Who is the Real Winner?

*Hiragana Times CIA(Cynically Insulting Agency)

Japan has changed from being a relatively equal society into an American-style society where the law of the jungle rules and the difference between incomes of the rich and poor is bigger than ever. The terms “winners’ group” and “losers’ group” are now often used. Now, a “winners’ group study circle” that cheers up “losers’ groups” is attracting the public’s attention. Hiragana Times CIA interviewed the study circle director SAITO Nozomu.

CIA: What kind of studies are you carrying out?

Dir.: Based on many different surveys and reports, we are studying whether the winners’ group is really happy or not. After studying these facts, it has become clear that most of them are not happy.

CIA: That is unbelievable. How can that be?

Dir.: The common factor among winners is loneliness. To make money, these people have done many things in a cold and unfaithful fashion. So, they are afraid of also being deceived in the manner they did and cannot trust anyone.

CIA: But they seem to be enjoying attending high society parties and playing golf.

Dir.: This is great misunderstanding. In the world of VIPs, there are many higher figures and after witnessing many of these gatherings, it is clear the majority of winners have inferiority complexes. For instance, they go to these locations in deluxe cars, but others arrive in even better cars, creating misery for those who arrived in cheaper vehicles. Actually many are reluctant to join in, but on the other hand they want to show they are a member of the ‘Celebrity Club.’

CIA: That’s why they are not happy, isn’t it?

Dir.: That’s right. Moreover, surprisingly many of them are poor people who look like they are rich. Many people in this category are ambitious and escaped from poverty. They save lots of money and property, but they probably spend less than the average salary man during their lifetimes. If they don’t use the money, it is the same as having none.

CIA: What about those who climbed to the top of the promotion ladders in their organizations such as high officials and executives of leading companies?

Dir.: These people are the so-called “elite.” They have avoided risks and survived, often due to having had sly relationships in which tricks and treacherous conduct are used. They have lived in such a silly world for most of their lives. They usually live in big houses and buy luxurious cars, but people who know them think they bought them using “dirty” money received from traders and have contempt for them behind their backs.

CIA: Isn’t that poor people’s jealousy?

Dir.: No! Successful people are generally regarded as “great people,” but they are conceited because they determine them selves to be “special people.” In short, it makes them feel good to show off their differences from ordinary people, and it makes them take it for granted that they should be treated as being special. This is the same as having a dangerous discriminatory consciousness. A great person is one who is severe on themselves and generous to others, but rich people are generally greedy with poor morals.

CIA: How should ordinary people view wealthy people?

Dir.: The only difference between ordinary people and wealthy people is whether you have a big house and an expensive car or not. For wealthy people to gain these vanities, they will have spent most of their time deceiving people and doing silly things, in spite of the fact that time is limited. When you look at it from a different angle, rich people should belong to the “losers’ group” and ordinary people should belong to the “winners’ group.’ Furthermore, rich people pay high taxes for their vanity. So, for ordinary people, rich people are really “great people.”

*Hiragana Times CIA(Cynically Insulting Agency)

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