How To Get Happiness In Life
Since the end of World War II, Japan has had many leaders with the third qualification – ability. Important government posts have gone to eloquent speakers with exceptional ability and plenty of practical knowledge. In contrast, people with good characters, although they may not have been looked down upon, have been relegated to the wings. Japan has installed leaders who lack inner ethical standards as well as depth of character and thus are unsuited to leadership. Poor leadership, I believe, is one cause of Japan's recent government and business scandals and the root of the moral decay that is infesting Japanese society.
Leaders of scandal-tainted organizations who are interviewed on television rarely exhibit any depth of character when they are called to task for their actions. Instead, they mouth apologetic phrases from a prepared script: "We should never have done it. We'll make sure it doesn't happen again." Their words sound superficial and insincere. Their confusion and their desire to gloss over their mistakes and evade responsibility are clearly evident, but they sadly lack a willingness to confront the problem, accept responsibility, offer an honest explanation, or rectify their mistakes. I can only conclude that these so-called leaders have no guiding philosophy, no standard to distinguish good from evil or right from wrong. If that is how our leaders are choosing to behave, it is not surprising that children have lost their respect for adults.