Yukio Naruse's Proposal 2: Let us cherish the Japanese language and refine our command of it

Everyone, let us cherish the Japanese language and refine our command of it. What we Japanese should aim for from now on is not to become 'little Americans' who can speak English. It is to become 'great Japanese' who possess a rich intellect, sensibility, and virtue that are recognized throughout the world. And for that, the most important thing is to cherish the Japanese language and refine our command of it.

Modern Japanese is a unique language without parallel, supported by three trunks: Japanese, Chinese, and Western. It is an extremely attractive and functional language that our predecessors have painstakingly built up over more than a thousand years of history. As a Japanese person, I am very proud to have such a language as my mother tongue.

Japanese is a logical language. It is not an illogical language. If Japanese were illogical, it would be impossible for Japanese scholarship and science and technology to have progressed this far. It is illogical to think that Japanese is illogical. In addition to that, it is no exaggeration to say that there is no other language as excellent as Japanese for expressing a heart that cares for others and a heart that cherishes nature.

Of course, like other languages, Japanese has its flaws. For example, because it places so much importance on empathy with others, it is difficult for thinking, discussion, and argumentation from a purely objective standpoint to hold up in Japanese. I call this the 'harm of being covered in consideration.' Such flaws must be corrected. We must correct such flaws and make the Japanese language better. And we Japanese are the only ones who can do that.

Regarding this precious Japanese language, Japanese public education teaches us nothing. In Japanese schools, they really do not teach us what kind of language Japanese is, or how we should construct sentences in Japanese.

It cannot be helped; if public education cannot be relied upon, we have no choice but to study Japanese ourselves. We will refine our own Japanese language skills through our own efforts. At 'Kotosakiku,' we will fully support your self-help efforts to refine your Japanese language skills.

Everyone, let us cherish the Japanese language and refine our command of it. That will surely be a certain step toward opening up the future for us and our children.