National Treasures
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National Treasures Nobody can deny the current-day success of the Japanese economy in setting the pace by which the économie efforts of ail other countries are now measured. Longrange planning, attention to the desires of the ultimate consumer, and a remarkable constancy of purpose hâve combined to show the way into the future for industrial and technological enterprise. The United States should take some pride in the accomplishments of the Japanese because in part thèse accomplishments are a resuit of U.S. ideas implanted in Japan during the post World War H occupation. In fact, the Japan of today very much approaches and perhaps exceeds the vision of its occupiers. The rime has now corne for the two nations to recognize their spécial relationship, which arises from the intimate intertwining of their récent historiés and cultures. We in the United States must clearly recognize the Japanese contribution to their "économie miracle" and not view it as some unfair perversion of our System. Of course tensions arise in a compétitive situation between two economically powerful countries. But this is natural and can be negotiated because of the basic mutual respect, common goals and underlying friendship that exist between the two nations. We still hâve much that we can learn from each other in a mutually bénéficiai way. The power, creativity and productivity of U.S. science still invokes admiration and wonder in Japan. U.S. institutions of higher learning continue to be the Mecca of aspiring scientists and engineers throughout the world, and many Japanese scientists désire to corne to the United States to pursue research careers because of the broad range of open opportunities available hère. Many Japanese scientists of my acquaintance speak of much more limited possibilities in the Japanese System for the aggressive young scientist than exist in the United States. We would be foolish, however, if we were to conclude that our position in science is inhérent. The Japanese continue to improve at a rapid pace—just look at the increasing number of first rate Japanese publications. What, then, can we learn from the Japanese? Much has been written about the "Japanese secret of success" and I would like to add only one point to this voluminous subject. When I visited Japan several years ago, I was greatly impressed by their respect for and utilization of their "National Treasures," a désignation given to 6
the most skilled craftsmen who dévote their lives to a particular area of Japanese culture. I witnessed a Samurai sword maker, endowed by the government, preserving this thousand-year-old technology. In other fields, experts with lifetimes of expérience and accomplishments were granted National Treasure status and with it the ability to continue to be productive and pass on their expertise to the next génération. The contrast in the United States is striking. I'm sure every member of MRS under the âge of 60 can tell stories about scientists who taught and inspired them but now find themselves in deep trouble. Without funding
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