Up until the 1990s globalization was the hope of links that would join up the entire globe through the development of the Internet and other communication technologies. After the start of the twenty-first century, however, the benefits and the disadvantages of seamless global connections have become plain for all to see, and people are starting to question whether globalization is actually good for them as individuals.

People look at globalization with a complex mix of feelings. In this site, we scrutinize the various arguments surrounding globalization in order to get to the heart of the matter.

Please note that all the articles and essays presented on this site represent the individual points of view of their respective authors.

The Tokyo Foundation

Ten years have passed since the creation of the Tokyo Foundation in 1997. The world is moving forward at an incredible pace, leaving Japan exposed to scarcely comprehended waves of globalization. At times like these the most important task is to pause and take stock of the present situation and to forge new policy on the basis of this reasoned consideration. From its central location between Japan's National Diet and Kasumigaseki, home to the nation's central bureaucracy, the Tokyo Foundation is able to carry out independent policy research and make proposals that reach the ears they need to. In our work we do not concern ourselves with highly touted policies or the wholesale importation of policy solutions from overseas. Our focus is instead on Japan's native culture and civilization. From this base we cut to the core of the issues, going beyond abstract reasoning to produce and promote concrete proposals with real-world applications. During the last decade Japan's policy sphere has seen increasingly energetic movements of human resources, with private-sector representatives tapped for cabinet positions and top bureaucrats making the leap into politics and academia. This fluidity in the policy environment is a sure sign of change in Japan. With its eyes on this movement, the Tokyo Foundation is ready to gather the wisdom and abilities of these people and put them to work in moving the world.

The Global Questionnaire

This is an attempt to find out how the individual people living on this Earth react to globalization, and what their instinctive impressions are, through a one-click questionnaire. Participants will include fellows of the Ryoichi Sasakawa Young Leaders Fellowship Fund (SYLFF) program from 45 countries. How do the people of the world feel about globalization? We hope you will also take part in this massive survey.

Creation of the Site

Inquiries

Inquiries regarding the site may be made here. Please write “Globalization Site” at the top of the space marked “Inquiry.”