. 100 Books for Understanding Contemporary Japan. , , 2008.

The invention of the printing press by Johannes Gutenberg in the 15th century sparked a social revolution by making information available on a previously unimaginable scale. The advent of the computer chip in the mid 20th century and the rapid expansion of Internet technology in the 21st century have further revolutionized access to information. It is now possible to exchange vast volumes of information through cyberspace in real time. This unprecedented access to information has made the realities of foreign countries feel much closer to us. However, we do not always receive a complete picture of life overseas. The sheer volume of information available makes choosing reliable sources a challenge, and we are often left with oversimplified views of what are in fact complex realities. Trying to gain a more comprehensive understanding of another country or culture requires considerable effort, yet through this effort we can expand our horizons and gain insight into ourselves, which in turn impacts positively on our relationships with others. An understanding of other people is essential if we are to collaborate and coexist with people of different cultures and customs. The ability to understand each other creates infinite new possibilities for improving the world. There is no question that the best way to deepen our understanding of a country is to visit in person, to see the country with our own eyes, and to talk and work with the people who live there. I travel frequently in the course of my work, and I have often found that I am only able to fully comprehend an issue by talking to local people and complementing these first-hand encounters with well- written, informative books. Books can be an inspiration when it comes to enhancing our understanding of other cultures, and for making our own culture more easily understood by others.