There has been much soul-searching among the Japanese in recent years, following the collapse of the bubble economy and the recession it triggered. Economic woes aside, a crisis of confidence exists at the most fundamental level. People have come to doubt not only the ability of society as a whole, but also their own individual abilities. Even as we head into the 21st century, there is a widespread fear that Japan is falling behind, that the new millennium will present challenges that we will be unable to cope with. The future seems bleak.