No.1 Thoughts on the Age of Globalization

(Lifelong Learning Newsletter 'Hiroba' published on May 15, 2023)

I am Makiko Sugimoto, who was appointed as the Director of the Inagi City Board of Education on March 2nd of this year.

We deliver the "Superintendent's Column" as a message regarding education and learning for all citizens.

Fiscal Year 2023 is scheduled to be published 4 times in the 'Hiroba'.

Thoughts on the Age of Globalization
In recent years, the rapid development of civilization, such as AI, has further expanded the possibilities of human behavior. Additionally, modern individuals who have experienced COVID-19 have acquired the ability to communicate and engage in discussions with people around the world instantly. In this context, having shared growth experiences with many children and being someone who naturally takes time to understand things, sometimes struggling to keep up with fast-paced conversations, I feel a bit of anxiety and concern about the prevailing trend that emphasizes "speed" and "communication skills with diverse people."

In an essay by film director Nobuhiko Obayashi (who passed away in 2020), the following episode is introduced. Leonardo da Vinci, the creator of the world-renowned masterpiece "Mona Lisa" and a genius in the field of science, is said to have conveyed that "the best vehicle for humans to move from point A to point B is a horse. This is because it is the speed that brings the greatest happiness to humans." Obayashi continues, stating in the same work, "Surely someone like da Vinci must have thought about car societies and flying airplanes." He reflects, "During travels, how much rich happiness has been brought into the lives and hearts of travelers through encounters with people, conversations, seeing the sparkle of stars, and being blown by the wind?" This episode has long remained in my heart, and I often reflect on it while spending time with my students as a junior high school teacher.

Now, more than 10 years have passed since I encountered this essay, and after experiencing the COVID-19 pandemic, I had the opportunity to visit Finland in January of this year for an educational inspection. Before traveling, my greatest concern was the "language barrier," but that anxiety was quickly dispelled. During my nearly one-week stay in this distant foreign country, I was able to interact with the local people with a sense of reassurance. What I was most grateful for was that the Finnish people I met there responded to my clumsy speaking, which was limited by my poor vocabulary, with conversations that matched my level. The people of Finland, who use Finnish and Swedish as their official languages, also learn English from the first grade of elementary school, and everyone in the city speaks English fluently. Naturally, my English skills could not keep up with theirs, and for me, who found myself in a position of being a "socially vulnerable" person in a foreign country, the comfort of knowing that they were accommodating me was very pleasant.

Furthermore, what surprised me the most in this country was that cars always stop at crosswalks, and there are no "close" buttons in elevators. Drivers pay attention to the movements of pedestrians and stop to accommodate them. In elevators, people board in an orderly manner without rushing, and after a certain amount of time, the doors slowly close and the elevator starts moving. What I experienced in this "educational advanced country" was indeed the sight of people making it a daily routine to be mindful of and adjust to the pace of their surroundings.

In such foreign experiences, the essay I encountered ten years ago resurfaces in my heart, and I feel as if I can understand why Leonardo da Vinci said, "The horse is at the happiest speed for humans." Da Vinci believed that the happiness comes from the mutual understanding of the natural rhythms between humans and horses, and that such ease would evoke emotions towards the scenery before us, leading to a rich journey.
After returning to Japan, I resumed my daily life. Naturally, I am enjoying the conveniences that Japanese society has built. Even so, I now remind myself to cherish my own rhythm while reflecting on Da Vinci's episodes and the streets of Finland, and to be mindful of the feelings and thought rhythms of those around me. In today's society, which aims to achieve the SDGs with the concept of "leaving no one behind," I believe that the foundation of a true "global citizen" is to first have confidence and pride in one's own pace, then to hold respect for those close to us, cherish the things around us, and further enjoy the diverse scenery in such ease.

A month has passed since the new fiscal year began. Both adults and children may be starting to feel a bit of mental and physical fatigue. As we enter this time, I hope to walk step by step, joining our hearts and strength, while returning to the "most comfortable rhythm for humanity" with the people we meet. This is also to contribute to the promotion of a "global society".

Citation and Reference
Nobuhiko Obayashi "Are We Really Happy Now?" (Included in "The Textbook for Junior High School: Being Here Now" Yotsuya Round)