E27033

     When we closely observe conditions in Japan, it does seem that no one holds a stronger sense of dependency than present-day Japanese. John Dulles, advisor to the American Department of State, who recently came to Japan, upon departure said, among other matters in his parting words of advice, that Japan was suffering from investment inflation. His caution was on the mark. Put in other terms, Japan’s current situation, could be called loan inflation. Literally, this means there are too many loans, too much debt. Never has there been a period of so much debt. The best evidence for this assertion is the extent to which banks have overextended themselves in loaning out money. This means, of course, the situation is in no way ordinary because banks have loaned out more money than they have in deposits and this situation affects trust in the national economy.
     Something which everyone knows is that when starting a new enterprise in Japan, it is almost certain that to a greater or lesser degree everyone relies on borrowing money from a bank. Among the Japanese today those who are not in debt are probably as few as the stars at dawn. Even among the farming population, it is a fact that the use of agricultural notes increases yearly. In the case of larger enterprises, everywhere we often see examples of those that shift around the country, initiate enterprises, and rely for loans not just on banks but on subsidies from governments, local and agricultural credit unions, and other public enterprises. Because of this situation, the expenditures for useless outlays such as expenses in getting enterprises up and running, and interest are probably quite unexpectedly high, so it is quite obvious that even enterprises that can make a lot of money will find that their account books do not add up.
     Just look! The stagnation of the monetary system today, the overuse of promissory notes, cases of corruption, and so forth almost without exception have their underlying cause in strategic borrowing and lending. In which case, the reconstruction of the Japanese economy and the elimination of problems such as the financial difficulties, inequitable transactions, and so forth that we suffer from today deserve a great amount of attention. In other words, when making loans for transactions, careful and studied effort must be made to assure that deadlines for repayments are observed and that after interest is paid, enough profit from the enterprise to create a surplus can be forecast. These days the situation is that in all walks of life there is no one who is not suffering from debt. For this reason, the harmful influence on the economic world is surprisingly great, and enormous would be the confusion in the economic world if slight fluctuations should occur.
     At this point I will discuss these matters as they relate to my own situation. The paradises on earth in Hakone and Atami that are presently being constructed under my direction are great in scope, probably without precedent. I do believe there will not be one person who cannot suppress a cry of joy upon seeing them for the first time. To think in terms as the general public must, it is beyond inconceivable that World Messianity should be able to achieve such unparalleled construction in such a short time after its establishment. Actually though, we have not had as many hardships as expected. We have not received received assistance from the usual places that could be expected to provide help such as banks or public corporations, but my policy is to have absolutely no such dealings, and I intend to carry out these projects with our own resources. When this situation is considered, it can well be understood that all is divine, that is, God’s undertaking. I myself was a bit nervous at first, and when I thought about it, could only find it intriguing. In any case, that the scale of the projects continues to expand in ways unimaginable is none other than a miracle.
     In this manner, the art museum will be completed soon, and as for the art objects to be displayed, acquisition of pieces well-known or of national treasure class is very difficult and I do understand that obtaining the money to make such purchases is almost impossible. I thought it might be necessary to a certain extent perhaps to secure a few loans, but I was able to be relieved of anxiety as I knew that God would work out matters. Rather than anxiety, I develop a form of objective curiosity. There is no need for me to declare that such as “eliminate a sense of dependence,” and on this point as I am working with God and not human beings, I am greatly optimistic.

“Iraishin o Sare,” originally published on the front page of Eikō, Issue 145, February 27, 1952, and reprinted while Meishu-sama still alive, in the essays anthology for ministers Goshinsho: Shūkyōhen (Divine Writings: Volume on Religion), page 66, March 25, 1954, has not, as far as is known, previously appeared in translation.