Reasons for Japan's self-destruction

Reasons for Japan's self-destruction

The Causes of Japan’s Self-Destruction from a Spiritual Perspective

From a spiritual perspective, many causes behind Japan’s potential self-destruction can be observed.

Among various scholars, there are also those who are raising warnings about Japan’s current path toward self-destruction.

Even during the era when Japan was an economic powerhouse, there were people—particularly business leaders—who remained trapped in the illusion of that former glory. Their psychology often led them to cover up corruption or problems, leaving them unable to see the realities on the ground. Perhaps I myself am one of them.

For example, Japan has been overtaken by South Korea in terms of GDP, yet I personally find it hard to feel the reality of this fact. Part of me still wonders whether South Korea is really economically stronger.

Geographically, Japan is an island nation, and historically there has been very little interaction with the continent. For most people, neighboring countries are perceived as distant places, separated by the sea.

Regarding spiritual growth, as discussed many times on this blog, the growth of knowledge comes from each individual insight, and similarly, the growth of the soul—spiritual development—also arises from each moment of awareness in the heart.

When spiritual development is high, one’s presence and influence in a mental sense also increase. The ability to fulfill the hearts of others and create meaning rises, and with more insights of the heart, one’s perspective broadens. This is not a difficult concept—it is simply the process of maturing spiritually.

Conversely, low spiritual development means a weaker presence in a mental sense. Such individuals tend to prioritize their own satisfaction over the fulfillment of others’ hearts. With fewer insights of the heart, their perspective narrows. In spiritual terms, this is a state of childhood.

New innovations tend to emerge from individuals with high spiritual development, as they are motivated by a genuine desire to fulfill the hearts of others.

In Japan, the education system tends to place value solely on each individual piece of knowledge, often neglecting awareness that comes from the heart. This can make low-spiritual-development individuals more prevalent. Additionally, focusing solely on accumulated knowledge often limits the emergence of truly original ideas or perspectives.

During the Showa era, children engaged in hand-made radio-controlled cars, plastic models, and mini 4WD cars. Creativity and originality were highly valued as children built things themselves. Over time, as mass-produced toys became widespread, the ability to create independently has declined.

A notable feature of today’s children is that standout or leader-like children tend to face criticism from peers, while children who do not seek to be distinctive are more common. These children grow into adults in similar ways, making it harder for innovative new values to emerge. This may be a significant factor in Japan’s potential self-destruction.

From a spiritual perspective, the growth of the soul is an important aspect. However, there are those with low spiritual development who wield the term “spirituality” superficially, which has led some to become skeptical of spiritual concepts.

If current conditions continue, Japan is highly likely to face self-destruction. Educational reform is critical, but there is often a mismatch between the values of educational institutions and society. Ideally, education should nurture individuals capable of thriving as adults in society. Instead, in some cases, education reflects only the personal values of teachers. Without reform in educators’ consciousness, Japan’s risk of self-destruction remains high.

However, if societal collapse prompts calls for educational reform, there may be some reason for cautious hope.