Environmental Problems and a Society of Multicultural Co-existence

Environmental problems are a distortion - much like the conditions of a cold -arising from our pursuit of economic growth by exploiting nature. In spite of our efforts to resolve individual problems respectively, we cannot hope for effective result. It is essential that we solve fundamental problems through a system of international cooperation. Most importantly, we must eliminate the disparity between north and south, in which "well fed advanced countries" and "starving developing countries" simultaneously exist. These circumstances force developing countries with neither technology nor manufacturing bases to live piecemeal by their resources, such as their forests. One solution is to introduce fluidity into the mix of disparity. By emigration from poorer countries to richer ones, people can earn valuable foreign currency, and if they transfer their acquired skills to their native country, this will be helpful in reducing the gap. In this day when environmental issues of a global scale confront us, gaining profit exclusive to a single country is no longer a viable way of thinking. Accordingly, our most pressing concern as we move towards the 21^ century is to build a society in which people of other nationalities can live comfortably. In other words, a society of multicultural coexistence. Of course, coming into contact with things unfamiliar causes friction. By persistence and continuous exposure, however, we are able to reach an understanding of one another. Changes in one's personal development may accompany this process. We see that by their presence in this country, international residents are indeed moving Japanese society in a positive direction.departmental bulletin pape