I expected the same kind of excitement I felt when I saw the New Year in as a little boy. However, when the new century arrived, I was relatively calm and not particularly excited. I wonder if this was because I've gotten old or have been completely immersed in work. People in many fields are forecasting what is going to happen in the 21st century by looking at the 20th century. The more articles and news stories I come across on this topic, the more my thoughts turn toward how the 21st century will turn out and hopes on what it should be.
Globalization is certain to accelerate everywhere, especially in Japan, in the near future.
People, goods, and money will move without being hampered by borders. It won't matter in which country goods are produced as long as they are well-designed and inexpensive. Nor will a worker's nationality be important if he or she is capable and energetic. The location of a production base will be irrelevant as long as its location is suitable. And countries will be less important as long as the terms of investment are good.