413 Japanese Leaders

“Japanese Leaders”

“Harmony should be valued and quarrels should be avoided.”
This is a value rooted in the heart of the Japanese people.
The first article of the 17-Article Constitution enacted by Prince Shotoku tells us,
Avoid disputes and decide things through discussion.
This was the beginning of Japanese democracy.

Prince Shotoku’s goal was to rule Japan peacefully.
In order to do this he created a Shinto spirit centering on the emperor,
Incorporating the doctrines and spirit of Buddhism and Confucianism.

The emperor was enshrined as the absolute authority.
The vassals who served him were given power,
Their ranks were clearly defined by the 12 ranks of the crown system.
This hierarchy was based on Confucian virtues.
Those in power were forbidden from pursuing their own interests,
Rulers were to value altruism as a virtue.

This hierarchy of power from 1,400 years ago is still valid today.
No, it is precisely what is needed today.
What is wrong today, is the inability to judge right from wrong,
This is caused by the diversity of values in the world.
What is required of today’s leaders is true wisdom.

Leaders who lie with impunity and always make excuses,
Who focus only on what is politically advantageous instead of good policy,
Who cannot express their own vision in their own words,
We no longer need leaders like this.

Leaders who lead us into a future that fulfills God’s will,
These are the leaders that Japan needs now.

「日本の指導者」

日本人の心に根差した価値観
「和を以て貴しと為し さからふこと無きを宗と為す」
聖徳太子が制定した十七条の憲法の第一条
争いを避け話し合いで物事を決めなさいと謳ったものだ
日本的民主主義の始まりと言っていい

太子は日本を平らかに治めるため
天皇を中心とした神道的精神に
仏教と儒教の教義や精神を取り入れた

天皇を絶対的権威として奉り
天皇に仕える臣下には権力を持たせ
冠位十二階により地位を明確にした
この秩序は儒教の徳目を基にしている
権力者は己の利益を追求する事を戒め
徳ある為政者としての利他を重んじた

千四百年前のこの権力秩序は現代でも通用する
いや現代にこそ求められているのではないか
世界の価値観が多様化する中で
何が正しくて何が間違っているのかを判断する力
今の指導者に求められているのは真の智慧だ

平気で嘘をつき上手に弁明する指導者
政治ではなく政局にだけ力を注ぐ指導者
自ら言葉でビジョンが語れない指導者
そんな指導者はもういらない

神の御心に叶う未来に私たちを導く指導者
日本は今こそそんな指導者を希求している