Photo/Illutration A “flying car” planned by SkyDrive Inc. (Provided by the company)

The ninth year of the Taisho Era (1912-1926) was 1920, which was 104 years ago.

That year, a magazine called “Nihon oyobi Nihonjin” (Japan and the Japanese people) ran a special feature that was titled “100-nen go no Nihon” (Japan 100 years from now).

The article was based on a survey of the nation’s leading intellectuals of the time.

I found it in a library and read it with great interest.

For instance, one person predicted the invention of a telephone “that enables people to enjoy plays and vaudeville remotely.” Indeed. This prophesy has come true.

Another person envisioned harnessing “solar rays as the source of all power and fuel needs.” The jury’s still out on this one.

But we all know that pronouncements such as “the extirpation of all contagious diseases” and “the average life expectancy reaching 125 years” still remain in the realm of wishful thinking.

The one comment that got me chuckling wryly was, “Everyone will be on cloud nine.”

What are our thoughts about the world 100 years from now?

There are only about six months left until the opening of the Osaka-Kansai Expo 2025. Normally, such an event would provide a perfect opportunity for people to share their dreams and excitement about the future.

But that doesn’t seem to be the case with this one.

The organizers recently announced the cancellation of the commercial operation of “Sora Tobu Kuruma” (literally, flying cars). This may have come as a sorry disappointment to some people, but I personally could never quite understand why such things were considered the expo’s “main attraction” in the first place.

Let’s face it, we are no longer living in the 20th century. And not every advance in science and technology looks rosy, either.

The very idea of displaying a Martian meteorite just smacks of the organizers’ nostalgic desire to relive the 1970 Expo and its lunar rock display.

The costs to be borne by taxpayers have become bloated and the construction of the pavilions and other facilities has run way behind schedule, but nobody is taking responsibility.

What is the purpose of this event and for whose benefit is it being held?

Back to the Taisho Era crystal ball gazing: One person observed, “It is doubtful that people will continue to grow happier from now on.”

I admire that person’s insight. And I feel inexplicably sad.

—The Asahi Shimbun, Oct. 8

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Vox Populi, Vox Dei is a popular daily column that takes up a wide range of topics, including culture, arts and social trends and developments. Written by veteran Asahi Shimbun writers, the column provides useful perspectives on and insights into contemporary Japan and its culture.