyo Paralympic Games as an athlete. Eri
currently competes in races in Japan and abroad while managing projects on raising awareness of people with disabilities at
Parasapo.

le’sExperiencing peop
warmth in Canada

Breaking down
mental barriers

do we need to realize a society in which everyone canThough it may surprise some people,

To change Japanese society, we need toaccept and respect each other’s differences and live

Japan is more developed than othertake down the barriers in the minds ofcountries in terms of barrier-freeeach and every person. Many people

facilities. Elevators and escalators often

seem to be reluctant to offer help

When I was around eight or nine, myLet’s hear from Eri Yamamoto, a 55-kg class powerlifter

stop working abroad, and there is no

because they fear being refused. It is

grandfather got drunk and yelled at myseeking to compete in the Tokyo Paralympic Games.

tactile paving on the sidewalks as intrue that many people feel awkward

mother, saying it was her fault that I was

Japan, either. However, while I wasafter their offers to help are refused, butborn like this. At the time, everyone hadabroad, people always offered to help

people do not necessarily need to do

the same sentiment, so my grandfather

me. I was so happy when others helped

anything. If people think of offering

was not specifically to blame here.

me go up or down stairs together whenhelp as an indication that they are

However, I do remember that I strongly

The Tokyo Paralympic Games, set to be held in summer
2021, will provide opportunities for a society to accept

that
Aiming for a societyrenbrings smiles to childwith disabilities

diversity while enhancing recognition of parasports. What

comfortably?

there was no elevator. This made me

thinking about others, and a habit

felt that it is wrong to have a society inwanted to try joining the Paralympics as

powerlifting. While working as both afeel like I was living as a member ofdevelops of people casually offering towhich people can say things such as

an assistant to other athletes, so I

Parasapo employee and an athlete, I

society.

help each other, I think society will

this, and I wanted to show them what I

attended the 2008 Beijing Paralympics

currently aim to compete in the

Back in Japan, few people offered tomove one step forward.

could really do. Sadly, I could not show

as a mental trainer. By working as an

Paralympics under the category ofhelp me, and I often felt like I was

I feel that more people have offered to

my grandfather before he passed away,

assistant, I discovered just how many

“Raising Next-Generation Children.” I

treated as invisible. I sometimes

help me recently. It is funny to see how

but I want to change society so thatpeople care for the athletes at the

only started this sport about five years

wondered if I was a member of society

people can change once theychildren with disabilities can smile

event. I realized that I was notago, but athletes can engage in

here, and for some time I wanted to gounderstand how to offer help, despite

through my actions at Parasapo and by

I was born with spina bifida, whichswimming alone and that I should havepowerlifting for a long time becauseback to Canada. Gradually, I came tohaving previously had a strong mental

serving as a memorable athlete. I hope

limits my ability to use my legs, so I

been more appreciative of the people

you can obtain better results as you get

think that I should not run from Japan,

barrier. There has been a large change

the Paralympics can encourage people

have used a wheelchair since I was

who were supporting me.

older. I am confident that I still havebut rather that I needed to collaborate

among adults in particular, so I

to consider what they can do, too. I

small. I was scared of water, but myI also realized the importance of English

potential.

with many others to change thispersonally find it rewarding to break

believe that society can change if

mother took me swimming tocommunication at thecountry.

down these barriers.

everyone thinks together about things.

encourage me to overcome my fears.

Beijing Paralympics, so inThat was how I discovered parasports.

2010 I went to Canada to

At first, I did not know about the

study English. As a result, I

Paralympics, but my swimming coach

was able to interpret for

told me about it so I started aiming to

the swimming camp

participate in the Paralympics. However,before the 2012 games in

I suffered an injury in high school,

London as well as take on

which forced me to abandon my hopes

other jobs.

As part of our corporate social

The Nippon Foundation Paralympic

of participating in the Paralympics as a

I returned to Japan in

responsibility, we established CMIC Well

Support Center holds training sessions

swimmer.

2015, where I got a job atCo., Ltd as a special subsidiary in 2019,at the online version of The Challenge

After losing this goal, I majored in

the Nippon Foundation

seeking to provide a stable workplace

for Tomorrow School so that people canpsychology at university because I

Paralympic Support

environment with the aim of realizing abetter understand disabilities and learn

place where people with disabilities can

the proper actions to take. These

Kyoko Kanamaru

wanted to help people. Around that

Center (Parasapo). In

demonstrate their talents.

initiatives will continue in the future.

Charge of Group Diversity Promotion,

time, my swimming coach asked me if I

2016, I discovered

Aiming to beea Paralympic athlet
while promoting
parasports

14

Initiatives at CMIC Group and others
I was present for this interview with Ms. Yamamoto.

Established a subsidiary
to promote the employmentof people with disabilities

Paraathlete-led
diversity training sessions

She is a truly remarkable person. It is amazing to see
how she leverages her thoughts and feelings basedon her experience to send a message to Japanesesociety. In this way, she is truly practicing diversity. I
hope that this article helps break down many
people’s mental barriers, and I wish Ms. Yamamoto all
the best in the Paralympic Games.

CMIC Group15