text: *Uplifting the nation’s spirits*
  *Uplifting the nation’s spirits*
  
  Japan is now facing a wide variety of problems, ranging from the reconstruction of the Tohoku region (the northeastern region of Japan) 
  Japan is now facing a wide variety of problems, ranging from the reconstruction of the Tohoku region (the northeastern region of Japan) 
  
  after the March 11 earthquake and tsunami (“the Great East Japan Earthquake”) to a shrinking and aging population, with falling birth rates 
  after the March 11 earthquake and tsunami (“the Great East Japan Earthquake”) to a shrinking and aging population, with falling birth rates 
  
  and increasing numbers of the aged. 
  and increasing numbers of the aged. 
  
  We must now find ways for people to coexist in harmony with nature, based on a global perspective. 
  We must now find ways for people to coexist in harmony with nature, based on a global perspective. 
  
  Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group (SMFG) invited the world-famous architect Tadao Ando to join in a conversation on the issues facing society 
  Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group (SMFG) invited the world-famous architect Tadao Ando to join in a conversation on the issues facing society 