Kenichi Omae's Direct Commentary

"Conditions for Talent to Survive in the AI Era"
As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes widespread in society, many people may feel a vague anxiety about "being replaced by AI at work." To survive in such an era, it is necessary to develop literacy that leverages AI as an ally—namely, programming—and literacy that cannot be replaced by AI—namely, liberal arts.

This special feature is organized into Part 1: Programming, and Part 2: Liberal Arts, providing an easy-to-understand summary of the essential knowledge needed for business professionals.

● Interview with Kenichi Omae: "Conditions for Talent to Survive in the AI Era"
● Check Test: How much is your programming thinking ability?
● Basic Programming Skills for Immediate Practical Use
● Special Lecture on Liberal Arts: Learning how to live from perspectives of religion, philosophy, history, culture, and biology
● Interview with Michiyoshi Sawada, President of Kao Corporation: "Liberal Arts Training That Transformed My Worldview"

【Feature】 Surviving in the AI Era
Programming & Liberal Arts

"Prologue"
In ten years, industries will undergo a complete transformation. Only those who learn independently will survive.
(Interview) Kenichi Omae, President and CEO of Business Breakthrough

Time Allocation for Essential Knowledge in the AI Era

【Part 1】 Knowledge to Make AI an Ally: Programming
(1st Hour) Can you enhance your subordinates' computer skills? The changing conditions for managers
Tomoko Namba, Chairwoman and CEO of DeNA
(2nd Hour) Learning through problem-based formats: Rapid acquisition of programming thinking
How well can you do? Programming Thinking Skills Check!
(3rd Hour) Don't be discouraged at the start! Introductory Course: The "Basics of Programming"
Let's review actual code!
(Column) The One Phrase You Must Not Say: How to Get Along Well with Engineers
(4th Hour) If you don't know, you'll fall behind: AI technology trends for the next five years
(Interview) Yoichiro Murakami, Professor Emeritus at the University of Tokyo

【Part 2】 Knowledge that Cannot Be Replaced by AI: Liberal Arts
(5th Hour) What is Liberal Arts? Not "Knowledge," but "Learning Attitude"
Understanding the world by knowing the thinking methods of the four great civilizations
Daisaburo Hashizume, Sociologist
Interpreting Current Issues through Liberal Arts: The True Nature of the Trump Phenomenon from a Religious Perspective
Anri Morimoto, Vice President for Academic Affairs at International Christian University
The True Nature of China and Korea Unknown to Japanese: Understanding the Core of Confucian Culture
Tatsuo Motogawa, Professor Emeritus at Tokyo Institute of Technology
Bridging Science and Humanities: Learning Life Approaches through Biology
Tatsuwo Motogawa, Professor Emeritus at Tokyo Institute of Technology
(6th Hour) Essential Conditions for Leaders in the AI Era: Developing a Perspective on the Core of Things
Michiyoshi Sawada, President and CEO of Kao Corporation
The Value Judgment Standards Not Achievable by an MBA: Contents of Liberal Arts Training
(Column) Why Adults Get Hooked on Classics at "Hobo Nichi Gakko"
List of Books Related to Liberal Arts

【Feature 2】 Your Town Cannot Escape
Inevitable Removal, Integration, and Consolidation Due to Aging Infrastructure
National Infrastructure Risk Ranking

【News】
(1) Close Up: SoftBank acquires a mobile shop involved in accounting fraud—Inside the rescue story of a "too big to fail" company
(2) Inside: Itochu makes FamilyMart a subsidiary—What will happen to the relationship with Don Quijote?
(3) Inside: Rapid share growth through "narrowing and focusing"—Why Kirin, losing in the past, is turning around
(4) Inside: AI and drone-utilized crops are being circulated at high prices—"Smart Edamame" transforming agriculture
(5) Inside: The distant goal of Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Nuclear Power Plant—TEPCO cannot rejoice even after the governor's resignation
(6) Inside: One year, Mitsubishi UFJ Bank's losses equivalent to one bank—U.S. banks are conducting large-scale store restructuring
(7) Inside: Giving free meals to 100 new graduates! DAIKIN's secret to AI talent development
(8) Inside: Sony's weapon in the elderly business? Aibo debuts as a "caregiving dog"
(Human Resources) Chuo University
(Brief and Direct) Takashi Uchida, President of Tokyo Gas

【World Scope】
(From Europe) Tetsu Kumagai
(From Asia) Akira Yano

【Market】
(Product Market Perspective) Tomoji Akeda
(Financial Market Divergences) Izuru Kato

【Data】
(Numbers Speak) $68.8 billion: U.S. trade deficit with Japan in 2017—Miyako Suda

【From Diamond Online】
Daiso, even with a profit of just 1 yen, the manufacturer's daily visits demonstrate the incredible power of scale

【People】
(New President) Yoshihisa Suzuki, Itochu Corporation
(Manufacturing People) Shinsuke Taniguchi, LIXIL WATER TECHNOLOGY JAPAN
Toilet and Washbasin Division, Eito Development Group, Group Leader of the Toilet Development Group, "Aqua Ceramic"

【Companies & Industries】
(Reading Companies through Finance) Dai-ichi Life Holdings
Weaknesses in organizations that cannot make bold price cuts

【Serials & Columns】
Noriko Osumi / Cutting-edge Science for Adults
Yukie Ide / Body Medical Advisor
Keiichiro Fukabori / Let's Improve Golf IQ!
Hiroshi Makino / Reading the World through Key Words
Yoko Yamamoto / New Japanese Sake Journey
Koichi Yokoo / Between Dreams
Taiso Son / Teachings of the Son Family
Book Reviews / Yu Sato / Reading to Sharpen Knowledge
Book Reviews / My "Recommended Harvest Books"
Book Reviews / Classic Masterpieces Re-read and Enjoy
Book Reviews / Favorites of Experts
Book Reviews / Business Book Bestsellers
Book Reviews / Enjoying Off-Time
Hajime Kinoshita / The Day the Shutters Disappear
Yukio Noguchi / "Super" Organization Diary
Kenji Goto / Nagatacho Live!
From Readers / From Editors
Reader Surveys
Yoshiko Sakurai / Unrestrained Opinions
Photographing World Heritage Sites
Special Advertising Project (Inheritance Measures)
Business Bulletin