The motivations behind why entrepreneurs choose to launch businesses are greatly influenced by the economic backdrop of their time. It is imperative for us to learn from the past, reflect on today’s challenges, take action, and open pathways to the future. While many entrepreneurs have transformed society by turning their beliefs into action, at times, these beliefs have been overshadowed by economic and social success. Particularly in developed countries, the prioritization of economic rationality has had serious consequences for the global environment and developing nations. Resource conflicts and the exploitation of cheap labor have widened economic disparities, exacerbating poverty and environmental destruction. Confronting this reality, we must rethink the nature of business and society and work toward building a sustainable future.

Social business is driven not by the pursuit of profit alone but by the resolve to solve pressing societal issues. Motivated by a desire to protect Inochi and build a society where people can live with peace of mind, social business entrepreneurs listen attentively to small, overlooked voices and transform them into sources of hope for society. Changing the current social fabric necessitates leveraging today’s economic systems, and despite the ongoing struggle to balance social and economic imperatives, social business entrepreneurs continue to advance toward the future they envision.

Traditional profit-driven business models have reached their limits. In many developed nations, the boundaries of economic growth have become apparent, and there is increasing concern that profit-driven business practices are worsening social problems. In a world inundated with goods and information, consumers are beginning to seek deeper meaning in life. They desire to reduce the burdens placed on society and the environment and are striving for a sustainable society. Consequently, expectations for social businesses, which realize social good through economic mechanisms, are rising, and social businesses themselves are increasingly supported by society in various ways.

100 people×100 Days Musical

The Common Beat NPO conducts activities focused on human resource development and social awareness through musicals that emphasize respect for individuality and diversity. To revitalize local communities, it is crucial to create opportunities where people from diverse backgrounds and positions can collaborate, and mutual respect for individual differences becomes essential. Performing arts (integrated arts) have the unique strength of enabling participants to physically experience and internalize these difficult concepts. At Common Beat, through the process of creating a musical with 100 people over 100 days, participants of various generations and nationalities experience the joy of overcoming differences and achieving mutual understanding.

Graduates of this program have gone on to become leaders revitalizing community connections across Japan, and performances have been held in regional cities nationwide. Over 21 years, Common Beat’s activities have naturally spread throughout the country, fostering a culture where aspirations are shared and mutual support thrives. Moving forward, the organization aims to reach one million people by 2050, creating spaces that nurture diversity beyond mere economic rationality and efficiency, and revitalizing Japan’s regional communities.

Empathy for society begins with listening to small voices, turning attention toward diverse societies different from our own and allowing ourselves to be moved by their hopes and aspirations. Ultimately, this leads to gaining support from society and becomes the driving force behind activities sustained and cherished by empathy. It is precisely because we are all different that we can create a truly wonderful society.

The Inochi Forum, together with organizations like Common Beat that promote social business, will work to create a future sustained by empathy—where differences are embraced and aspirations are shared.


[References]

・Common Beat:
https://commonbeat.org/

[Action Platform]

Economy, Employment and Poverty / Diversity and Inclusion

[SDGs]