and after 1980 are hopeless cases” (laughs). and after 1980 are hopeless cases” (laughs). 
That was because of the prevailing attitude at That was because of the prevailing attitude at 
the time that Japanthe time that Japan’s national development s national development 
would go on for ever and the economy would would go on for ever and the economy would 
remain stable. As a result, parents spoilt their remain stable. As a result, parents spoilt their 
children, and we saw more children who children, and we saw more children who 
could not do anything. Many such children could not do anything. Many such children 
are in their 30s now.are in their 30s now.
And in this situation, the asset bubble burst And in this situation, the asset bubble burst 
[in the early 1990s], and the collapse of [in the early 1990s], and the collapse of 
Lehman [hit world markets] in 2008, and Lehman [hit world markets] in 2008, and 
now we have the earthquake and tsunami now we have the earthquake and tsunami 
disaster. It seems that everything that disaster. It seems that everything that 
happens these days merely makes us more happens these days merely makes us more 
anxious. I think everyone needs to hit the anxious. I think everyone needs to hit the 
‘reset’ button in some sense. If we don‘reset’ button in some sense. If we don’t,t, 
more difficulties lie ahead.more difficulties lie ahead.
Miyata : Indeed, prior to 1970, living : Indeed, prior to 1970, living 
standards or wage levels were very low,standards or wage levels were very low, 
but I think it was a very happy time. People but I think it was a very happy time. People 
believed that if they really worked hard,believed that if they really worked hard, 
their daily lives would improve and their their daily lives would improve and their 
companies would do better and companies would do better and 
the whole country would benefit.the whole country would benefit.
Returning to Mr. AndoReturning to Mr. Ando’s words, s words, 
and his comments about a nd h i s c o m m e n t s a b ou t 
clinging to the status quo, more clinging to the status quo, more 
people now think, “Oh, well, my people now think, “Oh, well, my 
life is fairly comfortable and life is fairly comfortable and 
that’s enough for me.” This sense that’s enough for me.” This sense 
of stagnation, or resignation,of stagnation, or resignation, 
that people feel in their lives has spread that people feel in their lives has spread 
throughout Japan. But when the disaster throughout Japan. But when the disaster 
struck, people again came together and struck, people again came together and 
worked together in the recovery effort. I worked together in the recovery effort. I 
thought, “Not everything that happened has thought, “Not everything that happened has 
been bad.” But I fear the consequences if we been bad.” But I fear the consequences if we 
dondon’t galvanize, coordinate and maximize t galvanize, coordinate and maximize 
efforts more effectively.efforts more effectively.
Kunibe : As for SMBC, I wondered if : As for SMBC, I wondered if 
employees at all the branches and other employees at all the branches and other 
offices in the affected areas would be able to offices in the affected areas would be able to 
get to work and carry out their duties at such get to work and carry out their duties at such 
a difficult time for their own families; or if a difficult time for their own families; or if 
they would be able to open their offices for they would be able to open their offices for 
business on weekends and other holidays. business on weekends and other holidays. 
Despite the lack of water and gas, they really Despite the lack of water and gas, they really 
gave their all to provide banking services.gave their all to provide banking services.
It was really uplifting to see such dedication It was really uplifting to see such dedication 
and sense of responsibility as an employee of and sense of responsibility as an employee of