After World War II Japan displayed a remarkably rapid recovery, especially in the area of economics, bringing it to a position of leadership in the world community.

However, Japan is still far from having achieved anything like an ideal state. In the economic sphere, for example, it faces a number of difficult challenges, such as the appreciation of the yen and the difficulty of securing adequate long-term stable supplies of food and energy, problems that can only be solved through the adoption of an international perspective. Socially, the most pressing concerns are an increase in the rate of juvenile delinquency, deterioration in human relationships, a loss of raison d'être, and confusion in both rational thought and public morality. These problems are linked with material prosperity, and indicate that the spirit of the people can fall into disarray despite, or even because of, economic advances. The specific causes of these problems are multifarious, but they are all rooted in the lack of a long-term constructive vision for the country's future.

If there were a solid and clear long-range fundamental philosophy it would allow for the birth of strong government that would ensure stability in the economic and social life of the people. This would lead to peace, happiness, and the prosperous, stable development of the nation as a whole.

Accordingly, in order to improve the country and ensure its security in the long term, it is of utmost importance that we seek to discover a fundamental philosophy for the nation that focuses on true prosperity for the people, prosperity that is both material and spiritual.

Nonetheless, even if such a noble philosophy were articulated, it would come to nothing if we lacked leaders, especially in government and politics, who had the vision and the will to implement such high ideals. Fortunately, although Japan is a country sadly lacking in natural resources, it is blessed with an abundance of human resources. Thus, confronted as we are by so many difficult problems, it is crucial that we put our wholehearted effort into developing and training young people who can become our future leaders.

It is with this in mind that we have established the Matsushita Institute of Government and Management to bring together promising young men and women who have a deep love for their country and who will strive to make Japan a better place in the 21st century. The Institute is intended to provide an educational environment that will encourage training, research, and fieldwork in a wide variety of socially relevant fields and the opportunity to engage in whatever studies, surveys, and educational activities that are deemed necessary to achieve this goal. In the Institute the young people will engage in the study of such fundamental issues such as the nature of humankind, natural law, and Japanese traditional values, not as abstractions but as concrete problems. We aim to facilitate wide-ranging and comprehensive independent study as these young associates of the Institute engage in developing a vision and management philosophy for the nation. Through participating in internships, practicums, and other hands-on social experiences the young people will, we believe, learn concretely how a variety of social activities, including politics, economics, and education, should be conducted. The environment at the Institute should enable the young people to develop strong convictions, a deep sense of responsibility, a broad international viewpoint, and the ability to put their ideas into practice.

We are confident that the young associates of the Institute will, through its rigorous program of training and research, acquire the appropriate level of social sensitivity, essential insights into social philosophy, and mastery of the secrets of management to enable them to become leaders in their chosen field, whether that be business or politics. In doing so they will contribute to the opening of the path to true peace, happiness, and prosperity, not only for Japan but for each and every country of the world.

We believe that it is vital that the Institute be managed as a public institution so that it can both meet the expectations made of it by the nation and its people and also maintain a record of constant, positive activity. It is with this in mind that we establish the Matsushita Institute of Government and Management as a juridical foundation.

January 22, 1979