supporting such projects is SMFGsuppor t i ng such project s is SM FG’s s 
fundamental business, but we also hope to fundamental business, but we also hope to 
contribute to the sustainable development contribute to the sustainable development 
of society and the world including Asia. I of society and the world including Asia. I 
think we will be discussing this later, but think we will be discussing this later, but 
we are committed to addressing issues we are committed to addressing issues 
such as environmental protection and such as environmental protection and 
infrastructure-building by bringing in frastr ucture-bu i ld ing by bring ing 
together the combined strength of the together the combined strength of the 
whole group including SMBC and the whole group including SMBC and the 
Japan Research Institute.Japan Research Institute.
Ando : Our world changed overnight : Our world changed overnight 
following the earthquake and tsunami. following the earthquake and tsunami. 
Take the matters of food, energy and Take the matters of food, energy and 
resources. In energy-saving, I think Japan resources. In energy-saving, I think Japan 
is now the world leader. Although Japan is now the world leader. Although Japan 
has technologies that can contribute to has technologies that can contribute to 
global affluence, I think it has not been global affluence, I think it has not been 
able to fully communicate their benefits able to fully communicate their benefits 
to the world.to the world.
Japanese companies tend to be quite Japanese companies tend to be quite 
reserved and unobtrusive. I believe they reserved and unobtrusive. I believe they 
must become more willing to blow their must become more willing to blow their 
own trumpets. For example, our students own trumpets. For example, our students 
and salary men cannot freely express and salary men cannot freely express 
themselves. A place where anybody can themselves. A place where anybody can 
speak their mind freely and clearly — speak their mind freely and clearly —  
that is the kind of country we must t hat is t he k i nd of cou ntr y we must 
become. The reason why Japan is so very become. The reason why Japan is so very 
poor at dealing with foreign countries is poor at dealing with foreign countries is 
that the Japanese people do not express that the Japanese people do not express 
their own opinions clearly in words, and their own opinions clearly in words, and 
so the other side doesnso the other side doesn’t understand. We t understand. We 
must listen carefully to each other and must listen carefully to each other and 
express ourselves clearly. This is true for express ourselves clearly. This is true for 
both individuals and companies.both individuals and companies.
Japan enjoys a high degree of trust, not Japan enjoys a high degree of trust, not 
only in Asia but also in the world. It has an only in Asia but also in the world. It has an 
image of safety and stability. There is trust image of safety and stability. There is trust 
between people and between enterprises. between people and between enterprises. 
We must revitalize the country while this We must revitalize the country while this 
trust remains intact. People from various trust remains intact. People from various 
walks of life — industry, business — must walks of life —  industry, business —  must 
come together. While helping each other, come together. While helping each other, 
they must work for the national interest.they must work for the national interest.
— A shrinking, aging population:—  A s h r i n k i ng, a g i ng p opu l a t ion : 
A problem not only for Japan but the A problem not only for Japan but the 
whole worldwhole world — —
Miyata : As I said, before the :  A s  I  s a i d ,  b e f o r e  t h e  
earthquake and tsunami, a sense of ear thquake a nd tsuna m i, a sense of 
stagnation was spreading throughout stagnation was spreading throughout