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I am currently working on the following four research themes:

1．Establishment of "Asia Pacific Studies"

The establishment of "Asia Pacific Studies" is one of the fundamental tasks of Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University.

For fundamental perspectives and the framework of this concept, refer to: Ritsumeikan Center for Asia Pacific Studies and Kazuichi Sakamoto (ed.), Epoch of the Asia Pacific (April 1998), Horitsu-bunkasha, and Kazuichi Sakamoto, "Creating a New Style of the Asia Pacific Studies" Ritsumeikan Journal of Asia Pacific Studies, No.7, April 2001.

The following is my opinion on the fundamental perspective of the new Asia Pacific Studies. Firstly, aiming at creating a new system of Asia Pacific Studies that is focused on networks and mutually dependent relations between regions. This is in contrast to mainstream Asia Pacific Studies up until now, which emerged as area studies emphasizing individuality and diversity among regions with a fundamental perspective on the differences of the Asia Pacific region's natural and ecological conditions.

Secondly, aiming for policy studies focusing on solutions to, and resolution methods for, social problems the Asia Pacific region is facing, using as a basis research of the real conditions in the region that has been prioritized by studies up until now.

Thirdly, advancing the research such as mentioned above, from the historical perspective of the advent and active creation of the "Asia Pacific Civilization" in the 21st century.

2．Research into the new model of corporate organization based on the concept of "Organizational Equilibrium"

For the basic framework of this research, refer to On the New Model of Corporate Organization (1994), Kohyohshobo.

This research provides a theoretical foundation concerning the recent "talent-utilizing corporations" and "individuality-utilizing corporations". From an organization theory historical perspective of an organization theory, it develops Chester Barnard's theory of "Organizational Equilibrium" in a contemporary manner.

At the same time, it also clarifies one theoretic significance of Ikujiro Nonaka's theory of "Organizational Knowledge Creation".

3．Research on organizational restructuring at GE

Recently, in the climate of corporate organizational restructuring, there is increasing interest in Jack Welch's organizational reform of General Electric (GE) in the USA.

This research elucidates on the 120-year history of GE's management strategy and organizational restructuring and looks at the position of Welch's 20 years of reform in GE's history.

For the results of this research up until now, refer to Organizational Innovation in GE [New Edition] (1997), Hohritsu-bunkasha. Over a 100 year period GE has created itself as a leading model of corporate organizational restructuring, from a functional organization to a multi-divisional organization, and to an SBU (Strategic Business Unit organization), however the important issue is what place Welch's reform has in this history of GE organization.

4．Prospects for "The 21st Century's Social System"

First stage results of this research are published in my book The 21st Century System: the New Stage of Capitalism (1991), Tohyohkeizai-shinpohsha.

However the 21st Century has now arrived, and it is therefore essential to once more actively develop "The 21st Century System" theory. In the aforementioned book I developed the theory from the fundamental perspective of the transformation of the "production system (product-making system)", however I think the effectiveness of this system in the 21st century is again being questioned.

�U．Books that have influenced my thinking

1. Yukawa, Hideki (1965), Souzou no sekai (The World of Creation), Author's Selection of Essays No. 4, Asahi Shimbun.

This book is a collection of essays by Japan's first Nobel Laureate, Dr. Yukawa, and is an easy to understand insight into the mind of a physicist.

　

In particular, the essay titled "Kagakusha no souzousei" (The Creativity of the Scientist) contained in this book taught me about the role of "analogy" and "instinct" in scientific creation.

2. Barnard, Chester I. (1938), The Functions of the Executive, Japanese Translation New Edition (1963), Diamond.

This book is a monumental document that established modern organizational theory thinking.

From this book I learned the importance of combining both the realization of organizational goals (organizational effectiveness) and organization member satisfaction (organizational efficiency) for the continued existence of the organization.

3. Chandler, Alfred D. Jr. (1962), Strategy and Structure，Japanese Translation (1967), Jitsugyo No Nihon Sha, Ltd.

This book is a fundamental document on corporate organizational theory. Based on corporate historical case studies Chandler puts forth the proposition that "structure follows strategy", one of the fundamentals of organizational theory.

