For about twenty years, between 1950 and 1970, Japan used to import superior industrial technology from the west, at times by out­right purchase, but more often by borrowing or on a credit basis. As a result, today Japan stands strong on its own feet economically and is in a position to export not only its goods but also its know-how to other countries.

Due to its advanced technical expertise, it now has the opportu­nities to help other countries, enter in friendly relationship with them and draw up contracts to do business with them. Some of their feats include working on the latest irrigation projects in Thailand, giving instruction in computer programming in Singapore, constructing iron and steel factories in South Korea and China and setting up petro­chemical industries in the Middle East, etc. The Japanese learnt iron and steel making from the Americans and have now developed it so extensively that at present, they are exporting their skills to the Ameri­cans themselves. Japan, once the learner, is now so well placed in various fields-particularly in communication and electronics, that America is seeking its technical assistance in many of its important military departments. The students are now teaching their teachers. A newspaper correspondent reports: “Now the flow is out instead of in.” (The Hindustan Times, 11 June 1981)

Japan willingly submitted to industrial tutelage for 20 years and, as a result, has attained the position of industrial dominance that it occupies today. If it had chosen not to recognize the supremacy of others at that crucial point in its development and had felt too proud to ask them for help, it would never have attained such resounding successes.

All too often, we have to lose in order to gain. We have to resign ourselves to our lowly position until we can work ourselves up to more satisfactory heights. Those who recognize this necessity as one of the facts of life, will have a better chance of succeeding in this world than those who expect to climb straight to the top without first having accepted a position of humility, or who persist in blaming others for their failures. Patience, fortitude and tenacity are the virtues which will see us through to success, provided they are always leavened by humility.