We look for a leading figure in an area of public interest - politicians, journalists, anyone who will speak out on the issues.

The current generation of politicians expected honest journalists who did not have any hidden agendas and who placed the interest of society first and foremost.

Journalists expected politicians to be honest partners in their consistent search for the truth. They expected politicians to permit them to take part in the process of building an equal society.

Our leading indicator - the one that's never lied to us like the politicians - suggests only 23 percent probability of recession over the next 12 months, that's very low.

I think it's very important to the Canadian national interest to have strong, leading global competitors in as many industries as we can. I think it's important to keep Canada visible on the global economic map, I think it's important for our capital markets to have industry leaders, I think it's important from an employment and a technology standpoint, and I think it rolls right back into Canada's competitiveness.

Leading politicians, including Prime Minister Hashimoto, realize the central government has not been treating Okinawa well for a long time,