JFS's Vision - Sustainable Economy

Japan's economy has fundamentally shifted to a decentralized, self-sufficient and independent economic system.

Regional populations are maintained at a stable size, immigrants from foreign countries are accepted in an adequate scale for cultural diversity and development, and the total population is maintained at an optimal size for existing within the environment's natural carrying capacity.

Raising the self-sufficiency rate in food and energy production have been one of the most important economic policies in Japan, with the long range plan calling for achieving 100 percent self-sufficiency within 100 years.

From the standpoint of natural capital, proper management and advanced technological development have led to effective utilization of forests and other natural resources. Japan's natural environment and cutting-edge technology are also put to use in the development of geothermal power, wave power, biomass energy, hydrogen energy, fuel cells, heat pumps, wind power, solar energy and other clean energy sources.

Resource cycling and zero emission policies are established as the foundation of the economic system. Reliance on imported materials including food, water and energy resources is reduced drastically, and Japan widely contributes to the reduction of global environmental burdens. As an economy with sound material cycles, we basically do not produce or use persistent chemical substances.

In industry, new business models are created which cross the boundaries between business, government and citizen groups. The following factors are the core competence of Japan Value and its international competitiveness.

• New value-added, high eco-efficiency products that merge traditional skills and high technologies such as robotics and biotechnology.
• Creation of a next generation product cycle.
• Exports of traditional entertainments, arts and culture.
• Environment and culture based sightseeing and eco-tourism
• Exports of design skills, comics and animation
• Development of local industries such as Japanese sake and food culture which draw their inspiration from the regional cultural climate. Development of community-based business models.
• Rehabilitation of primary industry--creation of new value-generating agricultural and fisheries business models that assimilate regional culture and food culture while protecting the environment and its ecosystem.

In the new business models, self-sufficiency and "local production for local consumption" are given greater importance. As a result, the environmental burdens measured, for example, by food mileage and virtual water are reduced, and the regional disparity between urban centers and less populated areas is mitigated.

The market and economy don't simply pursue market share and growth, but return to basic economic principles that internalize morality and justice. There is a change to an industrial platform based on the idea of symbiosis between buyer, seller and the society in which they live as opposed to the exploitation of vulnerable groups.

Companies contribute to society through the operation of their businesses, and actively promote information disclosure to their stakeholders. Every business model incorporates resource productivities and eco-efficiency. The government budget is properly managed, and revenue generated from understanding taxpayers is enough to operate without increasing the national debt.