　

From this book I learned that structure follows strategy and that structure must change to be flexible.

4. Drucker, Peter F. (1969), The Age of Discontinuity, Japanese Translation (1969), New Translation (1999).

This book, written in the late 1960s when heavy industry was still in its heyday, was a pioneering work expounding the advent of "knowledge society", a characteristic of 21st century society.

　

From this book I became aware of the turning point of the age about which Drucker writes. Although the book was written over 30 years ago I feel it has even greater force and is becoming all the more relevant to us.

5. Bey, Arifin (1987), Ajia Taiheiyou no Jidai (The Asia Pacific Age), Chuokoronsha.

This book was written in the early 1980s. It details the arrival of the "Asia Pacific Age" and, moreover, explains the necessity of the establishment of an "Asia Pacific university" as preparation for this age.

　

Furthermore, the author proposes the opening of such a university for the year 2000. It seems he may have been predicting the 2000 opening of Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University. With this background we have invited Professor Bey to be a member of Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University's Academic Advisory Committee, and we receive words of encouragement from Prof. Bey towards Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University from time to time.

�V．Words of importance to me

　　--------From P.F. Drucker

(1) "The best way to predict the future is to create it."

I adopted this phrase in my greeting speech for the Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University April 2000 Entrance Ceremony.

(2)"What Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University is going to do - to integrate the Asia-Pacific region through advanced education - is the most important task in the world economy and world society. It promises to provide the region with the human foundation for its economic success."

Professor Takamoto (Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University) and I received these words of encouragement towards APU from Dr. Drucker when we visited his home in Claremont, California, on February 9, 1998.　

�W．Books I would recommend to students

1. Sen, Amartya (1999), Development as Freedom, Japanese Translation (2000).

Please learn the importance of freedom and democracy and the significance of developing human capacity in Asia Pacific economic development.
Dr. Sen is an Academic Advisor to Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University.

　

2. Funabashi, Youichi (1995), Asia Pacific Fusion, Japanese Translation (1995).

Please learn about the fusion that is progressing in the Asia Pacific region in politics, economics, society and culture, and the significance of this fusion as we face the 21st century.
The author Funabashi Youichi (a columnist at Asahi Shimbun) is a visiting professor at Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University.

3. Hiramatsu, Morihiko (1990), Chihou kara no hassou (Ideas from the District), Iwanami Shinsho.

Hiramatsu Morihiko, Governor of Oita Prefecture, writes an easily understandable explanation of his thoughts on regional development and local community autonomy, focusing on the "One Village - One Product Movement" that he proposed and implemented.

�X．Message to students

1. Intellectual curiosity

An insatiable intellectual curiosity if the source of motivation for challenging the unknown future. This is the origin of the drive of youth.

　

2. Optimistic thoughts

Viewing things in a pessimistic way is easy to do. However, new things will not be born from pessimistic thoughts. To produce new things one must have optimistic thoughts. It is however essential that a strong will accompany optimistic thinking.

3. Assertive behaviour

No matter how great your ideas and plans, if not accompanied by positive actions they will not be realized. Assertive behaviour breeds success. Boldly challenge the unknown world.

VI. Interests

1. Listening to jazz music.

I often write documents while listening to jazz music.

I came to love jazz when I was living in New York on exchange, 20 years ago. This is because at that time I was living in Greenwich Village in downtown New York.
Toshiko Akiyoshi's jazz is another thing I love. Akiyoshi is originally from Beppu and is a member of the Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University Advisory Committee. I have been a fan of Akiyoshi's for a long time, however I never imagined we would be able to have ties through the establishment of Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University.

I am hoping that Akiyoshi will be able to perform a concert at Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University (at Millennium Hall or an outdoor stage) in the near future.

2. Watching sport.

I watch any type of sport. I particularly enjoy baseball and American football.
My love of baseball began when I was a child.
I grew to love American football in the 1980s and 1990s, when central members of the Panthers, the Ritsumeikan University American Football team, were my seminar students.

It is unfortunate that I am not skilled at either sport or music.