Summary and Reports from Seotional Workshops
｡?irono
Those of you here tend to think only in terms of results over the span of a year or so, seeing only how well a certain event went. I believe that we must build up a solid foundation of the basics. I wonder if it's not possible to go in the direction of committing more time for the things you are working on. I expect great things to come out of the discussions to follow.
｡?himizu
I can't say whether the "Kurokabe" has succeeded or not, but it's true that it has been able to attract a great number of people. Incorporating the glass, not being too rigid about sticking to local material, worked well. Another thing is that the semi-public corporation "Kurokabe" is led by the private sector. And 95 of its 100 employees are women. I think a big factor is whether you can view the company from the standpoint of operating your own community.
Another issue is whether or not there's a network in the community that can adequately support this kind of endeavor. And how much willingness and determination can everyone generate? I'd say that frankly, in my opinion that's the most important keyword for successful new developments.
｡?akasaki
Mie has everything, and that's an advantage as well as a headache. In spite of being able to offer a wide variety of things, there's been an inability to focus on a target. I think what's needed for the future is to act local in terms of being a tourist site, that is, take full advantage of the uniqueness of the region, while going all-out global in terms of travel style. In doing so, I think it's important to follow standards accepted worldwide.
｡?ezaki
There's something called "The Place of Healing." Seen from the standpoint of the world of healing, I think Ise Shrine is the only holy place that can promote its natural surroundings in this age of global environmental problems.
If Japan is to change, Ise Shrine must change with it. Without that, Japan's spirituality cannot change, and nationwide change will be impossible. I hope this will provide you with an opening for vigorous discussions. I hope the people of Mie will be cognizant that it is this region that will change Japan, and that it will provide a major opportunity for world change. I hope you will keep this in mind as each of you in your own way undertake city development, event planning and implementation, or tourism resource development and promotion.
