ゆーけーのお仕事日記

Recently, we can hear reports that Date Naoto, a hero of Tiger Mask (a famous wrestling comic in 70s), has donated primary school bags (ransel) or other presents for underpriviledged children.

The donation cases are reported from all prefectures and in some cases the gifts were presented with other names (Date Masamune in Miyagi and Momotaro in Okayama. Yabuki Jo also emerged).

I do not know Date Naoto because I am younger than the generation of Naoto. But I can guess that he may be loved by many children in his hayday and I love him now.

Alledgedly, this movement called "Tiger mask activity" was started from last Decemver and until now, 299 cases are reported in allover Japan (as of 12 Jan 2011).

Yesterday, I attended in an English conversation class and discussed about "freedom of expression".

At first, I was introduced a case of Chinese woman who posted her opinion urging chinese citizens to attack Japan’s pavilion in Shanghai Expo on Twitter.

Chinese Authority judged that she had disordered the society and put her into a court. Finally, she was given a sentence forcing her engaging one-year labor and re-educaiton.

I do not support her opinion and understand chinnese government’s apprehension, however I never agree with censor of any expression except for verval violences.
This case might be a violence, thus there is some room to plead the government. But I sometimes feel that Chinese authorities tend to interfere freedom of expression and Chinese public opinion often lean toward particular direction radically.
This tendency is very dangeous for not only Chinese citizens but also foreign people because the citizens is likely to be hostile toward foreigners and as a result, it becomes more difficult for us to establish friendly and sustainable relationship.

Generally speaking, right to express and insist what everyone want to say is most important and fundamental for us, especially in modern societies.

If we lack for the right, we would feel very uncomfortable and narvous. Consequently, people may accumulate complaints and at last the situation will divide the public.

Until now, the government and the Communist party seem to control public opinions and keep social oreder. However, now that people can access wide range of information from edges of the world easily even though the authorities limit the access, it will be more difficult for the government to manipulate public opinions and control the movements.

When it comes to literatures and arts, freedom of expression plays important roles.

Under censor or limitation of expression, the possibility of masterpieces will be limited and infridged.

For instance, a Soviet composer Dmitrii Dmitrievich Shostakovich suffered from pressure from the regime because the pressure had prevented him to compose musics which he want to express.

In addition, people can not admire some persons under oppression. For example, people can not admire Mitsunari Ishida, a high bureaucrat who resist against Ieyasu Tokugawa (founder of Edo Shougunate), throghout Edo era.

If they had not considered of any limitations, they would have make other arts and studies along their characters, curiosities and favors.

For Japanese, freedom of expression may be gift from other nations after WWⅡ rather than a right earned by forebears. But we should take care of this right so much and I appreciate the circumstance related with freedom now.

Today, I acquired a magazine through Amazon service.

The name of it is "Sotokoto ". "Sotokoto" means "under a tree" in the langage of an African ethnic group, Bantu.

This magazine deal with environmental topics, CSR, sustainable lifestyle, magnificent nature and so on and on the version of Feb 2011, it focuses the contents on social finance.

I was introduced it by a member of A SEED JAPAN and immediately I ordered it to Amazon.

In the magazine, I was attracted to some articles which mentioned social finance paticularly European case.

Case of Triodos Bank which I want to work during or after MBA program is mentioned and it is very interesting.

But, I slightly disappointed the article because it does not refer to the way to apply for Japanese situation.

In the future, I shall introduce the banking system of Triodos Bank but I can not learn good steps to utilize the Toriodos’s wisdom.

Of course, I should learn the excellent systeme through not only books but also other activities namely direct interview, internship and full-time job.

So, I attempt to obtain internship position in social banks like Toriodos during MBA course.

In European area, many social banks are established, thus I plan to study business in European countly including United Kingdom.

Other than this issue, I found some remarkable articles. Stories about analyzing current financial crisis, social responsible investment and sustainable lifestyle so called LOHAS are facinating.

And I read a interview to Mr. Shigeki Toma, CEO of Shinsei Bank about the bank’s strategy and his perspective. He said that Shinsei Bank will try to expand lending to venture companies and recovery projects although the steps differ from other banks but I compeletely agree with him if they can control the credit risk properly.

In conclusion, the magazine is worth paying the price of 800 yen.

I recommend you to read it if you have interest in CSR or social finance.

SOTOKOTO (ソトコト) 2011年 02月号 [雑誌]/著者不明

￥800

Amazon.co.jp

Last night, I talked about scolding others and keeping leadership with other MBA applicants cohorts.

The inception of the discussion was a my comment that I rarely talk with others from the bottom of my heart from start of my career.

A person responded to confirm the mean and I said that I had been afraid to offend someone with scolding or criticizing and tended to avoid to do.

Because I have seen(※) some ugly aspects of humans and struggled from human relationship, I may not credit others completely. But, of course, I like to communicate with others.

Another one admonished me to change myself to say anything what I should say if I would want to play important role as a leader.

He also said that he never trust those who make only positive and supportive comments.

I completely agree with him although I seemed to be true of the case.

During the discussion, one comment gathered menbers’ atteintions.

She has an experience of coaching and said that devices to point out negative points differ from each persons are important when we scold or indicate bad points of subsidies or co-workers or at most our bosses.

Since she used to be a coach, we accepted her comment easily.

After the conversation, I made a resolution to talk with others aggresively and provide negative comment if needed for our real and long-term benefit.

To become a good leader, I should be more tough.

Thank you for your valuable advice and encouragement, all of you!!

※After uploading, a reader pointed out my grammatical mistake. Thank you for your cooperation.

The today’s topic of english conversation lesson was Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

As you know, it have become very famaous, important but controversial issue recently under situations that wide range of social problem such as fear against social security, employment, and sustainability of natural environment.

Actually, I have been interested in this topic from my university age and my graduation thesis was related with CSR (its title was international comparison of CSR policy).

In the lesson, senior excutives’ attitudes about CSR were mentioned.

A survey conducted by IBM showed that most excutive manager had more favor for CSR than before while small number of senior persons responded negatively despite of current recession.

However, the investigation also indicated that there were many gaps between their businesses and the sustainable goal which they pursue.

A reason introduced was that the companies did not collect and analyze informations about stakeholders’ needs, therefore they could not take steps to change them fundamentally.

In addition, CSR is acknowledged as cost rather than benefit, the companies are reluctant to pay atteintion and resources to CSR. Especially, effects from CSR can not be quantified easily, the board menbers may struggle to expalain the means to investors,

I support the concept of CSR, however I should consider opinions of the opponents against CSR.

Some insist that the companies’ role are only to comply laws and regulations and pay (more) tax and the government and citizen sector shold aim to improve our society. This is the best way to maximize each sectors’ contributions and total satisfaction of our society.

I understand these opinions. But I concern the wisdom of the government and believe that companies’ voluntary activities can improve so effectively that companies can improve with less social cost and such activity wii stimulate enployees to consider many negative aspects.

Now, I am not sure about correct CSR system but I believe that the more companies’ roles are important, the more their (social) responsibility become.

Futhermore, comtenpory society have become so complex that each sectors are needed to take steps propery for sustainability.

Through MBA enrolling, I wolud like to mull about good solution to urge cooperations, governments and citizens to pay atteintions and resourses for better society spontaneously and with less burden.