Looking back the medical history, lots of doctors and/or researchers have been known for their various research achievements. Among them, there are some general practitioners and/or internists, who have been respected for long due to their daily behaviors, practice and teaching. They include Dr. Albert Schweitzer [1], Sir William Osler [2] and Dr. Shigeaki Hinohara [3]. Hinohara has been evaluated as the supreme physician by everybody in Japan [4]. He worked at International St. Luke hospital until 105 years old, and was famous for the father of primary care, music therapy, psychosomatic medicine and nursing education. He was a physician, educator, philosopher, musician, and raised broad awareness of lifestyle-related diseases, informing people of managing their own health.

In autumn 2000, Dr. Hinohara announced the establishment of “New Elderly Association (NEA)” [5]. It will become the novel association of the elderly for coming 21th century (2001-2100AD). NEA consists of those who are i) senior to aged person, ii) willing to give one’s health data for medical progress and development, iii) feeling happy for providing various information and benefits to other people, iv) always thinking of the happiness of the society. NEA set up many divisions in all prefectures in Japan, and Hinohara visited all prefectures and gave keynote lectures of health, music, culture and society for everyone’s happiness. Hinohara and I had several common opportunities to progress medical meetings so far, then, I was appointed the representative of Tokushima division of NEA.

There are several principles of NEA for teaching the philosophy of Hinohara-ism (Table 1). It shows the fundamental items for everyone to deal with the necessary matters [6]. It would be adequate until 2017 the year when he was ceased. International situation was rather stable at that time. However, it is now different across the world in summer, 2024. Then, additional advisory comments will be presented in this article, which is not only for people but also for international general matters.

Table 1: The Goal of New Elderly Association (NEA).

Since ancient times, Japanese people have an existential concept “Wa” in our mind. It is written as “?” using Chinese character (Figure 1). It will be supposed to become the super potential to become a global idea. Looking back at Japanese history, in the Asuka period in Japanese era names (593-710 AD), there was an extremely talented Prince Shotoku Taishi (Prince Umayado) (574-622 AD), who was a crown prince of the imperial lineage [7]. He believed in Shinto, the Japanese religion. He was also an excellent Buddhist scholar, and then became the first in the world to fuse the merits of two religions and put into the specific concept that could be adapted to Japanese culture, history, and soil. He promulgated the Seventeen Article Constitution. Among them, the first item presents that ?(wa, harmony) is the most important concept. Even if individual ways of thinking differ slightly, the priority would be to follow the good way where everyone cooperates from public point of view. In Japanese long history, there have been no major problems caused by doctrinal disagreements between religions. It is because Japanese people always have the harmony in our mind as the best priority. His portrait was used on Japanese highest denomination banknote (Figure 2).

Figure 1: The origin of Japanese harmony (Wa) with usage in Japanese era names.

Figure 2: Prince Shotoku was featured on Japanese banknote which included Sh?toku image, issued in 1958.

Japan is a country rich in nature. Harvested crops such as rice given by nature are considered gifts from God. In this way, the basic attitude of following the laws of nature has been present from the bottom of heart since ancient times [8]. This principle is the same for humans, families, companies, and nations. By following the laws of nature, we can move forward without getting lost in the direction. A long history has proven that outstanding leaders such as the Japanese emperor and imperial family, historical politicians, and samurai have inherited these principles. This philosophy is also the origin of learning, and applies to all areas such as politics, economics, management, science, technology, medicine, education, culture and art. All factors have been connected for success and wealth at work, physical and mental health, and human relationships at home, among friends, and at work. Even if they are invisible to the eye, they are always related by the laws of nature. The laws include three factors, which are spirit, love and time.

In our real world, unbelievable phenomena have been going. There are conflicts in Europe [9], Asia and other areas [10], problems of complex politics, presidential election, gun control, accepting immigrants, LGBTQ, abortion and so on. Their cause would be the “division”, that is really serious with no apparent measures to solve. What can we do for them? The only solution would be the enlightening by the Japanese harmony concept of “Wa”.

In summary, Hinohara-ism by NEA associated with Japanese philosophy “Wa” may become the “Savior” across the world. Better relationships of human and international situation will be expected medically, socially and globally in the future.

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Funding

There was no funding received for this paper.

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