By Hiroaki Konno
Japan became one of the most advanced nations in the world after being defeated in World War �, and reached a high level of economic and information technology development. The sense of values of the Japanese people also changed as the times changed. And in turn, the younger generation, who reflect the present state of society, should take responsibility for the new age. But what is the character of the young Japanese in the present? Young Japanese now live in a weaker society with less authority more than ever before. The long recession, and the overload of information on the internet encourage crimes. This society most assuredly has a wealth of things, but one canﾕt help noticing that the mental aspect of Japan is very unstable and dangerous. Modern adults and young people have the same weaknesses as this society.
Juvenile delinquency and crime are the most dangerous things in Japan. Recently, we often see cases where a young person kills somebody on impulse for no reason. One is made to think about these young people who don't hesitate to murder. One thinks "How can the young kill somebody so easily?ﾓ, and ﾒWhy do the young think so lightly about murder?". Yet we should also consider "How can any person kill anybody?", and "Why does anybody people think so lightly about murder?" The main reason for an increasing number of juvenile crimes might be that adults canﾕt explain precisely the reason why murder is a crime. As for delinquency, there are cases of classroom collapse in elementary and junior high schools, and there are adults who pay money to school girls for sexual intercourse. These things show a lack of morals, the loss of adult dignity and the collapse in the relationship between adults and the young. The young canﾕt trust adults who think that they will not to be able to take responsibility for the new age. It is evident that common sense is fading away in Japan.
What is common sense? This is one of the most obscure words and we donﾕt usually think about the meaning. Common sense is always generated unconsciously as a rule of society in every community, no matter how small. The meaning of common sense grew not by logic, but by oneﾕs feelings. But the dark side of this society is devouring our common sense. It is very difficult for people to act according to their own judgement in an unstable society.
From the late 1960ﾕs to the beginning of the 1970ﾕs, the Japanese Red Army and many local student movements that tried to change Japan into a communist nation resorted to violence. This caused a great sensation in Japan, and they were defeated by the Japanese police. Their only good point was to take action to try to reform Japanﾕs society according to their own ideals, though their methods were wrong. The members of the Japanese Red Army didnﾕt hesitate to use guns, commit bank robberies, and execute the death penalty on members who betrayed them or tryed to escape because of differing ideals. Their attitude of driving straight for their ideals is a bright light teaching us the importance of taking action for ourselves, rarely seen in this society. The most essential element for us is to survey the present state of Japan and to act for the future according to our own ideals.
Modern young people's weak point is the relationship between their individuality and society. At present, the overload of information on the internet might cause the young people to be dangerous. Most of the young lack the individuality and vitality to insist on their own thoughts or ideals, and to change corrupt society through cooperation. Such people seem to be on the increase. Of course, adults also have some problems. The adults ought to be more strict and show more dignity. They were born in an age lacking many things and experienced the era of high economic growth in their youth. Therefore, they have lived to see times change. We want them to guide us the right way; to have more contact with us and to face the corrupt society directly. And we need to review Japanﾕs society and ourselves to diminish the dark side of this society. We ought to think more about not how to live in society, but how to change society. The most meaningful action is to act according to oneﾕs ideals at all times.