The dot.com revolution had begun transforming global commerce and culture, and military thinking was infected with viral ideas about how wireless networks might change warfare.

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The Industrial Revolution changed that situation, and almost more importantly, changed the culture and structure of our educational and governmental systems and approaches.

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With an uplifting, "people power" theme combining references to British history and pop culture, the rambunctious ceremony covered subjects as diverse as the Industrial Revolution, the National Health Service, popular children's book characters including Peter Pan and Mary Poppins, and pop stars past and present.

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Just as Sakamoto helped bring about a social revolution that set Japan on the road to modernization, Son, Sawada and Nambu are calling for another revolution - one that will replace what they believe is an inefficient, outdated business culture with a new paradigm that will prepare Japan for the next century.

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