IN the middle of the 19th century Japan was an ordinary but isolated nation. Around that time, Japan and China had to wage wars against the advanced and strongly armed West, which wanted entry to the vast Asian markets.

China capitulated and was content with its trade, while Japan was keen on discovering the secret of the western success. Japan also planned stronger cultural interaction with the West besides sending its youth to study in western universities. Consequently, it was transformed into a modern industrialized nation. On the other hand China continued to remain isolated and undeveloped and remained just a market for western products over many more decades.

This introduction has been inspired by the visit of Crown Prince Salman, deputy premier and minister of defense, to Japan where he spent longer time than in other countries during his official tour.

The crown prince attended a function at a university in Tokyo, met with Saudi students, and spoke about the efforts of the Kingdom to achieve transfer of knowledge, experience and technology.

More than 500 Saudis are studying in Japanese universities under Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Scholarship Program while the total number of Saudis studying under the program in different parts of the world is put at 140,000.

This is, in fact, the grandest program that we can be proud of because it alone can bring about a better future for the Kingdom. Today the Kingdom is one of the wealthiest nations in the world with $600 billion financial reserves. Yet, building up the country’s youth is more important for the state’s future than its petroleum and cash reserves.

I had visited Japan accompanying the prince in the 90s. No doubt, its strong knowledge base helped the country endure the recent economic meltdown. Despite its more than 150 years of progress the Asian country has remained the most attached to its traditions. It is not their technological and industrial growth that is most impressive about the Japanese people but their attachment to their lifestyle and philosophy. It is the collective intelligence with which the Japanese people distinguish themselves for a life of discipline, endurance and success.

Egypt and Japan started their experiment of cultural advancement almost simultaneously but Japan never stumbled in its march forward despite the two world wars and consequent total destruction.

Egypt somehow did not cope with the changes and the situations remains till date. While Japan’s population stood at 90 million in 1960, Egypt’s population was 25 million. However, Japan succeeded in keeping its population under control and now it stands at 127 million, while Egypt’s population spiraled to 90 million. The cultural difference is at the root of such matters. With a population of 30 million in the Kingdom, its annual road-related deaths are estimated at 7,000 people. On the other hand, Japan has only 5,000 deaths despite its higher population.

We can attribute such facts to the culture of each nation, which is the primary engine for progress and retrogression.