Kansai's corporate titans gathered in Kyoto earlier this month for their annual retreat, formally known as the Kansai Economic Forum. While there was no shortage of the usual slightly daft old men with slightly daft ideas, this year saw two important, positive changes.

The first was that the old men decided they were tired of critics banging on about the lack of women in what has always been an old boys' club. At this year's forum, in the conference rooms and in front of the smoked salmon buffet tables, women were far more visible.

The second change was an unprecedented sense of urgency in addressing issues the good ol' boys (and girls) have long worried about: a declining population, especially in rural areas, a Tokyo-centric economy and local economic revitalization.