Nikkei Business On-line has referred somewhat to my view on 'innovation.' This is in the same line as what Prime Minister Abe has expressed in his inaugural speech and in the Budget Committee. Innovative---that is, '(from with) in-novate (become new)'--- energy: a society, company or organization incapable of this 'creative destruction' does not last long. This is the inevitable law underlying history. What allows for growth is ceaseless innovation. 'Improvement' is not the same as 'innovation.' A more progressive matter, event, thought: what actually and totally transforms society.
There are innovative new products, but innovation encompasses more than that. Now no one carries a ski-board or a golf bag with them thanks to Mr. Masao Ogura's "Takkyubin" delivery system. Against an enormous resisting force he has persisted in carrying out his objective based on the consumer's point of view. This is 'innovation.'
Introduced earlier in my 2006/10/26 column, Mr. Deguchi's Digital New Deal site that links with mine allows for many leaders in this field to convey their opinions and is a fun site to visit. In particular, I highly recommend Mr. Deguchi's DND Newsletter. As might be expected from a former journalist, his eloquent writing is a joy to read. I urge you to visit his site sometime…no actually, quite frequently.
