Today, digital technology is bringing major changes not only to the economy but to the foundations of society itself. Our challenge is to create a future for the globe in the midst of these changes. Last November, Keidanren published Society 5.0: Co-creating the future, a proposal that aims to share wisdom and insights and strengthen cooperation among industry, academia, and government to create a new human-centric society. It is also a declaration of intent for how Keidanren will act in the years to come.

The central concept of the proposal is Society 5.0, based on the idea that human society is moving into a fifth stage. Following on from the Hunting Society, Agrarian Society, Industrial Society, and Information Society, the fifth stage will be a Creative Society, in which a combination of the digital transformation and the imagination and creativity of diverse people will make it possible to solve the problems facing society and create new values. I believe effective use of Internet of Things and artificial intelligence will allow all of us to harness our true human creativity and create a new society of the future using cutting-edge technology.

As the B20 Tokyo Summit is approaching, our idea is that the B20 should take the lead in sharing with the world concepts that will build towards the future, and use the digital transformation to create a bright society. This was the idea behind the comprehensive proposal we drew up for Society 5.0. Society 5.0 will bring profound changes to people’s lifestyles and industry. Society 5.0 aims to use the potential of the digital transformation not only for economic growth, but for the solution of social issues and coexistence with nature. It can also help to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In our proposal, we outlined what we call “Society 5.0 for SDGs,” a specific vision for the society we should aim towards. Moving forward, Keidanren will continue to refine this proposal and will take the initiative in realising our idea, transforming the Japanese economy and society.

As Chair of the upcoming B20 Tokyo Summit, I am determined to work closely with a variety of stakeholders across the world, let alone the B20 members, to maintain and strengthen a free and open international economic order, to build a data governance framework, and to make the most of disruptive innovations for the environmental issues such as climate change. Let us work together to overcome the current period of uncertainty and boldly open up the way into a new era. I hope we can look forward to your continued help and support as we work to build a brighter future together.