What is the negative side of "harmony is valued"?

What is the negative side of "harmony is valued"?
It's not a reward for my nearly week-long business trip, but I spent a lot of time with my daughter yesterday and today.
We were able to play together. I think we were able to recharge each other.
During my week-long business trip, while speaking with many different people, I came to a strong, almost certain realization about the negative side of the "value harmony" mentality that permeates the entire country of Japan.
It's a very old book, but there is a book by Motohiko Izawa called "The Paradoxical History of Japan" that was quite popular at the time.
There was a popular series. It was a work that approached Japanese history from a unique historical perspective, and the teacher's conclusion was that the most Japanese thing about Japan is that "harmony is valued."
I would like you to read my book for more details, but this characteristic is almost always highlighted in a positive way. A good example of this is the way people cooperated with each other rather than fighting during the Great East Japan Earthquake, which moved the world.
So what's the negative side?
I would like to explain why I think so.
Developed European countries, including Germany and the UK, have very strict standards for the insulation of buildings and windows.
There are regulations in place. For this reason
-Because indoor environments such as temperature, humidity, mold, etc. are considered "basic human rights."
・Reducing heat shock will also lead to a reduction in medical costs, resulting in a reduction in overall national expenditures.
Less loss
・Reduction in energy imports is advantageous from the perspective of energy security
・In today's world, where it is common knowledge that people move to countries with cheaper industries, insulation renovation is one of the few
It is a domestic demand industry. As a result, it will be a positive for the economy, employment, and national finances.
- There will definitely be long-term benefits to individuals and corporations in terms of their household finances and accounting.
= Leading to a richer life and national development
From a macro perspective, regulations are imposed precisely because of the existence of these absolutely superior benefits.
I think that is what it comes down to. Increasing the national interest and the interests of the people is the duty of politicians and bureaucrats.
If that is the case, it should be a very obvious thing.
However, in Japan, such a commonplace phenomenon is rarely codified into law.
Why??
The result of thinking about it thoroughly is
I came across the negative side of "value harmony."
When deciding on various standards, how do we decide on the system in Japan?
Participating in meetings to decide on the system
-Various lobbying groups
Related academic societies
・Related companies
The decision will be made among representatives from each group.
Naturally, various dynamics and schemes are at work in this situation, and as a result
Ultimately, it may be a matter of majority vote, but without decisively undermining the position of any of the participants.
In most cases, it is decided that the person who can summarize and the content are "excellent"
I can't help but think that this is the case in politics.
In Japan, this is considered "adult etiquette," and people who try to stick to principles are called "immature."
Is there a tendency to brush it off?
If you hear this and think, "That's just how it is in the world of bureaucrats and politics!!", then you need to be careful.
When I was talking to a window manufacturer this time, I saw the exact same structure within them.
Window manufacturers receive their money directly from construction companies or what are called distribution stores.
However, these companies are merely "passing through" the source of the money, so it goes without saying
It is the clients who are the users of the product and who will enjoy its performance for 30 years or more.
However, until now, window performance and lineup have been determined by "price as stated by the builder" and "ease of installation as stated by the builder."
It was based on "the level of resistance to leaks required by the construction company" and "the lineup required by the construction company."
This is also not about pursuing principles, but about the relationships between the people around you.
I think it is fair to say that this is the result of "valuing harmony."
These may seem like peaceful solutions at first glance. However, at the root of this phenomenon lies
This is nothing more than an "abandonment of thinking" on the part of each and every person involved.
as a result
・Waste of energy and CO
・Waste in household finances, corporate accounting, and national finances
・Waste of health and comfort
This leads to a huge waste.
The aftermath of everyone "abandoning their thinking" and jumping to a hasty conclusion is a disservice to the entire nation.
This will be covered by a shallow and broad burden.
If it is only in the single item of the window
It might also be better to say "shallow."
However, in Japan, these things are not covered under the "pensions," "education," and "welfare" rules.
In almost every aspect, including "energy policy in general" and "tax system"
This is being done.
The Japanese people feel the burden that comes from "valuing harmony"
This means that the burden will be borne "deeply and broadly" by all citizens.
If Japan were a resource-rich country like the Middle East or Russia, this kind of inefficiency would not occur.
Policy management may be an option. However, in a resource-poor Japan, such policies are
It has been going on for over 50 years, which is why Japanese people will always enjoy a "rich life."
I began to seriously consider that this was far from the case.
On top of unpaid overtime after 6pm and barely any paid vacation, the GDP per capita
I think it is currently ranked 26th, and there is room for it to move up 20 places.
The people who decide on the system will ultimately decide on these wastes "based on principles."
I think it depends on the thinking.
For example, in Germany, when natural energy first started to spread, the existing power companies
There was a strong and active opposition to natural energy, with people saying, "There's nothing we can do about natural energy."
However, in the end, it is the result of "individual thinking" that determines the direction of progress.
The vector has shifted, and we are now in a situation where the economy and the environment are growing simultaneously.
Of course, this is not just down to bureaucrats and politicians.
Of course, the public is also to blame for showing no interest even when decisions are made.
However, they hardly teach children how to think or discuss from an early age.
School education and home education also have a huge responsibility.
It's hard to suddenly start thinking about things you didn't get into the habit of thinking about when you were young, as an adult.
It's difficult.
In terms of "raising citizens who don't think," I don't know whose intentions are behind the Japanese education system.
I think it has been a certain degree of success. From the political standpoint, it couldn't get any easier.
History has shown that this has been the ideal of those in power throughout the ages and around the world.
While maintaining the benefits of "harmony being the most important thing," each individual must think carefully and act accordingly.
I believe this is something that can be done without contradiction. However, in Japan, it will take time for this to become the majority opinion.
It may take more than fifty years.
However, if this could be achieved, Japan would undoubtedly be one of the best countries and people in the world.
I'm pretty sure that's the case. It may be a pipe dream, but...